Bergen County, New Jersey
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| Bergen County, New Jersey | |
|---|---|
 Andre Carrotflower · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source | |
| Name | Bergen County |
| Settlement type | County |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | United States |
| Subdivision type1 | State |
| Subdivision name1 | New Jersey |
| Established title | Founded |
| Established date | 1683 |
| Seat type | County seat |
| Seat | Hackensack |
| Largest city | Hackensack (population) |
| Area total sq mi | 246.73 |
| Population total | 955,732 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population density sq mi | auto |
Bergen County, New Jersey is the most populous county in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Located in the northeastern corner of the state, its county seat is Hackensack. The county is a central part of the New York metropolitan area, directly across the Hudson River from Manhattan.
History
The area was originally inhabited by the Lenape people before European settlement began with the Dutch in the early 17th century. The first European settlement was at Bergen Square in present-day Jersey City, established in 1660. The county itself was officially formed in 1683, one of New Jersey's four original counties, and was named for the city of Bergen in Norway. During the American Revolutionary War, it was the site of several engagements, including the Baylor Massacre in River Vale. The 19th and 20th centuries saw rapid suburbanization, fueled by transportation projects like the George Washington Bridge and the Palisades Interstate Parkway.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 246.73 square miles, of which 233.01 square miles is land and 13.72 square miles is water. Its eastern border is defined by the Hudson River, across from New York City's borough of Manhattan and The Bronx. The county features the dramatic Palisades cliffs along the river. Major waterways include the Hackensack River, which flows through the Hackensack Meadowlands, and the Saddle River. The northwestern section is part of the Appalachian Valley region, with significant preserved land in the Ramapo Mountains and parks like Ramapo Mountain State Forest.
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 955,732, making it the most populous county in New Jersey. The racial and ethnic composition is diverse, with significant populations identifying as White, Asian, and Hispanic or Latino. The county has one of the highest median household incomes in the United States. Communities like Fort Lee have a large Korean American population, while towns such as Teaneck and Fair Lawn have historically notable Jewish communities. Other populous municipalities include Paramus, Bergenfield, and Englewood.
Government
Bergen County operates under a County Executive form of government, with a directly elected County Executive and a seven-member Board of County Commissioners elected at-large. The Bergen County Sheriff is an elected constitutional officer. The Bergen County Courthouse and main administrative offices are located in Hackensack. The county is part of New Jersey's 5th, 9th, and 37th legislative districts for the New Jersey Legislature and is represented in the United States House of Representatives by members from the 5th and 9th districts.
Economy
The economy is robust and diversified, with major sectors including healthcare, retail, finance, and professional services. The Hackensack Meridian Health network and Englewood Health are major employers. Paramus is a renowned retail hub, home to several large shopping malls including Westfield Garden State Plaza and The Outlets at Bergen Town Center. The American Dream mega-mall and entertainment complex in East Rutherford is a major commercial attraction. The MetLife Sports Complex in East Rutherford, featuring MetLife Stadium, home to the New York Giants and New York Jets, hosts major events. Corporate headquarters in the county include those of BD and Unilever.
Education
Primary and secondary education is provided by numerous local public school districts, such as the Tenafly Public Schools and Ridgewood Public Schools, as well as private institutions like the Academy of the Holy Angels and Bergen Catholic High School. Bergen Community College, with its main campus in Paramus, is a key institution for higher education. The county is also home to Fairleigh Dickinson University's Metropolitan Campus in Teaneck and Ramapo College of New Jersey in Mahwah. Specialized schools include the Bergen County Academies in Hackensack, a top-ranked magnet high school.
Transportation
The county is a critical transportation corridor into New York City. Major roadways include Interstate 80, Interstate 95 (the New Jersey Turnpike), the Garden State Parkway, and the Palisades Interstate Parkway. The George Washington Bridge, operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, connects Fort Lee to Manhattan. Public transit is provided by NJ Transit, with extensive bus service and Bergen County Line and Pascack Valley Line rail services. The county is served by three major airports: Newark Liberty International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and John F. Kennedy International Airport.