Belleville, New Jersey
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| Belleville, New Jersey | |
|---|---|
| Name | Belleville |
| Settlement type | Township |
| Pushpin label | Belleville |
| Coordinates | 40, 47, 26, N... |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | United States |
| Subdivision type1 | State |
| Subdivision name1 | New Jersey |
| Subdivision type2 | County |
| Subdivision name2 | Essex |
| Established title | Incorporated |
| Established date | April 8, 1839 |
| Government type | Faulkner Act (mayor–council) |
| Leader title | Mayor |
| Leader name | Michael A. Melham |
| Leader title1 | Administrator |
| Leader name1 | Kevin J. Esposito |
| Area total sq mi | 3.40 |
| Area land sq mi | 3.31 |
| Area water sq mi | 0.09 |
| Elevation ft | 25 |
| Population total | 38022 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population density sq mi | 11487.0 |
| Timezone | Eastern (EST) |
| Utc offset | -5 |
| Timezone DST | EDT |
| Utc offset DST | -4 |
| Postal code type | ZIP Code |
| Postal code | 07109 |
| Area code | 973 |
| Blank name | FIPS code |
| Blank info | 34-04750 |
| Blank1 name | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 info | 0885170 |
| Website | www.bellevillenj.org |
Belleville, New Jersey. Belleville is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, situated along the Passaic River directly north of the city of Newark. Originally part of the colonial-era Newark Township, it was incorporated as an independent township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature in 1839. The community evolved from a farming and milling center into a diverse, densely populated suburban residential hub, known for its historic architecture and strong civic identity.
History
The area was originally inhabited by the Lenape people before being settled by Europeans as part of the Pavonia purchase. It was known as "Second River" during the colonial era, a name derived from its location on the Passaic River and its importance for water-powered mills. During the American Revolutionary War, the community was the site of the Battle of Second River in 1780, a skirmish between local militia and British forces. The 19th century saw industrialization flourish, with factories like the Belleville Velvet Company and the Diamond Match Company establishing operations, attracting immigrant labor from Ireland, Italy, and Germany. The arrival of the Erie Railroad and the Newark and New York Railroad further spurred growth, transforming the area from a rural district into a bustling industrial suburb of Newark.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 3.40 square miles, of which 3.31 square miles is land and 0.09 square miles is water. It is bordered by Nutley to the north, Bloomfield to the west, Newark to the south, and the Passaic River to the east, across which lies Lyndhurst in Bergen County. The terrain is relatively flat, part of the Passaic River basin, and includes several small parks and recreational areas. Major thoroughfares include Route 7 (Belleville Turnpike) and Route 21, providing connections to the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway.
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 38,022, representing a diverse community. Historically, waves of immigration in the late 19th and early 20th centuries from Southern Europe and Eastern Europe shaped its demographic profile. More recent decades have seen significant growth in residents with ancestry from Latin America, particularly Peru and the Dominican Republic, as well as from Asia, including the Philippines and India. The racial and ethnic composition is a mix of White, Hispanic or Latino, Asian, and Black residents. The population density is one of the highest in New Jersey, characteristic of the older, developed suburbs in Essex County.
Economy
The historical economic base was heavily industrial, centered on textile dyeing, velvet manufacturing, and match production. While manufacturing has significantly declined, the township's economy is now diversified with retail, healthcare, and professional services. It hosts several commercial corridors along Main Street and Washington Avenue. Major employers include the local government, the Belleville School District, and various small to medium-sized businesses. The township is part of the larger New York metropolitan area economic sphere, with many residents commuting to jobs in Newark, Jersey City, and Manhattan.
Government
Belleville operates under the Faulkner Act mayor–council system of municipal government, adopted in 1962. The government consists of a Mayor and a nine-member Township Council, all elected on a partisan basis. The current Mayor is Michael A. Melham. The township is located in New Jersey's 8th and 10th legislative districts for the New Jersey Legislature and is part of New Jersey's 8th congressional district, represented in the United States House of Representatives by Rob Menendez. It is also under the jurisdiction of the Essex County government, which oversees services like the Essex County Park System and the Essex County Courthouse.
Education
Public education for students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade is provided by the Belleville School District, which operates several elementary schools, Belleville Middle School, and Belleville High School. The district is overseen by the New Jersey Department of Education. There are also private parochial schools, such as those operated by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark. For higher education, residents have access to nearby institutions including Rutgers University–Newark, the New Jersey Institute of Technology, and Montclair State University.
Notable people
Many individuals from various fields have called the township home. In entertainment, it was the birthplace of actor Frankie Avalon and the longtime residence of comedian and actor Joe Piscopo. 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