LIVINGSTON, NJ

Livingston is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township's population was 29,366, reflecting an increase of 1,975 (+7.2%) from the 27,391 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 782 (+2.9%) from the 26,609 counted in the 1990 Census. In 2019, the Population Estimates Program by the United States Census Bureau calculated that the township had a population of 30,303.

Livingston was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 5, 1813, from portions of Caldwell Township (now Fairfield Township) and Springfield Township (now in Union County). Portions of the original township were later taken to form Fairmount (March 11, 1862, now part of West Orange) and Roseland (March 10, 1908).

The township was named for William Livingston, the first Governor of New Jersey; his family's coat of arms served as the township's seal for many years.

The community has been one of the state's highest-income communities. Based on data from the American Community Survey for 2013–2017, township residents had a median household income of $153,381, ranked 14th in the state among municipalities with more than 10,000 residents, more than double the statewide median of $76,475.

History

Livingston's history dates back to 1699 when 101 settlers from Newark wanted to move westward. They set up a committee to negotiate from Lenni Lenape Native Americans for the purchase of the Horseneck Tract which today includes Livingston and eight other northern municipalities. Between 1698 and 1702, the rules for property ownership were unclear. There were many disputes between settlers and the English proprietors. For some unknown reasons, the Newark settlers did not obtain a grant from the proprietors before negotiating with the natives. They finally obtained the deed directly from Lenni Lenape in 1702 for £130. The settlements began until around the 1740s as the dispute between the proprietors and the settlers continued.

The dispute came to a breaking point in September 1745 when the East Jersey proprietors began to evict a settler only six months after a house fire in Newark completely destroyed the original deed, which was the only evidence of the purchase. During that period, William Livingston who was one of the few landed aristocrats joined the settlers against the proprietors. Livingston owned land around today's south western corner of the Township of Livingston. His land, like other settlers, was levied with quit rents in the amount 40 shillings per acre. He defended many settlers who were jailed for refusing to pay the quit rents.

This series of events caused the settlers, led by Timothy Meeker, to form a group to riot against the British government. The Horseneck Riots lasted for 10 years from 1745 to 1755. The group was also one of the first colonial militia which had periodic battles for 32 years leading up to the Revolutionary War as the group joined the Continental Army in 1776.

After the American Revolutionary War, more permanent settlements took place with the first school built in 1783. In 1811, a petition was filed to incorporate the township from about 100 people who lived in seven distinct areas: Centerville (separated to become Roseland, in 1908), Cheapside (now Livingston Mall), Morehousetown (now Livingston Circle), Northfield (now Northfield Center), Squiretown (now the Cerebral Palsy Institute of New Jersey on Old Road), Teedtown (now Livingston Center), and Washington Place (now near the border with Millburn). On February 5, 1813, the township was officially incorporated. The first town meeting was held on the same day and they decided to run the township by a Township Committee system.

During the 1800s, lumber and farming were major industries in the town. Shoemaking and dairy farming became major industries during and after the Civil War. However, the population grew slowly because it was not easily accessible. Mt. Pleasant Avenue – which was one of the first turnpikes in New Jersey – was the only primary access to the town through stagecoaches.

The population grew quickly after the 1920s when automobiles became more accessible. As a suburb of Newark, the town experienced many housing developments especially after World War II with its peak in 1970 of more than thirty thousand residents. During this growth period, many services were organized including public library in 1916, volunteer Fire Department in 1922, first regular police chief in 1923, an ambulance unit in 1937 which became first aid squad in 1949. Some major relocations took place during this period of growing population shift. Saint Barnabas Medical Center and Newark Academy moved from Newark to Livingston in 1964.

The last surviving Harrison Cider Apple tree, the most famous of the 18th century Newark cider apples was rescued from extinction in 1976 in Livingston.

Today, around 30,000 people live in this suburban community, which lies around an hour from New York City. Its school system, which had last been nationally recognized in 1998, and other programs has been drawing new residents to the town. Its population has maintained a level of diversity while the residents continue the tradition of community volunteerism.

In 2017, the Township of Livingston adopted a new logo.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 14.12 square miles (36.57 km²), including 13.79 square miles (35.7 km²) of land and 0.33 square miles (0.86 km²) of water (2.37%).

Livingston is in the New York metropolitan area. It is in southwestern Essex County. Within Essex County it is bordered by Roseland to the north, West Orange to the east, and Millburn/Short Hills to the south. To the west it is bordered by Morris County communities Florham Park and East Hanover. The western border is the Passaic River.

Localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Cedar Ridge, Cheapside, Morehousetown, Northfield, Washington Place and West Livingston.

Demographics

According to the 2002 results of the National Jewish Population Survey, there were 12,600 Jews in Livingston, approximately 46% of the population, one of the highest percentages of Jews in any American municipality. The neighboring towns of South Orange and Millburn also have high Jewish populations.

In a report performed by the United Way of Northern New Jersey based on 2012 data, around 14% of Livingston households were classified as "Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed" households (below a threshold of $50,000 for households below 65, below $35,000 for those over 65), struggling with basic necessities, such as housing, childcare, food, health care, and transportation, compared to 38% statewide and 47% in Essex County.

2010 Census

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $129,208 (with a margin of error of +/- $6,377) and the median family income was $143,429 (+/- $10,622). Males had a median income of $100,075 (+/-$11,306) versus $71,213 (+/- $7,102) for females. The per capita income for the township was $60,577 (+/- $3,918). About 1.1% of families and 2.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.6% of those under age 18 and 1.7% of those age 65 or over.

2000 Census

As of the 2000 United States Census there were 27,391 people, 9,300 households, and 7,932 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,973.1 people per square mile (761.9/km²). There were 9,457 housing units at an average density of 681.2 per square mile (263.1/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 82.64% White, 14.54% Asian, 1.20% African American, 0.05% Native American, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.69% from other races, and 0.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.54% of the population.

There were 9,300 households, out of which 41.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 76.0% were married couples living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 14.7% were non-families. 13.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.93 and the average family size was 3.21.

In the township the age distribution of the population shows 26.6% under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 26.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.3 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $98,869, and the median income for a family was $108,049. Males had a median income of $77,256 versus $41,654 for females. The per capita income for the town was $47,218. 1.8% of the population and 1.1% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 1.2% are under the age of 18 and 3.2% are 65 or older.

Economy

Shopping and dining

Although largely a bedroom community, there are many stores and restaurants located in Livingston, in three main shopping areas.

The first area is located in the center of the town. It stretches along Livingston Avenue from Route 10 to Northfield Avenue. Historically, the area has been dominated by small local stores, but retains some national chain stores. With the addition of Livingston Town Center, classified as mixed-use development, new restaurants have opened as well, adding to the large number of locally owned establishments.

The second area is the Livingston Mall located at the south-western corner of the town. Macy's occupies one of the original three wings the mall. Sears, the original anchor in the second wing, announced its closure in February 2020, while Lord & Taylor, the third original anchor, shut down on December 29, 2020. The fourth wing, added in 2008, is home of Barnes & Noble.

The third shopping area begins the Route 10 shopping corridor that extends to East Hanover. It includes Route 10 Farmer's Market

Corporate residents

Many office parks are located along Eisenhower Parkway on the western side of the town. There are a few headquarters of major companies including former CIT Group corporate headquarters, Inteplast Group headquarters, The Briad Group headquarters, and customer service and support center of Verizon New Jersey.

There are varieties of other services in the township. The Westminster Hotel is located on the western side of the town. Fitness facilities include West Essex YMCA and New York Sports Club. A Jewish Community Center with fitness center also exists just over the border in West Orange.

Saint Barnabas Medical Center, a 619-bed hospital established in 1865, is located in the southern side of the town near West Orange and Millburn.

Livingston also has a local Public-access television station (Livingston TV on Comcast TV-34 and Verizon FiOS 26), which is maintained by Livingston High School Students as well as the LPBC (Livingston Public Broadcasting Committee).

Arts and culture

Performing arts

Livingston is home of several performing arts organizations:

Fine arts

Livingston has many local artists in varied forms. Local artists have support from Livingston Arts Association which is an organization formed in 1959 to promote art in the community including large scale exhibitions, demonstrations, and workshops. The organization is also a member of Art Council of Livingston which has a gallery at Livingston Town Center. The Arts Association includes numerous organizations in addition to the Arts Council of Livingston, including the NJ State Opera Guild – West Essex Chapter and Livingston Camera Club.

There are many studios at Riker Hill Art Park with more than 40 working artists in various media including pottery, fine metalwork, glass, jewelry, paintings, fine arts, sculpture and photography. Many studios offer art classes for adults and children.

Sports

From 1984 to 1989, Livingston was the site of the Grand Prix tennis circuit tournament, the Livingston Open, held at Newark Academy. The Grand Prix was the only professional circuit since 1985 before it was succeeded by the ATP Tour in 1990. The tournament was won by Andre Agassi in 1988, earning him the seventh title in his career.

Parks and recreation

Parks

There are more than of wooded parks with passive hiking trails in Livingston. Additional are zoned to be preserved in its natural state without public access. This brings to about 25% of total land in the town that is in its natural conditions with habitats of eight threatened or endangered species.

There are smaller parks and open space areas dedicated to recreation and sports, mostly centered around the town's public schools. These include two swimming pools, one of which, Northland Pool, is no longer open to the public due to a stated funding issue of $31,000 (2020), ten little league baseball diamonds, four full baseball diamonds, eight full soccer/lacrosse fields, one full football field, three basketball courts, sixteen tennis courts, eleven playgrounds, a jogging track, a dog park, and a fishing/ice skating pond. The township is planning to build inter-connected mixed-use paths, biking and hiking trails to connect those parks and open space throughout the township.

Livingston has an active open space trust fund that continues to acquire more lands for preservation and recreation. , there were 842 acres (9% of total land) that were protected from development. There were additional that could be protected by the fund.

Riker Hill Complex

Riker Hill Complex (also referred to as Riker Hill Art Park) is a parkland located along the border of Livingston and Roseland. The complex is managed by Department of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs of Essex County. It comprises three parks, Riker Hill Art Park – a former Nike Missile control area site, Walter Kidde Dinosaur Park – a National Natural Landmark, and Becker Park which were acquired between 1969 and 1977. Although a large portion of the complex is located within Roseland, but the county designated Livingston as the host community as the Riker Hill Art Park is the only functional and publicly accessible park at the present time. The art park located atop of the hill is home of many studios in multiple disciplines of art and craft.

Recreation

The recreation department under the Senior, Youth and Leisure Services program offers programs for residents ranging from pre-school courses, children games, crafts, and dance to youth and adult sports programs to special programming for seniors. Programming also grew during Covid to include various virtual exercise, meditation, and other types of programs and virtual events. The recreation department's variety of services and programs for adults ages 62+ includes educational, sports, special events (in person pre-Covid), concerts, and locally available transportation via several new vans. The recreation department has proven innovative in working to provide programs and services safely throughout the pandemic. Prior to 2020, residents enjoyed two pools, Haines Pool and Northland Pool. Since then, Northland Pool has been closed to residents due to its historically low usage by residents, increased costs for staffing and limited applicants for those positions, the high cost of maintenance and fact that Northland Pool is in need of critical repairs and replacement of equipment if it is to continue, according to the Mayor, Town Council, Township Manager and Recreation Director. There are many independent sports organizations such as Livingston Little League, Livingston Jr. Lancers (football and cheerleading), Livingston Lacrosse Club, and Livingston Soccer Club.

Government

Local government

Livingston has operated since 1957 within the Faulkner Act, formally known as the Optional Municipal Charter Law, under the Council-Manager form of municipal government. The township is one of 42 municipalities (of the 565) statewide that use this form of government. Livingston's Township Council is comprised of five members, elected to four-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either two or three seats coming up for election in even-numbered years. A Mayor and Deputy Mayor are selected by the Council from among its members at a reorganization meeting held after each election.

, members of the Township Council are Mayor Edward Meinhardt (D, term on council and as mayor ends December 31, 2022), Deputy Mayor Michael M. Vieira (D, term on committe ends 2024; term as deputy mayor ends 2022), Alfred "Al" M. Anthony (D, 2024), Rufino "Rudy" Fernandez Jr. (D, 2022) and Shawn R. Klein (D, term on council ends 2022).

In February 2019, after the Township Council failed to choose a candidate, the Democratic municipal committee selected Michael Vieira to fill the seat expiring in December 2020 that became vacant following the resignation of Michael M. Silverman. Vieira served on an interim basis until the November 2019 general election, when voters elected him to serve the balance of the term of office.

The Township Manager is Barry R. Lewis Jr., whose tenure began on March 1, 2018. The previous Township Managers were Robert H. Harp (1954–1985), Charles J. Tahaney (1985–2005), and Michele E. Meade (2005–2016). Gregory J. Bonin served for a single week in 2017 before resigning, and Deputy Township Manager Russell A. Jones Jr. served as Acting Township Manager for the rest of the interval between Meade and Lewis.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020, meetings for local governance have been held through Zoom and Facebook. This has created opportunity for the public to respond to their many concerns including low-income housing development contracts, cannabis, the closing of Northland Pool, the increase of commercial real estate closures, the safety of the water, the increase in water and sewer costs, and the increase in taxes.

