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Westfield, New Jersey Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.
Westfield, New Jersey facts for kids
| Westfield, New Jersey | |
|---|---|
| Town | |
Miller-Cory House Museum
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|
 Map of Westfield in Union County. Inset: Location of Union County highlighted in the State of New Jersey. |
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 Census Bureau map of Westfield, New Jersey |
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  New Jersey |
| County | Union |
| Formed | January 27, 1794 |
| Incorporated | February 21, 1798, as township |
| Reincorporated | March 4, 1903, as town |
| Area | |
| • Total | 6.743 sq mi (17.463 km2) |
| • Land | 6.719 sq mi (17.401 km2) |
| • Water | 0.024 sq mi (0.062 km2) 0.36% |
| Area rank | 245th of 566 in state 5th of 21 in county |
| Elevation | 118 ft (36 m) |
| Population (2010 Census) | |
| • Total | 30,316 |
| • Estimate (2015) | 30,548 |
| • Rank | 74th of 566 in state 5th of 21 in county |
| • Density | 4,512.2/sq mi (1,742.2/km2) |
| • Density rank | 127th of 566 in state 12th of 21 in county |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | Eastern (EDT) (UTC-4) |
| ZIP codes | 07090-07091 |
| Area code(s) | 908 |
| FIPS code | 3403979040 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0885436 |
| Website | Official website |
Westfield is a town in Union County of New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town's population was 30,316, reflecting an increase of 672 (+2.3%) from the 29,644 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 774 (+2.7%) from the 28,870 counted in the 1990 Census. According to a 2014 nationwide survey, Westfield is considered to be the 30th-safest city to live in the United States.
Contents
History
The old village area, now the downtown district, was settled in 1720 as part of the Elizabethtown Tract. Westfield was originally formed as a township on January 27, 1794, from portions of Elizabeth Township, while the area was still part of Essex County, and was incorporated on February 21, 1798, as one of New Jersey's initial group of 104 townships by an act of the New Jersey Legislature. It became part of the newly formed Union County on March 19, 1857. Portions of the township have been taken to form Rahway Township (February 27, 1804), Plainfield Township (April 5, 1847), Cranford Township (March 14, 1871), Fanwood Township (March 6, 1878; now known as Scotch Plains) and Mountainside (September 25, 1895). The Town of Westfield was incorporated on March 4, 1903, replacing Westfield Township. The name of the town is derived from its location in the western, undeveloped fields of the Elizabethtown tract.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town had a total area of 6.743 square miles (17.463 km2), including 6.719 square miles (17.401 km2) of land and 0.024 square miles (0.062 km2) of water (0.36%).
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Germantown.
Six municipalities border the town of Westfield: Mountainside to the north, Springfield Township to the northeast, Garwood and Cranford to the east, Clark to the southeast, and Scotch Plains to the west and southwest.
Neighborhoods
Westfield consists of two sides of the town, the North Side and the South Side. Neighborhoods include Brightwood, Country Club Estates, The Gardens, Indian Forest, Kimball Avenue Historic District, Manor Park, Stonehenge, Stoneleigh Park and Wychwood.
Community
Library
The Westfield Memorial Library was founded in 1873 as the "Every Saturday Book Club" and has evolved over the past century into the Westfield Memorial Library of today. The Library is located in a large, modern, Williamsburg-style building at 550 East Broad Street. The library's collection consists of over 250,000 books, two dozen public computers, a wide array of multimedia options, a large youth services area with a vivid mural depicting Westfield history, and multiple tables and carrels for studying. The library offers classes for adults and children, storytimes for children, and computer instruction.
Downtown
Westfield's downtown features many local and national stores, such as Lord & Taylor and several landmarks that were shown and used in the NBC network television show Ed such as the Rialto Theater. There are over 40 restaurants and casual dining establishments throughout the downtown. Downtown is located mostly north of the Westfield train station. The downtown area has a mix of independent stores and boutiques as well as national stores. Over one-third of the retailers and restaurants have existed for 25 years or more.
Downtown Westfield, with over 200 retail establishments and 400 commercial enterprises, is a regional destination in New Jersey. The Downtown Westfield Corporation (DWC) manages the Special Improvement District (SID) area's growth and enhancement. The DWC participates in the National Main Street program associated with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. It is funded by a SID assessment on downtown properties and operates as the district's management agency. The DWC sponsors marketing efforts and promotions, special event planning, urban design and building improvement projects. The DWC works closely with the town government and volunteer groups to improve the downtown area. In 2004, Westfield won the Great American Main Street Award from the National Trust. In 2010, Westfield was the winner of the America in Bloom contest for communities with a population of 25,001–50,000 against the other two towns entered in their category. Shopping and dining in Westfield attracts citizens from other communities across the state.
Several war memorials (including ones dedicated to the Korean War, World War II, and the Spanish–American War) are located in a plaza near the downtown. The plaza is also home to the September 11 Memorial Park, which pays special tribute to the residents of Westfield who died in the September 11 terrorist attacks.
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1810 | 2,152 | — | |
| 1820 | 2,358 | 9.6% | |
| 1830 | 2,492 | 5.7% | |
| 1840 | 3,150 | 26.4% | |
| 1850 | 1,577 | * | −49.9% |
| 1860 | 1,719 | 9.0% | |
| 1870 | 2,753 | 60.2% | |
| 1880 | 2,216 | * | −19.5% |
| 1890 | 2,739 | 23.6% | |
| 1900 | 4,328 | * | 58.0% |
| 1910 | 6,420 | 48.3% | |
| 1920 | 9,063 | * | 41.2% |
| 1930 | 15,801 | 74.3% | |
| 1940 | 18,458 | 16.8% | |
| 1950 | 21,243 | 15.1% | |
| 1960 | 31,447 | 48.0% | |
| 1970 | 33,720 | 7.2% | |
| 1980 | 30,447 | −9.7% | |
| 1990 | 28,870 | −5.2% | |
| 2000 | 29,644 | 2.7% | |
| 2010 | 30,316 | 2.3% | |
| Est. 2015 | 30,548 | 0.8% | |
| Population sources: 1810–1920 1840 1850–1870 1850 1870 1880–1890 1890–1910 1910–1930 1930–1990 2000 2010 * = Lost territory in previous decade. |
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Westfield has a significant Jewish community.
2010 Census
As of the census of 2010, there were 30,316 people, 10,566 households, and 8,199 families residing in the town. The population density was 4,512.2 per square mile (1,742.2/km2). There were 10,950 housing units at an average density of 1,629.8 per square mile (629.3/km2)*. The racial makeup of the town was 88.17% (26,729) White, 3.25% (984) Black or African American, 0.12% (36) Native American, 5.67% (1,718) Asian, 0.03% (10) Pacific Islander, 0.79% (241) from other races, and 1.97% (598) from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.92% (1,492) of the population.
There were 10,566 households out of which 43.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.0% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.4% were non-families. 19.2% 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 2.85 and the average family size was 3.31.
In the town, the population was spread out with 30.0% under the age of 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 22.5% from 25 to 44, 29.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.0 years. For every 100 females there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and old there were 87.2 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $127,799 (with a margin of error of +/− $10,580) and the median family income was $150,797 (+/− $11,480). Males had a median income of $111,762 (+/− $7,767) versus $71,217 (+/− $5,624) for females. The per capita income for the town was $63,498 (+/− $4,577). About 0.9% of families and 2.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.4% of those under age 18 and 2.0% of those age 65 or over.
2000 Census
As of the 2000 United States Census there were 29,644 people, 10,622 households, and 8,178 families residing in the town. The population density was 4,403.1 people per square mile (1,700.7/km²). There were 10,819 housing units at an average density of 1,607.0 per square mile (620.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 89.98% White, 3.88% African American, 0.09% Native American, 4.08% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.62% from other races, and 1.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.82% of the population.
There were 10,622 households out of which 40.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.0% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.0% were non-families. Of all households, 19.3% were made up of individuals and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.20.
In the town, the population was spread out with 28.4% under the age of 18, 4.0% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 92.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $98,390, and the median income for a family was $112,145. Males had a median income of $82,420 versus $45,305 for females. The per capita income for the town was $47,187. About 1.7% of families and 2.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.3% of those under age 18 and 3.1% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation
Roads and highways
As of May 2010[update], the town had a total of 108.63 miles (174.82 km) of roadways, of which 96.69 miles (155.61 km) were maintained by the municipality, 9.94 miles (16.00 km) by Union County and 2.00 miles (3.22 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation. Westfield can be accessed by Exits 135 and 137 of the nearby Garden State Parkway, or by the Lawrence, Mountain, or Springfield Avenue exits of U.S. Route 22. A two-mile segment of New Jersey Route 28 runs alongside the commuter railroad that marks the boundary between the town's North and South Sides.
Public transportation
NJ Transit (NJT) provides passenger rail service from the Westfield train station on the Raritan Valley Line to Newark Penn Station with connecting service to New York Penn Station. Westfield riders are able to make a one-seat ride into NY Penn Station during weekday off-peak hours. Westfield's position and schedule on the Raritan Valley Line make it highly desirable for commuters, as several times in the morning and evening rush hours a non-stop service operates to/from Newark Penn Station. On these non-stop services, the one-way journey time to/from NY Penn Station is 50 minutes, or 20 minutes to/from Newark Penn Station. The NJT 113 bus route provides one-seat service to New York City's Port Authority Bus Terminal seven days per week from the town center, taking approximately one hour to NYC, with additional service available along Route 22 on the northern edge of the town (NJT bus routes 114 and 117), taking approximately 45 minutes. The 59 route provides local bus service between Plainfield and Newark.
Newark Liberty International Airport is approximately 20 minutes away, most conveniently reached via Route 22 or NJT trains. Linden Airport, a general aviation facility, is in nearby Linden, New Jersey.
Private transportation
A number of taxicab companies operate out of Westfield, mostly for transportation to and from airports. The Uber on-demand car service has recently increased in popularity in the area.
Services
Residential telephone service is provided by Verizon Communications. Westfield cable television is supplied by Comcast [1], which also delivers Westfield Community Television (channel 36), News 12 New Jersey (channel 62), and Scotch Plains Local Access Channel (channel 34) Verizon FiOS is also offered in Westfield, which gives the option of digital cable, high-speed internet and telephone service. Power is supplied through the Public Service Electric and Gas Company. Gas is supplied by Elizabethtown Gas and water by American Water of New Jersey. Recycling is collected curbside by private haulers contracted by the Department of Public Works on a biweekly basis, while trash is collected by private haulers hired by residents.
Culture
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Metropolis of New Jersey is headquartered in Westfield.
Images for kids
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Presbyterian Church of Westfield as seen from Mindowaskin Park near the downtown area