Moonachie, New Jersey | |
|---|---|
Center of Moonachie alongCR 503 (Moonachie Road); the municipal building is in the background on the right | |
Location of Moonachie inBergen County highlighted in red (left). Inset map: Location of Bergen County inNew Jersey highlighted in orange (right). | |
Census Bureau map of Moonachie, New Jersey | |
| Coordinates:40°50′29″N74°03′28″W / 40.841334°N 74.057671°W /40.841334; -74.057671[1][2] | |
| Country | |
| State | |
| County | Bergen |
| Incorporated | May 3, 1910 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Borough |
| • Body | Borough Council |
| • Mayor | Dennis Vaccaro (D, term ends December 31, 2026)[3][4] |
| • Administrator | Anthony Ciannamea[5] |
| • Municipal clerk | Supriya Sanyal[6] |
| Area | |
• Total | 1.74 sq mi (4.51 km2) |
| • Land | 1.73 sq mi (4.48 km2) |
| • Water | 0.012 sq mi (0.03 km2) 0.69% |
| • Rank | 427th of 565 in state 54th of 70 in county[1] |
| Elevation | 3 ft (0.91 m) |
| Population | |
• Total | 3,133 |
• Estimate (2023)[11] | 3,108 |
| • Rank | 444th of 565 in state 66th of 70 in county[12] |
| • Density | 1,810.9/sq mi (699.2/km2) |
| • Rank | 308th of 565 in state 59th of 70 in county[12] |
| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT)) |
| ZIP Code | |
| Area code | 201[15] |
| FIPS code | 3400347700[1][16][17] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0885307[1][18] |
| Website | www |
Moonachie (English pronunciation:/muːˈnɑːki/ⓘ) is aborough inBergen County, in theU.S. state ofNew Jersey, in theHackensack River watershed. As of the2020 United States census, the borough's population was 3,133,[10] an increase of 425 (+15.7%) from the2010 census count of 2,708,[19][20] which in turn reflected a decline of 46 (−1.7%) from the 2,754 counted in the2000 census.[21]
Moonachie was incorporated as a borough by an act of theNew Jersey Legislature on April 11, 1910, from portions ofLodi Township, based on the results of a referendum held on May 3, 1910. On March 26, 1917, portions of Moonachie were taken to formTeterboro.[22]
Tradition is that the borough was named after Monaghie, anIroquois chief who inhabited the local cedar forests in the 1600s.[23][24]
The name of the borough is pronounced "moo-NAH-kee";[25][26] however, in January 1987, then-mayor of New York CityEd Koch pronounced it "mah-NOO-chee" when he made his now-famous quip that theNew York Giants should hold their victory parade in the borough after the team had just wonSuper Bowl XXI. Koch had refused to grant the Giants permission to hold a parade within the city limits because the team plays its home games inNew Jersey, not inNew York City.[27]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 1.74 square miles (4.51 km2), including 1.73 square miles (4.48 km2) of land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2) of water (0.69%).[1][2]
The borough is approximately 9 miles (14 km) northwest of downtownManhattan inNew York City. Nearby isEast Rutherford, in which can be found theMeadowlands Sports Complex, home to theNational Football League'sNew York Giants andNew York Jets, and a racetrack at which boththoroughbredhorse racing andharness racing are conducted. Portions ofTeterboro Airport are located in Moonachie.[28]
The borough borders the Bergen County municipalities ofCarlstadt,Hasbrouck Heights,Little Ferry,South Hackensack,Teterboro andWood-Ridge.[29][30][31]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1900 | 212 | — | |
| 1910 | 638 | 200.9% | |
| 1920 | 1,194 | 87.1% | |
| 1930 | 1,465 | 22.7% | |
| 1940 | 1,554 | 6.1% | |
| 1950 | 1,775 | 14.2% | |
| 1960 | 3,052 | 71.9% | |
| 1970 | 2,951 | −3.3% | |
| 1980 | 2,706 | −8.3% | |
| 1990 | 2,817 | 4.1% | |
| 2000 | 2,754 | −2.2% | |
| 2010 | 2,708 | −1.7% | |
| 2020 | 3,133 | 15.7% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 3,108 | [11] | −0.8% |
| Population sources: 1910–1920[32] 1910[33] 1910–1930[34] 1900–2020[35][36] 2000[37][38] 2010[19][20] 2020[10] | |||
The2010 United States census counted 2,708 people, 1,005 households, and 702 families in the borough. Thepopulation density was 1,626.5 per square mile (628.0/km2). There were 1,053 housing units at an average density of 632.5 per square mile (244.2/km2). The racial makeup was 76.59% (2,074)White, 1.40% (38)Black or African American, 0.11% (3)Native American, 10.04% (272)Asian, 0.00% (0)Pacific Islander, 8.57% (232) fromother races, and 3.29% (89) from two or more races.Hispanic or Latino of any race were 24.37% (660) of the population.[19]
Of the 1,005 households, 26.8% had children under the age of 18; 49.6% were married couples living together; 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present and 30.1% were non-families. Of all households, 24.8% were made up of individuals and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.24.[19]
