Livingston, New Jersey

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Template:Short description Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement Livingston is a township in Essex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 31,330,<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/> its highest decennial count ever and an increase of 1,964 (+6.7%) from 29,366 recorded at the 2010 census,<ref name=Census2010/><ref name=LWD2010/> which in turn reflected an increase of 1,975 (+7.2%) from the 27,391 counted in the 2000 census.<ref>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.</ref> In 2023, the Population Estimates Program by the United States Census Bureau calculated that the township had a population of 31,089.<ref name=PopEst/>

Livingston was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 5, 1813, from portions of Caldwell Township (now Fairfield Township) and Springfield Township (now in Union County). Portions of the original township were later taken to form Fairmount (March 11, 1862, now part of West Orange) and Roseland (March 10, 1908).<ref name=Story>Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606–1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 128. Accessed May 29, 2024.</ref>

The township was named for William Livingston, the first Governor of New Jersey; his family's coat of arms served as the township's seal for many years.<ref name="AboutLivingston"/><ref>Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 3, 2015.</ref>

The community has been one of the state's highest-income communities. Based on data from the American Community Survey for 2013–2017, township residents had a median household income of $153,381, ranked 14th in the state among municipalities with more than 10,000 residents, more than double the statewide median of $76,475.<ref>Raychaudhuri, Disha. "The wealthiest towns in N.J., ranked", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, June 7, 2019. Accessed November 4, 2019. "The median household income in N.J. is $76,475, recent Census data shows.... A note about the data: The data comes from the 2013-2017 American Community Survey conducted by U.S. Census Bureau. Smaller towns with less than 10,000 residents were excluded from the list.... 14. Livingston, Essex County Median income: $153,381"</ref><ref>B19013 - Median Household Income in The Past 12 Months (in 2017 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars) Universe: Households from the 2013-2017 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for New Jersey municipalities Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 4, 2019.</ref>

History

Livingston's history dates back to 1699 when 101 settlers from Newark wanted to move westward. They set up a committee to negotiate with Lenni Lenape Native Americans for the purchase of the Horseneck Tract which today includes Livingston and eight other municipalities in northern Essex County. Between 1698 and 1702, the rules for property ownership were unclear. There were many disputes between settlers and the English proprietors. For some unknown reasons, the Newark settlers did not obtain a grant from the proprietors before negotiating with the native tribes. They finally obtained the deed directly from Lenni Lenape in 1702 for £130. The settlements began until around the 1740s as the dispute between the proprietors and the settlers continued.<ref>James Hoyt, The Mountain society:" a history of the First Presbyterian Church, Orange, N. J., New York, C. M. Saxton, Barker, 1860, p.43</ref>

The dispute came to a breaking point in September 1745 when the East Jersey proprietors began to evict a settler only six months after a house fire in Newark completely destroyed the original deed, which was the only evidence of the purchase.<ref>Max K. Vorwerk, A History of the Horseneck Riots, Caldwell Bicentennial Committee, Caldwell, New Jersey, 1948</ref> During that period, William Livingston who was one of the few landed aristocrats joined the settlers against the proprietors. Livingston owned land around today's south western corner of the Township of Livingston. His land, like other settlers, was levied with quit rents in the amount 40 shillings per acre. He defended many settlers who were jailed for refusing to pay the quit rents.<ref>Livingston Township's Namesake: William Livingston, First Governor of New Jersey, West Essex Tribune, August 25, 2011, p.B-8</ref>

This series of events caused the settlers, led by Timothy Meeker, to form a group to riot against the British government. The Horseneck Riots lasted for 10 years from 1745 to 1755. The group was also one of the first colonial militia which had periodic battles for 32 years leading up to the Revolutionary War as the group joined the Continental Army in 1776.<ref name="tribune20090827">A Brief History Of Livingston, New Jersey, West Essex Tribune, August 27, 2009, p.A-10</ref>

