Clark, New Jersey
Encyclopedia
Clark is a township
in southern Union County
, New Jersey
, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 14,756.
and the The Squire Hartshorne House, buildings from the late 17th century are remnants of the era. The Homestead Farm at Oak Ridge
was the site of a skirmish preceding the Battle of Short Hills
. In 1858, after the City of Rahway
was incorporated the area of present-day Clark was designated as the 5th Ward of Rahway. Clark was incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature
on March 23, 1864, from portions of Rahway. The Township was named for Abraham Clark
, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Portions of the township were taken to form Cranford Township
(March 14, 1871) and Winfield Township
(August 6, 1941).
New Jersey Monthly
magazine ranked Clark as its 33rd best place to live in its 2008 rankings of the "Best Places To Live" in New Jersey.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, Clark has a total area of 4.49 square miles (11.6 km²), of which, 4.34 square miles (11.2 km²) of it is land and 0.14 square mile (0.3625983354 km²) of it (3.12%) is water.
of 2000, there were 14,597 people, 5,637 households, and 4,126 families residing in the township. The population density
was 3,359.6 people per square mile (1,298.6/km2). There were 5,709 housing units at an average density of 1,314.0 per square mile (507.9/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 95.61% White, 0.30% African American, 0.01% Native American, 2.75% Asian, 0.63% from other races
, and 0.69% from two or more races. Also Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.67% of the population.
There were 5,637 households out of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.4% were married couples
living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.8% were non-families. 24.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the township the population was spread out with 20.8% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 21.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.4 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $65,019, and the median income for a family was $77,291. Males had a median income of $54,543 versus $36,361 for females. The per capita income
for the township was $29,883. About 1.0% of families and 1.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.0% of those under age 18 and 2.7% of those age 65 or over.
system of municipal government. The Clark Township Committee consists of seven members, with three elected at-large from the township as a whole and four elected from wards. Four seats come up for election every two years on an alternating basis, with the three Council-at-large seats and Mayor coming up to vote, and then the four ward seats, all elected to four-year terms of office.
, the Mayor
of Clark is Sal Bonaccorso, whose term of office ends December 31, 2012. Members of the Township Council are
Council President Frank Mazzarella (First Ward, 2014), Council Vice President Sheila Whiting (at-large, 2012), Angel Albanese (at-large, 2012), Alvin Barr (at-large, 2012), Richard Kazanowski (Third Ward, 2014), Patrick O'Connor (Second Ward, 2014), Brian P. Toal (Fourth Ward, 2014).
based on the results of the 2010 Census.
serves students in grades K - 12. Schools in the district (with 2009-10 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics
) are
Frank K. Hehnly Elementary School (K-5; 517 students),
Valley Road Elementary School (K-5; 427),
Carl H. Kumpf Middle School for grades 6 - 8 (544) and
Arthur L. Johnson High School
for grades 9 - 12 (874). Also, students that excel in middle school may choose to go to an advanced magnet school. Students from Garwood
, attend the district's high school as part of a sending/receiving relationship
with the Garwood Public Schools
.
Mother Seton Regional High School
is an all-girls, private
, Roman Catholic high school
, operated under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark
.
The Clark Scholarship Fund is a not-for-profit organization that has provided need-based scholarships to college-bound Clark residents since 1955, funded entirely by contributions from individuals and businesses.
currently connects Central Avenue, Brant Avenue, Valley Road, and the Garden State Parkway
via Exit 135.
The Lehigh Valley Railroad
served the town with a passenger station in the Picton section. The rail line remains active under Conrail's auspices. A spur line, the Bloodgood Branch, still serves one customer.
New Jersey Transit
provides bus service to New York City
and points in-between. The 112 route provides service to the Port Authority Bus Terminal
in Midtown Manhattan
.
Newark Liberty International Airport
is approximately 11 miles from Clark.
