Essex County is a
countyA county is a land area of local government within a country. A county may have cities and towns within its area. Originally, in continental Europe, a county was the land under the jurisdiction of a count .Counts are called earls in post-Celtic Britain, Ireland and France—the term is from Old...
located in the northeastern part of the
U.S. stateA U.S. state is any one of 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government . Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile...
of
New JerseyNew Jersey is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered on the north by New York, and to the east by the Hudson River, Upper New York Bay, the Kill Van Kull, Newark Bay, the Arthur Kill, Raritan Bay, Sandy Hook Bay, Westchester County, New York City, Long Island, and...
. As of the United States 2000 Census, the population was 793,633, ranking it second in the state after
Bergen CountyBergen County is the most populous county of the state of New Jersey, United States. As of the 2000 Census, the population was 884,118, growing to 904,037 as of the Census Bureau's 2006 estimate. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Hackensack...
; Essex County's population had declined to 786,147 as of the bureau's 2006 population estimate. Its
county seatA county seat is a term for an administrative center for a county or civil parish, primarily used in the United States. In the Northeast United States, the statutory term often is shire town, but colloquially county seat is the term in use there...
is
NewarkBrick City redirects here. For the township in Ocean County, see Brick Township, New Jersey.Newark is the largest city in New Jersey, and the county seat of Essex County. Newark has a population of 281,402, making it the largest municipality in New Jersey and the 65th largest city in the U.S...
. It is part of the
New York Metropolitan AreaThe New York metropolitan area, also known as Metropolitan New York, Greater New York, or the Tri-State Region, is the most populous metropolitan area in the United States and is also one of the most populous in the world. The metropolitan area is defined by the U.S...
.
Overview
Essex County is the second most densely populated county in the state after
Hudson CountyHudson County is in New Jersey, United States. Its county seat is Jersey City.-Geography and topography:According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 62 square miles , of which, 47 square miles is land and 16 square miles is water...
, and has the third largest total population after
Bergen CountyBergen County is the most populous county of the state of New Jersey, United States. As of the 2000 Census, the population was 884,118, growing to 904,037 as of the Census Bureau's 2006 estimate. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Hackensack...
and
Middlesex CountyMiddlesex County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the United States 2000 Census, the population was 750,162. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area and its county seat is New Brunswick. The center of population for New Jersey is located in Middlesex County, in the...
.
Newark-United Kingdom:* Newark-on-Trent, a market town in Nottinghamshire in the East Midlands region of England and the oldest Newark** Newark * Newark, Peterborough in Cambridgeshire...
, with a population density of 11,400 people/square mile, is the largest municipality in the county both in terms of area (24.14 square miles) and population (280,000). Meanwhile, Caldwell is the smallest in terms of land area (1.2 square miles) and Essex Fells has the smallest population (2,071); nevertheless, even these small towns have population densities (6,396 people/square mile and 1,534 people/square mile, respectively) that rival many big cities, and are well above the state's average, which in turn is the highest in the nation.
Like many of the counties of
Northern New JerseyNorth Jersey is a name for the northern part of the U.S. State of New Jersey. Located between two major cities: New York City and Philadelphia, this relationship led Benjamin Franklin to describe the state as "a barrel tapped at both ends."...
near New York City — which tend to have sharp divides between relatively rich suburban neighborhoods and less wealthy, more densely-populated cities nearby — the eastern region of Essex County tends to be poorer and more urbanized, while the western parts tend to be more affluent and suburban.
Eastern Essex This wide area has significant pockets of areas that qualify as inner-city: high building density, high poverty and high crime rates and underperforming school systems. Within this general area however are many stable, mixed and middle-income areas of diverse populations. For example, north and west sides of Newark have well-kept suburban areas such as Vailsburg and
Forest Hill, Newark, New JerseyForest Hill is an affluent pre-World War II neighborhood in Newark, New Jersey's North Ward. It is bounded on the west by Branch Brook Park, on the south by Bloomfield Ave. , and on the east by Summer Avenue and Mt...
. The east side of Newark is the
IronboundThe Ironbound is a large working-class neighborhood in Newark, New Jersey. This close-knit, multi-ethnic community covers approximately four square miles . Historically, the area was called "Dutch Neck," "Down Neck," or simply "the Neck," because of the way the Passaic River curved to form what...
