Rockaway, New Jersey
Encyclopedia
Rockaway is a borough
in Morris County
, New Jersey
, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 6,438.
Rockaway was formed as a borough on June 19, 1894, from portions of Rockaway Township
, based on the results of a referendum held the previous day.
The borough has a total area of 2.11 square miles (5.5 km²), of which 2.09 square miles (5.4 km²) of it is land and 0.02 square mile (0.0517997622 km²) of it (0.95%) is water.
of 2000, there were 6,473 people, 2,445 households, and 1,709 families residing in the borough. The population density
was 3,098.9 people per square mile (1,195.8/km2). There were 2,491 housing units at an average density of 1,192.5 per square mile (460.2/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 87.75% White, 1.41% African American, 0.20% Native American, 6.36% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.98% from other races
, and 1.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.39% of the population.
There were 2,445 households out of which 33.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.3% were married couples
living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.1% were non-families. 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.16.
In the borough the population was spread out with 23.3% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 33.6% from 25 to 44, 24.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 94.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $61,002, and the median income for a family was $66,997. Males had a median income of $44,673 versus $35,956 for females. The per capita income
for the borough was $26,500. About 3.0% of families and 5.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.4% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.
form of New Jersey municipal government. The government consists of a Mayor and a Borough Council comprising six council members, with all positions elected at large. 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 Rockaway Borough was Kathyann Snyder until March 1, 2010. In a letter dated February 20, the mayor announced her resignation, effective March 1, 2010, citing personal reasons.
, the Mayor of Rockaway is Russell Greuter, who won the Mayoral primary election of June 2010 and is currently serving Snyder's unexpired term. Rockaway Borough Council Members are Council President Melissa Burnside, Thomas Donofrio, Joyce Kanigel, Thomas Mulligan, Joseph A. Vicente and John "Jay" Willer.
based on the results of the 2010 Census.
are a Pre-Kindergarten through Eighth grade district. Schools in the district (with 2009-10 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics
) are
Lincoln Elementary School for grades K - 3 (314 students) and
Thomas Jefferson Middle School for grades 4 - 8 (347 students).
Public school students in grades 9 - 12 attend Morris Hills High School
, located in Rockaway Borough, and which also serves the residential communities of Rockaway Township
and Wharton
. The 2008-09 enrollment at Morris Hills was 1,125 students. The high school is part of the Morris Hills Regional High School District
, which also includes students from Denville Township.
Sacred Heart School an Saint Cecilia School are Catholic school
s operated under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson
.
passes through the southern end of the Borough. Interstate 80
is accessible in the northeast corner of the Borough.
Lakeland Bus Lines
offers bus service along Main Street to the New York City Port Authority Bus Terminal
.
New Jersey Transit
train service does not stop in the Borough, but is accessible from nearby Denville, New Jersey
.
, were filmed in Rockaway.
The band Houston Calls
had its start here.
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....
in Morris County
Morris County, New Jersey
Morris County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey, about west of New York City. According to the United States 2010 Census, the population was 492,276. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Morristown....
, 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. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 6,438.
Rockaway was formed as a borough on June 19, 1894, from portions of Rockaway Township
Rockaway Township, New Jersey
Rockaway Township is a township in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 24,156....
, based on the results of a referendum held the previous day.
Geography
Rockaway is located at 40.900365°N 74.513557°W (40.900365, -74.513557).The borough has a total area of 2.11 square miles (5.5 km²), of which 2.09 square miles (5.4 km²) of it is land and 0.02 square mile (0.0517997622 km²) of it (0.95%) 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 6,473 people, 2,445 households, and 1,709 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 3,098.9 people per square mile (1,195.8/km2). There were 2,491 housing units at an average density of 1,192.5 per square mile (460.2/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 87.75% White, 1.41% African American, 0.20% Native American, 6.36% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.98% 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 1.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.39% of the population.
There were 2,445 households out of which 33.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.3% 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, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.1% were non-families. 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.16.
In the borough the population was spread out with 23.3% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 33.6% from 25 to 44, 24.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 94.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $61,002, and the median income for a family was $66,997. Males had a median income of $44,673 versus $35,956 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 $26,500. About 3.0% of families and 5.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.4% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.
Local government
Rockaway 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 Borough Council comprising six council members, with all positions elected at large. 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 Rockaway Borough was Kathyann Snyder until March 1, 2010. In a letter dated February 20, the mayor announced her resignation, effective March 1, 2010, citing personal reasons.
, the Mayor of Rockaway is Russell Greuter, who won the Mayoral primary election of June 2010 and is currently serving Snyder's unexpired term. Rockaway Borough Council Members are Council President Melissa Burnside, Thomas Donofrio, Joyce Kanigel, Thomas Mulligan, Joseph A. Vicente and John "Jay" Willer.
Federal, state, and county representation
Rockaway is in the 11th Congressional district and is part of New Jersey's 25th state legislative district. The legislative district was kept unchanged 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.
Education
The Rockaway Borough Public SchoolsRockaway Borough Public Schools
The Rockaway Borough Public Schools are a community public school district that serves students in Pre-Kindergarten through Eighth grade from Rockaway Borough, in Morris County, New Jersey, United States....
are a Pre-Kindergarten through Eighth grade district. 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...
