Mahwah, New Jersey
Encyclopedia
Mahwah is a township
in Bergen County
, New Jersey
, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 25,890. The name Mahwah is derived from the Lenni Lenape word "mawewi" which means "Meeting Place" or "Place Where Paths Meet".
The area that is now Mahwah was originally formed as Hohokus Township on April 9, 1849, from portions of Franklin Township. On November 7, 1944, the area was incorporated by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature
as the Township of Mahwah, based on the results of a referendum held that day, replacing Hohokus Township.
New Jersey Monthly
magazine ranked Mahwah as its 9th best place to live in its 2008 rankings of the "Best Places To Live" in New Jersey.
The Ramapough Mountain Indians
were the original inhabitants of Mahwah (the meeting place) and surrounding area, and now number approximately 5,000 people living around the Ramapo Mountains
of northern New Jersey and southern New York
. The tribe is officially recognized by the states of New Jersey and New York, but does not have federal recognition. Their tribal office is located on Stag Hill Road in Mahwah, and the Chief of the Ramapough Lenape Indian Nation is Dwaine Perry (as of March 2007).
For 25 years, Mahwah hosted the A&P Tennis Classic, a tune up for the U.S. Open
tennis tournament held at the USTA National Tennis Center
in Flushing, Queens
.
The definitive history book of Mahwah is "From Pioneer Settlement to Suburb, A History of Mahwah, New Jersey, 1700–1976" by Henry Bischoff and Mitchell Kahn L.C 78-55451ISBN0-498-02218-8. Originally published by A.S. Barnes and Company, a re-print was issued in 2005 by the Mahwah Historical Society. The book is 469 pages long.
The 75-room, three-story Crocker Mansion was built in 1901 for George Crocker, son of the railroad magnate Charles Crocker
. The estate, located at Crocker Mansion Drive, Mahwah, is one of New Jersey's historical landmarks.
Ford Motor Company operated an assembly plant in Mahwah from 1955 to 1982. At the time of its completion, it was the largest motor vehicle assembly plant in the United States. The Ford plant, along with other businesses such as American Brake Shoe and Foundry Company, helped contribute to the economic development of the town and its reputation for low home property taxes. The Mahwah town sports teams remain named Thunderbirds in honor of the Ford plant.
Mahwah, and the closure of the Ford plant, is mentioned in the opening line of the 1982 Bruce Springsteen
song "Johnny 99
".
In August 1997, due to personal debt, then-Mayor David J. Dwork
shot and killed himself in the town's mayoral offices. There were also unverified allegations of corruption. Dwork was memorialized with a tree dedicated to him at the site of the Mahwah Public Library.
Dwork was succeeded by Richard J. Martel, then a township council member, who served for 14 years until his own death, of natural causes, on March 7, 2011. Martel himself was succeeded by Council President John DaPuzzo as acting mayor.
, the township has a total area of 26.2 square miles (67.9 km²), of which, 25.93 square miles (67.2 km²) of it is land and 0.27 square mile (0.6992967897 km²) of it (1.03%) is water. It is the largest municipality in Bergen County by area.
Mahwah is near the Ramapo Mountains
and the Ramapo River
. Interstate 287
passes through Mahwah, but the only point of access is at the New Jersey–New York border where 287 meets Route 17. Historic U.S. Route 202
also runs through Mahwah from Oakland
, New Jersey
, to Suffern
, New York
.
Mahwah is bordered by the towns of Upper Saddle River
, Ramsey
, Allendale
, Wyckoff
, Franklin Lakes
, and Oakland
in Bergen County
, New Jersey
; Ringwood
in Passaic County
, New Jersey
; and Ramapo
and Suffern
in Rockland County
, New York
.
Several state and county parks are located in Mahwah, due to its large size and scenic terrain. They include Campgaw Mountain Reservation
, Darlington County Park, Ramapo Mountain Reservation
, and Ramapo Mountain State Forest
. The Ramapo River
runs through the western section of Mahwah.
(Köppen climate classification
Dfa).
As of the census
of 2000, there were 24,062 people, 9,340 households, and 6,285 families residing in the township. The population density
was 927.9 people per square mile (358.3/km²). There were 9,577 housing units at an average density of 369.3 per square mile (142.6/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 87.93% White, 2.16% African American, 0.70% Native American, 6.31% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.50% from other races
, and 1.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.27% of the population.
