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Ridgefield Park, New Jersey

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Ridgefield Park, New Jersey
Village
Village of Ridgefield Park
Map highlighting Ridgefield Park's location within Bergen County. Inset: Bergen County's location within New Jersey.
Map highlighting Ridgefield Park's location within Bergen County. Inset: Bergen County's location within New Jersey.
Census Bureau map of Ridgefield Park, New Jersey
Census Bureau map of Ridgefield Park, New Jersey
CountryUnited States
StateNew Jersey
CountyBergen
Settled1685
IncorporatedJune 15, 1892
Government
[2]
 • TypeWash Act
 • MayorGeorge D. Fosdick (term ends April 30, 2016)[1]
Area
[3]
 • Total
1.919 sq mi (4.971 km2)
 • Land1.723 sq mi (4.464 km2)
 • Water0.196 sq mi (0.507 km2)  10.19%
 • Rank420th of 566 in state
51st of 70 in county[3]
Elevation
[4]
56 ft (17 m)
Population
 (2010 Census)[5][6][7]
 • Total
12,729
 • Rank191st of 566 in state
26th of 70 in county[8]
 • Density7,385.6/sq mi (2,851.6/km2)
  • Rank54th of 566 in state
15th of 70 in county[8]
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (Eastern (EDT))
ZIP code
07660[9]
Area code(s)201/551
FIPS code3400362940Template:GR[3][10]
GNIS feature ID0885368Template:GR[3]
Websitehttp://www.ridgefieldpark.org

Ridgefield Park is a village in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. as of the 2010 United States Census, the village's population was 12,729,[5][6][7] reflecting a decline of 144 (-1.1%) from the 12,873 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 419 (+3.4%) from the 12,454 counted in the 1990 Census.[11] Of 566 municipalities statewide, Ridgefield Park is one of only four with a village type of government in New Jersey, though it operates a Walsh Act (City Commission) form of government. Of the four New Jersey villages only Loch Arbour had retained the village form of government, while Ridgewood operates under the Council-Manager form and the Township of South Orange Village operates under a Special Charter form with many characteristics of village government.[12]

Ridgefield Park was formed as a village on June 15, 1892, within Ridgefield Township, based on the results of a referendum passed on June 6, 1892. Overpeck Township was formed on March 23, 1897 to be coextensive with Ridgefield Park village, and was created within Ridgefield Township for the purpose of administering a Board of Education. Portions of the village were taken gained in both 1921 and 1926 from Bogota and Teaneck. On May 31, 1938, Ridgefield Township became Ridgefield Park Township.[13]

The village's Fourth of July Parade, first established in 1894, is said to be the longest continuously celebrated such event in New Jersey and one of the oldest in the country.[14] The village eliminated its July 4 fireworks in 2009, citing the $50,000 cost in the face of the difficult economy, but committed to retain its parade.[15]

Geography

Ridgefield Park is located at 40°51′17″N 74°01′12″W / 40.854705°N 74.019926°W / 40.854705; -74.019926 (40.854705,-74.019926). According to the United States Census Bureau, the village had a total area of 1.919 square miles (4.971 km2), of which, 1.723 square miles (4.464 km2) of it is land and 0.196 square miles (0.507 km2) of it (10.19%) is water.Template:GR[3]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19001,987—
19104,512127.1%
19208,57590.0%
193010,76425.5%
194011,2774.8%
195011,9936.3%
196012,7015.9%
197013,99010.1%
198012,738−8.9%
199012,454−2.2%
200012,8733.4%
201012,729−1.1%
2011 (est.)12,812[16]0.7%
Population sources:
1900-1910[17] 1910-1930[18]
1900-1990[19][20] 2000[21][22] 2010[5][6][7]

2010 Census

Template:USCensusDemographics

The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $60,656 (with a margin of error of +/- $8,846) and the median family income was $83,189 (+/- $13,092). Males had a median income of $51,781 (+/- $2,949) versus $47,714 (+/- $8,394) for females. The per capita income for the village was $30,893 (+/- $2,038). About 3.1% of families and 5.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.8% of those under age 18 and 10.2% of those age 65 or over.[23]

