Westfield, New Jersey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Westfield, New Jersey
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Town
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Downtown Westfield
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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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 Westfield, New Jersey
Location in Union County, New Jersey
Westfield, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Westfield, 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 | Union | |
| Formed | January 27, 1794 | |
| Incorporated | February 21, 1798 (as township) | |
| Reincorporated | March 4, 1903 (as town) | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Special charter | |
| • Body | Town Council | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 6.74 sq mi (17.46 km2) | |
| • Land | 6.72 sq mi (17.42 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.02 sq mi (0.05 km2) 0.28% | |
| Area rank | 246th of 565 in state 5th of 21 in county |
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| Elevation | 118 ft (36 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 31,032 | |
| • Estimate
(2023)
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30,559 | |
| • Rank | 77th of 565 in state 5th of 21 in county |
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| • Density | 4,615.1/sq mi (1,781.9/km2) | |
| • Density rank | 126th of 565 in state 12th of 21 in county |
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| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT)) | |
| ZIP Codes |
07090–07091
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| Area code(s) | 908 | |
| FIPS code | 3403979040 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0885436 | |
Westfield is a town in Union County, New Jersey. It is located about 16 miles southwest of Manhattan. In 2020, the town had a population of 31,032 people. This was a small increase from the 2010 population of 30,316.
Westfield is known for being a safe place to live. In 2014, it was ranked as the 30th safest city in the United States. It is also known for having high incomes. In 2017, the average household income in Westfield was $159,923. This was more than double the average for the entire state of New Jersey.
Contents
- Westfield's Past: A Look at Its History
- Where is Westfield? Geography and Surroundings
- Life in Westfield: Community and Downtown
- Parks and Recreation: Green Spaces to Explore
- Westfield's Population: A Snapshot of Its People
- Education: Schools in Westfield
- Getting Around: Transportation in Westfield
- Services: Keeping Westfield Running Smoothly
- Media: Staying Informed in Westfield
- Culture: A Rich Community Life
- Notable People: Famous Faces from Westfield
- Images for kids
- See also
Westfield's Past: A Look at Its History
Westfield got its name because it was located in the "fields west of Elizabeth Town." For over 100 years, it was called "West Fields." The first settlers arrived in 1720. This area was part of the Elizabethtown Tract.
Westfield officially became a township on January 27, 1794. This happened when it was still part of Essex County. On February 21, 1798, it became one of New Jersey's first 104 townships. Later, on March 19, 1857, it became part of the new Union County. Over the years, parts of Westfield Township were used to create other towns. These include Rahway Township, Plainfield Township, Cranford Township, Fanwood Township (now Scotch Plains), and Mountainside. Finally, on March 4, 1903, Westfield became a town, replacing the township.
Where is Westfield? Geography and Surroundings
Westfield covers about 6.74 square miles (17.46 square kilometers). Most of this area is land. Only a small part, 0.02 square miles (0.05 square kilometers), is water.
Some smaller areas and place names within Westfield include Germantown and Tamaques Reservation Mill.
Westfield is surrounded by six other towns:
- Mountainside to the north
- Springfield Township to the northeast
- Garwood and Cranford to the east
- Clark to the southeast
- Scotch Plains to the west and southwest
The Rahway River Parkway runs through Westfield. This parkway follows parts of the Rahway River. The Robinson's Branch of the Rahway River also flows through the southern part of Westfield. It leads to the Robinson's Branch Reservoir, also known as the Clark Reservoir. Westfield is about an hour away from Manhattan.
Life in Westfield: Community and Downtown
Westfield Memorial Library: A Hub for Learning
The Westfield Memorial Library started in 1873 as a book club. Today, it is a large, modern library. It has over 250,000 books and many public computers. There is a big area for kids with a colorful mural showing Westfield's history. The library offers classes for all ages, story times for children, and computer lessons.
Downtown Westfield: Shopping, Dining, and Fun
_just_north_of_New_Jersey_State_Route_28_(North_Avenue)_in_Westfield,_Union_County,_New_Jersey.jpg)
Westfield's downtown area is a lively place. It has many local shops and well-known stores. You can find over 40 restaurants and casual dining spots. The downtown area is mostly north of the Westfield train station. Many businesses have been there for 25 years or more.
Downtown Westfield is a popular spot in New Jersey. It has over 200 shops and 400 businesses. The Downtown Westfield Corporation (DWC) helps manage and improve the area. The DWC works to promote the downtown, plan special events, and improve buildings. In 2004, Westfield won the Great American Main Street Award. In 2010, it won the America in Bloom contest for its size. People from all over the state come to shop and eat in Westfield.
There are several war memorials in a plaza downtown. These honor those who served in the Korean War, World War II, the Spanish–American War, and the Vietnam War. The September 11 Memorial Park is also there. It remembers Westfield residents who died in the September 11 terrorist attacks.
Downtown Westfield hosts many events and festivals. In the summer, jazz groups play live music every Tuesday night. In October 2018, the first AddamsFest was held. It honored Westfield resident Charles Addams, who created The Addams Family. Other festivals include the Spring Fling and FestiFall.
Parks and Recreation: Green Spaces to Explore
Westfield has several parks for everyone to enjoy:
- Brightwood Park
- Gumbert Park
- Lenape Park is a large wildlife reserve and park. It is part of Union County's Rahway River Parkway. This park also includes parts of Cranford, Kenilworth, and Springfield Township. A paved path, about 4.5 miles long, runs through Lenape Park.
- Mindowaskin Park
- Tamaques Park
- Gary Kehler Stadium is named after Gary Kehler. He was a football coach at Westfield High School and lived in the town for a long time.
Westfield's Population: A Snapshot of Its People
| Historical population | |||
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| 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% | |
| 2020 | 31,032 | 2.4% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 30,559 | 0.8% | |
| Population sources: 1810–1920 1840 1850–1870 1850 1870 1880–1890 1890–1910 1910–1930 1940–2000 2000 2010 2020 * = Lost territory in previous decade. |
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2020 Census: Who Lives Here?
In 2020, Westfield had 31,032 people and 10,426 households. The town had about 4,615 people per square mile. Most residents, about 78.23%, were White. About 8.85% were Asian, and 2.62% were Black or African American. People of Hispanic or Latino background made up 7.24% of the population.
About 42.5% of households had children under 18. Most households (71.7%) were married couples. The average household had 2.93 people. The average family had 3.37 people. About 28.3% of the population was under 18. About 14.7% were 65 or older. The average age in Westfield was 40.4 years.
2010 Census: A Look Back
In 2010, Westfield had 30,316 people. There were 10,566 households and 8,199 families. The population density was about 4,512 people per square mile. The racial makeup was similar to 2020. About 88.17% were White, 5.67% Asian, and 3.25% Black or African American. Hispanic or Latino people made up 4.92% of the population.
About 43.1% of households had children under 18. Most households (68.0%) were married couples. The average household had 2.85 people. The average family had 3.31 people. About 30.0% of the population was under 18. About 13.1% were 65 or older. The average age was 41.0 years.
Education: Schools in Westfield
Public school students in Westfield attend Westfield Public Schools. The district has 10 schools. In the 2018–19 school year, there were 6,304 students and about 500 teachers. This means there were about 12.6 students for every teacher.
The district has:
- One kindergarten center (Lincoln Early Childhood Center)
- Six elementary schools (grades 1–5): Franklin, Jefferson, McKinley, Tamaques, Washington, and Wilson
- Two middle schools (grades 6–8): Roosevelt Intermediate School and Thomas Alva Edison Intermediate School
- One high school (grades 9–12): Westfield High School
Students in Union County can also apply to special schools. These include the Union County Vocational Technical Schools. These schools offer programs like the Union County Magnet High School and the Union County Academy for Performing Arts.
Holy Trinity School is a Catholic school in Westfield. It serves students from pre-kindergarten to 8th grade. It is run by local churches and is part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark.
Getting Around: Transportation in Westfield
Roads and Highways: Driving Through Town
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As of 2010, Westfield had about 108.63 miles of roads. Most of these roads are maintained by the town. The main road in Westfield is Route 28. It runs next to the train tracks. You can also reach Westfield from Exits 135 and 137 of the Garden State Parkway. Or you can use the Lawrence, Mountain, or Springfield Avenue exits from U.S. Route 22.
Public Transportation: Trains and Buses
NJ Transit offers train service from the Westfield train station. Trains on the Raritan Valley Line go to Newark Penn Station. From there, you can connect to New York Penn Station. During certain times, you can even take a direct train to New York Penn Station. This makes Westfield a good place for people who travel to New York City for work or school. A one-way trip to New York Penn Station can take about 50 minutes.
