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Wayne is a township in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township had a total population of 54,069. Wayne is one of America's top communities, according to Money magazine, which announced its 2006 "best places" list. The township made the magazine's top-100 list — ranked at No. 32 — among towns in the nation with populations greater than 50,000. Wayne is home to Willowbrook Mall, Wayne Hills Mall, Wayne Towne Center. Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 65.2 km² (25.2 mi²). 61.7 km² (23.8 mi²) of it is land and 3.5 km² (1.4 mi²) of it (5.44%) is water. Neighborhoods/Lake Communities Wayne has a number of lakes, with distinct communities and neighborhoods located around them. These include Pines Lake, Packanack Lake, Lions Head Lake, and Pompton Lake (half of which is in Wayne). The Passaic River also flows through a portion of Wayne and occasionally floods near Willowbrook Mall. History In 1694, Arent Schuyler, a young surveyor, miner and land speculator, was sent into north western New Jersey to investigate rumors that the French were trying to incite the local Lenni-Lenape Native American population to rebel against the English. Schuyler found no evidence of a rebellion, but discovered a rich fertile valley where the Lenni-Lenape grew a variety of crops. Schuyler reported his findings to the English and then convinced Major Anthony Brockholst, Samuel Bayard, Samuel Berry, Hendrick and David Mandeville, George Ryerson and John Mead to invest in the purchase of the land he referred to as the Pompton Valley. The seven chose Schuyler to be negotiator with the Lenape for the rights to the area. Samual Bayard, however, was chosen to negotiate with the East Jersey Company which maintained land rights over the area that is now Wayne. Approximately 5,000 acres were purchased on November 11, 1695. The area now known as Wayne Township then became part of New Barbadoes Township, Bergen County, New Jersey in Bergen County. In 1710, this same area became part of Saddle River Township in Bergen County. By 1837, the residents of Wayne found themselves in Manchester Township in the newly named Passaic County. Finally, on April 12, 1847 the first Wayne Township organization meeting was held at the Henry Casey House on the Paterson-Hamburg Turnpike. The first mayor, called the Chairman of the Township Committee until 1962, was William S. Hogencamp. The citizens voted to name the town after American Revolutionary War General Anthony Wayne. Throughout the 18th and 19th Centuries, Wayne Township remained a peaceful farming community. The Morris Canal ran through the southwestern part of Wayne, carrying produce to market and coal from Pennsylvania. The canal was replaced by the railroad at the end of the 19th Century. In the early 20th century, Wayne grew as a vacation retreat for wealthy New Yorkers. In the summer hordes of people from Manhattan and Brooklyn came to live in the summer bungalows and enjoy the beautiful rivers. World War II marked the impetus for tremendous change in Wayne. Summer bungalows were converted to year round living residences to accommodate factory workers. Following the war, farmland was converted to residential living. The growth of Wayne resulted in a new form of government in the 1960's. A Faulkner Act (Mayor-Council-Administrator) form of government was instituted in 1962. Modern highways have made Wayne Township a virtual crossroad in North Jersey. Route 23, U.S. Route 46 and Interstate 80 and the Paterson-Hamburg Turnpike have made Wayne easily accessed for business and homes. Several national firms have located here. Demographics As of the census² of 2000, there were 54,069 people, 18,755 households, and 14,366 families residing in the township. The population density was 876.4/km² (2,269.5/mi²). There were 19,218 housing units at an average density of 311.5/km² (806.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the township was 90.05% White, 1.66% African American, 0.10% Native American, 5.67% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.17% from other races, and 1.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.09% of the population. There were 18,755 households out of which 34.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.4% were married couples living together, 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.4% were non-families. 20.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.1% 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 3.19. In the township the population was spread out with 23.2% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.4 males. The median income for a household in the township was $83,651, and the median income for a family was $95,114. Males had a median income of $61,271 versus $39,835 for females. The per capita income for the township was $35,349. About 1.6% of families and 2.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.1% of those under age 18 and 4.8% of those age 65 or over. Local government Wayne Township is governed under the Faulkner Act (Mayor-Council) system of municipal government. A Mayor is elected by the voters in partisan elections to serve a four-year term. A nine-member council forms the legislative branch of the township government. Three council members are elected at large and one from each of six wards for a term of four years. Wayne's Mayor is Scott Rumana. Members of the Wayne Township Council are: Federal, state and county representation Wayne is part of New Jersey's 40th Legislative District and is in the Eighth Congressional District. Public School The Wayne Public Schools operate 14 public schools in Wayne. Elementary Schools Middle Schools High Schools Private High Schools Other Schools Corporate residents Noteworthy residents Some noted current and former residents include: Interesting facts | |||||||
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