Linden, New Jersey facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Linden, New Jersey
City
City of Linden
Magnaplate building
Motto(s):  "Big enough to lead, small enough to care"
Location of Linden in Union County. Inset: Location of Union County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.
Census Bureau map of Linden, New Jersey
Country	United States
State	New Jersey
County	Union
Incorporated	January 1, 1925
Government
• Type	City
• Body	City Council
Area
• Total	11.42 sq mi (29.56 km2)
• Land	10.69 sq mi (27.68 km2)
• Water	0.73 sq mi (1.88 km2)  6.37%
Area rank	199th of 565 in state 2nd of 21 in county
Elevation	7 ft (2 m)
Population  (2020 Census)
• Total	43,738
• Rank	52nd of 566 in state 4th of 21 in county
• Density	4,091.5/sq mi (1,579.7/km2)
• Density rank	164th of 566 in state 13th of 21 in county
Time zone	UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT))
ZIP Code	07036
Area code(s)	908
FIPS code	3403940350
GNIS feature ID	0885278

Linden is a city in southeastern Union County, New Jersey, United States. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area, located about 13 miles (21 km) southwest of Manhattan and bordering Staten Island, a borough of New York City, across the Arthur Kill. As of the 2020 United States Census, the city's population was 43,738.

Linden was originally formed as a township on March 4, 1861 from portions of Elizabeth, Rahway and Union Township. Portions of the township were taken to form Cranford (March 14, 1871), Linden Borough (March 30, 1882) and Roselle (December 20, 1894). Linden was incorporated as a city by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on January 1, 1925, replacing both Linden Township and Linden Borough, based on the results of a referendum held on November 8, 1923. The city's name derives from linden trees brought from Germany.

Geography

Linden lies west of the Arthur Kill and north of the Rahway River

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city had a total area of 11.407 square miles (29.545 km²), including 10.675 square miles (27.648 km²) of land and 0.732 square miles (1.897 km²) of water (6.42%).

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the city include Bayway, Grasselli, Morris Mills, Tremley, Vreeland Hills, Warners and Wheatshead.

The city borders the municipalities of Clark Township, Cranford Township, Elizabeth, Rahway, Roselle and Winfield Township in Union County; Carteret and Woodbridge Township in Middlesex County; and Staten Island in New York City across the Arthur Kill tidal strait.

Demographics

Census 2010

As of the census of 2010, there were 40,499 people, 14,909 households, and 10,272 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,793.8 per square mile (1,464.8/km²). There were 15,872 housing units at an average density of 1,486.8 per square mile (574.1/km²)^*. The racial makeup of the city was 59.15% (23,957) White, 26.88% (10,888) Black or African American, 0.29% (118) Native American, 2.71% (1,099) Asian, 0.02% (8) Pacific Islander, 7.57% (3,066) from other races, and 3.37% (1,363) from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic or Latino of any race were 24.93% (10,095) of the population.

There were 14,909 households out of which 29.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.1% were married couples living together, 17.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.1% were non-families. 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.27.

In the city, the population was spread out with 21.8% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 27.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.8 years. For every 100 females there were 91.1 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and old there were 87.7 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey shows that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $55,859 (with a margin of error of +/- $2,529) and the median family income was $64,439 (+/- $4,027). Males had a median income of $45,890 (+/- $3,397) versus $39,288 (+/- $2,842) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $27,011 (+/- $1,161). About 5.9% of families and 7.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.1% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.

Census 2000

As of the 2000 United States Census there were 39,394 people, 15,052 households, and 10,084 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,645.5 people per square mile (1,407.0/km²). There were 15,567 housing units at an average density of 1,440.6 per square mile (556.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 66.08% White, 22.80% African American, 0.14% Native American, 2.35% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 4.88% from other races, and 3.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.40% of the population.

There were 15,052 households, out of which 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.7% were married couples living together, 15.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.0% were non-families. 27.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.21.