NJ Transit also has bus routes. The 113 bus goes to New York City's Port Authority Bus Terminal. This trip takes about one hour. Other bus routes, like the 114 and 117, run along Route 22. The 59 bus provides local service between Plainfield and Newark.
Newark Liberty International Airport is about 20 minutes away. You can get there by Route 22 or by NJ Transit trains. Linden Airport, a smaller airport, is also nearby in Linden, New Jersey.
Services: Keeping Westfield Running Smoothly
Verizon Communications provides residential telephone service. Comcast supplies cable television. They also broadcast Westfield Community Television (channel 36) and News 12 New Jersey (channel 62). Verizon FiOS also offers digital cable, high-speed internet, and phone service.
Electricity is provided by the Public Service Electric and Gas Company. Gas comes from Elizabethtown Gas. Water is supplied by American Water of New Jersey. Recycling is picked up every two weeks by private companies. Trash is also collected by private companies hired by residents.
Media: Staying Informed in Westfield
Westfield has its own weekly newspaper, The Westfield Leader. Other newspapers that cover the area include the Courier News and The Star-Ledger. Westfield Patch and TAPInto Westfield are online news sources. They provide local news that is updated often.
Westfield + Cranford Local is a monthly magazine. It covers news and stories from both Westfield and Cranford.
Westfield Community Television (WCT): Local TV
Westfield Community Television (WCT) is the local community access channel 36. It operates from the Municipal Building. WCT shows community programs and town council meetings. It also has a bulletin board with local information. WCT shares time on channel 36 with Blue Devil Television. This channel is from Westfield High School and produces many original shows each year.
Culture: A Rich Community Life
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Metropolis of New Jersey has its main office in Westfield.
Notable People: Famous Faces from Westfield
- Marc Acito (born 1966), a writer and humorist.
- Charles Addams (1912–1988), a famous cartoonist who created The Addams Family.
- Virginia Apgar (1909–1974), a doctor who created the Apgar score for checking newborn babies' health.
- Billy Ard (born 1959), a former NFL football player for the New York Giants.
- Robert L. Barchi (born 1946), the former president of Rutgers University.
- Bryan Beller (born 1971), a bass guitarist who has played with famous musicians.
- Jon Bramnick (born 1953), a member of the New Jersey General Assembly.
- Dave Brown (born 1970), a former NFL quarterback.
- Chris Campbell (born 1954), an Olympic bronze medalist in wrestling.
- Michael Chertoff (born 1953), a former United States Secretary of Homeland Security.
- Chris Christie (born 1962), a former Governor of New Jersey.
- Bob Clotworthy (1931–2018), an Olympic gold medalist in diving.
- Nicholas Delpopolo (born 1989), a judo athlete who competed in the Olympics.
- Tamecka Dixon (born 1975), a former WNBA basketball player.
- Kevin Feige (born 1973), a film producer and President of Marvel Studios.
- Langston Hughes (1902–1967), a famous poet.
- Zora Neale Hurston (1891–1960), a folklorist and writer.
- Jared Isaacman (born 1983), an entrepreneur, pilot, and commercial astronaut.
- Robert Kaplow (born 1954), a teacher and novelist.
- Thomas Kean Jr. (born 1968), a New Jersey State Senator.
- Kevin Kelly (born 1952), the founder of Wired magazine.
- Christian J. Lambertsen (1917–2011), known as "the father of the Frogmen."
- Andrew McCarthy (born 1962), an actor.
- Sy Montgomery (born 1958), a naturalist and author.
- Patrick Morrisey (born 1967), the Attorney General of West Virginia.
- Laura Overdeck, an entrepreneur and founder of Bedtime Math.
- Paul Robeson (1898–1976), a famous athlete, actor, singer, and activist.
- John Rzeznik (born 1965), the lead singer of the Goo Goo Dolls.
- Coleen Sexton (born 1979), an actress who made her Broadway debut in Jekyll & Hyde.
- Matthew Sklar (born 1973), a Tony Award-nominated composer for Broadway musicals.
- Jessica St. Clair (born 1976), an actress and comedian.
- Jeff Torborg (born 1941), a former MLB player and manager.
- P. Roy Vagelos (born 1929), former chairman and CEO of Merck & Co..
- Harrison A. Williams (1919–2001), a former U.S. Senator.
- Malinda Williams (born 1975), an actress.
Images for kids
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Miller-Cory House Museum
See also
In Spanish: Westfield (Nueva Jersey) para niños
