Hoboken, New Jersey facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hoboken, New Jersey
City
Hoboken Terminal Aerial view of Hoboken Stevens Institute of Technology Hoboken City Hall Pier A Park
Flag Seal Logo
Nickname(s):  The Mile Square City
Hoboken, New Jersey Location in Hudson County, New Jersey Show map of Hudson County, New Jersey Hoboken, New Jersey Location in New Jersey Show map of New Jersey Hoboken, New Jersey Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	New Jersey
County	Hudson
Incorporated	April 9, 1849
Government
• Type	Faulkner Act (mayor–council)
• Body	City Council
Area
• Total	1.97 sq mi (5.10 km2)
• Land	1.25 sq mi (3.24 km2)
• Water	0.72 sq mi (1.87 km2)  37.50%
Area rank	413th of 565 in state 6th of 12 in county
Elevation	23 ft (7 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	60,419
• Estimate  (2023)	57,010
• Rank	708th in country (as of 2023) 5th of 12 in county
• Density	48,335.2/sq mi (18,662.3/km2)
• Density rank	4th of 565 in state 4th of 12 in county
Demonym(s)	Hobokenite
Time zone	UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT))
ZIP Code	07030
Area code(s)	201
FIPS code	3401732250
GNIS feature ID	0885257

Hoboken is a city in Hudson County, New Jersey. It's part of the big New York metropolitan area. Hoboken is famous for its Hoboken Terminal, which is a major place where people catch trains, buses, and ferries.

In 2020, about 60,419 people lived in Hoboken. This was a big jump from 50,005 people in 2010. Hoboken is one of the most crowded cities in the United States for its size.

Europeans first settled in Hoboken in the 1600s. In the early 1800s, a man named Colonel John Stevens helped develop the city. It started as a vacation spot and then became a place where people lived. Hoboken became a separate town in 1849 and a city in 1855.

Hoboken is known as the place where the first official baseball game was played. It's also home to the Stevens Institute of Technology, one of the oldest technology universities in the U.S. Plus, it's the hometown of the famous singer Frank Sinatra. You can find streets and parks named after him there!

The city is located right on the Hudson Waterfront. For most of the 1900s, it was a busy port with many factories. Places like Maxwell House coffee and Lipton tea used to be made here. Now, Hoboken has changed. It's known for trendy shops and modern apartments. It's even been called one of the "Best Places to Live in Hudson County."

History of Hoboken

What's in a Name?

The name Hoboken was chosen by Colonel John Stevens when he bought the land. The Lenape Native Americans, who lived there first, called the area "land of the tobacco pipe." They used the soapstone found there to carve pipes.

Over time, the name changed. An old Dutch word, Hoebuck, meant "high bluff." This probably referred to Castle Point, the highest part of the city. Later, the name became Hoboken, possibly influenced by people from a place called Hoboken in Belgium.

Hoboken is often called the "Mile Square City." But it's actually a bit bigger, covering about 1.25 square miles of land.

Early Days and European Settlers

The Hudson River near Hoboken and Jersey City in the 1880s.

Hoboken was once an island. It had the Hudson River on one side and marshy lands on the other. The Hackensack tribe, part of the Lenape people, used it as a seasonal camp. They carved pipes from the unique rock found there.

In 1609, Henry Hudson, an English explorer sailing for the Dutch, anchored his ship nearby. This was the first time Hoboken was mentioned in writing. Soon after, the area became part of New Netherland, a Dutch colony.

In 1630, a Dutch mayor named Michael Reyniersz Pauw bought the land that became Hoboken. He wanted to start a colony. He bought the land from three Lenape people for items like wampum (beads), cloth, kettles, and guns. But Pauw didn't succeed in settling the land, so he sold it back.

Later, in 1643, a farmer built a house and North America's first brewery in Hoboken. But during a conflict between Native Americans and the Dutch, the buildings were destroyed. Everyone had to move back to New Amsterdam (which is now New York City).

In 1664, the English took over from the Dutch. Hoboken became part of Bergen County and later Hudson County. It remained a quiet farming area for a long time. In 1784, Colonel John Stevens bought the land.

Hoboken in the 1800s

Hoboken in 1854.

Hoboken in 1860.

Ferries at Hoboken in 1865.

