Clifton, New Jersey

Clifton is a city in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the city had a total population of 78,672.

Clifton was incorporated as a city by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 26, 1917, replacing Acquackanonk Township, based on the results of a referendum held two days earlier. Clifton is listed under five different zip codes (07011, 07012, 07013, 07014, 07015).

Geography

Clifton is located at (40.867899, -74.154520).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.4 square miles (29.5 km²), of which, 11.3 square miles (29.3 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km²) of it (0.88%) is water.

Clifton is located 10 miles west of New York City off both Route 3 and Route 46. The city is also served by the Garden State Parkway, Route 19 and Route 21.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 78,672 people, 30,244 households, and 20,354 families residing in the city. The population density was 6,965.2 people per square mile (2,688.1/km²). There were 31,060 housing units at an average density of 2,749.9/sq mi (1,061.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 76.22% White, 2.89% African American, 0.24% Native American, 6.44% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 9.60% from other races, and 4.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 19.84% of the population.

There were 30,244 households out of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.3% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 27.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.20.

In the city the population was 21.6% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $50,619, and the median income for a family was $60,688. Males had a median income of $40,143 versus $32,090 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,638. About 4.3% of families and 6.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.6% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over.

The largest ancestry groups in Clifton are Italian American (17%), Polish American (13%), Irish American (9%) and German American (8%). Many Turkish, Albanian, and Ukrainian immigrants also live in Clifton. There are substantial numbers of various types of Hispanics, Arabs, Filipinos, Chinese, and Asian Indians as well. Recent demographic changes include a substantial influx of Orthodox Jews in the areas bordering Passaic, a major orthodox enclave.

Government

Local government

The City of Clifton is governed under the 1923 Municipal Manager Law. The government consists of a City Council comprising seven council members, with all positions elected at large in nonpartisan elections to four-terms of office on a concurrent basis.

The Mayor of Clifton is James Anzaldi. Members of the Town Council are Joseph Cupoli, Peter C. Eagler, Frank C. Fusco, Steven Hatala Jr., Gloria J. Kolodziej, and Matt Ward.

Federal, state and county representation

Clifton is in the Eighth Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 34th Legislative District.

Education

The Clifton Public Schools serve nearly 11,000 students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. Schools in the district are fourteen elementary schools serving grades K-5, two middle schools serving grades 6-8 (Christopher Columbus Middle School and Woodrow Wilson Middle School) and Clifton High School for grades 9-12.

Clifton High School's Marching Band, "The Showband of the Northeast", is well-known internationally. It was most recently honored as "Best in Parade" for the 2007 Columbus Day Parade.

With over 3,400 students enrolled at Clifton High School, it is the largest single facility high school in New Jersey; Elizabeth High School has more students, but they are spread over multiple campuses. The Board of Education of Clifton has an agreement with the Boys and Girls Club of Clifton which is located on Colfax Avenue as well to have students partake of gym class there. There is word of building onto the high school with a possible fifth wing, that would have construction onto the City Hall grounds. The Clifton High School Mustangs were the North I, Group IV Football State Champs 2006, defeating Eastside High School (Paterson 26-0).

Popular culture references

• The character of Rupert Pupkin in Martin Scorsese's film The King of Comedy comes from Clifton.
• The movie Donnie Brasco, which starred Johnny Depp and Al Pacino, was filmed partially in Clifton in 1997.
• Many scenes from The Sopranos were filmed in town, including the parking lot of the Valley Regency on Valley Road, Main Memorial Park, and Clifton High School.
• New York Yankee Hall of Famers Yogi Berra and Phil Rizzuto owned and bowling alley in Clifton called "Rizzuto-Berra Bowling Lanes. It was located behind the Styretowne Shopping Center.
• The Upper Montclair Country Club was home to the NFL Golf Classic
• Baseball Hall of Famer Honus Wagner played his last two seasons (1896-97) of minor league baseball for the Paterson Silk Sox. While the team was named Paterson, their stadium was within the Clifton city limits. Doherty Field was located off of Main Avenue behind the Doherty Silk Mill.

Commerce

• Linens 'n Things, bedding and home furnishings retailer, is headquartered in Clifton

Notable residents

Notable current and former residents of Clifton include:

• Michael Abrams (born 1953), psychologist and author of numerous works on Cognitive behavior therapy. Originator with renowned psychologist Albert Ellis of the Rational-Emotive theory of human personality.
• Jay Alford (born 1983), defensive lineman and long snapper for the Super Bowl XLII champion New York Giants.
• David Chase (born 1945), creator of The Sopranos.
• Dow H. Drukker (1872-1963), represented from 1914-1919.
• Father Mychal F. Judge (1933-2001), FDNY Chaplain, who was the first official death of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.{{Fact|date=September 2001))
• Chris Karcz (born 1983), midfielder/forward for Red Bull New York.
• Ernest Mario (born 1938), pharmaceutical executive.
• Ronald F. Maxwell (born 1949), movie director.
• Chris Opperman (born 1978), modern composer who performed on Steve Vai's Grammy-nominated composition "Lotus Feet" grew up in Clifton and attended CHS.
• Giuseppe Rossi (born 1987), Italian American soccer player.
• Steve Smith (born 1985), wide receiver for the New York Giants.
• Dave Szott (born 1967), former NFL offensive lineman for the New York Jets.
• Lawrence Tynes (born 1978), kicker for the New York Giants.

References

External links

• City of Clifton website
• Clifton Public Schools
• Data for the Clifton Public Schools, National Center for Education Statistics
• Clifton National Little League Website