Rochelle Park, New Jersey

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Rochelle Park, New Jersey
settlement_type = Township
nickname =
motto =

imagesize =
image_caption =


image_

---

mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Map highlighting Rochelle Park's location within Bergen County. Inset: Bergen County's location within New Jersey.


mapsize1 = 250x200px
map_caption1 = Census Bureau map of Rochelle Park, New Jersey

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = New Jersey
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Bergen
government_footnotes =
government_type = Township
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Joseph Scarpa (R, 2008)
leader_title1 = Administrator
leader_name1 = Michael Mariniello [ [http://rochelleparknj.gov/General%20Info/Township%20Officials.htm Township Officials] , Township of Rochelle Park. Accessed December 17, 2007.]
established_title = Incorporated
established_date = March 7, 1871 as "Midland Township"
established_title1 = Reincorporated
established_date1 = November 5, 1929 as "Rochelle Park"

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 2.7
area_land_km2 = 2.7
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 1.0
area_land_sq_mi = 1.0
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2006
population_footnotes =
population_total = 6027
population_density_km2 = 2041.6
population_density_sq_mi = 5287.7

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes = [Gnis|882307|Township of Rochelle Park, Geographic Names Information System, accessed December 17, 2007.]
elevation_m = 18
elevation_ft = 59
latd = 40 |latm = 54 |lats = 24 |latNS = N
longd = 74 |longm = 4 |longs = 41 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 07662
area_code = 201
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 34-63990GR|2 [ [http://mcdc2.missouri.edu/webrepts/commoncodes/ccc_nj.html A Cure for the Common Codes: New Jersey] , Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed July 14, 2008.] [ [http://mcdc2.missouri.edu/webrepts/commoncodes/ccc_nj.html A Cure for the Common Codes: New Jersey] , Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed July 14, 2008.]
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0882307GR|3
website = http://rochelleparknj.gov
footnotes =

Rochelle Park is a township in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 5,528.

What is now Rochelle Park was incorporated as Midland Township on March 7, 1871, from portions of New Barbadoes Township. Rochelle Park was formed as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on November 5, 1929, replacing Midland Township, based on the results of a referendum held on that same day that passed by a 503-69 margin."The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. pp. 81, 86.] The main impetus behind the change in name was to avoid confusion with the nearby community of Midland Park. [http://rochelleparknj.gov/History/Officially%20Rochelle%20Park/officially_rochelle_park__page_2.htm Officially Rochelle Park] , Township of Rochelle Park. Accessed July 6, 2007. "Little noticed by the world in general, on November 5, 1929, a week after the Crash, Midland Township changed its name to Rochelle Park. Residents voted 503 to 69 to end the confusion with Midland Park."]

Geography

Rochelle Park is located at coor dms|40|54|24|N|74|4|41|W|city (40.906553, -74.077972)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 1.0 square miles (2.7 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

USCensusPop
1900= 519
1910= 591
1920= 882
1930= 1768
1940= 2511
1950= 4483
1960= 6119
1970= 6380
1980= 5603
1990= 5587
2000= 5528
estimate=6114
estyear=2007
estref= [http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFPopulation?_event=ChangeGeoContext&geo_id=06000US3400363990&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US34%7C05000US34003%7C06000US3400363690&_street=&_county=rochelle+park&_cityTown=rochelle+park&_state=04000US34&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=010&_submenuId=population_0&ds_name=null&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null&reg=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry= Census data for Rochelle Park] , United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 9, 2008.]
footnote=Population 1930 - 1990 [ [http://www.wnjpin.net/OneStopCareerCenter/LaborMarketInformation/lmi01/poptrd6.htm New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990] , Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed March 1, 2007.] [ [http://www.co.bergen.nj.us/planning/data/HistoricalPop.pdf Historical Population Trends in Bergen County (1900 - 2000)] , Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed December 23, 2007.] As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 5,528 people, 2,061 households, and 1,393 families residing in the township. The population density was 5,287.7 people per square mile (2,032.7/km²). There were 2,111 housing units at an average density of 2,019.2/sq mi (776.2/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 90.09% White, 0.45% African American, 0.04% Native American, 6.02% Asian, 2.03% from other races, and 1.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.57% of the population.

There were 2,061 households out of which 26.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.7% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.4% were non-families. 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the township the population was spread out with 18.7% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 23.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 84.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.2 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $60,818, and the median income for a family was $74,016. Males had a median income of $43,580 versus $36,827 for females. The per capita income for the township was $25,054. About 0.4% of families and 2.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.2% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government

Rochelle Park is governed under the Township form of government with a five-member Township Committee. The Township Committee is elected directly by the voters in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with one or two seats coming up for election each year. ["2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book", Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 157.] At an annual reorganization meeting, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and another as Deputy Mayor.

The Rochelle Park Township Committee consists of Mayor [http://www.rochelleparknj.gov/Township%20Committe/Scarpa/Joseph%20Scarpa.htm Joseph Scarpa] (R, term ends December 31, 2008), [http://www.rochelleparknj.gov/Township%20Committe/Kovalcik/JKovalcik.htm Jay Kovalcik] (R, 2010), [http://www.rochelleparknj.gov/Township%20Committe/Lotz/Wilbur%20J.Lotz.htm Wilbur Lotz] (R, 2009), [http://www.rochelleparknj.gov/Township%20Committe/Strohmeyer/Phyllis%20A%20Strohmeyer.htm Phyllis Strohmeyer] (R, 2009) and [http://www.rochelleparknj.gov/Township%20Committe/Valenzuela/FValenzuela.htm Frank Valenzuela] (R, 2008). [ [http://www.rochelleparknj.gov/Township%20Committe/Township%20Committee.htm Meet the Township Committee] , Township of Rochelle Park. Accessed February 26, 2007.] ["County of Bergen: 2007 County and Municipal Directory", Bergen County, New Jersey, p. 61.]

In elections held on November 6, 2007, voters turned out to fill a single seat on the Township Committee. Incumbent Republican Kenneth Kovalcik (508 votes) ran unopposed and won a new three-year term in office. The win retains full Republican control on the 2008 committee [ [http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkyJmZnYmVsN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk3MjE0MzA1 "Rochelle Park election"] , "The Record (Bergen County)", October 28, 2007. Accessed December 17, 2007.] [ [http://www.northjersey.com/dngmedia/media_server/tr/2007/11/06election/bergencounty2007.html Bergen County election results] , "The Record (Bergen County)", November 7, 2007. Accessed November 10, 2007.]

On Election Day, November 7, 2006, voters filled two full three-year terms and a single two-year unexpired term on the Township Council, and also voted on a non-binding resolution requesting compensation for a property Bergen County is planning to acquire. As of Election Day, the council was comprised entirely of Republicans, in a community where registered Republicans outnumbered Democrats by an 8-7 margin. In the three-year race, incumbent Republicans Phyllis Strohmeyer (992) and Wilbur Lotz (919) won re-election, defeating Independent James Pallouras (694), who had served on the Township Council in the 1980s, including five years as mayor. In the race for the unexpired term, Francis Valenzuela (1,035) ran unopposed to serve the balance of the term. A non-binding ballot item asking if the township should oppose plans by Bergen County to acquire the Board of Social Services property unless the County compensated the township for $280,000 in lost tax revenue, passed by a 1,067-177 margin. [ [http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkyJmZnYmVsN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk3MDEzNzQ3 Rochelle Park Election Guide] , "The Record (Bergen County)", November 1, 2006.] [Election 2006: Municipal Results", "The Record (Bergen County)", November 8, 2006.] [ [http://151.198.187.55/countyclerk/2006%20General/2006_General.pdf Bergen County 2006 General Election Results] , accessed February 1, 2007.]

Federal, state and county representation

Rochelle Park is in the Fifth Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 37th Legislative District. [ [http://www.lwvnj.org/pubs/CG06.pdf 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government] , New Jersey League of Women Voters, p. 63. Accessed August 30, 2006.]

Politics

As of April 1, 2006, out of a 2004 Census estimated population of 5,734 in Rochelle Park, there were 3,393 registered voters (59.2% of the population, vs. 55.4% in all of Bergen County). Of registered voters, 648 (19.1% vs. 20.7% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 599 (17.7% vs. 19.2% countywide) were registered as Republicans and 2,145 (63.2% vs. 60.1% countywide) were registered as Undeclared. There was one voter registered to another party. ["County of Bergen: Voter Statistics by Municipality, Ward & District," dated April 1, 2006.]

On the national level, Rockleigh leans towards the Republican Party. In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 56% of the vote here, edging Democrat John Kerry, who received around 43%. [ [http://www.nj.gov/lps/elections/2004results/04_Municipality_pdf%27s/presidential_bergen_co_2004.pdf 2004 Presidential Election results: Bergen County] , New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety, Division of Elections, dated December 13, 2004.]

Education

The Rochelle Park School District serves public school students in prekindergarten through eighth grade. Midland School opened in 1925, serving K-8 back then as well, with students attending Hackensack High School after completing studies at Midland School. As of the 2005-06 school year, Midland School had an enrollment of 471 students. [ [http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3414070 Data for the Rochelle Park Board of Education] , National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed May 1, 2008.]

Students in public school for grades 9 - 12 attend Hackensack High School in Hackensack, as part of a sending/receiving relationship with the Hackensack Public Schools, together with students from Maywood and South Hackensack. [ [http://education.state.nj.us/rc/rc06/narrative/03/1860/03-1860-050.html Hackensack High School 2006 Report Card Narrative] , New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 12, 2008. "Hackensack High School serves the communities of Hackensack, South Hackensack, Maywood and Rochelle Park."]

Transportation

New Jersey Transit bus routes 144, 145, 148, 162, 163, 164, 175, 709, 712, 758, and 770 serves Rochelle Park. [ [http://www.njtransit.com/sf/sf_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=BusRoutesBergenCountyTo Routes by County: Bergen County] , New Jersey Transit. Accessed August 8, 2008.]

Route 17 and the Garden State Parkway travels through Rochelle Park.

Commerce

Rochelle Park is the business headquarters for specialty retailer United Retail Group, which is a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange.

References

External links

* [http://rochelleparknj.gov/ Rochelle Park official website]
* [http://rp.bergen.org/ Rochelle Park Board of Education]
*NJReportCard|03|4470|0|Rochelle Park Board of Education
* [http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3414070 Data for the Rochelle Park Board of Education] , National Center for Education Statistics