West New York, New Jersey

History

West New York was incorporated as a town by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on July 8, 1898, replacing Union Township, based on the results of a referendum held three days earlier. West New York underwent a massive growth at the beginning of the 20th century, driven by development of textile industries that made North Hudson the "Embroidery Capital of the United States".

The town was populated mainly with Italian Americans and German Americans. The 1960s saw an influx of Cuban émigrés to the area, once called Havana on the Hudson; it has since become one of the United States cities with a majority Hispanic population. Simultaneously, high-rise apartments, some of the tallest buildings in North Hudson, were built along Boulevard East, adding to the population of the town, giving it one of highest population densities in the country. Since the 1980s the Hudson waterfront, which had been part of the Weehawken Terminal has been redeveloped from industrial to residential and recreational uses, including the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town had a total area of 1.329 square miles (3.444 km²), including 1.007 square miles (2.609 km²) of land and 0.322 square miles (0.835 km²) of water (24.24%).

The ZIP code for West New York is 07093. West New York is part of the New York metropolitan area and is at the heart of the North Hudson, New Jersey region. West New York is bordered on the north by Guttenberg, on the east by the Hudson River, on the south by Union City and Weehawken, and on the west by North Bergen.

West New York is one of North Hudson's communities atop The Palisades above the Hudson River, and home to the highest point in the county. Its Hudson Waterfront has been known as Bulls Ferry since before the American Revolutionary War. Bergenline Avenue is its main commercial thoroughfare, while the wide two-way 60th Street is a major cross-town thoroughfare, and site of Town Hall. More than half of U.S. Presidents have streets bearing their name in the town.

2010 Census

The 2010 United States Census counted 49,708 people, 18,852 households, and 11,783 families residing in the town. The population density was 49,341.7 per square mile (19,050.9/km²). The town contained 20,018 housing units at an average density of 19,870.5 per square mile (7,672.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 62.04% (30,839) White, 4.60% (2,289) Black or African American, 1.50% (744) Native American, 6.01% (2,986) Asian, 0.05% (24) Pacific Islander, 20.19% (10,038) from other races, and 5.61% (2,788) from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 78.08% (38,812) of the population.

Out of a total of 18,852 households, 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.6% were married couples living together, 16.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.5% were non-families. 29.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.23.

In the town, 21.0% of the population were under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 35.4% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34.8 years. For every 100 females the census counted 98.4 males, but for 100 females at least 18 years old, it was 96.8 males.

As of the 2010 United States Census, West New York had the third-highest percentage of Hispanics in the state, at 78.1%, accounting for 2.5% of the state's Hispanic population. Though Native Americans comprise less than 1% of the city's population, they doubled in the 2000s, and combined with Union City's Native Americans comprise 38% of the county's Native American population.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $44,657 (with a margin of error of +/- $2,850) and the median family income was $42,534 (+/- $3,689). Males had a median income of $36,768 (+/- $2,414) versus $30,688 (+/- $1,952) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $24,419 (+/- $1,215). About 15.8% of families and 18.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.6% of those under age 18 and 25.6% of those age 65 or over.

2000 Census

As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 45,768 people, 16,719 households, and 11,034 families residing in the town. The population density was 44,995.1/mi² (17,324.6/km²). There were 17,360 housing units at an average density of 17,066.8/mi² (6,571.3 km²). The racial makeup of the town was 60.09% White, 3.55% African American, 0.67% Native American, 2.93% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 25.16% from other races, and 7.57% from two or more races. 78.74% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 16,719 households out of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.9% were married couples living together, 16.9% had a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 34.0% were non-families. 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.3% had someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.30.

In the town, the age distribution of the population shows 22.3% under the age of 18, 10.9% from 18 to 24, 34.1% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 96.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town is $31,980, and the median income for a family is $34,083. Males have a median income of $26,703 versus $22,326 for females. The per capita income for the town is $16,719. 18.9% of the population and 16.1% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 25.4% are under the age of 18 and 22.3% are 65 or older.

As of the 2000 Census, West New York was ranked as #52 on a list of cities with the highest percentage of renters. 80.1% of West New York residents lived in renter-occupied housing units, vs. 33.8% nationwide.

Economy

Bergenline Avenue is the main shopping district of North Hudson. West New York's Urban Enterprise Zone, one of seven established by legislation in 1996, covers portions of Bergenline Avenue from 49th to 67th Streets. In addition to other benefits to encourage employment within the Zone, shoppers can take advantage of a reduced 3½% sales tax rate (versus the 7% rate charged statewide) at eligible merchants.