18.5% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 23.5% from 25 to 44, 32.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44.4 years. For every 100 females, the population had 97.2 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 95.2 males.[19]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010American Community Survey showed that (in 2010inflation-adjusted dollars)median household income was $53,500 (with a margin of error of +/− $6,570) and the median family income was $67,288 (+/− $10,087). Males had a median income of $52,647 (+/− $4,166) versus $42,670 (+/− $7,039) for females. Theper capita income for the borough was $27,918 (+/− $2,593). About 4.0% of families and 6.6% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 1.4% of those under age 18 and 12.9% of those age 65 or over.[39]
Same-sex couples headed four households in 2010, the same number as was counted in 2000.[40]
As of the2000 United States census[16] there were 2,754 people, 1,041 households, and 707 families residing in the borough. The population density was 1,596.5 inhabitants per square mile (616.4/km2). There were 1,074 housing units at an average density of 622.6 per square mile (240.4/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 85.66%White, 0.94%African American, 0.11%Native American, 6.64%Asian, 2.94% fromother races, and 3.70% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 12.67% of the population.[37][38]
There were 1,041 households, out of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% weremarried couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.0% were non-families. 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.27.[37][38]
The population in the borough was spread out, with 20.9% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.6 males.[37][38]
The median income for a household in the borough was $50,571, and the median income for a family was $62,163. Males had a median income of $41,875 versus $32,829 for females. Theper capita income for the borough was $24,654. About 1.7% of families and 3.8% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 3.8% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over.[37][38]
Moonachie is governed under theborough 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.[41] The governing body is comprised of a mayor and a borough council, with all positions electedat-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.[7] The borough form of government used by Moonachie 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 canveto ordinances subject to anoverride 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.[42][43]
As of 2023[update], the mayor of Moonachie isDemocrat Dennis Vaccaro, whose term of office ends December 31, 2026. Members of the Borough Council are Robert J. Bauer Sr. (D, 2025), Antonio Cirillo (D, 2023), Kathleen M. Kinsella (D, 2025), Manuel Martinez Jr. (D, 2023), Bruce B. Surak (D, 2024) and John R. Wende (D, 2024).[3][44][45][46][47][48]
Moonachie is located in the 9th Congressional District[49] and is part of New Jersey's 38th state legislative district.[50]
For the119th United States Congress,New Jersey's 9th congressional district is represented byNellie Pou (D,North Haledon)[51] New Jersey is represented in theUnited States Senate byDemocratsCory Booker (Newark, term ends 2027) andAndy Kim (Moorestown, term ends 2031).[52]
For the2024-2025 session, the38th legislative district of theNew Jersey Legislature is represented in theState Senate byJoseph Lagana (D,Paramus) and in theGeneral Assembly byLisa Swain (D,Fair Lawn) andChris Tully (D,Bergenfield).[53]
Bergen County is governed by a directly electedCounty Executive, with legislative functions performed by aBoard of County Commissioners composed of seven members who are electedat-large to three-year terms in partisan elections on a staggered basis, with either two or three seats coming up for election each November; a Chairman and Vice Chairman are selected from among its seven members at a reorganization meeting held every January. As of 2025[update], the county executive is James J. Tedesco III (D,Paramus), whose four-year term of office ends December 31, 2026.[54]
Bergen County's Commissioners are: Thomas J. Sullivan Jr. (D,Montvale, 2025),[55]Chair Germaine M. Ortiz (D,Emerson, 2025),[56]Joan Voss (D,Fort Lee, 2026),[57]Vice Chair Mary J. Amoroso (D,Mahwah, 2025),[58]Rafael Marte (D,Bergenfield, 2026),[59] Steven A. Tanelli (D,North Arlington, 2027)[60] and Tracy Silna Zur (D,Franklin Lakes, 2027).[61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68]
Bergen County's constitutional officials are: Clerk John S. Hogan (D,Northvale, 2026),[69][70]Sheriff Anthony Cureton (D,Englewood, 2027)[71][72] and Surrogate Michael R. Dressler (D,Cresskill, 2026).[73][74][64][75]
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 683 | 57.25% | 489 | 40.99% | 21 | 1.76% |
| 2020 | 608 | 47.61% | 656 | 51.37% | 13 | 1.02% |
| 2016 | 545 | 47.64% | 572 | 50.00% | 27 | 2.36% |
| 2012 | 349 | 36.97% | 584 | 61.86% | 11 | 1.17% |
| 2008 | 539 | 47.45% | 586 | 51.58% | 11 | 0.97% |
| 2004 | 559 | 50.00% | 542 | 48.48% | 17 | 1.52% |
