78-628: Essex Fells is a borough in Essex County , in the U.S. state of New Jersey . As of the 2020 United States census , the borough's population was 2,244, an increase of 131 (+6.2%) from the 2010 census count of 2,113, which in turn had reflected a decline of 49 (−2.3%) from the 2,162 counted in the 2000 census . Essex Fells was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 31, 1902, from portions of Caldwell Township (now Fairfield Township ). The community's name
156-407: A Republican mayor in every vote held since becoming a borough in 1902. The Essex Fells School District serves public school students in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade at Essex Fells School. As of the 2022–23 school year, the district, comprised of one school, had an enrollment of 247 students and 23.7 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 10.4:1. In 2016,
234-597: A borough. Grover Cleveland , the 22nd and 24th President of the United States , and the only (but soon to be one of two) presidents to serve two non-consecutive terms, was born in Caldwell on March 18, 1837. His father, Rev. Richard Falley Cleveland , was pastor of the First Presbyterian Church. The Grover Cleveland birthplace —the church's former manse—is now a museum and is open to the public. Though today
312-445: A female householder with no husband present and 46.5% were non-families. Of all households, 39.7% were made up of individuals and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 3.01. 18.5% of the population were under the age of 18, 11.1% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 26.5% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age
390-474: A female householder with no husband present, and 45.2% were non-families. 38.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.93. In the borough the population was spread out, with 18.1% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 32.9% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 17.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age
468-403: A four-year term of office. The borough council includes six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle. The borough form of government used by Essex Fells is a " weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in
546-533: A one-year term) and a six-member council (elected to staggered three-year terms). The mayor would preside at council meetings, but had no vote except to break ties. This system resulted in a period, known as " boroughitis ", where large numbers of small boroughs were created. In 1894, the Legislature passed an act requiring each township to have a single school district. A wave of borough incorporations followed, as one part of several townships decided that it would prefer
624-477: A partisan basis as part of the November general election. A mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council includes six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle. The borough form of government used by Caldwell is a " weak mayor /strong council" government in which council members act as
702-494: A partisan election. Only two boroughs, Roselle and Roselle Park , have ward structures with councils having five ward members and one at-large. The borough system has a weak mayor and the council performs most legislative and executive functions. This form of local government is used by 39% of the municipalities in New Jersey. There are a total of 253 boroughs in New Jersey, which include: Caldwell, New Jersey Caldwell
780-655: A per capita basis. Effective January 1, 1992, it again became a borough. According to the United States Census Bureau , the borough had a total area of 1.41 square miles (3.66 km), including 1.41 square miles (3.65 km) of land and 0.01 square miles (0.02 km) of water (0.43%). The borough borders the Essex County municipalities of Caldwell , North Caldwell , Roseland , Verona , West Caldwell and West Orange . The 2010 United States census counted 2,113 people, 728 households, and 598 families in
858-418: A referendum to become a township, joining four municipalities that had already made the change, of what would ultimately be more than a dozen Essex County municipalities to reclassify themselves as townships in order take advantage of federal revenue sharing policies that allocated townships a greater share of government aid to municipalities on a per capita basis. Effective January 26, 1995, it again became
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#1732859542593936-525: A threshold of $ 50,000 for households below 65, below $ 35,000 for those over 65), struggling with basic necessities, such as housing, childcare, food, health care, and transportation, compared to 38% statewide and 47% in Essex County. The 2010 United States census counted 7,822 people, 3,359 households, and 1,797 families in the borough. The population density was 6,710.3 per square mile (2,590.9/km ). There were 3,510 housing units at an average density of 3,011.1 per square mile (1,162.6/km ). The racial makeup
