Bernardsville, New Jersey
Encyclopedia
Bernardsville is a borough
and affluent suburb in Somerset County
, New Jersey
, United States. Bernardsville has the 10th-highest per capita income in the state. Nationwide, Bernardsville ranks 75th among the 100 highest-income places in the United States (with at least 1,000 households). As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population is 7,707.
Bernardsville was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature
on March 6, 1924, from portions of Bernards Township
, based on the results of a referendum held on April 29, 1924.
Part of the borough was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
as Olcott Avenue Historic District
in 2009.
known as Vealtown. In 1840, Vealtown became Bernardsville, named after Sir Francis Bernard, Colonial governor of New Jersey from 1758 to 1760. Nestled in the northern most part of Somerset County, just 12 miles (19.3 km) south of Morristown
, this rustic community sits in some of the last vestiges of the Great Eastern Forest.
During the American Revolutionary War, General Charles Lee rested his troops in Vealtown around the night of 12 to 13 December 1776. General Lee and some of his guard spent the night about 3 miles (5 km) SE at White's Inn on the SE side of Basking Ridge, NJ, near the manor house of Lord Stirling (American General William Alexander). On the morning of 13 Dec 1776, General Lee was captured by the British and removed to New York.
After the Civil War
, many wealthy and prominent New York
ers moved into the area, first as summer visitors, then as permanent residents of the Bernardsville Mountain.
The Gladstone Branch
railroad line was built through Bernardsville in 1872 and played an important role in the borough's development. Bernardsville did not become an independent municipality until 1924, when it split from Bernards Township.
Olcott Avenue Historic District, above Olcott Center
The New Jersey State Review Board for Historic Sites recommended the creation of the Olcott Avenue historic district on February 10, 2009. While the Olcott Avenue School is but one historic structure within Bernardsville's first historic district area, the areas appeal and historic significance remembers the story of the rise of the middle class in Bernardsville and how this particular location impacted the entire region, from the downtown, Little Italy, and even the Mountain Colony areas.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the borough has a total area of 12.9 square miles (33.4 km²), of which, 12.9 square miles (33.4 km²) of it is land and 0.08% is water.
of 2000, there were 7,345 people, 2,723 households, and 2,050 families residing in the borough. The population density
was 568.1 people per square mile (219.3/km2). There were 2,807 housing units at an average density of 217.1 per square mile (83.8/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 93.94% White, 0.25% African American, 0.15% Native American, 2.64% Asian, 1.55% from other races
, and 1.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.98% of the population.
There were 2,723 households out of which 35.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.2% were married couples
living together, 6.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.7% were non-families. 21.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the borough the population was spread out with 26.1% under the age of 18, 4.5% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 28.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 96.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.3 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $104,162, and the median income for a family was $126,601. Males had a median income of $91,842 versus $50,732 for females. The per capita income
for the borough was US$69,854. About 1.6% of families and 2.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.3% of those under age 18 and 2.5% of those age 65 or over.
form of New Jersey municipal government. The government consists of a Mayor and a six-member Borough Council, with all positions elected on an at-large
basis in partisan elections. A Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The Borough Council consists of six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year.
, the Mayor
of Bernardsville is Lee C. Honecker. Members of the Borough Council are Council President Kevin Sooy, Joe DeMarco, Charlotte Foster, Craig Lawrence, John McCrossan and Joseph Rossi, Jr.
based on the results of the 2010 Census. The new district will be in effect for the June 2011 primary and the November 2011 general election, with the state senator and assembly members elected taking office in the new district as of January 2012.
, a regional school district serving students from Bernardsville, Far Hills
and Peapack-Gladstone
, along with students from Bedminster
who are sent to the district's high school as part of a sending/receiving relationship
. The three schools in the district (with 2009-10 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics
), all of which are located in Bernardsville, are
Bedwell Elementary School (PreK–4 with 737 students),
Bernardsville Middle School (5–8 with 549 students) and
Bernards High School
(9–12 with 779 students).
Borough (New Jersey)
A borough in the context of New Jersey local government refers to one of five types and one of eleven forms of municipal government....
and affluent suburb in Somerset County
Somerset County, New Jersey
Somerset County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. In 2010, the population was 323,444. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Somerville....
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, United States. Bernardsville has the 10th-highest per capita income in the state. Nationwide, Bernardsville ranks 75th among the 100 highest-income places in the United States (with at least 1,000 households). As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population is 7,707.