There were 9,340 households out of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.8% were married couples
living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 28.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the township the population was spread out with 22.2% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 25.2% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.4 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $79,500, and the median income for a family was $94,484 (these figures had risen to $95,827 and $111,714 respectively as of the Census Bureau's 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $62,326 versus $42,527 for females. The per capita income
for the township was $44,709. About 1.2% of families and 2.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.8% of those under age 18 and 4.2% of those age 65 or over.
system of municipal government by a mayor and a seven-member Township Council. The legislative power of the municipality is exercised by a seven-member Township Council. Officials are elected at non-partisan elections, held every other May in even years, for four-year terms.
, the acting Mayor
of Mahwah is John DaPuzzo, who had been President of the Township Council; DaPuzzo was chosen as mayor after the death of previous mayor Richard Martel. DaPuzzo will serve as acting Mayor until January 1, 2012, after a successor is chosen in a November election. Other Members of the Council are Council President John Roth, Vice President Harry Williams, Samuel A. Alderisio, H. Lisa DiGiulio, Roy B. Larson and John A. Spiech.
based on the results of the 2010 Census. The new district was in effect for the June 2011 primary and the November 2011 general election, with the state senator and assembly members elected in November 2011 taking office in the new district as of January 2012.
, 3,443 (24.2% vs. 19.2% countywide) were registered as Republicans
and 9,019 (63.5% vs. 60.1% countywide) were registered as Undeclared
. There were six voters registered to other parties.
On the national level, Mahwah leans toward the Republican Party. In the 2004 presidential election
, Republican George W. Bush
received 58% of the vote, defeating Democrat John Kerry
, who received around 41%.
provides public education in Mahwah for students in prekindergarten through twelfth grade. Schools in the district (with 2009-10 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics
) are four elementary schools —
Lenape Meadows (PreK-3; 490 students),
Betsy Ross (K-3; 293),
George Washington School (K-3; 243) and
Joyce Kilmer School (4-5; 531) — along with
Ramapo Ridge Middle School (6-8; 857) and
Mahwah High School
(9-12; 1,019)
Interstate 287
and Route 17 merge in Mahwah, and U.S. Route 202
also passes through. The northern terminus of County Route 507
is also in Mahwah. Interstate 87
, the New York Thruway
is just outside the state in Suffern, New York
.
New Jersey Transit
rail service to Penn Station
in Midtown Manhattan
, Hoboken Terminal
, and Newark is available from the Mahwah
station on the Main Line
and Bergen County Line
. Passengers may also take advantage of express service on the same line from Suffern, New York, just across the state line.
Short Line Bus offers service to New York and intermediate locations.
Township (New Jersey)
A township, in the context of New Jersey local government, refers to one of five types and one of eleven forms of municipal government. As a political entity, a township is a full-fledged municipality, on par with any town, city, borough, or village, collecting property taxes and providing...
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 township population was 25,890. The name Mahwah is derived from the Lenni Lenape word "mawewi" which means "Meeting Place" or "Place Where Paths Meet".
The area that is now Mahwah was originally formed as Hohokus Township on April 9, 1849, from portions of Franklin Township. On November 7, 1944, the area was incorporated 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...
as the Township of Mahwah, based on the results of a referendum held that day, replacing Hohokus Township.
New Jersey Monthly
New Jersey Monthly
New Jersey Monthly is a monthly glossy publication featuring issues of possible interest to residents of the United States state of New Jersey...
magazine ranked Mahwah as its 9th best place to live in its 2008 rankings of the "Best Places To Live" in New Jersey.
History
Ramapough Mountain Indians
The Ramapough Mountain Indians, also known as Ramapo Mountain Indians or the Ramapough Lenape Nation, are a group of approximately 5,000 people living around the Ramapo Mountains of northern New Jersey and southern New York. Their tribal office is located on Stag Hill Road on Houvenkopf Mountain in...
were the original inhabitants of Mahwah (the meeting place) and surrounding area, and now number approximately 5,000 people living around the Ramapo Mountains
Ramapo Mountains
The Ramapo Mountains are a forested chain of the Appalachian mountains in northeastern New Jersey and southeastern New York in the United States...
of northern New Jersey and southern New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. The tribe is officially recognized by the states of New Jersey and New York, but does not have federal recognition. Their tribal office is located on Stag Hill Road in Mahwah, and the Chief of the Ramapough Lenape Indian Nation is Dwaine Perry (as of March 2007).