1014-485: A total of 1,696 registered voters in Essex Fells, of which 347 (20.5%) were registered as Democrats , 847 (49.9%) were registered as Republicans and 499 (29.4%) were registered as Unaffiliated . There were 3 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens . Essex Fells has supported Republican presidential candidates in each of the last five presidential elections, though the margins of victory have decreased. However, in
1092-522: A total of 16.99 miles (27.34 km) of roadways, of which 15.31 miles (24.64 km) were maintained by the municipality and 1.68 miles (2.70 km) by Essex County. County Route 527 and County Route 506 are the main roads serving Essex Fells. NJ Transit provides service in the borough to and from Newark on the 29 and 71 routes. People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Essex Fells include: Borough (New Jersey) A borough (also spelled boro ), in
1170-465: A total of 5,035 registered voters in Caldwell, of which 1,585 (31.5%) were registered as Democrats , 1,118 (22.2%) were registered as Republicans and 2,331 (46.3%) were registered as Unaffiliated . There was one voter registered to another party. In the 2012 presidential election , Democrat Barack Obama received 49.8% of the vote (1,814 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 49.4% (1,799 votes), and other candidates with 0.9% (31 votes), among
1248-418: A turnout of 41.1%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election , Republican Chris Christie received 68.5% of the vote (688 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 22.3% (224 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 7.9% (79 votes) and other candidates with 0.5% (5 votes), among the 1,005 ballots cast by the borough's 1,682 registered voters, yielding a 59.8% turnout. On a local level, Essex Fells has elected
1326-578: Is Republican Garrett Jones, whose term of office ends December 31, 2026. Members of the Borough Council are Council President Rick Alonso ( R , 2024), Kris Brown (R, 2025), Barbara Z. Buechner (R, 2024), Vivian L. Rodeffer (D, 2026), Darren Daniolowicz (R, 2025) and Kenneth R. Jurgensen (D, 2026). Caldwell and West Caldwell share services including the Recreation Department and the school system. The Board of Recreation Commissioners of
1404-429: Is a borough located in northwestern Essex County , in the U.S. state of New Jersey , about 16 miles (26 km) west of New York City and 6 miles (9.7 km) north-west of Newark , the state's most populous city. As of the 2020 United States census , the borough's population was 9,027, an increase of 1,205 (+15.4%) from the 2010 census count of 7,822, which in turn reflected an increase of 238 (+3.1%) from
1482-515: Is a heavily wooded park covering 41.48 acres (167,900 m) in the western section of the county along the Caldwell -Essex Fells border. Essex Fells Pond, or also known as "The Pond" by Essex Fells residents, is a popular destination in the winter. Located on Fells Road, "The Pond" attracts people of all ages, typically during the months of December through March. Popular activities include ice skating , pond hockey , and figure skating . Essex Fells
1560-411: Is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey. The governing body is comprised of the mayor and the borough council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. The mayor is elected directly by the voters to
1638-432: Is home to the highest number of boroughs of any New Jersey county, at 56. The Borough Act of 1878 allowed any township (or portion thereof) with a land area of no more than four square miles (10 km ) and a population not exceeding 5,000, to establish itself as an independent borough through a petition and referendum process on a self-executing basis. As enacted, a borough would be governed by an elected mayor (serving
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#17328595425931716-451: Is limited to a single three-story building constructed to look like a house and two small workshops on a dead end. As of 2000, Essex Fells had 750 houses, most of which were custom built, with many occupying lots several acres in size. The borough has no apartment buildings, office buildings or traffic lights, and until recently, no condominiums. The only units available for rental are in carriage houses and other ancillary structures. In 1981,
1794-667: Is part of " The Caldwells ", the group of three Essex County municipalities which all have the word Caldwell in their name. Together with North Caldwell and West Caldwell , these communities are named after the Reverend James Caldwell , a Patriot who played an active role supporting the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War , most notably his actions at the Battle of Springfield , where he gave
1872-721: Is the most significant roadway in Caldwell. NJ Transit offers bus service to and from Caldwell on the 29 and 71 routes. Commuter train service was offered historically at Caldwell station on the Caldwell Branch, which ran from Great Notch to Essex Fells , with service offered starting in 1891. The borough of Caldwell bought the station in 1965 from the Erie Lackawanna Railway and demolished it later that year. Service at Caldwell station ended in October 1966, when Erie Lackawanna discontinued several commuter lines, in