, a thriving
BrazilianBrazilians are all people born in Brazil. A Brazilian can be also a person born abroad to a Brazilian parent or a foreigner living in Brazil who applied for the Brazilian citizenship...
and
PortugueseThe Portuguese people are the ethnic group or nation native to the country of Portugal, in the far west of the Iberian peninsula of south-west Europe...
community.
East OrangeEast Orange is a city in Essex County, New Jersey, USA. As of the United States 2000 Census, the city had a total population of 69,824. The United States Census Bureau's 2005 population estimate for East Orange was 68,190....
has a Presidential Estate section.
NutleyNutley is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 27,362. For 2008, the population of Nutley is estimated to be over 30,000 residents....
,
BellevilleBelleville is a Township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 35,928....
and
BloomfieldBloomfield is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 47,683.-History:...
are old Italian cities that, in spite of retaining a core Italian-American population, now have many immigrants from Latin America and Asia.
Beginning at about the turn of the century, this region led the state in the rebuilding and rehab of its housing stock. In the 2000s, Newark led the state in the issuance of building permits. Many reasons were cited: city-wide incentives to encourage construction development, an improving local economy, the rising demand of low-cost housing so close to Manhattan. Newark has since then become one of the fastest growing cities in the entire Northeast. and reported a gain in median income and drop in poverty rate. This is a welcome turnaround to the deterioration and abandonment, experienced in the post-riot 70s, 80s and early part of the 90s.
Crime in this part of the county has traditionally been among the highest in the state and the country as well, but recently has also seen significant declines, mirroring its large neighbor to the east, New York City. By 2006, crime in Newark had fallen 60% over 10 years to its lowest levels in 40 years. Neighboring East Orange has seen crime fall more recently, dropping 50% in the three years (2005 to 2007). Despite the overall progress, the murder rates in Newark,
IrvingtonIrvington is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township had a total population of 60,695.-Geography:Irvington is located at ....
, and East Orange remain stubbornly high. In 2006, Newark had 113 homicides, up from 98 in 2005 and the highest since 1995, but a substantial decrease since the record of 161 murders set in 1981.
In contrast,
Western Essex tends to be more suburban and affluent. However, within this region are some of the most diverse and racially integrated municipalities in the state and nation, including
MontclairMontclair is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. It is the 50th largest municipality in New Jersey by population. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 38,977....
,
South OrangeSouth Orange Village is a suburban district of the New York Metropolitan Area located in South Orange township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 16,964...
, and
MaplewoodMaplewood is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 23,868.-History:...
. As well, many neighborhoods are well-known magnets for New Yorkers, with their liberal flavor, downtowns, and architecturally beautiful, pre-war housing stock, such as
Glen RidgeGlen Ridge is a borough in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 7,271. Glen Ridge's public school system is one of the top-ranked in the state....
, Montclair and
the OrangesThe Oranges are a group of four municipalities in Essex County, New Jersey, all of which have the word Orange in their name. All of these communities were named for the ruler of England, William III of England, also known as William of Orange...
. As an example of the widespread affluence of the area, the communities of
LivingstonLivingston is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 27,391.Livingston was incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 5, 1813, from portions of Caldwell Township and Springfield...
,
MillburnMillburn is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 19,765.Millburn Township was created as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 20, 1857, from portions of Springfield Township.Millburn also...
,
North CaldwellNorth Caldwell is an extremely wealthy borough in northwestern Essex County, New Jersey, United States, and a suburb of New York City. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 7,375....
, and
Essex FellsEssex Fells is a borough in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 2,162.Essex Fells was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 31, 1902, from portions of Caldwell Township...
are four of the hundred wealthiest towns in America and have all been known to be home to famous actors, musicians, corporate heads, and members of the
New Jersey NetsThe New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team in the National Basketball Association that plays in the Eastern Conference's Atlantic Division. They are currently based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and play their home games at the Izod Center...
and
New Jersey DevilsThe New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
.
Short HillsShort Hills is an unincorporated area located within the township of Millburn, in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. It is a popular commuter town for residents who work in New York City.- Beginnings :...
is regionally well-known as an affluent Jewish-American suburb with a popular upscale shopping mall.
