62-560: Secaucus ( / ˈ s iː k ɔː k ə s / SEE -kaw-kəs ) is a town in Hudson County , in the U.S. state of New Jersey . As of the 2020 United States census , the town's population was 22,181, an increase of 5,917 (+36.4%) from the 2010 census count of 16,264, which in turn reflected an increase of 333 (+2.1%) from the 15,931 counted in the 2000 census . Located within the New Jersey Meadowlands , it
124-626: A Harmon Cove station from 1978 until the re-routing of the Bergen County Line and the opening of Secaucus Junction in August 2003. The HX Draw is used by the line to cross the river. NJ Transit bus 329 serves the area. The Hudson Regional Hospital and several hotels are located in Harmon Cove, whose main thoroughfare is Meadowlands Parkway , along which office and manufacturing buildings are found. The Harmon Cove Outlet Center
186-616: A commuter town and retail and outlet shopping area in the late 20th century. It is home to Secaucus High School , whose athletic fields are used by the Bergen County Scholastic League . Nearby Schmiddt's Wood is one of the last original hardwood forests in urban North Jersey . As part of the New Jersey Meadowlands District , the areas along the river are characterized by wetlands preservation and restoration areas. Mill Creek Marsh
248-445: A township , the two are not the same. The Town Act of 1895 allowed any municipality or area with a population exceeding 5,000 to become a town through a petition and referendum process. Under the 1895 act, a newly incorporated town was divided into at least three wards, with two councilmen per ward serving staggered two-year terms, and one councilman at large, who also served a two-year term. The councilman at large served as chairman of
310-739: A Main Line train was involved in a collision with a Bergen County Line train in Secaucus. Departing the historic 1907-built Hoboken Terminal , the yards for the coaches to the left, trains pass over two city streets and the Hudson Bergen Light Rail before entering the Bergen Tunnels under the Bergen Hill section of Hudson Palisades . Midway through the tunnel there are air shafts allowing light through and venting out
372-471: A collection of outlet shops selling discounted name-brand merchandise in southwest Secaucus. Many factory retail outlets are scattered throughout the Harmon Cove industrial section, often located in warehouses or converted factories. Harmon Cove Outlet Center is the largest outlet mall, on Enterprise Avenue. The Mill Creek Mall is a mall on Route 3 on the west side of the Turnpike. The Plaza at Harmon Meadow
434-619: A new commercial area, and some to build footpaths for nature walks with signs illustrating birds and other wildlife to be seen there. At 27.4%, it has the most open "green" space in of any town in Hudson County. Secaucus borders the municipalities of Jersey City , Kearny and North Bergen in Hudson County; and Carlstadt , East Rutherford , Lyndhurst , Rutherford in Bergen County . Unincorporated communities , localities and place names located partially or completely within
496-585: A number of activities, including an ice skating rink. The town had planned for large crowds, even planning special court sessions in advance to handle the projected surge of potentially disruptive visitors. The turnout was much lower than expected, with Mayor Gonnelli citing the NFL's focus on activities in Manhattan aimed at visitors. Secaucus is governed under the Town form of New Jersey municipal government. The town
558-713: Is Passaic , on an embankment. After Passaic, the Main Line has a stretch through some industrial areas before the Clifton station , also on an embankment. The Main Line passes under U.S. Route 46 and the Garden State Parkway before it crosses under and over several streets in south Paterson . It leaves the DL&;W Boonton Branch alignment at about 40°53′10″N 74°10′01″W / 40.886°N 74.167°W / 40.886; -74.167 and reaches
620-567: Is Snake Hill (officially known as Laurel Hill), an igneous rock diabase intrusion jutting up some 150 feet (46 m) from the Meadowlands below, near the New Jersey Turnpike . Being partly surrounded by the meadowlands, Secaucus provides opportunities to observe the recovery of natural marshes in the town's post-industrial, post-agricultural age. Some marsh areas in the northeast part of town have been filled to provide
682-427: Is a large hotel, restaurant and shopping complex that includes the 61,000-square-foot (5,700 m) Meadowlands Convention Center, a 14-screen Showplace Theatres , a Walmart and Sam's Club located east of the New Jersey Turnpike , near Route 3 and Interchange 16E along with several hotels with a total of 1,200 rooms. A 45,000-square-foot (4,200 m) Best Buy was opened as part of the chain's 2000 expansion into