After the American Revolutionary War, more permanent settlements took place with the first school built in 1783. In 1811, a petition was filed to incorporate the township from about 100 people who lived in seven distinct areas: Centerville (separated to become Roseland, in 1908), Cheapside (now Livingston Mall), Morehousetown (now Livingston Circle), Northfield (now Northfield Center), Squiretown (now the Cerebral Palsy Institute of New Jersey on Old Road), Teedtown (now Livingston Center), and Washington Place (now near the border with Millburn).<ref name=AboutLivingston /> On February 5, 1813, the township was officially incorporated. The first town meeting was held on the same day and they decided to run the township by a Township Committee system.<ref name=AboutLivingston />

During the 1800s, lumber and farming were major industries in the town. Shoemaking and dairy farming became major industries during and after the Civil War. However, the population grew slowly because it was not easily accessible. Mt. Pleasant Avenue—which was one of the first turnpikes in New Jersey—was the only primary access to the town through stagecoaches.<ref name=AboutLivingston>Template:Cite web</ref>

The population grew quickly after the 1920s when automobiles became more accessible. As a suburb of Newark, the town experienced many housing developments especially after World War II with its peak in 1970 of more than thirty thousand residents.<ref name=AboutLivingston/> During this growth period, many services were organized including public library in 1916, volunteer Fire Department in 1922, first regular police chief in 1923, an ambulance unit in 1937 which became first aid squad in 1949.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Some major relocations took place during this period of growing population shift. Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center (formerly Saint Barnabas Medical Center) and Newark Academy moved from Newark to Livingston in 1964.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The last surviving Harrison Cider Apple tree, the most famous of the 18th-century Newark cider apple trees, was rescued from extinction in 1976 in Livingston.<ref>McManus, Fran. "Lost & Found; The rise, fall and rebirth of the Harrison cider apple", Edible Jersey, Fall 2010. Accessed August 5, 2013. "In September 1976, Paul Gidez, an orchardist and fruit collector from Vermont, came to Essex County to search for the Harrison apple. Stopping at a bagel shop, he asked if there were any old cider mills in the area. He was directed to Nettie Ochs Cider Mill in Livingston, where he found a large Harrison tree that, according to the owner, had been planted around the turn of the century."</ref><ref>Coxe, William Jr. A View of the Cultivation of Fruit Trees and the Management of Orchards and Cider, M. Carey and son, 1817. Accessed September 3, 2015.</ref>

Today, around 30,000 people live in this suburban community, which lies around an hour's drive from New York City. Its school system—which has been nationally recognized since 1998—and other programs have been drawing new residents to the town. Its population has maintained a level of diversity while the residents continue the tradition of community volunteerism.<ref name="tribune20090827"/><ref name="AboutLivingston"/>

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 14.12 square miles (36.57 km2), including 13.79 square miles (35.7 km2) of land and 0.33 square miles (0.86 km2) of water (2.37%).<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name=GR1 /> Livingston is in the New York Metro Area. It is in southwestern Essex County. Within Essex County it is bordered by Roseland to the north, West Orange to the east, and Millburn/Short Hills to the south. To the west it is bordered by Morris County communities Florham Park and East Hanover. The western border is the Passaic River.<ref>Areas touching Livingston, MapIt. Accessed February 26, 2020.</ref><ref>Municipalities, Essex County, New Jersey Register of Deeds and Mortgages. Accessed February 26, 2020.</ref><ref>New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.</ref>

Localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Cedar Ridge, Cheapside, Moorehoustown, Northfield, Washington Place and West Livingston.<ref>Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.</ref>

Demographics

Template:US Census population According to the 2002 results of the National Jewish Population Survey, there were 12,600 Jews in Livingston, approximately 46% of the population, one of the highest percentages of Jews in any American municipality. The neighboring towns of South Orange and Millburn also have high Jewish populations.<ref>Jewish Population in the United States, 2002, National Jewish Population Survey. Accessed May 11, 2006.</ref>

