In 2015, New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked Roseland as its seventh-best place to live in its "Best Places To Live" in New Jersey rankings.[23] The borough was ranked 14th best place to live in the magazine's 2008 rankings.[24] In 2017, New Jersey Monthly Ranked Roseland as its 106th best place to live in its 2017 Rankings. New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked Roseland as its 14th best place to live in New Jersey in its 2019 rankings.
Originally named Centerville, the name of the community was changed in 1874 to Roseland to avoid confusion with the several other Centervilles spread across the state, most specifically Centerville, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, which already had a post office under that name. Roseland was chosen over the alternative proposed name of "Roselyn".[27][28]
One of the most notable places of interest in the borough was the Becker Farm Railroad, otherwise known as the Centerville & Southwestern Railroad. A miniature railroad operated from 1938 until 1972 on the Becker Farm, which once comprised nearly half of the total area within Roseland and which is now mostly a large business complex.[28] Some vestiges of the railroad still exist.[29]
In 1907, a delegation of residents petitioned Livingston Township officials to construct a school for the growing population in Roseland. The rejection of their request led to the efforts to create an independent municipality, which was established on April 10, 1908.[30][28]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 3.64 square miles (9.43 km2), including 3.62 square miles (9.37 km2) of land and 0.03 square miles (0.06 km2) of water (0.69%).[1][2] Roseland is located about 20 miles (30 km) west of New York City and is part of the New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-CT Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Of the 2,345 households, 28.2% had children under the age of 18; 60.4% were married couples living together; 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present and 28.9% were non-families. Of all households, 25.0% were made up of individuals and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.00.[20]
21.0% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 20.8% from 25 to 44, 31.1% from 45 to 64, and 22.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46.7 years. For every 100 females, the population had 90.3 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 86.4 males.[20]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $100,289 (with a margin of error of +/− $10,283) and the median family income was $116,118 (+/− $20,786). Males had a median income of $83,864 (+/− $16,862) versus $58,611 (+/− $12,592) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $53,042 (+/− $7,511). About 1.9% of families and 1.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.8% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.[41]
2000 censusedit
As of the 2000 United States census[17] there were 5,298 people, 2,142 households, and 1,525 families residing in the borough. The population density was 1,463.6 inhabitants per square mile (565.1/km2). There were 2,187 housing units at an average density of 604.2 per square mile (233.3/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 93.43% White, 0.72% African American, 0.04% Native American, 4.72% Asian, 0.43% from other races, and 0.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.28% of the population.[39][40]
As of the 2000 Census, 32.0% of Roseland residents were of Italian ancestry, the 27th-highest percentage of any municipality in the United States, and 10th-highest in New Jersey, among all places with more than 1,000 residents identifying their ancestry.[42]
There were 2,142 households, out of which 26.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.8% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.8% were non-families. 25.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.99.[39][40]
In the borough the population was spread out, with 20.6% under the age of 18, 4.2% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 29.2% from 45 to 64, and 19.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.6 males.[39][40]
The median income for a household in the borough was $82,499, and the median income for a family was $93,957. Males had a median income of $61,049 versus $41,688 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $41,415. None of the families and 1.7% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and 2.7% of those over 64.[39][40]
Cash Cash members Jean Paul Makhlouf, Alexander Makhlouf and Samuel Frisch signed to Atlantic Records with the top 40 hit song "Take Me Home".[47]
Governmentedit
Local governmentedit
Roseland 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.[48] The governing body is comprised of the mayor and the borough council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. The mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council is comprised of 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.[7] The borough form of government used by Roseland 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.[49][50][51]
As of 2023[update], the mayor of Roseland is Democrat James R. Spango, whose term of office ends December 31, 2026.[3] Members of the Roseland Borough Council are Jean Perrotti (R, 2025), Christopher Bardi (D, 2023), Eileen Fishman (D, 2024), Roger Freda (D, 2024), Michele Tolli (R, 2023) and Marcelino "Moose" Trillo (D, 2025).[52][53][54][55][56][57]
Roseland TV - Public Access Television Stationedit
The Borough of Roseland has a local access television channel, Roseland TV.[58] On Comcast, residents can watch Roseland TV on Channel 35. On Verizon FiOS, residents can watch on Channel 46, though the channel will switch to 2146 in HD by the end of 2021.
