Montclair, New Jersey

Montclair is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 38,977.

Geography

Montclair is located at (40.822249, -74.211989).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 16.3 km² (6.3 mi²).

Montclair is bordered by Cedar Grove, Little Falls, Clifton, Bloomfield, Glen Ridge, East Orange, Orange, West Orange, and Verona.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 38,977 people, 15,020 households, and 9,687 families residing in the township. The population density was 2,388.7/km² (6,183.6/mi²). There were 15,531 housing units at an average density of 951.8/km² (2,464.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 59.77% White, 32.06% African American, 0.19% Native American, 3.15% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.77% from other races, and 3.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.12% of the population.

There were 15,020 households out of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.2% were married couples living together, 14.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.5% were non-families. 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.6% 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 3.16.

In the township the population was spread out with 25.6% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 31.9% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 86.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.7 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $74,894, and the median income for a family was $96,252. Males had a median income of $64,151 versus $43,520 for females. The per capita income for the township was $44,870. About 3.9% of families and 5.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.4% of those under age 18 and 7.2% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government

The Township of Montclair is governed under the Faulkner Act's Council-Manager form of municipal government.

The Faulkner Act provides for several forms of government. In 1980, the Township voted to adopt the “council-manager” plan. In the council-manager plan there is only one directly elected power center: the council. The manager, while chief executive and administrative officer of the municipality, is appointed by the council and can be suspended and removed by a majority vote of the council. The manager’s function is to carry out the will of the council.

The council members in the council-manager plan serve a four-year term. In Montclair, council members serve concurrent terms and all terms expire at the same time (except for vacancies). The power and function of the council in the council-manager plan is short and to the point: All powers of the municipality and the determination of all matters of policy shall be vested in the municipal council, except as otherwise provided by this act, or by general law. The council-manager plan is a legislative supremacy, and thus the setting of policy is the responsibility of the council alone.

The Mayor under the Council-Manager Plan is a member of the council. The Mayor presides over the council and, as a member, and has a voice and vote in its proceedings. Aside from the power to appoint the trustees of the public library, and the members of the board of education in council-manager communities which have appointed boards, the mayor in the council-manager plan has no executive powers and is simply first among equals on the councilMontclair's Form of Government, accessed June 27, 2006.

Members of the Montclair Township Council areMontclair Township Government, accessed June 27, 2006:

Ed Remsen - Mayor
Joyce R. Michaelson - Deputy Mayor and Councilor-At-Large
Ted Mattox - Councilor-At-Large
Gerald C. Tobin - Ward 1 Councilor
Robin Schlager - Ward 2 Councilor
Jerold Freier - Ward 3 Councilor
Sandra Lang - Ward 4 Councilor

Federal, state and county representation

Montclair is split between the Eighth and Tenth Congressional Districts and is part of New Jersey's 34th Legislative District.

Politics

On the national level, Montclair leans strongly toward the Democratic Party. In 2004, Democrat John Kerry received 79 percent of the vote here, defeating Republican George W. Bush, who received around 20 percent.

Character

Montclair is located on the First Mountain of the Watchung Mountains. Most of the town is on the eastward-side of this ridge. Thus, many locations provide excellent views of the surrounding area and the New York City skyline, which is about 12 miles away. In the 19th century, George Inness, the Hudson River School painter, lived in town. The posted photo was taken from the start of the Watchung Mountains.

Education

The Montclair Public Schools serve students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. Schools in the district are seven elementary schools (K-5, except as noted) — Bradford, Edgemont, Hillside (3-5), Nishuane (K-2), Northeast, Rand and Watchung — Three middle schools for grades 6-8 — Glenfield, Mount Hebron and Renaissance — and Montclair High School for grades 9-12.

Montclair is home to Montclair State University, as well as the Montclair Kimberley Academy, which serves 1,000 students in prekindergarten through twelfth grade.