In a report performed by the United Way of Northern New Jersey based on 2012 data, around 14% of Livingston households were classified as "Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed" households (below a threshold of $50,000 for households below 65, below $35,000 for those over 65), struggling with basic necessities, such as housing, childcare, food, health care, and transportation, compared to 38% statewide and 47% in Essex County.<ref>"ALICE Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed: Study of Financial Hardship", United Way of Northern New Jersey, September 2014. Accessed September 18, 2014. "In total, 1.2 million households in New Jersey – fully 38 percent – struggled to support themselves in 2012."</ref>

2020 census

Livingston Township, Essex County, New Jersey – Racial and ethnic composition
Template:Nobold
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>Template:Cite web</ref> Pop 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2>Template:Cite web</ref> % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 21,535 18,812 73.33% 60.04%
Black or African American alone (NH) 632 953 2.15% 3.04%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 9 12 0.03% 0.04%
Asian alone (NH) 5,609 9,014 19.10% 28.77%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 5 4 0.02% 0.01%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 43 177 0.15% 0.56%
Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH) 341 775 1.16% 2.47%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1,192 1,583 4.06% 5.05%
Total 29,366 31,330 100.00% 100.00%

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 29,366 people, 9,990 households, and 8,272 families in the township. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 10,284 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup was 76.17% (22,367) White, 2.26% (663) Black or African American, 0.07% (20) Native American, 19.21% (5,642) Asian, 0.02% (5) Pacific Islander, 0.86% (254) from other races, and 1.41% (415) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.06% (1,192) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/>

Of the 9,990 households, 41.5% had children under the age of 18; 73.5% were married couples living together; 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present and 17.2% were non-families. Of all households, 15.2% were made up of individuals and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.91 and the average family size was 3.24.<ref name=Census2010/>

27.0% of the population were under the age of 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 21.2% from 25 to 44, 30.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.3 years. For every 100 females, the population had 94.6 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 90.1 males.<ref name=Census2010/>

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $129,208 (with a margin of error of +/− $6,377) and the median family income was $143,429 (+/− $10,622). Males had a median income of $100,075 (+/− $11,306) versus $71,213 (+/− $7,102) for females. The per capita income for the township was $60,577 (+/− $3,918). About 1.1% of families and 2.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.6% of those under age 18 and 1.7% of those age 65 or over.<ref>DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Livingston township, Essex County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 31, 2011.</ref>

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census<ref name="GR2" /> there were 27,391 people, 9,300 households, and 7,932 families residing in the town. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 9,457 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the township was 82.64% White, 14.54% Asian, 1.20% African American, 0.05% Native American, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.69% from other races, and 0.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.54% of the population.<ref name=Census2000>Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Livingston township, Essex County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 18, 2012.</ref><ref name=Census2000SF1>DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 – Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Livingston township, Essex County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 18, 2012.</ref>

There were 9,300 households, out of which 41.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 76.0% were married couples living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 14.7% were non-families. 13.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.93 and the average family size was 3.21.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

In the township the age distribution of the population shows 26.6% under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 26.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.3 males.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

The median income for a household in the township was $98,869, and the median income for a family was $108,049. Males had a median income of $77,256 versus $41,654 for females. The per capita income for the town was $47,218. 1.8% of the population and 1.1% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 1.2% are under the age of 18 and 3.2% are 65 or older.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

Economy

Shopping and dining

Although largely a bedroom community, there are many stores and restaurants located in Livingston, in three main shopping areas. The first area is located in the center of the town. It stretches along Livingston Avenue from Route 10 to Northfield Avenue. Historically, the area has been dominated by small local stores, but retains some national chain stores. With the addition of Livingston Town Center, classified as mixed-use development, new restaurants have opened as well, adding to the large number of locally owned establishments.<ref>Store Directory Template:Webarchive, Livingston Town Center. Accessed April 16, 2009.</ref>

The second area is the Livingston Mall located at the south-western corner of the town. Macy's occupies one of the original three wings the mall. Sears, the original anchor in the second wing, announced its closure in February 2020,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> while Lord & Taylor, the third original anchor, shut down on December 29, 2020. The fourth wing, added in 2008, is home of Barnes & Noble.<ref>Livingston Mall Center Directory; Department Stores and Anchors, Simon Property Group. Accessed November 5, 2019.</ref>

The third shopping area begins the Route 10 shopping corridor that extends to East Hanover. It includes the Route 10 Farmer's Market and Panevino Ristorante.

