Teaneck, New Jersey

Template:US City infobox Teaneck is a township located in Bergen County, New Jersey, and is a suburb of New York City. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township had a total population of 39,260. The Census Bureau's 2004 population estimate for the township is 39,853.

Teaneck was created on February 19, 1895 by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature. Teaneck was formed from portions of Englewood Township and Ridgefield Township, both of which are now defunct (despite existing municipalities with similar names), along with portions of Bogota and Leonia. On May 3, 1921 and on June 1, 1926, portions of what had been Teaneck were transferred to Overpeck Township.

Geography

Teaneck is located at 40°53'27" North, 74°0'40" West (40.890964, -74.011156)Template:GR.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 16.2 km² (6.2 mi²). 15.7 km² (6.1 mi²) of it is land and 0.5 km² (0.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 3.20% water.

Teaneck is bordered to the West by River Edge and Hackensack which lie across the Hackensack River, to the North by New Milford and Bergenfield, to the East by Englewood and Leonia, and to the South by Ridgefield Park and Bogota.

Teaneck has 23 municipally owned parks, of which 14 are developed. Overpeck County Park, along the shores of Overpeck Creek, a tributary of the Hackensack River, is more than 8,000 acres (32 km²) in size, of which about 500 were donated by Teaneck, and which is also in portions of Englewood, Leonia, Ridgefield Park and Palisades Park. Major institutions within Teaneck are a campus of Fairleigh Dickinson University and Holy Name Hospital. The Teaneck Armory is the home of the New Jersey National Guard's 50th Main Support Battalion.

Demographics

2000 Census

As of the census Template:GR of 2000, there are 39,260 people, 13,418 households, and 10,076 families residing in the township. The population density is 2,505.5/km² (6,486.2/mi²). There are 13,719 housing units at an average density of 875.5/km² (2,266.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the township is 56.25% White, 28.78% African American, 0.15% Native American, 7.13% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 4.16% from other races, and 3.51% from two or more races. 10.45% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 13,418 households out of which 34.9% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.3% are married couples living together, 12.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 24.9% are non-families. 21.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.5% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.86 and the average family size is 3.34.

In the township the population is spread out with 25.8% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 89.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 84.9 males.

The median income for a household in the township is $74,903, and the median income for a family is $84,791. Males have a median income of $53,327 versus $40,085 for females. The per capita income for the township is $32,212. 4.2% of the population and 2.4% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 3.7% of those under the age of 18 and 6.7% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Historical population data

	Township of Teaneck			County of Bergen
Census   Year	Total   Population	Population   Change	Percent   Change	Total   Population	Population   Change	Percent   Change
1900	768			78,441
1910	2,082	1,314	171.1%	138,002	59,561	75.9%
1920	4,192	2,110	101.3%	210,643	72,641	52.6%
1930	16,513	12,321	293.9%	364,977	154,334	73.3%
1940	25,275	8,762	53.1%	409,646	44,669	12.2%
1950	33,772	8,497	33.6%	539,139	129,493	31.6%
1960	42,085	8,313	24.6%	780,255	241,116	44.7%
1970	42,355	270	0.6%	897,148	116,893	15.0%
1980	39,007	-3,348	-7.9%	845,385	-51,763	-5.8%
1990	37,825	-1,182	-3.0%	825,380	-20,005	-2.4%
2000	39,260	1,435	3.8%	884,118	58,738	7.1%

After its founding as a township, Teaneck saw rapid growth in its population during the first half of the 20th century. As Teaneck changed from a sparsely populated rural area into a suburb, particularly after development of property that had been part of the Phelps estate started in the late 1920's, Teaneck's population grew rapidly, far outpacing the growth of Bergen County.

After World War II, the 1950 census showed growth in Teaneck (33.6%) pacing Bergen County overall (31.6%). Starting in 1960, a substantial decline in the rate of growth compared to Bergen County occurred as Teaneck reached the limits of developable land, and the township neared its peak population. Population growth in the 1970 census was small, but positive, with Teaneck reaching its historical maximum of 42,355. Absolute declines in population followed in both the 1980 (-7.9%) and 1990 (-3.0%) data. The 2000 census showed recovery in Teaneck's population to 39,260, though growth (3.8%) was smaller than in Bergen County overall (7.1%)

With almost no land left to develop for housing, Teaneck's population is likely to remain stable for the foreseeable future. A reluctance to permit high-rise development as a means to increase population density also places a limit on growth. Changes in family size are one of the few influences that may affect population over time.