For 25 years, Mahwah hosted the A&P Tennis Classic, a tune up for the U.S. Open
U.S. Open (tennis)
The US Open, formally the United States Open Tennis Championships, is a hardcourt tennis tournament which is the modern iteration of one of the oldest tennis championships in the world, the U.S. National Championship, which for men's singles was first contested in 1881...
tennis tournament held at the USTA National Tennis Center
USTA National Tennis Center
The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is located in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in the New York City borough of Queens and has been the home of the US Open Grand Slam tennis tournament played every year in August and September. Operated by the United States Tennis Association since...
in Flushing, Queens
Flushing, Queens
Flushing, founded in 1645, is a neighborhood in the north central part of the City of New York borough of Queens, east of Manhattan.Flushing was one of the first Dutch settlements on Long Island. Today, it is one of the largest and most diverse neighborhoods in New York City...
.
The definitive history book of Mahwah is "From Pioneer Settlement to Suburb, A History of Mahwah, New Jersey, 1700–1976" by Henry Bischoff and Mitchell Kahn L.C 78-55451ISBN0-498-02218-8. Originally published by A.S. Barnes and Company, a re-print was issued in 2005 by the Mahwah Historical Society. The book is 469 pages long.
The 75-room, three-story Crocker Mansion was built in 1901 for George Crocker, son of the railroad magnate Charles Crocker
Charles Crocker
Charles Crocker was an American railroad executive.-Early years:Crocker was born in Troy, New York, to a modest family and moved to an Indiana farm at age 14. He soon became independent, working on several farms, a sawmill, and at an iron forge. In 1845 he founded a small, independent iron...
. The estate, located at Crocker Mansion Drive, Mahwah, is one of New Jersey's historical landmarks.
Ford Motor Company operated an assembly plant in Mahwah from 1955 to 1982. At the time of its completion, it was the largest motor vehicle assembly plant in the United States. The Ford plant, along with other businesses such as American Brake Shoe and Foundry Company, helped contribute to the economic development of the town and its reputation for low home property taxes. The Mahwah town sports teams remain named Thunderbirds in honor of the Ford plant.
Mahwah, and the closure of the Ford plant, is mentioned in the opening line of the 1982 Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen , nicknamed "The Boss," is an American singer-songwriter who records and tours with the E Street Band...
song "Johnny 99
Johnny 99 (song)
"Johnny 99" is a song written and recorded by rock musician Bruce Springsteen, which first appeared on Springsteen's 1982 solo album Nebraska.-Performance and themes:...
".
In August 1997, due to personal debt, then-Mayor David J. Dwork
David J. Dwork
David J. Dwork was Mayor of Mahwah, New Jersey from 1991-1997.-Biography:Dwork committed suicide by gunshot in August 1997 in the town's mayoral offices due to personal debt. There were also allegations of corruption, albeit with no serious evidence found...
shot and killed himself in the town's mayoral offices. There were also unverified allegations of corruption. Dwork was memorialized with a tree dedicated to him at the site of the Mahwah Public Library.
Dwork was succeeded by Richard J. Martel, then a township council member, who served for 14 years until his own death, of natural causes, on March 7, 2011. Martel himself was succeeded by Council President John DaPuzzo as acting mayor.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited 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 township has a total area of 26.2 square miles (67.9 km²), of which, 25.93 square miles (67.2 km²) of it is land and 0.27 square mile (0.6992967897 km²) of it (1.03%) is water. It is the largest municipality in Bergen County by area.
Mahwah is near the Ramapo Mountains
Ramapo Mountains
The Ramapo Mountains are a forested chain of the Appalachian mountains in northeastern New Jersey and southeastern New York in the United States...
and the Ramapo River
Ramapo River
The Ramapo River is a tributary of the Pompton River, approximately 30 mi long, in southern New York and northern New Jersey in the United States.-Course:...
. Interstate 287
Interstate 287
Interstate 287 is an auxiliary Interstate Highway in the U.S. states of New Jersey and New York. It is a partial beltway around New York City, serving the northern half of New Jersey and the counties of Rockland and Westchester in New York...
passes through Mahwah, but the only point of access is at the New Jersey–New York border where 287 meets Route 17. Historic U.S. Route 202
U.S. Route 202
U.S. Route 202 is a highway stretching from Delaware to Maine, also passing through the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire....
also runs through Mahwah from Oakland
Oakland, New Jersey
Oakland is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 12,754.Oakland was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 8, 1902, from portions of Franklin Township.-History:The Van Allen House...
