Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey

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Not to be confused with Hohokus Township, New Jersey.
Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey
Borough
Map highlighting Ho-Ho-Kus's location within Bergen County. Inset: Bergen County's location within New Jersey
Map highlighting Ho-Ho-Kus's location within Bergen County. Inset: Bergen County's location within New Jersey
Census Bureau map of Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey
Census Bureau map of Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey
CountryUnited States
StateNew Jersey
CountyBergen
IncorporatedOctober 12, 1908
Government
[2]
 • TypeBorough
 • MayorThomas Randall (R, 2011)
 • AdministratorDonald G. Cirulli[1]
Area
 • Total1.8 sq mi (4.5 km2)
 • Land1.7 sq mi (4.5 km2)
 • Water0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation
[3]
118 ft (36 m)
Population
 (2007)[4]
 • Total4,037
 • Density2,331.1/sq mi (900.9/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
07423
Area code201
Websitehttp://www.ho-ho-kusboro.com

Ho-Ho-Kus is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 4,060. It is also the home of several historical landmarks including the Ho-Ho-Kus Inn and The Hermitage.

Ho-Ho-Kus was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on October 12, 1908, from what had originally been the Borough of Orvil, which was in turn created on March 8, 1905, from portions of Orvil Township.[5][6]

Ho-Ho-Kus ranks the 15th highest in New Jersey according to per-capita income. Its wealthiest neighbor, Saddle River, is ranked second.

History of the name

The meaning of the name Ho-Ho-Kus is in dispute. From the official history on the Borough's website, the most likely origin being a contraction of the Delaware Indian term "Mah-Ho-Ho-Kus" (or "Mehokhokus"), meaning "the red cedar."

Other meanings have been suggested over the years and are listed on the Borough's website, including an Indian word for running water, a cleft in the rock or under the rock or hollow rock, the word "hohokes," signifying the whistle of the wind against the bark of trees, the Chihohokies Indians whose chief lived here, the Dutch Hoog Akers for high acorns or Hoge Aukers, Dutch for high oaks, the Indian word "hoccus" meaning fox, or "woakus," gray fox, or that the "Ho" part means joy or spirit, and the rest of the name from "hohokes," meaning a kind of bark of a tree. [7]

Ho-Ho-Kus versus Hohokus

Downtown Ho-Ho-Kus

A constant source of confusion has been the manner in which the borough's name has been spelled, with each syllable capitalized and separated by hyphens. The confusion is only exacerbated by the existence of Hohokus Township, which comprised the area of present-day Ho-Ho-Kus and other surrounding communities, yet was spelled without the multiple capitalization or the hyphens.

The name "Ho-Ho-Kus" was used explicitly in the resolution requesting a change of name passed by the Borough Council on October 12, 1908 and submitted to the Secretary of State of New Jersey requesting "That the Borough now known as the Borough of Orvil be hereafter known as the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus..."

A few theories have been offered for the hyphens and capitalization. One is that it was intended to differentiate between the Borough and Hohokus Township which was formed on April 9, 1849, continued to exist until November 7, 1944, when a referendum was passed changing the name to present-day Mahwah.[5] Another explanation was that it was meant to avoid confusion by postal clerks with mail being sent to Hoboken.

While efforts had been made in the ensuing decades to change the name or to alter the way in which the name of the borough is spelled, the Borough remains as "Ho-Ho-Kus."[8]

Warren Avenue Bridge crossing the Ho-Ho-Kus Brook

Geography

Ho-Ho-Kus is located at 41°0′6″N 74°6′9″W / 41.00167°N 74.10250°W / 41.00167; -74.10250Invalid arguments have been passed to the {{#coordinates:}} function (41.001695, -74.102396)Template:GR.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 1.8 square miles (4.5 km²), of which, 1.7 square miles (4.5 km²) of it is land and 0.57% is water.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1900316—
191048854.4%
192058620.1%
193092557.8%
19401,62675.8%
19502,25438.6%
19603,98876.9%
19704,3489.0%
19804,129−5.0%
19903,935−4.7%
20004,0603.2%
2007 (est.)4,037[4]
Population 1900 - 1990.[9][10]