History

Early history

The origin and meaning of the name "Teaneck" is not known. The resemblance to certain Dutch words has encouraged speculation about a possible Dutch derivation and meaning. Likewise, the two syllables "Tea" and "Neck" have equally distinct English meanings. But most experts agree Teaneck is probably Native American in origin, and may mean "place where there are woods". This is as good a definition as any other.

In the early days, the name "Teaneck" referred to the high ridge of land that runs roughly north and south through the town and on which today's Queen Anne Road runs. Early trails and camp sites established by tribes of the Lenni Lenape Native Americans were laid out on either side of the ridge. At the time European explorers arrived in New Jersey and New York, a powerful sachem or chief named Oratam was the ruler of a large tribe of Lenapes in this area. They lived in a village that they called Achikinhesacky, on the banks of the Tantaqua (Overpeck) Creek, on the eastern slope of Teaneck Ridge near Fycke Lane.

Troubles persisted between the Indians and the Europeans until 1655, and it wasn't until 1704 that any reference to a permanent structure within Teaneck's current boundaries can be found. Later, more houses and farm buildings were constructed along the old Indian trail that ran along and above the west bank of the Hackensack River. The neighborhood that grew here came to be known as East Hackensack or New Hackensack.

A separate group of Dutch farm houses was constructed along the eastern slope of the Teaneck ridge. There were only a few European families in this neighborhood. Today, Teaneck is fortunate to have several of these early stone houses still standing. Officially designated as historic houses and lovingly maintained by their private owners, they are reminders of Teaneck's 17th and 18th century Dutch farm heritage.

The Revolutionary War period

During November of 1776, Teaneck was witness to General George Washington's famous withdrawal of Colonial forces from nearby Fort Lee on the Hudson River. Early on the morning of November 20, 1776, Washington rode by horseback from his headquarters in Hackensack through Teaneck and across the Overpeck Creek to Fort Lee. There he watched as 6,000 British troops made their way by boats up the Hudson River. He arranged for his owns troops to abandon their vulnerable position on the Palisades. Abandoning camp and most of their provisions, they hastily made their way across Overpeck Creek and through Teaneck to New Bridge Landing (today's Brett Park in Teaneck). They crossed the bridge, marching barefoot, two abreast, their garments so worn that they were exposed to the cold rain that fell that day.

Bergen County was the site of many such events, and Teaneck was right in the middle of it. Throughout the war, both British and American forces occupied several local homesteads at various times, and Teaneck citizens played key roles on both sides of the conflict.

After the war, Teaneck returned to being a quiet farm community. Fruits and vegetables grown locally were taken by wagon to busy markets in nearby Paterson and New York City. New growth and development were aroused at mid-century by the establishment of railroads throughout the regions. Wealthy New Yorkers and others purchased large tracts of land on which they built spacious mansions and manor houses. They maintained New York City as their principal places of employment and traveled daily to work by train, thus becoming Teaneck's first suburban commuters.

The Phelps Estate

The largest estate built in Teaneck belonged to William Walter Phelps, the son of a wealthy railroad magnate and New York City merchant. In 1865, Phelps arrived in Teaneck and enlarged an old farmhouse into a spectacular Victorian mansion on the site of the present Municipal Government Complex. Phelps' "Englewood Farm" eventually encompassed nearly 2,000 acres (8 km²) of landscaped property within the central part of Teaneck. Subsequent development and house construction refocused along the perimeters of the Township, the central part being a lovely park-like tract crisscrossed by picturesque roads and trails.

Township formed

The Township of Teaneck was established on February 19, 1895 and was comprised of portions of Englewood Township, Ridgefield Township and Bogota. Teaneck's choice to incorporate as a Township was unusual in an era of "Boroughitis," where the overwhelming majority of new municipalities were being formed using the Borough form of government.

William W. Bennett, overseer of the Phelps Estate, chaired the three-man Township Committee (later replaced by the current seven member Town Council). The town's population was 811. During these early days of the 20th century, the town's affairs focused on construction of streets and street lamps (originally gaslights), trolley lines (along DeGraw Avenue), telephones and speeding traffic. Social activities centered on church events and harness racing at the popular racetrack on Cedar Lane, near River Road. Several small inns offered fine dining and dancing to overnight guests.

Growth in early 20th century

Residential development began in earnest after the opening of the Phelps Estate in 1927. The completion of the George Washington Bridge in 1931 and its connection to Teaneck via Route 4 brought hundreds of curious and eager new home buyers. The population nearly quadrupled between 1920 and 1930, growing from 4,192 to 16,513.

