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River Edge, New Jersey facts for kids

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River Edge, New Jersey
Borough
Campbell-Christie House
Official seal of River Edge, New Jersey
Seal
Location of River Edge in Bergen County highlighted in red (left). Inset map: Location of Bergen County in New Jersey highlighted in orange (right).
Location of River Edge in Bergen County highlighted in red (left). Inset map: Location of Bergen County in New Jersey highlighted in orange (right).
Census Bureau map of River Edge, New Jersey
Census Bureau map of River Edge, New Jersey
River Edge, New Jersey is located in Bergen County, New Jersey
River Edge, New Jersey
River Edge, New Jersey
Location in Bergen County, New Jersey
River Edge, New Jersey is located in New Jersey
River Edge, New Jersey
River Edge, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
River Edge, New Jersey is located in the United States
River Edge, New Jersey
River Edge, New Jersey
Location in the United States
Country  United States
State  New Jersey
County Bergen
Incorporated June 30, 1894
Government
 • Type Borough
 • Body Borough Council
Area
 • Total 1.88 sq mi (4.86 km2)
 • Land 1.83 sq mi (4.75 km2)
 • Water 0.04 sq mi (0.12 km2)  2.39%
Area rank 422nd of 565 in state
52nd of 70 in county
Elevation
49 ft (15 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 12,049
 • Estimate 
(2023)
11,995
 • Rank 210th of 565 in state
30th of 70 in county
 • Density 6,573.4/sq mi (2,538.0/km2)
 • Density rank 78th of 565 in state
24th of 70 in county
Time zone UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT))
ZIP Code
07661
Area code(s) 201
FIPS code 3400363360
GNIS feature ID 0885372

River Edge is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey. It is a type of town with its own local government. In 2020, about 12,049 people lived there. This was a bit more than in 2010.

River Edge was first called Riverside. It became a borough on June 30, 1894. This happened after people voted for it. The name changed to River Edge on December 1, 1930. The town got its name because it is located along the Hackensack River. Many boroughs were formed in Bergen County around this time.

About River Edge: Location and Size

River Edge is a small town. It covers about 1.88 square miles (4.86 square kilometers). Most of this area is land. A small part is water.

This borough is a suburb of New York City. It is about 8 miles (13 kilometers) west of Upper Manhattan.

Some smaller areas are part of River Edge. These include Cherry Hill and North Hackensack.

River Edge shares borders with other towns in Bergen County. These towns are Hackensack, New Milford, Oradell, Paramus, and Teaneck.

People of River Edge: Population Changes

Historical population
Census Pop.
1900 561
1910 736 31.2%
1920 1,077 46.3%
1930 2,210 105.2%
1940 3,287 48.7%
1950 9,204 180.0%
1960 13,264 44.1%
1970 12,850 −3.1%
1980 11,111 −13.5%
1990 10,603 −4.6%
2000 10,946 3.2%
2010 11,340 3.6%
2020 12,049 6.3%
2023 (est.) 11,995 5.8%
Population sources:
1900–1920 1900–1910
1910–1930 1900–2020
2000 2010 2020

The number of people living in River Edge has changed over time. In 1900, there were 561 people. By 2020, the population grew to 12,049.

Who Lives in River Edge?

In 2020, the population of River Edge was 12,049.

  • About 55% of the people were White.
  • Around 28.5% were Asian.
  • About 2.35% were Black or African American.
  • About 11% of the people were Hispanic or Latino. This group can be of any race.
  • Other groups made up smaller parts of the population.

In 2010, there were 11,340 people. About 26% of the people were under 18 years old. The average age was 41.4 years.

Learning in River Edge: Schools and Education

River Edge has its own school district for younger students. The River Edge Elementary School District serves students from pre-kindergarten to sixth grade.

  • There are two schools in this district.
  • Cherry Hill School / New Bridge Center teaches students from PreK to 6th grade.
  • Roosevelt School teaches students from 1st to 6th grade.

For older students, River Edge shares a school district with Oradell. This is called the River Dell Regional School District. It serves students from seventh to twelfth grade.

  • River Dell Regional Middle School is in River Edge. It is for grades 7-8.
  • River Dell High School is in Oradell. It is for grades 9-12.
  • River Edge has five seats on the school board for this regional district.

Students in Bergen County can also go to special high schools. These are part of the Bergen County Technical Schools. They offer programs like the Bergen County Academies in Hackensack. Students need to apply and be accepted to these schools.