Bernardsville was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature
New Jersey Legislature
The New Jersey Legislature is the legislative branch of the government of the U.S. state of New Jersey. In its current form, as defined by the New Jersey Constitution of 1947, the Legislature consists of two houses: the General Assembly and the Senate...
on March 6, 1924, from portions of Bernards Township
Bernards Township, New Jersey
-History:Bernards Township was originally formed by Royal Charter in 1760 as Bernardston Township from remaining portions of Northern precinct. It was incorporated as Bernards Township as one of New Jersey's initial group of 104 townships by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798...
, based on the results of a referendum held on April 29, 1924.
Part of the borough was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
as Olcott Avenue Historic District
Olcott Avenue Historic District
The Olcott Avenue Historic District, in the Somerset County, New Jersey borough of Bernardsville, recognizes a neighborhood that was developed in the early 20th century.According to the National Park Service:...
in 2009.
History
Bernardsville was originally a section of Bernards TownshipBernards Township, New Jersey
-History:Bernards Township was originally formed by Royal Charter in 1760 as Bernardston Township from remaining portions of Northern precinct. It was incorporated as Bernards Township as one of New Jersey's initial group of 104 townships by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798...
known as Vealtown. In 1840, Vealtown became Bernardsville, named after Sir Francis Bernard, Colonial governor of New Jersey from 1758 to 1760. Nestled in the northern most part of Somerset County, just 12 miles (19.3 km) south of Morristown
Morristown, New Jersey
Morristown is a town in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town population was 18,411. It is the county seat of Morris County. Morristown became characterized as "the military capital of the American Revolution" because of its strategic role in the...
, this rustic community sits in some of the last vestiges of the Great Eastern Forest.
During the American Revolutionary War, General Charles Lee rested his troops in Vealtown around the night of 12 to 13 December 1776. General Lee and some of his guard spent the night about 3 miles (5 km) SE at White's Inn on the SE side of Basking Ridge, NJ, near the manor house of Lord Stirling (American General William Alexander). On the morning of 13 Dec 1776, General Lee was captured by the British and removed to New York.
After the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, many wealthy and prominent New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
ers moved into the area, first as summer visitors, then as permanent residents of the Bernardsville Mountain.
The Gladstone Branch
Gladstone Branch
The Gladstone Branch is a branch of New Jersey Transit's Morris and Essex Lines. The Gladstone Branch primarily serves commuter trains; freight service is no longer operated...
railroad line was built through Bernardsville in 1872 and played an important role in the borough's development. Bernardsville did not become an independent municipality until 1924, when it split from Bernards Township.
Olcott Avenue Historic District, above Olcott Center
The New Jersey State Review Board for Historic Sites recommended the creation of the Olcott Avenue historic district on February 10, 2009. While the Olcott Avenue School is but one historic structure within Bernardsville's first historic district area, the areas appeal and historic significance remembers the story of the rise of the middle class in Bernardsville and how this particular location impacted the entire region, from the downtown, Little Italy, and even the Mountain Colony areas.
Geography
Bernardsville is located at 40°44'N 74°36'W (40.7188, -74.5777).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the borough has a total area of 12.9 square miles (33.4 km²), of which, 12.9 square miles (33.4 km²) of it is land and 0.08% is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 7,345 people, 2,723 households, and 2,050 families residing in the borough. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 568.1 people per square mile (219.3/km2). There were 2,807 housing units at an average density of 217.1 per square mile (83.8/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 93.94% White, 0.25% African American, 0.15% Native American, 2.64% Asian, 1.55% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.98% of the population.
There were 2,723 households out of which 35.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.2% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 6.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.7% were non-families. 21.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the borough the population was spread out with 26.1% under the age of 18, 4.5% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 28.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 96.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.3 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $104,162, and the median income for a family was $126,601. Males had a median income of $91,842 versus $50,732 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the borough was US$69,854. About 1.6% of families and 2.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.3% of those under age 18 and 2.5% of those age 65 or over.
Local government
Bernardsville is governed under the BoroughBorough (New Jersey)
A borough in the context of New Jersey local government refers to one of five types and one of eleven forms of municipal government....
form of New Jersey municipal government. The government consists of a Mayor and a six-member Borough Council, with all positions elected on an at-large
At-Large
At-large is a designation for representative members of a governing body who are elected or appointed to represent the whole membership of the body , rather than a subset of that membership...
basis in partisan elections. A Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The Borough Council consists of six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year.