As the poorest place in the county, Newark has a median household income of $26,913 and a per capita income of $13,009; at the other extreme, Essex Fells, one of the wealthier places in the county and the 4th wealthiest municipality in the state, has a median household income of $148,173 and a per capita income of $77,434. Newark and Essex Fells are only ten miles apart.
While many residents commute to New York City,
Organon InternationalOrganon is a human pharmaceutical company headquartered in Oss, Netherlands. Since November 2007 the company has been a part of Schering-Plough Corporation, which acquired Organon and its veterinary pharmaceutical sister company Intervet from Akzo Nobel....
,
Anheuser-BuschAnheuser-Busch Companies, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev, is the largest brewing company in the United States. The company operates 12 breweries in the United States and nearly 20 in other countries...
, Automatic Data Processing, Inc.,
CIT GroupCIT Group, Inc. is a large American commercial and consumer finance company, founded in 1908. The company is included in the Fortune 500 and is a leading participant in vendor financing, factoring, equipment and transportation financing, Small Business Administration loans, and asset-based lending...
, Hoffmann-LaRoche,
GraingerGrainger may refer to:People*Grainger ,Places*Grainger County, Tennessee, county located in Tennessee, USA.*Grainger Falls, waterfall in Chalky Inland, Fiordland, NZ.*Grainger Market, covered market in Newcastle upon Tyne, England....
,
Dun & BradstreetThe Dun & Bradstreet Corporation , headquartered in Short Hills, New Jersey, USA, is a provider of credit information on businesses and corporations...
and
PrudentialPrudential 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 United States and in over 30 other countries...
have large facilities in Essex County or are headquartered there, and there are numerous factories and large office parks scattered throughout.
Essex County was one of the first counties in America to become fully urbanized and was the first county in the country to create a county park system, to ensure that it did not lose all its land to development.
The various towns of the county, especially Newark, the Oranges, and
the CaldwellsThe Caldwells are a group of three municipalities in Essex County, New Jersey, all of which have the word Caldwell in their name. All of these communities are named after the Reverend James Caldwell, a Patriot who played an active role supporting the Continental Army during the American...
can be seen in every episode of the HBO mob drama
The SopranosThe Sopranos is an American television drama series created and produced by David Chase. It premiered on the premium cable network HBO in the United States on January 10, 1999 and ended its original run of six seasons and 86 episodes on June 10, 2007. The show has also been broadcast on A&E in...
, which is set in North Caldwell.
The county is also home to
Newark Liberty International AirportNewark Liberty International Airport , first named Newark Airport and later Newark International Airport, is an international airport within the city limits of both Newark and Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States...
,
Essex County AirportEssex County Airport is a public airport located two miles north of the central business district of Caldwell, a borough of northwestern Essex County in the U.S. state of New Jersey...
, and
Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine TerminalPort Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal is the name for the port facility in Newark Bay that serves as the principal container ship facility for goods entering and leaving the metropolitan region of New York City and the northeastern quadrant of North America...
.
Secession
Essex County has some of the highest property taxes in the state of New Jersey, which is the state with the overall highest level of property taxes in the nation. This has been an issue of contention for some time between the county's wealthier west and its poorer east.
In 2003, the towns of
MillburnMillburn is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 19,765.Millburn Township was created as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 20, 1857, from portions of Springfield Township.Millburn also...
,
RoselandRoseland is a borough in western Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 5,298....
, and
MontclairMontclair is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. It is the 50th largest municipality in New Jersey by population. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 38,977....
had all voted to secede from Essex County if something was not changed about the towns' taxation. In 2004, the towns of
VeronaVerona is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 13,533, making it the 181st most populous municipality in New Jersey ....
and
Cedar GroveCedar Grove Township is a Township in north central Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 12,300. In 2006, the population went up to 12,848....
followed suit, with the secession bill passing overwhelmingly. However, people in favor and opposed to the secession alike stated that the bills were mostly symbolic, as it would take a lot of work for the towns to actually secede from Essex County. Some critics even claimed that the desire to secede was inspired by
racismRacism is the belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race. In the case of institutional racism, certain racial groups may be denied rights or benefits, or get preferential treatment...
(due to the fact that Newark and surrounding cities are mostly black, and West Essex's towns are mostly white).