, 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...
, to Suffern
Suffern, New York
Suffern is a village in the Town of Ramapo, Rockland County, New York, United States located north of the State of New Jersey; east of Hillburn; south of Montebello and west of Airmont...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
Mahwah is bordered by the towns of Upper Saddle River
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey
Upper Saddle River is an affluent borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 8,208. It is not to be confused with the neighboring borough of Saddle River.-History:...
, Ramsey
Ramsey, New Jersey
Ramsey is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. It is a suburb of New York City, located northwest of Midtown Manhattan. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 14,473....
, Allendale
Allendale, New Jersey
Allendale is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 6,505.Allendale was formed on November 8, 1894 from portions of Franklin Township, Hohokus Township and Orvil Township at the height of the Boroughitis phenomenon then...
, Wyckoff
Wyckoff, New Jersey
Wyckoff is a township in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 16,696. As of the 2000 Census, Wyckoff ranked 54th in 100 highest-income places in the United States...
, Franklin Lakes
Franklin Lakes, New Jersey
Franklin Lakes is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 census, the borough population was 10,590. As of the 2000 Census, Franklin Lakes had the 18th-highest per-capita income of all 566 municipalities in the state. Nationwide, Franklin Lakes ranked 17th among the...
, and Oakland
Oakland, New Jersey
Oakland is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 12,754.Oakland was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 8, 1902, from portions of Franklin Township.-History:The Van Allen House...
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...
; Ringwood
Ringwood, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there are 12,396 people, 4,108 households, and 3,446 families residing in the borough. The population density is 491.0 people per square mile . There are 4,221 housing units at an average density of 167.2 per square mile...
in Passaic County
Passaic County, New Jersey
Passaic County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 501,226. Its county seat is Paterson...
, 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...
; and Ramapo
Ramapo, New York
Ramapo , formerly known as New Hempstead and then Hampstead, is a town in Rockland County, New York, United States located north of New Jersey; southeast of Orange County, New York; south of the Town of Haverstraw and west of the Town of Clarkstown and the Town of Orangetown...
and Suffern
Suffern, New York
Suffern is a village in the Town of Ramapo, Rockland County, New York, United States located north of the State of New Jersey; east of Hillburn; south of Montebello and west of Airmont...
in Rockland County
Rockland County, New York
Rockland County is a suburban county 15 miles to the northwest of Manhattan and part of the New York City Metropolitan Area, in the U.S. state of New York. It is the southernmost county in New York west of the Hudson River, and the smallest county in New York outside of New York City. The...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
Several state and county parks are located in Mahwah, due to its large size and scenic terrain. They include Campgaw Mountain Reservation
Campgaw Mountain Reservation
Campgaw Mountain Reservation is a 1351 acre county park of Bergen County, New Jersey. It is located mostly within Mahwah, but includes some areas of Oakland and Franklin Lakes. The park includes a ski area and the peak of Campgaw Mountain at a elevation.The ski area has two 2-person chairlifts...
, Darlington County Park, Ramapo Mountain Reservation
Ramapo Mountain Reservation
The Ramapo Valley Reservation is a 3000+acre county park located in Mahwah, New Jersey in Bergen County, bordering Ringwood State Park to the north and the Ramapo Mountain State Forest to the south. It is also known as the Ramapo Reservation and the Ramapo Valley County Reservation...
, and Ramapo Mountain State Forest
Ramapo Mountain State Forest
Ramapo Mountain State Forest is a 4,200 acre state forest in Bergen and Passaic Counties in New Jersey. The park is operated and maintained by the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry....
. The Ramapo River
Ramapo River
The Ramapo River is a tributary of the Pompton River, approximately 30 mi long, in southern New York and northern New Jersey in the United States.-Course:...
runs through the western section of Mahwah.
Climate
Mahwah has a hot summer continental climateHumid continental climate
A humid continental climate is a climatic region typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot summers and cold winters....
(Köppen climate classification
Köppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by Crimea German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen himself, notably in 1918 and 1936...
Dfa).
Demographics
As of the 2010 Census, Mahwah had a population of 25,890, a change of 7.6% from the previous enumeration. The median age was 40.4. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 85.7% White, 2.6% Black or African American, 0.6% Native American, 7.8% Asian, 1.4% some other race and 1.9% reporting two or more races. 6.3% 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 24,062 people, 9,340 households, and 6,285 families residing in the township. 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 927.9 people per square mile (358.3/km²). There were 9,577 housing units at an average density of 369.3 per square mile (142.6/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 87.93% White, 2.16% African American, 0.70% Native American, 6.31% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.50% 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 1.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.27% of the population.
