New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked North Caldwell as its 10th-best place to live in its 2010 rankings of the "Best Places To Live" in New Jersey, and its third-best place to live in its 2013 ranking.[24][25] In 2017, a Bloomberg analysis ranked North Caldwell the 34th richest town in the United States.[26]
History
North Caldwell was part of the Horseneck Tract, which was an area that consisted of what are now the municipalities of Caldwell, West Caldwell, North Caldwell, Fairfield, Verona, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Roseland, and portions of Livingston and West Orange. In 1702, settlers purchased the 14,000 acres (57 km2) from the LenapeNative Americans for goods equal to $325. The explanation for the name "Horse Neck" lies in the language of its first Dutch settlers and not (as has been inaccurately reported) because of its irregular shape. This purchase encompassed much of western Essex County, from the First Mountain to the Passaic River.[27]
In 1982, the borough was one of four Essex County municipalities to pass a referendum to become a township, joining 11 municipalities that had already made the change. Ultimately, more than a dozen Essex County municipalities reclassified themselves as townships in order take advantage of federal revenue sharing policies that allocated townships a greater share of government aid to municipalities on a per capita basis.[28][29][30][31] Effective January 1, 1992, it again became a borough.[32]
The borough housed the Essex County Penitentiary, constructed in 1872 and used as the Essex County Jail Annex until 2004. It was sold to K. Hovnanian Companies in 2002, which redeveloped the site into a residential community.[33]
In 1994, the "Unabomber", Theodore Kaczynski, sent a mail bomb that killed Thomas J. Mosser, an advertising executive who lived in the borough.[34]
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 3.07 square miles (7.96 km2), including 3.07 square miles (7.95 km2) of land and 0.01 square miles (0.01 km2) of water (0.16%).[1][2] The highest point in Essex County is located in the Hilltop of North Caldwell at 691 feet (211 m).[35]
Of the 2,092 households, 41.3% had children under the age of 18; 78.1% were married couples living together; 6.5% had a female householder with no husband present and 13.0% were non-families. Of all households, 10.7% were made up of individuals and 5.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.96 and the average family size was 3.19.[18]
27.3% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 19.6% from 25 to 44, 33.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.8 years. For every 100 females, the population had 99.6 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 97.0 males.[18]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $151,953 (with a margin of error of +/− $28,824) and the median family income was $178,750 (+/− $38,265). Males had a median income of $140,729 (+/− $14,382) versus $74,750 (+/− $15,480) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $71,798 (+/− $8,574). About none of families and 2.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.[46]
2000 census
As of the 2000 United States census[15] there were 7,375 people, 2,070 households, and 1,834 families residing in the borough. The population density was 2,464.6 inhabitants per square mile (951.6/km2). There were 2,108 housing units at an average density of 704.5 per square mile (272.0/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 79.63% White, 14.51% African American, 0.03% Native American, 4.71% Asian, 0.26% from other races, and 0.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.16% of the population.[43][44]
There were 2,070 households, out of which 42.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 80.5% were married couples living together, 5.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 11.4% were non-families. 9.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.02 and the average family size was 3.23.[43][44]
In the borough the population was spread out, with 23.1% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 26.4% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 118.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 124.2 males.[43][44]
The median income for a household in the borough was $117,395, and the median income for a family was $125,465. Males had a median income of $87,902 versus $47,904 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $48,249. About 0.8% of families and 1.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.4% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.[43][44]
Government
Local government
North Caldwell is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey.[47] The governing body is comprised of the mayor and the borough council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. The mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council includes six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle.[6]
The borough form of government used by North Caldwell is a "weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.[48][49]
As of 2025[update], the mayor of North Caldwell is Democrat Joshua H. Raymond, whose term of office ends December 31, 2026. Members of the Borough Council are Council President Anthony Floria-Callori (D, 2026), Matthew J. Atlas (D, 2026), Arthur J. Rees (D, 2025), Johanna Stroever (D, 2027), Kenneth Tilton (R, 2027) and Stephen C. Weinstein (D, 2025).[3][50][51][52][53][54]
In January 2023, the borough council appointed Kenneth Tilton to fill vacant seat expiring in December 2023 that had been held by Francis Astorino.[55]
In October 2014, the borough council appointed Robert Kessler to fill the vacant seat of Patricia Fost.[56]
Federal, state and county representation
North Caldwell is located in the 11th Congressional District[57] and is part of New Jersey's 40th state legislative district.[58]
