Wood-Ridge, New Jersey

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Not to be confused with Woodbridge, New Jersey.
Wood-Ridge, New Jersey
—  Borough  —
Nickname(s): Service before Self!
Map highlighting Wood-Ridge's location within Bergen County. Inset: Bergen County's location within New Jersey.
Census Bureau map of Wood-Ridge, New Jersey
Coordinates: 40°51′1″N 74°5′15″W / 40.85028°N 74.0875°W / 40.85028; -74.0875Coordinates: 40°51′1″N 74°5′15″W / 40.85028°N 74.0875°W / 40.85028; -74.0875
Country United States
State New Jersey
County Bergen
Incorporated December 6, 1894
Government
 • Type Borough (New Jersey)
 • Mayor Paul Sarlo (D, term ends 2011)[1]
 • Administrator Christopher W. Eilert[2]
Area
 • Total 1.1 sq mi (2.8 km2)
 • Land 1.1 sq mi (2.8 km2)
 • Water 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation[3] 161 ft (49 m)
Population (2010 census)[4]
 • Total 7,626
 • Density 6,900/sq mi (2,700/km2)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code 07075
Area code(s) 201/551
FIPS code 34-82570[5][6]
GNIS feature ID 0885451[7]
Website http://www.njwoodridge.org

Wood-Ridge is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 7,626.[4]

Wood-Ridge was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on December 6, 1894, from portions of Bergen Township, based on the results of a referendum held the previous day.[8]

New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked Wood-Ridge as its 39th best place to live in its 2008 rankings of the "Best Places To Live" in New Jersey.[9]

Contents

[edit] Geography

Wood-Ridge is located at 40°50′51″N 74°05′15″W / 40.847638°N 74.087549°W / 40.847638; -74.087549 (40.847638, -74.087549).[10]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 1.1 square miles (2.8 km2), all of it land. The average elevation of the borough is 174 feet (53 m) above sea level.[11]

Wood-Ridge is bordered by Lodi and Hasbrouck Heights to the north, Wallington to the west, Carlstadt to the south, and Moonachie to the east.

[edit] Demographics

Historical populations
Census Pop. %±
1900 582
—
1910 1,043 79.2%
1920 1,923 84.4%
1930 5,159 168.3%
1940 5,739 11.2%
1950 6,283 9.5%
1960 7,964 26.8%
1970 8,311 4.4%
1980 7,929 −4.6%
1990 7,506 −5.3%
2000 7,644 1.8%
2010 7,626 −0.2%
Population 1900 - 1990.[12][13]

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 7,644 people, 3,024 households, and 2,137 families residing in the borough. The population density was 6,958.5 people per square mile (2,683.1/km2). There were 3,087 housing units at an average density of 2,810.2 per square mile (1,083.5/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 91.01% White, 0.84% African American, 0.08% Native American, 5.02% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.77% from other races, and 1.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.27% of the population.

There were 3,024 households out of which 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.9% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.3% were non-families. 25.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the borough the population was spread out with 21.2% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 31.9% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.2 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $60,949, and the median income for a family was $72,500. Males had a median income of $48,309 versus $40,025 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $29,865. About 0.8% of families and 1.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.6% of those under age 18 and 2.8% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Government

[edit] Local government

Municipal Building (Feb 2009)

The Mayor of the Borough of Wood-Ridge is Mayor Paul Sarlo (D, term ends December 31, 2011), who also represents the district in the New Jersey Senate. Members of the Wood-Ridge Borough Council are Ezio I. Altamura (D, 2009), Dominick Azzolini (D, 2008), Richard Carbonaro (D, 2010), Catherine Cassidy (D, 2010), Thomas C. Gonnella (D, 2008) and Robert Riccardella (D, 2009).[14][15]

In elections held on November 6, 2007, voters filled an open mayoral seat and two seats on the borough council. Incumbent Democrats ran unopposed for all three seats, with Mayor Paul Sarlo (1,117 votes) and Councilmembers Catherine Cassidy (1,313) and Richard Carbonaro (1,236), all winning re-election.[16][17]

On Election Day, November 7, 2006, Wood-Ridge voters filled two seats on the Borough Council. As of Election Day, the council was composed entirely of Democrats in a community in which registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by a 7-5 margin. Democratic incumbents Ezio Altamura (1,733) and Robert Riccardella (1,718) ran unopposed, winning re-election to three-year terms in office.[18][19][20]

[edit] Federal, state and county representation

Wood-Ridge Borough is in the 9th Congressional district. New Jersey's Ninth Congressional District is represented by Steve Rothman (D, Fair Lawn). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).