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 4,060 people, 1,433 households, and 1,199 families residing in the borough. The population density was 2,331.1 people per square mile (900.9/km²). There were 1,465 housing units at an average density of 841.2/sq mi (325.1/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 92.66% White, 0.59% African American, 0.10% Native American, 5.22% Asian, 0.20% Pacific Islander, 0.37% from other races, and 0.86% from two or more races. 1.97% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,433 households out of which 38.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 76.6% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.3% were non-families. 14.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the borough the population was spread out with 27.5% under the age of 18, 3.3% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 27.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 91.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.2 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $129,900, and the median income for a family was $144,588. Males had a median income of $92,573 versus $54,091 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $63,594. 2.1% of the population and 2.6% of families were below the poverty line. 0.7% of those under the age of 18 and 1.6% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Government

Local government

Ho-Ho-Kus is governed under the Borough 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 and only votes to break a tie. 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.[2]

The Mayor of Ho-Ho-Kus is Thomas W. Randall (R, term ends December 31, 2011). As of 2008, members of the Council are Council President Gordon R. Hamm (R, 2010), Kevin R. Crossley (R, 2009), Lee B. Flemming (R, 2010), Maryellen Lennon (R, 2008), John R. Mongelli (R, 2008) and Douglas Troast (R, 2009). Donald G. Cirulli is the Borough Administrator.[1][11]

In elections held on November 6, 2007, voters filled an open mayoral seat and two seats on the borough council. Republican incumbent mayor Thomas W. Randall (693 votes) ran unopposed to win a new four-year term in office. Incumbent Republican Councilmember Gordon Hamm (638 votes) and running mate Lee B. Fleming (606) were elected to three-year terms on the borough council, defeating Democrat Donna L. Cioffi (498).[12][13]

On Election Day, November 7, 2006, voters filled two seats on the Borough Council, in a community in which registered Republicans outnumber Democrats by a better than 5-1 margin. The two Republican incumbents ran unopposed, and the voters returned Kevin R. Crossley (1,075 votes) and Douglas Troast (1,054) to office, Crossley for a second full three-year term and Troast to a third term, retaining complete Republican control of the council.[14][15][16]

Federal, state and county representation

Ho-Ho-Kus is in the Fifth Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 39th Legislative District.[17]

For the 118th United States Congress, New Jersey's 5th congressional district is represented by Josh Gottheimer (D, Wyckoff).[18][19] New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Democrats Cory Booker (Newark, term ends 2027)[20] and Bob Menendez (Englewood Cliffs, term ends 2025).[21][22]

For the 2024–2025 session, the 39th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Holly Schepisi (R, River Vale) and in the General Assembly by Robert Auth (R, Old Tappan) and John V. Azzariti (R, Saddle River).[23] Template:NJ Governor

Bergen County is governed by a directly elected County Executive, with legislative functions performed by a Board of County Commissioners composed of seven members who are elected at-large to three-year terms in partisan elections on a staggered basis, with either two or three seats coming up for election each November; a Chairman and Vice Chairman are selected from among its seven members at a reorganization meeting held every January. As of 2024, the county executive is James J. Tedesco III (D, Paramus), whose four-year term of office ends December 31, 2026.[24]

Bergen County's Commissioners are: Thomas J. Sullivan Jr. (D, Montvale, 2025),[25] Chair Germaine M. Ortiz (D, Emerson, 2025),[26] Joan Voss (D, Fort Lee, 2026),[27] Vice Chair Mary J. Amoroso (D, Mahwah, 2025),[28] Rafael Marte (D, Bergenfield, 2026),[29] Steven A. Tanelli (D, North Arlington, 2024)[30] and Tracy Silna Zur (D, Franklin Lakes, 2024).[31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38]

Bergen County's constitutional officials are: Clerk John S. Hogan (D, Northvale, 2026),[39][40] Sheriff Anthony Cureton (D, Englewood, 2024)[41][42] and Surrogate Michael R. Dressler (D, Cresskill, 2026).[43][44][34][45]

Politics

As of April 1, 2006, out of a 2004 Census estimated population of 4,095 in Ho-Ho-Kus, there were 2,881 registered voters (70.4% of the population, vs. 55.4% in all of Bergen County). Of registered voters, 312 (10.8% vs. 20.7% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 1,586 (55.1% vs. 19.2% countywide) were registered as Republicans and 983 (34.1% vs. 60.1% countywide) were registered as Undeclared. There were no voters registered to other parties.[46]

