Elizabeth, New Jersey facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Elizabeth, New Jersey
City
Elizabeth skyline in October 2015
Flag Seal
Motto(s):  Loyal Devoir
Location of Elizabeth in Union County highlighted in yellow (center). Inset map: Location of Union County in New Jersey highlighted in black (upper right).
Census Bureau map of Elizabeth, New Jersey
Elizabeth, New Jersey Location in Union County, New Jersey Show map of Union County, New Jersey Elizabeth, New Jersey Location in New Jersey Show map of New Jersey Elizabeth, New Jersey Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	New Jersey
County	Union
Founded	1664
Incorporated	March 13, 1855
Named for	Elizabeth, wife of Sir George Carteret
Government
• Type	Faulkner Act (mayor–council)
• Body	City Council
Area
• Total	13.64 sq mi (35.32 km2)
• Land	12.32 sq mi (31.91 km2)
• Water	1.32 sq mi (3.42 km2)  9.78%
Area rank	180th of 565 in state 1st of 21 in county
Elevation	16 ft (5 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	137,298
• Estimate  (2023)	135,829
• Rank	207th in country (2023) 4th of 565 in state (2020) 5th in state (2023) 1st of 21 in county
• Density	11,145.22/sq mi (4,303.27/km2)
• Density rank	32nd of 565 in state 2nd of 21 in county
Time zone	UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT))
ZIP Codes	07201 – Union Square station 07202 – Bayway station 07206 – Elizabethport station 07207 – P.O. Boxes 07208 – Elmora station
Area code(s)	908
FIPS code	3403921000
GNIS feature ID	0885205

View Near Elizabethtown, N. J., an oil painting from 1847.

Elizabeth is a city in New Jersey, located in Union County. It's also the main city, or county seat, of Union County. In 2020, Elizabeth was the fourth-largest city in New Jersey. It had a population of 137,298 people. This number grew by about 12,000 people since 2010.

In 2023, the city's population was estimated to be around 135,829. This makes Elizabeth one of the biggest cities in the state and the 207th most populated city in the entire United States.

Exploring Elizabeth's Past

An aerial view of Elizabeth in 1931.

The Singer Sewing Machine Company's factory in Elizabethport, around 1876.

Elizabeth was first called "Elizabethtown." It was founded in 1664 by English settlers. The town was named after Elizabeth, the wife of Sir George Carteret. He was one of the first owners of the New Jersey colony. Many people think it was named after Queen Elizabeth I, but that's not true! Elizabethtown was also the very first capital of New Jersey.

During the American Revolutionary War, British forces often attacked Elizabethtown. They were based in Manhattan and Staten Island. A big battle, the Battle of Springfield, stopped the British from taking over New Jersey. After the war, in 1789, George Washington left from Elizabethtown by boat to go to Manhattan for his inauguration. You can find many memorials about the American Revolution in Elizabeth.

On March 13, 1855, Elizabethtown officially became the City of Elizabeth. This happened when the New Jersey Legislature combined two older areas, Elizabeth Borough and Elizabeth Township. A few years later, in 1857, the city became part of the new Union County.

Elizabeth became a place for big industries. The first major one was the Singer Sewing Machine Company, which employed thousands of people. In 1895, one of the first car companies, Electric Carriage and Wagon Company, started here. The Electric Boat Company also began in Elizabeth. They built submarines for the United States Navy, including the first one, USS Holland (SS-1), launched in 1897. Elizabeth grew a lot, similar to its neighbor Newark.

Where is Elizabeth Located?

Elizabeth covers about 13.66 square miles (35.37 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a smaller part being water.

The city shares borders with several other towns. To the southwest is Linden. To the west are Roselle and Roselle Park. To the northwest, you'll find Union and Hillside. To the north, Elizabeth borders Newark. On the east, the city is across Newark Bay from Bayonne and across the Arthur Kill from Staten Island, New York.

A small part of Shooters Island belongs to Elizabeth, even though it's managed by New York City. The Elizabeth River flows through the city for about 4.2 miles (6.8 km) before it reaches the Arthur Kill.

Exploring Elizabeth's Neighborhoods

Midtown / Uptown: The Main Hub

The Art Deco Hersch Tower.

The Goethals Bridge.

Midtown, also called Uptown, is the main business area and a historic part of Elizabeth. Here, you can find old churches like the First Presbyterian Church and St. John's Episcopal Church. The First Presbyterian Church was even a battleground during the American Revolution. Other notable buildings include the 1931 Art Deco Hersh Tower, the Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy, and the Ritz Theatre, which opened in 1926.

Bayway: A Community by the Water

Bayway is in the southern part of Elizabeth, next to Linden. This area has been home to a strong Polish community for many years. Many residents used to work at the nearby oil refinery. Bayway has unique restaurants, bars, and shops. You'll find older, well-kept houses and apartment buildings here. The western end of the Goethals Bridge, which connects to Staten Island, is also in Bayway.