As of March 2011, there were a total of 1,465 registered voters in Moonachie, of which 632 (43.1% vs. 31.7% countywide) were registered asDemocrats, 199 (13.6% vs. 21.1%) were registered asRepublicans and 633 (43.2% vs. 47.1%) were registered asUnaffiliated. There was one voter registered to another party.[82] Among the borough's 2010 Census population, 54.1% (vs. 57.1% in Bergen County) were registered to vote, including 66.4% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 73.7% countywide).[82][83]
In the2016 presidential election, DemocratHillary Clinton received 572 votes (49.7% vs. 54.2%), ahead of RepublicanDonald Trump with 545 votes (47.4% vs. 41.1% countywide) and other candidates with 33 votes (2.9% vs. 4.6%), among the 1,161 ballots cast by the borough's 1,664 registered voters, for a turnout of 69.8% (vs. 72.5% in Bergen County).[84][85] In the2012 presidential election, DemocratBarack Obama received 584 votes (61.1% vs. 54.8% countywide), ahead of RepublicanMitt Romney with 349 votes (36.5% vs. 43.5%) and other candidates with 11 votes (1.2% vs. 0.9%), among the 956 ballots cast by the borough's 1,573 registered voters, for a turnout of 60.8% (vs. 70.4% in Bergen County).[86][87] In the2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 586 votes (51.3% vs. 53.9% countywide), ahead of RepublicanJohn McCain with 539 votes (47.2% vs. 44.5%) and other candidates with 11 votes (1.0% vs. 0.8%), among the 1,143 ballots cast by the borough's 1,537 registered voters, for a turnout of 74.4% (vs. 76.8% in Bergen County).[88][89] In the2004 presidential election, RepublicanGeorge W. Bush received 559 votes (49.9% vs. 47.2% countywide), ahead of DemocratJohn Kerry with 542 votes (48.3% vs. 51.7%) and other candidates with 17 votes (1.5% vs. 0.7%), among the 1,121 ballots cast by the borough's 1,547 registered voters, for a turnout of 72.5% (vs. 76.9% in the whole county).[90]
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2021 | 297 | 46.62% | 331 | 51.96% | 9 | 1.41% |
| 2017 | 188 | 38.84% | 289 | 59.71% | 7 | 1.45% |
| 2013 | 369 | 64.96% | 188 | 33.10% | 11 | 1.94% |
| 2009 | 296 | 42.53% | 348 | 50.00% | 52 | 7.47% |
| 2005 | 231 | 34.79% | 410 | 61.75% | 23 | 3.46% |
In the2013 gubernatorial election, RepublicanChris Christie received 65.0% of the vote (369 cast), ahead of DemocratBarbara Buono with 33.1% (188 votes), and other candidates with 1.9% (11 votes), among the 587 ballots cast by the borough's 1,499 registered voters (19 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 39.2%.[92][93] In the2009 gubernatorial election, DemocratJon Corzine received 348 ballots cast (48.6% vs. 48.0% countywide), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 296 votes (41.3% vs. 45.8%), IndependentChris Daggett with 43 votes (6.0% vs. 4.7%) and other candidates with 9 votes (1.3% vs. 0.5%), among the 716 ballots cast by the borough's 1,469 registered voters, yielding a 48.7% turnout (vs. 50.0% in the county).[94]
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 546 | 51.85% | 478 | 45.39% | 29 | 2.75% |
| 2018 | 294 | 39.46% | 412 | 55.30% | 39 | 5.23% |
| 2012 | 255 | 30.95% | 551 | 66.87% | 18 | 2.18% |
| 2006 | 265 | 40.71% | 375 | 57.60% | 11 | 1.69% |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2020 | 518 | 42.67% | 663 | 54.61% | 33 | 2.72% |
| 2014 | 135 | 29.80% | 308 | 67.99% | 10 | 2.21% |
| 2013 | 122 | 40.53% | 174 | 57.81% | 5 | 1.66% |
| 2008 | 395 | 39.46% | 587 | 58.64% | 19 | 1.90% |
Public school students inpre-kindergarten througheighth grade are served by theMoonachie School District at the Robert L. Craig School. As of the 2018–19 school year, the district, comprised of one school, had an enrollment of 317 students and 30.7 classroom teachers (on anFTE basis), for astudent–teacher ratio of 10.3:1.[97]
Forninth throughtwelfth grades, approximately 100 public school students from the borough attendWood-Ridge High School inWood-Ridge, as part of asending/receiving relationship with theWood-Ridge School District.[98][99] As of the 2018–19 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 583 students and 46.9 classroom teachers (on anFTE basis), for astudent–teacher ratio of 12.4:1.[100]
Public school students from the borough, and all of Bergen County, are eligible to attend the secondary education programs offered by theBergen County Technical Schools, which include theBergen County Academies inHackensack, and theBergen Tech campus in Teterboro orParamus. The district offers programs on a shared-time or full-time basis, with admission based on a selective application process and tuition covered by the student's home school district.[101][102]

As of May 2010[update], the borough had a total of 12.83 miles (20.65 km) of roadways, of which 9.83 miles (15.82 km) were maintained by the municipality and 3.00 miles (4.83 km) by Bergen County.[103]
County Route 503 passes through Moonachie as Moonachie Road.[104]
NJ Transit bus routes161,163,164 provide service to thePort Authority Bus Terminal inMidtown Manhattan, service toNewark is offered on the76 route and local service is available on the703 (rush hour) and772 bus routes.[105][106]
People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Moonachie include: