Wayne, New Jersey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wayne, New Jersey
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Township
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High Mountain Park Preserve
Montclair-Boonton Line crossing the Passaic River
Wayne Route 23 Transit Center
Hobart Manor at William Paterson University
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Map of Wayne in Passaic County. Inset: Location of Passaic County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.
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Census Bureau map of Wayne, New Jersey
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 Wayne, New Jersey
Location in Passaic County, New Jersey
Wayne, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Wayne, 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 | Passaic | |
| Incorporated | April 12, 1847 | |
| Named for | Anthony Wayne | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Faulkner Act (mayor–council) | |
| • Body | Township Council | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 25.14 sq mi (65.11 km2) | |
| • Land | 23.72 sq mi (61.44 km2) | |
| • Water | 1.42 sq mi (3.67 km2) 5.64% | |
| Area rank | 107th of 565 in state 3rd of 16 in county |
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| Elevation | 400 ft (100 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 54,838 | |
| • Estimate
(2023)
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52,764 | |
| • Rank | 33rd of 565 in state 4th of 16 in county |
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| • Density | 2,311.7/sq mi (892.6/km2) | |
| • Density rank | 269th of 565 in state 12th of 16 in county |
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| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT)) | |
| ZIP Codes |
07470, 07474
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| Area code(s) | 862/973 | |
| FIPS code | 3403177840 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0882314 | |
| Website | ||
Wayne is a township in Passaic County, New Jersey. It is home to William Paterson University and is less than 20 miles (32 km) from Midtown Manhattan. Wayne is a bedroom suburb of New York City and a major business area for North Jersey.
In 2020, Wayne had a population of 54,838 people. This was a small increase from 54,717 people in 2010. Wayne became a township on April 12, 1847. It was created from parts of Manchester Township. Later, Totowa was formed from parts of Wayne and Manchester Township in 1898.
Some interesting places in Wayne include William Paterson University, Willowbrook Mall, Wayne Towne Center, High Mountain Park Preserve, and Dey Mansion.
Contents
Wayne's Early History
How Wayne Began
In 1694, a surveyor named Arent Schuyler explored northwestern New Jersey. He was looking for signs of French activity with local Lenape Native Americans. Schuyler found no rebellion, but he discovered a rich river valley where the Lenape grew crops.
He told the British about the area. Then, he convinced a group of investors to buy land in the "Pompton Valley." They bought 5,000 acres (20 km²) in 1695. This area became part of New Barbadoes Township. Schuyler also built the Schuyler-Colfax House around this time.
Wayne During the Revolutionary War
In 1710, the area became part of Saddle River Township. During the American Revolutionary War, General George Washington used the Dey Mansion as his headquarters. He stayed there in July 1780, and again in October and November 1780. Alexander Hamilton, who worked for Washington, also stayed at the house.
Other important figures like Anthony Wayne (who the township is named after) and the Marquis de Lafayette were in the area. Lafayette stayed at the nearby Van Saun House. Near the end of the war, Arent Schuyler's granddaughter, Hester Schuyler, married William Colfax. He was part of Washington's special guard. They lived together at the Schuyler-Colfax House.
Becoming a Township
In 1837, Passaic County was created from parts of Bergen County. Wayne became part of the new Manchester Township. On April 12, 1847, citizens voted to separate from Manchester. They named their new town Wayne.
For many years, Wayne was mostly farmland. It also had some small industries. These included mills for grinding grain, sawing wood, and making cider. There were also blacksmiths and a gunpowder factory.
Wayne's Horse Racing Connection
In 1868, Milton H. Sanford owned a horse farm called Preakness Stud in Wayne. He bought a racehorse for $4,000 and named it Preakness. This horse won its first race in Maryland in 1870. In 1873, a new race for three-year-old horses was named the Preakness Stakes in honor of this horse. Today, the Preakness Stakes is the second race in the famous Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing.
Modern Wayne's Growth
The Morris Canal used to run through Wayne. It helped transport farm goods and coal. Later, railroads replaced the canal. In the early 1900s, Wayne became a popular vacation spot for wealthy New Yorkers. They came by train to stay in small houses around the lakes. Major roads like New Jersey Route 23 and U.S. Route 46 were built through Wayne during the Great Depression.
During World War II, many summer homes in Wayne became year-round homes. This was for people who moved to Wayne to work in war-related jobs. After the war, Wayne grew into a suburb. Farmlands were turned into housing areas. Interstate 80 was also built through the southern part of the township.
Geography and Natural Features
Wayne covers about 25.14 square miles (65.11 km²). Most of this is land, with about 1.42 square miles (3.67 km²) of water.
Wayne shares its borders with 11 other towns. These include Haledon, Little Falls, North Haledon, Pompton Lakes, and Totowa in Passaic County. It also borders towns in Bergen, Essex, and Morris Counties.
Neighborhoods and Lakes
Wayne has many neighborhoods and communities built around its lakes. Some of these include Packanack Lake, Pines Lake, Lions Head Lake, and Tom's Lake. Half of Pompton Lake is also in Wayne. The Passaic River flows through Wayne. Sometimes, it floods near Willowbrook Mall and riverside areas.
Wayne's Climate
Wayne has a climate with warm summers and cold winters.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high °F (°C) | 38 (3) | 41 (5) | 50 (10) | 61 (16) | 72 (22) | 80 (27) | 86 (30) | 83 (28) | 76 (24) | 64 (18) | 54 (12) | 42 (6) | 62 (17) |
| Average low °F (°C) | 20 (-7) | 21 (-6) | 30 (-1) | 40 (4) | 50 (10) | 59 (15) | 64 (18) | 63 (17) | 55 (13) | 42 (6) | 34 (1) | 25 (-4) | 42 (6) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 4.14 (105) | 2.99 (76) | 4.28 (109) | 4.34 (110) | 4.81 (122) | 4.45 (113) | 4.59 (117) | 4.34 (110) | 5.30 (135) | 3.92 (100) | 4.43 (113) | 3.91 (99) | 51.50 (1308) |
People in Wayne
Population Changes Over Time
Wayne's population has grown steadily over the years.
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1850 | 1,162 | — | |
| 1860 | 1,355 | 16.6% | |
| 1870 | 1,521 | 12.3% | |
| 1880 | 1,757 | 15.5% | |
| 1890 | 2,004 | 14.1% | |
| 1900 | 1,985 | * | −0.9% |
| 1910 | 2,281 | 14.9% | |
| 1920 | 2,302 | 0.9% | |
| 1930 | 4,469 | 94.1% | |
| 1940 | 6,868 | 53.7% | |
| 1950 | 11,822 | 72.1% | |
| 1960 | 29,353 | 148.3% | |
| 1970 | 49,141 | 67.4% | |
| 1980 | 46,474 | −5.4% | |
| 1990 | 47,025 | 1.2% | |
| 2000 | 54,069 | 15.0% | |
| 2010 | 54,717 | 1.2% | |
| 2020 | 54,838 | 0.2% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 52,764 | −3.6% | |
| Population sources: 1850–1920 1850–1870 1850 1870 1880–1890 1890–1910 1910–1930 1940–2000 2000 2010 2020 * = Lost territory in previous decade. |
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Diversity in Wayne
Wayne has become more diverse over the years. In 2020, about 72.9% of the population was White (not Hispanic). Other groups included:
- Black or African American: 2.99%
- Asian: 9.42%
- People of two or more races: 2.47%
- Hispanic or Latino (of any race): 11.74%
In 2010, the average household income in Wayne was about $100,638. The average family income was about $117,745.
Wayne's Economy and Shopping
Wayne used to be the main office for Toys "R" Us in the United States. After the company faced financial challenges, the building became home to Getinge, a medical device company. Wayne is also home to the main office of Valley Bank.
Willowbrook Mall is a large indoor shopping mall in Wayne. It has two levels and about 200 stores. It is the fourth-largest mall in New Jersey. The mall was updated in 2018–2019 with new floors, lighting, and restaurants. A new Cinemark movie theater was built where a Sears store used to be. Next to the mall is the Wayne Towne Center, which also has an AMC movie theater.
Sports and Recreation in Wayne
Wayne has a proud sports history. The town's Little League team won the 1970 Little League World Series. The famous horse race, the Preakness Stakes, is named after a racehorse from Wayne's Preakness Stud.
Wayne is home to the Ice Vault ice rink. Famous figure skaters like Johnny Weir and Stéphane Lambiel have trained there. Olympic gold medalist Viktor Petrenko coaches at the rink. It is also home to several hockey teams, including the New Jersey Bandits and the William Paterson University ice hockey team.
The Preakness Hills Country Club, a golf course in Wayne, was designed by Willie Tucker. It opened in 1929.
How Wayne is Governed
Local Government Structure
Wayne is run by a Mayor-Council system. The mayor is elected by voters for a four-year term. The Township Council makes the laws. It has nine members who serve four-year terms. Three council members are elected from the whole town, and one member is elected from each of the six local areas called wards. All these officials are chosen in the November general election.
As of 2023, Wayne's mayor is Republican Christopher P. Vergano. His term ends on December 31, 2025. The Township Council members include Council President Franco Mazzei and others.
Emergency Services
Wayne has its own Police Department with 126 officers. The Wayne Fire Department is made up of five volunteer companies. They have many fire trucks and special vehicles. The Wayne Township Memorial First Aid Squad provides volunteer emergency medical services 24/7. They use ambulances, a mass casualty bus, and other rescue vehicles.