Same-sex couples headed 34 households in 2010, an increase from the 21 counted in 2000.[24]

2000 Census

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 12,873 people, 5,012 households, and 3,242 families residing in the village. The population density was 7,435.7 people per square mile (2,873.0/km2). There were 5,134 housing units at an average density of 1, 145.8/km2 (2,965.5/sq mi). The racial makeup of the village was 78.20% White, 4.10% African American, 0.22% Native American, 7.85% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 6.50% from other races, and 3.09% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 22.24% of the population.[21][22]

There were 5,012 households out of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.7% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.3% were non-families. 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.24.[21][22]

In the village the population was spread out with 22.4% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 34.4% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 91.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.6 males.[21][22]

The median income for a household in the village was $51,825, and the median income for a family was $62,414. Males had a median income of $44,507 versus $35,217 for females. The per capita income for the village was $24,290. About 4.7% of families and 6.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.9% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over.[21][22]

Government

Local government

Municipal building in Ridgefield Park on Main Street.

Ridgefield Park has been governed under the Walsh Act since 1912.[25] The Board of Commissioners consists of five members, elected at large in non-partisan elections to serve four-year terms on a concurrent basis. The commissioners elect one commissioner as mayor, however the mayor is only responsible for his or her departments and serves as the chair of the commission.[2]

As of 2012, the members of the Ridgefield Park Board of Commissioners, whose terms of office all end in 2012, are Mayor George D. Fosdick (Commissioner of Public Safety), John H. Anlian (Commissioner of Public Affairs), Maggie Boyd (Commissioner of Revenue and Finance), Adam MacNeill (Commissioner of Parks and Public Property) and Hugo R. Poli (Commissioner of Public Works).[26]

In elections held on May 13, 2008, the four incumbents running for re-election — George D. Fosdick (1,210 votes), Maggie Boyd (1,142), John H. Anlian (1,063) and Hugo R. Poli (1,006) — all won new terms in office. Challenger Adam MacNeill received 1,037 votes to win the seat vacated by Joseph Storer, with Frank Scerbo (653) and Junior Hernandez (458) falling short.[27]

Federal, state and county representation

Ridgefield Park is located in the 9th Congressional District[28] and is part of New Jersey's 36th state legislative district.[6][29][30] Prior to the 2011 reapportionment following the 2010 Census, Ridgefield Park had been in the 37th state legislative district.[31]

For the 118th United States Congress, New Jersey's 9th congressional district was represented by Bill Pascrell (D, Paterson) until his death in August 2024.[32][33] New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Democrats Cory Booker (Newark, term ends 2027) and Andy Kim (Moorestown, term ends 2031).[34][35]

For the 2024-2025 session, the 36th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Paul Sarlo (D, Wood-Ridge) and in the General Assembly by Clinton Calabrese (D, Cliffside Park) and Gary Schaer (D, Passaic).[36] Template:NJ Governor

Bergen County is governed by a directly elected County Executive, with legislative functions performed by a Board of County Commissioners composed of seven members who are elected at-large to three-year terms in partisan elections on a staggered basis, with either two or three seats coming up for election each November; a Chairman and Vice Chairman are selected from among its seven members at a reorganization meeting held every January. As of 2024, the county executive is James J. Tedesco III (D, Paramus), whose four-year term of office ends December 31, 2026.[37]

Bergen County's Commissioners are: Thomas J. Sullivan Jr. (D, Montvale, 2025),[38] Chair Germaine M. Ortiz (D, Emerson, 2025),[39] Joan Voss (D, Fort Lee, 2026),[40] Vice Chair Mary J. Amoroso (D, Mahwah, 2025),[41] Rafael Marte (D, Bergenfield, 2026),[42] Steven A. Tanelli (D, North Arlington, 2024)[43] and Tracy Silna Zur (D, Franklin Lakes, 2024).[44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51]

Bergen County's constitutional officials are: Clerk John S. Hogan (D, Northvale, 2026),[52][53] Sheriff Anthony Cureton (D, Englewood, 2024)[54][55] and Surrogate Michael R. Dressler (D, Cresskill, 2026).[56][57][47][58]

