Wanaque, New Jersey


Wanaque is a borough in Passaic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 11,317, an increase of 201 from the 2010 census count of 11,116, which in turn reflected an increase of 850 from the 10,266 counted in the 2000 census.
WWW wanaqueborough.com

History

Wanaque was incorporated as an independent borough on February 23, 1918, when Pompton Township was split up into three boroughs, along with Bloomingdale and Ringwood, and affirmed by a referendum held on March 22, 1918. The borough's name Wanaque is thought to have been derived from a Lenni Lenape Native American word meaning "land of sassafras".

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 9.33 square miles, including 8.07 square miles of land and 1.26 square miles of water.
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the borough include Haskell, Lake Inez, Lake Washington, Meadow Brook Lake, Midvale, Ramapo Lake, Rotten Pond, Stephens Lake and Upper Midvale.
Both Wanaque and Haskell have their own ZIP Codes and are served by separate post offices.
The borough borders the municipalities of Bloomingdale, Pompton Lakes and Ringwood in Passaic County; and Oakland in Bergen County.

Demographics

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 11,116 people, 4,018 households, and 3,026 families in the borough. The population density was 1,391.2 per square mile. There were 4,184 housing units at an average density of 523.7 per square mile. The racial makeup was 87.48% White, 3.07% Black or African American, 0.40% Native American, 4.65% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 2.25% from other races, and 2.14% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.67% of the population.
Of the 4,018 households, 30.7% had children under the age of 18; 61.1% were married couples living together; 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present and 24.7% were non-families. Of all households, 20.0% 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 2.66 and the average family size was 3.07.
20.6% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 30.2% from 45 to 64, and 18.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.8 years. For every 100 females, the population had 91.6 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 90.2 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that median household income was $89,459 and the median family income was $98,081. Males had a median income of $62,454 versus $49,421 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $37,579. About 1.0% of families and 2.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.3% of those under age 18 and 0.8% of those age 65 or over.
Same-sex couples headed 20 households in 2010, a decline from the 22 counted in 2000.

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census there were 10,266 people, 3,444 households, and 2,689 families residing in the borough. The population density was. There were 3,500 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the borough was 90.67% White, 1.51% African American, 0.34% Native American, 3.62% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.06% from other races, and 1.77% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.40% of the population.
There were 3,444 households, out of which 37.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.2% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.9% were non-families. 16.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.86 and the average family size was 3.23.
In the borough the population was spread out, with 24.4% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 31.7% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $66,113, and the median income for a family was $71,127. Males had a median income of $43,675 versus $33,380 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $25,403. About 2.6% of families and 3.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.5% of those under age 18 and 4.1% of those age 65 or over.

Law and government

Local government

Wanaque is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 municipalities statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey. 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 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. The borough form of government used by Wanaque 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.
, the mayor of Wanaque Borough is Republican Daniel Mahler, whose term of office ends December 31, 2026. Members of the Borough Council are Thomas Balunis, Dominick Cortellessa, Edward Leonard, Donald Pasquariello, Bridget A. Pasznik, and Robert Pettet.

Federal, state, and county representation

Wanaque is located in the 5th Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 26th state legislative district.

Politics

As of March 2011, there were a total of 7,085 registered voters in Wanaque, of which 1,646 were registered as Democrats, 2,191 were registered as Republicans and 3,243 were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 5 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens. Among the borough's 2010 Census population, 63.7% were registered to vote, including 80.3% of those ages 18 and over.

Education

The Wanaque Borough Schools serves students in public school for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. As of the 2021–22 school year, the district, comprised of two schools, had an enrollment of 861 students and 92.0 classroom teachers, for a student–teacher ratio of 9.4:1. Schools in the district are
Haskell Elementary School 367 students in grades PreK–8 and
Wanaque Elementary School 484 students in grades PreK–8.
Students in public school for ninth through twelfth grades attend Lakeland Regional High School, which serves students from the Boroughs of Ringwood and Wanaque. The high school is located in Wanaque and is part of the Lakeland Regional High School District. As of the 2021–22 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 902 students and 81.7 classroom teachers, for a student–teacher ratio of 11.0:1.
Wanaque is the site of Passaic County Community College's Wanaque Academic Center.

Transportation

Roads and highways

, the borough had a total of of roadways, of which were maintained by the municipality, by Passaic County and by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.
Several major roadways traverse through the borough. Interstate 287 passes through Wanaque for, where it is accessible at Exit 55, near the intersection of Union and Ringwood Avenues.

Public transportation

NJ Transit provides bus service to and from the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan on the 197 route.

Notable people

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

Points of interest

Elks Camp Moore is an Elks accredited summer overnight camp for children with special needs. The camp was founded in 1971 and includes many activities for the children such as a swimming pool, three playgrounds, a small playing field, a recreation hall, and rooms that house other fun activities. The campers stay for one week from Sunday until Saturday. Each week, 75 campers attend the camp and are assigned to their own counselor. The camp is wheelchair accessible since handicapped children also attend the camp. The camp is located high on top of a mountain overlooking Route 287 in Haskell. Admission is free for the campers, and the camp is funded in part by local New Jersey Elks lodges.