Secaucus, New Jersey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Secaucus, New Jersey
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Town
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The Frank R. Lautenberg station at Secaucus Junction is a major rail hub for NJ Transit Rail.
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| Nickname(s):
"The Jewel of the Meadowlands"
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 Secaucus, New Jersey
Location in Hudson County, New Jersey
Secaucus, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Secaucus, 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 | Hudson | |
| Incorporated | March 12, 1900 (as borough) | |
| Reincorporated | June 5, 1917 (as town) | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Town | |
| • Body | Town Council | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 6.54 sq mi (16.95 km2) | |
| • Land | 5.83 sq mi (15.09 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.72 sq mi (1.86 km2) 10.96% | |
| Area rank | 248th of 565 in state 4th of 12 in county |
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| Elevation | 7 ft (2 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 22,181 | |
| • Estimate
(2023)
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21,005 | |
| • Rank | 126th of 565 in state 8th of 12 in county |
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| • Density | 3,807.2/sq mi (1,470.0/km2) | |
| • Density rank | 171st of 565 in state 12th of 12 in county |
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| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT)) | |
| ZIP Codes |
07094, 07096
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| Area code(s) | 201 | |
| FIPS code | 3401766570 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0885392 | |
Secaucus (pronounced SEE-kaw-kəs) is a town in Hudson County, New Jersey. In 2020, the town had a population of 22,181 people. This was a big increase from 16,264 people in 2010.
Secaucus is located in the New Jersey Meadowlands. It feels more like a suburban area compared to other towns in the county. However, many parts of Secaucus are used for factories, shops, and transportation. There are also many protected areas for nature.
The name Secaucus comes from old Algonquian words. It means "place of snakes" or "black snakes."
Contents
History of Secaucus
The area known as Sikakes was once an island. It was bought in 1658 by Peter Stuyvesant, a leader of New Netherland. This land was part of the oldest town in New Jersey, called Bergen, founded in 1660.
People started settling here by 1733, including the Smith family. Secaucus officially became a borough on March 12, 1900. It then became a town on June 7, 1917, after a public vote.
From Farms to Modern Town
Secaucus was first known for growing flowers. Later, in the early 1900s, it became famous for its pig farms. At one point, there were about 55 pig farms, with nearly 250,000 pigs during World War II. This meant pigs outnumbered people 16 to 1! These farms supplied meat to nearby cities like Newark and New York.
The pig farms and related businesses gave the town a strong smell. In 1947, a rule was passed to stop new farms. By the 1950s, the number of pig farms started to drop. Some farms were bought for the New Jersey Turnpike, a major highway. The last farms closed in the late 1950s by court order.
In 1963, old materials from the demolition of Pennsylvania Station in New York City were dumped in the Secaucus Meadowlands. Over time, Secaucus became more of a place where people live and travel to work in other cities.
In 1969, most voters in Secaucus wanted to join Bergen County. They felt it was more similar to their town and had lower taxes. However, only the state can change county lines, so this never happened. Today, Secaucus is still the most suburban town in Hudson County.
In 1996, two NJ Transit trains had a collision in Secaucus. This accident happened during the morning rush hour. It was a serious event for NJ Transit.
Geography and Nature
Secaucus is like an island in the New Jersey Meadowlands. The Hackensack River runs along its western side. Penhorn Creek and Cromakill Creek form its eastern borders.
The town covers about 6.54 square miles (16.95 square kilometers). Most of this is land, with some water areas.
Snake Hill and Green Spaces
At the southern end of Secaucus is Snake Hill, also called Laurel Hill. It's a rock formation that rises about 150 feet (46 meters) from the Meadowlands.
Secaucus has many natural marsh areas. These areas show how nature is recovering after the town's farming and industrial past. Some marsh areas have been turned into commercial zones. Others have walking paths where you can see birds and other wildlife. Secaucus has the most "green" open space in Hudson County, at 27.4%.
Secaucus shares borders with several towns. These include Jersey City, Kearny, and North Bergen in Hudson County. It also borders Carlstadt, East Rutherford, Lyndhurst, and Rutherford in Bergen County.