On the national level, Ho-Ho-Kus leans strongly toward the Republican Party. In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 62% of the vote here, defeating Democrat John Kerry, who received around 37%.[47]

Education

Ho-Ho-Kus Public School serves public school students in preschool through eighth grade. As of the 2005-06 school year, the school had an enrollment of 650 students.[48]

Local secondary school students in public school attend high school at the Northern Highlands Regional High School in nearby Allendale, which serves students in the 9th-12th grades from Allendale, Ho-Ho-Kus, Upper Saddle River and part of Saddle River.[49]

The school population as of the 2005-06 school year was 650, an increase of more than 200 students in the preceding decade.[50] Recently, the Borough Public School added a multi-million dollar addition to compensate.[citation needed]

In addition, Ho-Ho-Kus is home to the Ho-Ho-Kus Waldwick Cooperative Nursery School.

Transportation

Ho-Ho-Kus is served by New Jersey Transit by both the Bergen County Line and Main Line at the Ho-Ho-Kus train station. The station is located at Brookside Avenue and 1st Street, one block from Franklin Turnpike.

The train lines 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.

Route 17, County Route 507, and County Route 502 travel through Ho-Ho-Kus.

Points of interest

Notable residents

Notable current and former residents of Ho-Ho-Kus include:

Ho-Ho-Kus in popular media

Sources

  • "Background of Ho-Ho-Kus History" By Sue F. Hudson under the auspices of the Woman's Club of Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey. 1953
  • "History of Bergen County, New Jersey, 1630-1923;" by "Westervelt, Frances A. (Frances Augusta), 1858-1942."
  • "Municipal Incorporations of the State of New Jersey (according to Counties)" prepared by the Division of Local Government, Department of the Treasury (New Jersey); December 1, 1958.

