River Edge 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 12,049, an increase of 709 (+6.3%) from the 2010 census count of 11,340, which in turn reflected an increase of 394 (+3.6%) from the 10,946 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.

The community was originally incorporated as the borough of Riverside by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on June 30, 1894, from portions of Midland Township, based on the results of a referendum held the previous day. On December 1, 1930, the borough's name was changed to River Edge.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 85. Accessed May 30, 2024. The borough was formed during the "Boroughitis" phenomenon then sweeping through Bergen County, in which 26 boroughs were formed in the county in 1894 alone.Harvey, Cornelius Burnham. Genealogical History of Hudson and Bergen Counties, New Jersey, p. 11, New Jersey Genealogical Publishing Company, 1900. Accessed September 1, 2013. "For a period of sixteen years following the passage of this act few boroughs were organized in the State, only three of them being in Bergen County.... As it was twenty-six boroughs were created in the county from January 23, 1894, to December 18, of the same year." The borough was named for its location along the Hackensack River.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 22, 2015.

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 1.88 square miles (4.86 km2), including 1.83 square miles (4.75 km2) of land and 0.05 square miles (0.12 km2) of water (2.39%).

A suburb of New York City, River Edge is located approximately west of Upper Manhattan.

Cherry Hill and North Hackensack are unincorporated communities located within River Edge."A Short History of River Edge, NJ", Bergen County Historical Society. Accessed May 10, 2015.

The borough is bordered by the Bergen County municipalities of Hackensack, New Milford, Oradell, Paramus and Teaneck.Areas touching River Edge, MapIt. Accessed March 4, 2020.Bergen County Map of Municipalities, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed March 4, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Demographics

Racial and ethnic composition +River Edge borough, New Jersey – Racial and ethnic compositionRace / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)Pop 2000Pop 2010% 2000% 2010White alone (NH)8,7587,6696,64980.01%67.63%55.18%Black or African American alone (NH)1081562830.99%1.38%2.35%Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)8580.07%0.04%0.07%Asian alone (NH)1,3782,5053,43412.59%22.09%28.50%Pacific Islander alone (NH)0900.00%0.08%0.00%Other race alone (NH)1010500.09%0.09%0.41%Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)1031172860.94%1.03%2.37%Hispanic or Latino (any race)5818691,3395.31%7.66%11.11%Total10,94611,34012,049100.00%100.00%100.00%

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, River Edge had a population of 12,049. The median age was 41.3 years. 24.8% of residents were under the age of 18 and 15.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 91.2 males age 18 and over.

100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 4,191 households in River Edge, of which 41.8% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 66.7% were married-couple households, 10.2% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 20.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 17.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 4,337 housing units, of which 3.4% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 2.9%.

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 11,340 people, 4,134 households, and 3,163 families in the borough. The population density was . There were 4,261 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 73.42% (8,326) White, 1.52% (172) Black or African American, 0.05% (6) Native American, 22.19% (2,516) Asian, 0.08% (9) Pacific Islander, 1.25% (142) from other races, and 1.49% (169) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.66% (869) of the population. Korean Americans accounted for 11.1% of the borough's population.

Of the 4,134 households, 38.8% had children under the age of 18; 64.8% were married couples living together; 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present and 23.5% were non-families. Of all households, 20.6% were made up of individuals and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.21.

26.0% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 29.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.4 years. For every 100 females, the population had 92.8 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 88.4 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $97,816 (with a margin of error of +/− $7,136) and the median family income was $109,335 (+/− $12,278). Males had a median income of $71,219 (+/− $6,936) versus $63,305 (+/− $12,071) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $38,772 (+/− $2,392). About 3.0% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.0% of those under age 18 and 4.2% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for River Edge borough, Bergen County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 26, 2012.

Same-sex couples headed 19 households in 2010, a decrease from the 24 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 September 20, 2014.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 10,946 people, 4,165 households, and 3,102 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 4,210 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 84.12% White, 1.06% African American, 0.08% American Indian, 12.60% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.81% from other races, and 1.32% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.31% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for River Edge borough, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 19, 2013.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for River Edge borough, Bergen County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 19, 2013.

There were 4,165 households, out of which 35.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.4% were married couples living together, 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.5% were non-families. 22.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 24.1% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.7 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $71,792, and the median income for a family was $80,422. Males had a median income of $62,044 versus $41,085 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $33,188. About 2.5% of families and 3.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.5% of those under age 18 and 2.6% of those age 65 or over. Government

Local government River Edge 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 River Edge 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 the Borough of River Edge is Democrat Thomas R. Papaleo, whose term of office ends December 31, 2027.Mayor Thomas Papaleo, Borough of River Edge. Accessed January 9, 2025. The members of the Borough Council are Council President Lissa Montisano-Koen (D, 2025), Barry Benson (D, 2025), Priti Dhariwal (D, 2027), David Glass (D, 2026), Indira Kinsella (D, 2026) and Klodiana Malellari (D, 2027).Council, Borough of River Edge. Accessed January 9, 2025.2024 Municipal Data Sheet, Borough of River Edge. Accessed January 9, 2025.2024 County and Municipal Directory, Bergen County, New Jersey, April 2024. Accessed April 15, 2024.2024 General Election Official Results, Bergen County, New Jersey, updated November 20, 2024. Accessed January 1, 2025.Official Statement of Vote 2023 General Election - November 7, 2023 Official Results, Bergen County, New Jersey, November 27, 2023. Accessed January 1, 2024.Bergen County November 8, 2022 General Election Statement of Vote, Bergen County, New Jersey Clerk, updated November 21, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.