Essex County is governed by a directly elected county executive, with legislative functions performed by the Board of County Commissioners. As of 2025[update], the County Executive is Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. (D, Roseland), whose four-year term of office ends December 31, 2026.[62] The county's Board of County Commissioners is composed of nine members, five of whom are elected from districts and four of whom are elected on an at-large basis. They are elected for three-year concurrent terms and may be re-elected to successive terms at the annual election in November.[63] Essex County's Commissioners are:
Constitutional officers elected countywide are:
Clerk Christopher J. Durkin (D, West Caldwell, 2025),[77][78]
Register of Deeds Juan M. Rivera Jr. (D, Newark, 2029),[79][80]
Sheriff Amir Jones (D, Newark, 2027),[81][82] and
Surrogate Alturrick Kenney (D, Newark, 2028).[83][84]
Politics
As of March 2011, there were a total of 4,712 registered voters in North Caldwell, of which 1,123 (23.8%) were registered as Democrats, 1,591 (33.8%) were registered as Republicans and 1,994 (42.3%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 4 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.[85]
United States presidential election results for North Caldwell[86]
In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 61.1% of the vote (2,043 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 37.5% (1,253 votes), and other candidates with 1.3% (45 votes), among the 3,361 ballots cast by the borough's 4,856 registered voters (20 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 69.2%.[87][88] In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 56.8% of the vote (2,047 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 41.5% (1,495 votes) and other candidates with 0.7% (25 votes), among the 3,603 ballots cast by the borough's 4,704 registered voters, for a turnout of 76.6%.[89] In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 58.9% of the vote (2,137 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 40.4% (1,465 votes) and other candidates with 0.3% (15 votes), among the 3,628 ballots cast by the borough's 4,502 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 80.6.[90]
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 72.9% of the vote (1,446 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 26.1% (517 votes), and other candidates with 1.0% (20 votes), among the 2,012 ballots cast by the borough's 4,920 registered voters (29 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 40.9%.[91][92] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 60.6% of the vote (1,495 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 32.0% (789 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 6.4% (157 votes) and other candidates with 0.3% (8 votes), among the 2,469 ballots cast by the borough's 4,695 registered voters, yielding a 52.6% turnout.[93]
As of May 2010[update], the borough had a total of 35.53 miles (57.18 km) of roadways, of which 29.55 miles (47.56 km) were maintained by the municipality and 5.98 miles (9.62 km) by Essex County.[112]
In the HBO television show The Sopranos, the house used to portray the home of Tony Soprano and his family is located in North Caldwell.[117] Many scenes from the show were filmed in North Caldwell and other communities in North Jersey.
Stuckeyville, the fictional town in the NBC television series Ed, was modeled after North Caldwell.[118]
The 1994 film North included scenes which were filmed in North Caldwell.[citation needed]
^"Removing Tiering From The Revenue Sharing Formula Would Eliminate Payment Inequities To Local Governments", Government Accountability Office, April 15, 1982. Accessed September 24, 2015. "In 1978, South Orange Village was the first municipality to change its name to the 'township' of South Orange Village effective beginning in entitlement period 10 (October 1978 to September 1979). The Borough of Fairfield in 1978 changed its designation by a majority vote of the electorate and became the 'Township of Fairfield' effective beginning entitlement period 11 (October 1979 to September 1980).... However, the Revenue Sharing Act was not changed and the actions taken by South Orange and Fairfield prompted the Town of Montclair and West Orange to change their designation by referendum in the November 4, 1980, election. The municipalities of Belleville, Verona, Bloomfield, Nutley, Essex Fells, Caldwell, and West Caldwell have since changed their classification from municipality to a township."
^Narvaez, Alfonso A. "New Jersey Journal", The New York Times, December 27, 1981. Accessed September 24, 2015. "Under the Federal system, New Jersey's portion of the revenue sharing funds is disbursed among the 21 counties to create three 'money pools.' One is for county governments, one for 'places' and a third for townships. By making the change, a community can use the 'township advantage' to get away from the category containing areas with low per capita incomes."
^Khavkine, Richard. "Historians lament destruction of former penitentiary in North Caldwell", The Star-Ledger, June 12, 2011. Accessed January 3, 2012. "Designed in the prevailing Italianate Victorian style and built in 1872 of locally quarried and crafted brownstone on a hill overlooking what is now the border of North Caldwell and Verona, the jail is making room for a different demographic — a housing development."
^"Unabom Case Plea To Be Made via TV", The New York Times, November 20, 1996. Accessed November 6, 2012. "Lawyers for Theodore J. Kaczynski, suspected Unabomber, agree to waive his right to appear in person in Newark court to enter plea to charges he killed Thomas J. Mosser, advertising executive who lived in North Caldwell, NJ."
^General Information, Essex County, New Jersey. Accessed July 20, 2020. "The County Executive, elected from the County at-large, for a four-year term, is the chief political and administrative officer of the County.... The Board of Chosen Freeholders consists of nine members, five of whom are elected from districts and four of whom are elected at-large. They are elected for three-year concurrent terms and may be re-elected to successive terms at the annual election in November. There is no limit to the number of terms they may serve."