There are also private schools in River Edge.

  • St. Peter Academy is a Catholic school for grades K-8. It was recognized as a top-performing school in 2017.
  • The Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey is another private school. It serves students from nursery to eighth grade.

Getting Around River Edge: Transportation

2021-08-25 15 56 12 View east along New Jersey State Route 4 (MacKay Highway) from the pedestrian overpass at Bergen County Route 68 (Main Street) in River Edge, Bergen County, New Jersey
Route 4 eastbound in River Edge

River Edge has several roads and ways to travel.

Roads and Highways

Route 4 is a main highway. It runs along the southern edge of the borough. County Route 503 (Kinderkamack Road) goes through the town from north to south. It runs next to the Hackensack River.

Trains and Buses

River Edge has two train stations:

These stations are on NJ Transit's Pascack Valley Line. This line goes to Hoboken Terminal. From Hoboken, you can connect to other trains, light rail, or ferries to New York City. Residents can get permits to park at these stations.

NJ Transit also offers bus service.

  • The 165 route goes to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan.
  • Local bus routes include the 756 and 762.

Another bus company, Rockland Coaches, also has a route (11T/11AT) that goes to the Port Authority Bus Terminal.

Fun Places to Visit: Points of Interest

River Edge has some interesting historical sites and parks.

New Bridge Landing is a very important historical place. It is known as The Bridge That Saved A Nation. General George Washington and his army crossed this bridge in 1776. They were retreating from a British attack.

  • Campbell-Christie House is a historic home. It was built in 1774. The house was moved to River Edge in 1977.
  • Steuben House was used by George Washington as his headquarters for 16 days in 1780.
  • Demarest House is another historic house. It was built in 1794. It is now a museum.

Parks and Recreation: Outdoor Fun

River Edge has many parks for outdoor activities:

  • Van Saun County Park is a large park. It covers 146 acres. Part of it is in River Edge. The River Edge side has a playground, a dog park, baseball fields, and walking paths.
  • Veterans Memorial Park has a playground, picnic area, and a baseball field. It also has a court for ball games or roller hockey.
  • Brookside Park offers a walking path, playground, and a basketball court.
  • River Edge Bird Sanctuary and Nature Trail is a great place for nature lovers. It has a bird sanctuary and a walking trail.
  • River Edge Arboretum is next to the public library. It has a walking path and tennis courts.
  • Cherry Blossom Park is next to Cherry Hill Elementary School. It has many flowers and plants, plus a walking path and places to sit.

There was once an amusement park called Kiddie Wonderland. It operated from 1951 to 1958. It had rides like a train, carousel, and a small roller coaster. It is now an apartment building.

Famous People from River Edge

See also (related category): People from River Edge, New Jersey

Many notable people have lived in or are connected to River Edge:

  • Reino Aarnio (1912–1988), an architect.
  • Robert O. Becker (1923–2008), a surgeon and researcher.
  • Frank Capsouras (born 1947), an Olympic weightlifter.
  • Charley Casserly (born 1949), a former General Manager for the Washington Redskins football team.
  • J. Walter Christie (1865–1944), a pioneer in tank design.
  • John Donovan (born 1974), a college football coach.
  • Paul J. Fishman (born 1957), a United States Attorney.
  • Louise Gonnerman (born 1947), a former professional tennis player.
  • Freddie Hoffman (circa 1959), a bicyclist who has ridden over a million miles.
  • Harry and Patricia Kislevitz, who created the Colorforms toy.
  • Lucile Lawrence (1907–2004), a harpist.
  • Jack Lazorko (born 1956), a former baseball pitcher.
  • Mickey Mantle (1931–1995), a famous baseball player for the New York Yankees. He is in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
  • Charles Mayo (1884–1977), a professional golfer.
  • Lee Meredith (born 1947), an actress.
  • Billy Paultz (born 1948), a former basketball player.
  • Gene Roddenberry (1921–1991), the creator of Star Trek: The Original Series.
  • Scot D. Ryersson (born 1960), an illustrator and writer.
  • Teata Semiz (born 1934), a bowler in the Professional Bowlers Association Hall of Fame.
  • Ali Shayegan (1903–1981), a political figure from Iran.
  • Ellen Zavian (born 1963), a sports agent and lawyer.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: River Edge para niños

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