Downtown / Elizabethport: The Oldest Area

School # 1 seen in the distance from the park on Court Street.

The Snyder Academy.

Downtown, also known as E-Port or The Port, is the oldest neighborhood in Elizabeth. It has a mix of old and new houses and apartment buildings. This area was once a busy center for trade and shipping from the 1660s until the mid-1900s. Since 2000, many improvements have been made, with renovated homes and new buildings. The waterfront now has new townhomes.

The Singer Manufacturing Company, famous for sewing machines, had a huge factory here. It opened in 1873 and employed 6,000 workers, making most of the world's sewing machines at the time. The company moved out in 1982. The Elizabeth Marina, a waterfront park, has also been cleaned up and is now a place for community celebrations.

Elmora and The West End: Residential Charm

Warinanco Park in Elmora.

Elmora is a middle-class neighborhood in western Elizabeth. Elmora Avenue, the main street, has many restaurants, shops, and boutiques. Some tall buildings on the edge of this neighborhood offer views of the New York City skyline.

Elmora's Jewish Community

The Elmora section of Elizabeth is home to a large Modern Orthodox Jewish community. The Jewish Educational Center of Elizabeth was started in 1941 by Rabbi Pinchas Mordechai Teitz.

Elmora Hills: A Higher View

Elmora Hills is in the northwestern part of Elmora. It's a well-off neighborhood. The name "Elmora" comes from the El Mora Land Company, which developed the area. This part of the city was once part of Union Township but became part of Elizabeth in the early 1900s.

Frog Hollow: A Historic Spot

Frog Hollow is a small neighborhood east of Atlantic Street. Its name comes from the frogs that used to live in its marshy areas. This community has older, more affordable homes and some good restaurants. The statue honoring former Mayor Mack on Elizabeth Avenue is a well-known landmark here.

Keighry Head: Close to Midtown

This neighborhood is named after James Keighry, who owned a business in the area. Keighry Head is close to Midtown and offers affordable homes and apartments. It's convenient for shopping and transportation.

A war monument in North Elizabeth.

North End / North Elizabeth: A Diverse Area

The North End, also known as "North Elizabeth," is a diverse working-class neighborhood. It was mostly developed in the 1920s for workers at the Duesenberg automobile plant. Many Irish and Portuguese immigrants settled here. The North End has easy access to New York City and Newark through its own train station, major roads, and the New Jersey Turnpike. It's also close to Newark Liberty International Airport.

Peterstown: A Village Feel

A war memorial in Union Square.

Peterstown, or "The Burg," is a middle-class neighborhood in the southeastern part of the city. It's named after John Peters, who owned much of the land. This area was first settled by Germans and later by Italian immigrants. Peterstown has quiet streets and affordable homes, giving it a "village" feel. It's home to the historic Union Square, where you can find fresh produce, meat, and fish.

The Point / the Crossroads: Transforming Area

The Point, also called the Crossroads, is in the center of Elizabeth. It's changing with many new affordable homes and apartments being built.

Quality Hill: Once Mansions, Now Condos

This area was once known for its mansions. It's now a quiet middle-class community with many new condominiums.

Westminster: Green Spaces and Hills

Westminster is named after its large Tudor-style homes. This neighborhood borders Hillside, with the Elizabeth River creating green spaces and rolling hills. Residents enjoy this area for recreation, including Phil Rizzuto Park. It is one of the more well-off areas of Elizabeth.

Elizabeth's Weather

The climate in Elizabeth has hot, humid summers and cool to cold winters. It's a mix of a humid subtropical climate and a hot-summer humid continental climate.

Population and People

How Diverse is Elizabeth?

Elizabeth is a very diverse city. In 2019, almost half of the people living there were born in other countries. The Latino population made up about 65% of the city's total population.

The 2010 census showed that about 59.5% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino. Elizabeth had one of the highest percentages of Hispanic residents among cities in New Jersey at that time.

Elizabeth's Economy

The industrial region in eastern Elizabeth.

Since World War II, Elizabeth's transportation has grown a lot. The Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal is one of the busiest ports in the world. Newark Liberty International Airport, which is partly in Elizabeth, is also very busy.

Elizabeth is home to popular places like Little Jimmy's Italian Ices (since 1932), The Mills At Jersey Gardens outlet mall, and the Elizabeth Center. These places bring in a lot of money for the city. Elizabeth also shares the Bayway Refinery with Linden, which makes petroleum products for the New York/New Jersey area.

Parts of Elizabeth are in an Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ). This program helps encourage businesses to create jobs and invest in the area. Shoppers in these zones can pay a lower sales tax rate.

Elizabeth's Police Department

The Elizabeth Police Department started in May 1858. The department has a Police Director and a Chief of Police. It is authorized to have 365 officers, including captains, lieutenants, and sergeants.

