Jersey City, New Jersey facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jersey City, New Jersey
City
City of Jersey City
Downtown Jersey City skyline Journal Square Empty Sky Memorial Colgate Clock The Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal Liberty Science Center Pulaski Skyway
Flag Seal Wordmark
Nicknames:  J.C., Chilltown, Sixth Borough, America's Golden Door, Wall Street West
Mottoes:  "Let Jersey Prosper" "Jersey City, Make It Yours"
Jersey City, New Jersey Location in Hudson County, New Jersey Show map of Hudson County, New Jersey Jersey City, New Jersey Location in New Jersey Show map of New Jersey Jersey City, New Jersey Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	New Jersey
County	Hudson
European settlement	1630
Incorporated	February 22, 1838
Named for	New Jersey
Government
• Type	Faulkner Act (mayor–council)
• Body	City Council
Area
• Total	21.03 sq mi (54.48 km2)
• Land	14.75 sq mi (38.20 km2)
• Water	6.29 sq mi (16.28 km2)  30.24%
Area rank	134th of 565 in state 1st of 12 in county
Elevation	20 ft (6 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	292,449
• Estimate  (2023)	291,657
• Rank	72nd in country (as of 2023) 2nd of 565 in state 1st of 12 in county
• Density	19,835.1/sq mi (7,658.4/km2)
• Density rank	10th of 565 in state 7th of 12 in county
Time zone	UTC−05:00 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT))
ZIP Codes	07097, 07302-07308, 07310-07311
Area code(s)	201/551
FIPS code	3401736000
GNIS feature ID	0885264

Jersey City is a large city in New Jersey, located right across the Hudson River from Manhattan, New York City. It is the second-biggest city in New Jersey, after Newark. Jersey City is also the main city and largest by area in Hudson County.

As of 2020, about 292,000 people lived in Jersey City. This makes it one of the most populated cities in the United States. The city is an important part of the New York metropolitan area.

Jersey City has a long waterfront along the Hudson River and Upper New York Bay to the east. To the west, it is bordered by the Hackensack River and Newark Bay. Because of its location, it's a key spot for transportation and trade. The Holland Tunnel, PATH trains, and NY Waterway ferries connect Jersey City to Manhattan.

The city's waterfront has been rebuilt with many new buildings. This has made Jersey City a major center for banking and finance, earning it the nickname "Wall Street West". Living in Jersey City can be expensive because it's so close to Manhattan and has a strong financial economy.

History of Jersey City

Jersey City has a rich history, from early Native American settlements to becoming a modern financial hub.

Early Settlements and Dutch Influence

The land where Jersey City now stands was first home to the Lenape people, a group of Native American tribes. In 1609, Henry Hudson explored the area while looking for a new route to Asia. He sailed along what is now the Hudson River. The city's flag today even shows Hudson's ship, the Halve Maen (Half Moon).

In 1621, the Dutch West India Company took over the area, calling it New Netherland. A man named Michael Reyniersz Pauw bought land from the Lenape in 1630. He named his settlement Pavonia. However, Pauw didn't bring enough people to live there, so he sold the land back to the company.

Later, a house was built at Communipaw in 1633. Another house was built at Harsimus Cove. Sadly, relations with the Lenape people became difficult, leading to conflicts. In 1643, many Lenape were killed by the Dutch in a sad event at Pavonia.

Small farming communities grew in places like Communipaw and Harsimus. In 1660, the village of Bergen was founded. It became New Jersey's first local government in 1661. Some of the oldest houses in Jersey City, like the Newkirk House (1690), are from this Dutch period.

Growth in the 1800s

In 1804, Alexander Hamilton helped create the Associates of the Jersey Company. This group bought land in Paulus Hook and planned out the city's streets and squares. Many of these streets are named after war heroes or places in Manhattan.

Even after Hamilton's death, the company continued its work. Jersey City officially became a town in 1820. It was reincorporated in 1838 and given its current name. In 1840, it became part of the new Hudson County.