Corporate residents

Many office parks are located along Eisenhower Parkway on the western side of the town. There are a few headquarters of major companies including former CIT Group corporate headquarters, Inteplast Group headquarters, The Briad Group headquarters, and customer service and support center of Verizon New Jersey.<ref>Verizon to Open New Customer Service and Support Center in Livingston, N.J., Reuters, February 17, 2009. Accessed April 16, 2009.</ref>

There are varieties of other services in the township. The Westminster Hotel is located on the western side of the town.<ref>Location Template:Webarchive, The Westminster Hotel. Accessed April 16, 2009.</ref> Fitness facilities include West Essex YMCA. A Jewish Community Center with fitness center also exists just over the border in West Orange.

Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, a 597-bed hospital established in 1865, is located in the southern side of the town near West Orange and Millburn.<ref>About the Medical Center, Saint Barnabas Medical Center. Accessed November 4, 2019. "Since 1865, Saint Barnabas Medical Center (SBMC), New Jersey's oldest nonprofit, nonsectarian hospital has worked to exceed our community's highest expectations for compassionate care, health care excellence and superior service."</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Livingston also has a local Public-access television station (Livingston TV on Comcast TV-34 and Verizon FiOS 26), which is maintained by Livingston High School Students as well as the LPBC (Livingston Public Broadcasting Committee).

Arts and culture

Performing arts

Livingston is home of several performing arts organizations:

  • Livingston Symphony Orchestra is a group of community-based performers which was formed in 1960. The symphony orchestra is currently directed by Anthony LaGruth. It holds limited performances during each season.<ref>"A proud half-century for symphony" Template:Webarchive, The Star-Ledger, October 12, 2006. Accessed August 16, 2009.</ref>
  • Livingston Community Players is a community-based theatre organization. There has been many productions in the recent years. The performers are from local community and other places in New Jersey. Past productions, including The Sound of Music, Oliver!, and Annie, received Perry Awards from New Jersey Association of Community Theatres.<ref>Livingston Community Players, New Jersey Association of Community Theatres. Accessed March 10, 2013.</ref>
  • Children's Theatre of Livingston is a local organization that provides performance opportunities for Livingston children grades 2 to 8. The children are trained in acting roles and staging staff. It has annual performance since the first season in 2007.<ref>Mission Statement Template:Webarchive, Children's Theatre of Livingston. Accessed August 16, 2009.</ref>
  • New Jersey Ballet is a major ballet company based in Livingston. The company is recognized nationally and internationally with tours in many countries in Europe, Asia and North America.<ref>About Us Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Ballet. Accessed August 5, 2013.</ref> Livingston is also the headquarters of New Jersey School of Ballet which offers many classes in Ballet, Jazz and Tap.<ref>About the School Template:Webarchive, New Jersey School of Ballet. Accessed August 5, 2013.</ref>

Fine arts

Livingston has many local artists in varied forms. Local artists have support from Livingston Arts Association, an organization formed in 1959 to promote art in the community including large scale exhibitions, demonstrations, and workshops.<ref>About Us, Livingston Arts Association. Accessed August 5, 2013.</ref> The organization is also a member of Arts Council of Livingston which has a gallery at Livingston Town Center. The Arts Association includes numerous organizations in addition to the Arts Council of Livingston, including the NJ State Opera Guild—West Essex Chapter and Livingston Camera Club. The Arts Council of Livingston regularly exhibits art at the Livingston Town Hall.

There are many studios at Riker Hill Art Park with more than 40 working artists in various media including pottery, fine metalwork, glass, jewelry, paintings, fine arts, sculpture and photography.<ref>Riker Hill Art Park for Artists at Work Open House. Accessed August 16, 2009.</ref> Many studios offer art classes for adults and children.