Until the 1880s, the primary commercial area of West New York was Palisade Avenue. An influential citizen named Henry Kohlmeier who lived there objected to the noise created by horse-drawn public coaches, which led to the route being transferred one block west to what is now Bergenline Avenue (formerly Lewis Street), which runs parallel to Palisade Avenue, and which remains the city's main commercial thoroughfare. Currently the longest commercial avenue in the state, boasting over 300 retail stores and restaurants, Bergenline runs through not only the entire length of West New York from north to south, but also through Union City, Guttenberg and North Bergen, making it the main commercial strip for North Hudson. Also known as the "Miracle Mile", Bergenline's largest concentration of retail and chain stores begins at the intersection of 32nd Street in Union City, and continues north until 92nd Street in North Bergen. Bergenline Avenue is also used as the route for local parades, such as the annual Memorial Day Parade Cuban Day Parade and Dominican-American Parade.

Sports

In 1898, the Brooklyn Bridegrooms played two games at the West New York Field Club Grounds. The New York Giants played one game at the field in 1898 and four in 1899.

In 2011, Formula One announced plans to host a street race on a 3.2-mile (5.1 km) in West New York and Weehawken called Grand Prix of America, starting in June 2013.

Local government

Since 1931, West New York has been governed under the Walsh Act form of New Jersey municipal government by a five-member commission. Commission members are elected at-large in nonpartisan elections to serve four-year terms of office on a concurrent basis. Each Commissioner is assigned to head one of five departments. The Commission selects one of its members to serve as mayor.

As of 2016, the five members of the West New York Board of Commissioners are Mayor Felix Roque (Commissioner of Public Safety), Cosmo A. Cirillo (Commissioner of Public Affairs), Susan Colacurcio (Commissioner of Revenue and Finance), Margarita Guzman (Commissioner of Parks and Public Property) and Gabriel Rodriguez (Commissioner of Public Works), all serving concurrent terms of office ending May 17, 2019.

In the May 2011 municipal election, the "Together We Can" slate of five candidates led by Roque took all five seats on the Town Council, knocking off the slate of incumbents led by then-mayor Silverio Vega. At the town council's reorganization meeting, the five commissioners unanimously voted to appoint Roque to a four-year term as Mayor of West New York.

In February 2015, Cosmo Cirillo was selected to fill the vacant seat of Rubin Vargas, making Cirillo the youngest commissioner on town history at the age of 27.

Federal, state and county representation

West New York is located in the 8th Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 32nd state legislative district. Prior to the 2011 reapportionment following the 2010 Census, West New York had been in the 33rd state legislative district. Prior to the 2010 Census, West New York had been part of the 13th Congressional District, a change made by the New Jersey Redistricting Commission that took effect in January 2013, based on the results of the November 2012 general elections.

New Jersey's Eighth Congressional District is represented by Albio Sires (D, West New York). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Cory Booker (D, Newark, term ends 2021) and Bob Menendez (D, Paramus, 2019).

For the 2016–2017 session (Senate, General Assembly), the 32nd Legislative District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Nicholas Sacco (D, North Bergen) and in the General Assembly by Angelica M. Jimenez (D, West New York) and Vincent Prieto (D, Secaucus). The Governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie (R, Mendham Township). The Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is Kim Guadagno (R, Monmouth Beach).

West New York is in Hudson County's 7th Freeholder District. Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders District 7 comprises Weehawken, West New York, and Guttenberg and is represented by Caridad Rodriguez The Hudson County Executive, elected at-large, is Thomas A. DeGise.

Politics

As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 19,438 registered voters in West New York, of which 10,510 (54.1%) were registered as Democrats, 2,460 (12.7%) were registered as Republicans and 6,456 (33.2%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 12 voters registered to other parties.

In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 77.5% of the vote (9,682 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 21.8% (2,725 votes), and other candidates with 0.7% (85 votes), among the 12,605 ballots cast by the town's 21,268 registered voters (113 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 59.3%. In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 69.6% of the vote (9,071 cast), ahead of Republican John McCain with 29.0% (3,773 votes) and other candidates with 0.6% (78 votes), among the 13,026 ballots cast by the town's 21,023 registered voters, for a turnout of 62.0%. In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 60.8% of the vote (7,229 ballots cast), outpolling Republican George W. Bush with 36.4% (4,329 votes) and other candidates with 0.3% (54 votes), among the 11,883 ballots cast by the town's 18,058 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 65.8.

