Closter, New Jersey
Encyclopedia
Closter is a Borough
in Bergen County
, New Jersey
, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 8,373. After the turn of the century, Closter changed from being sprawling estates and farms into a middle and upper middle class suburban town.
Closter, settled in 1704, was formed by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature
on January 1, 1904, from portions of Harrington Township. On March 29, 1904, Harrington Park
was created from portions of Closter, Harrington Township and Washington Township.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the borough has a total area of 3.29 square miles (8.5 km²), of which, 3.17 square miles (8.2 km²) of it is land and 0.12 square mile (0.3107985732 km²) of it (3.65%) is water.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 8,383 people, 2,789 households, and 2,320 families residing in the borough. The population density
was 2,644.3 people per square mile (1,021.0/km2). There were 2,865 housing units at an average density of 903.7 per square mile (349.0/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 75.32% White, 0.93% African American, 0.10% Native American, 21.56% Asian, 0.81% from other races
, and 1.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.09% of the population.
As of the 2000 Census, 12.75% of Closter's residents identified themselves as being of Korea
n ancestry, which was the seventh highest in the United States and fifth highest of any municipality in New Jersey, for all places with 1,000 or more residents identifying their ancestry.
There were 2,789 households out of which 43.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 72.9% were married couples
living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.8% were non-families. 14.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.98 and the average family size was 3.30.
In the borough the population was spread out with 28.0% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 26.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 97.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.0 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $83,918, and the median income for a family was $94,543. Males had a median income of $65,848 versus $39,125 for females. The per capita income
for the borough was $37,065. About 1.7% of families and 2.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.0% of those under age 18 and 1.8% of those age 65 or over.
Native Americans
. The Dutch
arrived in the early 17th century, with records dating back to 1669 showing that Balthaser De Hart was granted a property by Governor Philip Carteret
between the Hudson River
and the Tiena Kill (perhaps the Tenakill Brook). What is now Closter was part of property between the Hudson and the Hackensack River
that was deeded by the Tappan tribe to David Des Marets in 1677. The borough's name is said to derive from Frederick Closter, who was the recipient of a grant from King Charles I of England
. The first English language
teacher in the town was Benjamin Blackledge
(d. 1783).
In November 1776, a farmer from Closter witnessed British troops landing at Closter Dock on the Hudson River and rode to Fort Lee to warn Continental Army
General Nathaniel Greene
, allowing the Americans the opportunity to retreat to Hackensack
at New Bridge Landing
ahead of the British along with the remnants of General George Washington
's troops after the failed Battle of Fort Washington
. It is this unnamed rider who is recognized on the seal of the Borough of Closter. During the American Revolutionary War
, no battles took place in present-day Closter, though the residents were seen largely as supporters of the rebels
and became the target of British foraging and reprisal raids.
The arrival of the Northern Branch
in the late 1850s, followed by additional train service from what became the West Shore Railroad
, brought residents to the community who could commute to Manhattan via the ferry across the Hudson River at the railroad's Weehawken
depot. Closter's central location earned it the nickname "Hub of the Northern Valley".
form of New Jersey municipal government. The government consists of a Mayor and a Borough Council comprising six council members, with all positions elected at large. A Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The Borough Council consists of six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year.
The Mayor
of Closter Borough is Sophie Heymann (Republican Party
, term ends December 31, 2014). Members of the Closter Borough Council are Council President David Barad (R, 2011), Victoria Amitai (R, 2013), Arthur Dolson (R, 2012), John C. Glidden, Jr. (R, 2013), John Kashwick (R, 2011) and Alissa Latner (R, 2012).
In the 2011 general election, incumbent Councilmembers John Kashwick and David Barad are running unopposed for re-election.
In the 2010 general election, Mayor Sophie Heymann (1386 votes) was elected to a new, four-year term over former Councilwoman Linda Albelli (913 votes) while Councilman John C. Glidden, Jr. (1402 votes) and Councilwoman Victoria R. Amitai (1401 votes) were elected to new, three-years terms over former Councilman Michael "Jack" Kelly.
