Paramus, New Jersey facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Paramus, New Jersey
Borough
Route 17 from the overpass ramp to Route 4; both are heavily trafficked corridors in Bergen County.
Seal
Location of Paramus in Bergen County highlighted in red (left). Inset map: Location of Bergen County in New Jersey highlighted in orange (right). <mapframe text="Interactive map of Paramus, New Jersey" zoom="8" width="250" height="250"> { "type": "ExternalData", "service": "geoshape", "ids": "Q1021714" } </mapframe>
Paramus, New Jersey Location in Bergen County, New Jersey Show map of Bergen County, New Jersey Paramus, New Jersey Location in New Jersey Show map of New Jersey Paramus, New Jersey Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	New Jersey
County	Bergen
Incorporated	April 4, 1922
Government
• Type	Borough
• Body	Borough Council
Area
• Total	10.51 sq mi (27.21 km2)
• Land	10.45 sq mi (27.05 km2)
• Water	0.06 sq mi (0.16 km2)  0.60%
Area rank	206th of 565 in state 2nd of 70 in county
Elevation	49 ft (15 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	26,698
• Estimate  (2023)	26,282
• Rank	95th of 565 in state 8th of 70 in county
• Density	2,556.1/sq mi (986.9/km2)
• Density rank	247th of 565 in state 49th of 70 in county
Time zone	UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT))
ZIP Codes	07652–07653
Area code(s)	201 and 551
FIPS code	3400355950
GNIS feature ID	0885340

Paramus (/pəˈræməs/ pə-RAM-əs) is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey. It is a suburban town located about 15 to 20 miles northwest of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Paramus is well-known as a major shopping area in North Jersey.

In 2020, the population of Paramus was 26,698 people. The borough was officially created on April 4, 1922. Its name likely comes from the Lenape Native American language. It means "land of the turkeys" or "pleasant stream."

Paramus has some of the strictest "blue laws" in the United States. These laws mean that most stores and businesses cannot open on Sundays. Only places like gas stations, restaurants, and grocery stores can open. Even with these rules, Paramus is one of the biggest shopping spots in the country. It makes over $6 billion in sales each year.

Exploring Paramus's Past

Early History and Native Americans

Long ago, the area where Paramus is now was home to the Lenape Native Americans. They spoke the Unami language. The word "Paramus" comes from their language. It meant "land of the turkeys" because there were many wild turkeys here. You can even see a large turkey statue at the Paramus Park mall today. Some people also think the name means "pleasant stream."

Paramus During the 1700s

In 1662, a man named Albrycht Zaborowski came to the area. His family later became known as "Zabriskie." His son, Jacob, was taken by the Lenape people for 15 years. They taught him their language so he could be a translator. The Lenape then gave the Zabriskie family about 2,000 acres of land. This land became known as the "Paramus Patent."

During the American Revolutionary War, Paramus was part of the action. General George Washington visited Paramus several times. In 1778, he even set up his headquarters here after the Battle of Monmouth.

A part of Paramus called Dunkerhook was a community of free African Americans. It started in the early 1700s. Houses built by the Zabriskies were the center of this farming community.

Paramus in the 1900s

In 1909, the Arcola Country Club and golf course were built. A neighborhood grew around it. Paramus was once known for its farms, helping New Jersey earn its nickname, "Garden State."

By 1940, Paramus had only about 4,000 people. It did not have a town center. But things changed a lot in the 1950s. The opening of the George Washington Bridge and wider roads like Route 17 and Route 4 made Paramus easy to reach.

Developers saw that building shopping malls would be very profitable. New York had a sales tax, but New Jersey did not. So, when big department stores opened in the Bergen Mall (1957) and the Garden State Plaza (1957), Paramus became a huge shopping destination. Between 1948 and 1958, the number of people in Paramus grew almost four times. Retail sales increased by 20 times! By the 1980s, sales reached $1 billion.

Paramus in the 2000s

Paramus was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. There was a serious outbreak at the New Jersey Veterans Home.

Where is Paramus Located?

Paramus covers about 10.51 square miles (27.21 km²). Most of this is land. It borders many other towns in Bergen County. These include Emerson, Fair Lawn, Hackensack, and Ridgewood.

Some neighborhoods within Paramus have special names. These include Arcola, Bergen Place, Dunkerhook, Fairway Oaks, and Spring Valley.