, the Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Bernardsville is Lee C. Honecker. Members of the Borough Council are Council President Kevin Sooy, Joe DeMarco, Charlotte Foster, Craig Lawrence, John McCrossan and Joseph Rossi, Jr.
Federal, state and county representation
Bernardsville is in the 7th Congressional district and is part of New Jersey's 16th state legislative district. The borough was relocated to the 25th state legislative district by the New Jersey Apportionment CommissionNew Jersey Apportionment Commission
The New Jersey Apportionment Commission is a constitutionally-created ten-member commission responsible for apportioning the forty districts of the New Jersey Legislature. The commission is convened after each decennial U.S. Census, and the districts are to be in use for the legislative elections...
based on the results of the 2010 Census. The new district will be in effect for the June 2011 primary and the November 2011 general election, with the state senator and assembly members elected taking office in the new district as of January 2012.
Education
Public school students in grades PreK–12 attend the schools of the Somerset Hills Regional School DistrictSomerset Hills Regional School District
The Somerset Hills Regional School District is a comprehensive regional K–12 public school district serving students from four communities in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States...
, a regional school district serving students from Bernardsville, Far Hills
Far Hills, New Jersey
Far Hills is a borough in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the population was 919.Far Hills was incorporated as a borough based on an Act of the New Jersey Legislature passed on April 7, 1921, from portions of Bernards Township, subject to the results...
and Peapack-Gladstone
Peapack-Gladstone, New Jersey
Peapack and Gladstone is a borough in Somerset County in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 Census, the borough population was 2,582...
, along with students from Bedminster
Bedminster Township, New Jersey
Bedminster Township is a Township in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 8,165....
who are sent to the district's high school as part of a sending/receiving relationship
Sending/receiving relationship
A sending/receiving relationship is one in which a public school district sends some or all of its students to attend the schools of another district. This is often done to achieve costs savings in smaller districts or continues after districts have grown as part of a historical relationship...
. The three schools in the district (with 2009-10 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics
National Center for Education Statistics
The National Center for Education Statistics is the part of the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences that collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics on education and public school district finance information in the United States...
), all of which are located in Bernardsville, are
Bedwell Elementary School (PreK–4 with 737 students),
Bernardsville Middle School (5–8 with 549 students) and
Bernards High School
Bernards High School
Bernards High School is a comprehensive four-year regional public high school in Somerset County, New Jersey. The school is part of the Somerset Hills Regional School District, a regional K–12 school district that consists of the participating municipalities of Bernardsville, Far Hills and...
(9–12 with 779 students).
Notable residents
Notable current and former residents of Bernardsville include:- Brooke AstorBrooke AstorRoberta Brooke Astor was an American philanthropist and socialite who was the chairwoman of the Vincent Astor Foundation, which had been established by her third husband, Vincent Astor, son of John Jacob Astor IV and great-great grandson of America's first multi-millionaire, John Jacob...
(1902–2007), lived here during her marriage to John Dryden KuserJohn Dryden KuserJohn Dryden Kuser was a New Jersey politician and a member of an influential New Jersey family. The son of Colonel Anthony R. Kuser and Susan Dryden, his father was the President of the South Jersey Gas and Electric Lighting Company and one of the original investors in Fox Movie Studios.Col...
(1897–1964). - Roger BartRoger BartRoger Bart is an American actor and singer.-Life and career:Bart was born in Norwalk, Connecticut, the son of a teacher and a chemical engineer, and grew up in Bernardsville, New Jersey. His uncle is journalist Peter Bart. He made his Broadway debut in Big River as Tom Sawyer in 1987...
(born 1962), actor. - Forrest F. DrydenForrest F. DrydenForrest Fairchild Dryden was the President of Prudential Insurance Company of America from 1912 until 1922. Prudential was founded by his father, John F. Dryden, who was also a United States Senator, representing New Jersey.-Youth and Education:Dryden was born in Bedford, Ohio on December 26,...
(1864–1932), President of Prudential Insurance CompanyPrudential FinancialThe Prudential Insurance Company of America , also known as Prudential Financial, Inc., is a Fortune Global 500 and Fortune 500 company whose subsidiaries provide insurance, investment management, and other financial products and services to both retail and institutional customers throughout the...