Township (New Jersey)
A township, in the context of New Jersey local government, refers to one of five types and one of eleven forms of municipal government. As a political entity, a township is a full-fledged municipality, on par with any town, city, borough, or village, collecting property taxes and providing...
in southern Union County
Union County, New Jersey
Union County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 536,499. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Elizabeth. Union County ranks 93rd among the highest-income counties in the United States. It also ranks 74th in...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 14,756.
History
The territory that would become Clark was originally a part of several of the early villages, the Robinson Plantation HouseRobinson Plantation House
The Robinson Plantation House is a historic house in Clark, New Jersey built around 1690 on territory that was part of the Elizabethtown Tract, and was once part of Rahway. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974 as Seventeenth Century Clark House...
and the The Squire Hartshorne House, buildings from the late 17th century are remnants of the era. The Homestead Farm at Oak Ridge
Homestead Farm at Oak Ridge
Homestead Farm at Oak Ridge is a historic home and grounds in Clark and Edison, New Jersey list on the New Jersey Register of Historic Places and National Register of Historic Places in 1995...
was the site of a skirmish preceding the Battle of Short Hills
Battle of Short Hills
The Battle of Short Hills was a conflict between a Continental Army force commanded by Brigadier General William Alexander , and an opposing British force commanded by Lieutenant General William Howe...
. In 1858, after the City of Rahway
Rahway, New Jersey
Rahway is a city in southern Union County, New Jersey, United States. It is part of the New York metropolitan area, being 15 miles southwest of Manhattan and five miles west of Staten Island...
was incorporated the area of present-day Clark was designated as the 5th Ward of Rahway. Clark was incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature
New Jersey Legislature
The New Jersey Legislature is the legislative branch of the government of the U.S. state of New Jersey. In its current form, as defined by the New Jersey Constitution of 1947, the Legislature consists of two houses: the General Assembly and the Senate...
on March 23, 1864, from portions of Rahway. The Township was named for Abraham Clark
Abraham Clark
Abraham Clark was an American politician and Revolutionary War figure. He was delegate for New Jersey to the Continental Congress where he signed the Declaration of Independence and later served in the United States House of Representatives in both the Second and Third United States Congress, from...
, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Portions of the township were taken to form Cranford Township
Cranford, New Jersey
Cranford is a township in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the township population was 22,625.Cranford was incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 14, 1871, from portions of the Townships of Clark, Linden,...
(March 14, 1871) and Winfield Township
Winfield Township, New Jersey
Winfield Township is a township in Union County, New Jersey, in the United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population decreased to a record low of 1,471...
(August 6, 1941).
New Jersey Monthly
New Jersey Monthly
New Jersey Monthly is a monthly glossy publication featuring issues of possible interest to residents of the United States state of New Jersey...
magazine ranked Clark as its 33rd best place to live in its 2008 rankings of the "Best Places To Live" in New Jersey.
Geography
Clark is at 40.620336°N 74.309340°W (40.620336, -74.309340).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, Clark has a total area of 4.49 square miles (11.6 km²), of which, 4.34 square miles (11.2 km²) of it is land and 0.14 square mile (0.3625983354 km²) of it (3.12%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 14,597 people, 5,637 households, and 4,126 families residing in the township. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 3,359.6 people per square mile (1,298.6/km2). There were 5,709 housing units at an average density of 1,314.0 per square mile (507.9/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 95.61% White, 0.30% African American, 0.01% Native American, 2.75% Asian, 0.63% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.69% from two or more races. Also Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.67% of the population.
There were 5,637 households out of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.4% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.8% were non-families. 24.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the township the population was spread out with 20.8% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 21.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.4 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $65,019, and the median income for a family was $77,291. Males had a median income of $54,543 versus $36,361 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the township was $29,883. About 1.0% of families and 1.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.0% of those under age 18 and 2.7% of those age 65 or over.
Surrounding communities
Local government
Clark Township is governed under the Faulkner Act (Mayor-Council)Faulkner Act (Mayor-Council)
The Faulkner Act, or Optional Municipal Charter Law, provides for New Jersey municipalities to adopt a Mayor-Council government.This form of government provides for election of a mayor and five, seven, or nine council members...
system of municipal government. The Clark Township Committee consists of seven members, with three elected at-large from the township as a whole and four elected from wards. Four seats come up for election every two years on an alternating basis, with the three Council-at-large seats and Mayor coming up to vote, and then the four ward seats, all elected to four-year terms of office.