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#1732766197407744-539: Is an outlet shopping district further inland from the Hackensack riverfront. Hartz Mountain Industries operates many facilities and properties in Harmon Cove. In the 2009–2013 American Community Survey , about 20% of the town's employed residents commute to New York City to work. The 2010 United States census counted 16,264 people, 6,297 households, and 4,112 families in the town. The population density
806-494: Is an island in the New Jersey Meadowlands . The Hackensack River runs along western side of town. Penhorn Creek and Cromakill Creek are its eastern borders. According to the United States Census Bureau , the town had a total area of 6.54 square miles (16.95 km), including 5.83 square miles (15.09 km) of land and 0.72 square miles (1.86 km) of water (10.96%). At the southern end of Secaucus
868-476: Is one of nine municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form of government. The governing body is comprised of the Mayor and a Town Council made up of six council members elected from three wards . The Mayor is elected at-large directly by the voters. The Town Council includes six members elected to serve four-year terms on a staggered basis, with three seats up at the same time as the mayor and three seats
930-656: Is park administered by the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission and will eventually connect to the Secaucus Greenway . It southern counterpart is known as Riverbend . The Mill Creek Mall , which is part of Harmon Meadow , is also located north of Route 3, but on the other side of Mill Creek, close to the New Jersey Turnpike Eastern Spur. Harmon Cove is the western section of Secaucus, New Jersey along
992-559: Is the most suburban of the county's municipalities, though large parts of the town are dedicated to light manufacturing, retail, and transportation uses, as well as protected areas . Secaucus is a derivation of the Algonquian words for "black" ( seke or sukit ) and "snake" ( achgook ), or "place of snakes", or sekakes , referring to snakes. Sikakes , once an island, was part of the territory purchased by Director-General of New Netherland , Peter Stuyvesant in 1658. The territory
1054-538: The 2000 United States census there were 15,931 people, 6,214 households, and 3,945 families residing in the town. The population density was 2,706.7 inhabitants per square mile (1,045.1/km). There were 6,385 housing units at an average density of 1,084.8 per square mile (418.8/km). The racial makeup of the town was 78.54% White , 4.45% African American , 0.11% Native American , 11.80% Asian , 0.04% Pacific Islander , 2.79% from other races , and 2.26% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.26% of
1116-606: The 2024–2025 session , the 33rd legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Brian P. Stack ( D , Union City ) and in the General Assembly by Julio Marenco (D, North Bergen ) and Gabe Rodriguez (D, West New York ). Hudson County is governed by a directly elected County Executive and by a Board of County Commissioners , which serves as
1178-670: The Hackensack River , south of New Jersey Route 3 . The name is portmanteau taken from Hartz Mountain , a corporation that owns much land in the New Jersey Meadowlands , which originally developed the area as a gated community in the 1970s with townhouses and highrise residential buildings. Part of the Hackensack RiverWalk Secaucus Greenway passes through the neighborhood, which is north of Anderson Marsh and Snake Hill , home to Hudson County's Laurel Hill Park . NJ Transit maintained
1240-407: The New Jersey Legislature on March 12, 1900, from portions of North Bergen . On June 7, 1917, Secaucus was incorporated as a town, replacing Secaucus borough, based on the results of a referendum held on June 5, 1917. Secaucus was originally an agricultural community specializing in flowers. It later became known for its pig farms in the first half of the 20th century. In the early 1900s the town
1302-678: The Pavonia Ferry to Lower Manhattan . The Erie Railroad's major long-distance passenger trains to Chicago , the Atlantic Express and Pacific Express , the Erie Limited , and the Lake Cities , ran along this section, through Passaic, Paterson , Ridgewood, on to Port Jervis , northwest to Binghamton , New York State's Southern Tier , Jamestown , and west to Chicago. The final long-distance train along this route
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#17327661974071364-495: The 1903 Kingsland tunnel. Kingsland station is shortly after the tunnel in an open cut. Just beyond Kingsland station is Lyndhurst station, on an embankment. After Lyndhurst the train crosses the Passaic River on a swing bridge that has been bolted shut (although it is technically required by Federal regulation to be opened on 24 hours notice). The train passes under Route 3 and approaches Delawanna station. Next stop
1426-637: The Bergen County Line curves right on its new connection to the Erie alignment. The Main Line then crosses over the Hackensack River on the single-track Upper Hack Lift bridge, built in 1958. Double track resumes under the New Jersey Turnpike 's western spur after 0.4 mile of single track. The train continues through the Meadowlands and passes the first grade crossing at Valley Brook Avenue in Lyndhurst . The line curves slightly and passes through
1488-528: The Erie Main Line alignment at 40°54′18″N 74°09′50″W / 40.905°N 74.164°W / 40.905; -74.164 . This connection was single track when built circa 1963, then double-tracked in a rehabilitation project in 2002. The line passes under Interstate 80 and heads into downtown Paterson. The Erie station in Paterson is elevated, with a center platform. Continuing north
1550-766: The Erie alignment-- since the Bergen County line was rerouted adjacent to the Main Line to pass through Secaucus Junction . At Secaucus Junction , all trains stop for passengers to change to and from Northeast Corridor Line , North Jersey Coast Line , Raritan Valley Line and Midtown Direct trains on the Morristown Line , the Gladstone Branch , and the Montclair-Boonton Line on the upper level. The Main Line then runs through an industrial section of Secaucus . Shortly afterwards
1612-782: The Erie's Greenwood Lake division up to its junction the Lackawanna Boonton Branch at Mountain View in Wayne as the Lackawanna right-of-way in Paterson was used for the construction of Interstate 80 . The Erie Jersey City terminal was abandoned circa 1959 after all Erie service had moved to the Lackawanna Hoboken Terminal. Service under Erie Lackawanna introduced new GE U34CH diesels and Comet I cars in 1970 which lasted under NJ DOT and Conrail into
1674-447: The Main Line is elevated through Paterson, passing over streets. After several grade crossings in an industrial area, the tracks cross the Passaic River on a truss bridge. Hawthorne is the next stop, at grade level. After a long stretch, the train reaches Glen Rock station, at grade level at a crossing. After Glen Rock the Main Line merges with the Bergen County Line at Ridgewood Junction. The line widens to three tracks (in Erie days
1736-588: The NJ Transit era. Metro-North took over service north of Suffern in 1983. Effective April 18, 1983, Metro-North Railroad shifted its Port Jervis Line service to run on the Graham Line , thus ending the direct passenger route from Harriman through Monroe and Goshen to Middletown. Service was increased along with the opening of the Secaucus Junction station in late 2003. On February 9, 1996,
1798-771: The New York metro area. Secaucus is home to several corporate headquarters, including The Children's Place , FiberMedia , Hartz Mountain Industries , and Quest Diagnostics . Goya Foods previously had its headquarters there. In 2011, two companies announced that they would be leaving Secaucus. The Manischewitz Company announced that it would relocate its administrative offices to Newark after being located in Secaucus for seven years. Panasonic 's North American headquarters, with 250,000 square feet (23,000 m) of offices and 500,000 square feet (46,000 m) of warehouse space, had been located in Secaucus since 1973. After considering new locations in New York, California and Georgia,
1860-483: The November 2017 election, when he was chosen to serve the balance of the term of office. Richard Steffens was chosen unanimously by the council in August 2009 to step in as mayor to finish the term of Dennis Elwell who resigned amid corruption charges on July 28, 2009, and was later convicted. Michael Gonnelli then won a full four-year term in November 2009 and was re-elected for another four years in 2013. In 2018,
1922-486: The Town Act of 1988 consists of eight members serving staggered two-year terms with two elected from each of four wards. One councilman from each ward is up for election each year. Towns with different structures predating the 1988 act may retain those features unless changed by a petition and referendum process. Two new provisions were added in 1991 to the statutes governing towns, First, a petition and referendum process