There were 9,340 households out of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.8% 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, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 28.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the township the population was spread out with 22.2% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 25.2% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.4 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $79,500, and the median income for a family was $94,484 (these figures had risen to $95,827 and $111,714 respectively as of the Census Bureau's 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $62,326 versus $42,527 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 township was $44,709. About 1.2% of families and 2.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.8% of those under age 18 and 4.2% of those age 65 or over.
Local government
Mahwah is governed under the Faulkner Act (Mayor-Council)Faulkner Act (Mayor-Council)
The Faulkner Act, or Optional Municipal Charter Law, provides for New Jersey municipalities to adopt a Mayor-Council government.This form of government provides for election of a mayor and five, seven, or nine council members...
system of municipal government by a mayor and a seven-member Township Council. The legislative power of the municipality is exercised by a seven-member Township Council. Officials are elected at non-partisan elections, held every other May in even years, for four-year terms.
, the acting 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 Mahwah is John DaPuzzo, who had been President of the Township Council; DaPuzzo was chosen as mayor after the death of previous mayor Richard Martel. DaPuzzo will serve as acting Mayor until January 1, 2012, after a successor is chosen in a November election. Other Members of the Council are Council President John Roth, Vice President Harry Williams, Samuel A. Alderisio, H. Lisa DiGiulio, Roy B. Larson and John A. Spiech.
Federal, state and county representation
Mahwah is in the 5th Congressional district and is part of New Jersey's 40th state legislative district. The borough was relocated to the 39th state legislative district 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. The new district was in effect for the June 2011 primary and the November 2011 general election, with the state senator and assembly members elected in November 2011 taking office in the new district as of January 2012.
Politics
As of April 1, 2006, out of a 2004 Census estimated population of 24,682 in Mahwah, there were 14,204 registered voters (57.5% of the population, vs. 55.4% in all of Bergen County). Of registered voters, 1,736 (12.2% vs. 20.7% countywide) 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...
, 3,443 (24.2% vs. 19.2% countywide) 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 9,019 (63.5% vs. 60.1% countywide) were registered as Undeclared
Undeclared (New Jersey)
Unaffiliated is a status for registered voters in New Jersey. Those voters who do not specify a political party affiliation when they register to vote are listed as unaffiliated....
. There were six voters registered to other parties.
On the national level, Mahwah leans toward the Republican Party. In the 2004 presidential 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...
, 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....
received 58% of the vote, defeating 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...
, who received around 41%.
Public schools
The Mahwah Township Public SchoolsMahwah Township Public Schools
The Mahwah Township Public Schools is a comprehensive community public school district that serves students in Kindergarten through twelfth grade from Mahwah, in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States....
provides public education in Mahwah for students in prekindergarten through twelfth 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 four elementary schools —
Lenape Meadows (PreK-3; 490 students),
Betsy Ross (K-3; 293),
George Washington School (K-3; 243) and
Joyce Kilmer School (4-5; 531) — along with
Ramapo Ridge Middle School (6-8; 857) and
Mahwah High School
Mahwah High School
Mahwah High School is the four-year comprehensive public high school serving students from Mahwah, Bergen County, New Jersey, operating as the only high school of the Mahwah Township Public Schools...
(9-12; 1,019)
Vocational schools
- Lincoln Technical InstituteLincoln Group of SchoolsThe Lincoln Group of Schools is a group of for-profit vocational institutions consisting of 43 campuses in the United States. Each campus is owned and operated by Lincoln Educational Services Corporation...
- Tax Training School
- O'Brien's Professional Travel School
Local corporations
- Inserra SupermarketsInserra SupermarketsInserra Supermarkets Inc. is a supermarket chain that operates in the northeastern United States. Inserra Supermarkets is a member of the ShopRite retailers' cooperative and therefore does business as ShopRite. Inserra is headquartered in Mahwah, New Jersey, and operates approximately 22 stores...
, a member of the ShopRiteShopRite (United States)ShopRite Supermarkets is a retailers' cooperative chain of supermarkets in the northeastern United States, with stores in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania...
retail cooperative, operating approximately 22 stores. It is a family-owned business and is one of the 500 largest private companies in the United States. - Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, book publisher.