In the 2009 election incumbents Tom Hennessey and Cynthia Tutoli dropped out of the race in September and were replaced by former Councilman Arthur Dolson and newcomer Alissa Latner. On November 3, Dolson (1,183 votes) and Latner (1,119) defeated former Councilwoman Linda Albelli (1,093 votes) and former Councilman Michael "Jack" Kelly (1,032).
In the 2008 General Election, Republican incumbents David H. Barad (1,616 votes) and John Kashwick (1,590) won re-election to new, three-year terms in office, fending off Democratic challengers Leonard J. Asch (1,541) and running mate Michael "Jack" Kelly (1,453).
The Borough Administrator is Quentin Wiest.
based on the results of the 2010 Census.
, 1,067 (22.6%) were registered as Republicans
and 2,299 (48.8%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were no voters registered to other parties.
In the 2008 presidential election
, Democrat Barack Obama
received 54.1% of the vote here, defeating Republican John McCain
, who received 44.9% of the vote, with 75.6% of registered voters participating. In the 2004 election
, Democrat John Kerry
received 53% of the vote here, defeating Republican George W. Bush
, who received around 46%.
serve students in Kindergarten through eighth grade. Schools in the district (with 2009-10 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics
) are Hillside Elementary School (with 592 students in grades K-4) and Tenakill Middle School (with 546 students in grades 5-8).
Public school students in grades 9-12 attend Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest
in Demarest
, together with students from Demarest and Haworth
. The high school is part of the Northern Valley Regional High School District
, which also serves students from Harrington Park
, Northvale
, Norwood
and Old Tappan
. Local students had attended Closter High School until Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest opened in 1955, whereupon the Closter school was closed.
167 bus route provides service to the Port Authority Bus Terminal
in Midtown Manhattan
. Coach USA
's Red and Tan Lines also provides service from Closter to the Port Authority Bus Terminal via the 20 and 14E bus routes, with limited service to the George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal
offered on the 84 route.
County Route 501
, County Route 502
and County Route 505
travel through Closter.
Borough (New Jersey)
A borough in the context of New Jersey local government refers to one of five types and one of eleven forms of municipal government....
in Bergen County
Bergen County, New Jersey
Bergen County is the most populous county of the state of New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, its population was 905,116. The county is part of the New York City Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Hackensack...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 8,373. After the turn of the century, Closter changed from being sprawling estates and farms into a middle and upper middle class suburban town.
Closter, settled in 1704, was formed by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature
New Jersey Legislature
The New Jersey Legislature is the legislative branch of the government of the U.S. state of New Jersey. In its current form, as defined by the New Jersey Constitution of 1947, the Legislature consists of two houses: the General Assembly and the Senate...
on January 1, 1904, from portions of Harrington Township. On March 29, 1904, Harrington Park
Harrington Park, New Jersey
Harrington Park is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 4,664....
was created from portions of Closter, Harrington Township and Washington Township.
Geography
Closter is located at 40.971896°N 73.964368°W.According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the borough has a total area of 3.29 square miles (8.5 km²), of which, 3.17 square miles (8.2 km²) of it is land and 0.12 square mile (0.3107985732 km²) of it (3.65%) is water.
Demographics
As of the 2010 Census, Closter had a population of 8,373. The median age was 43.2. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 64.2% White, 1.3% Black or African American, 0.0% Native American, 31.6% Asian, 1.5% some other race and 1.3% reporting two or more races. 6.0% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.As of the census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 8,383 people, 2,789 households, and 2,320 families residing in the borough. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 2,644.3 people per square mile (1,021.0/km2). There were 2,865 housing units at an average density of 903.7 per square mile (349.0/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 75.32% White, 0.93% African American, 0.10% Native American, 21.56% Asian, 0.81% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.09% of the population.
As of the 2000 Census, 12.75% of Closter's residents identified themselves as being of Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
n ancestry, which was the seventh highest in the United States and fifth highest of any municipality in New Jersey, for all places with 1,000 or more residents identifying their ancestry.
There were 2,789 households out of which 43.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 72.9% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.8% were non-families. 14.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.98 and the average family size was 3.30.
In the borough the population was spread out with 28.0% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 26.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 97.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.0 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $83,918, and the median income for a family was $94,543. Males had a median income of $65,848 versus $39,125 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the borough was $37,065. About 1.7% of families and 2.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.0% of those under age 18 and 1.8% of those age 65 or over.