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1984-541: The United States. It runs daily commuter service and was once the north–south main line of the Erie Railroad . It is colored yellow on NJ Transit system maps, and its symbol is a water wheel . The Bergen County Line splits off the Main Line just west of the Secaucus Junction transfer station and rejoins it at Ridgewood . Trains on both lines are push-pull , powered by diesel locomotives (ordinarily on
2046-403: The average family size was 3.08. In the town, the population was spread out, with 19.2% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 33.5% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.2 males. The median income for a household in the town
2108-586: The company announced it would relocate to Newark and would receive an Urban Transit Hub Tax Credit of $ 102 million from the State of New Jersey for the relocation 8 miles (13 km) from its Secaucus location. The company also cited the environmental benefits possible by reducing the need of 1,000 employees to drive to work. Secaucus is home to 11 data centers due to its proximity to New York City and its more favorable costs and storm resiliency. The indie rock band, The Wrens , named their 1996 album Secaucus for
2170-418: The county's legislative body. As of 2024, Hudson County's County Executive is Craig Guy ( D , Jersey City ), whose term of office expires December 31, 2027. Hudson County's Commissioners are: Town (New Jersey) A town in the context of New Jersey local government refers to one of five types and one of eleven forms of municipal government. While town is often used as a shorthand to refer to
2232-508: The demolition of Pennsylvania Station was dumped in the Secaucus Meadowlands. In later decades Secaucus became more of a commuter town . In a non-binding referendum in 1969, 90% of voters in Secaucus chose to leave Hudson County and join Bergen County, as that county was more similar in character and had lower taxes. However, only the state has the authority to change county lines, so it never came to fruition. Today it remains
2294-571: The diesel fumes. Exiting the tunnel, the train curves right onto the Main Line at West End interlocking in Jersey City . Until 1963 this was the DL&W Boonton Branch; about a mile ahead was the connection built circa 1956 with the Erie main line (that after 1963 became the Bergen County Line). Two trains collided head-on here in 1996, killing two engineers and a passenger. The ramps for New Jersey Turnpike Interchange 15X now occupy
2356-514: The following year, followed by two years with no elections. As of 2022, the Mayor of Secaucus is Independent Michael Gonnelli, whose term of office ends December 31, 2025. Members of the Town Council are James J. Clancy Sr. (I, 2022; Ward 2), Robert V. Constantino (I, 2025; Ward 1), Mark Dehnert (I, 2025; Ward 2), John Gerbasio (I, 2022; Ward 1), William McKeever (I, 2025; Ward 3) and Orietta Turci-Tringali (I, 2022; Ward 3). Orietta Tringali
2418-413: The line was four tracks from here to Suffern NY). Ridgewood station is next, with Spanish-style design on the station building and with newly constructed high-level platforms. Next is Ho-Ho-Kus , also at grade. Waldwick follows with an abandoned station building on the northbound side and a footbridge connecting the two platforms. Waldwick Yard is just north of the station with the restored WC tower on
2480-504: The members of the council. The council may enact an ordinance to delegate all or a portion of the executive responsibilities of the town to a municipal administrator. Fifteen New Jersey municipalities currently have a type of town, eight of which operate under the town form of government: Main Line (NJ Transit) The Main Line (or Erie Main Line ) is a commuter rail line owned and operated by New Jersey Transit running from Suffern , New York to Hoboken , New Jersey , in
2542-498: The morning rush hour just south of the current Secaucus Junction station. With three fatalities, the incident is NJ Transit's deadliest accident and was the first to involve fatalities of the passenger and crew on NJ Transit. New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked Secaucus as its 182nd best place to live in its 2010 rankings of the "Best Places To Live" in New Jersey, after ranking the borough 11th in its 2008 rankings. Secaucus