. - John Fairfield Dryden (1839–1911), founder of Prudential Insurance Company and U.S. Senator.
- Ernest DuncanErnest DuncanErnest R Duncan was a New Zealand-born mathematician, Australian headmaster and American professor.-Early career:Duncan was born in Clyde, New Zealand, and graduated from the University of Otago...
(1916–90), mathematician. - Marc EckoMarc EckoMarc Eckō is an American fashion designer, entrepreneur, investor, artist, and philanthropist. He is the founder and Chief Creative Officer of Marc Eckō Enterprises, a billion-dollar global fashion and lifestyle company...
(born 1972), fashion designer and entrepreneur. - Millicent FenwickMillicent FenwickMillicent Hammond Fenwick was an American fashion editor, politician and diplomat. A four-term Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from New Jersey, she entered politics late in life and was renowned for her energy and colorful enthusiasm...
(1910–92), U.S. Congresswoman, United States representative to the United Nations Food and Agriculture OrganizationFood and Agriculture OrganizationThe Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is a specialised agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Serving both developed and developing countries, FAO acts as a neutral forum where all nations meet as equals to negotiate agreements and...
. - Henry Janeway HardenberghHenry Janeway HardenberghHenry Janeway Hardenbergh was an American architect, best known for his hotels and apartment buildings.-Life and career:...
(1847–1918), architect. - Andrew McCarthyAndrew McCarthyAndrew Thomas McCarthy is an American actor. He is known for his roles in the 1980s films St. Elmo's Fire, Mannequin, Weekend at Bernie's, Pretty in Pink, and Less Than Zero, and more recently for his role in the television shows Lipstick Jungle, White Collar and Royal Pains.-Career:McCarthy...
(born 1962), actor. - Bill MoyersBill MoyersBill Moyers is an American journalist and public commentator. He served as White House Press Secretary in the United States President Lyndon B. Johnson Administration from 1965 to 1967. He worked as a news commentator on television for ten years. Moyers has had an extensive involvement with public...
(born 1934), journalist and commentator. - Jacqueline Kennedy OnassisJacqueline Kennedy OnassisJacqueline Lee Bouvier "Jackie" Kennedy Onassis was the wife of the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy, and served as First Lady of the United States during his presidency from 1961 until his assassination in 1963. Five years later she married Greek shipping magnate Aristotle...
(1929–94), former first lady, and her husband Aristotle OnassisAristotle OnassisAristotle Sokratis Onassis , commonly called Ari or Aristo Onassis, was a prominent Greek shipping magnate.- Early life :Onassis was born in Karatass, a suburb of Smyrna to Socrates and Penelope Onassis...
(1906–75). - Donald RoeblingDonald RoeblingDonald Roebling was an eccentric twentieth century American philanthropist and inventor. He is most famous for inventing the amtrac in 1937, which he originally intended to be a hurricane rescue device...
(1908–59), inventor of the amphtrack. - John A. Roebling II, financier.
- Meryl StreepMeryl StreepMary Louise "Meryl" Streep is an American actress who has worked in theatre, television and film.Streep made her professional stage debut in 1971's The Playboy of Seville, before her screen debut in the television movie The Deadliest Season in 1977. In that same year, she made her film debut with...
(born 1949), actress. - Mike TysonMike TysonMichael Gerard "Mike" Tyson is a retired American boxer. Tyson is a former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world and holds the record as the youngest boxer to win the WBC, WBA and IBF world heavyweight titles, he was 20 years, 4 months and 22 days old...
(born 1966) and Robin GivensRobin GivensRobin Simone Givens is an American model and film, television, and stage actress. She is best known for her role as Darlene Merriman on the television series Head of the Class.-Early life:...
(born 1964).
Pronunciation
Bernardsville is often mispronounced as "BernARDSville" as opposed to the correct parochial pronunciation "BERNardsville".External links
- Bernardsville official web site
- Somerset Hills School District
- Data for the Somerset Hills School District, National Center for Education StatisticsNational Center for Education StatisticsThe National Center for Education Statistics is the part of the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences that collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics on education and public school district finance information in the United States...
- The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills
- Brief History of Bernardsville
- Bernardsville's First Historic District - Olcott Avenue Historic District