- Stryker Corp.Stryker Corp.Stryker Corporation , is a Kalamazoo, Michigan based medical technology firm which develops and produces medical implants, surgical and imaging technologies, as well as patient handling and emergency medical equipment...
's orthopedic business. - RadwareRadwareRadware , is a provider of integrated Application delivery, Network Security and Load balancing solutions based in Tel Aviv, Israel. Radware, which is a member of the Rad Group of companies, is a public company and its shares are traded on NASDAQ.- History :...
Inc. American headquarters. - DialAmerica Marketing corporate headquarters is based in Mahwah.
- UPSUnited Parcel ServiceUnited Parcel Service, Inc. , typically referred to by the acronym UPS, is a package delivery company. Headquartered in Sandy Springs, Georgia, United States, UPS delivers more than 15 million packages a day to 6.1 million customers in more than 220 countries and territories around the...
world technology headquarters. - Sharp Electronics, USASharp Corporationis a Japanese multinational corporation that designs and manufactures electronic products. Headquartered in Abeno-ku, Osaka, Japan, Sharp employs more than 55,580 people worldwide as of June 2011. The company was founded in September 1912 and takes its name from one of its founder's first...
- TD BankTD BankTD Bank may refer to:*Toronto-Dominion BankOr its retail banking divisions:*TD Canada Trust *TD Bank, N.A. Or a former retail-banking division:*TD Banknorth...
Atlantic Regional Headquarters is based here., the New York Stock ExchangeNew York Stock ExchangeThe New York Stock Exchange is a stock exchange located at 11 Wall Street in Lower Manhattan, New York City, USA. It is by far the world's largest stock exchange by market capitalization of its listed companies at 13.39 trillion as of Dec 2010...
is constructing a data centerData centerA data center is a facility used to house computer systems and associated components, such as telecommunications and storage systems...
located on McCarthur Boulevard. - FedExFedExFedEx Corporation , originally known as FDX Corporation, is a logistics services company, based in the United States with headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee...
's regional distribution center - Jaguar Cars and Land RoverLand RoverLand Rover is a British car manufacturer with its headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, United Kingdom which specialises in four-wheel-drive vehicles. It is owned by the Indian company Tata Motors, forming part of their Jaguar Land Rover group...
vehicles North American Headquarters
Transportation
Interstate 287
Interstate 287 is an auxiliary Interstate Highway in the U.S. states of New Jersey and New York. It is a partial beltway around New York City, serving the northern half of New Jersey and the counties of Rockland and Westchester in New York...
and Route 17 merge in Mahwah, and U.S. Route 202
U.S. Route 202
U.S. Route 202 is a highway stretching from Delaware to Maine, also passing through the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire....
also passes through. The northern terminus of County Route 507
County Route 507 (New Jersey)
County Route 507 is a county highway in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The highway extends from Harrison Avenue on the Kearny-Harrison town line to the New York state line in Mahwah. Between Ho-Ho-Kus and Mahwah, this highway is known as Franklin Turnpike...
is also in Mahwah. Interstate 87
Interstate 87
Interstate 87 is a Interstate Highway located entirely within New York State in the United States of America. I-87 is the longest intrastate Interstate highway in the Interstate Highway System. Its southern end is at the Bronx approaches of the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge in New York City...
, the New York Thruway
New York State Thruway
The New York State Thruway is a system of limited-access highways located within the state of New York in the United States. The system, known officially as the Governor Thomas E. Dewey Thruway for former New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey, is operated by the New York State Thruway Authority and...
is just outside the state in Suffern, New York
Suffern, New York
Suffern is a village in the Town of Ramapo, Rockland County, New York, United States located north of the State of New Jersey; east of Hillburn; south of Montebello and west of Airmont...
.
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...
rail service to 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...
, 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...
, and Newark is available from the Mahwah
Mahwah (NJT station)
Mahwah Station is a New Jersey Transit rail station served by Main Line and Bergen County Line trains. It is located in Mahwah, New Jersey and is the last station in the state of New Jersey on the Main/Bergen line going westbound....
station on the Main Line
Main Line (NJ Transit)
The Main Line is a rail line owned and operated by New Jersey Transit running from Suffern, New York to Hoboken, New Jersey. It runs daily commuter service and was once the north-south main line of the Erie Lackawanna Railroad...
and Bergen County Line
Bergen County Line
The Bergen County Line is a commuter rail line and service owned and operated by New Jersey Transit in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The line loops off the Main Line between the Meadowlands and Glen Rock, with trains continuing in either direction along the Main Line...
