Perth Amboy, New Jersey

Perth Amboy is a city in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the city population was 47,303.

Perth Amboy, and South Amboy across the Raritan River, are collectively referred to as The Amboys. Signage for Exit 11 on the New Jersey Turnpike refers to "The Amboys" as a destination.

History

Perth Amboy was settled in 1683 and incorporated as a city in 1718. It was founded by English merchants, Scots seeking religious freedom, and French Protestants. They sought to use Perth Amboy’s harbor to its full potential. Reality however never matched its expectations.

Perth Amboy became the capital of East Jersey. It was the capital from 1684 until the union of East and West Jersey in 1702 and it was also alternate capital with Burlington until 1790. The wealthy came and lived here but they left due to hostilities. New Jersey merchants also chose New York City instead of Perth Amboy as their destination. Perth Amboy became “sleepy” but then came the ceramic industries.

By 1890, immigration and industrialization transformed Perth Amboy. Factories like Guggenheim and Sons as well as Copper Works Smelting Company fueled a thriving downtown and employed many area residents. Perth Amboy also grew after it became the tidewater terminal for the Lehigh Valley Railroad and a coal shipping point. Perth Amboy also witnessed tightly knit and insular ethnic neighborhoods such as Budapest, Dublin, and Chickentown. Immigrants from Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Italy, Russia, and Austria quickly dominated the factory jobs. Perth Amboy was also a resort town in the 1800s and early 20th century.

Today, Perth Amboy’s immigrants are primarily Hispanic. Unfortunately the immigration growth occurred at a time when factories were being demolished and plants were being closed down; thus Perth Amboy became part of the rust belt. Once a resort town, Perth Amboy’s beaches are no longer in use for swimming because of the polluted waters. Competition from malls outside the city and in New York forced the big chain and higher end stores out of Perth Amboy’s downtown. There are no movie theaters or major department stores remaining in Perth Amboy.

The overcrowded schools are slightly passing or failing as Perth Amboy is an Abbott funded district. There is also a large and growing number of students who cannot read or write in English.

However, since the early 1990s Perth Amboy has seen a recent redevelopment stage. Crime rates are much lower, small businesses have started to open up, and with the presence of an Urban Enterprise Zone there is a 3% Sales tax, half of the 6% Sales Tax charged statewide.

The waterfront has also seen a rebirth. The marina has been extended, there are new promenades, parks, and housing overlooking the bay. Perth Amboy is still continuing for an attempt of an upheaval in the waterfront. A new project called Landings at Harborside will feature 2,100 residential units composed of town homes and mid-rise luxury condominiums along with indoor garage parking. There were also be 150,000 square feet of retail space with an international market, restaurants, specialty shops, community center, and recreation amenities for the public as well. It is an eight year and $600 million plan. Moreover there will be an extension of Route 440 to High Street, connecting commuters from the Outerbridge Crossing directly to the waterfront.

Geography

Perth Amboy is located at (40.519455, -74.275326).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 15.5 km² (6.0 mi²). 12.4 km² (4.8 mi²) of it is land and 3.1 km² (1.2 mi²) of it (20.07%) is water.

The city is named after Perth, Scotland, and was originally granted to a company of Scottish noblemen, headed by the Duke of Melfort "Amboy" is an Algonquin name for the area, also appearing in South Amboy.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 47,303 people, 14,562 households, and 10,761 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,820.9/km² (9,892.0/mi²). There were 15,236 housing units at an average density of 1,230.7/km² (3,186.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 46.41% White, 10.04% African American, 0.70% Native American, 1.53% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 35.59% from other races, and 5.61% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 69.83% of the population. Most of the Hispanics in Perth Amboy are of Puerto Rican or Dominican descent.

There were 14,562 households out of which 40.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% were married couples living together, 21.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.1% were non-families. 20.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.20 and the average family size was 3.63.

In the city the population was spread out with 28.5% under the age of 18, 11.4% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 10.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 98.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $37,608, and the median income for a family was $40,740. Males had a median income of $29,399 versus $21,954 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,989. About 14.3% of families and 17.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.1% of those under age 18 and 12.8% of those age 65 or over.

In 2000, 27.79% of Perth Amboy residents identified as being of Puerto Rican ancestry, the fifth highest concentration of Puerto Ricans on the U.S. mainlandPuerto Rican Communities, accessed July 7, 2006. In 2000, 18.81% of Perth Amboy residents identified themselves as being of Dominican ancestry, the third highest concentration in the country of Dominicans in the United States after Haverstraw, New York and Lawrence, MassachusettsDominican Communities, accessed July 7, 2006. However due to the increasing immigration of Dominicans since the 2000 census and the likely number of Dominicans in the U.S. illegally who were not counted, the actual percentage of Dominicans in Perth Amboy is estimated to be much higher.

