Newark, New Jersey

Newark is the most populous city in the U.S. state of New Jersey and the county seat of Essex County. It is also a principal city of the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2020 census, Newark had a population of 311,549, and estimates for 2024 put the population at around 317,303, making it the 64th-most populous municipality in the nation.

Founded in 1666 by Puritans from New Haven Colony, Newark is one of the oldest cities in the United States. Its location at the mouth of the Passaic River, where it flows into Newark Bay, has made the city's waterfront very important for trade. Port Newark–Elizabeth is the main container shipping terminal for the busiest seaport on the U.S. East Coast. Newark Liberty International Airport was the first municipal commercial airport in the United States and remains one of the busiest today.

Many companies have their headquarters in Newark, such as Prudential, PSEG, Panasonic Corporation of North America, Audible.com, and Mars Snacking. The city is also home to several educational institutions, including the Newark campus of Rutgers University, the New Jersey Institute of Technology, and Seton Hall University's law school. Cultural spots like the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, The Newark Museum of Art, and Branch Brook Park, known for its many ornamental cherry trees, attract many visitors.

History

Main article: History of Newark, New Jersey

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Newark, New Jersey.

Newark was founded in 1666 by settlers from Connecticut called Puritans, who were led by a man named Robert Treat. They wanted to build a community where everyone shared the same beliefs, but over time, new people arrived with different ideas. In 1693, Newark became an official town, and in 1713, it received special permission from the king to operate as a town. By 1798, it was officially recognized as one of New Jersey's first townships.

During the American Revolutionary War, British soldiers attacked the town. In the 1800s and early 1900s, Newark grew quickly with many new factories and people moving in. However, in the mid-to-late 1900s, the city faced challenges, including the 1967 Newark riots, which caused many people to move away to the suburbs.

Since the 1990s, Newark has been working to improve itself again with new offices, arts centers, and sports facilities. The city's population, which had fallen sharply after World War II, began to grow again, with thousands of new residents moving in between 2000 and 2020.

Geography

Newark, New Jersey, covers an area of 25.89 square miles, including 24.14 square miles of land and 1.74 square miles of water. It is one of the smallest cities in the U.S. by land area. The city sits in a basin that slopes toward the Passaic River, with its highest points reaching about 230 feet above sea level.

Historically, Newark’s higher areas were home to wealthier neighborhoods. The city is surrounded by suburbs, the Passaic River, and Newark Bay. In the early 1900s, marshlands were turned into space for Newark Liberty International Airport and Port Newark. Newark is part of New Jersey’s Gateway Region and borders several nearby towns.

Neighborhoods

Main article: List of neighborhoods in Newark, New Jersey

Newark is divided into five wards: East, South, Central, North, and West. Each ward has its own character and neighborhoods. The Central Ward includes important historic areas and universities. The North Ward is known for Branch Brook Park and its historic homes. The West Ward has diverse neighborhoods, while the South Ward includes the Weequahic area. The East Ward contains downtown Newark and the Ironbound neighborhood, famous for its shops and restaurants.

Climate

Newark has a climate that mixes humid subtropical and humid continental features, with cold winters and hot, humid summers. Average January temperatures are around 33 °F, and July temperatures average about 78 °F. The city can experience heavy snowfall occasionally and gets rain throughout the year, with summer being the wettest season.

Demographics

Newark had a population of 311,549 in 2020. The Population Estimates Program calculated a population of 305,344 for 2022, making Newark the 66th-most populous municipality in the nation. The city was ranked 67th in population in 2010 and 63rd in 2000.

From 2000 to 2010, the city's population grew by 1.3%, from 273,546 people to 277,140 people. This growth continued in 2020, with an increase of 12.4% to 311,549 people. Before this, Newark had many more people, with a peak of 442,337 residents in 1930. After that, the population dropped as many people moved to nearby suburbs, especially starting in the 1940s. The 1967 riots also caused many middle-class families to leave the city.

Race and ethnicity

2020

From the 1950s to 1967, the number of white people in Newark decreased, while the number of Black people increased. By 2010, the percentage of white people had dropped to 11.6%, and the percentage of Latino or Hispanic people grew to 33.8%. In 2018, about 8.9% of people were white, 47.0% were Black or African American, 2.1% were Asian American, and 39.2% were Latino or Hispanic.

In 2010, about 35.74% of people were white, 58.86% were African American, and 33.39% were Latino or Hispanic. There were also people from many other backgrounds, including Native American, Asian, Pacific Islander, and people of two or more races.

Religion

About 60% of people in Newark follow a religion. The largest group is Catholic, making up 34.3% of the population. Other Christian groups include Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, and Pentecostals. Smaller groups include Anglicans, Lutherans, and members of other Christian denominations.

Judaism and Islam each make up about 3.0% of the population. Other religions include Eastern religions such as Sikhism, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Some people also identify as spiritual but not religious, agnostic, deistic, or atheist.

Economy

More than 100,000 people travel to Newark every workday. It is a big place for jobs, especially in areas like insurance, finance, trading, healthcare, and government work. Downtown Newark has lots of office space, and many law firms are based there. The city is also home to many students and has important transportation links, including an airport and a busy port.

Newark still has some factories, especially in its southern part, and many service jobs are growing. It is an important place for insurance companies and many big businesses have offices there. Even though there has been investment in downtown, many parts of the city still face challenges with jobs and money.

Arts and culture

Newark, New Jersey, is a city with many interesting buildings and places for the arts. It has many different kinds of architecture, like grand old buildings and modern skyscrapers. Some important buildings include the Veterans' Administration building, the Newark Museum of Art, and the Newark Public Library.

The city also has a big place for music, dance, and theater called the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. It opened in 1997 and welcomes many visitors each year. Before this center, Newark Symphony Hall was a popular spot for music and dance. Today, the Newark Boys Chorus and other groups perform there too.

Newark has many museums and libraries. The Newark Museum of Art is the largest museum in New Jersey and has many interesting things to see, including art from America and Tibet. The Newark Public Library has many books and often has special exhibits and activities.

The city also has many murals and public art, including some very big paintings made by many artists. There are also many festivals and parades throughout the year, celebrating different cultures and traditions, like the Cherry Blossom Festival and the James Moody Jazz Festival.

Parks and recreation

Newark has many lovely parks and green spaces for everyone to enjoy.

Colonial commons

Military Park in Downtown Newark has been the town's central green space since 1869. It features a famous sculpture and a casual restaurant. Lincoln Park, located in the Arts District, was once part of Newark's jazz and nightlife scene. Harriet Tubman Square, formerly Washington Park, honors the famous freedom fighter with a statue.

Passaic River waterfront

Riverfront Park runs along the Passaic River and offers a boardwalk and beautiful water views.

County parks

Newark is home to Branch Brook Park, the oldest county park in the United States. It hosts an annual Cherry Blossom Festival and contains over 5,000 cherry blossom trees. Other county parks include Independence Park, Ivy Hill Park, Vailsburg Park, Riverbank Park, Veterans Memorial Park, and Weequahic Park which features a large lake.

Municipal parks and squares

Peter Francisco Park serves as the gateway to the Ironbound district. Jesse Allen Park is Newark's second-largest city-owned park. The Greater Newark Conservancy maintains environmental learning centers and gardens. Mulberry Commons is a park near the Prudential Center and what used to be Newark's Chinatown. Nat Turner Park is Newark's largest city-owned park, named after the famous 19th-century leader.

Golf and other recreational facilities

Weequahic Golf Course is an 18-hole public course that was called a "hidden gem" by the Golf Channel. The course works to introduce young people from the city to golf. There are also several recreation centers and a skateboard park throughout the city.

Media

Newark is part of the metro New York media market.

Newspapers

The Star-Ledger, the leading newspaper in the state, is based in Newark. Another weekly student newspaper, The Newark Targum, is published for students at the Newark campus of Rutgers University.