History
Closter was inhabited by the LenapeLenape
The Lenape are an Algonquian group of Native Americans of the Northeastern Woodlands. They are also called Delaware Indians. As a result of the American Revolutionary War and later Indian removals from the eastern United States, today the main groups live in Canada, where they are enrolled in the...
Native Americans
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
. The Dutch
Dutch people
The Dutch people are an ethnic group native to the Netherlands. They share a common culture and speak the Dutch language. Dutch people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in Suriname, Chile, Brazil, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United...
arrived in the early 17th century, with records dating back to 1669 showing that Balthaser De Hart was granted a property by Governor Philip Carteret
Philip Carteret
Philip Carteret, Seigneur of Trinity was a British naval officer and explorer who participated in two of the Royal Navy's circumnavigation expeditions in 1764-66 and 1766-69.-Biography:...
between the Hudson River
Hudson River
The Hudson is a river that flows from north to south through eastern New York. The highest official source is at Lake Tear of the Clouds, on the slopes of Mount Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains. The river itself officially begins in Henderson Lake in Newcomb, New York...
and the Tiena Kill (perhaps the Tenakill Brook). What is now Closter was part of property between the Hudson and the Hackensack River
Hackensack River
The Hackensack River is a river, approximately 45 miles long, in the U.S. states of New York and New Jersey, emptying into Newark Bay, a back chamber of New York Harbor. The watershed of the river includes part of the suburban area outside New York City just west of the lower Hudson River,...
that was deeded by the Tappan tribe to David Des Marets in 1677. The borough's name is said to derive from Frederick Closter, who was the recipient of a grant from King Charles I of England
Charles I of England
Charles I was King of England, King of Scotland, and King of Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. Charles engaged in a struggle for power with the Parliament of England, attempting to obtain royal revenue whilst Parliament sought to curb his Royal prerogative which Charles...
. The first English language
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
teacher in the town was Benjamin Blackledge
Benjamin Blackledge
Benjamin Blackledge was an American educator and public official. He was the first teacher of English language in Closter, New Jersey, and rose to become "the most prominent man in the northern part of Bergen County"...
(d. 1783).
In November 1776, a farmer from Closter witnessed British troops landing at Closter Dock on the Hudson River and rode to Fort Lee to warn Continental Army
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
General Nathaniel Greene
Nathaniel Greene
Nathaniel Greene may refer to:*Nathanael Greene , American Revolutionary War general*Nathaniel Greene , American journalist...
, allowing the Americans the opportunity to retreat to Hackensack
Hackensack, New Jersey
Hackensack is a city in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States and the county seat of Bergen County. Although informally called Hackensack, it was officially named New Barbadoes Township until 1921. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 43,010....
at New Bridge Landing
New Bridge Landing
New Bridge was a prosperous mill hamlet, centered upon a bridge strategically placed at the narrows of the Hackensack River. In the American Revolution New Bridge Landing was the site of a pivotal bridge crossing the Hackensack River, where General George Washington led his troops in retreat from...
ahead of the British along with the remnants of General George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
's troops after the failed Battle of Fort Washington
Battle of Fort Washington
The Battle of Fort Washington was fought in the American Revolutionary War between the United States and Great Britain on November 16, 1776. It was a decisive British victory, forcing the entire garrison of Fort Washington to surrender....
. It is this unnamed rider who is recognized on the seal of the Borough of Closter. During the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
, no battles took place in present-day Closter, though the residents were seen largely as supporters of the rebels
Patriot (American Revolution)
Patriots is a name often used to describe the colonists of the British Thirteen United Colonies who rebelled against British control during the American Revolution. It was their leading figures who, in July 1776, declared the United States of America an independent nation...
and became the target of British foraging and reprisal raids.
The arrival of the Northern Branch
Northern Branch
The Northern Branch Corridor Project is a proposed 11-mile long rail line that would offer a mass transit rail option to residents of eastern Bergen County, New Jersey, United States, that has been unavailable for decades since passenger rail service ended on the Northern Branch in 1966 and the...
in the late 1850s, followed by additional train service from what became the West Shore Railroad
West Shore Railroad
The West Shore Railroad was the final name of a railroad from Weehawken, New Jersey, across the Hudson River from New York City, north along the west shore of the river to Albany, New York and then west to Buffalo...
, brought residents to the community who could commute to Manhattan via the ferry across the Hudson River at the railroad's Weehawken
Weehawken, New Jersey
Weehawken is a township in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 12,554.-Geography:Weehawken is part of the New York metropolitan area...
depot. Closter's central location earned it the nickname "Hub of the Northern Valley".
Local government
Closter is governed under the BoroughBorough (New Jersey)
A borough in the context of New Jersey local government refers to one of five types and one of eleven forms of municipal government....
form of New Jersey municipal government. The government consists of a Mayor and a Borough Council comprising six council members, with all positions elected at large. A Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The Borough Council consists of six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year.
The Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Closter Borough is Sophie Heymann (Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
, term ends December 31, 2014). Members of the Closter Borough Council are Council President David Barad (R, 2011), Victoria Amitai (R, 2013), Arthur Dolson (R, 2012), John C. Glidden, Jr. (R, 2013), John Kashwick (R, 2011) and Alissa Latner (R, 2012).
In the 2011 general election, incumbent Councilmembers John Kashwick and David Barad are running unopposed for re-election.
In the 2010 general election, Mayor Sophie Heymann (1386 votes) was elected to a new, four-year term over former Councilwoman Linda Albelli (913 votes) while Councilman John C. Glidden, Jr. (1402 votes) and Councilwoman Victoria R. Amitai (1401 votes) were elected to new, three-years terms over former Councilman Michael "Jack" Kelly.
In the 2009 election incumbents Tom Hennessey and Cynthia Tutoli dropped out of the race in September and were replaced by former Councilman Arthur Dolson and newcomer Alissa Latner. On November 3, Dolson (1,183 votes) and Latner (1,119) defeated former Councilwoman Linda Albelli (1,093 votes) and former Councilman Michael "Jack" Kelly (1,032).
In the 2008 General Election, Republican incumbents David H. Barad (1,616 votes) and John Kashwick (1,590) won re-election to new, three-year terms in office, fending off Democratic challengers Leonard J. Asch (1,541) and running mate Michael "Jack" Kelly (1,453).
The Borough Administrator is Quentin Wiest.
Federal, state and county representation
Closter is in the 5th Congressional district and is part of New Jersey's 39th state legislative district. The legislative district was kept unchanged by the New Jersey Apportionment CommissionNew Jersey Apportionment Commission
The New Jersey Apportionment Commission is a constitutionally-created ten-member commission responsible for apportioning the forty districts of the New Jersey Legislature. The commission is convened after each decennial U.S. Census, and the districts are to be in use for the legislative elections...
based on the results of the 2010 Census.
Politics
As of Election Day, November 2008, there were 4,712 registered voters. Of registered voters, 1,346 (28.6%) were registered as DemocratsDemocratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, 1,067 (22.6%) were registered as Republicans
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
and 2,299 (48.8%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were no voters registered to other parties.
In the 2008 presidential election
United States presidential election, 2008
The United States presidential election of 2008 was the 56th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on November 4, 2008. Democrat Barack Obama, then the junior United States Senator from Illinois, defeated Republican John McCain, the senior U.S. Senator from Arizona. Obama received 365...
, Democrat Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
received 54.1% of the vote here, defeating Republican John McCain
John McCain
John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
, who received 44.9% of the vote, with 75.6% of registered voters participating. In the 2004 election
United States presidential election, 2004
The United States presidential election of 2004 was the United States' 55th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on Tuesday, November 2, 2004. Republican Party candidate and incumbent President George W. Bush defeated Democratic Party candidate John Kerry, the then-junior U.S. Senator...
, Democrat John Kerry
John Kerry
John Forbes Kerry is the senior United States Senator from Massachusetts, the 10th most senior U.S. Senator and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He was the presidential nominee of the Democratic Party in the 2004 presidential election, but lost to former President George W...
received 53% of the vote here, defeating Republican George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
, who received around 46%.
Education
The Closter Public SchoolsCloster Public Schools
The Closter Public Schools are a community public school district that educates students in Kindergarten through eighth grade from Closter in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States....
serve students in Kindergarten through eighth grade. Schools in the district (with 2009-10 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics
National Center for Education Statistics
The National Center for Education Statistics is the part of the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences that collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics on education and public school district finance information in the United States...
) are Hillside Elementary School (with 592 students in grades K-4) and Tenakill Middle School (with 546 students in grades 5-8).
Public school students in grades 9-12 attend Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest
Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest
Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest is a comprehensive four-year regional public high school serving students from several municipalities in Bergen County, New Jersey. The high school serves students from the suburban communities of Closter, Demarest and Haworth...
in Demarest
Demarest, New Jersey
Demarest is a Borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 4,881.Demarest was formed by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 8, 1903, from portions of Harrington Township and Palisades Township. The borough was named...
, together with students from Demarest and Haworth
Haworth, New Jersey
Haworth is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 3,382.Haworth was formed by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 24, 1904, from portions of both Dumont and Harrington Townships.-Geography:Haworth is...
. The high school is part of the Northern Valley Regional High School District
Northern Valley Regional High School District
The Northern Valley Regional High School District is a regional school district composed of two public high schools in Bergen County, New Jersey. The regionalized district serves a student population of approximately 2,500 in grades 9-12....
, which also serves students from Harrington Park
Harrington Park, New Jersey
Harrington Park is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 4,664....
, Northvale
Northvale, New Jersey
Northvale is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 4,640.Northvale was formed on March 15, 1916, from the remaining portions of Harrington Township, based on the results of a referendum held on April 4, 1916. With the...
, Norwood
Norwood, New Jersey
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 5,711 people. The population density was 2,083.3 people per square mile. The racial makeup of the borough was 69.3% Caucasian, 27.2% Asian, 1.4% African American, 0.0% Native American, 1.0% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanics...
and Old Tappan
Old Tappan, New Jersey
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 5,750 people. The population density was 1,725.7 people per square mile. The racial makeup of the borough was 74.8% Caucasian, 22.2% Asian, 0.7% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.6% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanics...
. Local students had attended Closter High School until Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest opened in 1955, whereupon the Closter school was closed.
Transportation
The New Jersey TransitNew Jersey Transit
The New Jersey Transit Corporation is a statewide public transportation system serving the United States state of New Jersey, and New York, Orange, and Rockland counties in New York State...
167 bus route provides service to the Port Authority Bus Terminal
Port Authority Bus Terminal
The Port Authority Bus Terminal is the main gateway for interstate buses into Manhattan in New York City...
in Midtown Manhattan
Midtown Manhattan
Midtown Manhattan, or simply Midtown, is an area of Manhattan, New York City home to world-famous commercial zones such as Rockefeller Center, Broadway, and Times Square...
. Coach USA
Coach USA
Coach USA LLC is a holding company for various American transportation service providers providing scheduled intercity bus service, local and commuter bus transit, city sightseeing, tour, yellow school bus, and charter bus service...
's Red and Tan Lines also provides service from Closter to the Port Authority Bus Terminal via the 20 and 14E bus routes, with limited service to the George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal
George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal
The George Washington Bridge Bus Station is a commuter bus terminal located at the east end of the George Washington Bridge in the Washington Heights area of Manhattan in New York City, New York....
offered on the 84 route.
County Route 501
County Route 501 (New Jersey)
County Route 501 is a county highway in New Jersey in two sections spanning Middlesex, Hudson and Bergen Counties. The southern section runs from South Plainfield to Perth Amboy, the northern section runs from Bayonne to Rockleigh, and the two sections are connected by New York State Route 440...
, County Route 502
County Route 502 (New Jersey)
County Route 502 is a county highway in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The highway extends 23.79 miles from Paterson-Hamburg Turnpike in Wayne to Palisades Boulevard in Alpine....
and County Route 505
County Route 505 (New Jersey)
County Route 505 is a county highway in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The highway extends 20.64 miles from John F. Kennedy Boulevard in Union City to the New York state line in Northvale.-Route description:...
travel through Closter.
Notable residents
Notable current and former residents of Closter include:- Abram BelskieAbram BelskieAbram Belskie was a British-born sculptor.Belskie was born in London, England and raised in Glasgow, Scotland. At the age of 15 he was apprenticed to a painter and started classes at the Glasgow School of Art, graduating in 1926. Prize money allowed him to study on the Continent. Upon his return...
(1907–88), British born scupltor. - Benjamin BlackledgeBenjamin BlackledgeBenjamin Blackledge was an American educator and public official. He was the first teacher of English language in Closter, New Jersey, and rose to become "the most prominent man in the northern part of Bergen County"...
(1743–1815), first English teacher in Closter and ""the most prominent man in the northern part of Bergen County". - EmmeEmme (model)Melissa Aronson, better known as Emme , is a plus-size model, and is largely recognized as the leading model in the profession, as well as its highest earner.-Early life:...
(born 1963), plus-size modelPlus-size modelPlus-size model is a term applied to a person who is engaged primarily in modeling plus-size clothing. Plus-size models also engaged in work that is not strictly related to selling large-sized clothing, e.g., stock photography and advertising photography for cosmetics, household and pharmaceutical...
. - Tom Gorman (1919–86), Major League Baseball umpireUmpire (baseball)In baseball, the umpire is the person charged with officiating the game, including beginning and ending the game, enforcing the rules of the game and the grounds, making judgment calls on plays, and handling the disciplinary actions. The term is often shortened to the colloquial form ump...
. - Bruce HarperBruce HarperBruce Harper was an American football running back and kick returner for the New York Jets of the NFL. He was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Kutztown by the Jets in 1977. Bruce Harper is the all-time kick returner in New York Jets history with 5407 yards in kickoff returns...
(born 1955), former running back and kick returner who played for the New York JetsNew York JetsThe New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. - Israel HorowitzIsrael Horowitz (producer)Israel Horowitz was an American record producer who became an editor and columnist on classical music at Billboard magazine....
(1916–2008), record producerRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
who became an editor and columnist on classical musicClassical musicClassical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
at BillboardBillboard (magazine)Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
magazine. - Richard HuntRichard Hunt (puppeteer)Richard Hunt was an American puppeteer best known as a Muppet performer. Hunt's Muppet roles included Scooter, Beaker, Janice, Statler, and Sweetums.-Early years:...
(1951–92) puppeteerPuppeteerA puppeteer is a person who manipulates an inanimate object, such as a puppet, in real time to create the illusion of life. The puppeteer may be visible to or hidden from the audience. A puppeteer can operate a puppet indirectly by the use of strings, rods, wires, electronics or directly by his or...
best known for his association with The MuppetsThe MuppetsThe Muppets are a group of puppet characters created by Jim Henson starting in 1954–55. Although the term is often used to refer to any puppet that resembles the distinctive style of The Muppet Show, the term is both an informal name and legal trademark owned by the Walt Disney Company in reference...
. - Marcel Jovine' (1921-2003), sculptor and creator of The Visible Man, The Visible Woman and The Closter Seal.
- Robert LipsyteRobert LipsyteRobert Lipsyte is an American sports journalist and author. Lipsyte is a member of the Board of Contributors for USA Todays Forum Page, part of the newspaper’s Opinion section.-Personal background:...
(born 1938) sports journalist and author. - Sam LipsyteSam LipsyteSam Lipsyte is an American novelist and short story writer.The son of the sports journalist Robert Lipsyte, Sam Lipsyte was born in New York City and raised in Closter, New Jersey...
(born 1968), author. - Mike Stanton (born 1967) relief pitcher for the New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. - Tom WaddellTom Waddell (baseball)Thomas David Waddell is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. One of only eight Scotland natives to ever be a major league ballplayer, he pitched for the Cleveland Indians from to , and again in ....
(born 1958), former Major League Baseball pitcher.
Sources
- "History of Bergen County, New Jersey, 1630-1923;" by "Westervelt, Frances A. (Frances Augusta), 1858-1942."
- "Municipal Incorporations of the State of New Jersey (according to Counties)" prepared by the Division of Local Government, Department of the Treasury (New Jersey); December 1, 1958.
External links
- Closter official website
- Closter Public Schools
- Data for the Closter Public Schools, National Center for Education StatisticsNational Center for Education StatisticsThe National Center for Education Statistics is the part of the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences that collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics on education and public school district finance information in the United States...
- Northern Valley Regional High School District