1950-505: The 2000 United States census there were 2,162 people, 737 households, and 605 families residing in the borough. The population density was 1,534.0 inhabitants per square mile (592.3/km). There were 761 housing units at an average density of 540.0 per square mile (208.5/km). The racial makeup of the borough was 96.95% White , 0.46% African American , 0.19% Native American , 1.02% Asian , 0.14% from other races , and 1.25% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.20% of
2028-403: The 2004 presidential election , Republican George W. Bush received 52.2% of the vote (1,981 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 46.6% (1,767 votes) and other candidates with 0.7% (33 votes), among the 3,794 ballots cast by the borough's 4,852 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 78.2. In the 2013 gubernatorial election , Republican Chris Christie received 62.7% of
2106-451: The 2024 United States presidential election , the borough voted for Republican Donald Trump by a wider margin than it did in 2016 and 2020 . In the 2013 gubernatorial election , Republican Chris Christie received 81.3% of the vote (590 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 18.6% (135 votes), and other candidates with 0.1% (1 vote), among the 736 ballots cast by the borough's 1,789 registered voters (10 ballots were spoiled), for
2184-642: The 2024-2025 session , the 40th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Kristin Corrado ( R , Totowa ) and in the General Assembly by Al Barlas (R, Cedar Grove ) and Christopher DePhillips (R, Wyckoff ). Essex County is governed by a directly elected county executive , with legislative functions performed by the Board of County Commissioners . As of 2024 ,
2262-431: The 2024-2025 session , the 40th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Kristin Corrado ( R , Totowa ) and in the General Assembly by Al Barlas (R, Cedar Grove ) and Christopher DePhillips (R, Wyckoff ). Essex County is governed by a directly elected county executive , with legislative functions performed by the Board of County Commissioners . As of 2024,
2340-661: The Orange , or First Mountain in the Watchung Mountain range to the Passaic River . In the late 1800s, Philadelphia developer Anthony S. Drexel realized the impact of train travel on residential development and sent Charles W. Leavitt to the northern New Jersey area near the end of the Caldwell line. Leavitt, Drexel and Drexel's son-in-law John F. Fell formed the Suburban Land Company and purchased 1,000 acres of land from
2418-580: The United States Department of Education . The borough is home to Caldwell University , a catholic liberal arts college with 2,200 students. The West Essex Campus of Essex County College is located in West Caldwell. As of May 2010 , the borough had a total of 18.41 miles (29.63 km) of roadways, of which 14.77 miles (23.77 km) were maintained by the municipality and 3.64 miles (5.86 km) by Essex County. County Route 506
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2496-404: The poverty line , including 2.0% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over. Caldwell is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey. The governing body is comprised of a mayor and a borough council, with all positions elected at-large on
2574-855: The "Best Places To Live" in New Jersey. In 1702, settlers purchased a 14,000 acres (57 km ) Horseneck Tract from the Lenape Native American tribe for goods equal to $ 325 (equivalent to $ 6,478.3 in 2023). This purchase encompassed much of western Essex County, from the First Mountain to the Passaic River at Pine Brook. Caldwell is located in the center of the Horseneck Tract. Settlement began about 1740 by Thomas Gould and Saunders Sanders. The Horseneck Tract consisted of present-day Caldwell, West Caldwell , North Caldwell , Fairfield , Verona , Cedar Grove , Essex Fells , Roseland , and portions of Livingston and West Orange . This land
2652-417: The 2,677 ballots cast by the borough's 4,974 registered voters, yielding a 53.8% turnout. The Caldwell-West Caldwell Public Schools is a public school district that serves students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade from Caldwell and West Caldwell . The roots of the district date back to 1872, though formal consolidation of the districts was established in 1904. As of the 2020–21 school year,
2730-419: The 3,672 ballots cast by the borough's 5,281 registered voters (28 ballots were spoiled ), for a turnout of 69.5%. In the 2008 presidential election , Democrat Barack Obama received 48.4% of the vote (1,823 cast), ahead of Republican John McCain with 47.0% (1,770 votes) and other candidates with 1.1% (41 votes), among the 3,769 ballots cast by the borough's 4,973 registered voters, for a turnout of 75.8%. In
2808-460: The 7,584 counted in the 2000 census . Caldwell was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 10, 1892, from portions of Caldwell Township (now Fairfield Township), based on the results of a referendum held on the previous day. In 1981, the borough's name was changed to the "Township of the Borough of Caldwell", as one of seven Essex County municipalities to pass