Wood-Ridge is also in the The 36th District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Paul Sarlo (D, Wood-Ridge) and in the General Assembly by Marlene Caride (D, Ridgefield) and Gary Schaer (D], Passaic).[21]

Bergen County's County Executive is Kathleen Donovan (R, Rutherford; term ends December 31, 2014).[22] The Board of Chosen Freeholders is the county's legislative body and its seven members are elected at-large in partisan elections on a staggered basis, with two or three seats coming up for election each year.[23] As of 2012, Bergen County's Freeholders are Freeholder Chairman John D. Mitchell (R, 2013; Cliffside Park),[24] Freeholder Vice Chairman John A. Felice (R, 2013; River Edge),[25] Maura R. DeNicola (R, 2013; Franklin Lakes),[26] John Driscoll, Jr. (R, 2012; Paramus),[27] David L. Ganz (D, 2014; Fair Lawn),[28] Robert G. Hermansen (R, 2012; Mahwah)[29] and Joan Voss (D, 2014; Fort Lee).[30] Other countywide constitutional officials are Sheriff Michael Saudino (R), Surrogate Michael R. Dressler (D, Cresskill) and County Clerk John S. Hogan (D, Northvale).[31]

[edit] Politics

As of April 1, 2006, out of a 2004 Census estimated population of 7,657 in Wood-Ridge, there were 4,698 registered voters (61.4% of the population, vs. 55.4% in all of Bergen County). Of registered voters, 1,016 (21.6% vs. 20.7% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 722 (15.4% vs. 19.2% countywide) were registered as Republicans and 2,960 (63.0% vs. 60.1% countywide) were registered as Undeclared. There were no voters registered to other parties.[32]

In the past two Presidential Elections, Wood-Ridge leaned toward the Republican Party. In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 53% of the vote here, defeating Democrat John Kerry, who received around 46%.[33] Similar results occurred in 2008, where John McCain won by a 53% to 47% margin over Barack Obama[34] However, Democrat Frank Lautenberg narrowly defeated Republican Dick Zimmer 52% to 48% in Wood-Ridge for the race for United States Senate and Democrat Steven Rothman defeated Republican Vincent Micco 57% to 43% for the seat in the United States House of Representatives

[edit] Education

Wood-Ridge High School

Students in pre-Kindergarten through twelfth grade attend the schools of the Wood-Ridge School District. Schools in the district (with 2005–06 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[35]) are Catherine E. Doyle Elementary School, with 470 students in Kindergarten through 5th grade; Gretta R. Ostrovsky Middle School, with 238 students in grades 6–8; and Wood-Ridge High School, with 425 students in grades 9–12.

For grades nine through twelve, students from Moonachie attend Wood-Ridge High School, as part of a sending/receiving relationship with the Moonachie School District.[36]

Additionally, Assumption School is a Catholic School serving the area. Assumption currently has Pre K through 8th graders attending its school. Students from Wood-Ridge as well as surrounding towns attend this school with students coming from as far away as Paterson.

In April 2010 the Archdiocese of Newark announced that it would be closing Assumption School as of June 2010. Despite efforts of parents, educators and local community members to keep the school open, it will close its doors as of June.

[edit] Emergency services

[edit] Police

[icon] This section requires expansion.

The Wood-Ridge Police Department (WRPD) provides emergency and protective services to the borough of Wood-Ridge. The WRPD consists of 21 officers. The WRPD is augmented in times of emergency by the Police Auxiliary.[37]

[edit] Fire

The Wood-Ridge Fire Department (WRFD) is an all-volunteer fire department. The WRFD was organized in 1897 and consists of one Chief and two assistant chiefs. The department is staffed by 40 fully trained firefighters. The WRFD also provides emergency medical service to the borough. The WRFD utilizes three Engines, a Ladder truck, a Heavy Rescue and two ambulances.[38]

[edit] Transportation

The New Jersey Transit Wood-Ridge station, facing southbound from the lone platform

Wood-Ridge is served by New Jersey Transit on the Pascack Valley Line at the Wood-Ridge train station. The station is located at Park Place East near the intersection with Route 17. As of October 2007, the Pascack Valley Line offers service throughout the day in both directions, with service available seven days a week.

Another station was recently approved to be built in Wood-Ridge on the Bergen County Line.[39] This station is to be called Wesmont and will serve a new residential development.[40]

This line runs north-south to Hoboken Terminal with connections via the Secaucus Junction transfer station to New Jersey Transit one-stop service to New York Penn Station and to other NJ Transit rail service. Connections are available at the Hoboken Terminal to other New Jersey Transit rail lines, the PATH train at the Hoboken PATH station, New York Waterways ferry service to the World Financial Center and other destinations and Hudson-Bergen Light Rail service.

Wood-Ridge is also serviced by several New Jersey Transit bus routes. The 76 bus runs from Hackensack along Terrace Avenue through Wood-Ridge to Newark Penn Station. The 144, 145, 148, 163 and 164 buses run from various New Jersey terminals such as Midland Park and Hackensack along Valley Boulevard through Wood-Ridge to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City.[41]

Route 17 passes through Wood-Ridge.