Sports

From 1984 to 1989, Livingston was the site of the Grand Prix tennis circuit tournament, the Livingston Open, held at Newark Academy. The Grand Prix was the only professional circuit since 1985 before it was succeeded by the ATP Tour in 1990. The tournament was won by Andre Agassi in 1988, earning him the seventh title in his career.<ref>Livingston, NJ, U.S.A. August 07 - 13 1989, ATP World Tour. Accessed July 8, 2015. As of date accessed, results are listed for 1998–2014 from another tournament under past champions.</ref>

Parks and recreation

Parks

There are more than Template:Convert of wooded parks with passive hiking trails in Livingston. Additional Template:Convert are zoned to be preserved in its natural state without public access. This brings to about 25% of total land in the town that is in its natural conditions with habitats of eight threatened or endangered species.<ref>Zoning Map, Livingston Township. Accessed April 16, 2009.</ref><ref name="greenwaysplan">Trails And Greenways Plan for Township of Livingston County of Essex Template:Webarchive, Morris Land Conservancy, July 2007. Accessed November 18, 2009.</ref>

There are smaller parks and open space areas dedicated to recreation and sports, mostly centered around the town's public schools. These include two swimming pools, one of which, Northland Pool, is no longer open to the public, ten little league baseball diamonds, four full baseball diamonds, eight full soccer/lacrosse fields, one full football field, three basketball courts, sixteen tennis courts, eleven playgrounds, a jogging track, a dog park, and a fishing/ice skating pond.<ref name="greenwaysplan"/> The township is planning to build inter-connected mixed-use paths, biking and hiking trails to connect those parks and open space throughout the township.

Livingston has an active open space trust fund that continues to acquire more lands for preservation and recreation. Template:As of, there were 842 acres (9% of total land) that were protected from development. There were additional Template:Convert that could be protected by the fund.<ref>Open Space And Recreation Plan For the Township of Livingston County of Essex Template:Webarchive, Morris Land Conservancy, February 2003, p. 12. Accessed November 18, 2009.</ref>

Riker Hill Complex

A radio tower in the Riker Hill Complex

Riker Hill Complex (also referred to as Riker Hill Art Park) is a Template:Convert parkland located along the border of Livingston and Roseland, which was acquired between 1969 and 1977 through county funds and the state's Green Acres program. The complex is managed by the Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs. It comprises three parks, Riker Hill Art Park—a former Nike Missile control area site on Template:Convert, Walter Kidde Dinosaur Park—a National Natural Landmark on Template:Convert that is not publicly accessible, and the undeveloped Becker Park on Template:Convert. Although a large portion of the complex is located within Roseland, the county designated Livingston as the host community as the Riker Hill Art Park is the only functional and publicly accessible park at the present time.<ref>Riker Hill Complex, Essex County Parks. Accessed May 29, 2024. "Riker Hill is a 204.68-acre complex off Beaufort Avenue located in the western section of Essex County and is composed of three parts: 1) The Riker Hill Art Park, a 42-acre former US Nike missile tracking base, acquired in 1977. Its former army barracks are now occupied by artists, sculptors and craftsmen; 2) Dinosaur Park, a 16-acre tract acquired in 1970—well known throughout the state as the site of the smallest dinosaur tracks ever found (This park is not open to the public) and 3) Becker Park, a 147-acre tract of undeveloped parkland that was purchased in 1969 in part through the Green Acres Program."</ref> The art park located atop of the hill is home of many studios in multiple disciplines of art and craft.

Recreation

The recreation department under the Senior, Youth and Leisure Services program offers programs for residents ranging from pre-school courses, children games, crafts, and dance to youth and adult sports programs to special programming for seniors. Programming also grew during Covid to include various virtual exercise, meditation, and other types of programs and virtual events. The recreation department's variety of services and programs for adults ages 62+ includes educational, sports, special events, concerts, and locally available transportation via several new vans. The recreation department has proven innovative in working to provide programs and services safely throughout the pandemic. Prior to 2020, residents enjoyed two pools, Haines Pool and Northland Pool. Since then, Northland Pool has been mainly closed to residents. There are many independent sports organizations such as Livingston Little League, Livingston Jr. Lancers (football and cheerleading), Livingston Lacrosse Club, and Livingston Soccer Club.<ref>Recreation Department Fall 2009 Template:Webarchive, Township of Livingston. Accessed November 18, 2009.</ref><ref>Golf for Livingston Residents Template:Webarchive, Livingston Recreation Department. Accessed April 16, 2009.</ref>