2886-666: The Boroughs of Caldwell and West Caldwell was established in 1947. Caldwell is located in the 10th Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 40th state legislative district. For the 118th United States Congress , New Jersey's 10th congressional district is represented by LaMonica McIver ( D , Newark ). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Democrats Cory Booker ( Newark , term ends 2027) and George Helmy ( Mountain Lakes , term ends 2024). For
2964-437: The Caldwell area is considered to be a suburb of both Newark and New York City, the area originally developed as its own individual, self-contained community and economy rather than as urban sprawl from a larger city. When it was formed, miles of woods separated downtown Caldwell from Newark or any of its developing suburbs. New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked Caldwell as its third-best place to live in its 2010 rankings of
3042-1763: The County Executive is Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. ( D , Roseland ), whose four-year term of office ends December 31, 2026. The county's Board of County Commissioners is composed of nine members, five of whom are elected from districts and four of whom are elected on an at-large basis. They are elected for three-year concurrent terms and may be re-elected to successive terms at the annual election in November. Essex County's Commissioners are: Robert Mercado (D, District 1 – Newark 's North and East Wards, parts of Central and West Wards; Newark, 2026), A'Dorian Murray-Thomas (D, District 2 – Irvington , Maplewood and parts of Newark's South and West Wards; Newark, 2026), Vice President Tyshammie L. Cooper (D, District 3 - Newark: West and Central Wards; East Orange , Orange and South Orange ; East Orange, 2026), Leonard M. Luciano (D, District 4 – Caldwell , Cedar Grove , Essex Fells , Fairfield , Livingston , Millburn , North Caldwell , Roseland , Verona , West Caldwell and West Orange ; West Caldwell, 2026), President Carlos M. Pomares (D, District 5 – Belleville , Bloomfield , Glen Ridge , Montclair and Nutley ; Bloomfield, 2026), Brendan W. Gill (D, at large; Montclair, 2026), Romaine Graham (D, at large; Irvington, 2026), Wayne Richardson (D, at large; Newark, 2026), Patricia Sebold (D, at-large ; Livingston, 2026). Constitutional officers elected countywide are: Clerk Christopher J. Durkin (D, West Caldwell, 2025), Register of Deeds Juan M. Rivera Jr. (D, Newark, 2025), Sheriff Armando B. Fontoura (D, Fairfield, 2024), and Surrogate Alturrick Kenney (D, Newark, 2028). As of March 2011, there were
3120-1681: The County Executive is Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. ( D , Roseland ), whose four-year term of office ends December 31, 2026. The county's Board of County Commissioners is composed of nine members, five of whom are elected from districts and four of whom are elected on an at-large basis. They are elected for three-year concurrent terms and may be re-elected to successive terms at the annual election in November. Essex County's Commissioners are: Robert Mercado (D, District 1 – Newark 's North and East Wards, parts of Central and West Wards; Newark, 2026), A'Dorian Murray-Thomas (D, District 2 – Irvington , Maplewood and parts of Newark's South and West Wards; Newark, 2026), Vice President Tyshammie L. Cooper (D, District 3 - Newark: West and Central Wards; East Orange , Orange and South Orange ; East Orange, 2026), Leonard M. Luciano (D, District 4 – Caldwell , Cedar Grove , Essex Fells , Fairfield , Livingston , Millburn , North Caldwell , Roseland , Verona , West Caldwell and West Orange ; West Caldwell, 2026), President Carlos M. Pomares (D, District 5 – Belleville , Bloomfield , Glen Ridge , Montclair and Nutley ; Bloomfield, 2026), Brendan W. Gill (D, at large; Montclair, 2026), Romaine Graham (D, at large; Irvington, 2026), Wayne Richardson (D, at large; Newark, 2026), Patricia Sebold (D, at-large ; Livingston, 2026). Constitutional officers elected countywide are: Clerk Christopher J. Durkin (D, West Caldwell, 2025), Register of Deeds Juan M. Rivera Jr. (D, Newark, 2025), Sheriff Armando B. Fontoura (D, Fairfield, 2024), and Surrogate Alturrick Kenney (D, Newark, 2028). As of March 2011, there were
3198-558: The Essex Fells Borough Council are Michael Cecere (R, 2024), Bernard J. D'Avella (R, 2023), Gregory J. Hindy (R, 2022), John A. King (R, 2023), Margaret D. O'Connor (R, 2022) and William B. Sullivan (R, 2024). In November 2014, the borough council appointed Greg Hindy to fill the vacant seat expiring in December 2016 that had been held by Jane McWilliams, until she resigned from office. In the November 2015 general election, Hindy
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3276-608: The already developed eastern neighborhoods of Caldwell Township chose to become part of Montclair, as it was a rapidly developing suburb of Newark and Paterson . At around the same time, the area north of Caldwell Borough became its own town, North Caldwell. The wooded area directly to the south of downtown Caldwell Borough became Essex Fells. Meanwhile, the farmland to the south of the western portion of Caldwell township attempted to become its own municipality known as South Caldwell. This failed, as much of developed sections of that area lied on its southernmost and easternmost borders, along