During the 1800s, Jersey City was a stop on the Underground Railroad. This was a secret network that helped enslaved people find freedom.

After the Civil War, nearby towns like Hudson City and Bergen City joined with Jersey City in 1870. Three years later, Greenville also merged, completing the city's current shape.

By the late 1880s, several large train stations opened in Jersey City. Millions of immigrants arrived at these stations after passing through Ellis Island. They then traveled westward into the United States. The railroads also changed the city's landscape by building large rail yards.

20th and 21st Centuries

For many years, Jersey City was a busy port and manufacturing town. It was a popular place for new immigrants, much like New York City. Before World War II, many German, Irish, and Italian immigrants found jobs at factories like Colgate.

In 1911, the Hudson Tubes opened. This allowed people to travel by train to Manhattan, offering an alternative to ferries. A major event happened on July 30, 1916, when the Black Tom explosion occurred. This was an act of sabotage by German agents during World War I.

From 1917 to 1947, Mayor Frank Hague led Jersey City. He was known for his strong political control and for helping people in need. He lived a very wealthy lifestyle despite his official salary.

After Hague retired, the city faced a period of decline in the 1970s. Many people moved away, and the city lost jobs.

However, starting in the 1980s, the waterfront area began to be redeveloped. Old rail yards and factories were replaced with new buildings. This led to a rebirth for Jersey City. Many tall buildings were constructed, increasing the population. The Exchange Place area became a major financial district, known as "Wall Street West".

Today, large financial companies like Goldman Sachs and Chase Bank have offices in Jersey City. Some of these buildings are among the tallest in New Jersey. A new light-rail system was also built, making it easier to travel around the city.

Geography and Location

Jersey City is the second-largest city in New Jersey by population. It covers about 21 square miles, with about 14.7 square miles of land and 6.4 square miles of water.

The city is bordered by the Hudson River to the east. To the north are Secaucus, North Bergen, Union City, and Hoboken. To the west, across the Hackensack River, are Kearny and Newark. To the south is Bayonne.

Jersey City includes most of Ellis Island, which is famous for being a gateway for immigrants. Liberty Island, home to the Statue of Liberty, is surrounded by Jersey City's waters. Because it's so close to Manhattan, Jersey City is sometimes called New York City's "sixth borough".

The city is located on a peninsula called Bergen Neck. It has waterfronts on both the east (Hudson River) and west (Hackensack River). The Hudson Palisades form a ridge that runs through the city.

City Neighborhoods

Jersey City is divided into six main areas called wards. Each ward has its own unique neighborhoods.

Bergen-Lafayette

Bergen-Lafayette is located between Greenville to the south and McGinley Square to the north. It is near Liberty State Park and Downtown to the east. Main streets include Communipaw Avenue and Martin Luther King Drive. The old Jersey City Medical Center buildings have been turned into homes called The Beacon. Berry Lane Park, a large city park, is also in this area.

Downtown Jersey City

Downtown Jersey City stretches from the Hudson River westward. It is bordered by Hoboken to the north and Liberty State Park to the south.

Historic Downtown has many low-rise buildings. It is popular because it's close to shops, restaurants, and Manhattan. This area includes Van Vorst Park and Hamilton Park, which are parks surrounded by historic homes. Paulus Hook, the Village, and Harsimus Cove are also part of Historic Downtown. Newark Avenue and Grove Street are busy streets with many businesses. The Grove Street PATH station is a key transportation hub.

Downtown is also home to cultural spots like the Jersey City Museum. The Harsimus Stem Embankment is an old railway line that people are working to turn into a public park, similar to the High Line in New York City.

Newport and Exchange Place are modern waterfront areas. They have many tall residential and office buildings. Newport is a planned community with homes, offices, a marina, and the Newport Centre Mall. These areas have played a big role in Jersey City's recent growth.