Government

Local government

Livingston Town Hall

Livingston has operated since 1957 within the Faulkner Act, formally known as the Optional Municipal Charter Law, under the Council-Manager form of municipal government. The township is one of 42 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form of government.<ref>Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey, Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> Livingston's Township Council is comprised of five members, elected to four-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either two or three seats coming up for election in even-numbered years.<ref name=DataBook>2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 125.</ref><ref>"Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 12. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref><ref>Council-Manager Government, Township of Livingston. Accessed November 4, 2019. "This type of governance allows for professional local management, and Livingston has a 53-year legacy of which it can be proud. In 1957, voters here adopted the Council-Manager form of government, which was formed under the Optional Municipal Charter Law, also known as the Faulkner Act."</ref> A Mayor and Deputy Mayor are selected by the Council from among its members at a reorganization meeting held after each election.<ref>Livingston Township Code, ecode360.com. Accessed April 2, 2020. "§ 2-3 Election of Mayor and Deputy Mayor. A. At the organization meeting each year, the members of the Council shall assemble at a site to be determined by the members of the Township Council and organize and elect one of their members as Mayor and one as Deputy Mayor. The Mayor and Deputy Mayor shall be chosen by ballot by majority vote of all members of the Council."</ref>

Template:As of, members of the Township Council are Mayor Edward Meinhardt (D, term on council and as mayor ends December 31, 2026), Deputy Mayor Shawn R. Klein (D, term on council and as deputy mayor ends 2026), Alfred M. Anthony (D, 2028), Ketan K. Bhuptani (D, 2026; elected to serve an unexpired term) and Michael M. Vieira (D, 2028).<ref name=Council>Township Council Members, Township of Livingston. Accessed February 8, 2024.</ref><ref>2023 Municipal Data Sheet, Township of Livingston. Accessed February 8, 2024.</ref><ref name=EssexDirectory>Essex County Directory, Essex County, New Jersey. Accessed February 8, 2024.</ref><ref name=Essex2024>General Election November 5, 2024 Official Results, Essex County, New Jersey, updated November 18, 2024. Accessed January 1, 2025.</ref><ref name=Essex2022>November 8, 2022, General Election Official Results, Essex County, New Jersey Clerk, updated November 22, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.</ref>

In February 2024, Ketan Bhuptani, the township's first Asian-American councilmember, was sworn in to fill the seat expiring in December 2026 that became vacant after Rosy Bagolie stepped down from council and took office in the New Jersey General Assembly the previous month.<ref>Wildstein, David. "To replace Bagolie, Livingston picks first Asian American councilman", New Jersey Globe, February 6, 2024. Accessed February 8, 2024. "Ketan Bhuptani was sworn in tonight as the newest member of the Livingston Township Council, becoming the first Asian American to hold local office in a municipality where 29% of the population is of Asian descent. Bhuptani fills the seat held by Assemblywoman Rosy Bagolie (D-Livingston) before her resignation earlier this month to join the New Jersey Legislature."</ref><ref>Santola, Danielle. "Ketan Bhuptani Makes History as Livingston's First Asian American Township Council Member; Livingston Township Council selects Ketan Bhuptani to replace Rosaura Bagolie", TAPinto Livingston, February 6, 2024. Accessed February 8, 2024. "Members of the Livingston community, including township employees, former mayors, school board members, representatives from various service organizations and more, joined the mayor and council in supporting resident Ketan Bhuptani as they unanimously appointed him to fill the vacant council seat on Monday.... Although Bagolie was only one year into her three-year term, Bhuptani would need to run in the fall 2024 election and win in order to complete the final two years of the current term."</ref> Bhuptani served on an interim basis until the November 2024 general election, when he was chosen a candidate to serve the balance of the term of office.<ref name=Essex2024/>