. Passengers may also take advantage of express service on the same line from Suffern, New York, just across the state line.
Short Line Bus offers service to New York and intermediate locations.
Notable residents
Notable current and former residents of Mahwah include:- Roger Nash BaldwinRoger Nash BaldwinRoger Nash Baldwin was one of the founders of the American Civil Liberties Union . He served as executive director of the ACLU until 1950....
(1884–1981), one of the founders of the American Civil Liberties UnionAmerican Civil Liberties UnionThe American Civil Liberties Union is a U.S. non-profit organization whose stated mission is "to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States." It works through litigation, legislation, and...
(ACLU). - Stephen BirchStephen BirchStephen Birch was the President of the Kennecott Copper Company and one of the most revered business men of his time. “Stephen Birch was one of the thousands who came north in 1898 seeking their fortunes. He found his high in the Wrangell Mountains of Alaska. Most sought wealth in gold; Birch...
(1872–1940), a leader of Kennecott Copper whose 730 acres (3 km²) farm was sold to the state and became the land for Ramapo CollegeRamapo CollegeRamapo College of New Jersey is a public liberal arts and professional studies institution of the New Jersey system of higher education.- Location :...
. - Curt BlefaryCurt BlefaryCurtis Le Roy Blefary was an American left fielder in Major League Baseball who played with the Baltimore Orioles , Houston Astros , New York Yankees , Oakland Athletics and San Diego Padres...
(1943–2001), American League Rookie of the Year, 1965. - Lawrence BoadtLawrence BoadtLawrence Edward Boadt was an American Roman Catholic priest and Biblical scholar who advocated on behalf of improved communication and understanding between Christians and Jews....
(1942–2010), Roman Catholic priest and publisher. - Foxy Brown (born 1979), rapper.
- Frank ChamberlinFrank ChamberlinFrank Jacob Chamberlin is an American football linebacker. Chamberlin attended Mahwah High School, in Mahwah, New Jersey. He was a four-year letterman and two-year starter for Boston College and paced the team with 126 tackles as a senior, earning second-team All-Big East honors...
(born 1978), NFL linebacker. - Alan GeislerAlan GeislerAlan S. Geisler was an American food chemist best known for creating a red onion sauce most often used as a condiment topping on hot dogs in New York City...
(1931–2009), food chemist best known for creating a popular hot dogHot dogA hot dog is a sausage served in a sliced bun. It is very often garnished with mustard, ketchup, onions, mayonnaise, relish and/or sauerkraut.-History:...
sauce. - Henry Osborne Havemeyer (1847–1907), art collector and entrepreneur who founded the American Sugar Refining CompanyAmerican Sugar Refining CompanyThe American Sugar Refining Company was the largest American business unit in the sugar refining industry in the early 1900s.-Establishment:...
. - James HochJames Hoch (poet)-Life and Education:He graduated from University of Maryland, with an MFA.Hoch grew up in Collingswood, New Jersey, and now resides Nyack, NY, with his wife and sons.Hoch earned an MFA at University of Maryland...
, poet. - John HollingerJohn HollingerJohn Hollinger is an analyst and writer for ESPN. He primarily covers the NBA. Hollinger grew up in Mahwah, New Jersey and is a 1993 graduate of the University of Virginia....
(born 1971), basketball analyst and writer for ESPN.comESPN.comESPN.com is the official website of ESPN and a division of ESPN Inc. Since launching in 1995 as ESPNet.SportsZone.com, the website has developed numerous sections including: Page 2, SportsNation, ESPN 3.com, ESPN Motion, My ESPN, ESPN Sports Travel, ESPN Video Games, ESPN Insider, ESPN.com's...
. - Joyce KilmerJoyce KilmerAlfred Joyce Kilmer was an American journalist, poet, literary critic, lecturer, and editor. Though a prolific poet whose works celebrated the common beauty of the natural world as well as his religious faith, Kilmer is remembered most for a short poem entitled "Trees" , which was published in...
(1886–1918), poet who lived with his family in Mahwah until his service and death in World War IWorld War IWorld War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. - Bob KratchBob KratchRobert "Bob" Kratch is a former American football guard in the NFL for the New York Giants and New England Patriots. He played college football at the University of Iowa for the Hawkeyes....
