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Elizabeth is a City in Union County, New Jersey, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 120,568, making it New Jersey's fourth largest city (by population). According to a 2004 Census Estimate, the population of Elizabeth is now 124,724. It is the county seat of Union County.

Geography

Elizabeth is located at (40.662152, -74.209066).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 35.4 km² (13.7 mi²). 31.6 km² (12.2 mi²) of it is land and 3.7 km² (1.4 mi²) of it (10.47%) is water.

History

Elizabeth was founded in 1664 and was named for the wife of Sir George Carteret, not Queen Elizabeth I as many people assume. Originally called "Elizabethtown," and part of the Elizabethtown Tract, it was the first community formed in the new colony. It was the first capital of New Jersey. During the American Revolutionary War, Elizabeth was constantly attacked by British forces based in Manhattan and Staten Island. In 1855, Elizabeth received a charter by the New Jersey Legislature to become a city.

The first major industry, the Singer Sewing Machine Company came to Elizabeth and employed as many as 2,000 people. Elizabeth grew in parallel to its sister city of Newark for many years, but has been more successful in retaining a middle class presence and was spared riots in the 1960s.

Since World War II, Elizabeth has seen its transportation facilities grow; Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal is one of the busiest ports in the world (owing to its proximity to New York City, without actually being part of it), as is Newark Liberty International Airport, parts of which are actually in Elizabeth. Elizabeth also features the Jersey Gardens Mall and IKEA, which generate millions of dollars in revenue.

Together with Linden, Elizabeth is home to the Bayway Refinery, a ConocoPhillips refining facility that helps supply petroleum-based products to the New York/New Jersey area, producing approximately 230,000 barrels per day.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 120,568 people, 40,482 households, and 28,175 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,809.5/km² (9,865.5/mi²). There were 42,838 housing units at an average density of 1,353.5/km² (3,505.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 55.78% White, 19.98% African American, 0.48% Native American, 2.35% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 15.51% from other races, and 5.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 49.46% of the population.

There were 40,482 households out of which 36.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.9% were married couples living together, 19.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.4% were non-families. 24.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.91 and the average family size was 3.45.

In the city the population was spread out with 26.3% under the age of 18, 10.8% from 18 to 24, 33.7% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 10.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 98.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $35,175, and the median income for a family was $38,370. Males had a median income of $30,757 versus $23,931 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,114. About 15.6% of families and 17.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.2% of those under age 18 and 17.2% of those age 65 or over.

The City

Midtown is the main commercial district. Midtown is a historic section as well. It includes the First Presbyterian Church and St. John's Episcopal Church. The First Presbyterian Church was a battleground for the American Revolution. Located here are also the Art Deco Hersh Tower and the Ritz Theatre which has been operating since 1926.

Elizabeth Avenue/Union Square is a vibrant and mainly Hispanic immigrant neighborhood and is just east of Midtown. Even though it is still a domain of many Cuban-owned businesses, there are many other Hispanic groups as well, including Peruvians and Salvadorans. There are also some Italians in the neighborhood. The neighborhood's commerce is mainly centered on Elizabeth Avenue which is sometimes nicknamed "The Market." Spanish is the dominant language.

North Elizabeth North Elizabeth is mainly a diverse working-class neighborhood. Even though it is a diverse neighborhood, the whites are more concentrated in the northern part of the neighborhood while African Americans are more concentrated near East Jersey Street. Morris Avenue is home to many Colombian stores and restaurants and is sometimes given the nickname "Little Colombia." Many Colombians refer to Morris Avenue as La Morris.

Elizabethport Although this has been an impoverished part of Elizabeth for many decades, this area has had a great deal of improvement in the last five years. Many homes have been refurbished or replaced with new, more ornate constructions. There is an area where housing projects stood for years along First Street that were demolished and replaced with attractive apartment complexes for those with low to moderate incomes. The Elizabeth Marina, which in the past was filled with trash and debris along its walkway, has also improved and many celebrations are held year round, from a Hispanic festival in the late spring to the lighting of a Christmas tree in the winter. Living conditions in this area continue to improve year after year. The population is mainly Black, Puerto Rican, Dominican, Cuban and Portuguese. Historically, there was a Lithuanian community here, and a Lithuanian Roman Catholic Church still stands in the neighborhood. However, "The Port" was largely Irish from the late 1800s until WWII and the largest church in Elizabeth is St. Patricks Church in Elizabethport, built by the Irish in the late 1800s and still in beautiful condition today.

Elmora is a middle/working-class neighborhood in the western part of Elizabeth. Home to many Colombians and Jews, there are many kosher eateries on Westfield Avenue, while Colombian restaurants and Jewish delicatessens can be found on Elmora Avenue.

Elmora Hills is the northwestern part of Elizabeth just north of Elmora. It is a strongly middle to upper middle-class neighborhood and is about 65% White. Many people who live in Elmora Hills are Jewish and stay within their community.

Peterstown (often known in modern times as Bayway) is a middle/working-class neighborhood in the southeast part of the city. It is heavily industrial and ethnically diverse. Peterstown used to have a large Italian community, however this has been diluted. Some Italian presence is still evident today, along with South Americans, Portuguese, and Filipinos. The western terminus of the Goethals Bridge, which spans the Arthur Kill to Staten Island can be found here.

Government

Local government

The City of Elizabeth is governed under the Mayor-Council system of municipal government under the Faulkner Act.

The City government of Elizabeth is made up of a Mayor and a City Council. The City's Mayor J. Christian Bollwage, a lifelong resident of Elizabeth, is currently serving his fourth term as Mayor.

The Elizabeth City Council is made up of nine members. Three Council members are elected at large and six members are elected from each of Elizabeth's six wards. Council Members-at-large are Frank Cuesta, Edward Jackus, and Patricia Perkins-Auguste. Ward Council members are Manny Grova, Jr. - First Ward; Carla A. Mazza - Second Ward; Robert M. Jaspan- Third Ward; Carlos Alma - Fourth Ward; William Gallman, Jr. - Fifth Ward; and Angelo A. Paternoster - Sixth Ward.

Federal, state and county representation

The City of Elizabeth is split between the Tenth and Thirteenth Congressional Districts and is part of New Jersey's 20th Legislative District.

Education

The city's public schools are operated by Elizabeth Public Schools, an Abbott District. Elizabeth High School is the largest high school in the state of New Jersey.

Transportation

Elizabeth currently has two train stations on NJ Transit's North Jersey Coast Line and the Northeast Corridor Line. Elizabeth Station also called Broad Street Elizabeth or Midtown Station is the southern station in Midtown Elizabeth. The other train station in Elizabeth is North Elizabeth Station.

New Jersey Transit is planning a segment of the Newark-Elizabeth Rail Link (NERL), designated as the Union County Light Rail (UCLR). The UCLR will connect Midtown Station with Newark Liberty International Airport and have seven or eight other stations in between within Elizabeth city limits. A possible extension of this future line to Plainfield would link the city of Elizabeth with the Raritan Valley Line.

Famous residents and native sons/daughters

External links

Cities in New Jersey | Faulkner Act | New Jersey Urban Enterprise Zone | Union County, New Jersey | Port cities

Elizabeth (New Jersey) | אליזבת (ניו ג'רזי) | Elizabeth (New Jersey) | Elizabeth (New Jersey) | Elizabeth (Nova Jérsei)

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "Elizabeth, New Jersey".

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