Northvale is a borough in Bergen County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 4,761, an increase of 121 (+2.6%) from the 2010 census count of 4,640, which in turn reflected an increase of 180 (+4.0%) from the 4,460 counted in the 2000 census.Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023.
History The borough of Northvale was formed on March 15, 1916, from the remaining portions of Harrington Township, based on the results of a referendum held on April 4, 1916. With the creation of Northvale, Harrington Township was dissolved. Portions of Northvale were transferred to create the borough of Rockleigh, as of March 13, 1923.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 82. Accessed May 30, 2024. The borough's name derives from its location and topography.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 11, 2015.
Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 1.27 square miles (3.28 km2), including 1.27 square miles (3.28 km2) of land and <0.01 square miles (0.01 km2) of water (0.24%).
The borough borders Norwood, Old Tappan and Rockleigh in Bergen County; and Tappan (in the Town of Orangetown) in Rockland County, New York.Areas touching Northvale, MapIt. Accessed March 1, 2020.Bergen County Map of Municipalities, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 1, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.
Demographics
Racial and ethnic composition +Northvale borough, New Jersey – Racial and ethnic compositionRace / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)Pop 2000Pop 2010Pop 2020% 2000% 2010% 2020White alone (NH)3,5533,0392,71479.66%65.50%57.00%Black or African American alone (NH)3246550.72%0.99%1.16%Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)0300.00%0.06%0.00%Asian alone (NH)6261,1101,27814.04%23.92%26.84%Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)0100.00%0.02%0.00%Other race alone (NH)75130.16%0.11%0.27%Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)31581320.70%1.25%2.77%Hispanic or Latino (any race)2113785694.73%8.15%11.95%Total4,4604,6404,761 100.00%100.00%100.00%
2020 census As of the 2020 census, Northvale had a population of 4,761.
The median age was 43.5 years. 21.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.6% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females, there were 98.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.6 males age 18 and over.
100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.
There were 1,641 households, of which 37.2% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 63.2% were married-couple households, 12.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 21.7% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 18.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 1,700 housing units, of which 3.5% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 4.9%.
2010 census
The 2010 United States census counted 4,640 people, 1,564 households, and 1,265 families in the borough. The population density was . There were 1,635 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 71.94% (3,338) White, 1.06% (49) Black or African American, 0.19% (9) Native American, 24.01% (1,114) Asian, 0.02% (1) Pacific Islander, 1.14% (53) from other races, and 1.64% (76) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.15% (378) of the population. Korean Americans accounted for 16.3% of the population.
Of the 1,564 households, 38.7% had children under the age of 18; 67.8% were married couples living together; 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present and 19.1% were non-families. Of all households, 16.3% were made up of individuals and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.96 and the average family size was 3.32.
25.2% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 23.2% from 25 to 44, 30.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.2 years. For every 100 females, the population had 98.7 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 93.8 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $86,607 (with a margin of error of +/− $13,519) and the median family income was $89,125 (+/− $16,380). Males had a median income of $66,563 (+/− $14,582) versus $31,228 (+/− $7,496) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $35,404 (+/− $4,301). About 3.7% of families and 4.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.7% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Northvale borough, Bergen County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed March 10, 2013.
Same-sex couples headed 9 households in 2010, an increase of 50% from the 6 counted in 2000.Lipman, Harvy; and Sheingold, Dave. "North Jersey sees 30% growth in same-sex couples", The Record, August 14, 2011, backed up by the Internet Archive as of February 3, 2013. Accessed October 14, 2014.
2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 4,460 people, 1,575 households, and 1,236 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 1,596 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 82.91% White, 0.76% African American, 0.07% Native American, 14.06% Asian, 1.17% from other races, and 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.73% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Northvale borough, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed March 10, 2013.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Northvale borough, Bergen County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed March 10, 2013.
There were 1,575 households, out of which 33.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.2% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.5% were non-families. 18.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.83 and the average family size was 3.21.
In the borough the population was spread out, with 22.5% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 25.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.2 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $72,500, and the median income for a family was $81,153. Males had a median income of $50,901 versus $37,563 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $28,206. About 2.4% of families and 3.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.9% of those under age 18 and 1.4% of those age 65 or over. Government
Local government Northvale is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey.Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey , Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023. The governing body is comprised of a mayor and a borough council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. A mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council includes six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle.2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 165. The borough form of government used by Northvale is a "weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.Cerra, Michael F. "Forms of Government: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know, But Were Afraid to Ask" , New Jersey State League of Municipalities. Accessed November 30, 2014."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey" , p. 6. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.
, the mayor of Northvale is Republican Joseph E. McGuire, whose term of office ends December 31, 2026. Members of the Borough Council are Thomas R. Argiro (D, 2023), John M. Hogan (D, 2023), Martin Mattessich (R, 2025), Kara McMorrow (R, 2024), Domenich Menafra (R, 2025), Roy Sokoloski (R, 2024; appointed to serve an unexpired term).Mayor & Council, Borough of Northvale. Accessed March 14, 2023.2022 Municipal Data Sheet, Borough of Northvale. Accessed March 14, 2023.2024 County and Municipal Directory, Bergen County, New Jersey, April 2024. Accessed April 15, 2024.Bergen County November 8, 2022 General Election Statement of Vote, Bergen County, New Jersey Clerk, updated November 21, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.Bergen County Statement of Vote November 2, 2021 Official results, Bergen County, New Jersey, updated November 17, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.Precinct Summary Results Report - Combined 2020 Bergen County General Election - November 3, 2020 Official Results, Bergen County, New Jersey, December 3, 2020. Accessed January 1, 2021.
In February 2023, Roy Sokoloski was appointed to fill the seat expiring in December 2024 that had been held by Joseph McGuire until he resigned from office.Mayor and Council Meeting Minutes for February 8, 2023, Borough of Northvale. Accessed March 14, 2023. "WHEREAS, there is a vacancy on the Borough Council as a result of the resignation of Joseph McGuire, who was a member of the Republican party, and... NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Governing body of the Borough of Northvale does hereby appoint Roy Sokoloski, who is one of the names submitted by the Republican Committee to fill the vacant seat as authorized by N.J.S.A. 40A:16-11."
In December 2015, the borough council selected Michael Small from a list of three candidates nominated by the Democratic municipal committee to fill the seat vacated by Gloria Libby, who had left office earlier that month to follow her employer, Mercedes-Benz USA, which had relocated its headquarters from Bergen County to Atlanta.Bahrenburg, Caitlyn. "Northvale taps candidate who lost election bid to fill vacant seat", Northern Valley Suburbanite, December 16, 2015. Accessed May 20, 2016. "On Dec. 8 the Mayor and Council appointed Michael Small to fill the unexpired three-year term of former Councilwoman Gloria Libby, who resigned on Dec. 1. Libby stepped down to continue her role as a senior campaign specialist for Mercedes Benz, which relocated its headquarters from Montvale to Atlanta, Ga. in July."