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2604-636: The most suburban town in Hudson County. Despite being geographically located within Hudson County, Secaucus Public Library is a member of the Bergen County Cooperative Library System . On February 9, 1996, two NJ Transit commuter trains collided at Bergen Junction in Secaucus when a train operating on the Bergen Line ran a signal and sideswiped a train running on the Main Line . The accident occurred during
2666-431: The population were under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 27.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.2 years. For every 100 females, the population had 94.7 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 90.5 males. The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income
2728-417: The population. Of the 6,297 households, 27.9% had children under the age of 18; 50.0% were married couples living together; 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present and 34.7% were non-families. Of all households, 29.1% 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 2.46 and the average family size was 3.09. 19.3% of
2790-409: The population. There were 6,214 households, out of which 25.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.5% were non-families. 31.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and
2852-588: The site of the NBA draft lottery ). It is also home to men's soccer team Secaucus FC, which is part of the Garden State Soccer League. Secaucus was the headquarters of Major League Lacrosse for the first four seasons of the league. The headquarters have since moved to Boston . Secaucus held a pre-Super Bowl "Winter Blast" party during the first weekend of February 2014 to celebrate Super Bowl XLVIII being played in New Jersey. The party featured
2914-493: The southbound side by the yard. Just following Waldwick Yard is a grade crossing . North of the grade crossing (which has three tracks) the line becomes two tracks. Allendale and Ramsey follow, both as grade-level stations. Ramsey-Route 17 station (opened August 22, 2004) is next. It is a park-and-ride facility located off of Route 17 south in Ramsey. Mahwah follows and is the last station in New Jersey. Crossing over
2976-488: The town a reputation for being one of the most odorous in the New York metropolitan area . An ordinance passed in 1947 prohibited new farms, and in the 1950s the pig farms began to dwindle, partially after 11 of the farms were acquired for construction of the New Jersey Turnpike , which would carry tourists who would not appreciate the odor; the last farms were shut down by court order in the late 1950s. In 1963, debris from
3038-422: The town council. The Town Act of 1988 completely revised the town form of government and applied to all towns incorporated under the Town Act of 1895 and to those incorporated by a special charter granted by the legislature prior to 1875. Under the 1988 act, the mayor is also the councilman at large, serving a term of two years, unless increased to three years by a petition and referendum process. The council under
3100-520: The town had an average property tax bill of $ 6,258, the lowest in the county, compared to an average bill of $ 7,762 in Hudson County and $ 8,767 statewide. Secaucus is served around the clock by five volunteer fire companies that make up the Secaucus Fire Department, with a combined fire apparatus fleet of four Engines, two Ladders, one Rescue, one squad/brush unit, and one fireboat, operating out of five fire stations located throughout
3162-612: The town include: As its name suggests, the North End in Secaucus, New Jersey, is the section of town north of New Jersey Route 3 and the Secaucus Plaza Central Business District, to which it is connected by Paterson Plank Road . The Hackensack River and its tributary Mill Creek create the other borders for the district. The North End is one of the older, traditional residential neighborhoods of Secaucus, which itself has been transformed to
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#17327661974073224-624: The town where they resided together and worked for a decade. Starting with the 2014–15 NBA season , Secaucus became the official review headquarters of the NBA . All reviews of controversial calls and plays take place in the replay center. Referees consult the headquarters for guidance on the correct call. The high-tech center features over 94 HD televisions, with multiple feeds of every live NBA game. Sports companies headquartered in Secaucus include Red Bull New York , Major League Baseball 's MLB Network , National Hockey League 's NHL Network , and NBA Entertainment / NBA TV (whose studios are also