In the early 1800s, Colonel John Stevens turned the waterfront into a fun place for people from Manhattan to visit. In 1811, his ship, the Juliana, started the world's first commercial steam ferry service between Manhattan and Hoboken.

In 1825, Stevens built a steam locomotive on his property. This was a very early train! He also opened Sybil's Cave, a cave with a natural spring. People would pay a penny to drink the water, believing it had special powers. The cave became famous when Edgar Allan Poe wrote a story about it. It was closed for a long time but reopened in 2008.

Before he passed away in 1838, Stevens started the Hoboken Land and Improvement Company. This company planned out the city's streets and built houses. Many of these old brick houses and the street layout are still there today.

Hoboken officially became a city on March 29, 1855. Its first mayor was Cornelius V. Clickener.

In 1870, the Stevens Institute of Technology was founded at Castle Point. It was one of the first colleges in the country focused on mechanical engineering.

By the late 1800s, many shipping companies used Hoboken as a port. A large railroad terminal was built at the waterfront. Many German immigrants settled in Hoboken because it was a major port for ships coming from Germany. However, during World War I, many German families left the city.

Birthplace of Baseball

An early baseball game played at Elysian Fields.

A historic marker at the former site of Elysian Fields.

Did you know that the first officially recorded game of baseball happened in Hoboken? It was played in 1846 at Elysian Fields. The game was between the Knickerbocker Club and the New York Nine.

The Knickerbocker Club, started by Alexander Cartwright, began using Elysian Fields because there weren't good places to play in Manhattan. Famous early baseball figures like Harry and George Wright played there. Henry Chadwick, a journalist, even called baseball "America's Pastime" after seeing games in Hoboken.

In 1865, a championship game between two New York teams drew about 20,000 fans! This shows how popular baseball was becoming. As more baseball parks were built in other cities, Elysian Fields became less important for professional games.

Hoboken in the 1900s

Upper Bloomfield Street in 1900.

Hoboken Terminal shortly after it opened in 1907.

When the U.S. entered World War I, the government took over the shipping piers in Hoboken. The city became a huge point for soldiers to leave the country. More than three million soldiers, called "doughboys," passed through Hoboken. General Pershing's famous saying was, "Heaven, Hell or Hoboken... by Christmas."

After the war, many Italian and Irish immigrants moved to Hoboken. Even during the Great Depression, there were still jobs in the shipyards and factories. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey helped build the Holland Tunnel (1927) and the Lincoln Tunnel (1937). These tunnels made it easier to travel between New Jersey and New York City.

After World War II

World War II helped Hoboken's economy grow. Factories and shipyards were very important for the war. Many women started working in these factories. After the war, many people stayed in Hoboken because of their strong family ties.

In the 1960s, things started to change. Old buildings became run-down, and it was cheaper to build ships overseas. Many industries moved out of the city. People started moving to the suburbs, and property values went down. Hoboken became a bit rundown, like some other New Jersey cities.

But Hoboken was never empty. New immigrants, especially from Puerto Rico, helped keep small businesses open. Washington Street, the main street, always had shops. And places like Stevens Institute and Maxwell House coffee factory kept going.

The Keuffel and Esser Manufacturing Complex was turned into apartments in 1975.

In 1975, an old factory called the Keuffel and Esser Manufacturing Complex was turned into apartments. This was one of the first signs of Hoboken changing.

The Waterfront's Transformation

Pier A Park.

The Hudson Waterfront was once the heart of Hoboken's economy. It was full of factories and shipyards. But by the 1970s, these docks were old and not used much anymore.

Over time, agreements were made to change the waterfront. Old industrial areas were torn down. In their place, new homes, businesses, and beautiful "open spaces" like parks were built.

Today, you can find Frank Sinatra Park and Sinatra Drive downtown, named after the famous singer. Uptown, the name Maxwell reminds people of the old Maxwell House coffee factory. The waterfront now has a long walkway called the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway. This path connects many towns along the river and offers amazing views of the New York City skyline.

A wide view of Manhattan from Hoboken in December 2022.

Hoboken Today

In the late 1970s and 1980s, many people from New York City started moving to Hoboken. They bought and fixed up old brownstone houses. Artists, musicians, and young professionals were drawn to Hoboken because it was cheaper than Manhattan but still close by.