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Democrat Barbara Buono received 55.9% of the vote (3,188 cast), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 42.4% (2,416 votes), and other candidates with 1.6% (94 votes), among the 5,978 ballots cast by the town's 22,092 registered voters (280 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 27.1%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Democrat Jon Corzine received 71.2% of the vote (5,328 ballots cast), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 25.5% (1,907 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 1.3% (97 votes) and other candidates with 0.9% (67 votes), among the 7,481 ballots cast by the town's 19,045 registered voters, yielding a 39.3% turnout.

Education

West New York is served by West New York School District for pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. The district is one of 31 former Abbott districts statewide, which are now referred to as "SDA Districts" based on the requirement for the state to cover all costs for school building and renovation projects in these districts under the supervision of the New Jersey Schools Development Authority.

As of the 2011-12 school year, the district's nine schools had an enrollment of 7,805 students and 536.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 14.56:1. Schools in the district (with 2011-12 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics) are Early Childhood School for Pre-K (1,306 students), six K-6 elementary schools — Harry L. Bain School (836) Public School No. 1 (671), Public School No. 2 (624), Public School No. 3 (483), Robert Menendez Elementary School No. 4 (715) and Albio Sires Elementary School No. 5 (527) — West New York Middle School (903; 7&8) and Memorial High School (1,740; 9-12).

Private schools in West New York include St. Joseph of the Palisades Grammar School, which is overseen by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark.

American Training School for Medical Professionals is a bilingual medical school founded in 1998 by Professor Dante Joa.

Emergency services

West New York does not have its own fire department, but is one of five municipalities served by the North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue.

The West New York Emergency Medical Squad consists of 26 people (as of May 2011) who are based at the EMS house on 62nd Street, which houses four trucks, to which each is assigned two workers. The Squad's second, larger facility, at 66th Street, opened May 11, 2011.

West New York's Emergency Medical Services was among the many Hudson County agencies that responded to the January 2009 crash of US Airways Flight 1549, for which they received accolades from the survivors.

Roads and highways

As of May 2010, the town had a total of 24.11 miles (38.80 km) of roadways, of which 21.92 miles (35.28 km) were maintained by the municipality, 2.19 miles (3.52 km) by Hudson County.

Public transportation

NJ Transit bus service is available to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan on the 128, 154, 156, 158, 159, 165, 166 and 168 routes. The 181 and 188 routes offer service to the George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal. Travel to other New Jersey communities, including Jersey City, is offered on the 22, 23, 84, 86, 88 and 89.

The Bergenline Avenue station of Hudson-Bergen Light Rail is located at the city line with Union City, while the Weehawken Port Imperial is located on the Weehawken waterfront at the foot of Pershing Road near the NY Waterway ferry terminal. Regular ferry crossings of the Hudson River run daily.

Jitney commuter buses operate along Bergenline Avenue, providing service to the Port Authority Bus Terminal, the George Washington Bridge Bus Station, the Newport Centre and other local destinations. The county's most frequent route for dollar buses, jitneys operate along Bergenline Avenue as frequently as one bus every minute.

The closest airport in New Jersey with scheduled passenger service is Newark Liberty International Airport, located 13.6 miles (21.9 km) away in Newark / Elizabeth. New York City's LaGuardia Airport is 13.5 miles (21.7 km) miles away in Flushing, Queens via the Lincoln Tunnel.

Media and culture

West New York is located within the New York media market, with most of its daily papers available for sale or delivery. The Jersey Journal is a local daily paper based in Jersey City. Local weeklies include the free bilingual paper, Hudson Dispatch Weekly, a former daily, The West New York Reporter, which is part of the Hudson Reporter group of local weeklies, and the Spanish language El Especialito. River View Observer is a monthly newspaper that covers the Hudson County waterfront market.

In the late 2000s, West New York, Weehawken, Union City and North Bergen came to be dubbed collectively as "NoHu", a North Hudson haven for local performing and fine artists, many of whom are immigrants from Latin America and other countries, in part due to lower housing costs compared to those in nearby art havens such as Hoboken, Jersey City and Manhattan.

Notable people

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with West New York include: