Fanwood, New Jersey
Encyclopedia
Fanwood is a borough
in Union County
, New Jersey
, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 7,318.
Fanwood was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature
on October 2, 1895, from portions of Fanwood Township (now known as Scotch Plains
), based on the results of a referendum held the previous day.
The borough is bordered by Plainfield
in the southwest and by Scotch Plains
in all other directions.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the borough has a total area of 1.3 square miles (3.4 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 7,174 people, 2,574 households, and 2,054 families residing in the borough. The population density
was 5,363.4 people per square mile (2,067.1/km2). There were 2,615 housing units at an average density of 1,955.0 per square mile (753.5/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 88.30% White, 5.14% African American, 0.10% Native American, 4.39% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.79% from other races
, and 1.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.74% of the population.
There were 2,574 households out of which 38.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.0% were married couples
living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.2% were non-families. 18.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the borough the population was spread out with 25.8% under the age of 18, 4.5% from 18 to 24, 31.3% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 91.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.9 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $85,233, and the median income for a family was $99,232. Males had a median income of $65,519 versus $40,921 for females. The per capita income
for the borough was $34,804. About 1.6% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.6% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.
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 Borough Council is Fanwood's legislative body and may pass, adopt, amend and repeal any ordinance or where permitted, any resolution, for any purpose required for the government of the municipality, and also controls and regulates the finances of the municipality. The Council may investigate any activity of the municipality, remove any officer of the municipality for cause other than those excepted by law and shall have all the executive responsibilities of the municipality not placed by general law, in the office of the Mayor. The Mayor of Fanwood is responsible for serving as the chief executive officer of borough government. The mayor presides over the Borough Council, appoints various boards and committees, oversees borough administration, and serves as the borough's ceremonial head.
, the Mayor
of Fanwood Borough is Colleen M. Mahr (D
, term ends December 31, 2011). Fanwood Council Members are Council President Joan Wheeler (D, 2011), Russell Huegel (D, 2011), Robert Manduca (R
, 2012), Katherine Mitchell (D, 2013), Anthony Parenti (R, 2013) and Michael Szuch (R, 2012).
Fanwood is in the
, which has students in Grades PreK-12 from the Township of Scotch Plains
and the Borough of Fanwood. The district has five elementary schools (PreK-Grade 4), two middle schools (Grades 5-8), and one comprehensive high school (Grades 9-12).
Schools in the district (with 2008-09 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics
) are five elementary schools —
Howard B. Brunner Elementary School (PreK-4; 463 students),
J. Ackerman Coles School (K-4; 519),
Evergreen School (PreK-4; 405),
William J. McGinn School (474) and
School One (389) —
Park Middle School (823) and
Terrill Middle School
(847) for grades 6-8, along with
Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School
(1,468) for grades 9-12.
station (also known as Fanwood-Scotch Plains), is a New Jersey Transit
railroad station on the Raritan Valley Line
. The building on the north side of the tracks (westbound platform) is a Victorian building and, like the north building at Westfield
, is used by a non-profit organization. The ticket office is in the station building on the south side of the tracks (eastbound platform). The station provides service to Penn Station
in Newark
, and from there to Hoboken Terminal
or Penn Station
in Midtown Manhattan
.
Newark Liberty International Airport
is approximately 25 minutes away.
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 Union County
Union County, New Jersey
Union County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 536,499. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Elizabeth. Union County ranks 93rd among the highest-income counties in the United States. It also ranks 74th in...
, 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 7,318.
Fanwood was incorporated as a borough 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 October 2, 1895, from portions of Fanwood Township (now known as Scotch Plains
Scotch Plains, New Jersey
Scotch Plains is a township in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the township population increased to a record high of 23,510.-History:...
), based on the results of a referendum held the previous day.
Geography
Fanwood is located at 40.641852°N 74.385334°W (40.641852, -74.385334).The borough is bordered by Plainfield
Plainfield, New Jersey
Plainfield is a city in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population increased to a record high of 49,808....
in the southwest and by Scotch Plains
Scotch Plains, New Jersey
Scotch Plains is a township in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the township population increased to a record high of 23,510.-History:...
in all other directions.
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 1.3 square miles (3.4 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
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 7,174 people, 2,574 households, and 2,054 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 5,363.4 people per square mile (2,067.1/km2). There were 2,615 housing units at an average density of 1,955.0 per square mile (753.5/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 88.30% White, 5.14% African American, 0.10% Native American, 4.39% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.79% 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 1.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.74% of the population.