In the city the population was spread out, with 22.5% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 30.4% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 16.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $46,345, and the median income for a family was $54,903. Males had a median income of $39,457 versus $30,395 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,314. About 5.0% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.1% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over.

Parks and recreation

• Hawk Rise Sanctuary is a new bird sanctuary created by the City of Linden and the New Jersey Audubon Society on the banks of the Rahway River.
• John Russell Wheeler Park is home to the Linden Skatepark for skateboarders at Winans Avenue and West Edgar Road near where Morses Creek winds through the park. Residents have complained of pollution fears further down Morses Creek where it enters the Refinery and becomes polluted. Rosehill Cemetery in Linden was drenched during Sandy by an oil-soaked tidal surge from Bayway Refinery.
• Peach Orchard Park sits at Dill Ave, Hussa St., and Cranford Ave behind School #4. It is home to Peach Orchard Brook, a tributary of Morses Creek.

Others include

• • Capt. James J. Dunn Memorial Park - Rose Parkway near Seymour Avenue
  • Sgt. Alexander Wales Memorial Park - West Curtis near Ainsworth Street
  • Clifford Lawson Memorial Park - Between Washington Ave. & Walnut St.
  • Cpl. Ronald Knosky Memorial Park - No. Stiles Street & Elm Street
  • Lexington Avenue Park at West Blanke Street
  • Blanke Street Park at Price Street
  • Miltonia Street Park at Stiles Street
  • James Dobson Park - East Blanke Street at Maple Avenue
  • Cleveland Avenue Park - Between Bower and McCandless
  • George T. Farewell Memorial Park - Ziegler Avenue and Bergen Avenue
  • Dr. Martin L. King Jr. Memorial Park - McCandless at Dill
  • Hattie Johnson Playground - Lincoln at Union
  • Charles Street Park at Middlesex Street
  • James Iozzi Memorial Park - Dill Avenue
  • Fifth Ward Park -Dill and Adams
  • Hagel Avenue Park – Alberta & Fay Avenue
  • Eddy Avenue Park- 12th Street – Mopsick & Winans
  • L/Cpl. Melnyk Memorial Park - at Clinton Street
  • Clinton Street Play Area at 15th Street
  • Buchanan Street Park at Lower Road & Parkway Avenue
  • Memorial Park (include Mather Spring) - Between Wood Avenue & Lower Road
  • Seventeenth Street Park - E. 17th and 18th Streets
  • Seventh Ward Park - So. Stiles, between 17th & 18th St.
  • Tremley Park – Main Street at Wood Avenue
  • Wanda Anita Green Memorial Park - Grier Avenue & Mack Place
  • United Airlines Flight 93 Memorial
  • Bachellor Avenue Park – at Urbanowitz Avenue
  • Milkosky Park – Bedle Place & Park Avenue
  • St. Marks Park - Between Hussa Street & Essex Avenue
  • McGillvray Place Park – between Klem & Bedle
  • Newton Street Park - At Pallant Avenue
  • Sunnyside Park - Summit Terrace at Melrose
  • Thomas J. Weiser Park - At Wood Avenue & Raritan Road
  • Woodrow Wilson Memorial Park - Academy between Orchard & Summit
  • Al Kalla Park - Between Wickersham & Highland Avenue
  • Windsor Road at Stiles Street

Transportation

Roads and highways

The New Jersey Turnpike/Interstate 95 northbound in Linden

As of May 2010^[update], the city had a total of 109.72 miles (176.58 km) of roadways, of which 87.01 miles (140.03 km) were maintained by the municipality, 13.53 miles (21.77 km) by Union County, 6.19 miles (9.96 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and 2.99 miles (4.81 km) by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.