If they were to form their own new county, "West Essex County," they would have to have support from several of the county's towns because what would remain Essex County and what would become West Essex County would each need contiguous borders. There was also talk that the towns who wished to secede might choose to become part of
Morris CountyMorris County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey, about 25 mi west of New York City. As of the United States 2000 Census, the population was 470,212, and grew to 493,160 as of the Census Bureau's 2006 estimate.. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area...
to their west,
Passaic CountyPassaic County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2000 Census, the population was 489,049. Its county seat is Paterson. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area....
to their north, or
Union CountyUnion County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2000 Census, the population was 522,541. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Elizabeth. Union County ranks 92nd among the highest-income counties in the United States. It also ranks 74th in...
to their south. But similarly there would be difficulties if the towns could not all agree on contiguous borders and coordinate the secession with their new county's government.
The issue of secession was mainly forgotten for a while until in 2005, representatives from the nineteen suburban Essex towns of Caldwell, West Caldwell, North Caldwell, Fairfield, Essex Fells, Roseland, Livingston, Maplewood, Millburn, Cedar Grove, Verona, West Orange, South Orange, Orange, Montclair, Glen Ridge, Nutley, Bloomfield, and Belleville decided to get together and form a committee. They began to discuss a way that they could potentially all agree to either fight the Essex County government to allow them lower tax rates, or to coordinate a breakaway from the cities of Newark, East Orange, and Irvington, which would alone remain as Essex County.
History
Essex was originally formed as one of four administrative districts within the very brief reign of East Jersey in 1675, together with Bergen, Middlesex and Monmouth Counties. Essex County was formed within on[March 7, 1683.
Government
Essex County's
County ExecutiveA county executive is the head of the executive branch of government in a county. This position is common in the United States.The executive may be an elected or an appointed position. When elected, he/she typically functions either as a voting member of the elected county government, or may have...
is Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. The executive, along with the
Board of Chosen FreeholdersIn New Jersey, the Boards of Chosen Freeholders are the county legislatures in each of that state's 21 counties.- Origin :New Jersey's system of naming county legislators "freeholders" is unique in the United States...
administer all county business. Nine members are elected to serve concurrent terms. Five of the freeholders represent districts; four are elected from the county on an at-large basis. The Freeholder President and Vice-President serve one-year terms. The County Executive is elected by a direct vote of the electorate.
As of 2009, Essex County's Freeholders are:
Politics
In presidential elections the county has long been Democratic and was the only county in the state to be won by
Walter MondaleWalter Frederick Mondale is an American politician and member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. He was the 42nd Vice President of the United States under President Jimmy Carter, a two-term United States Senator from Minnesota, and the Democratic Party nominee for president in 1984...
in 1984. In the
2004 U.S. Presidential electionThe United States presidential election of 2004 was the United States' 55th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on Tuesday, November 2, 2004. Republican Party candidate and incumbent President George W. Bush defeated Democratic Party candidate John Kerry, the then-junior U.S. Senator...
,
John KerryJohn Forbes Kerry is the senior United States Senator from Massachusetts, and is chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee....
carried the county by a 41.6% margin over
George W. BushGeorge Walker Bush was the 43rd President of the United States from 2001 to 2009 and the 46th Governor of Texas from 1995 to 2000....
, the highest winning margin in any county in New Jersey, with Kerry carrying the state by 6.7% over Bush. In each of the last four elections the Democratic candidate received 69% or more of the county's vote.
Geography
According to the
U.S. Census BureauThe 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. As part of the United States Department of Commerce, the Census Bureau serves as the leading source of quality data about...
, the county has a total area of 130 square miles (336 km²), of which, 126 square miles (327 km²) of it is land and 3 square miles (9 km²) of it (2.54%) is water.
The county rises from generally flat in the east to the twin ridges of the
Watchung MountainsThe Watchung Mountains are a group of three long low ridges of volcanic origin, between 400 ft. and 500 ft. high, lying parallel to each other in northern New Jersey in the United States...
in the western half, beyond which the land lowers again into the
Passaic RiverThe Passaic River is a river, approximately 80 mi long, in northern New Jersey in the United States. The river in its upper course flows in a highly circuitous route, meandering through the swamp lowlands between the ridge hills of rural and suburban northern New Jersey, called the Great...
valley.