(born 1966) former guardGuard (American football)In American and Canadian football, a guard is a player that lines up between the center and the tackles on the offensive line of a football team....
on the Super BowlSuper BowlThe Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
XXV Champion New York GiantsNew York GiantsThe New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. - Ernst LiebErnst LiebErnst Lieb assumed the roles of President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA on September 1, 2006, replacing Paul Halata. He was removed from the position, effective immediately, on October 18, 2011. He had previously been President and CEO of DaimlerChrysler's Australia & Pacific division...
(born 1955), President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA. - Carl "Spider" Lockhart (1943-86), safety who played his entire career with the New York GiantsNew York GiantsThe New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. - Leonard MarshallLeonard MarshallLeonard Allen Marshall Jr. is a former American football defensive lineman who played twelve seasons in the National Football League . Marshall played defensive end for the New York Giants for ten seasons, then played a season each as a defensive tackle for the New York Jets and Washington Redskins...
(born 1961), former defensive endDefensive endDefensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
for the New York GiantsNew York GiantsThe New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. - Bill McCutcheonBill McCutcheonJames William McCutcheon was an American character actor known for his roles in film, television, and theatre, several of which won him Emmy and Tony awards....
(1924–2002), Emmy and Tony AwardTony AwardThe Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
-winning actor. - Les PaulLes PaulLester William Polsfuss —known as Les Paul—was an American jazz and country guitarist, songwriter and inventor. He was a pioneer in the development of the solid-body electric guitar which made the sound of rock and roll possible. He is credited with many recording innovations...
(1915–2009), guitarist and inventor. - Al SimaAl SimaAlbert "Al" Sima was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played from to , with the Washington Senators, Chicago White Sox, and Philadelphia Athletics.-External links:...
(1921–93), pitcherPitcherIn baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
for the Washington Senators and other teams. - Patrick Stickles (born 1985), guitarist and lead vocals for indie-punk band, Titus AndronicusTitus Andronicus (band)Titus Andronicus is a punk/indie rock band from Glen Rock, New Jersey, USA, formed in 2005. The group takes its name from the Shakespeare play Titus Andronicus, and has cited musical and stylistic influences as diverse as Neutral Milk Hotel and Pulp...
. - Maia WojciechowskaMaia WojciechowskaMaia Wojciechowska aka Maia Rodman was a writer of books for teenagers and young adults. She was born in Warsaw, Poland, spent some time in France and England, and later came to the United States with her parents. In 1965, her book Shadow of a Bull won the Newbery Medal...
(1927–2000), children’s author and winner of the Newbery MedalNewbery MedalThe John Newbery Medal is a literary award given by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association . The award is given to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. The award has been given since 1922. ...
for her novel Shadow of a BullShadow of a BullShadow of a Bull is a novel by Maia Wojciechowska that was awarded the Newbery Medal for excellence in American children's literature in 1965.-Plot summary:...
. - Chris WraggeChris WraggeChristian P. "Chris" Wragge is an American news anchor. He is the co-anchor for New York's WCBS-TV News at 6 p.m. weeknights alongside Dana Tyler. He was previously in the station's 5 p.m. and 11 p.m...
(born 1970), anchor, CBS News New York. - Jane WyattJane WyattJane Waddington Wyatt was an American actress perhaps best known for her role as the housewife and mother on the television comedy Father Knows Best, and as Amanda Grayson, the human mother of Spock on the science fiction television series Star Trek...
(1910–2006), actress known for her role in Father Knows BestFather Knows BestFather Knows Best is an American radio and television comedy series which portrayed a middle class family life in the Midwest. It was created by writer Ed James in the 1940s.-Radio:...
. - Walt ZembriskiWalt ZembriskiWalter Zembriski is an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour and the Senior PGA Tour.Zembriski was born in Mahwah, New Jersey. He taught himself how to play golf while working as a caddie at the Out of Bounds Golf Club in Mahwah...
(born 1935), golfer who played on the PGA TourPGA TourThe PGA Tour is the organizer of the main men's professional golf tours in the United States and North America...
and the Senior PGA Tour.
External links
- Mahwah Township official website
- Mahwah Environmental Volunteers Organization (M.E.V.O.)
- Mahwah Township Public Schools
- Mahwah Schools Foundation
- Mahwah 10k Race
- Mahwah Municipal Alliance
- Data for the Mahwah Township 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...
- Guide to Mahwah in Bergen County, NJ