The New Jersey Turnpike (Interstate 95) passes through the eastern portion of the city, with a few ramps that lead to the nearest exit (Exit 13 for I-278) which is right on the city limits with nearby Elizabeth. The city is also the western terminus of Interstate 278, which travels through all five boroughs of New York City. Linden is also served by U.S. Route 1/9 and Route 27. The Garden State Parkway passes about 500 feet west of the city limits.

Public transportation

Bus

Local public transportation is provided by NJ Transit with bus service to Elizabeth, Perth Amboy and Newark. New Jersey Transit routes 112 and 115 provide local service and interstate service to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan, on the 48 to Elizabeth and 94 routes to Newark, and local service on the 56 and 57 routes.

Rail

The Linden train station offers a one-seat ride to Manhattan in 39 minutes via service on NJ Transit's North Jersey Coast Line and the Northeast Corridor Line. Trains travel northbound to Newark Penn Station, Secaucus Junction and New York Penn Station, and southbound towards the Trenton Transit Center, with connections available at those locations

Airport

Linden Airport is a small general aviation facility and reliever airport located on the eastern side of the city along U.S. Route 1/9. The airport was constructed for the United States Navy in 1942 for use in development and testing of the Grumman F4F Wildcat and was taken over by the City of Linden after World War II. The airport served as a road racing course in June 1954 for a race in the then-NASCAR Grand National Division (now known as the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series), with Al Keller winning the 50-lap race over a 2 miles (3.2 km) course.

Newark Liberty International Airport is approximately 15 minutes away.

Popular culture

Linden was chosen as the primary filming location for Volume 2 of the streetball video series, AND1 Mixtapes. One of the original five streetballers to sign with AND1, Waliyy Dixon, a Linden native who also goes by the nickname "Main Event," helped host a night of basketball at 4th Ward Park that claimed attendance by 2,000 spectators.

Several scenes from the 2008 Mickey Rourke film The Wrestler, later nominated for several Academy Awards, were filmed in Linden.

Hal Linden, the stage and screen actor, television director and musician best known as the star of the TV series Barney Miller, based his stage name on the city's name, after seeing the word "Linden" on a water tower while heading to from Philadelphia to perform in New York City.

Economy

The east side of Linden is located along the Arthur Kill, a navigable strait which plays an important role in bulk cargo transportation in the Port of New York and New Jersey.

Together with Elizabeth, Linden is home to the Bayway Refinery, a Phillips 66 refining facility that helps supply petroleum-based products to the New York/New Jersey area, producing approximately 230,000 barrels per day (37,000 m³/d), making it the second-largest on the East Coast of the United States and one of the country's 25 largest facilities.

From 1937 to 2005, Linden was home to Linden Assembly, a General Motors manufacturing plant that produced Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Buick and other GM automobiles, but also produced planes during World War II. By early 2008 most of the plant has been torn down for redevelopment by Duke Realty Corporation, which purchased the 100 acres (40 ha) site for $76.5 million.

Linden, together with Rahway, is home to Merck & Co., one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies. In 2003, the pharmaceutical company celebrated 100 years in Rahway and Linden.

Education

Public schools

The Linden Public Schools serve students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. As of the 2018–19 school year, the district, comprised of 11 schools, had an enrollment of 6,342 students and 561.4 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 11.3:1. Schools in the district (with 2018–19 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics) are School No. 1 (with 431 students; in grades PreK–5), School No. 2 (631; PreK-5), School No. 4 (435; PreK-5), School No. 5 (315; PreK-5), School No. 6 (370; PreK-5), School No. 8 (348; PreK-5), School No. 9 (344; PreK-5), School No. 10 (270; PreK-5), Myles J. McManus Middle School (687; 5-8), Joseph E. Soehl Middle School (679; 6-8) and Linden High School (1,696; 9–12). School No. 5 was one of nine schools in New Jersey honored in 2020 by the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program, which recognizes high student achievement.

Private schools

Sinai Christian Academy serves grades Pre-K through 12th grade.