Political Representation
Wayne is part of New Jersey's 9th and 11th Congressional Districts. It is also part of New Jersey's 40th state legislative district.
Education in Wayne
Public Schools
The Wayne Public Schools system serves students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. For the 2022–23 school year, the district had 15 schools and about 7,746 students. The schools include:
- Preakness Early Childhood Center (PreK)
- Nine elementary schools (Kindergarten to 5th grade): Randall Carter, Theunis Dey, James Fallon, John F. Kennedy, Lafayette, Packanack, Pines Lake, Ryerson, and Albert P. Terhune.
- Three middle schools (6th to 8th grade): Schuyler-Colfax, George Washington, and Anthony Wayne.
- Two high schools (9th to 12th grade): Wayne Hills High School and Wayne Valley High School. Students go to one of these based on where they live.
Passaic County Technical Institute is a regional high school for vocational training. It serves students from all over Passaic County. In 2018, PCTI opened a new building for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) programs.
Private Schools
Wayne has several private schools. Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Academy Catholic School and DePaul Catholic High School serve students in grades 9–12. Al-Ghazaly High School, an Islamic high school, moved to Wayne in 2013. Pioneer Academy is another private school for grades K–12.
Higher Education
William Paterson University, founded in 1855, is located in Wayne. It has over 11,500 students in its college and graduate programs.
Passaic County Community College also has a Public Safety Academy in Wayne. It offers training for firefighters and emergency medical workers. Next to it is the Passaic County Police Academy, which trains police recruits.
Transportation in Wayne
Roads and Highways
Wayne has many roads, totaling about 229.48 miles (369.30 km). Major highways that cross through Wayne include Interstate 80, U.S. Route 46, U.S. Route 202, and Route 23.
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Public Transit Options
NJ Transit provides train service to Wayne at the Mountain View and Wayne Route 23 stations. These trains go to Hoboken Terminal, where you can connect to trains for New York Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan. The Wayne-Route 23 station opened in January 2008.
There is also regular bus service from Wayne to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan. Local bus services are also available.
Wayne is about 25.9 miles (41.7 km) from Newark Liberty International Airport and 30 miles (48 km) from LaGuardia Airport.
Notable People from Wayne
Many interesting people have lived in or are connected to Wayne. Here are a few:
- David Ackroyd (born 1940), an actor known for TV shows.
- Marina Alex (born 1990), a professional golfer.
- Joseph Brain (born 1940), a scientist who studies health and the environment.
- Joseph Bubba (born 1938), a politician who served in the New Jersey Senate.
- Chris Carter (born 1959), a founding member of the band Dramarama.
- Mike Chlasciak (born 1971), a guitarist for the heavy metal band Halford.
- Cecil B. DeMille (1881–1959), a famous film director.
- Nickolette Driesse (born 1994), a soccer player.
- Lou Duva (1922–2017), a Hall of Fame boxing trainer.
- John Easdale (born 1961), lead singer of the band Dramarama.
- Lisa Edelstein (born 1966), an actress known for the TV show House.
- Jazmine Fenlator (born 1985), an Olympic bobsledder.
- Alice Guy-Blaché (1873–1968), a French pioneer and one of the first female filmmakers.
- Paulie Harraka (born 1989), a stock car racing driver.
- Brandon Jacobs (born 1982), a running back who played for the New York Giants.
- Jonathan Lebed (born 1984), a stock trader.
- Felicia Lee (born 1992), a swimmer on the U.S. National Team.
- Marc Maron (born 1963), a comedian and podcaster.
- Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels (born 1964), a hip hop artist from Run-D.M.C.
- Greg Olsen (born 1985), a former NFL tight end and now a sports commentator.
- Sam Porcello (1935–2012), a food scientist who helped create the Oreo cookie filling.
- Queen Latifah (born 1970), a famous singer and actress.
- Ryan Quigley (born 1990), a punter for the New York Jets.
- Robert A. Roe (1924–2014), a former U.S. Representative and mayor of Wayne.
- Francesca Russo (born 1995), a fencer who competed in the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics.
- Danielle Staub (born 1962), a cast member on The Real Housewives of New Jersey.
- Holly Taylor (born 1997), an actress known for the TV series The Americans.
- Albert Payson Terhune (1872–1942), an author and dog breeder.
- David Tyree (born 1980), a wide receiver for the New York Giants.
- Kathy Wakile (born 1965), a cast member on The Real Housewives of New Jersey.
- Louise Currie Wilmot (born 1942), a retired U.S. Navy rear admiral.
See also
In Spanish: Wayne (Nueva Jersey) para niños