Empty lots were built on, and old apartments became fancy condos. Hoboken was deeply affected by the destruction of the World Trade Center in 2001, as many new residents worked there. The city changed from a working-class town to one with gourmet shops and luxury homes.

In October 2012, Hurricane Sandy caused huge floods in Hoboken. The storm "filled up Hoboken like a bathtub," leaving many homes flooded and without power. The city learned from this.

In 2014, Hoboken received money to build new ways to protect itself from floods. This included building levees, parks that can hold water, and special street designs. By 2023, these improvements were so good that when a big storm hit, Hoboken had very little flooding. This made Hoboken a "climate change success story."

Geography of Hoboken

Aerial view of Hoboken in November 2021.

Hoboken covers about 2 square miles. About 1.25 square miles is land, and 0.75 square miles is water.

The city is on the west side of the Hudson River. To the north are Weehawken and Union City. To the south and west is Jersey City. Across the Hudson River, you can see the Manhattan, New York City neighborhoods of West Village and Chelsea.

Hoboken is set up in a grid pattern. The streets running north-south are named after presidents, like Washington, Adams, and Jefferson. The streets running east-west are numbered, starting with First Street.

Climate in Hoboken

Hoboken has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has hot, humid summers and mild winters. Temperatures in winter can go up and down, so it's not always cold.

Population of Hoboken

In 2010, Hoboken had 50,005 people. Most residents were White (82.24%), followed by Asian (7.12%) and Black or African American (3.53%). About 15.20% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

Hoboken has a lot of young adults. In 2010, over half the population (55.9%) was between 25 and 44 years old. The average age was 31.2 years.

Hoboken's Economy

Hoboken has a strong economy. The first public place with air conditioning in the U.S. was shown at Hoboken Terminal. The first Blimpie restaurant opened in Hoboken in 1964.

John Wiley & Sons, a big publishing company, moved one of its main offices to Hoboken in 2002.

Stevens Institute of Technology also helps the local economy a lot. In 2014, it added $117 million to Hoboken's economy. This included paying salaries and buying goods and services. The university supports over 1,200 full-time jobs.

Parks and Fun Places

Lower Frank Sinatra Drive.

Clock at Eleventh Street.

Hoboken has many parks for people to enjoy. Some of the older parks, like Church Square Park and Columbus Park, were planned when the city was first laid out.

Newer parks include Pier C, which is a rebuilt pier with a curving walkway. In 2013, a sports field called 1600 Park opened. Southwest Park, which opened in 2017, has green space and is being expanded.

A two-acre park called 7th and Jackson Resiliency Park opened in 2019. It has a playground, a lawn, and an indoor gym. It also has special systems to collect over 450,000 gallons of rainwater to help prevent flooding.

The Northwest Resiliency Park, which opened in 2023, is even bigger. It has a large lawn, a stage, and a fountain that can turn into an ice skating rink in winter. This park can store up to 2 million gallons of water underground to help with flooding.

The Hudson River Waterfront Walkway is a path along the river. It connects many towns and gives people access to the water's edge. In Hoboken, you can walk or bike along this path and see amazing views of the New York City skyline.

Arts and Culture

Hoboken is a lively place for arts and culture. The Hudson Shakespeare Company performs free Shakespeare plays every summer at Frank Sinatra Park.

The city also has art galleries like Barsky Gallery and cultural spots like the Hoboken Historical Museum.

Annual Events and Festivals

Hoboken hosts many fun events each year. These include the Frank Sinatra Idol Contest, the Hoboken Comedy Festival, and the Hoboken Arts and Music Festival. You can also find a Farmer's Market every Tuesday from June to October.

There are also many festivals, like the Saint Patrick's Day Parade and the Feast of Saint Ann.

From the 1960s until 2011, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade floats were stored and prepared in Hoboken. Many students and staff from Stevens Institute of Technology helped with the parade.

Community Services

HOPES Community Action Partnership (HOPES CAP) helps people in Hoboken. It offers programs for kids, adults, and seniors. Most people who get help from HOPES have low incomes.

The Hoboken Homeless Shelter helps people who don't have a home. The city also has special orange parking meters where people can donate money to help homeless programs.

Getting Around Hoboken

Hudson Bike Share.

The tracks at Hoboken Terminal.

Hoboken has the highest number of people using public transportation in the U.S. About 56% of working residents use it every day!

Hoboken Terminal is a very important transportation center. It was built in 1907 and is a national historic landmark. You can catch trains, light rail, and ferries from here.

Hoboken also has a bicycle sharing system called Citi Bike. This system connects Hoboken with Jersey City and New York City, making it easy to bike around.

Safe Streets for Everyone

Hoboken has made many changes to make its streets safer for people walking and biking. They give pedestrians a head start at traffic lights. They also put up posts to stop cars from parking too close to intersections. This helps drivers see cyclists and pedestrians better. Because of these changes, the city had no traffic deaths for four years by 2022.

Trains and Subways

Several NJ Transit train lines end at Hoboken Terminal. These include the Main Line, Bergen County Line, and Montclair-Boonton Line.

The Hudson-Bergen Light Rail also has three stops in Hoboken. This light rail system connects Hoboken to other parts of Hudson County.

The PATH subway system runs 24 hours a day from Hoboken Terminal. You can take it to Manhattan or to Journal Square in Jersey City.

Water Travel

NY Waterway ferries cross the Hudson River from Hoboken Terminal and 14th Street. You can take a ferry to different parts of Manhattan, like Battery Park City and Wall Street.

Buses and Roads

The 14th Street and Wing Viaducts in 2009.

NJ Transit buses also stop at Hoboken Terminal. These buses can take you to many places in New Jersey.

You can also find taxi services and Zipcars in Hoboken.

View east along the 14th Street Viaduct entering Hoboken.

Hoboken has about 31.79 miles of roads. The 14th Street Viaduct connects Hoboken to Jersey City Heights. The Lincoln Tunnel and Holland Tunnel, which go to New York City, are also close by.

Airports Near Hoboken

Hoboken itself doesn't have an airport. But you can easily get to three major airports operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. These are Newark Liberty International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and John F. Kennedy Airport.

Education in Hoboken

Hoboken has a very educated population. In 2019, it was ranked as one of the most educated towns in New Jersey. Over 50% of residents have a bachelor's degree or higher.

Public Schools

Hoboken High School.

The Hoboken Public Schools district serves students from pre-kindergarten through high school. The district has five schools:

• Joseph F. Brandt Elementary School (grades K–5)
• Thomas G. Connors Elementary School (grades K–5)
• Wallace Elementary School (grades K–5)
• Hoboken Middle School (grades 6–8)
• Hoboken High School (grades 9–12)

Hoboken also has three charter schools. These are public schools that operate independently. They are Elysian Charter School, Hoboken Charter School, and Hoboken Dual Language Charter School. The Dual Language charter school was even named a "Model Program" by the state!

Private Schools

There are several private schools in Hoboken, including The Hudson School, All Saint's Episcopal Day School, Mustard Seed School, and Stevens Cooperative School. Hoboken Catholic Academy, a K-8 Catholic school, was recognized as an "Exemplary High Performing School" in 2017.

Higher Education

Stevens Institute of Technology.

Stevens Institute of Technology is a well-known university located in Hoboken. It was founded in 1870. Over 6,900 students attend Stevens, studying engineering, science, business, and arts. Stevens is also home to important research centers. The university owns most of Castle Point, which is the highest spot in Hoboken.

Media and Entertainment

Hoboken is part of the New York media market, so you can find many newspapers and TV channels there. Local news is covered by The Jersey Journal and the blog Hoboken Now.

The city has been a setting for many movies. The famous 1954 film On the Waterfront, starring Marlon Brando, was filmed in Hoboken. Other movies like Picture Perfect and Restaurant also used Hoboken as a backdrop. The children's book The Hoboken Chicken Emergency takes place in the city.

Hoboken is home to Carlo's Bake Shop, which became famous from the reality TV show Cake Boss. The show brought many tourists to Hoboken!

The TV show Parking Wars filmed some episodes in Hoboken. Also, Primetime: What Would You Do? has filmed social experiments in Hoboken's shops and restaurants.

Bands like The Bongos and Yo La Tengo are from Hoboken.

Notable people

See also

In Spanish: Hoboken (Nueva Jersey) para niños