Rochelle Park, New Jersey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rochelle Park, New Jersey
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Township
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Cornelius Demarest House
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Location of Rochelle Park in Bergen County highlighted in red (right). Inset map: Location of Bergen County in New Jersey highlighted in red (left).
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Census Bureau map of Rochelle Park, New Jersey
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 Rochelle Park, New Jersey
Location in Bergen County, New Jersey
Rochelle Park, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Rochelle Park, New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  New Jersey |
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| County | Bergen | |
| Incorporated | March 7, 1871 as Midland Township | |
| Reincorporated | November 5, 1929 as Rochelle Park | |
| Named for | La Rochelle, France | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Township | |
| • Body | Township Committee | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 1.02 sq mi (2.65 km2) | |
| • Land | 0.99 sq mi (2.57 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.03 sq mi (0.08 km2) 3.04% | |
| Area rank | 497th of 565 in state 65th of 70 in county |
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| Elevation | 59 ft (18 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 5,814 | |
| • Estimate
(2023)
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5,833 | |
| • Rank | 357th of 565 in state 57th of 70 in county |
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| • Density | 5,866.8/sq mi (2,265.2/km2) | |
| • Density rank | 93rd of 565 in state 27th of 70 in county |
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| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT)) | |
| ZIP Code |
07662
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| Area code(s) | 201 and 973 | |
| FIPS code | 3400363990 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0882307 | |
| Website | ||
Rochelle Park is a small town, also called a township, located in Bergen County, in the state of New Jersey. In 2020, about 5,814 people lived here. This was a small increase from the 5,530 people counted in 2010.
The area now known as Rochelle Park was first set up as Midland Township on March 7, 1871. Over time, parts of Midland Township became other towns like Oradell, Maywood, River Edge, and Paramus. On November 5, 1929, the town officially changed its name to Rochelle Park. This change happened because people wanted to avoid confusion with a nearby town called Midland Park. The name "Rochelle Park" comes from the port city of La Rochelle, France.
Contents
About Rochelle Park's Location
Rochelle Park is a small town, covering about 1.02 square miles (2.65 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a tiny bit of water.
The township shares its borders with several other towns in Bergen County. These include Fair Lawn, Lodi, Maywood, Paramus, and Saddle Brook.
How Many People Live Here?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 1,591 | — | |
| 1890 | 1,829 | 15.0% | |
| 1900 | 1,298 | * | −29.0% |
| 1910 | 1,480 | 14.0% | |
| 1920 | 2,203 | 48.9% | |
| 1930 | 1,768 | * | −19.7% |
| 1940 | 2,511 | 42.0% | |
| 1950 | 4,483 | 78.5% | |
| 1960 | 6,119 | 36.5% | |
| 1970 | 6,380 | 4.3% | |
| 1980 | 5,603 | −12.2% | |
| 1990 | 5,587 | −0.3% | |
| 2000 | 5,528 | −1.1% | |
| 2010 | 5,530 | 0.0% | |
| 2020 | 5,814 | 5.1% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 5,833 | 5.5% | |
| Population sources: 1880–1920 1880–1890 1890–1910 1910–1930 1900–2020 2000 2010 2020 * = Lost territory in previous decade. |
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Population in 2020
In 2020, the population of Rochelle Park was 5,814 people. Most residents were White, making up about 56% of the population. About 10% were Asian, and 3.5% were Black or African American. A significant portion, about 27%, identified as Hispanic or Latino.
Population in 2010
Back in 2010, there were 5,530 people living in Rochelle Park. The town had 2,087 households, with many being married couples.
About 18% of the population was under 18 years old. The average age in Rochelle Park was 44.2 years. The median household income was around $66,341.
Local Businesses and Economy
Rochelle Park is home to some businesses. For example, United Retail Group, a company that sells specialty retail items, has its main office here.
The large shopping mall, Garden State Plaza, is located in Paramus, very close to the border with Rochelle Park. This means residents have easy access to many stores and restaurants.
Schools in Rochelle Park
Students in Rochelle Park attend public schools run by the Rochelle Park School District.
- Elementary and Middle School: Students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade go to Midland School. This school first opened its doors in 1926. In the 2021-2022 school year, there were 528 students and 48 teachers, meaning about 11 students per teacher.
- High School: For high school, students in ninth through twelfth grades go to Hackensack High School in Hackensack. This is part of a special agreement with the Hackensack Public Schools. Hackensack High School is about 2.6 miles from Rochelle Park.
- County Technical Schools: Students in Bergen County, including those from Rochelle Park, can also apply to special technical programs. These are offered at the Bergen County Technical Schools, which include the Bergen County Academies in Hackensack and campuses in Teterboro or Paramus. These schools offer unique programs for students interested in specific career paths.
Getting Around Rochelle Park
Roads and Highways
Rochelle Park has about 18 miles of roads. Major highways like Route 17 and the Garden State Parkway pass through or along the town's borders. These roads help people travel easily to other parts of New Jersey and beyond.
Public Transportation
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NJ Transit offers bus services for residents. You can catch a bus to places like the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan or the George Washington Bridge Bus Station. There are also local bus routes that help people get around town and to nearby areas.
Fun Places to Visit
- Cornelius Demarest House: This old house was built between 1824 and 1826. It's a historic building and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
- Captain William Tyson House: This historic home was built in the mid-1860s by a wealthy ship owner. It's one of the few buildings left in Bergen County that shows the Italianate architectural style from the late 1800s. The town bought it in 2015 to help preserve it.
- Rochelle Park Area of Saddle River County Park: This park offers lots of outdoor activities. You can find a path for biking or jogging, tennis courts, a basketball court, a playground, and a softball field. It's a great place to be active and enjoy nature. You can get to the park from Rail Road Avenue, Lotz Lane, and Howard Avenue.
- Rochelle Park Swim Club: If you like to swim, there's a private swim club on Lotz Lane. It's for members and their guests.
Famous People from Rochelle Park
Many interesting people have lived in or are connected to Rochelle Park:
- Jim Bouton (1939–2019): A former baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees and other teams. He also wrote a famous baseball book called Ball Four.
- Mychal Judge (1933–2001): A Catholic priest who served as a chaplain for the New York City Fire Department. He was a hero who died during the September 11 terrorist attacks.
- Andrew Kohut (1942–2015): A well-known pollster who often shared his thoughts on public affairs.
- Fabri Salcedo (1914–1985): An early soccer player who was so good he was put into the National Soccer Hall of Fame.
- Hellah Sidibe: A former professional soccer player who became the first Black person to run across the entire United States!