Federal, state and county representationedit
Roseland is located in the 11th Congressional District[59] and is part of New Jersey's 27th state legislative district.[60][61][62]
Essex County is governed by a directly elected county executive, with legislative functions performed by the Board of County Commissioners. As of 2024[update], the County Executive is Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. (D, Roseland), whose four-year term of office ends December 31, 2026.[68] The county's Board of County Commissioners is composed of nine members, five of whom are elected from districts and four of whom are elected on an at-large basis. They are elected for three-year concurrent terms and may be re-elected to successive terms at the annual election in November.[69] Essex County's Commissioners are:
Constitutional officers elected countywide are:
Clerk Christopher J. Durkin (D, West Caldwell, 2025),[83][84]
Register of Deeds Juan M. Rivera Jr. (D, Newark, 2025),[85][86]
Sheriff Armando B. Fontoura (D, Fairfield, 2024),[87][88] and
Surrogate Alturrick Kenney (D, Newark, 2028).[89][90]
Politicsedit
As of March 2011, there were a total of 4,686 registered voters in Roseland, of which 1,428 (30.5%) were registered as Democrats, 1,499 (32.0%) were registered as Republicans and 1,756 (37.5%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were no voters registered to other parties.[91]
In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 58.4% of the vote (1,983 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 40.9% (1,391 votes), and other candidates with 0.7% (23 votes), among the 3,425 ballots cast by the borough's 4,832 registered voters (28 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 70.9%.[92][93] In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 57.5% of the vote (2,065 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 40.8% (1,466 votes) and other candidates with 0.8% (29 votes), among the 3,593 ballots cast by the borough's 4,728 registered voters, for a turnout of 76.0%.[94] In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 59.4% of the vote (2,062 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 39.6% (1,376 votes) and other candidates with 0.5% (24 votes), among the 3,471 ballots cast by the borough's 4,425 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 78.4.[95]
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 69.9% of the vote (1,559 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 29.2% (652 votes), and other candidates with 0.9% (19 votes), among the 2,275 ballots cast by the borough's 4,858 registered voters (45 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 46.8%.[96][97] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 58.7% of the vote (1,579 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 33.1% (891 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 7.2% (193 votes) and other candidates with 0.4% (11 votes), among the 2,691 ballots cast by the borough's 4,658 registered voters, yielding a 57.8% turnout.[98]
As of May 2010[update], the borough had a total of 24.95 miles (40.15 km) of roadways, of which 14.08 miles (22.66 km) were maintained by the municipality, 8.31 miles (13.37 km) by Essex County and 2.56 miles (4.12 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.[111]
Janet G. Woititz (1938–1994), psychologist and researcher best known for her writings and lectures about the adult children of alcoholic parents[124]
Adella Wotherspoon (1903–2004), survivor of the 1904 General Slocum disaster, in which more than 1,000 passengers were killed in a fire[125][self-published source]
^ abAnnual Estimates of the Resident Population for Minor Civil Divisions in New Jersey: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022, United States Census Bureau, released May 2023. Accessed May 18, 2023.
^ abcdeDP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 for Roseland borough, Essex County, New Jersey Archived February 12, 2020, at archive.today, United States Census Bureau. Accessed April 2, 2012.
^"Best Places to Live in New Jersey: The definitive ranking of 510 Garden State municipalities.", New Jersey Monthly. Accessed June 21, 2016.
^"Best Places To Live - The Complete Top Towns List 1-100" Archived February 28, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, New Jersey Monthly, February 21, 2008. Accessed February 24, 2008.
^Lurie, Maxine N.; and Mappen, Marc. "Essex County", Encyclopedia of New Jersey, p. 256. Rutgers University Press, 2004. ISBN 0-8135-3325-2. Accessed November 10, 2011. "The Horseneck Tract, present-day West Caldwell, North Caldwell, Caldwell, Verona, Cedar Grove, Fairfield, Essex Fells, Roseland and Livingston, separated from Newark in 1798."