Community

The Waterfront

Perth Amboy features a historic waterfront, which has gone through significant revitalization. Perth Amboy's waterfront is where the city was first settled and one of the few places left in New Jersey that has a historic and marina culture surrounded by water. Local attractions include two small museums, an art gallery, a yacht club, and a marina. Near the marina lies a park with a small bandshell. On sunday afternoons in the summertime, Perth Amboy hosts the Concerts by the Bay in the park's bandshell. The waterfront is also characterized by a redbrick promenade near the water and many stately Victorian homes, some on hills overlooking the bay and predominating tree lined streets with well-manicured lawns. It has a number of seafood restaurants, as well. The waterfront rises very steep after two blocks. This hinders the rest of the town making the waterfront look like a quiet fishing village. Points of interest on the waterfront include St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, and the Proprietary House, which is now the former governor’s mansion and houses a museum and some offices. Kearny Cottage, which also has a museum, is here. In addition, this section of Perth Amboy once had a thriving Jewish community with yeshivas, synogagues, kosher butchers and bakers. Today however there are only two synogagues left each with only a few members usually over the age of 55.

Downtown Perth Amboy

Downtown is the main commercial district and is centered on Smith Street. It is an Urban Enterprise Zone and the reduced tax rate of 3% funds revitalization of Smith Street with newly planted trees, Victorian streetlights, benches, garbage cans, and redbrick sidewalks. Smith Street is a relatively small shopping center that is only seven blocks wide and bustles with stores that cater to lower and working class Hispanics. It is flanked by mainly two to three story buildings of varied architecture. It also has a lone bank skyscraper which is 10-stories tall called "Amboy Towers" in the "five corners." The “five corners” is the intersection of Smith Street, New Brunswick Avenue, and State Street. Although there were previously a number of department stores, the largest store downtown today is discount retailer Bargain Man.

Harbortown

Section 8 housing along with more affluent homes can be found in Harbortown, an economically and ethnically diverse townhouse development in the city. Harbortown is also the most educated and one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Perth Amboy. However it also has the highest poverty rate out of any neighborhood in Perth Amboy. It is a recently built townhouse development.

Hall Avenue

Hall Avenue is a neighborhood centered on Hall Avenue east of the NJ Transit train tracks. The street, Hall Avenue, itself is not the commercial strip it used to be. Still, although the street has a few pedestrians, it is not deserted. In addition, there is a recently built strip mall on the corner of Hall Avenue and State Street called the "Firehouse Plaza." However, Hall Avenue is now primarily residential. Most of the homes are aging apartments but there are also some newly constructed homes. Hall Avenue also remains the traditional Puerto Rican neighborhood and it hosts the city's annual Puerto Rican Day Parade. From the 1940’s to the early 1990’s there was also a drug epidemic plaguing Hall Avenue. Hall Avenue used to be filled with juveniles loitering on street corners; many selling heroin, cocaine, and marijuana openly. The federal government, through the work of the local housing authority, tore down a high-rise housing project in the neighborhood that had served as an incubator for crime. In addition with the help of the Perth Amboy Police Department, Hall Avenue is now a lot less crime ridden and it is hard to see this neighborhood as the drug fueled war zone it once was. North of Rt. 440 in the neighborhood is Rudyk Park with the Roberto Clemente baseball field and an industrial park.

Southwestern section

The southwestern section is a mainly working-class residential neighborhood with some light industry. The city's largest strip mall is located here and contains ShopRite. This neighborhood has a large and diversified Hispanic neighborhood with many Dominicans, Puerto Ricans, and the more recent South Americans. Much of the city's Mexican population also lives in this section. Before, this section of Perth Amboy used to have a large Irish population and the neighborhood was once named "Dublin." After, the Irish came the Eastern Europeans, primarily Polish and Hungarian. Most of the housing consists of small one or two family houses. The main commmercial strip is Smith Street, west of the New Jersey Transit train tracks.

Western section of the Waterfront

The western section of the waterfront is west of Kearny Avenue. It is an overwhelmingly blue-collar Hispanic neighborhood. Most of the homes are over 100 years old and many are modest row houses. Sadowski Parkway Park lines through the southern end of the neighborhood and has a walkway with a beach. The beach however is no longer in use for swimming. The park also hosts the Dominican festival and other festivals during the summer.

