kids encyclopedia robot

Pompton Lakes, New Jersey facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Pompton Lakes, New Jersey
Borough
Borough of Pompton Lakes
Pompton Lake
Map of Pompton Lakes in Passaic County. Inset: Location of Passaic County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.
Map of Pompton Lakes in Passaic County. Inset: Location of Passaic County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.
Census Bureau map of Pompton Lakes, New Jersey
Census Bureau map of Pompton Lakes, New Jersey
Country  United States
State  New Jersey
County Passaic
Founded 1682
Incorporated February 26, 1895
Government
 • Type Borough
 • Body Borough Council
Area
 • Total 3.16 sq mi (8.19 km2)
 • Land 2.89 sq mi (7.48 km2)
 • Water 0.27 sq mi (0.71 km2)  8.67%
Area rank 327th of 565 in state
12th of 16 in county
Elevation
217 ft (66 m)
Population
 • Total 11,097
 • Estimate 
(2019)
10,986
 • Rank 221st of 566 in state
11th of 16 in county
 • Density 3,809.1/sq mi (1,470.7/km2)
 • Density rank 163rd of 566 in state
9th of 16 in county
Time zone UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT))
ZIP Code
07442
Area code(s) 973
FIPS code 3403160090
GNIS feature ID 0885359
Website

Pompton Lakes is a borough in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 11,097, reflecting an increase of 457 (+4.3%) from the 10,640 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 101 (+1.0%) from the 10,539 counted in the 1990 Census.

Pompton Lakes was established on February 26, 1895 from portions of Pompton Township, based on the results of a referendum held three days earlier. The borough was named for the Pompton people, a sub-tribe of Native Americans who lived in the area. It was the first borough to be formed in Passaic County as part of the "boroughitis" that had struck the state at the time. Pompton Lakes did not acquire territory from more than one township, which would have entitled the borough to a seat on the County's Board of Chosen Freeholders.

An outer-ring suburb of New York City, Pompton Lakes is located approximately 20 miles (32 km) northwest of Midtown Manhattan. From the higher mountains in and around the borough one can see the New York skyline. Three rivers, the Ramapo, Pequannock and Wanaque, run through the borough, which historically provided much of the energy for various industries in the borough. In the mid-20th century, Pompton Lakes served as a local shopping destination, but lost its status as shopping malls opened in the area in the 1970s and 1980s.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 3.191 square miles (8.267 km2), including 2.913 square miles (7.545 km2) of land and 0.278 square miles (0.721 km2) of water (8.73%).

The borough borders the municipalities of Bloomingdale, Wanaque and Wayne in Passaic County; Oakland in Bergen County; and Riverdale in Morris County.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1900 847
1910 1,060 25.1%
1920 2,008 89.4%
1930 3,104 54.6%
1940 3,189 2.7%
1950 4,654 45.9%
1960 9,445 102.9%
1970 11,397 20.7%
1980 10,660 −6.5%
1990 10,539 −1.1%
2000 10,640 1.0%
2010 11,097 4.3%
2019 (est.) 10,986 −1.0%
Population sources: 1900-1920
1900-1910 1910-1930
1930-1990 2000 2010

Census 2010

As of the census of 2010, there were 11,097 people, 4,190 households, and 2,933 families residing in the borough. The population density was 3,809.1 per square mile (1,470.7/km2). There were 4,341 housing units at an average density of 1,490.1 per square mile (575.3/km2)*. The racial makeup of the borough was 87.93% (9,758) White, 1.41% (157) Black or African American, 0.11% (12) Native American, 5.39% (598) Asian, 0.02% (2) Pacific Islander, 3.37% (374) from other races, and 1.77% (196) from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.89% (1,209) of the population.

There were 4,190 households out of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.0% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.0% were non-families. 24.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.20.

In the borough, the population was spread out with 22.2% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 29.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.2 years. For every 100 females there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and old there were 90.9 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $88,352 (with a margin of error of +/- $7,890) and the median family income was $97,074 (+/- $10,183). Males had a median income of $61,426 (+/- $7,225) versus $50,203 (+/- $4,456) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $35,872 (+/- $3,011). About 2.0% of families and 2.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.7% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over.

Same-sex couples headed 29 households in 2010, almost double the 15 counted in 2000.

Census 2000

As of the 2000 United States Census there were 10,640 people, 3,949 households, and 2,803 families residing in the borough. The population density was 3,585.7 people per square mile (1,383.2/km2). There were 4,024 housing units at an average density of 1,356.1 per square mile (523.1/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 93.01% White, 1.21% African American, 0.19% Native American, 3.03% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.57% from other races, and 0.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.74% of the population.

There were 3,949 households, out of which 33.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.8% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.0% were non-families. 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.24.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 24.2% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 33.0% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.6 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $65,648, and the median income for a family was $74,701. Males had a median income of $46,776 versus $38,221 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $26,802. About 1.6% of families and 3.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.0% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.

Parks and recreation

The Ramapo Mountain State Forest is in the northernmost part of the borough. There are also eight municipal parks: Hershfield Park, Stiles Park, Gallo-Pacifico Park, Lakeside Park, Veterans Memorial Park, Federal Square, Willow Park, Joe Louis Memorial Park, and John Murrin Park.