Other news outlets

• TAP Into Newark is an online news site about Newark.
• Newark Patch provides daily local news online.
• Local Talk covers Newark and nearby areas.
• The Newarker is a journal about Newark's culture and history.
• The Newark Times is an online news site about Newark's lifestyle and events.
• The Newark Metro covers life from Newark to New York City.
• RLS Media reports news from Newark and surrounding areas.
• The city shares updates on its official Twitter account.
• The Pod is a podcast helping small businesses in New Jersey.

Radio

Early radio station WOR began in Newark in 1922. Today, WBGO, a jazz station, operates in downtown Newark. Other radio stations licensed to Newark include WNSW and WQXR.

Telephone

In 1915, Newark tested new telephone technology that allowed operators to connect calls without manual cords. This system was replaced by modern technology in the 1970s and finally decommissioned in 1983. Newark changed to area code 973 in 1997.

Television

New Jersey’s first TV station began broadcasting from Newark in 1948. WNET, a public station, is based there. Other stations include WFUT-TV and Tempo Networks. NwkTV serves as the city’s government channel.

Film

The Newark Black Film Festival has been held every year since 1974. The Newark International Film Festival started in 2015. Many movies and TV shows have been filmed in Newark, taking advantage of its unique cityscape. Notable productions include Joker, Smile, and The Sopranos.

In 2009, Ironbound Film & Television Studios opened, and a new major studio called Lionsgate Newark Studios is set to open in 2024.

Theatres

Newark once had many movie theaters, with 62 by 1922. Most closed over time, but today the CityPlex 12 Newark and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center remain active. Newark Symphony Hall has been hosting performances since 1925.

Sports

See also: Sports in Newark, New Jersey

Newark, New Jersey, has been home to many sports teams over the years. Today, the city has one major team: the New Jersey Devils, who play hockey in the NHL. The main place where they play is the Prudential Center, a big indoor arena in downtown Newark. It opened in 2007 and is also used for other sports and events.

In the past, Newark had other teams, like the Newark Bears baseball team, but their stadium closed and was torn down. The Prudential Center has hosted big games and events, including hockey finals and basketball drafts. It was also a busy place during the Super Bowl in 2014, with many activities happening there.

Government

Local

Newark uses a special way of running its city government called the Mayor-Council Plan C, which started in 1954. This system has a mayor and a council with nine members. The mayor is chosen by the people to serve a four-year term. The council has one person from each of the five parts of the city and four people who represent the whole city.

As of 2026, the mayor of Newark is Ras Baraka, who has been in office since 2014. The council members change every four years, and their terms end in 2026.

Federal, state, and county

Newark is split between two areas for choosing members of the U.S. House of Representatives. It is also part of two areas for the New Jersey state government.

New Jersey’s representatives in the U.S. Senate are Cory Booker and Andy Kim. For the U.S. House, Rob Menendez represents part of Newark, and LaMonica McIver represents another part.

At the state level, Newark’s areas are represented by different people in the State Senate and General Assembly. Essex County has its own government led by a county executive and a board of commissioners.

Politics

Newark usually votes for Democratic Party candidates in big elections. For example, in recent presidential elections, Democratic candidates have received most of the votes, though the support has gotten a little smaller in recent years.

Political corruption

Newark has had some problems with leaders doing wrong things in the past. Several mayors have faced serious accusations, and some were found guilty of doing bad things while in office. This has made it hard for the city to trust its leaders sometimes.

Education

Newark is home to many colleges and universities, such as Berkeley College, Essex County College, New Jersey Institute of Technology, and Rutgers University–Newark. These schools are mostly located in the University Heights area and help support the community.

The city also has many public schools. In 2020, the Newark Public Schools had over 40,000 students. Some well-known schools include Science Park High School and Technology High School. There are also charter schools like the Robert Treat Academy Charter School that serve students across the city. Private schools include Saint Benedict's Preparatory School and Saint Vincent Academy, both offering quality education.

Public safety

Newark Department of Public Safety

In 2016, the city brought together the Fire, Police, and Office of Emergency Management departments into one new Department of Public Safety.