Such rapid growth was not without its pains. Financial turmoil and inefficiencies in the town government resulted in the adoption of a new Council-Manager form of government in a referendum on September 16, 1930. A full-time Town Manager, Paul A. Volcker, Sr. (father of former Federal Reserve Chairman, Paul A. Volcker, Jr.), was appointed to handle Teaneck's day-to-day business affairs. Volcker's 20-year term, from 1930 to 1950, provided Teaneck with economic stability, zoning and long-term development plans, a paid fire department and civil service for Township employees. It also established a model for future administrations.

Development after World War II

Teaneck's reputation was enhanced when it was selected in 1949 from over 10,000 communities as America's model community. A film made, and photographs taken, in Teaneck was shown in Occupied Japan as a part of the United States Army's education program to show democracy in action. (See Teaneck Virtual Village: Teaneck as a Model Town).

After World War II, there was a second major spurt of building and population growth. The rapid changes and complicated demands of the modern era were met by careful consideration and adherence to the principles established by Teaneck's early citizens and planners. Never was this better illustrated that in 1965 when, after a long and difficult struggle, Teaneck became the first town in the nation where a white majority voted voluntarily for school integration. The sequence of events was the subject of a book entitled "Triumph in a White Suburb" written by Township resident Reginald G. Damerell (1968. New York: William Morrow & Company, Inc.).

The African-American population in the Northeast corner of Teaneck grew substantially starting in the 1960s, accompanied by white flight triggered by blockbusting efforts of area real estate agents. As this de facto racial segregation increased, so did tensions between residents of the Northeast and Teaneck Police. On the evening of April 10, 1990, the Teaneck Police Department responded to a call from a resident complaining about a teenager with a gun. After an initial confrontation near the Bryant School and a subsequent chase, Phillip Pannell, an African-American teenager, was shot and killed by Gary Spath, a white Teaneck police officer. Spath said he thought Pannell had a gun and was turning to shoot him. Some witnesses said Pannell was unarmed. Protest marches, some violent, ensued, with most African-Americans believing that Pannell had been killed in cold blood, and White residents insisting that Spath had been justified in his actions. Spath was ultimately acquitted on charges of reckless manslaughter in the shooting.

Teaneck, and the neighboring communities of Bergenfield and New Milford, has drawn a very large number of Modern Orthodox Jews who have established a network of synagogues and yeshivas. This community tends to be involved with many Religious Zionist causes and strong support of Israel.

Historic homes

Several homes in Teaneck date back to the colonial era and to the period after the American Revolutionary War, several of which have been lovingly preserved and survive to this day. Teaneck sites on the National Register of Historic Places include:

• Adam Vandelinda House - circa 1751. 586 Teaneck Road.
• Banta-Coe House - 18th century. 884 Lone Pine Lane.
• Brinkerhoff-Demarest House - circa 1728. 493 Teaneck Road.
• Caspar Westervelt House - 1763. 20 Sherwood Avenue.
• James Vandelinda House - 1805-1820. 566 Teaneck Road.
• Zabriskie-Kipp-Cadmus House - circa 1751. 664 River Road.

Government

Local government

At its founding in 1895, Teaneck used the traditional Township form of government, led by a three-man Township Committee (later expanded to five seats) elected on a partisan basis. On September 16, 1930, Teaneck residents voted to establish a nonpartisan Council-Manager form of government under the terms of the 1923 Municipal Manager Law, with five members elected concurrently on an at-large basis. In 1962, the Council was expanded to its current size of seven members and the position of Deputy Mayor was created. In 1987, a referendum to alter the form was approved as provided by the Faulkner Act, with a Council-Manager form of government providing for staggered terms for the Council. With this change, Council elections now take place every two years on the second Tuesday in May. Seven members serve staggered, four-year terms which expire in even numbered years as follows: four will expire in 2006, three will expire in 2008, etc. Members are elected to the Council at large.

The Township Council serves as Teaneck's governing body. It sets policies and standards and passes laws, known as ordinances. It adopts an annual budget and approves contracts and agreements for services. The Council appoints the Manager, Clerk, Auditor, Attorney, Magistrate and Assessor. The Council also appoints seven members of the Planning Board, the members of the Redevelopment Agency, Board of Adjustment, and all other statutory and advisory boards.