The Joe Louis Memorial Park features a monument dedicated to the boxer who lived and trained in the borough for a time.

Community

The community of Pompton Lakes is largely based around organized events, including high school sports, senior citizen gatherings, and various group activities organized by the Pompton Lakes Recreation Committee. There is a public library, with regularly scheduled reading groups and other programs. The Committee runs summer sports at St. Mary's and other classes at the Civic Center and Elks Lodge. They also run the Teen Center, which has many dances and events. The Elks Lodge hosts numerous events and Bingo Nights.

Pompton Day, the town's major end-of-summer event, takes place every Labor Day weekend along the lake, with many vendors participating among popular events and a firework show ending the day. Other popular town events are the Holiday Stroll, The Memorial Day Parade, and Trick-or-Treating downtown.

Transportation

2018-07-25 15 05 07 View south along Interstate 287 between Exit 55 and Exit 53 in Pompton Lakes, Passaic County, New Jersey
I-287 southbound in Pompton Lakes
Pompton Lakes Station
Pompton Lakes train station, which was served by the New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway.

Roads and highways

As of May 2010, the borough had a total of 33.49 miles (53.90 km) of roadways, of which 26.51 miles (42.66 km) were maintained by the municipality, 6.52 miles (10.49 km) by Passaic County and 0.46 miles (0.74 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

Major roads through Pompton Lakes include Interstate 287 and Paterson-Hamburg Turnpike.

Public transportation

NJ Transit's 193, 194, and 197 routes stop at various points in the borough, with service to and from Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan. Local service through Passaic and Bergen counties is offered on the 748 line.

In September 2012, as part of series of budget cuts, NJ Transit suspended service to Newark on the 75 line.

Education

Pompton lakes high school
Pompton Lakes High School.

The Pompton Lakes School District serves students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. As of the 2020–21 school year, the district, comprised of four schools, had an enrollment of 1,755 students and 138.5 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 12.7:1. Schools in the district (with 2020–21 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics) are Lenox School with 352 students in grades K-5, Lincoln School with 331 students in grades PreK-5, Lakeside Middle School with 384 students in grades 6-8 and Pompton Lakes High School with 679 students in grades 9-12. Students from Riverdale (in Morris County) attend the high school as part of a sending/receiving relationship with the Riverdale School District.

St. Mary's School was a Catholic school for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade students that operated under the supervision of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson. Opened in 1951, the school was closed at the end of the 2019-20 school year in the wake of a ballooning fiscal deficit.

Notable people

See also (related category): People from Pompton Lakes, New Jersey

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Pompton Lakes include:

  • Cat Bauer (born 1955), author of contemporary young adult novels.
  • Cecil B. DeMille (1881–1959), the most commercially successful director in film history, acknowledged as a founding father of cinema in the United States.
  • Larry Elgart (1922-2017), jazz bandleader who recorded the theme to the long-running dance show American Bandstand with his brother Les (see below).
  • Les Elgart (1917-1995), trumpet player who recorded the theme to the long-running dance show American Bandstand with his brother Larry.
  • Scott Ellsworth (born 1927), radio personality, news presenter and actor.
  • Charlie Getty (born 1952), played 10 seasons in the NFL, mainly for the Kansas City Chiefs.
  • Christine Terhune Herrick (1859-1944), author of housekeeping books; built a home in the borough she named The Outlook, where she lived for 13 years.
  • Gary Jennings (1928–1999), author of historical fiction, including Aztec.
  • Lovell Lawrence Jr., (1915–1971), rocket scientist who developed the first rocket engine to break the sound barrier.
  • Joe Louis (1914-1981), boxer and heavyweight champion; lived and trained in Pompton Lakes for part of his career.
  • Wil Mara (born 1966), children's book author and novelist.
  • Steve Monarque (born 1959), New York-based actor, director, writer and musician.
  • Twiggy Ramirez (born 1971), bassist and guitarist for Marilyn Manson.
  • Patty Shwartz (born 1961), United States federal judge of United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
  • Albert Payson Terhune (1872–1942), author of Lad, A Dog and other dog stories, which were adapted into a 1962 film.
  • Mary Virginia Terhune (1830–1922), author known by her pen name of Marion Harland; mother of local authors Christine Terhune Herrick and Albert Payson Terhune.
  • Ognjen Topic (born 1992), Muay Thai kickboxer.
  • Travis Tuck (1943-2002), metal sculptor known for his hand-crafted weather vanes of repoussé copper and bronze.
  • Arthur Vervaet (1913-1999), politician who served four terms in the New Jersey General Assembly.
  • Michael Weiner (1961-2013), Executive Director of the Major League Baseball Players Association from 2009 until his death in 2013.
  • John Wolters (1945–1997), drummer for Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show.
  • James Hart Wyld (1912-1953), engineer and rocket scientist who helped to found Reaction Motors; developed a cooling system that is the basis for all modern liquid-propelled rocket motors.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Pompton Lakes para niños

kids search engine
Pompton Lakes, New Jersey Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.