The Heights

The Heights is in the northern part of Jersey City. It sits on top of the New Jersey Palisades, looking over Hoboken to the east. It used to be a separate city called Hudson City before joining Jersey City in 1869. The Heights mostly has two- and three-family houses and low apartment buildings.

Journal Square

Journal Square is a busy area with homes, shops, and offices. It was created in 1923 as a large intersection. McGinley Square is very close to Journal Square and is often seen as an extension of it.

Greenville

Greenville is in the southern part of Jersey City. In recent years, it has seen a lot of new development. It is known as an affordable place to live, attracting many families.

West Side

The West Side borders Greenville to the south and the Hackensack River to the west. It has many different areas on both sides of West Side Avenue, which is a major shopping street.

Climate

Jersey City has a climate with hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. It is similar to other cities in the region like Newark and New York City.

People and Diversity

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1840	3,072		—
1850	6,856		123.2%
1860	29,226		326.3%
1870	82,546	*	182.4%
1880	120,722	*	46.2%
1890	163,003		35.0%
1900	206,433		26.6%
1910	267,779		29.7%
1920	298,103		11.3%
1930	316,715		6.2%
1940	301,173		−4.9%
1950	299,017		−0.7%
1960	276,101		−7.7%
1970	260,350		−5.7%
1980	223,532		−14.1%
1990	228,537		2.2%
2000	240,055		5.0%
2010	247,597		3.1%
2020	292,449		18.1%
2023 (est.)	291,657		17.8%
Population sources: 1840–1920 1840 1850–1870 1850 1870 1880–1890 1890–1910 1840–1930 1940–2000 2000 2010 2020 * = Gained territory in previous decade.

Jersey City is known for being one of the most diverse cities in the world. Many immigrants come to Jersey City, making it a truly global place. People from many different countries, religions, and backgrounds live here.

Population Changes

In 2020, Jersey City had a population of 292,449. This was a big increase from 247,597 people in 2010. The city's population has grown a lot due to new housing and people moving in.

Diverse Communities

Jersey City is a melting pot of cultures. Here's a look at some of the diverse groups:

• Asian Americans: This is a large and growing group in Jersey City.
  • Indian Americans:
    

    India Square, in the Bombay neighborhood of Jersey City, is home to the highest concentration of Asian Indians in the Western Hemisphere.

The India Square area, also called "Little India", has the largest number of Asian Indians in the Western Hemisphere. It's a vibrant place with many Indian businesses and Hindu temples. Jersey City hosts large outdoor Navratri celebrations and a colorful spring Holi festival.

• • Filipino Americans:
    

    Filipino grocery store in Jersey City

Filipino Americans are the second-largest Asian-American group in the city. The Five Corners district is a "Little Manila" with many Filipino businesses. The largest Filipino-owned grocery store on the East Coast, Phil-Am Food, is here. Manila Avenue is named after the Philippine capital because many Filipinos built homes there. The city also hosts an annual Philippine–American Friendship Day Parade.

• • Chinese Americans: The number of Chinese Americans in Jersey City has grown quickly.
  • Vietnamese Americans: Jersey City has the largest Vietnamese American population in New Jersey.
• Hispanic and Latino Americans: This group makes up a significant part of Jersey City's population. Stateside Puerto Ricans are the largest Hispanic group. Jersey City also hosts an annual Cuban Parade and Festival.
• African Americans: This community is also a big part of Jersey City. There's a growing number of African immigrants, especially from Nigeria and Kenya.

Languages and Religion

After English and Spanish, Tagalog (a language from the Philippines) is the third most common language spoken in Jersey City.

Many people in Jersey City are religious. Most are Catholic Christians, but there are also many Protestant Christians and Muslims. South Asian religions like Buddhism, Hinduism, and Sikhism are also present. Jersey City has a growing Orthodox Jewish community in the Greenville neighborhood.