3354-555: The auspices of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark . Private schools in Caldwell include Trinity Academy for grades PreK–8 which was founded in 1991 and which was closed by the Newark Archdiocese in the wake of falling enrollment. In 2015, Trinity Academy was one of 15 schools in New Jersey, and one of six private schools, recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School in the exemplary high performing category by
3432-408: The average family size was 3.28. In the borough the population was spread out, with 29.7% under the age of 18, 3.6% from 18 to 24, 24.5% from 25 to 44, 27.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.6 males. The median income for a household in the borough
3510-592: The borough of Caldwell. Lewis G. Lockward was elected the first mayor of Caldwell. In 1929, an attempt to consolidate the three Caldwells into a single municipality was rejected by voters. This borough was one of the filming locations for the Columbia Pictures 1994 comedy film North . According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the borough had a total area of 1.18 square miles (3.05 km ), including 1.18 square miles (3.05 km ) of land and <0.01 square miles (<0.01 km ) of water (0.08%). Caldwell
3588-512: The borough was $ 45,693 (+/− $ 4,350). About 1.1% of families and 2.1% of the population were below the poverty line , including 2.7% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over. As of the 2000 United States census there were 7,584 people, 3,311 households, and 1,814 families residing in the borough. The population density was 6,396.4 inhabitants per square mile (2,469.7/km ). There were 3,396 housing units at an average density of 2,864.2 per square mile (1,105.9/km ). The racial makeup of
3666-406: The borough was 91.22% White , 2.27% African American , 0.11% Native American , 4.06% Asian , 0.07% Pacific Islander , 1.20% from other races , and 1.08% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.64% of the population. There were 3,311 households, out of which 23.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.5% were married couples living together, 9.8% had
3744-415: The borough was one of seven Essex County municipalities to pass a referendum to become a township, joining four municipalities that had already made the change, of what would ultimately be more than a dozen Essex County municipalities to reclassify themselves as townships in order take advantage of federal revenue sharing policies that allocated townships a greater share of government aid to municipalities on
3822-451: The borough. The population density was 1,496.3 per square mile (577.7/km). There were 758 housing units at an average density of 536.8 per square mile (207.3/km). The racial makeup was 94.56% (1,998) White , 1.09% (23) Black or African American , 0.00% (0) Native American , 2.18% (46) Asian , 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander , 0.24% (5) from other races , and 1.94% (41) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.99% (42) of
3900-447: The context of local government in the U.S. state of New Jersey , refers to one of five types and one of eleven forms of municipal government (in addition to those established under a special charter ). The borough is the most common form of local government in New Jersey . In 2023 there were 253 boroughs in New Jersey. However, boroughs were not always so common. In 1875 only 17 boroughs had been created, all by special acts of
3978-411: The cost of being a separate municipality to paying for the other schools. The Borough Act of 1897 amended the original Act, eliminating the self-executing incorporation feature of the earlier legislation. Henceforth, newly incorporated boroughs (or those seeking to dissolve or increase or decrease in size) required approval of the legislature. The elected mayor and six-member council were retained, with
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#17328595425934056-465: The district (with 2018–19 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics ) are West Essex Middle School with 564 students in grades 7-8 and West Essex High School with 1,123 students in grades 9-12. Seats on the nine-member board of education of the high school district are allocated based on population, with one seat assigned to Essex Fells. As of May 2010, the borough had
4134-920: The district, comprised of seven schools, had an enrollment of 2,669 students and 226.4 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 11.8:1. Schools in the district (with 2020–21 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics ) are Harrison School (West Caldwell; 23 students; grades K-PreK), Jefferson Elementary School (West Caldwell; 266; K-5), Lincoln Elementary School (Caldwell; 260; K-5), Washington Elementary School (West Caldwell; 374; K-5), Wilson Elementary School (West Caldwell; 252; K-5), Grover Cleveland Middle School (Caldwell; 626; 6-8), and James Caldwell High School (West Caldwell; 829; 9-12). The Essex County Vocational Technical Schools offers magnet school and vocational programs to students in eighth through twelfth grades from Caldwell and all of Essex County. Mount Saint Dominic Academy for grades 9–12 operates under