, the Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Clark is Sal Bonaccorso, whose term of office ends December 31, 2012. Members of the Township Council are
Council President Frank Mazzarella (First Ward, 2014), Council Vice President Sheila Whiting (at-large, 2012), Angel Albanese (at-large, 2012), Alvin Barr (at-large, 2012), Richard Kazanowski (Third Ward, 2014), Patrick O'Connor (Second Ward, 2014), Brian P. Toal (Fourth Ward, 2014).
Federal, state and county representation
Clark is in the 7th Congressional district and is part of New Jersey's 22nd state legislative district. The legislative district was kept unchanged by the New Jersey Apportionment CommissionNew Jersey Apportionment Commission
The New Jersey Apportionment Commission is a constitutionally-created ten-member commission responsible for apportioning the forty districts of the New Jersey Legislature. The commission is convened after each decennial U.S. Census, and the districts are to be in use for the legislative elections...
based on the results of the 2010 Census.
Education
The Clark Public School DistrictClark Public School District
The Clark Public School District is a comprehensive community public school district that serves students in kindergarten through twelfth grade from Clark, in Union County, New Jersey, United States...
serves students in grades K - 12. Schools in the district (with 2009-10 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics
National Center for Education Statistics
The National Center for Education Statistics is the part of the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences that collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics on education and public school district finance information in the United States...
) are
Frank K. Hehnly Elementary School (K-5; 517 students),
Valley Road Elementary School (K-5; 427),
Carl H. Kumpf Middle School for grades 6 - 8 (544) and
Arthur L. Johnson High School
Arthur L. Johnson High School
Arthur L. Johnson High School is a four-year public high school that serves students in ninth through twelfth grades from Clark, in Union County, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Clark Public School District...
for grades 9 - 12 (874). Also, students that excel in middle school may choose to go to an advanced magnet school. Students from Garwood
Garwood, New Jersey
Garwood is a borough in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 4,226.Garwood was incorporated as a borough on March 19, 1903, from portions of Cranford Township and Westfield Town....
, attend the district's high school as part of a sending/receiving relationship
Sending/receiving relationship
A sending/receiving relationship is one in which a public school district sends some or all of its students to attend the schools of another district. This is often done to achieve costs savings in smaller districts or continues after districts have grown as part of a historical relationship...
with the Garwood Public Schools
Garwood Public Schools
The Garwood Public Schools is a community public school district that serves students in Kindergarten through eighth grade from Garwood, in Union County, New Jersey, United States....
.
Mother Seton Regional High School
Mother Seton Regional High School
Mother Seton Regional High School is an all-girls, Catholic high school located in Clark, New Jersey. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark...
is an all-girls, private
Private school
Private schools, also known as independent schools or nonstate schools, are not administered by local, state or national governments; thus, they retain the right to select their students and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students' tuition, rather than relying on mandatory...
, Roman Catholic high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
, operated under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark
The Archdiocese of Newark is an archdiocese of the Catholic Church in northern New Jersey, United States. Its ecclesiastic territory includes all of the Catholic parishes and schools in the New Jersey counties of Bergen, Union, Hudson and Essex .-History:Originally established as the Diocese of...
.
The Clark Scholarship Fund is a not-for-profit organization that has provided need-based scholarships to college-bound Clark residents since 1955, funded entirely by contributions from individuals and businesses.
Transportation
The Clark CircleClark Circle
The Clark Circle is a traffic circle located in the town of Clark, New Jersey. It currently connects Central Avenue, Brant Avenue, Valley Road, and the Garden State Parkway via Exit 135. As of September 2007, plans are underway to reconstruct the traffic circle with signals. This job ended in...
currently connects Central Avenue, Brant Avenue, Valley Road, and the Garden State Parkway
Garden State Parkway
The Garden State Parkway is a 172.4-mile limited-access toll parkway that stretches the length of New Jersey from the New York line at Montvale, New Jersey, to Cape May at New Jersey's southernmost tip. Its name refers to New Jersey's nickname, the "Garden State." Most New Jersey residents refer...
via Exit 135.