Who Lives in Paramus?

In 2010, there were 26,342 people living in Paramus. About 72% of residents were White, and 22% were Asian. Many people in Paramus are of Korean American heritage.

The average household in Paramus had about 2.92 people. About 33.8% of households had children under 18. The median age of residents was 46.3 years.

Economy and Shopping in Paramus

Companies in Paramus

Paramus has been home to the headquarters of several companies. These include Movado Group Inc., a watchmaker, and Suez North America, a water service company. Coach USA, a large tour operator, also has its main office here.

In the past, Paramus was the headquarters for Toys "R" Us. The first new Toys "R" Us store after the company's return opened in Garden State Plaza in 2019.

Shopping Malls and Stores

Garden State Plaza

Paramus Park

Bergen Town Center

Fashion Center

Paramus is famous for its many stores and malls. It has five large indoor shopping centers. People from all over New Jersey and New York come to shop here. New Jersey does not have a sales tax on clothes and shoes. This makes Paramus a popular place to shop.

The largest mall in Paramus is Garden State Plaza. It is located where Routes 4 and 17 meet. Other major malls include Bergen Town Center and Paramus Park. Many well-known stores have locations in Paramus.

What are Blue Laws?

Paramus has very strict "blue laws." These laws mean that stores selling non-food items cannot open on Sundays. This rule was put in place to help with traffic. Even with only six shopping days a week, Paramus still has the most retail sales of any ZIP Code in the United States.

In 2012, Governor Chris Christie temporarily stopped the blue laws after Hurricane Sandy. This allowed stores to open on a Sunday. However, the laws were put back in place the following Sunday.

Timeline of Shopping Centers

• 1957 – Garden State Plaza and The Bergen Mall were built.
• 1963 – Paramus Place opened.
• 1967 – The Fashion Center was built.
• 1974 – Paramus Park opened.
• 2003 – IKEA opened a large store.

Fun Things to Do in Paramus

Arts and Entertainment

Paramus once had one of the earliest drive-in theaters. It was called the Paramus Drive-In. It closed in 1987.

Today, Paramus has a 16-screen AMC Theatres movie complex at Westfield Garden State Plaza. There used to be other movie theaters, but they have closed over the years.

The Bergen Town Center once had a performing arts theater called "Playhouse on the Mall." It closed in 1982.

Parks and Outdoor Activities

Bergen County Zoo at Van Saun County Park

A welcome sign in Paramus, celebrating its status as a social stigma-free borough and home of the 2011 New Jersey State Little League Baseball Champions

Paramus has two county parks. Van Saun County Park is on the eastern side of town. It has Bergen County's only zoo, with many different animals. The park also has a playground, a train ride, and pony rides. General Washington is said to have drunk water from a spring in this park during the Revolutionary War.

On the western side is Saddle River County Park. This park has a 6-mile bike path.

Paramus has four golf courses. Two are open to the public: Paramus Golf Course and Orchard Hills County Golf Course. The Paramus Golf Course also has a miniature golf course. It is decorated with turkey statues to honor the town's name.

The borough has a public swimming pool complex with three pools. The Paramus Little League team won the New Jersey State Championship in 2011.

Arcola Park was an amusement park built in 1926. It had a huge pool and rides. Fires destroyed the park in 1929 and the pool in 1970.

Yearly Events in Paramus

Summer Celebrations

Paramus has its own 4th of July celebration. It starts with a concert on July 2. On July 3, the Paramus Fire Department plays a softball game against the Paramus Police Department. On July 4, there is a parade. The celebration ends with fireworks on July 5.

Paramus also holds a Memorial Day parade every year.

Community Events

The town hosts an annual National Night Out. This event usually has games, activities, and a concert. Emergency vehicles from the fire, rescue, police, and ambulance departments are also on display.

For Halloween, the Paramus Rescue Squad and Fire Department host a "Safe Halloween" party. In December, the Fire Department has its "Santa Detail." Santa rides on a fire truck through the town, and firefighters give out lollipops.

Learning in Paramus

Public Schools

The Paramus Public Schools serve students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. There are eight schools in the district. These include five elementary schools (Memorial, Midland, Parkway, Ridge Ranch, Stony Lane), two middle schools (East Brook, West Brook), and Paramus High School.

Some Paramus schools have won the National Blue Ribbon School Award of Excellence. These include Paramus High School, Parkway Elementary School, and Ridge Ranch Elementary School.