^North Caldwell Board of Education Bylaw 0110 - Identification, North Caldwell Public Schools, adopted November 3, 2009. Accessed December 29, 2024. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Pre-Kindergarten through six in the North Caldwell School District. Composition: The North Caldwell School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of North Caldwell."
^Clark, Adam. "9 N.J. schools just won a huge national honor", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, September 24, 2020. Accessed September 27, 2020. "Nine New Jersey public schools have been awarded the national Blue Ribbon designation, one of the highest honors in education. The schools were recognized Thursday by the U.S. Department of Education for high student achievement."
^West Essex Regional School District Bylaw 0110 - Identification, West Essex Regional School District, adopted February 9, 2009. Accessed December 29, 2024. "Purpose The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades seven through twelve in the West Essex Regional School District. Composition: The West Essex Regional School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Essex Fells, Fairfield, North Caldwell and Roseland."
^Kennedy, Richard A. Essex Mountain Sanatorium, p. 116. Arcadia Publishing, 2013. ISBN9781439643792. Accessed December 23, 2014. "Other notable productions that used the property for filming were the Sylvester Stallone movie Copland, Sonic Youth's video for their song 'Candle,' and various episodes of The Sopranos,"
^Staff. "Sketches of Major Appointees to Kean's Cabinet", The New York Times, February 3, 1982. Accessed September 10, 2015. "Secretary of State Former Assemblywoman Jane Burgio of North Caldwell, who represented the same legislative district as Mr. Kean when he was in the State Assembly, became the first female Secretary of State when she was sworn in shortly after Mr. Kean on Inauguration Day."
^Bautista, Justo. "Devils Star Arraigned on Sex-Contact Charge", The Record, January 19, 1995. Accessed November 19, 2007. "The burly North Caldwell resident was released on his own recognizance pending a pretrial hearing in Superior Court in Paterson next Wednesday, a police source said."
^Kane, Paul; and Voreacos, David. "Puerto Rico Born Jurist, Julio Fuentes, Sworn In As First Latino Judge On U.S. Court Of Appeals For The Third Circuit", The Record via Puerto Rico Herald, May 14, 2000. Accessed November 22, 2017. "Fuentes last served as the presiding judge in the general equity division, after sitting in the criminal, civil, and family divisions. A married father of three daughters who lives in North Caldwell, he also worked for a decade as the municipal judge in Newark and spent several years in private practice."
^Biography, Josh Gottheimer. Accessed August 19, 2020. "Josh was raised in North Caldwell, the son of a preschool teacher and a small business owner."
^Cruz, Alicia. "Did Wyclef Jean fake his gunshot injury in Haiti?"Archived 2011-03-26 at the Wayback Machine, NewJerseyNewsroom.com, March 23, 2011. Accessed January 3, 2012. "Wyclef Jean, a North Caldwell resident, told media outlets a bullet grazed his hand in the hand as he stood outside of his vehicle to make a phone call late Sunday night. Jean, who was born in Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti, added that he did not know if the alleged gunshots were directed towards him."
^Pates, Kevin. "For Langenbrunner, Second Cup Just as Sweet", Duluth News Tribune, June 11, 2003. Accessed January 3, 2012. "The best thing was seeing some guys finally getting to see what it's like -- guys like Jim McKenzie, who has been in the league 13 years, Langenbrunner said Tuesday from home in North Caldwell, NJ."
^Montanez, Abby. "Veronica Beard: Cool Times Two", The Digest Online, September 23, 2019. Accessed February 4, 2020. "Meanwhile, Miele Beard was born and raised not too far away from Hudson County in North Caldwell, New Jersey."
^Salzberg, Robin B. "The Wonder of it All, The Star-Ledger, February 13, 1990. accessed December 29, 2024, via Newspapers.com. "Series star Fred Savage, left, with Josh Saviano of North Caldwell in a scene from The Wonder Years."
^Staff. "Local resident puts aside shyness, finds 'Courage'", New Jersey Hills, April 12, 2002. Accessed May 9, 2022. "Born in Newark, White moved to North Caldwell with her parents when she was 12. She said she knew from a very early age that she wanted to act."
^Gillett, Michelle. "Celebrate the life and work of poet Richard Wilbur", The Berkshire Eagle, June 24, 2005. Accessed July 5, 2012. "Wilbur spent his childhood in North Caldwell, NJ. The son of a painter, he told Peter Dale in a book length interview, (Richard Wilbur in Conversation with Peter Dale, Impress Books), 'My childhood left me with a preference for living in the sticks, for long walks, for physical, and the raising of great crops of herbs and vegetables.'"
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