Wood-Ridge, New Jersey

Wood-Ridge, New Jersey is a borough located in Bergen County, New Jersey, situated approximately 10 miles from New York City and near the Hackensack River. The borough is bordered by Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, Lodi, New Jersey, Wallington, New Jersey, and Carlstadt, New Jersey. Wood-Ridge is part of the New York metropolitan area and is close to major transportation hubs like LaGuardia Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport. The borough is also near several major highways, including the New Jersey Turnpike and Interstate 80.

Geography

Wood-Ridge is situated in the northern part of Bergen County, New Jersey, near the Hackensack Meadowlands. The borough's geography is characterized by its location in the New Jersey Meadowlands, a region of wetlands and coastal plains along the Hudson River. The nearby Garretson Forge and Farm and New Jersey Naval Museum are popular attractions in the area. Wood-Ridge is also close to several parks and nature reserves, including the Overpeck County Park and the Meadowlands Sports Complex, which is home to the New York Jets and the New York Giants. The borough's proximity to the Hudson River and the New York Harbor makes it an important location for shipping and trade, with nearby ports like the Port of New York and New Jersey and the Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal.

History

The area that is now Wood-Ridge was originally settled by the Lenape Native American tribe, who were later displaced by Dutch West India Company colonists. The borough was formed in 1894 from portions of Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey and Carlstadt, New Jersey, and was named after the wooded ridge that runs along its eastern edge. Wood-Ridge played an important role in the American Industrial Revolution, with the nearby Hackensack River powering mills and factories like the Ford Motor Company and the General Motors plant in Teterboro, New Jersey. The borough was also home to several notable figures, including William Carlos Williams, a famous Imagist poet who lived in nearby Rutherford, New Jersey, and Allen Ginsberg, a leading figure of the Beat Generation who attended Columbia University in New York City.

Demographics

As of the 2010 United States Census, the population of Wood-Ridge was approximately 7,600 people, with a diverse mix of ethnic and racial groups. The borough is home to a large Italian-American community, as well as significant populations of Irish-American and Polish-American residents. Wood-Ridge is also close to several major universities, including Fairleigh Dickinson University and Bergen Community College, which are located in nearby Teaneck, New Jersey and Paramus, New Jersey. The borough's demographics are similar to those of other nearby communities, such as Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey and Lodi, New Jersey, which are also part of the New York metropolitan area.

Government

Wood-Ridge is governed by a Mayor-council government, with a mayor and six council members elected by the residents. The borough is part of the 9th Congressional District of New Jersey and is represented in the New Jersey Senate by the 36th Legislative District. Wood-Ridge is also part of the Bergen County Sheriff's Office and the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office, which are headquartered in Hackensack, New Jersey. The borough's government is similar to that of other nearby communities, such as Carlstadt, New Jersey and Wallington, New Jersey, which are also part of the Bergen County, New Jersey government.

Education

The Wood-Ridge Public Schools serve students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade, with several schools located throughout the borough. Wood-Ridge is also close to several major universities, including Rutgers University and New Jersey Institute of Technology, which are located in nearby Newark, New Jersey. The borough is also home to several private schools, including the Bergen Catholic High School and the Immaculate Conception High School, which are located in nearby Oradell, New Jersey and Lodi, New Jersey. Wood-Ridge students can also attend schools in nearby districts, such as the Hasbrouck Heights Public Schools and the Carlstadt Public Schools.

Transportation

Wood-Ridge is located near several major transportation hubs, including LaGuardia Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport. The borough is also close to several major highways, including the New Jersey Turnpike and Interstate 80. The New Jersey Transit bus system provides service to Wood-Ridge, with several routes connecting the borough to nearby communities like New York City and Hackensack, New Jersey. The borough is also near the Secaucus Junction train station, which provides service to Penn Station (New York City) and other destinations in the New York metropolitan area. Wood-Ridge is also close to the George Washington Bridge, which connects New Jersey to New York City.