References

  1. ^ a b Ho-Ho-Kus Mayor and Council, Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus. Accessed July 6, 2008.
  2. ^ a b 2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 165.
  3. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus, Geographic Names Information System, accessed September 18, 2007.
  4. ^ a b Census data for Ho-Ho-Kus, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 11, 2008.
  5. ^ a b "The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 80.
  6. ^ "Municipal Incorporations of the State of New Jersey" p. 7, has a date of October 15, 1908 for the incorporation of Ho-Ho-Kus.
  7. ^ "In-Depth History of Ho-Ho-Kus." [1]
  8. ^ "Background of Ho-Ho-Kus History" pp. 149-150.
  9. ^ Historical Population Trends in Bergen County (1900 - 2000), Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed December 23, 2007.
  10. ^ New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed March 1, 2007.
  11. ^ "County of Bergen: 2008 County and Municipal Directory", Bergen County, New Jersey, p. 48. Accessed July 5, 2008. List has typo in the name "Lee Flemming", which should have only one "m".
  12. ^ Coutros, Evonne. "Ho-Ho-Kus municipal elections", The Record (Bergen County), November 3, 2007. Accessed December 29, 2007.
  13. ^ Bergen County election results, The Record (Bergen County), November 7, 2007. Accessed November 10, 2007.
  14. ^ Ho-Ho-Kus Election Guide, The Record (Bergen County), November 1, 2006.
  15. ^ "Election 2006: Municipal Results", The Record (Bergen County), November 8, 2006.
  16. ^ Bergen County 2006 General Election Results, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed February 1, 2007.
  17. ^ 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters, p. 58. Accessed August 30, 2006.
  18. ^ Directory of Representatives: New Jersey, United States House of Representatives. Accessed January 3, 2019.
  19. ^ Biography, Congressman Josh Gottheimer. Accessed January 3, 2019. "Josh now lives in Wyckoff, New Jersey with Marla, his wife who was a federal prosecutor, and their two young children, Ellie and Ben."
  20. ^ U.S. Sen. Cory Booker cruises past Republican challenger Rik Mehta in New Jersey, PhillyVoice. Accessed April 30, 2021. "He now owns a home and lives in Newark's Central Ward community."
  21. ^ Biography of Bob Menendez, United States Senate, January 26, 2015. "Menendez, who started his political career in Union City, moved in September from Paramus to one of Harrison's new apartment buildings near the town's PATH station.."
  22. ^ Home, sweet home: Bob Menendez back in Hudson County. nj.com. Accessed April 30, 2021. "Booker, Cory A. - (D - NJ) Class II; Menendez, Robert - (D - NJ) Class I"
  23. ^ Legislative Roster for District 39, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 11, 2024.
  24. ^ County Executive, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  25. ^ Vice Chairman Commissioner Chairman Thomas J. Sullivan, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  26. ^ Commissioner Vice Chairwoman Germaine M. Ortiz, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  27. ^ Commissioner Chair Pro Tempore Dr. Joan M. Voss, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  28. ^ Commissioner Mary J. Amoroso, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  29. ^ Cattafi, Kristie. "Democrats pick Bergenfield councilman to fill vacancy on Bergen County commissioners board", The Record, March 13, 2023. Accessed March 16, 2023. "A Democratic councilman from Bergenfield will be sworn in as a Bergen County commissioner Wednesday night, filling a vacancy on the governing body for almost 1 million residents. Rafael Marte will serve until Dec. 31, taking on the unexpired term left by former Commissioner Ramon Hache, a Democrat who resigned last week to lead the Ridgewood YMCA as its chief executive officer."
  30. ^ Commissioner Steven A. Tanelli, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  31. ^ Commissioner Tracy Silna Zur, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  32. ^ Board of County Commissioners, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  33. ^ 2022 County Data Sheet, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  34. ^ a b 2022 County and Municipal Directory, Bergen County, New Jersey, March 2022. Accessed January 30, 2023.
  35. ^ Bergen County November 8, 2022 General Election Statement of Vote, Bergen County, New Jersey Clerk, updated November 21, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.
  36. ^ Bergen County Statement of Vote November 2, 2021 Official results, Bergen County, New Jersey, updated November 17, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.
  37. ^ Precinct Summary Results Report - Combined 2020 Bergen County General Election - November 3, 2020 Official Results, Bergen County, New Jersey, December 3, 2020. Accessed January 1, 2021.
  38. ^ Bergen County November 5, 2019 General Election Statement of Vote, Bergen County, New Jersey Clerk, updated December 10, 2019. Accessed January 1, 2020.
  39. ^ About the Clerk, Bergen County Clerk. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  40. ^ Clerks, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  41. ^ Sheriff Anthony Cureton, Bergen County Sheriff's Office. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  42. ^ Sheriffs, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  43. ^ Michael R. Dressler, Bergen County Surrogate's Court. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  44. ^ Surrogates, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  45. ^ Constitutional Officers, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 16, 2023.
  46. ^ "County of Bergen: Voter Statistics by Municipality, Ward & District," Bergen County, New Jersey, dated April 1, 2006.
  47. ^ 2004 Presidential Election results: Bergen County, New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety: Division of Elections, dated December 13, 2004.
  48. ^ Data for the Ho-Ho-Kus Public School, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed May 27, 2008.
  49. ^ Northern Highlands Regional High School Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed January 18, 2008. "A four-year public high school, Northern Highlands strives to address the needs of all of its students, who come from four towns in northern Bergen County: Allendale, Upper Saddle River, Ho-Ho-Kus, and Saddle River."
  50. ^ Ho-Ho-Kus School, School Digger. Accessed September 21, 2008.
  51. ^ The Prevosts: Late Colonial and Revolutionary War Era, accessed March 1, 2007.
  52. ^ Anderson, Dave. "Sports of The Times; Fassel's Finished Basement", The New York Times, March 2, 2001. Accessed November 2, 2007. "Maybe that explains how the Fassels celebrated when he returned to their Ho-Ho-Kus, N.J., home on Tuesday with a four-year, $10.75 million contract -- a guarantee that they will be living at the same address for at least eight years, their longest consecutive residence."
  53. ^ Bergen County Executive Dennis McNerney, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed April 10, 2008. "He currently resides in Ho-Ho-Kus with his wife Catherine and their two children."
  54. ^ Meisel, Barry. "ON THE FIRING LINE A DEATH WISH FOR REEVES? NO WAY. HE'S DYING TO WIN", Daily News (New York), September 11, 1996. Accessed December 16, 2008. "Pam and Dan Reeves live in a townhouse in Ho-Ho-Kus."
  55. ^ Richard Warch biography, Lawrence University. Accessed June 7, 2007. "A native of Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey, Warch earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Williams College in 1961, his Bachelor of Divinity degree from Yale Divinity School in 1964, and the Ph.D. in American studies from Yale University in 1968."

External links

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