Students in Bergen County can also attend special high school programs. These are offered by the Bergen County Technical Schools.

Private Schools

Paramus is home to many private religious schools. Paramus Catholic High School is a large Catholic high school. Visitation Academy is a Catholic school for younger students.

There are also several Jewish day schools, such as Yavneh Academy, Yeshivat Noam, and Ben Porat Yosef. Frisch School is a large Jewish high school.

Colleges and Special Education

Bergen Community College has its main campus in Paramus. Berkeley College and DeVry University also have campuses here.

Paramus has five special education schools. These schools help students with different needs. The Bergen County Special Services School District is also headquartered in Paramus.

Public Library

The Paramus public library has two locations. The main library is on Century Road. The Charles E. Reid Branch library is on Midland Avenue. It used to be a schoolhouse built in 1876. A memorial park for September 11, 2001 is now where the original library used to be.

Healthcare Services

Paramus has several healthcare facilities:

• Atlantic Health System Paramus Pavilion: Offers physical therapy.
• New Bridge Medical Center: A large hospital and nursing home.
• Oradell Animal Hospital: Provides care for animals.
• St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center campus: A medical center on Century Road.
• The Valley Hospital facilities: Includes a health and fitness center and the Luckow Pavilion for cancer treatment.

Getting Around Paramus

Roads and Highways

Paramus has many miles of roads. Major highways include Route 17, Route 4, and the Garden State Parkway. The Paramus Toll Plaza is on the Parkway.

The Garden State Parkway in Paramus

The intersection of Route 17 and Route 4 in the commercial hub of Bergen County

Public Transportation

NJ Transit buses provide service to Midtown Manhattan and the George Washington Bridge Bus Station. Local bus routes are also available. Some bus routes do not run on Sundays because of the blue laws.

Coach USA and other companies also offer bus services.

Places to See in Paramus

Historic Sites

Paramus has several places listed on the National Register of Historic Places:

• Easton Tower: Built in 1899, it was originally a water pump.
• Midland School: Constructed in 1876, it later became a library branch.
• Terhune House: An 18th-century Dutch Colonial home.
• Terhune-Gardner-Lindenmeyr House: A home with parts dating back to 1707.
• Harmon Van Dien House: A historic house.
• Albert J. Zabriskie Farmhouse: A farmhouse from the Zabriskie family.
• Zabriskie Tenant House: This historic house was unfortunately taken down in 2012.

Other Interesting Places

• Buehler Challenger and Science Center: Located at Bergen Community College, this museum lets children learn about space through simulations.
• Fritz Behnke Historical Museum: Open on Sundays, it shows exhibits about Paramus's past.
• New Jersey Children's Museum: This museum, which closed in 2014, had hands-on exhibits for children.

Emergency Services in Paramus

Fire and Rescue

The Paramus Fire Department is made up of volunteers. About 130 members are ready to respond to calls 24/7. They protect the community from fires. There are four fire companies in different parts of Paramus.

Paramus also has a volunteer rescue squad. They help with car accidents and water rescues.

Ambulance and Police

The borough's Emergency Medical Services (EMS) department has staff available all day and night. There is also a volunteer Ambulance Corps that helps at large events. The Paramus Police Department handles many calls each year and is located near borough hall.

Emergency Management

Paramus has an emergency management department. Its job is to create plans to keep people safe during emergencies or disasters.

Famous People from Paramus

Many notable people have lived in or are connected to Paramus:

• John Bancker Aycrigg (1798–1856), a member of the U.S. Congress.
• Chase Blackburn (born 1983), a football player who won two Super Bowls with the New York Giants.
• Stacey Dash (born 1967), an actress known for the film Clueless.
• Jim Dray (born 1986), a football player for the Arizona Cardinals.
• Dean Friedman (born 1955), a singer known for his song "Ariel," which mentions "the waterfall in Paramus Park."
• Jamie Gold (born 1969), winner of the 2006 World Series of Poker.
• Tony Lip (1930–2013), an actor who appeared on The Sopranos.
• Bob Menendez (born 1954), a U.S. Senator.
• Liv Morgan (born 1994), a professional wrestler.
• Elaine Zayak (born 1965), a famous figure skater.

Images for kids

• 

  Harmon Van Dien House

See also

In Spanish: Paramus para niños