Saints Mary and Elizabeth Academy was a Catholic school serving students in Pre-K through 8th grade that operated under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark until its closure at the end of the 2013–14 school year due to declining enrollment.

Notable people

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Linden include:

• Tiffany Andrade (born 1985), Miss New Jersey USA 2008 & 2nd runner-up to Miss USA 2008.
• Amelia Brodka (born 1989), Olympic athlete and professional skateboarder.
• Deidre Davis Butler (1955-2020), lawyer, disability rights activist and federal official.
• Kevin Carolan (born 1968), actor and comedian.
• John Charles (born 1944), former cornerback and safety who played eight seasons in the National Football League.
• Nick Christiani (born 1987), former baseball pitcher who played for the Cincinnati Reds.
• Jerome A. Cohen (born 1930), professor of law at New York University School of Law and an expert in Chinese law.
• George Thomas Coker (born 1943), United States Navy navigator who spent over six years as a POW after being shot down over North Vietnam in 1966.
• Danny Dias (c. 1983–2017), activist and reality television personality who starred on season 13 on MTV's Road Rules, Road Rules: X-Treme, in 2004.
• Tamecka Dixon (born 1975), professional basketball player who played for 13 seasons in the WNBA.
• Waliyy Dixon (born 1974), aka "Main Event" on the AND1 Mixtape Tour; one of the original players on the famous AND1-sponsored streetball tours.
• Carolyn Dorin-Ballard (born 1964), professional bowler and TV bowling analyst, USBC Hall of Famer.
• Cathy Dorin-Lizzi (born 1966), professional bowler and TV bowling analyst, sister of Carolyn.
• Calvin Duncan (born 1961), pastor and former professional basketball player who was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round (30th pick overall) of 1985 NBA Draft.
• John T. Gregorio (1928−2013), politician who served as mayor of Linden, in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1976 to 1978 and in the New Jersey Senate from 1978 to 1983.
• Linda Hayes (born 1923 as Bertha Williams), jazz and R&B singer.
• George Hudak (1935–1996), politician who represented the 20th Legislative District in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1986 to 1994 and was mayor of Linden from 1983 to 1987.
• Eddie Kasko (born 1932), former infielder, manager, scout and front office executive in Major League Baseball.
• Thomas Lanigan-Schmidt (born 1948), artist and veteran of the Stonewall riots.
• Mike Nardi (born 1985), basketball player who has played for Scavolini Spar Pesaro in the Italian League – Serie A.
• Vincent Obsitnik (born 1938), Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Slovak Republic.
• Mike Pringley (born 1976), former American football defensive end who played in the NFL for the Detroit Lions and San Diego Chargers.
• Jon Rua (born 1983), actor, singer and choreographer who appeared in the Broadway hit Hamilton.
• Nicholas Scutari (born 1968), politician, who has been serving in the New Jersey Senate since 2004, where he represents the 22nd Legislative District.
• Danny Stiles (1923–2011), radio personality at WNYC, WNSW, WJDM and WPAT in the New York City market.
• Troy Stradford (born 1964), former running back who played for six seasons in the NFL.
• Joseph Suliga (1958–2005), former member of the New Jersey Senate who was the youngest person ever elected to the Linden Public Schools Board of Education, at the age of 19.
• Craig Taylor (born 1966), former running back for the Cincinnati Bengals.
• Chester A. Weidenburner (1913-1985), lawyer and judge who served as U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey and as a Judge of the New Jersey Superior Court.
• Muhammad Wilkerson (born 1989), defensive end who has played for the New York Jets.
• 1910 Fruitgum Company's original members Frank Jeckell, Mark Gutkowski, Floyd Marcus, Pat Karwan and Steve Mortkowitz.

Images for kids

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  As a regional hub of Polish immigration, Linden is known for its Polish cuisine such as pierogis

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  Linden station offers direct trains to Manhattan

See also

In Spanish: Linden (Nueva Jersey) para niños