According to ALLCITYCODES, Clifton, New Jersey is located in Passaic County and is situated just 12 miles west of New York City. The city is bordered by the Passaic River to the west and by the Clifton-Passaic Canal to the east. Clifton has a total area of 5.5 square miles, with 0.2 square miles of it being water.
The topography of Clifton is quite varied with hills and valleys making up much of the city’s landscape. The highest point in Clifton is found at an elevation of 350 feet atop one of its many hills while its lowest point is near the Passaic River where it measures at only 10 feet above sea level.
The climate in Clifton can be classified as humid subtropical with hot summers and cold winters that feature frequent snowfall during winter months. On average, temperatures range from a low of 20 degrees Fahrenheit in January to a high of 87 degrees Fahrenheit in July with annual precipitation measuring around 45 inches per year.
Clifton’s terrain consists mainly of residential neighborhoods interspersed with some commercial areas as well as parks and recreational facilities such as Van Saun County Park which features over 500 acres of parkland for residents to enjoy activities such as picnicking, hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, and more.
Clifton’s geography provides plenty for residents to explore and enjoy throughout all four seasons while also providing easy access to nearby cities such as Paterson and Newark for those who want to take advantage of larger urban areas without having to travel too far from home.
History of Clifton, New Jersey
Clifton, New Jersey was first settled in 1710 by Dutch settlers who named the area “New Barbadoes Township” after the colony located in Barbados. The area was renamed “Clifton” in 1829 after a local politician, John Clifton.
In the 19th century, Clifton began to experience rapid growth due to its close proximity to New York City and its location on the Passaic River, which provided easy access to transportation and goods. This growth was further accelerated when the Morris Canal opened in 1831, connecting Clifton with other towns along the Passaic River as well as with Newark and Jersey City.
In 1872, Clifton was officially incorporated as a township and by 1880 had grown to a population of nearly 3,000 people. As the city continued to develop throughout the late 1800s and early 1900s it began to attract more businesses as well as an influx of immigrants from Europe which would eventually become one of its defining characteristics.
By 1940, Clifton had grown to a population of over 50,000 people and had become an important industrial center for manufacturing goods such as textiles and chemicals. During this time period it also became known for its thriving jazz scene which attracted musicians from all over the country such as Dizzy Gillespie and Billie Holiday who both performed at a local club called The Mardi Gras.
Today, Clifton is home to over 85,000 residents who enjoy its diverse culture and many recreational activities such as hiking in Garret Mountain Reservation or exploring Lambert Castle Museum which is located on top of Garret Mountain. Despite experiencing some economic downturns over the years due mainly to deindustrialization, Clifton continues to thrive today through its vibrant cultural scene and close proximity to major cities like Newark and New York City.
Economy of Clifton, New Jersey
Clifton, New Jersey is a vibrant and diverse city with a strong economy that has been shaped by its history, location, and the people who have called it home.
In the 19th century, Clifton’s economy was driven by its close proximity to New York City and its location on the Passaic River. The opening of the Morris Canal in 1831 provided easy access to transportation and goods which further accelerated its growth. By 1940, Clifton had become an important industrial center for manufacturing goods such as textiles and chemicals.
Throughout the late 20th century, Clifton’s economy shifted from manufacturing to services due to deindustrialization. In recent years, it has been bolstered by its close proximity to Newark and New York City as well as its diverse population which has helped create a vibrant cultural scene. Today, some of the city’s largest employers are St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center, Valley National Bank, Genova Burns LLC., United Parcel Service (UPS), Public Service Electric & Gas (PSE&G), Becton Dickinson & Co., and Wakefern Food Corporation.
Clifton is also home to many small businesses that make up a large portion of the city’s economic landscape such as restaurants, retail stores, professional services firms, auto repair shops, medical offices, beauty salons/barbershops and more. Additionally, there are many corporate office buildings located in Clifton that employ thousands of people such as Prudential Financial Inc., Panasonic Corporation of North America Headquarters 1-4 Campus Building C-D-E-F, Prologis Warehouse Facility, Silverline Plastics Corp., Amazon Fulfillment Center, The GEO Group Inc., and many others.
Clifton’s economy is strong due to its diverse population which provides a wide range of services for both residents and visitors alike; its close proximity to major cities like Newark and New York City; and its abundance of small businesses that contribute significantly to local economic growth.
Politics in Clifton, New Jersey
Clifton, New Jersey is a city of roughly 85,000 people located in Passaic County. The city is home to a diverse population with a mix of cultural backgrounds and political beliefs.
Clifton is part of the 9th Congressional District of New Jersey and the 36th Legislative District. It is represented in Congress by Bill Pascrell Jr., a Democrat, and in the state legislature by Assemblyman Gary Schaer, also a Democrat. The mayor of Clifton is James Anzaldi, who was elected in 2014 and is currently serving his fourth term as mayor.
At the local level, Clifton’s government consists of an elected City Council which meets on the first and third Monday of each month at 7:00pm at City Hall. The council consists of nine members who are elected to staggered three-year terms. At the state level, Clifton’s representatives are responsible for voting on bills that affect not only their district but also all New Jersey residents.
Clifton has consistently voted Democratic in presidential elections since 1992; however, it has seen some Republican support in recent years with Donald Trump garnering nearly 40% of the vote in 2016 and Joe Biden winning by just 10 points in 2020. In local elections, voters tend to be more split between Democratic and Republican candidates; however, Democrats have been more successful overall with most council members being Democrats as well as both congressional and legislative representatives being Democrats for many years now.
Clifton’s politics have been largely dominated by Democratic candidates due to its diverse population; however, there has been some Republican support over the past few years which may indicate that there could be an increase in support for Republicans going forward depending on how certain issues are addressed or how certain candidates perform during elections.