There were 2,574 households out of which 38.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.0% 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, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.2% were non-families. 18.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the borough the population was spread out with 25.8% under the age of 18, 4.5% from 18 to 24, 31.3% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 91.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.9 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $85,233, and the median income for a family was $99,232. Males had a median income of $65,519 versus $40,921 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 $34,804. About 1.6% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.6% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.
Local government
Fanwood 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 Borough Council is Fanwood's legislative body and may pass, adopt, amend and repeal any ordinance or where permitted, any resolution, for any purpose required for the government of the municipality, and also controls and regulates the finances of the municipality. The Council may investigate any activity of the municipality, remove any officer of the municipality for cause other than those excepted by law and shall have all the executive responsibilities of the municipality not placed by general law, in the office of the Mayor. The Mayor of Fanwood is responsible for serving as the chief executive officer of borough government. The mayor presides over the Borough Council, appoints various boards and committees, oversees borough administration, and serves as the borough's ceremonial head.
, 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 Fanwood Borough is Colleen M. Mahr (D
Democratic 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...
, term ends December 31, 2011). Fanwood Council Members are Council President Joan Wheeler (D, 2011), Russell Huegel (D, 2011), Robert Manduca (R
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...
, 2012), Katherine Mitchell (D, 2013), Anthony Parenti (R, 2013) and Michael Szuch (R, 2012).
Fire Department
The Fanwood Fire Department is a volunteer fire department with 30 members that operate out of one fire station. The department has two engines, one quint and a chief's vehicle.Federal, state and county representation
Fanwood is in the 7th Congressional district and is part of New Jersey's 22nd state legislative district.Fanwood is in the
Education
Public school students in Fanwood attend the schools of the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Regional School DistrictScotch Plains-Fanwood Regional School District
The Scotch Plains-Fanwood Regional School District is a regional public school district serving students from two communities in Union County, New Jersey, United States. The district serves students in Prekindergarten through twelfth grade, who come from the Township of Scotch Plains and the...
, which has students in Grades PreK-12 from the Township of Scotch Plains
Scotch Plains, New Jersey
Scotch Plains is a township in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the township population increased to a record high of 23,510.-History:...
and the Borough of Fanwood. The district has five elementary schools (PreK-Grade 4), two middle schools (Grades 5-8), and one comprehensive high school (Grades 9-12).
Schools in the district (with 2008-09 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 five elementary schools —
Howard B. Brunner Elementary School (PreK-4; 463 students),
J. Ackerman Coles School (K-4; 519),
Evergreen School (PreK-4; 405),
William J. McGinn School (474) and
School One (389) —
Park Middle School (823) and
Terrill Middle School
Terrill Middle School
Terrill Middle School is a public middle school located in Scotch Plains, in Union County, New Jersey, USA, as part of the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Regional School District, which also serves students from the borough of Fanwood. The school is home to students grades 5-8...
(847) for grades 6-8, along with
Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School
Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School
Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School is a comprehensive regional four-year public high school in Union County, New Jersey, which serves students in Grades 9 through 12 from the Township of Scotch Plains and the Borough of Fanwood, operating as part of the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Regional School...
(1,468) for grades 9-12.
Transportation
The FanwoodFanwood (NJT station)
Fanwood Station is a New Jersey Transit railroad station on the Raritan Valley Line, in Fanwood, New Jersey. The building on the north side of the tracks is a Victorian building and, like the north building at Westfield, is used by a non-profit organization. The address is Fanwood Station, 238...
station (also known as Fanwood-Scotch Plains), is a New Jersey Transit
New 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...
railroad station on the Raritan Valley Line
Raritan Valley Line
The Raritan Valley Line is a diesel-engine-powered commuter rail service operated by New Jersey Transit , originating out of Pennsylvania Station, located in Newark, New Jersey, with most trains terminating at the Raritan station, located in Raritan, New Jersey.Some weekday trains continue further...
. The building on the north side of the tracks (westbound platform) is a Victorian building and, like the north building at Westfield
Westfield (NJT station)
Westfield is a New Jersey Transit railroad station on the Raritan Valley Line, in Westfield, New Jersey. The station consists of two buildings: the main building on the north side of the track houses a non-profit group, the south side of the tracks houses the ticket office and waiting area and...