4212-399: The estate of Revolutionary War General William J. Gould. In order to create their residential development the group commissioned noted architect Ernest W. Bowditch. The community's name was derived by taking "Essex" from the name of the county and adding "Fells" from the name of John F. Fell which also means hill or down. Based on an ordinance passed in 1928, commercial activity in the borough
4290-411: The event of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council. As of 2022, the mayor of Essex Fells is Republican Edward A. Davis, whose term of office ends December 31, 2025. Members of
4368-443: The expanding Newark suburbs of Livingston and West Orange respectively. Those areas were engulfed by those two towns once they became incorporated municipalities of several small villages and developments. This left only the most rural farmland south of Caldwell Borough and Essex Fells to become its own township, Roseland. At this point, all that remained of the original Caldwell Township was 6,600 acres of rural farmland and meadows in
4446-399: The legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council. As of 2023 , the mayor of Caldwell
4524-405: The legislature. These original boroughs were subdivisions of townships, established by state charter; Elizabeth was the first, established by royal charter in 1740, within the now defunct Elizabeth Township. About half of them had been dissolved, or changed into other forms of government—often cities. In 1875, a constitutional amendment prohibited such local or special legislation. Bergen County
4602-427: The mayor now serving a two-year term. The Borough Act of 1987 was created to streamline borough law and clear away amendments, changes, and contradictory rules that had accumulated over the century of the Borough's existence as a form of government. The 1987 Act allowed for the delegation of executive responsibility to an appointed administrator. Traditionally, voters elect a mayor and six council members at-large in
4680-535: The municipalities of Caldwell , West Caldwell , North Caldwell , Fairfield , Verona , Cedar Grove , Essex Fells, Roseland , and portions of Livingston and West Orange . In 1702, settlers purchased the 14,000 acres (57 km) Horseneck Tract—so-called because of its irregular shape that suggested a horse's neck and head—from the Lenni Lenape Native Americans for goods equal to $ 325. This purchase encompassed much of western Essex County, from
4758-505: The northwesternmost part of Essex County. In 1963, Caldwell Township changed its name to Fairfield in order to avoid being confused with Caldwell Borough. Immediately following the separation of the original Caldwell, the western part of Caldwell Borough generally remained less developed than downtown Caldwell Borough and contained several farms and a large area of undeveloped swampland known as Hatfield Swamp . However, two individual settlements, known as Franklin and Westville, soon formed in
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#17328595425934836-431: The population were under the age of 18, 4.3% from 18 to 24, 18.0% from 25 to 44, 31.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.8 years. For every 100 females, the population had 94.6 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 95.6 males. The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income
4914-413: The population. Of the 728 households, 42.6% had children under the age of 18; 73.4% were married couples living together; 6.2% had a female householder with no husband present and 17.9% were non-families. Of all households, 16.3% were made up of individuals and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.90 and the average family size was 3.26. 29.9% of
4992-405: The population. There were 737 households, out of which 40.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 75.3% were married couples living together, 5.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.9% were non-families. 15.1% 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 2.93 and
5070-505: The school was one of ten schools in New Jersey recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School by the United States Department of Education , a recognition celebrating excellence in academics. Students in public school for seventh through twelfth grades attend the West Essex Regional School District , a regional school district serving students from Essex Fells, Fairfield , North Caldwell and Roseland . Schools in
5148-493: The seventh best place to live in its 2019 rankings of the "Best Places to Live" in New Jersey. In 2010, Forbes.com listed Essex Fells as 182nd in its listing of "America's Most Expensive ZIP Codes", with a median home price of $ 1,140,885. The borough's median household income , as of the 2020 United States Census , was $ 247,000. Essex Fells was part of the Horseneck Tract , which was an area that consisted of what are now
5226-407: The soldiers pages from hymn books to use as wadding for their rifle bullets. While each community has its own independent government, and the three municipalities have no shared governance (other than Essex County), the term is often used to refer to the area, including on highway exit signs. Signage for Exit 47B and 52 on Interstate 80 refer to "The Caldwells" as a destination. Fairfield Township