Politics

As of Election Day, November 4, 2008, there were 6,054 registered voters. Of registered voters, 2,170 (35.8% of all registered voters) were registered as Democrats, 918 (15.2%) were registered as Republicans and 2,963 (48.9%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were three voters registered to other parties.[59]

In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 61.9% of the vote here (3,104 ballots cast), ahead of Republican John McCain, who received 36.7% of the vote (1,839 ballots), with 83.1% of registered voters participating.[59] In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 55.4% of the vote in Ridgefield Park (2,681 cast), ahead of Republican George W. Bush, who received around 43.5% (2,104 votes), with 4,835 ballots cast among the village's 6,575 registered voters, for a turnout of 73.5%.[60]

In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Democrat Jon Corzine received 53.7% of the vote in Ridgefield Park (1,657 cast), outpolling Republican Chris Christie, who received around 39.6% (1,223 votes), with 3,085 ballots cast among the village's 6,753 registered voters, for a turnout of 45.7%.[60][61]

Education

The Ridgefield Park Public Schools serve students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. Schools in the district (with 2009-10 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[62]) are three K-6 elementary schools – Grant School (201 students), Lincoln School (376) and Roosevelt School (389) – and Ridgefield Park High School for grades 7-12 (1,197). Students from Little Ferry attend the high school as part of a sending/receiving relationship with the Little Ferry Public Schools that has been in place since 1953.[63][64]

Transportation

New Jersey Transit bus routes 155, 157, 161, 165, 167 and 168 provide service between Ridgefield Park and the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan, and the 83 route provides service to Hackensack and the Journal Square Transportation Center in Jersey City.[65]

Interstate 80, Interstate 95 (the New Jersey Turnpike), and U.S. Route 46 pass through Ridgefield Park, where a 12-screen movie theater owned by AMC as well as numerous businesses such as Samsung are located.

The historic Route 46 Hackensack River Bridge crosses the river to Little Ferry.

Notable people

Notable current and former residents of Ridgefield Park include:

References

  1. ^ 2013 New Jersey Mayors Directory, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Accessed May 13, 2013.
  2. ^ a b 2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 157.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Gazetteer of New Jersey Places, United States Census Bureau. Accessed June 14, 2013.
  4. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Village of Ridgefield Park, Geographic Names Information System. Accessed March 11, 2013.
  5. ^ a b c DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 for Ridgefield Park village, Bergen County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed March 13, 2013.
  6. ^ a b c d Municipalities Grouped by 2011-2020 Legislative Districts, New Jersey Department of State, p. 14. Accessed January 6, 2013.
  7. ^ a b c Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2010 for Ridgefield Park village, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed March 13, 2013.
  8. ^ a b GCT-PH1 Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision from the 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed March 13, 2013.
  9. ^ Look Up a ZIP Code for Ridgefield Park, NJ, United States Postal Service. Accessed January 29, 2012.
  10. ^ A Cure for the Common Codes: New Jersey, Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed November 26, 2012.
  11. ^ Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed March 13, 2013.
  12. ^ Cerra, Michael F. "Forms of Government", New Jersey Municipalities (publication of the New Jersey State League of Municipalities), March 2007. Accessed August 5, 2008.
  13. ^ Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 85. Accessed January 29, 2012.
  14. ^ Klein, Alvin; and Emblen, Mary L. New Jersey Guide, The New York Times, July 3, 1994. Accessed July 12, 2011. "Ridgefield Park will strike up the band with extra gusto at this year's Fourth of July parade tomorrow because it is the 100th and, the sponsors assert, the longest consecutively produced one in the nation. Residents of the village took seriously the suggestion made years before by John Adams that the nation's citizenry to celebrate independence with parades, fireworks and joyous gatherings. Volunteer committees have put together an observance every year since 1894 in spite of two World Wars, the Great Depression and other distractions."
  15. ^ Kocieniewski, David. "Bad Economy Dampens Celebrations for July 4th", The New York Times, June 21, 2009. Accessed July 12, 2011. "But in Ridgefield Park, N.J., home of the state’s oldest Fourth of July celebration, village leaders decided this year that because of the exceptionally bleak economic outlook, they could not afford to put on their traditional show, which costs about $50,000. “I’m not going to say it’s a luxury, because fireworks are a very important tradition, and Fourth of July is a very important day,” said Ridgefield Park’s mayor, George D. Fosdick. “But if you’re confronting a situation where you’re afraid you may have to lay people off and cost a family its livelihood, then it’s a decision that you have to make.” Mr. Fosdick said the village would hold the rest of its Independence Day celebration, including its home- and business-decorating contest and two parades."
  16. ^ Census Estimates for New Jersey April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2011, United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 27, 2012.
  17. ^ Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910: Population by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions, 1910, 1900, 1890, United States Census Bureau, p. 335. Accessed May 8, 2012. Listed as "Overpeck Township".
  18. ^ Fifteenth Census of the United States : 1930 - Population Volume I, United States Census Bureau, p. 712. Accessed January 29, 2012.
  19. ^ New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network, backed up by the Internet Archive as of May 2, 2009. Accessed January 29, 2012.
  20. ^ Bergen County Census Data, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed January 29, 2012.
  21. ^ a b c d e Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Ridgefield Park village, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed March 13, 2013.
  22. ^ a b c d e DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Ridgefield Park village, Bergen County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed March 13, 2013.
  23. ^ DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Ridgefield Park village, Bergen County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 29, 2012.
  24. ^ Lipman, Harvy; and Sheingold, Dave. "North Jersey sees 30% growth in same-sex couples", The Record (Bergen County), August 14, 2011. Accessed March 13, 2013.
  25. ^ The Commission Form of Municipal Government, p. 53. Accessed August 11, 2007.
  26. ^ The Board of Commissioners, Village of Ridgefield Park. Accessed January 29, 2012.
  27. ^ Fabiano, Giovanna; and Lamb, William. "May 13 town election results - Ridgefield Park", The Record (Bergen County), May 13, 2008. Accessed July 8, 2008. "The four incumbents were easily re-elected. MacNeill was elected to the seat being vacated by Commissioner Joseph Storer."
  28. ^ Plan Components Report, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed January 6, 2013.
  29. ^ 2012 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, p. 63, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed January 6, 2013.
  30. ^ Districts by Number for 2011-2020, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 6, 2013.
  31. ^ 2011 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, p. 63, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed January 6, 2013.
  32. ^ Directory of Representatives: New Jersey, United States House of Representatives. Accessed January 3, 2019.
  33. ^ Biography, Congressman Bill Pascrell. Accessed January 3, 2019. "A native son of Paterson, N.J., Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. has built a life of public service upon the principles he learned while growing up on the south side of the Silk City."