The Lehigh Valley Railroad
Lehigh Valley Railroad
The Lehigh Valley Railroad was one of a number of railroads built in the northeastern United States primarily to haul anthracite coal.It was authorized April 21, 1846 in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and incorporated September 20, 1847 as the Delaware, Lehigh, Schuylkill and Susquehanna Railroad...
served the town with a passenger station in the Picton section. The rail line remains active under Conrail's auspices. A spur line, the Bloodgood Branch, still serves one customer.
New Jersey Transit
New Jersey Transit
The New Jersey Transit Corporation is a statewide public transportation system serving the United States state of New Jersey, and New York, Orange, and Rockland counties in New York State...
provides bus service to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and points in-between. The 112 route provides service to the Port Authority Bus Terminal
Port Authority Bus Terminal
The Port Authority Bus Terminal is the main gateway for interstate buses into Manhattan in New York City...
in Midtown Manhattan
Midtown Manhattan
Midtown Manhattan, or simply Midtown, is an area of Manhattan, New York City home to world-famous commercial zones such as Rockefeller Center, Broadway, and Times Square...
.
Newark Liberty International Airport
Newark Liberty International Airport
Newark Liberty International Airport , first named Newark Metropolitan Airport and later Newark International Airport, is an international airport within the city limits of both Newark and Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States...
is approximately 11 miles from Clark.
Notable residents
Notable current and former residents of Clark include:- Todd BurgerTodd BurgerTodd Richard Burger is a former professional American football player. Burger grew up in Clark, New Jersey and is a graduate of Arthur L. Johnson High School. He attended Penn State University where he played four years under legendary coach Joe Paterno. In his professional career, he played in...
(born 1970), former offensive guard who played for the New York JetsNew York JetsThe New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. - Kenneth HamKenneth HamKenneth "Hock" Todd Ham is an American astronaut and a captain in the United States Navy. Ham was selected for NASA's astronaut program in August 1998, while serving as the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet lead carrier suitability test pilot. Ham's U.S...
(born 1964), NASANASAThe National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
Astronaut, Shuttle Crew Member. - Jeffrey LichtmanJeffrey LichtmanJeffrey Lichtman is a prominent defense attorney in New York City who represented John Gotti Jr. and managed to secure a dismissal of three charges of murder conspiracy, an acquittal of a $25 million securities fraud charge, and a hung jury on every remaining count brought against him...
, defense attorney. - Matt Poskay (born 1984), professional lacrosse player for the Boston CannonsBoston CannonsThe Boston Cannons are a Major League Lacrosse professional men's field lacrosse team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They have played in the MLL since the 2001 season. From 2006 to 2008, they were in the Eastern Conference. From the league's inception in 2001 through 2005, they were in the...
. - Frank SpazianiFrank Spaziani-External links:*...
(born 1947), current head football coach of the Boston College Eagles footballBoston College Eagles footballThe Boston College Eagles football team is the collegiate football program of Boston College. The team is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, a Division I Bowl Subdivision league governed by the NCAA. Within the ACC, the Eagles are one of six teams in the Atlantic Division...
team. - David Toma, whose life in law enforcement was the basis of the television show BarettaBarettaBaretta is an American detective television series which ran on ABC from 1975 to 1978. The show was a milder version of a successful 1973–74 ABC series, Toma, starring Tony Musante as chameleon-like, real-life New Jersey police officer David Toma...
.
External links
- Clark Township website
- Clark Public School District
- Data for the Clark Public School District, National Center for Education StatisticsNational Center for Education StatisticsThe National Center for Education Statistics is the part of the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences that collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics on education and public school district finance information in the United States...
- Clark Public Library
- Clark Fire Department
- Clark P.B.A. Local # 125