^Becker Park, Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs. Accessed November 10, 2011. "Originally a piece of the Horseneck Tract and later part of Caldwell. By the late nineteenth century approximately half of its acreage was covered by the Becker Dairy Farm. It separated from Caldwell during the early 20th century and became a borough in 1908."
^Read, Philip. "N.J. man works to bring steam-powered Locomotive 1501 back to Roseland", The Star-Ledger, August 8, 2010. Accessed November 10, 2011. "Much of the railroad in Centerville — which was Roseland's name until 1908 — is now with the Phillipsburg Rail Road Historians in Warren County, which runs some of the diesels on a short stretch of track."
^ abcHistory, Borough of Roseland. Accessed September 25, 2015. "In 1873, one of Centreville's prominent residents, Judge Rufus Harrison, led an effort to get the community its own post office. Since a Centreville post office already existed in Hunterdon County, a meeting was called in the schoolhouse to choose a new name for the section. Roselyn was suggested by Sarah Condit Harrison. Whether through misspelling or design, Roselyn became Roseland, and the post office became a reality on April 14, 1874.... At its peak, the Becker Farm encompassed 1,000 to 1,200 acres, almost half the town."
^Annan-Brady, Rita. "Roseland's Becker Farm Railroad Rolls On In Phillipsburg", The Progress, August 13, 2010. Accessed November 10, 2011. "Area residents who remember fondly the Becker Farm Railroad, also known as the Centerville and Southwestern Railroad, which ran on the Becker Farm in Roseland, may want to travel west for a bit of nostalgia the first Sunday in September."
^ abSnyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 84. Accessed April 2, 2012.
^Honeyman, Abraham Van Doren. Index-analysis of the Statutes of New Jersey, 1896-1909: Together with References to All Acts, and Parts of Acts, in the 'General Statutes' and Pamphlet Laws Expressly Repealed: and the Statutory Crimes of New Jersey During the Same Period, p. 245. New Jersey Law Journal Publishing Company, 1910. Accessed September 25, 2015.
^Areas touching Roseland, MapIt. Accessed March 4, 2020.
^Compendium of censuses 1726-1905: together with the tabulated returns of 1905, New Jersey Department of State, 1906. Accessed August 19, 2013.
^Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910: Population by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions, 1910, 1900, 1890, United States Census Bureau, p. 336. Accessed August 19, 2013.
^Fifteenth Census of the United States : 1930 - Population Volume I, United States Census Bureau, p. 716. Accessed April 2, 2012.
^Table 6: New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1940 - 2000, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network, August 2001. Accessed May 1, 2023.
^ abcdeCensus 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Roseland borough, New Jersey Archived July 1, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 17, 2013.
^ abcdeDP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Roseland borough, Essex County, New Jersey Archived February 12, 2020, at archive.today, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 17, 2013.
^DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Roseland borough, Essex County, New Jersey Archived February 12, 2020, at archive.today, United States Census Bureau. Accessed April 2, 2012.
^Italian Communities Archived May 12, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, EPodunk. Accessed June 9, 2007.
^Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP), Yahoo! Finance. Accessed July 14, 2008.
^Connell Foley's Roseland Office Undergoing Renovations Archived August 28, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, Connell Foley, July 2, 2008. Accessed July 14, 2008.
^"Organon Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. and Organon International Inc. Open Worldwide Headquarters in Roseland; Ceremony Marks New State of Development for New Jersey", Evaluate Group, May 15, 2003. Accessed June 23, 2017.
^Burke, Ashlee. "Closed: Win Tickets To Cash Cash At Day Club PS!", La Music Blog, April 13, 2016. Accessed June 23, 2017. "Mixing electro, pop, and dance, Roseland, New Jersey-based group Cash Cash began with longtime friends Jean Paul Makhlouf and Samuel Frisch. They were later joined by Jean Paul's brother Alex, and after spending a summer working inside Jean Paul's home studio, the trio emerged with a stack of demos, including 'Party In Your Bedroom,' and came up with the name Cash Cash."
^Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey, Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023.
^Cerra, Michael F. "Forms of Government: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know, But Were Afraid to Ask" Archived September 24, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, 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.
^Form of Government Archived June 5, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, Borough of Roseland. Accessed August 19, 2013.
^Borough Council, Borough of Roseland. Accessed January 19, 2023. "The Governing Body consists of the Mayor and six (6) Council members elected at large in the Borough, all of whom shall be elected and take office in the manner provided by law. The term of office of the Mayor and members of Council shall commence on January 1 next following their election."
^2022 Municipal Data Sheet, Borough of Roseland. Accessed June 29, 2022.
^U.S. Sen. Cory Booker cruises past Republican challenger Rik Mehta in New Jersey, PhillyVoice. Accessed April 30, 2021. "He now owns a home and lives in Newark's Central Ward community."
^Biography of Bob Menendez, United States Senate, January 26, 2015. "Menendez, who started his political career in Union City, moved in September from Paramus to one of Harrison's new apartment buildings near the town's PATH station.."
^Home, sweet home: Bob Menendez back in Hudson County. nj.com. Accessed April 30, 2021. "Booker, Cory A. - (D - NJ) Class II; Menendez, Robert - (D - NJ) Class I"
^Essex County Executive, Essex County, New Jersey. Accessed July 20, 2020.
^General Information, Essex County, New Jersey. Accessed July 20, 2020. "The County Executive, elected from the County at-large, for a four-year term, is the chief political and administrative officer of the County.... The Board of Chosen Freeholders consists of nine members, five of whom are elected from districts and four of whom are elected at-large. They are elected for three-year concurrent terms and may be re-elected to successive terms at the annual election in November. There is no limit to the number of terms they may serve."
^Robert Mercado, Commissioner, District 1, Essex County, New Jersey. Accessed July 20, 2020.
^Wayne L. Richardson, Commissioner President, District 2, Essex County, New Jersey. Accessed July 20, 2020.
^Tyshammie L. Cooper, Commissioner, District 3, Essex County, New Jersey. Accessed July 20, 2020.
^Leonard M. Luciano, Commissioner, District 4, Essex County, New Jersey. Accessed July 20, 2020.
^Carlos M. Pomares, Commissioner Vice President, District 5, Essex County, New Jersey. Accessed July 20, 2020.
^Brendan W. Gill, Commissioner At-large, Essex County, New Jersey. Accessed July 20, 2020.
^Romaine Graham, Commissioner At-large, Essex County, New Jersey. Accessed July 20, 2020.
^Newark Native Elected As County Commissioner: A'Dorian Murray-Thomas, Patch. Accessed January 10, 2024.
^Patricia Sebold, Commissioner At-large, Essex County, New Jersey. Accessed July 20, 2020.
^Members of the Essex County Board of County Commissioners, Essex County, New Jersey. Accessed July 20, 2020.
^Breakdown of County Commissioners Districts, Essex County, New Jersey. Accessed July 20, 2020.
^2021 County Data Sheet, Essex County, New Jersey. Accessed July 20, 2022.
^County Directory, Essex County, New Jersey. Accessed July 20, 2022.
^About The Clerk, Essex County Clerk. Accessed July 20, 2020.
^Members List: Clerks, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed July 20, 2020.
^About the Register, Essex County Register of Deeds and Mortgages. Accessed July 20, 2022.
^Members List: Registers, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed July 20, 2020.
^Armando B. Fontura, Essex County Sheriff's Office. Accessed June 10, 2018.
^Members List: Sheriffs, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed July 20, 2020.
^The Essex County Surrogate's Office, Essex County Surrogate. Accessed July 20, 2020.
^Members List: Surrogates, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed July 20, 2020.
^Voter Registration Summary - Essex, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed November 6, 2012.
^"Presidential General Election Results - November 6, 2012 - Essex County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. March 15, 2013. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
^"Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast - November 6, 2012 - General Election Results - Essex County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. March 15, 2013. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
^2008 Presidential General Election Results: Essex County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed November 6, 2012.