Some well-known areas within Secaucus include:
- County Avenue
- Harmon Cove
- Harmon Meadow
- Laurel Hill
- Mill Creek Marsh
- North End
- Riverbend
- Secaucus Junction
- Secaucus Plaza Central Business District
- Snake Hill
North End Community
The North End is a part of Secaucus located north of New Jersey Route 3. It is connected to the main business area by Paterson Plank Road. The Hackensack River and Mill Creek form its other borders.
The North End is one of the older, residential areas in Secaucus. It is home to Secaucus High School. Nearby Schmidt's Woods is one of the last original forests in urban North Jersey. Areas along the river are protected wetlands. Mill Creek Marsh is a park that will connect to the Secaucus Greenway.
Harmon Cove Area
Harmon Cove is the western part of Secaucus, along the Hackensack River. It is south of New Jersey Route 3. The name comes from Hartz Mountain Industries, a company that developed this area. They built a gated community with townhouses and tall apartment buildings in the 1970s.
Part of the Hackensack RiverWalk Secaucus Greenway goes through Harmon Cove. This area is north of Anderson Marsh and Snake Hill, where Hudson County's Laurel Hill Park is located.
NJ Transit used to have a train station here until 2003. Now, NJ Transit bus 329 serves the area. Harmon Cove is also home to the Hudson Regional Hospital and several hotels. Many office and factory buildings are found along Meadowlands Parkway, the main road. The Harmon Cove Outlet Center is a shopping area with discounted goods.
Economy and Business
Secaucus has several large shopping areas. Secaucus Plaza is the "downtown" area. The Outlets offer discounted name-brand items. Many factory outlets are in the Harmon Cove industrial section. Harmon Cove Outlet Center is the biggest outlet mall.
The Mill Creek Mall is on Route 3. The Plaza at Harmon Meadow is a large complex with hotels, restaurants, and shops. It includes the Meadowlands Convention Center and a movie theater. There is also a Walmart and Sam's Club nearby.
Secaucus is home to the main offices of several companies. These include The Children's Place, FiberMedia, Hartz Mountain Industries, and Quest Diagnostics.
In 2011, two big companies moved out of Secaucus. The Manischewitz Company moved its offices to Newark. Panasonic's North American headquarters, which had been in Secaucus since 1973, also moved to Newark. They moved to reduce employee driving and for tax credits.
Secaucus has 11 data centers. This is because it is close to New York City. It also has lower costs and is safer from storms.
Arts and Culture in Secaucus
The indie rock band, The Wrens, named their 1996 album Secaucus. They lived and worked in the town for ten years.
Sports and Entertainment
Since the 2014–15 NBA season, Secaucus has been the official review headquarters for the NBA. All replays of game plays are reviewed here. Referees get guidance from this high-tech center. It has over 94 HD televisions showing every live NBA game.
Several sports companies have their main offices in Secaucus. These include Red Bull New York, Major League Baseball's MLB Network, National Hockey League's NHL Network, and NBA Entertainment/NBA TV. The studios for NBA TV are also where the NBA draft lottery takes place. Secaucus is also home to the men's soccer team, Secaucus FC.
Secaucus was the headquarters for Major League Lacrosse for its first four seasons. The headquarters later moved to Boston.
In February 2014, Secaucus hosted a "Winter Blast" party. This event celebrated Super Bowl XLVIII being played in New Jersey. The party had activities like an ice skating rink.
Government and Community Services
Secaucus is governed by a Mayor and a Town Council. The Mayor is elected by all voters in the town. The Town Council has six members. They are elected from three different areas, called wards. Council members serve four-year terms.
As of 2022, the Mayor of Secaucus is Michael Gonnelli. His term ends on December 31, 2025. The Town Council members are James J. Clancy Sr., Robert V. Constantino, Mark Dehnert, John Gerbasio, William McKeever, and Orietta Turci-Tringali.
In 2018, the average property tax bill in Secaucus was $6,258. This was the lowest in Hudson County.
Fire Department Services
Secaucus has five volunteer fire companies that make up the Secaucus Fire Department. They provide service 24 hours a day. They have four Engines, two Ladders, one Rescue, one squad/brush unit, and one fireboat. These operate from five fire stations around town.
Education in Secaucus
Students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade attend schools in the Secaucus Public Schools district. In the 2020–21 school year, the district had 2,229 students and 187.5 teachers. This means there were about 11.9 students for every teacher.