Police Department

The Livingston Police Department (LPD) was established in 1813. It consists of the following divisions: Patrol, Traffic, Communications (911 dispatch), Police Records, Internal Affairs, and Community Policing. Bureaus include the Detective and Juvenile bureaus.

Volunteer organizations

There are more than 40 volunteer Committees and Boards run through the Township, including Livingston Municipal Alliance Committee (LMAC), Holiday Committees, Consumer Affairs Office, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment, and Committee for Diversity & Inclusion.

Volunteer-based public safety organizations are Livingston Auxiliary Police, Livingston Fire Department and Livingston First Aid Squad.

Federal, state and county representation

Livingston is located in the and is part of New Jersey's 27th state legislative district. Prior to the 2010 Census, Livingston had been split between the and the 11th Congressional District, a change made by the New Jersey Redistricting Commission that took effect in January 2013, based on the results of the November 2012 general elections.

Politics

As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 20,617 registered voters in Livingston, of which 7,640 (37.1%) were registered as Democrats, 3,564 (17.3%) were registered as Republicans and 9,402 (45.6%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 11 voters registered to other parties.

In the 2016 presidential election, Democrat Hillary Clinton received 60.8% of the vote (9,052 cast), ahead of Republican Donald Trump with 36.8% (5,475 votes), and other candidates with 2.5% (367 votes), among the 15,235 ballots cast by the township's 22,664 registered voters (341 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 67.2%. In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 51.1% of the vote (7,303 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 48.1% (6,863 votes), and other candidates with 0.8% (116 votes), among the 14,371 ballots cast by the township's 21,225 registered voters (89 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 67.7%. In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 53.4% of the vote here (8,244 cast), ahead of Republican John McCain with 44.8% (6,920 votes) and other candidates with 0.8% (122 votes), among the 15,433 ballots cast by the township's 20,367 registered voters, for a turnout of 75.8%.

In the 2017 gubernatorial election, Democrat Phil Murphy received 61.2% of the vote (4,671 cast), ahead of Republican Kim Guadagno with 37.6% (2,872 votes), and other candidates with 1.2% (95 votes), among the 7,722 ballots cast by the township's 22,280 registered voters (84 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 34.7%. In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 62.7% of the vote (4,860 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 36.1% (2,799 votes), and other candidates with 1.1% (89 votes), among the 7,905 ballots cast by the township's 21,260 registered voters (157 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 37.2%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 48.8% of the vote here (4,863 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 44.0% (4,386 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 5.7% (563 votes) and other candidates with 0.6% (61 votes), among the 9,961 ballots cast by the township's 20,405 registered voters, yielding a 48.8% turnout.

Livingston was the home of one of New Jersey's most prominent political families, the Keans. Robert Kean served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1939 to 1958, when he ran for U.S. Senator; his son, Thomas Kean, who served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1968 to 1978 (and as Assembly Speaker in 1972–73, and Minority Leader 1974–77), as Governor of New Jersey from 1982 to 1990, and as President of Drew University from 1990 to 2004. Thomas Kean Jr., elected to the State Assembly in 2001 and the State Senate in 2003, was the Republican nominee for United States Senator in 2006.

When Robert Kean ran for the Senate, losing to Harrison A. Williams in 1958, Livingston's Congressman became George M. Wallhauser, a Republican. In redistricting after the 1960 census, Livingston was moved into the district of Republican Congresswoman Florence P. Dwyer. After redistricting following the 1970 census, Livingston went into Congressman Peter Frelinghuysen Jr.'s district. He was the father of Livingston's Congressman until 2019 Rodney P. Frelinghuysen. When Peter Frelinghuysen retired in 1974, he was succeeded by Millicent Fenwick, who beat Tom Kean in a Republican primary by about 80 votes. After the 1980 census, Livingston was moved to Congressman Joseph G. Minish's district. Minish was defeated by Dean Gallo in 1984 and served until his death in 1994. Rodney Frelinghuysen took his seat. The 2000 Census split the town between the 8th and 11th districts; as of the 2010 Census, the entire township is in the 11th district.

Education

Public schools

The Livingston Public Schools serves students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. The district consists of six elementary schools, grades PreK/K-5; one middle school for grade 6 and another middle school for grades 7 and 8, and one four-year high school. As of the 2019–20 school year, the district, comprised of nine schools, had an enrollment of 6,151 students and 500.6 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 12.3:1. Schools in the district (with 2019-20 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics) are

Burnet Hill Elementary School (488 students in grades PreK-5),

Collins Elementary School (462; K-5),

Amos W. Harrison Elementary School (449; K-5),

Hillside Elementary School (397; K-5),

Mount Pleasant Elementary School (434; K-5),

Riker Hill Elementary School (400; K-5),

Mount Pleasant Middle School (507; Grade 6),

Heritage Middle School (1,008; 7-8) and

Livingston High School (1,945; 9-12).