Fire department

The city has more than 700 full-time firefighters in the Newark Fire Division. Founded in 1863, it operates from 16 firehouses, organized into four battalions. The department has many types of units, including engines, ladders, rescue units, and special operation vehicles. It responds to about 45,000 emergency calls each year.

Law enforcement

The Newark Police Division is the city's main law enforcement group. As of January 2014, it had 1,006 officers. After an investigation found some unfair practices, the department began reforms and training to improve how officers interact with people. These changes have helped reduce certain types of incidents.

Emergency management

The Office of Emergency Management helps organize responses to emergencies and makes sure there are resources available when needed. It creates plans and procedures to manage emergencies effectively.

Emergency Medical Services

University Hospital EMS runs the city's emergency medical services. It has many vehicles and staff ready to respond to calls, including some special units. The system is very busy, handling many calls each year.

Crime

Newark has seen changes in crime rates over the years. In the past, it was known for having high numbers of serious incidents, but recent years have shown lower numbers. For example, the city recorded a historic low of 37 homicides in 2024. However, some types of crime have increased in recent years.

Water contamination

Main article: Newark water crisis

For several years in the 2010s, Newark faced issues with lead in its water. This happened because of old pipes that can carry lead. The city took steps to test the water and provide filters, but some problems remained. In 2024, it was found that a company hired to replace these pipes did not do the work properly, leading to continued concerns. The city is working to fix these issues and ensure safe water for its residents.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Newark is a center for air, road, rail, and ship traffic, making it an important gateway to the New York metropolitan area and the Mid-Atlantic U.S..

Newark Liberty International Airport, located in both Newark and Elizabeth, is the second-busiest airport in the New York metro area and the 15th-busiest in the United States for passengers. Newark Airport was the first commercial airport in the New York City area, opening in 1928 on land reclaimed by the Port Authority.

Port Newark, on Newark Bay, is the 15th-busiest port in the world and the largest container port on the East Coast of the United States. In 2003, the port handled over $100 billion in goods.

Early modes of transport

The Morris Canal, stretching 102 miles (164 km) from Newark to Phillipsburg on the Delaware River, was finished in 1831. It allowed coal and other goods from Pennsylvania to be moved cheaply to the New York metropolitan area. After the canal closed, its path became the Newark City Subway, now the Newark Light Rail. Many stations still show the canal through mosaic art.

As Newark grew busier, new ways of travel were needed, leading to horse-drawn trolleys. These were later replaced by electric trolleys that ran down main streets like Broad Street and Market Street. However, as cars became more popular, the trolley system was replaced by automobiles.

Roads and highways

As of May 2010, the city had about 368 miles (592 kilometers) of roads. Of these, about 319 miles (513 kilometers) were maintained by the city, 18 miles (28 kilometers) by Essex County, 23 miles (36 kilometers) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation, and 9 miles (15 kilometers) by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.

Newark is served by many highways including the New Jersey Turnpike (Interstate 95), Interstate 280, Interstate 78, the Garden State Parkway, U.S. Route 1/9, U.S. Route 22, and Route 21. Newark is connected to the Holland Tunnel and Lower Manhattan by the Pulaski Skyway, which spans the Passaic and Hackensack Rivers. The Skyway was first built in 1938 and recently underwent a major $900 million renovation.

Streets in Newark often follow a pattern, with major roads going out from the downtown area like spokes on a wheel. Some streets are named after the towns they lead to, such as South Orange Avenue, Springfield Avenue, and Bloomfield Avenue, as well as Broadway, which was once Belleville Avenue.

In a city with good public transport, about 44% of Newark residents did not own a car in 2000, ranking second in the U.S. among cities with over 250,000 people. By 2016, this number had dropped to about 39%. That year, the average Newark household had about 0.9 cars, compared to the national average of 1.8 cars per household.