State Street

State Street is a neighborhood east of the NJ Transit train tracks, north of Fayette Street, and south of Harbortown. Like the southwestern section of Perth Amboy, it is predominately working-class Hispanic. In addition, this neighborhood had many industries and factories before they moved overseas. The neighborhood is mainly Caribbean Hispanic. This section also once had a visible Cuban community. The State and Fayette Gardens, an apartment complex in the neighborhood, was at one point considered to be "The Cuban Buildings." The Landings at Harborside redevelopment project is being constructed in this neighborhood.

Amboy Avenue

Amboy Ave is a quasi-suburban, working to middle-class neighborhood. It is also referred to as the "Hospital section" or the "High School section" due to the fact that these places are located in the neighborhood. Although today it is mostly Hispanic, Amboy Avenue once had a strong Italian population.

Maurer

Maurer is mainly working to middle-class neighborhood that lies in the northern part of Rt. 440. It is heavily industrial with many oil refineries and brownfields. Like Amboy Avenue, it is quasi-suburban.

Chickentown

Chickentown is a neighborhood in the western part of Route 35 south of Spa Springs, just south of Rt. 440. It shares many of the same characteristics of Spa Springs but to a lesser extent. The city's largest park, Washington Park, is located here.

Spa Springs

Along with the waterfront, Spa Springs, which is in the northwestern part of the city, remains one of the most attractive and middle-class areas of the city. In this neighborhood, the population is older and a little more diverse with more whites than most other parts of Perth Amboy. Spa Springs is also the wealthiest neighborhood in town and is the most suburban with single family houses and garages.

Government

Local government

The City of Perth Amboy is governed under the Faulkner Act (Mayor-Council) system of municipal government. The current mayor is Joseph Vas. The city council members include Frank Sinatra, Geraldine Bolanowski, Robert Sottilaro, and David Szilagyi and the city council president Peter Jimenez.

Federal, state and county representation

Perth Amboy is in the Thirteenth Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 19th Legislative District.

Transportation

The Outerbridge Crossing, a cantilever bridge over the Arthur Kill, connects Perth Amboy with Staten Island. Known locally as the "Outerbridge", it is part of a popular route on NY-440/NJ-440 from the south and west to New York City and Long Island.

The Victory Bridge carries Route 35 over the Raritan River, connecting Perth Amboy on the north with the borough of Sayreville to the south.

Education

Public schools in Perth Amboy are operated by Perth Amboy Public Schools, an Abbott District. Schools in the district include two preschools ( Early Childhood center at St. Mary's and Ignacio Cruz School), five Elementary schools serving grades K-4 ( Anthony V. Ceres School, James J. Flynn School, Edward J. Patten Elementary School, Dr. H. N. Richardson 21st Century School (Number 10) and Robert N. Wilentz School) two Middle schools ( S. E. Shull Middle School for grades 5 & 6, and William C. McGinnis Middle School for grades 7 & 8) and Perth Amboy High School for grades 9-12.

The district is currently trying to address issues of overcrowding by making McGinnis and Shull Schools to serve grades 5-8. A previous idea to build a new high school in the Delaney Homes failed due to funding issues.

Perth Amboy's athletic team have had success. The boys tennis team and cross country team have made New Jersey state championships.

9.7% of adults over the age of 25 in Perth Amboy have a bachelor's degree or higher.

Notable residents

Astronomer and Planetary Scientist Joseph Montani was born in Perth Amboy in 1952. Montani has named one of his minor-planet (asteroid) discoveries (discovered on January 3, 1997 in Arizona, on Kitt Peak, in his work on the Spacewatch Project) after his home town; the object is officially known as: "(12465) Perth Amboy", and its properties and orbit have been recorded by the International Astronomical Union and published to the world. Montani's colleagues also named an asteroid for him, "(7656) JoeMontani", which they discovered on April 24, 1992. Montani moved from Perth Amboy in 1970, after completing high school, to attend college in New York City, and has lived in various parts of the world since that time, pursuing his work in Astronomy.Spacewatch Minor Planets Joe Has Named, accessed May 31, 2006.
Rock star Jon Bon Jovi was born in Perth Amboy in 1962 (But raised in Sayreville).
Abolitionists Angelina and Sarah Grimke lived in Perth Amboy.
Supermodel Vida Guerra was born in Cuba but was raised in Perth Amboy.

Miscellaneous Information

Sister Cities

References

External links

Cities in New Jersey | Faulkner Act | Middlesex County, New Jersey | New Jersey Urban Enterprise Zone | 1683 establishments

Perth Amboy (New Jersey) | Perth Amboy | Perth Amboy | Perth Amboy

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