For the 1997–98 school year, Livingston High School received the National Blue Ribbon Schools Award from the United States Department of Education, one of the highest honors that an American school can achieve. Livingston High School was ranked 24th in New Jersey in New Jersey Monthly's 2012 rankings, 9th in New Jersey high schools in Newsweek's 2013 rankings of "America's Best High Schools", and is ranked 605th in US News' 2020 national high school rankings.

Approximately 26.7% of the township's population 25 years and older have attained professional, Masters or Doctorate degrees. During 2007–2008 budget year, Livingston allocated 59.96% of local property tax toward the Livingston Public Schools. Additionally, a separate budget of 7% of all municipal services went toward the operation of its public library. According to library statistics collected by Institute of Museum and Library Services, Livingston Public Library was ranked 22 out of 232 municipal libraries in New Jersey based on total circulation in 2006.

Other schools

Aquinas Academy is a private coeducational Roman Catholic school that serves students from preschool through eighth grade that operates under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark.

Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy is a private coeducational Jewish day school that serves preschool through eighth grade, while Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School is a four-year yeshiva high school for grades 9–12. The Tzedek School is a non-sectarian co-educational school of Jewish Heritage and Hebrew Language serving the communities of Livingston and the surrounding area for students in grades K-12.

Newark Academy is a private coeducational day school founded in 1774, that serves grades 6–8 in its middle schools and 9–12 in the upper school.

Livingston Chinese School and Livingston Huaxia Chinese School are two weekend Chinese-language schools in Livingston which use facilities of Heritage Middle School and Mount Pleasant school.

Historic sites

Ward-Force House and Condit Family Cook House are two building structures located at 366 South Livingston Avenue. These structures were jointly registered in the National Register of Historic Places in 1981, commonly known as the Old Force Homestead. Originally, Ward-Force House and Condit Family Cook House were built in separate properties. Ward-Force House was built as early as 1745 by Theophilus Ward. It was later purchased by Samuel Force for his son, Thomas Force. During the Revolutionary War, Thomas served as a patriot and was captured by the British. Thomas came back to live with his wife and children after the war and expanded the house. It was sold to the township in 1962. Condit Family Cook House was built as a stand-alone summer kitchen of a farm home near the current location of Livingston Mall. When the mall was built during the 1970s, the cook house was donated to the township and was moved to the current location at the rear of Ward-Force House. Currently, the Old Force Homestead is the headquarters of Livingston Historical Society and the Force Homestead Museum.

Dickinson House and Washington Place Schoolhouse are two other sites in the township that are registered in the New Jersey State Historic Site Program. Dickinson House is located at 84 Dickinson Lane. It was once visited by U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt for a hunting trip. Washington Place Schoolhouse is located at 122 Passaic Avenue. It was a school house that was built around 1800.

Transportation

Roads and highways

As of 2010, The township had a total of of roadways, of which are maintained by the municipality, by Essex County and by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

Livingston is located from New York City, around 40-90+ minutes depending on traffic. Roads directly serving Livingston include Eisenhower Parkway, County Route 508, County Route 527, Interstate 280 and Route 10. Interstate 80, the Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) are all accessible via I-280.

Public transportation

Bus service to the Port Authority Bus Terminal is available on the Community Coach #77 bus route. OurBus company also operates a commuter route to New York City serving Livingston and West Orange. NJ Transit offers bus service to Newark on the 70, 71 and 73 routes, with local service available on the MCM3 and MCM8 routes.

Rail service is accessible via the NJ Transit Morristown Line, which has several stops in adjacent communities such as Short Hills, Millburn, and South Orange. The stations are about from most of Livingston, accessible by car or taxi. The township provides a fee-based direct shuttle service called Livingston Express Shuttle for a 15-minute ride between Livingston Mall and South Orange station for Morristown Line trains to Midtown Manhattan and Hoboken.

Amtrak's Northeast Corridor, for inter-city rail transit in the Northeastern United States, and the Port Authority's PATH service local rapid transit system are available 10 miles away at Newark Penn Station.

Notable events

Notable people

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Livingston include:

;Academia

;Artists

;Business

;Entertainment

;Military

;Literature

;Government and politics

;Sports

;Others