Public transportation

Newark Penn Station, east of downtown, is the city's main train station. It connects to Jersey City and Manhattan through the PATH's Newark–World Trade Center line, three NJ Transit Rail Operations commuter lines, and Amtrak intercity service. The station was designed by McKim, Mead & White and finished in 1935. One mile north is the Newark Broad Street Station, also served by three NJT commuter lines. The two stations are connected by the Newark Light Rail system, which also serves northern Newark and nearby towns like Belleville and Bloomfield. The light rail runs underground in Newark's downtown area through the bed of the old Morris Canal. The city's third station, at Newark Liberty International Airport, links the Northeast Corridor to the airport via AirTrain Newark.

Bus service in Newark is provided by NJ Transit. Routes include numbers and letters such as 1, 5, 11, 13, 21, 25, 27, 28, 29, 31, 34, 37, 39, 40, 41, 44, 59, 62, 65, 66, 67, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 76, 78, 79, 90, 92, 93, 94, 96, 99, 107, 108, and 109. Route 109 runs through North Newark. Routes 107 and 108 go to New York City. Route 319 is an express bus to Atlantic City.

The go bus 25 and go bus 28 are fast bus lines through the city to Irvington, Bloomfield, and Newark Liberty International Airport.

Newark also offers many ways to travel between cities, with services like FlixBus, Trailways, Peter Pan, OurBus, TransBridge, and Uptown Vans available at Newark Penn Station or Newark Airport. Amtrak Northeast Corridor trains also stop at Newark Penn Station.

Modal characteristics

According to the 2016 American Community Survey, about 54% of workers in Newark drove alone to work, 9% shared a ride, 27% used public transport, and 6% walked. About 5% used other ways to get to work, like taxis, motorcycles, or bicycles. About 6% of workers in Newark worked from home.

Healthcare

Newark is home to five hospitals. University Hospital, which teaches doctors through Rutgers Health, has been the busiest Level I trauma center in the state. Newark Beth Israel Medical Center is the largest hospital in the city and part of Barnabas Health, the state's biggest hospital group. Beth Israel, founded in 1901, is also one of the oldest hospitals in the city and has 669 beds, including the Children's Hospital of New Jersey. Catholic Health East runs Saint Michael's Medical Center. Columbus Hospital LTACH is a special hospital for patients who need long-term, intense care. Some hospitals that have closed in recent years include Saint James Hospital, Mount Carmel Guild Hospital, and United Hospitals Medical Center.

Lead water pipes

In 2016, tests of water in Newark's public schools found high levels of lead; over 30 schools turned off their water fountains and used bottled water. In August 2019, worries about lead in the city's drinking water grew again because of new warnings from federal officials. The problem was believed to be from old lead pipes and changes in the water supply that made the water more likely to carry lead from the pipes into homes. In August 2019, New Jersey started giving bottled water to people in certain neighborhoods. On August 26, 2019, Newark announced a $120 million plan to replace the city's lead service lines within three years. About 29,000 families affected by the contaminated water got water filters and bottled water. Tests in September showed the filters worked in 97% of homes tested, but bottled water was still offered to anyone who wanted it. The long-term plan is to replace all lead pipes from the water supply to homes.

International relations

Newark has several important buildings where countries have representatives, called consulates. The Consulate-General of Ecuador in New Jersey is at 400 Market Street. The Consulate-General of Portugal in Newark is at the main floor of the Newark Legal Center at One Riverfront Plaza. The Consulate-General of Colombia is at 550 Broad Street. The Vice Consulate of Italy used to be at 1 Gateway Center, but it closed in 2014.

Famous people visited Newark in the past. Pope John Paul II came in 1995 and made the city's main church very important. In 2011, the Dalai Lama was a special guest at a meeting about peace.

Newark has many sister cities around the world. These are cities that work together and share traditions. As of 2022, Newark had 15 official sister cities, including places in Portugal, Brazil, and many other countries. There are also other cities that are sometimes listed as sister cities, such as places in Ireland, Ecuador, and Spain. In 2023, Newark held a ceremony with a place called Kailaasa, but later it was found that this nation does not actually exist.

Notable people

Main article: List of people from Newark, New Jersey

Newark, New Jersey, has been home to many famous people throughout history. These individuals have made important contributions in various fields such as arts, sports, and entertainment. The city continues to inspire and shape notable figures who have left their mark on the world.