Elizabeth's Fire Department

The Elizabeth Fire Department helps protect the city from fires and provides emergency medical services. It started as a volunteer group in 1837 and became a paid department on January 1, 1902. The department has 7 Engine Companies, 3 Ladder Companies, 1 Rescue Company, and other special units. These teams are led by a Deputy Chief and two Battalion Chiefs.

The department is also part of the Metro USAR Strike Team. This team includes nine fire departments from North Jersey and other emergency services. They work together to handle big emergency rescue situations.

Where are the Fire Stations?

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

The Elizabeth Fire Department also has an EMS division. This team of civilian emergency medical technicians (EMTs) responds to about 20,000 calls each year. They operate several ambulances and supervisors throughout the day and night.

Hatzalah of Union County also provides EMS, mainly in the Elmora Hills neighborhood of Elizabeth and parts of nearby towns.

Learning in Elizabeth: Schools and Libraries

The John E. Dwyer Technology Academy and Dunn Sports Center.

Elizabeth's public schools are run by Elizabeth Public Schools. They serve students from pre-kindergarten all the way through twelfth grade. The district is one of the "SDA Districts" in New Jersey. This means the state helps cover the costs for school building and renovation projects. A nine-member board of education oversees the district.

In the 2018–19 school year, the district had 36 schools and about 28,712 students. There were 2,173 teachers, meaning about 13 students for every teacher.

High schools in Elizabeth include:

• Elizabeth High School Frank J. Cicarell Academy
• J. Christian Bollwage Finance Academy
• John E. Dwyer Technology Academy
• Thomas A. Edison Career and Technical Academy
• Admiral William F. Halsey Jr. Health and Public Safety Academy
• Alexander Hamilton Preparatory Academy
• Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy

Elizabeth High School used to be the largest high school in New Jersey. In 2009–2010, it was split into several smaller academies.

Some Elizabeth schools have received special awards. Victor Mravlag Elementary School No. 21, William F. Halloran Alternative School #22, and Terence C. Reilly School No. 7 have all won the Blue Ribbon School Award of Excellence. This is a very high honor for American schools.

Private Schools in Elizabeth

Elizabeth also has several private schools. These include:

• St. Mary of the Assumption High School (co-ed)
• Benedictine Academy (all-girls)
• Our Lady of Guadalupe Academy (K–8)
• St. Genevieve School (K–8)

These Catholic schools are overseen by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark. Saint Patrick High School closed in 2012, but a new independent school, "The Patrick School," opened in its place.

The Benedictine Preschool is located at Saint Walburga Monastery. The Jewish Educational Center includes the Yeshiva of Elizabeth, the Rav Teitz Mesivta Academy (for boys), and Bruriah High School (for girls).

Did you know? Princeton University was first founded in Elizabeth in 1746 as the College of New Jersey!

Elizabeth's Libraries

The Elizabeth Public Library is a free public library. It has a main library, which was originally a Carnegie library, and three smaller branches. In 2016, it had 384,000 books and other items.

Getting Around Elizabeth: Transportation

Roads and Highways

Northbound Interstate 95/New Jersey Turnpike in Elizabeth.

Elizabeth is a central point for several major roads. These include the New Jersey Turnpike / Interstate 95 and Interstate 278. Interstate 278 crosses the Arthur Kill on the Goethals Bridge, connecting Elizabeth to Staten Island. Other important routes are U.S. Route 1/9, Route 27, Route 28, and Route 439.

Elizabeth's streets are unique because they are mostly circular, with roads spreading out from the center like spokes on a wheel. The city has about 153.78 miles (247.48 km) of roads.

There are many bridges over the Elizabeth River. The South First Street Bridge was replaced, and the South Front Street Bridge, built in 1922, is currently open to allow boats to pass.

Public Transportation

CNJ's former Elizabeth Broad Street train station, built in 1893 or 1894, with the current NJ Transit station behind it.

Elizabeth has a lot of train riders. NJ Transit provides train service on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor Line. There are two active train stations in Elizabeth: the Elizabeth station (also called Broad Street Elizabeth or Midtown Station) and the North Elizabeth station.

NJ Transit also offers bus service. You can take buses to and from the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan and to Newark, New Jersey. There are also local bus routes within Elizabeth.

Local News and Media

Elizabeth used to have a radio station, WJDM at 1530 AM, which broadcast from 1970 to 2019. News 12 New Jersey provides local weather and news coverage for the city. The Daily Journal newspaper was published in Elizabeth from 1779 to 1992.

Public-Access TV Channel

Residents of Elizabeth can watch a public-access television cable channel on Optimum channel 18. It shows public information, city announcements, live meetings, and health tips. It also features top TV shows, educational facts, and safety tips for the city.

Famous People from Elizabeth

Many notable people have been born in, lived in, or are connected to Elizabeth. Here are a few:

Sister Cities

Elizabeth has two sister cities:

• Ribera, Sicily, Italy
• Kitami, Hokkaido, Japan (since 1969)

See also

In Spanish: Elizabeth (Nueva Jersey) para niños