Good Luck, New Jersey

Good Luck, New Jersey is an unincorporated community located within the borough of River Edge in Bergen County. Historically a distinct hamlet, its identity has been largely absorbed by the surrounding municipality. The area is primarily residential and is situated along the Hackensack River, a key waterway in the New York metropolitan area.

History

The land that became this community was part of the original New Netherland colony and later the British colonial Province of New Jersey. It developed as a small settlement in the Township of Franklin. The origin of its distinctive name is attributed to local folklore, possibly related to a successful mill or a favorable property transaction. The community was served by a station on the New York and New Jersey Railroad in the late 19th century, facilitating its growth. In 1894, it became part of the newly formed borough of River Edge, then known as Rivervale. Throughout the 20th century, its separate identity diminished as suburban development expanded following the construction of major highways like the Garden State Parkway.

Geography

The community is positioned on the western bank of the Hackensack River, directly across from the borough of Oradell. Its terrain is relatively flat, characteristic of the Hackensack Meadowlands region. The area falls within the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA Metropolitan Statistical Area. Key local geographic features include nearby Interstate 80 and the Oradell Reservoir, which is a critical water supply for Bergen County. The community is bordered by the neighborhoods of Cherry Hill and central River Edge.

Demographics

As an unincorporated area within River Edge, specific demographic data is not separately tracked by the United States Census Bureau. Its population is included within the borough's totals. River Edge, according to the 2020 United States Census, reported a population of approximately 11,600 residents. The broader community is characterized by a high percentage of college-educated adults and median household incomes above the state average, typical of many suburbs in North Jersey. The racial makeup is predominantly non-Hispanic white, with significant and growing Asian American and Hispanic communities.

Notable people

While few individuals are specifically associated with the hamlet itself, several notable figures have resided in the encompassing borough of River Edge. These include former Major League Baseball player Eddie Yost, known as "The Walking Man" for his time with the Washington Senators. Television writer and producer Tom Fontana, acclaimed for his work on *Oz* and *Homicide: Life on the Street*, was also raised in the area. Additionally, United States Army Medal of Honor recipient John R. Crews lived in River Edge later in his life.

In popular culture

The unusual name of the community has occasionally captured public imagination, leading to minor references. It was mentioned in a comedic segment on *The Tonight Show* during the tenure of host Johnny Carson. The name also appears in trivia collections and lists of peculiarly named American places, often alongside locations like Intercourse, Pennsylvania and Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. While not a direct filming location, its proximity to New York City has made the broader Bergen County area a backdrop for numerous films and television series.

Category:Unincorporated communities in Bergen County, New Jersey Category:River Edge, New Jersey