The schools in the district are:
- Millridge School / Early Learning Center (Pre-K)
- Clarendon Elementary School (Grades K–5)
- Huber Street Elementary School (Grades Pre-K–5)
- Secaucus Middle School (Grades 6–8)
- Secaucus High School (Grades 9–12)
The sports teams at Secaucus High School are called the "Patriots."
In 2018, the Hudson County Schools of Technology moved High Tech High School to a new building in Secaucus. This new school building cost $160 million.
The Nicholas G. Hayek Watchmaking School, started in 2005, offers a two-year program. It teaches students how to repair watches.
Transportation and Travel
_from_the_overpass_for_the_ramp_to_New_Jersey_State_Route_495_(Lincoln_Tunnel_Approach)_in_Secaucus,_Hudson_County,_New_Jersey.jpg)
Secaucus has many ways to get around by road and rail. Because it's in a central spot, many shipping warehouses and truck transfer stations are here. Companies like UPS and many retailers use them. The town also has a large rail yard where goods are moved between trains or to trucks.
Major Roads
Secaucus has many major roads. Route 3 runs east and west. The Eastern Spur of the New Jersey Turnpike (Interstate 95) runs north and south. These roads divide the town into four parts.
The Route 3 bridges cross the Hackensack River to East Rutherford. The eastbound bridge, built in 1934, is being replaced in a $143 million project. Two exits for the Turnpike are in Secaucus: Exit 16E/17 for Route 3 and Route 495 (which leads to the Lincoln Tunnel), and Exit 15X for the Secaucus Junction station.
Public Transport Options
Secaucus is home to NJ Transit's Frank R. Lautenberg Secaucus Junction rail station. This station connects NJ Transit's two train networks in northern New Jersey. It opened in December 2003 and has a large parking lot for commuters.
Many NJ Transit buses serve Secaucus. These include routes 124, 129, 190, and 320 to Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan. The 78 bus goes to Newark, the 2 route to Jersey City, and the 85 route to Hoboken. Local service is provided by the 772 route. There is also a bus park-and-ride in the northeast part of Secaucus.
In the early 1900s, a trolley line ran through Secaucus's main business area. It went from Jersey City across the Hackensack River to East Rutherford.
The closest airport with passenger flights is Newark Liberty International Airport. The nearest train station for longer trips is Newark Penn Station.
Media and Entertainment
Secaucus is part of the New York media market. Most daily newspapers from New York are available here. Local and county news is covered by The Jersey Journal. This newspaper moved its offices to Secaucus in 2014. The Secaucus Reporter is a local weekly newspaper.
WWOR-TV, channel 9, is a television station licensed to Secaucus. It serves the New York area. Its studios were in Secaucus but have since moved to Manhattan. The talk show The Morton Downey Jr. Show was filmed in Secaucus from 1987 to 1989.
A warehouse in Secaucus was used to film the hospital TV show Mercy from 2009 to 2010.
Secaucus was also the original home of the cable news channel MSNBC. Later, MLB Network took over that space.
Notable People from Secaucus
Many interesting people have connections to Secaucus. Some were born here, and others lived or worked in the town.
- Jeff Bittiger (born 1962), a former baseball pitcher for teams like the Philadelphia Phillies.
- Robert John Burck (born 1970), street performer in Times Square.
- Jerry Casale (1933–2019), a former baseball pitcher for the Boston Red Sox.
- Dave Draper (1942–2021), a famous bodybuilder.
- Paul Iacono (born 1988), an actor known for the film Fame. (Born in Secaucus)
- Louis King (born 1999), a college basketball player for the Oregon Ducks.
- Henry B. Krajewski (1912–1966), a pig farmer who ran for political office many times.
- Margarita Levieva (born 1980), an actress.
- Mark Lukasiewicz (born 1973), a former MLB pitcher for the Anaheim Angels.
- Blaine Morris, a cast member on the MTV show Skins.
- Frank MacCormack (born 1954), a former baseball pitcher for the Detroit Tigers.
- Dan Resin (1931–2010), an actor known as Dr. Beeper in the film Caddyshack.
- Ian Roberts (born 1965), a founding member of the Upright Citizens Brigade comedy group.
- Russ (born 1992), a rapper.
- Bart Shatto, an actor.
- Seven Volpone (born 1972), an entrepreneur, singer, and record producer.
See also
In Spanish: Secaucus (Nueva Jersey) para niños
