West New York, New Jersey Totally Explained

Everything about West New York totally explained

West New York is a town in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States, situated upon the New Jersey Palisades. As of the United States 2000 Census, the town population was 45,768. The ZIP code for West New York is 07093.
West New York was incorporated as a town by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on July 8, 1898, replacing Union Township, based on the results of a referendum held three days earlier.
West New York's Urban Enterprise Zone covers portions of Bergenline Avenue from 49th to 67th Streets. In addition to other benefits to encourage employment within the Zone, shoppers can take advantage of a reduced 3½% sales tax rate (versus the 7% rate charged statewide).

Geography

West New York is located at (40.788400, -74.013090). According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.3 square miles (3.4 km²), of which, 1.0 square miles (2.6 km²) of it's land and 0.3 square miles (0.8 km²) of it (23.48%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 45,768 people, 16,719 households, and 11,034 families residing in the town. The population density was 44,995.1 people per square mile (17,324.6/km²). There were 17,360 housing units at an average density of 6, 571.3/km² (17,066.8/sq mi). The racial makeup of the town was 60.09% White, 3.55% African American, 0.67% Native American, 2.93% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 25.16% from other races, and 7.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 78.74% of the population.
   There were 16,719 households out of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.9% were married couples living together, 16.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.0% were non-families. 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.30.
   In the town the population was spread out with 22.3% under the age of 18, 10.9% from 18 to 24, 34.1% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 96.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.5 males.
   The median income for a household in the town was $31,980, and the median income for a family was $34,083. Males had a median income of $26,703 versus $22,326 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,719. About 16.1% of families and 18.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.4% of those under age 18 and 22.3% of those age 65 or over.
   West New York is ranked as #52 on a list of cities with the highest percentage of renters. 80.1% of West New York residents live in renter-occupied housing units, vs. 33.8% nationwide.

Commerce

West New York is in a state-established "Urban Enterprise Zone," which was implemented through a program designed to assist businesses in economically distressed communities across New Jersey. Businesses within the zone apply for a variety of incentives, including a sales tax reduction to customers of 3½% from the mandated 7% statewide sales tax, with no tax on clothing or on purchases made by merchants related to running their businesses. Revenue generated from the reduced sales tax is maintained in a special fund dedicated for use within the zone for specific economic development and physical improvement projects. The zone was established in February 1995 through the efforts of Assemblyman Raul "Rudy" Garcia, who later became the mayor of Union City. Between 1995 and 2000, over 150 businesses participated in the tax incentives and other advantages offered by the program.
Until the 1880s, the primary commercial area of West New York was Palisade Avenue. An influential citizen named Henry Kohlmeier who lived there objected to the noise created by horse-drawn public coaches, which led to the route being transferred two blocks west to what is now Bergenline Avenue (formerly Lewis Street), which runs parallel to Palisade Avenue, and which remains the city's main commercial thoroughfare. Currently the longest commercial avenue in the state, boasting over 300 retail stores and restaurants, Bergenline runs through not only the entire length of West New York from north to south, but also through Union City, Guttenberg and North Bergen, making it the main commercial strip for North Hudson. Also known as the "Miracle Mile", Bergenline's largest concentration of retail and chain stores begins at the intersection of 32nd Street in Union City, and continues north until 92nd Street in North Bergen. Bergenline Avenue is also used as the route for local parades, such as the annual Memorial Day Parade and different ethnic parades (for example, Dominican and Puerto Rican Day).

Transportation

New Jersey Transit bus service is available to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan on the 128, 154, 156, 158, 159, 165, 166 and 168 routes. The 181 and 188 routes offer service to the George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal. Travel to other New Jersey communities, including Jersey City, is offered on the 22, 23, 84, 86, 88 and 89. With the addition of service on the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, many commuters can travel within Hudson County via Bus with connections to PATH train services to New York City. NY Waterway provides ferry service between West New York/Port Imperial/Weehawken and New York City. The ferry terminal is located at Port Imperial Boulevard and Pershing Road, along the bank of the Hudson River. Ferry service runs regularly throughout the day.
The closest airport in New Jersey with scheduled passenger service is Newark Liberty International Airport, located 13.6 miles away in Newark / Elizabeth. New York City's LaGuardia Airport is 13.5 miles away in Flushing Queens via the Lincoln Tunnel.

Government

Local government

West New York has been governed under the Walsh Act by a five member commission since 1931. The five members of the West New York Town Commission are Silverio Vega (Commissioner of Public Affairs), Lawrence Riccardi (Commissioner of Public Safety), Alberto Rodriguez (Commissioner of Public Works), Michelle Fernandez Lopez (Commissioner of Parks and Public Property), and Gerald Lange Jr. (Commissioner of Revenue and Finance). In November 2006, The West New York Town Commission reorganized & appointed Silverio A. Vega as acting Mayor. In May 2007, The West New York Town Commission unanimously voted to appoint Silverio A. Vega to a full four year term as Mayor of West New York. Mayor Vega has been a member of the West New York Town Commission for over 16 years.

Federal, state and county representation

West New York is in the 13th Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 33rd Legislative District.

Hudson County's County Executive is Thomas A. DeGise. West New York is in Freeholder District 7

of the County's Board of Chosen Freeholders, and is represented by Jose C. Munoz, who also represents Guttenberg and Weehawken.

Education

West New York is served by West New York School District. The district is one of 31 Abbott Districts statewide.
Schools in the district (with 2005-06 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics) are Early Childhood School

for Pre-K (308 students), six K-6 elementary schools — Public School No. 1

(903), Public School No. 2

(483), Public School No. 3

(375), Public School No. 4

(407), Public School No. 5

(646) and Harry L. Bain Elementary School

(681) — West New York Middle School

for grades 7 and 8 (864), and Memorial High School (1,739).

Popular culture references

West New York was a filming location for Léon and Independence Day.

Notable residents

Notable current and former residents of West New York include:

Oscar L. Auf der Heide, represented New Jersey's 11th congressional district from 1925-1933, and the 14th congressional district from 1933-1935. Auf der Heide was a member of the town council from 1899-1902, and was a member and president of the board of education in 1903 and 1904, served on the board of assessors in 1912 and 1913 and was mayor of West New York from 1914-1917.

Tyson Beckford, American male supermodel.

James J. Braddock (1905-1974), heavyweight boxing champion.

John Mahnken (1922-), former professional basketball player.

John Mollica, independent filmmaker & musician.

Jeremy Shockey, Professional NFL Football Player for the New York Giants

Gerard Way, American musician, frontman of the alternative rock band, My Chemical Romance.Further Information

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