5304-516: The vote (1,485 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 36.2% (857 votes), and other candidates with 1.1% (25 votes), among the 2,417 ballots cast by the borough's 5,263 registered voters (50 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 45.9%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election , Republican Chris Christie received 50.5% of the vote (1,353 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 37.7% (1,008 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 9.4% (251 votes) and other candidates with 0.9% (24 votes), among
5382-418: The western part of Caldwell Borough. As development increased and population grew in the western part of Caldwell, the town's more rural western population and more urban east often could not reconcile their differences. This led to the areas of Franklin and Westville consolidating into their own township known as West Caldwell in 1904, leaving only the one square mile of original downtown Horseneck development as
5460-418: Was $ 148,173, and the median income for a family was $ 175,000. Males had a median income of $ 100,000 versus $ 52,266 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $ 77,434. About 0.3% of families and 1.1% of the population were below the poverty line , including 0.9% of those under age 18 and 0.6% of those age 65 or over. Grover Cleveland Park , the seventh-largest park in the Essex County park system,
5538-430: Was $ 182,031 (with a margin of error of +/− $ 16,894) and the median family income was $ 202,917 (+/− $ 46,038). Males had a median income of $ 120,417 (+/− $ 32,492) versus $ 72,500 (+/− $ 12,065) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $ 94,423 (+/− $ 11,353). About 0.9% of families and 0.9% of the population were below the poverty line , including 0.9% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over. As of
5616-414: Was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.6 males. The median income for a household in the borough was $ 61,250, and the median income for a family was $ 81,989. Males had a median income of $ 53,548 versus $ 40,543 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $ 34,630. About 2.5% of families and 4.8% of the population were below
5694-498: Was 40.4 years. For every 100 females, the population had 87.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 85.5 males. The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $ 76,354 (with a margin of error of +/− $ 7,683) and the median family income was $ 99,898 (+/− $ 10,668). Males had a median income of $ 75,026 (+/− $ 12,328) versus $ 61,667 (+/− $ 20,342) for females. The per capita income for
5772-411: Was 86.78% (6,788) White , 3.32% (260) Black or African American , 0.10% (8) Native American , 4.72% (369) Asian , 0.04% (3) Pacific Islander , 3.14% (246) from other races , and 1.89% (148) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.05% (786) of the population. Of the 3,359 households, 23.0% had children under the age of 18; 40.3% were married couples living together; 9.8% had
5850-462: Was derived by taking "Essex" from the name of the county and adding "Fells" from the name of John F. Fell which also means hill or down. New Jersey Family magazine ranked Essex Fells as the best town for families in its 2016 rankings of "New Jersey's Best Towns for Families". New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked Essex Fells as its 10th best place to live in its 2008 rankings of the "Best Places To Live" in New Jersey. Niche.com ranked Essex Fells as
5928-487: Was elected to serve the balance of the term of office. Essex Fells is located in the 10th Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 40th state legislative district. For the 118th United States Congress , New Jersey's 10th congressional district is represented by LaMonica McIver ( D , Newark ). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Democrats Cory Booker ( Newark , term ends 2027) and George Helmy ( Mountain Lakes , term ends 2024). For
6006-535: Was known as Caldwell Township until it abandoned its original name in 1963 in an effort to avoid confusion of mail distribution in the various Caldwells. The borough borders the Essex County municipalities of Essex Fells , North Caldwell and West Caldwell, New Jersey . In a report performed by the United Way of Northern New Jersey based on 2012 data, around 34% of Caldwell households were classified as "Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed" households (below
6084-637: Was part of the larger purchase and had been referred to as the Horse Neck Tract until February 17, 1787, when the town congregation voted to change the name to Caldwell, in honor of the Reverend James Caldwell who pushed for their organization's creation. Caldwell Township included present-day West Caldwell and Caldwell. Soon after, the area of Caldwell Township just to the east of Caldwell Borough between Caldwell Borough and Montclair (present-day Verona and Cedar Grove) decided to follow Caldwell's lead and incorporated itself as its own borough, Verona. Some of
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