The highest elevation is found at four areas scattered between Verona, North Caldwell and Essex Fells, all of which reach at least 660 feet (201 m) above sea level. The lowest point is sea level, at
Newark BayNewark Bay is a tidal back bay of New York Harbor formed at the confluence of the Passaic and Hackensack Rivers in New Jersey.-Geography:...
.
Adjacent counties
- Passaic County, New Jersey
Passaic County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2000 Census, the population was 489,049. Its county seat is Paterson. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area....
- north
- Bergen County, New Jersey
Bergen County is the most populous county of the state of New Jersey, United States. As of the 2000 Census, the population was 884,118, growing to 904,037 as of the Census Bureau's 2006 estimate. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Hackensack...
- east
- Hudson County, New Jersey
Hudson County is in New Jersey, United States. Its county seat is Jersey City.-Geography and topography:According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 62 square miles , of which, 47 square miles is land and 16 square miles is water...
- east
- Union County, New Jersey
Union County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2000 Census, the population was 522,541. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Elizabeth. Union County ranks 92nd among the highest-income counties in the United States. It also ranks 74th in...
- south
- Morris County, New Jersey
Morris County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey, about 25 mi west of New York City. As of the United States 2000 Census, the population was 470,212, and grew to 493,160 as of the Census Bureau's 2006 estimate.. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area...
- west
Demographics
Census 2000 data
As of the
censusA "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.In other words every 10 years...next one would be in 2010 The term is used mostly in connection with...
of 2000, there were 793,633 people, 283,736 households, and 193,507 families residing in the county. The
population densityPopulation density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans. It is a key term used in geography....
was 6,285 people per square mile (2,427/km²). There were 301,011 housing units at an average density of 2,384 per square mile (920/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 44.46%
WhiteRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , 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...
, 41.24%
BlackRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , 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...
or
African AmericanRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , 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...
, 0.23%
Native AmericanRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , 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...
, 3.71%
AsianRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , 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...
, 0.05%
Pacific IslanderRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , 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...
, 6.88% from
other racesRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , 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 3.42% from two or more races. 15.42% of the population were
HispanicRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , 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...
or
LatinoRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , 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...
of any race. 12.3% were of
ItalianThe Italian people are an ethnic group, in the sense of sharing a common Italian culture, descent, and speaking the Italian language as a mother tongue...
, 5.7% West Indian and 5.6%
IrishThe Irish people are a Western European ethnic group who originate in Ireland, in north western Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolgs, Tuatha Dé Danann and the Milesians The Irish...
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 283,736 households out of which 33.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.30% were
married couplesMarriage is a social union or legal contract between individuals that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged by a variety of ways, depending on the culture or demographic...
living together, 20.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.80% were non-families. 26.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.30.
In the county the population was spread out with 26.10% under the age of 18, 9.40% from 18 to 24, 31.10% from 25 to 44, 21.50% from 45 to 64, and 11.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 90.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $44,944, and the median income for a family was $54,818. Males had a median income of $41,374 versus $32,052 for females. The
per capita incomePer capita income means how much each individual receives, in monetary terms, of the yearly income generated in the country. This is what each citizen is to receive if the yearly national income is divided equally among everyone. Per capita income is usually reported in units of currency per year...
for the county was $24,943. About 12.80% of families and 15.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.50% of those under age 18 and 12.20% of those age 65 or over.
The county has a high
ItalianThe Italian people are an ethnic group, in the sense of sharing a common Italian culture, descent, and speaking the Italian language as a mother tongue...
population, with significant percentages of residents (over 25%) in several communities, of the
West EssexWest Essex is the far northwestern region of Essex County, New Jersey, United States, bordering Passaic County and Morris County.It is considered to be the one of the more affluent parts of the county, as opposed to very poor eastern Essex cities such as Newark, East Orange, and Irvington. As...
area and northeastern district, mostly in the northern half of the county, being of Italian descent. This includes the communities of
BellevilleBelleville is a Township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 35,928....
(30.9%),
BloomfieldBloomfield is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 47,683.-History:...
(26.4%),
CaldwellCaldwell is a borough located in northwestern Essex County, New Jersey, about sixteen miles outside of New York. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 7,584....
(26.3%),
Cedar GroveCedar Grove Township is a Township in north central Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 12,300. In 2006, the population went up to 12,848....