• Mayor Jacqueline B. Kates (term as Councilmember ends in 2008; term as Mayor ends 2006)
• David A. Langford (term as Councilmember ends in 2008; balance of term will come up at the May 2006 Municipal Elections). The Teaneck Township Council, at their January 17, 2006 meeting, unanimously voted to appoint Mr. David A. Langford to fill the vacancy created, on the Township Council, by the resignation of Mrs. Deborah Veach. Mr. Langford will serve this portion of the unexpired term until June 30, 2006. Langford had been a prospective candidate for the May elections before this appointment, and has indicated that he will run for a seat in the May municipal elections.

At the October 6, 2005 Council Meeting, Deputy Mayor Deborah Veach submitted her resignation from her Council seat and was approved unanimously to serve as the Township's municipal prosecutor. The Council can select a new Deputy Mayor, but it appears that there is no consensus on the Council to select a replacement. The two years remaining in Veach's term will come up for vote in the May 2006 Municipal Elections, together with the four other seats that expire at that time. A new Deputy Mayor might not be selected until the July 1, 2006 Reorganization Meeting after the upcoming May 2006 elections.

• Reverend Randall Day (term as Councilmember ends in 2006). The Teaneck Township Council, at their January 17, 2006 meeting also unanimously voted to appoint The Reverend Randall Day to fill the vacancy created by Mr. Michael Gallucci, upon his resignation on February 3, 2006. Reverend Day will serve the balance of the term to expire June 30, 2006. Day has indicated that he will not run for office upon the expiration of this term.

Gallucci had indicated that he was not running for reelection when his term ended in 2006, as he was planning on moving outside of the Township. On January 10, 2006, Gallucci submitted his resignation, following a controversy in which it was discovered that Gallucci had been using an assumed name to post remarks on a public chat forum that had been sharply critical of members of the Teaneck Fire Department and of the TFD's handling of a 2005 fire that took the lives of four children in a Rutland Avenue home. The resignation took effect on February 3, 2006.

• Monica Honis (term as Councilmember ends in 2008)
• Elie Y. Katz (term as Councilmember ends in 2006)
• Paul S. Ostrow (term as Councilmember ends in 2006). Ostrow has indicated that he is not running for reelection, having served 16 years on the Council, including serving as Mayor from 1996-2002.
• Emil "Yitz" Stern (term as Councilmember ends in 2006). Stern has indicated that he is not running for reelection when his term ends.

The 2006 Municipal Elections will fill five seats on the Township Council: the four seats scheduled to expire in 2006, along with the remaining two years of Deborah Veach's term. Three of the incumbents — Gallucci, Ostrow and Stern — have announced that they will not run for re-election. The new Council will thus have a majority consisting of new members.

On July 1st following a municipal election, the Township Council holds an Organizational Meeting at which time those individuals elected (or re-elected) to serve on the Council are sworn in and begin their terms of office. The Municipal Clerk presides over the meeting until a Mayor is elected by the new Council from among its members. Following the election of the Mayor, a Deputy Mayor is elected who presides in the absence of the Mayor.

The Mayor, elected from among the Council members themselves, serves for a two year term of office. The Mayor presides over all meetings and votes on every issue as a regular member. The Mayor is a member of the Planning Board and the Library Board. The Mayor appoints the members of the Library Board, and one member of the Planning Board. The Mayor executes bonds, notes, contracts and written obligations of the Township and is empowered by State Law to perform marriages.

The Municipal Manager, appointed to the position by the Council, is the Township's full-time professional chief executive officer. The duties include implementation of Council policies, enforcing ordinances and coordination of the activities of all departments and employees. The Manager makes recommendations to the Council on relevant matters, appoints and removes Township employees and investigates and acts on complaints. The Manager also appoints the Municipal Courts Prosecutor and Public Defender, members of the Rent Board and one member of the Teaneck Economic Development Corporation, and one member of the Civilian Complaint Review Board.

Federal, state and county representation

Teaneck is part of New Jersey's 37th Legislative District and is in the Ninth Congressional District.

For the 118th United States Congress, New Jersey's 9th congressional district was represented by Bill Pascrell (D, Paterson) until his death in August 2024. New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Democrats Cory Booker (Newark, term ends 2027) and George Helmy (Mountain Lakes, term ends 2024).

For the 2024-2025 session, the 37th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the New Jersey Senate by Gordon M. Johnson (D, Englewood) and in the General Assembly by Shama Haider (D, Tenafly) and Ellen Park (D, Englewood Cliffs). Template:NJ Governor

Bergen County is governed by a directly elected County Executive, with legislative functions performed by a Board of County Commissioners composed of seven members who are elected at-large to three-year terms in partisan elections on a staggered basis, with either two or three seats coming up for election each November; a Chairman and Vice Chairman are selected from among its seven members at a reorganization meeting held every January. As of 2024, the county executive is James J. Tedesco III (D, Paramus), whose four-year term of office ends December 31, 2026.