, is used by a non-profit organization. The ticket office is in the station building on the south side of the tracks (eastbound platform). The station provides service to Penn Station
Pennsylvania Station (Newark)
Pennsylvania Station is a major transportation hub in Newark, New Jersey. Located at Raymond Plaza, between Market Street and Raymond Boulevard, Newark Penn Station is served by the Newark Light Rail, New Jersey Transit commuter rail, Amtrak long distance trains, the PATH rapid transit system, and...
in Newark
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
, and from there to Hoboken Terminal
Hoboken Terminal
Hoboken Terminal is one of the New York Metropolitan area's major transportation hubs. The commuter-oriented intermodal facility, is located on the Hudson River in Hoboken, New Jersey...
or Penn Station
Pennsylvania Station (New York City)
Pennsylvania Station—commonly known as Penn Station—is the major intercity train station and a major commuter rail hub in New York City. It is one of the busiest rail stations in the world, and a hub for inbound and outbound railroad traffic in New York City. The New York City Subway system also...
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...
.
Newark Liberty International Airport
Newark Liberty International Airport
Newark Liberty International Airport , first named Newark Metropolitan Airport and later Newark International Airport, is an international airport within the city limits of both Newark and Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States...
is approximately 25 minutes away.
Notable residents
Some noted current and former residents include:- Derrick CaracterDerrick CaracterDerrick Caracter is a power forward–center for the Los Angeles Lakers.Caracter grew up in Fanwood, New Jersey. He played high school basketball at St. Patrick High School as a freshman, and attended Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School as a sophomore, to team with fellow SPF native, and subsequent...
(born 1988), played power forwardPower forward (basketball)Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...
/centerCenter (basketball)The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
formerly for the Louisville Cardinals basketball team, then the University of Texas at El PasoUniversity of Texas at El PasoThe University of Texas at El Paso is a four-year state university, and is a component institution of the University of Texas System. Its campus is located on the bank of the Rio Grande in El Paso, Texas. The school was founded in 1914 as The Texas State School of Mines and Metallurgy,...
(UTEP) Miners basketball team, current member of NBA's Los Angeles LakersLos Angeles LakersThe Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
. - Gerry CooneyGerry CooneyGerry Cooney is a retired Irish-American professional boxer from Huntington, New York best known for his loss to Larry Holmes and defeat of aging ex-champion/contender Ken Norton.-Life before boxing:...
(born 1956), boxer. - Maryanne ConnellyMaryanne ConnellyMaryanne Connelly is a Democratic politician in New Jersey and the former Mayor of Fanwood, New Jersey. She has also twice unsuccessfully sought a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives....
(born 1945), former mayor of Fanwood. - Róisín EgentonRóisín EgentonRóisín Ryan Egenton, a 23-year old woman representing New York, was crowned the Rose of Tralee in the Festival Dome, Tralee, in front of a live audience of over 2,000 on 22 August 2000...
, selected The Rose of TraleeRose of Tralee (festival)The Rose of Tralee festival is an international competition which is celebrated among Irish communities all over the world. The festival takes its inspiration from a nineteenth century ballad of the same name about a woman called Mary, who because of her beauty was called The Rose of Tralee. The...
in 2000. - William Lowell, Sr.William Lowell, Sr.William Lowell, Sr. was a dentist, and an inventor of a wooden golf tee.-Biography:William Lowell was born in Hoboken, New Jersey and lived in Maplewood, New Jersey and had a son, William Lowell, Jr. . He first made 5,000 tees, that were stained green, but he soon changed to red, to make them more...
(1863–1954), an inventor of the golf tee. - Linda StenderLinda StenderLinda Stender is an American Democratic Party politician who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 2002, where she represents the 22nd legislative district. She ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing New Jersey's 7th District, in 2006 and...
(born 1951), member of the New Jersey General AssemblyNew Jersey General AssemblyThe New Jersey General Assembly is the lower house of the New Jersey Legislature.Since the election of 1967 , the Assembly has consisted of 80 members. Two members are elected from each of New Jersey's 40 legislative districts for a term of two years, each representing districts with average...
, and former mayor of Fanwood. - Sada ThompsonSada ThompsonSada Carolyn Thompson was an American stage, film, and television actress.-Life and career:Born in Des Moines, Iowa in 1927 to Hugh Woodruff Thompson and his wife Corlyss , and raised in New Jersey, Thompson earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre at the Carnegie Institute of Technology, after...
(1927-2011), actress.
External links
- Fanwood Borough website
- Fanwood Environmental Commission
- Scotch Plains-Fanwood Regional School District
- Data for the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Regional School District, 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...
- Fanwood Business and Professional Association