3286-593: The town. Secaucus is located in the 9th Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 33rd state legislative district. For the 118th United States Congress , New Jersey's 9th congressional district was represented by Bill Pascrell ( D , Paterson ) until his death in August 2024. New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Democrats Cory Booker ( Newark , term ends 2027) and George Helmy ( Mountain Lakes , term ends 2024). For
3348-403: The west end of the train). The Erie Railroad 's main line ran from Jersey City to Chicago via Binghamton and Jamestown, New York , Akron and Marion, Ohio , and Huntington, Indiana , with branches to Buffalo , Cleveland , and Dayton . The section in New Jersey and lower New York State saw frequent commuter service to the waterfront Pavonia Terminal , Jersey City, with connections to
3410-467: Was $ 59,800, and the median income for a family was $ 72,568. Males had a median income of $ 49,937 versus $ 39,370 for females. The per capita income for the town was $ 31,684. About 3.9% of families and 7.6% of the population were below the poverty line , including 6.4% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over. There are several large retail areas in Secaucus. Secaucus Plaza is the "downtown" area of Secaucus, just off of Route 3. The Outlets are
3472-414: Was $ 82,289 (with a margin of error of +/− $ 6,523) and the median family income was $ 96,475 (+/− $ 10,189). Males had a median income of $ 58,902 (+/− $ 7,548) versus $ 54,665 (+/− $ 4,626) for females. The per capita income for the town was $ 38,375. About 4.7% of families and 6.6% of the population were below the poverty line , including 6.9% of those under age 18 and 7.9% of those age 65 or over. According to
3534-433: Was 2,793.7 per square mile (1,078.7/km). There were 6,846 housing units at an average density of 1,175.9 per square mile (454.0/km). The racial makeup was 68.40% (11,125) White , 4.11% (668) Black or African American , 0.20% (32) Native American , 20.40% (3,318) Asian , 0.04% (6) Pacific Islander , 4.38% (713) from other races , and 2.47% (402) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 18.60% (3,025) of
3596-674: Was chosen in January 2018 to fill the Ward 3 seat expiring in December 2018 that had been held by Susan Pirro until she resigned from office. On June 9, 2018, the Office of Emergency Management Building was dedicated to Pirro, who died on March 18, 2018. In October 2016, Gary Jeffas resigned from office to fill the position as Town Administrator; his Ward 1 seat expiring in December 2018 was filled by John Gerbasio, who served on an interim basis until
3658-405: Was created whereby the voters can require that the mayor and town council be elected to four-year terms of office. The second new provision defines the election procedure in towns with wards. The mayor in a town chairs the town council and heads the municipal government. The mayor may both vote on legislation before council and veto ordinances. A veto may be overridden by a vote of two-thirds of all
3720-515: Was home to approximately 55 pig farms, which reached a peak of nearly 250,000 pigs in World War II , outnumbering humans 16 to 1. These farms served the meat demands of Newark and New York, and made the farmers wealthy. Many of them were local politicians, most notably pork peddler Henry B. Krajewski , who ran for New Jersey senator, three times for governor and twice for U.S. President. The town's pig farms, rendering plants, and junk yards gave
3782-463: Was part of what is considered to be the oldest municipality in the state of New Jersey which was first chartered in 1660 as Bergen in the province of New Netherland and, in 1683, became Bergen Township . Settlement had begun by at least 1733 by the Smith family, whose namesake Abel I. Smith Burial Ground is part of the lore of Secaucus. Secaucus was originally formed as a borough by an act of
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#17327661974073844-614: Was the Atlantic Express and Pacific Express in 1965. In 1963, the Erie Main Line south of Paterson to its connection with the Bergen County Line at Carlton Hill in Rutherford was abandoned and service began using the former Lackawanna Boonton Branch south of Paterson via the Lyndhurst Draw and Upper Hack Lift bridges as the route through downtown Passaic was abandoned. Boonton Line service began using
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