^2004 Presidential Election: Essex County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed November 6, 2012.
^"Governor - Essex County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. January 29, 2014. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
^"Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast - November 5, 2013 - General Election Results - Essex County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. January 29, 2014. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
^Roseland Board of Education Bylaw 0110 - Identification, Roseland School District. Accessed September 3, 2020. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Pre-K through 6 in the Roseland School District. Composition: The Roseland School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of the Borough of Roseland."
^West Essex Regional School District Bylaw 0110 - Identification, West Essex Regional School District. Accessed September 2, 2020. "Purpose The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades seven through twelve in the West Essex Regional School District. Composition: The West Essex Regional School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Essex Fells, Fairfield, North Caldwell and Roseland."
^West Essex Regional School District 2015 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed June 4, 2016. "The West Essex Regional School District is a comprehensive high school serving the communities of Essex Fells, Fairfield, North Caldwell, and Roseland in northern New Jersey."
^WESRD History, West Essex Regional School District. Accessed July 11, 2023.
^Essex County Bus / Rail Connections, NJ Transit, backed up by the internet Archive as of May 22, 2009. Accessed August 13, 2014.
^Essex County System Map, NJ Transit. Accessed November 2, 2019.
^System Map, Morristown & Erie Railway. Accessed August 7, 2015. "The Whippany Line is a 9-mile rail line, owned and operated continuously by the M&E since the railroad's inception in 1895. The line runs east from Morristown through Hanover Township and East Hanover to its end in Roseland."
^Staff. "Sopranos Actress Denise Borin-Quinn Dies at 46; New Jersey native had no acting experience when she landed the role of Ginny Sacrimoni in the HBO series after attending an open casting call.", The Hollywood Reporter, October 31, 2020. Accessed May 24, 2020. "Borino-Quinn, a Roseland native who lived in Bordentown, had no acting experience when she was hired in 2000 to play Ginny Sacrimoni, the mafia wife with a weight problem."
^Staff. "Mary Jo Codey of Roseland honored", The Progress News. Accessed October 10, 2013. "Roseland resident Mary Jo Codey, former First Lady of New Jersey and postpartum depression survivor, was honored for her tireless advocacy for postpartum depression recognition and treatment."
^Staff. "The Auditor", The Star-Ledger, October 5, 2008. Accessed March 28, 2011. "But longtime West Orange resident Richard Codey, the former governor and current Senate president, is moving out of the town for a new home in Roseland."
^Kukaj, Hasime. "Essex County executive moving out of Nutley", Nutley Sun, July 29, 2013. Accessed August 13, 2014. "After calling Nutley home for 34 years, Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. is moving to the Borough of Roseland."
^Shorr-Parks, Eliot. "Eagles sign New Jersey native Kevin Monangai", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, August 1, 2015. Accessed April 27, 2016. "A native of Roseland, NJ, he attended Seton Hall Prep in West Orange, NJ, where he was named the county player of the year and second-team All-State after rushing for 2,266 yards and 35 touchdowns as a senior."
^Kyle Monangai, Rutgers Scarlet Knights football. Accessed December 12, 2023. "Hometown: Roseland, N.J. High School: Don Bosco Prep"
^Saxon, Wolfgang. "Janet G. Woititz, 55, Author Who Studied Alcoholics' Children", The New York Times, June 14, 1994. Accessed October 10, 2013. "Dr. Janet G. Woititz, a best-selling author, lecturer and counselor to the troubled offspring of alcoholics, died last Thursday at her home in Roseland, N.J. She was 55."
^Crane, John Kenny. The Secrets of North Brother Island: An Illustrated Novel of the Greatest American Disaster Before September 11, 2001, p. 72. Xlibris Corporation, 2010. ISBN 9781462844708. Accessed October 10, 2013. "The next morning, Sunday no less, Sandy Blick called my room and told me she had arranged a meeting for me with Adella Wotherspoon, supposedly the only living survivor of the Slocum disaster (I would later discover there was one other still living), at her home in Roseland, New Jersey."[self-published source]
External linksedit
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