(34.8%), Fairfield (45.8%),
NutleyNutley is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 27,362. For 2008, the population of Nutley is estimated to be over 30,000 residents....
(44.5%),
RoselandRoseland is a borough in western Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 5,298....
(38.7%),
VeronaVerona is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 13,533, making it the 181st most populous municipality in New Jersey ....
(34.3%) and
West CaldwellWest Caldwell is an upper-middle class township located in the West Essex area in northwestern Essex County, New Jersey. It is located approximately 16 miles west of Manhattan and six miles northwest of Newark...
(35.2%).
The county has a notable
JewThe Jews , also known as the Jewish people, are an ethnoreligious group originating in the Israelites or Hebrews of the Ancient Near East. The Jewish ethnicity, nationality, and religion are strongly interrelated, as Judaism is the traditional faith of the Jewish nation...
ish population, with 76,200 Jewish residents according to the 2002 results of the
National Jewish Population SurveyThe National Jewish Population Survey , most recently performed in 2000-01, is a representative survey of the Jewish population in the United States sponsored by United Jewish Communities and the Jewish Federation system....
.
As of 2005 36.4% of the population was non-Hispanic whites. African Americans made up 42.6% of the population. Latinos formed 17.5% of the population. 4.2% of the population was Asian, as the municipalities of Belleville, Bloomfield, West Orange, Livingston, Millburn, Nutley, and Cedar Grove have Asian populations of 5% or more.
Municipalities
- Belleville
Belleville is a Township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 35,928....
(township)
- Bloomfield
Bloomfield is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 47,683.-History:...
(township)
- Caldwell
Caldwell is a borough located in northwestern Essex County, New Jersey, about sixteen miles outside of New York. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 7,584....
(borough)
- Cedar Grove
Cedar Grove Township is a Township in north central Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 12,300. In 2006, the population went up to 12,848....
(township)
- City of Orange
The City of Orange is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 32,868...
(township)
- East Orange
East Orange is a city in Essex County, New Jersey, USA. As of the United States 2000 Census, the city had a total population of 69,824. The United States Census Bureau's 2005 population estimate for East Orange was 68,190....
(city)
- Essex Fells
Essex Fells is a borough in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 2,162.Essex Fells was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 31, 1902, from portions of Caldwell Township...
(borough)
- Fairfield (township)
- Glen Ridge
Glen Ridge is a borough in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 7,271. Glen Ridge's public school system is one of the top-ranked in the state....
(borough)
- Irvington
Irvington is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township had a total population of 60,695.-Geography:Irvington is located at ....
(township)
- Livingston
Livingston is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 27,391.Livingston was incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 5, 1813, from portions of Caldwell Township and Springfield...
(township)
- Maplewood
Maplewood is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 23,868.-History:...
(township)
- Millburn
Millburn is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 19,765.Millburn Township was created as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 20, 1857, from portions of Springfield Township.Millburn also...
(township)
- Montclair
Montclair is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. It is the 50th largest municipality in New Jersey by population. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 38,977....
(township)
- Newark
Brick City redirects here. For the township in Ocean County, see Brick Township, New Jersey.Newark is the largest city in New Jersey, and the county seat of Essex County. Newark has a population of 281,402, making it the largest municipality in New Jersey and the 65th largest city in the U.S...
(city)
- North Caldwell
North Caldwell is an extremely wealthy borough in northwestern Essex County, New Jersey, United States, and a suburb of New York City. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 7,375....
(borough)
- Nutley
Nutley is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 27,362. For 2008, the population of Nutley is estimated to be over 30,000 residents....
(township)
- Roseland
Roseland is a borough in western Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 5,298....
(borough)
- South Orange Village
South Orange Village is a suburban district of the New York Metropolitan Area located in South Orange township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 16,964...
(township)
- Verona
Verona is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 13,533, making it the 181st most populous municipality in New Jersey ....
(township)
- West Caldwell
West Caldwell is an upper-middle class township located in the West Essex area in northwestern Essex County, New Jersey. It is located approximately 16 miles west of Manhattan and six miles northwest of Newark...
(township)
- West Orange
West Orange is a township in central Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 44,943...
(township)
Parks
Essex county was the first county in the United States to have its own parks department. It is called the Essex County Park System.