Economy and Business

Jersey City is a major center for jobs, with over 100,000 jobs in both private and public sectors. Many people work in finance, services, shipping, and retail.

Wall Street West

The waterfront area of Jersey City is known as Wall Street West. It has many modern office buildings. A large portion of the city's jobs are in financial services, including banking and insurance.

Big companies like Verisk Analytics and Lord Abbett have their headquarters here. Other major companies like Computershare and Fidelity Investments also operate in Jersey City. In 2014, Forbes magazine moved its headquarters to the area.

Shopping and Retail

Jersey City has several shopping areas. Some are traditional main streets like Central Avenue and West Side Avenue. Journal Square is a big commercial district. The Newport Mall is a large shopping center for the region.

Parts of Jersey City are in an "Urban Enterprise Zone" (UEZ). This program helps businesses by offering benefits, like a reduced sales tax rate (half of the state's normal rate). This encourages companies to create jobs and invest in the city.

Port Jersey

Port Jersey is a large shipping facility on the Upper New York Bay. It has a container terminal where huge ships unload goods. The Greenville Yard is a rail yard here, and GCT Bayonne is a major shipping facility. The biggest ship ever to visit the Port of New York-New Jersey docked at Port Jersey in 2016.

Other Businesses

Goya Foods, a well-known food company, opened its new headquarters and a large warehouse in Jersey City in 2015.

Famous Landmarks

• Statue of Liberty National Monument, Ellis Island and Liberty Island: These famous landmarks are very close to Jersey City.
• Liberty Science Center: This is an interactive science museum with many exhibits and the world's largest IMAX Dome theater.
• The Katyń Memorial: This memorial honors the victims of the Katyń Forest Massacre. It was created by Polish-American artist Andrzej Pitynski.
• The Colgate Clock:
  

  Colgate Clock in 2009

This huge clock, promoted by Colgate-Palmolive, is said to be the largest in the world. It faces the Lower New York Bay and Manhattan. It was built in 1924.

• The Landmark Loew's Jersey Theatre: This historic theater in Journal Square is one of the famous Loew's Wonder Theatres from the 1920s. It now shows classic films and hosts live performances.
• The White Eagle Hall: This is a renovated historic theater built in 1910. It used to be the practice gym for the Saint Anthony High School basketball team.

Art and Culture

Jersey City is a very artistic city. A 2011 survey even called it the 10th most artistic city in the United States based on the number of artists living there.

Museums and Libraries

The Jersey City Free Public Library is the biggest public library system in New Jersey. It has a main library and several branches.

Liberty Science Center is a popular spot for learning about science. It has many hands-on exhibits and a giant IMAX theater. From Liberty State Park, you can take ferries to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.

The Jersey City Museum, Mana Contemporary, and the Museum of Russian Art all have interesting collections and special exhibits. Some Hudson Bergen Light Rail stations also display public art.

Festivals and Events

Jersey City hosts many annual art and cultural events:

• Jersey City Art & Studio Tour (JCAST): A city-sponsored event that shows off visual art.
• Art Fair 14C: An exhibition for New Jersey artists.
• Your Move Modern Dance Festival: A dance festival that started in 2010.
• JC Fridays: A city-wide arts festival held four times a year.
• Jersey City Comedy Festival: Presents stand-up, improv, and sketch comedy.

The Hudson Shakespeare Company performs free Shakespeare plays in city parks during the summer. The annual Golden Door Film Festival has been held in Jersey City since 2011.

Education

Jersey City has many options for education, from colleges to public and private schools.

Colleges and Universities

Jersey City is home to two universities:

• New Jersey City University
• Saint Peter's University

Hudson County Community College is also located in Journal Square. It offers courses that help students prepare for a larger university. Other universities like New Jersey Institute of Technology and Rutgers University also have facilities or offer classes in Jersey City.

Public Schools

The Jersey City Public Schools serve students from pre-kindergarten through high school. The district has 39 schools.

Some of the high schools include:

• William L. Dickinson High School
• James J. Ferris High School
• Infinity Institute
• Innovation High School
• Liberty High School
• Lincoln High School
• Dr. Ronald E. McNair Academic High School
• Henry Snyder High School

Dr. Ronald E. McNair Academic High School is one of the top public high schools in New Jersey and has been recognized nationally. William L. Dickinson High School is the oldest and one of the largest high schools in the city.

The Hudson County Schools of Technology also has a campus in Jersey City, which includes County Prep High School. Jersey City also has 12 charter schools, which are public schools that operate with more flexibility.

Private Schools

Jersey City has several private schools, including Catholic schools and others.

Catholic Schools

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark runs many Catholic schools in Jersey City.

• Hudson Catholic Regional High School
• Saint Dominic Academy
• St. Peter's Preparatory School

Some Catholic elementary schools include Our Lady of Czestochowa School, Sacred Heart School, and St. Joseph School. Our Lady of Czestochowa School was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School in 2015.

Other Private Schools

Other private high schools include First Christian Pentecostal Academy and Stevens Cooperative School. Kenmare High School helps women-led households by offering small classes and life skills. The French American Academy is a private bilingual school. There are also other private schools like Genesis Educational Center and the Jersey City Art School.

Transportation

Many people in Jersey City use public transportation to get to work. In fact, Jersey City has one of the highest percentages of public transit riders among U.S. cities. Many households in Jersey City do not own a car.

Air Travel

The Newport Helistop Heliport is located on the Hudson River. Some Taiwanese airlines also provide private bus services from Jersey City to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City.

Mass Transit Options

Trains

• Hudson-Bergen Light Rail: This is a very popular way to travel in the city. Many of its stations are in Jersey City.
• PATH: This is a 24-hour train system with four stations in Jersey City: Exchange Place, Newport, Grove Street, and Journal Square. PATH trains connect to Hoboken, Midtown Manhattan, Lower Manhattan, and Newark. From Newark, you can connect to Amtrak trains for longer trips.
• Hoboken Terminal: Located near Jersey City's northeast corner, this terminal offers NJ Transit train services to many parts of New Jersey and New York.

Buses

The Journal Square Transportation Center, Exchange Place, and Hoboken Terminal are major bus hubs. Buses connect to many places within Jersey City, Hudson County, and even Newark. There are also "dollar vans" (jitneys) that offer rides.

In 2020, Jersey City launched an on-demand transit system called Via Jersey City. You can use an app to book a ride, which helps connect neighborhoods to train and ferry stops.

Water Ferries

• NY Waterway ferries: These ferries travel between Jersey City (Paulus Hook, Liberty Harbor, Port Liberté) and Manhattan.
• Statue Cruises: These ferries take you to Ellis Island and Liberty Island.
• Liberty Landing Ferry: This ferry connects Liberty Landing Marina to Manhattan.

Roads and Highways

Jersey City has many miles of roadways.

• Holland Tunnel: This tunnel connects downtown Jersey City to Manhattan. It carries Interstate 78 and Route 139.
• Major highways include the New Jersey Turnpike Extension (Interstate 78), the Pulaski Skyway (U.S. Route 1/9), and Route 440.

Biking

Part of the East Coast Greenway runs through Jersey City. This is a planned bike route that will go from Maine to Florida. The Hudson River Waterfront Walkway and Hackensack RiverWalk are also good for biking.

The city has added many bike lanes, especially on Grove Street. There's also an effort to create a 50-mile bike route called The Harbor Ring around the Lower Hudson River.

In 2013, Jersey City made it easier and cheaper for businesses and homes to install bike racks. The city also joined the Citi Bike bike-share program in 2015, allowing people to rent bikes in Jersey City and New York City.

Notable People

Sister Cities

Jersey City has "sister city" relationships with many cities around the world. This means they share cultural and educational ties.