Bergen County's Commissioners are: Thomas J. Sullivan Jr. (D, Montvale, 2025), Chair Germaine M. Ortiz (D, Emerson, 2025), Joan Voss (D, Fort Lee, 2026), Vice Chair Mary J. Amoroso (D, Mahwah, 2025), Rafael Marte (D, Bergenfield, 2026), Steven A. Tanelli (D, North Arlington, 2024) and Tracy Silna Zur (D, Franklin Lakes, 2024).

Bergen County's constitutional officials are: Clerk John S. Hogan (D, Northvale, 2026), Sheriff Anthony Cureton (D, Englewood, 2024) and Surrogate Michael R. Dressler (D, Cresskill, 2026).

Education

The Teaneck Public Schools serves students in pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade. Schools in the district (with 2003-04 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics) include Bryant School, with 396 students in pre-K and Kindergarten; three lower schools serving grades 1-4: Hawthorne School with 372 students, Lowell School with 383 students and Whittier School with 425 students; two middle schools serving grades 5-8: Benjamin Franklin Middle School with 656 students and Thomas Jefferson Middle School with 747 students; and Teaneck High School, which has an enrollment of 1,407 students in grades 9-12.

Private Orthodox Jewish schools include the Torah Academy of Bergen County (for males) and Ma'ayanot (for females), both high schools (grades 9-12).

Teaneck is home to the Metropolitan Campus of Fairleigh Dickinson University, which straddles the Hackensack River, in Teaneck and Hackensack.

Transportation

Highways

Teaneck is situated along a number of major transportation routes, including the northern terminus of the New Jersey Turnpike (a portion of Interstate 95) and the eastern terminus of Interstate 80. Route 4 runs east-west through Teaneck, where, unlike all other towns situated along the highway, there is no commercial development. Access to New York City is available for motorists across the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee via Route 4, and through the Lincoln Tunnel in Hudson County into Midtown Manhattan.

Public transportation

Bus service is available from New Jersey Transit and private companies such as Red and Tan Lines to the Port Authority Bus Terminal and George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal, with frequent service on Teaneck Road, Route 4 and Cedar Lane, and less frequent service on other main streets.

While there is no passenger train operation in Teaneck, train service is available on New Jersey Transit on the Pascack Valley Line at the North Hackensack station (in River Edge) and the Anderson Street station (in Hackensack). This line runs north-south to Hoboken Terminal with connections to the PATH train from the Hoboken PATH station and New Jersey Transit connecting service to New York Penn Station via the Secaucus Junction transfer station. Connections are also available at the Hoboken Terminal to New York Waterways ferry service to the World Financial Center and other destinations.

Teaneck is split by railroad tracks, currently providing freight service by CSX. Until the 1950s, passenger train service was provided on these same tracks by the West Shore Railroad, with stations at Cedar Lane and West Englewood Avenue. Service was available from these stations into Weehawken, New Jersey, with ferry service available across the Hudson River to 42nd Street and the Financial district in New York City. Service was also available north along the west shore of the river to Albany, New York. Efforts are continuing to restore passenger train service on this line for the many commuters heading into New York City.

Noted residents

Some noted current and former residents:

• Vincent M. Battle - former United States Ambassador to Lebanon
• DMX - Rapper
• Lawrence Frank - Head Coach of the New Jersey Nets
• Jodeci - R&B group of the early 90s
• Zab Judah, - Champion welterweight boxer
• Abigail Leichman - Reporter The Record
• Damon Lindelof - Co-creator and executive producer of "Lost (TV series)" television series
• Mario - current R&B singer
• Bob McGrath - Plays the character "Bob" on TV's Sesame Street; The longest lasting human character on the program.
• Peter Pace - Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff since September 30, 2005; the first Marine to hold this position
• David Stern - Commissioner of the National Basketball Association

External links

• Township of Teaneck official website
• Teaneck Public Library
• Teaneck Public Schools website
• School Performance Reports for the Teaneck Public Schools, New Jersey Department of Education
• National Center for Education Statistics data for the Teaneck Public Schools
• Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps
• Teaneck Community Calendar
• Fairleigh Dickinson University
• Holy Name Hospital
• Historical Population Trends in Bergen County 1990 - 2000
• Census 2000 Demographic Profile Highlights for Teaneck