- Anderson Park
Anderson Park is a county park located in Montclair, New Jersey, United States. Anderson park is part of the Essex County park system.-History:In the late 19th century C.W...
Montclair
- Becker Park, Roseland
- Branch Brook Park
Branch Brook Park is a county park of Essex County, New Jersey in the United States, located in the North Ward of Newark, between the neighborhoods of Forest Hill and Belleville. At 360 acres , Branch Brook Park is the largest public park in the city of Newark. The park is noted for having over...
, Newark/Belleville (the country's oldest county park)
- Brookdale Park
Brookdale Park is a county park located in the towns of Montclair and Bloomfield. of the Park are in Montclair, are in Bloomfield . Brookdale park is part of the Essex County park system. It is partially forested and partially lawns, with paths going through.-Overview:Going through the park...
, Montclair/Bloomfield
- Eagle Rock Reservation
Eagle Rock Reservation is a 408.33 acre forest reserve and recreational park located primarily in the Essex County, New Jersey communities of West Orange, Montclair, and Verona. The land is owned and administered by the Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs.On October...
, West Orange/Montclair
- Elmwood Park
Elmwood Park may refer to:*Elmwood Park, New Jersey*Elmwood Park Public Schools, Elmwood Park, New Jersey*Elmwood Park, Illinois*Elmwood Park High School , Elmwood Park, Illinois*Elmwood Park, Wisconsin*Elmwood Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania...
, East Orange/Newark
- Glenfield Park
Glenfield Park is a county park in Montclair and a small part in Glen Ridge, both in Essex County, New Jersey. It has in Montclair, and in Glen Ridge. It shares a name with the nearby Glenfield Middle School. Glenfield park is part of the Essex County park system.-Creation:In 1910, the Land...
, Montclair/Glen Ridge
- Grover Cleveland Park
Grover Cleveland Park, the seventh largest park in the Essex County, New Jersey, USA county park system, is a heavily wooded park covering in the western section of Essex County along the Caldwell-Essex Fells border....
, Caldwell
- Hilltop Reservation
The Hilltop Reservation is a nature preserve located in Essex County, New Jersey. It has over , and is the most recent addition to the Essex County Parks System...
, Caldwell/ Cedar Grove/ North Caldwell/ Verona
- Irvington Park, Irvington
- Kip's Castle Park
Kip's Castle, is a estate on the ridge of First Mountain, on the border of Montclair and Verona townships. It contains a mansion that replicates a medieval Norman castle, and a two-story carriage house....
, Verona
- Mills Reservation
Mills Reservation is a county park, consisting of a protected wooded area located in Cedar Grove and Montclair, New Jersey, United States. The reservation is maintained by the Essex County Park Commission. The reservation has several walking/jogging trails, including four major trails and numerous...
, Cedar Grove/Upper Montclair
- Orange Park, Orange
- Oval Park, East Orange
- South Mountain Reservation
South Mountain Reservation covers 2,047.14 acres in central Essex County, New Jersey, in portions of Maplewood, and Millburn and West Orange, bordering South Orange, between the first and second ridges of the Watchung Mountains....
, West Orange/South Orange/Millburn/Maplewood
- Vailsburg Park, Newark
- Verona Park
Verona Park is a park located in Verona, as part of the Essex County park system.Verona Park is a park with a lake bordered by Lakeside and Bloomfield Avenues in the southern part of Verona. This is the fifth largest park within the system....
, Verona
- Watsessing Park
Watsessing Park is a park in Essex County, New Jersey, in the towns of East Orange and Bloomfield. The park covers 69 acres , just west of the Garden State Parkway, and contains the confluence of the Second River and Toney's Brook....
, Bloomfield/East Orange
- Weequahic Park
Weequahic Park is a park located in the south ward of Newark, New Jersey. Designed by the Olmsted Brothers firm, Weequahic Park has the largest lake in Essex County. The park opened on what had been the Waverly Fairgrounds. West of Weequahic Park is Weequahic, a middle-class residential...
, Newark
- West Essex Park, West Caldwell/Roseland
- Westside Park
Westside Park is a proposed park in the City of Atlanta to be located on the site of the former Bellwood Quarry. The land, which had been owned by Fulton County, is currently in a long term lease to Vulcan Materials...
, Newark
- Yanticaw Park, Nutley
External links