Allendale, NJ

Allendale is a borough in Bergen County of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 6,848, the highest recorded in any decennial count and an increase of 343 (+5.3%) from the 2010 census count of 6,505, which in turn reflected a decline of 194 (−2.9%) from the 6,699 counted in 2000.

In 2012, Forbes.com listed Allendale as 481st in its listing of "America's Most Expensive ZIP Codes", with a median home price of $579,081.

History

In 1888, Henry J. Appert, a Swiss immigrant, drained a bog for the cultivation of onions and celery. The business—Allendale Produce Gardens, or the "celery farm" to locals—supplied wholesale markets and Campbell Soup Company. Allendale was formed on November 8, 1894, from portions of Franklin Township (remainder now Wyckoff), Hohokus Township (remainder now Mahwah) and Orvil Township (remainder now Waldwick).Snyder, John P
''The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968''
Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 75. Accessed May 30, 2024.

The borough was formed during the "Boroughitis" phenomenon then sweeping through Bergen County, in which 26 boroughs were formed in the county in 1894 alone. The borough was named for Joseph Warner Allen, a surveyor for the Erie Railroad.

Babe Ruth would frequently vacation at the Allendale Hotel, which remains in use as a rooming house.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 3.12 square miles (8.08 km²), including 3.10 square miles (8.02 km²) of land and 0.02 square miles (0.05 km²) of water (0.67%).

The borough borders the Bergen County municipalities of Mahwah, Ramsey, Saddle River, Waldwick and Wyckoff.

Demographics

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 6,505 people, 2,236 households, and 1,798 families in the borough. The population density was . There were 2,388 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 87.41% (5,686) White, 0.51% (33) Black or African American, 0.05% (3) Native American, 9.64% (627) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 0.83% (54) from other races, and 1.57% (102) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.67% (304) of the population.

Of the 2,236 households, 42.8% had children under the age of 18; 70.8% were married couples living together; 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present and 19.6% were non-families. Of all households, 17.5% were made up of individuals and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.86 and the average family size was 3.25.

28.4% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 18.6% from 25 to 44, 32.7% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.5 years. For every 100 females, the population had 93.4 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 89.0 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $131,563 (with a margin of error of +/− $22,630) and the median family income was $150,268 (+/− $26,670). Males had a median income of $121,089 (+/− $19,180) versus $71,534 (+/− $36,833) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $60,466 (+/− $8,969). About 1.0% of families and 1.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.

Same-sex couples headed 17 households in 2010, an increase from the 1 counted in 2000.

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census there were 6,699 people, 2,110 households, and 1,795 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 2,143 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 92.48% White, 0.39% African American, 0.06% Native American, 6.09% Asian, 0.46% from other races, and 0.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.54% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Allendale borough, New Jersey
, United States Census Bureau. Accessed March 14, 2013.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Allendale borough, Bergen County, New Jersey
United States Census Bureau. Accessed March 14, 2013.

There were 2,110 households, out of which 47.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 77.5% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 14.9% were non-families. 13.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.03 and the average family size was 3.33.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 30.4% under the age of 18, 4.2% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.8 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $105,704, and the median income for a family was $113,390. Males had a median income of $88,210 versus $50,781 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $47,772. About 1.6% of families and 1.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.7% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

Culture

Allendale is home to the Celery Farm, a nature preserve that is home to hundreds of animals, including fox, deer, rabbits, frogs, turtles, rodents, and most notably exotic birds. Many rare birds have been observed by ornithologists including bald eagles, common ravens, and pileated woodpeckers. A full list of birds and their frequency of appearance can be found online.

There is a variety of recreation opportunities throughout the borough, including Crestwood Park, which covers and includes a man-made lake with three diving boards, three beaches, and six swim lanes. Included in the Park is a recreational barn, three baseball / softball fields, two soccer / football fields, a lacrosse field, and four tennis courts.

Several episodes of the television show '' Ed'' were filmed in Allendale, including a Thanksgiving Day Parade episode. Scenes from the movie '' Presumed Innocent'', starring Harrison Ford and Bonnie Bedelia, were filmed in Allendale.

Government

Local government

Allendale 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. The governing body is comprised of a mayor and a borough council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. A 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.''2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book'', Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 165. The borough form of government used by Allendale 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. The mayor and borough council conduct all of their business during monthly meetings open to the public. All Legislative powers of the borough are exercised by the mayor and council. These powers can take the form of a resolution, ordinance or proclamation. The mayor presides at all meetings of the council. At Workshop meetings, the governing body discusses and debates proposed resolutions, ordinances and other policy matters. These meetings are open to the public, and members of the public may participate at an appropriate time at the meeting.

, the mayor of Allendale is Republican Amy E. Wilczynski, whose term of office ends December 31, 2026. Members of the Borough Council are Council President Matthew J. O'Toole (R, 2025), Joseph Daloisio (R, 2026), Elizabeth C. "Liz" Homan (R, 2024), Susanne C. Lovisolo (R, 2024), Edward O'Connell (R, 2026) and Tyler Yaccarino (R, 2025).Mayor and Council
Borough of Allendale. Accessed April 16, 2024.''2024 County and Municipal Directory''
Bergen County, New Jersey