[edit] Notable residents

The Wood-Ridge Public Library is located in the Brinkerhoff House, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Notable current and former residents of Wood-Ridge include:

  • Guy W. Calissi (c. 1909-1980), New Jersey Superior Court judge who served as mayor of Wood-Ridge from 1947 to 1954.[42]
  • Frankie Muniz (born 1985), actor and professional racer, spent most of his childhood to early teen years growing up on North Avenue and being a student within the Wood-Ridge School District.[43]

[edit] References

  1. ^ 2011 New Jersey Mayors Directory, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Accessed September 23, 2011.
  2. ^ Contact Us, Borough of Wood-Ridge. Accessed September 23, 2011.
  3. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Borough of Wood-Ridge, Geographic Names Information System, accessed December 31, 2007.
  4. ^ a b "Race, Hispanic or Latino, Age, and Housing Occupancy: 2010 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File (QT-PL), Wood-Ridge borough, New Jersey". U.S. Census Bureau, American FactFinder 2. http://factfinder2.census.gov. Retrieved August 4, 2011. 
  5. ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  6. ^ A Cure for the Common Codes: New Jersey, Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed July 14, 2008.
  7. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  8. ^ "The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 89.
  9. ^ "Best Places To Live - The Complete Top Towns List 1-100", New Jersey Monthly, February 21, 2008. Accessed February 24, 2008.
  10. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2011-04-23. 
  11. ^ Wood-Ridge, New Jersey, Epodunk. Accessed April 11, 2007.
  12. ^ Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed March 1, 2007.
  13. ^ [1], Bergen County Census Data. Accessed December 23, 2007.
  14. ^ "County of Bergen: 2007 County and Municipal Directory", Bergen County, New Jersey, p. 69.
  15. ^ Wood-Ridge Mayor and Council, Borough of Wood-Ridge. Accessed February 19, 2008.
  16. ^ "Wood-Ridge municipal elections", The Record (Bergen County), November 3, 2007. Accessed November 27, 2007.
  17. ^ Bergen County election results, The Record (Bergen County), November 7, 2007. Accessed November 10, 2007.
  18. ^ Wood-Ridge Election Guide, The Record (Bergen County), November 1, 2006.
  19. ^ "Election 2006: Municipal Results", The Record (Bergen County), November 8, 2006.
  20. ^ Bergen County 2006 General Election Results, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed February 1, 2007.
  21. ^ Legislative Roster 2012-2013 Session, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 11, 2012.
  22. ^ Bergen County Executive, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed January 10, 2012.
  23. ^ What Is a Freeholder?, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed January 10, 2012.
  24. ^ John D. Mitchell, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed January 10, 2012.
  25. ^ John A. Felice, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed January 10, 2012.
  26. ^ Maura R. DeNicola, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed January 10, 2012.
  27. ^ Freeholder John Driscoll, Jr., Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed January 30, 2012.
  28. ^ Freeholder David L. Ganz, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed January 10, 2012.
  29. ^ Freeholder Robert G. Hermansen, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed January 30, 2012.
  30. ^ Freeholder Home Page, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed January 10, 2012.
  31. ^ Constitutional Officers, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed January 10, 2012.
  32. ^ "County of Bergen: Voter Statistics by Municipality, Ward & District," Bergen County, New Jersey, dated April 1, 2006.
  33. ^ 2004 Presidential Election results: Bergen County, New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety: Division of Elections, dated December 13, 2004.
  34. ^ [2]
  35. ^ Wood-Ridge School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed November 27, 2007.
  36. ^ Wood-Ridge High School 2007 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed May 27, 2008. "Wood-Ridge High School is a four year, comprehensive high school with an enrollment of 419 students for the 2006-2007 school year. The district maintains a receiving relationship with the neighboring community of Moonachie, whereby its high school students attend Wood-Ridge High School."
  37. ^ http://www.njwoodridge.org/departments/police_department/ Accessed March 16, 2010.
  38. ^ Wood-Ridge Fire Department Accessed January 9, 2009
  39. ^ Marciniak, Bernadette. "Wesmont Station gets official Ok." Leader Newspapers 11 Sept. 2008. A1
  40. ^ New Jersey Transit
  41. ^ Routes by County: Bergen County, New Jersey Transit. Accessed August 8, 2008.
  42. ^ Kihss, Peter. "Guy W. Calissi, 71, Retired Judge And a Jersey Prosecutor, Is Dead; College Scholarship Yielded Byrne Made 1970 Appointment", The New York Times, December 9, 1980. Accessed October 19, 2009.
  43. ^ Rohan, Virginia. "'MALCOLM' STAR STAYS GROUNDED", The Record (Bergen County), March 6, 2000. Accessed May 7, 2008. "On the phone from Los Angeles, at 7:30 a.m. his time, the 14-year-old actor from Wood-Ridge seems just as friendly and chipper as he did before his Fox comedy "Malcolm in the Middle" debuted -- and became an instant hit."

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