  34. ^ U.S. Sen. Cory Booker cruises past Republican challenger Rik Mehta in New Jersey, PhillyVoice. Accessed April 30, 2021. "He now owns a home and lives in Newark's Central Ward community."
  35. ^ https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/andy-kim-new-jersey-senate/
  36. ^ Legislative Roster for District 36, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 20, 2024.
  37. ^ County Executive, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  38. ^ Vice Chairman Commissioner Chairman Thomas J. Sullivan, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  39. ^ Commissioner Vice Chairwoman Germaine M. Ortiz, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  40. ^ Commissioner Chair Pro Tempore Dr. Joan M. Voss, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  41. ^ Commissioner Mary J. Amoroso, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  42. ^ Cattafi, Kristie. "Democrats pick Bergenfield councilman to fill vacancy on Bergen County commissioners board", The Record, March 13, 2023. Accessed March 16, 2023. "A Democratic councilman from Bergenfield will be sworn in as a Bergen County commissioner Wednesday night, filling a vacancy on the governing body for almost 1 million residents. Rafael Marte will serve until Dec. 31, taking on the unexpired term left by former Commissioner Ramon Hache, a Democrat who resigned last week to lead the Ridgewood YMCA as its chief executive officer."
  43. ^ Commissioner Steven A. Tanelli, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  44. ^ Commissioner Tracy Silna Zur, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  45. ^ Board of County Commissioners, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  46. ^ 2022 County Data Sheet, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  47. ^ a b 2022 County and Municipal Directory, Bergen County, New Jersey, March 2022. Accessed January 30, 2023.
  48. ^ Bergen County November 8, 2022 General Election Statement of Vote, Bergen County, New Jersey Clerk, updated November 21, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.
  49. ^ Bergen County Statement of Vote November 2, 2021 Official results, Bergen County, New Jersey, updated November 17, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.
  50. ^ Precinct Summary Results Report - Combined 2020 Bergen County General Election - November 3, 2020 Official Results, Bergen County, New Jersey, December 3, 2020. Accessed January 1, 2021.
  51. ^ Bergen County November 5, 2019 General Election Statement of Vote, Bergen County, New Jersey Clerk, updated December 10, 2019. Accessed January 1, 2020.
  52. ^ About the Clerk, Bergen County Clerk. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  53. ^ Clerks, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  54. ^ Sheriff Anthony Cureton, Bergen County Sheriff's Office. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  55. ^ Sheriffs, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  56. ^ Michael R. Dressler, Bergen County Surrogate's Court. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  57. ^ Surrogates, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  58. ^ Constitutional Officers, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  59. ^ a b 2008 General Election Results for Ridgefield Park, The Record (Bergen County). Accessed January 29, 2012.
  60. ^ a b 2004 Presidential Election results: Bergen County, New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety, Division of Elections, dated December 13, 2004. Accessed January 29, 2012.
  61. ^ 2009 Governor: Bergen County, New Jersey Department of State, December 31, 2009. Accessed January 29, 2012.
  62. ^ Data for the Ridgefield Park Public Schools, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed July 12, 2011.
  63. ^ Little Ferry Public Schools 2010 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed July 12, 2011. "The Little Ferry Public School district is a unique district nestled in Southern Bergen County. We enjoy the full support of our board of education, governing body, parents, and the community at large. We have just shy of 1,000 students in our Pre-K – 8th Grade setting, and are responsible for over 400 high school students who we send to either Ridgefield Park Jr.-Sr. High School or the Bergen County Vocational Technical High School and Academy."
  64. ^ James, George. "School Districts' Battle On Tuition Goes to Court", The New York Times, December 16, 1989. Accessed May 27, 2008. "Little Ferry, a borough of 1.5 square miles (3.9 km2) and 9,900 people, has sent its high school students to this neighboring 1.92-square-mile (5.0 km2) village of 12,000 people, since 1953."
  65. ^ Routes by County: Bergen County, New Jersey Transit, backed up by the Internet Archive as of May 22, 2009. Accessed July 12, 2011.
  66. ^ Spelling, Ian. "Ours lead singer Jimmy Gnecco will perform in Manhattan", The Record (Bergen County), May 20, 2010. Accessed August 15, 2012. "Gnecco – who was born in Teaneck, raised in Ridgefield Park and lives in Bogota — plays every instrument on the album, which includes such songs as 'Rest Your Soul,' 'Take a Chance,' 'Mystery' and the title track."
  67. ^ Overbye, Dennis. "John Huchra Dies at 61; Maps Altered Ideas on Universe", The New York Times, October 13, 2010. Accessed October 14, 2010.
  68. ^ Fosdick, George. History of Ridgefield Park High School, Ridgefield Park Jr. / Sr. High School Alumni Association. Accessed March 21, 2008. "Bud Lewis '37 was the co-pilot of the Enola Gay Aircraft which dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, leading to the end of World War II, a war in which over 1,000 RPHS graduates served."
  69. ^ Fosdick, George. History of Ridgefield Park High School, Ridgefield Park Jr. / Sr. High School Alumni Association. Accessed March 21, 2008. "Among those who rose to national prominence are Ozzie Nelson ’23, a radio and television performer who often mentioned his RPHS experiences on his radio and television programs."
  70. ^ Levin, Jay. "Their lives made ours a little richer", The Record (Bergen County), January 1, 2008. Accessed May 27, 2008.
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