) are
Lincoln Elementary School for grades K - 3 (314 students) and
Thomas Jefferson Middle School for grades 4 - 8 (347 students).
Public school students in grades 9 - 12 attend Morris Hills High School
Morris Hills High School
Morris Hills High School is a comprehensive regional four-year public high school located in the borough of Rockaway, serving students in grades 9 - 12 in Morris County, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Morris Hills Regional High School District. The other high school in the...
, located in Rockaway Borough, and which also serves the residential communities of Rockaway Township
Rockaway Township, New Jersey
Rockaway Township is a township in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 24,156....
and Wharton
Wharton, New Jersey
Wharton is a Borough in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2000 United States Census, the borough population was 6,298.What is now Wharton was originally incorporated as the borough of Port Oram by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on June 26, 1895, from portions of Randolph...
. The 2008-09 enrollment at Morris Hills was 1,125 students. The high school is part of the Morris Hills Regional High School District
Morris Hills Regional High School District
The Morris Hills Regional District is a comprehensive regional public school district that consists of two four-year public high schools serving four suburban communities in Morris County, New Jersey, United States....
, which also includes students from Denville Township.
Sacred Heart School an Saint Cecilia School are Catholic school
Catholic school
Catholic schools are maintained parochial schools or education ministries of the Catholic Church. the Church operates the world's largest non-governmental school system...
s operated under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson
Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson
The Diocese of Paterson is a diocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States, which includes three counties in northern New Jersey: Passaic, Morris, and Sussex. The city of Paterson, third-largest in the state of New Jersey, was chosen as the episcopal see, even though...
.
Transportation
U.S. Route 46U.S. Route 46
U.S. Route 46 is an east–west U.S. Highway, running for , completely within the state of New Jersey. The west end is at an interchange with Interstate 80 and Route 94 in Columbia, Warren County on the Delaware River...
passes through the southern end of the Borough. Interstate 80
Interstate 80 in New Jersey
Interstate 80 is a major Interstate Highway in the United States, running from the New York City Metropolitan Area westward to San Francisco, California...
is accessible in the northeast corner of the Borough.
Lakeland Bus Lines
Lakeland Bus Lines
Lakeland Bus Lines, Inc is a privately operated charter/commuter bus operation in Dover, New Jersey. Lakeland operates commuter routes from Morris, Sussex, and Somerset Counties to New York City.-Routes:...
offers bus service along Main Street to the New York City Port Authority Bus Terminal
Port Authority Bus Terminal
The Port Authority Bus Terminal is the main gateway for interstate buses into Manhattan in New York City...
.
New Jersey Transit
New Jersey Transit
The New Jersey Transit Corporation is a statewide public transportation system serving the United States state of New Jersey, and New York, Orange, and Rockland counties in New York State...
train service does not stop in the Borough, but is accessible from nearby Denville, New Jersey
Denville, New Jersey
Denville is a township in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 16,635. Denville is known as the "Hub of Morris County" for its location along major transportation routes at the center of the county...
.
In pop culture
Many scenes (the train tracks, Main Street and The Old Mill Tavern) from the 2003 movie, The Station AgentThe Station Agent
The Station Agent is a 2003 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Thomas McCarthy. McCarthy's script about a man who seeks solitude in an abandoned train station in Newfoundland, New Jersey won him the Independent Spirit Award for Best First Screenplay.-Plot:Finbar McBride, a quiet,...
, were filmed in Rockaway.
The band Houston Calls
Houston Calls
Houston Calls was an American power pop/punk band, based in Rockaway, New Jersey. They formed in 2003 and were signed to Drive-Thru Records. On June 9, 2009 they announced their official breakup.-Formation :...
had its start here.
Notable residents
Notable current and former residents of Rockaway include:- Bruce BannonBruce BannonBruce Patrick Bannon is a former professional American football player. He played linebacker for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League in 1973 and 1974. He resides in Pennsylvania...
(born 1951), former NFL linebacker. - Clifford MethClifford MethClifford Lawrence Meth is an American writer and editor best known for his dark fiction. He has said that his work is often "self-consciously Jewish."-Early life:...
(born 1961), author, often refers to places in Rockaway, NJ, in his stories. - General Raymond T. OdiernoRaymond T. OdiernoRaymond T. Odierno is a United States Army general and the 38th and current Chief of Staff of the Army. Odierno most recently commanded United States Joint Forces Command from October 2010 until its disestablishment in August 2011. He served as Commanding General, United States Forces – Iraq and...
(born 1954), incoming Chief of Staff of the United States ArmyChief of Staff of the United States ArmyThe Chief of Staff of the Army is a statutory office held by a four-star general in the United States Army, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Army, and as such is the principal military advisor and a deputy to the Secretary of the Army; and is in...
and former commander of United States Forces – IraqUnited States Forces – IraqUnited States Forces - Iraq is a U.S. military sub-unified command, part of U.S. Central Command. It is stationed in Iraq as agreed with the Government of Iraq under the U.S.–Iraq Status of Forces Agreement. USF-I replaced the previous commands Multi-National Force - Iraq, Multi-National Corps -...
.
External links
- Rockaway Borough website
- Rockaway Borough Public Schools
- Data for the Rockaway Borough Public Schools, 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...
- Abandoned Mine Research. Includes Mines of Rockaway Twp.
- Abandoned Mines of Rockaway, New Jersey
- Regional area newspaper