In February 2019, after the Township Council failed to choose a candidate, the Democratic municipal committee selected Michael Vieira to fill the seat expiring in December 2020 that became vacant following the resignation of Michael M. Silverman. Vieira served on an interim basis until the November 2019 general election, when voters elected him to serve the balance of the term of office.<ref>Sanatola, Daniella. "Michael Vieira Takes His Seat on Livingston Township Council", TAP into Livingston, February 27, 2019. Accessed November 4, 2019. "Vieira was recently elected by the members of the LDCC after the township council deferred the vote back to the committee. For the remainder of the year, Vieira will fill the vacancy left by Michael Silverman, whose term would have expired on Dec. 31, 2020. In order to continue serving for the final year of Silverman's term, Vieira would need to run in a general election to be held in November of this year."</ref><ref name=Essex2019>November 5, 2019, General Election Unofficial Results, Essex County, New Jersey Clerk, updated November 14, 2019. Accessed January 1, 2020.</ref>

The Township Manager is Barry R. Lewis Jr., whose tenure began on March 1, 2018.<ref name=Manager/><ref>Santola, Danielle. "The Search is Over: Livingston Welcomes New Township Manager", TAP into Livingston, January 30, 2018. Accessed March 6, 2018. "After being vacant for several months, the position of Livingston Township Manager has been officially filled by Barry Lewis, Jr., who will begin full time on March 1."</ref> The previous Township Managers were Robert H. Harp (1954–1985), Charles J. Tahaney (1985–2005), and Michele E. Meade (2005–2016). Gregory J. Bonin served for a single week in 2017 before resigning,<ref>Staff. "Town Council Votes Unanimously to Appoint Gregory J. Bonin as New Township Manager", West Essex Tribune, July 13, 2017. Accessed August 15, 2017. "The Livingston Township Council, at its meeting on Monday evening, July 11, officially appointed Gregory J. Bonin to the position of township manager."</ref><ref>Staff. "New Livingston Township Manager Resigns After One Week in Service", TAP into Livingston, August 16, 2017. "Following Monday's meeting of the Livingston Township Council, newly appointed Township Manager Greg Bonin announced his resignation, effective immediately. According to Livingston Mayor Shawn Klein, Bonin apologized in his letter of resignation, stating that he felt that he would be unable to commit his heart and soul to the level he felt the township deserves."</ref> and Deputy Township Manager Russell A. Jones Jr. served as Acting Township Manager for the rest of the interval between Meade and Lewis.<ref>Santola, Danielle. "Livingston's Russ Jones Honored for 45 Years of Service", TAP into Livingston, July 11, 2017. Accessed March 6, 2018.</ref><ref>Staff. "New Livingston Township Manager Resigns After One Week in Service", TAP into Livingston, August 16, 2017. Accessed March 6, 2018. "Following Monday's meeting of the Livingston Township Council, newly appointed Township Manager Greg Bonin announced his resignation, effective immediately."</ref>

During the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020, meetings for local governance were being held through Zoom and Facebook livestream; meetings continue to be broadcast over Facebook livestream, offering broader public access.

Police Department

An SUV of the Livingston Police Department

The Livingston Police Department (LPD) was established in 1813. It consists of the following divisions: Patrol, Traffic, Communications (911 dispatch), Police Records, Internal Affairs, and Community Policing. Bureaus include the Detective and Juvenile bureaus.<ref>Police: About Us, Township of Livingston. Accessed November 5, 2019.</ref>

Volunteer organizations

There are more than 40 volunteer committees and boards operated by the Township, including Livingston Municipal Alliance Committee (LMAC), Holiday Committees, Consumer Affairs Office, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment, and Committee for Diversity & Inclusion.<ref>Boards & Committees, Township of Livingston. Accessed August 25, 2014.</ref>

Volunteer-based public safety organizations include the Livingston Auxiliary Police, Livingston Fire Department and Livingston First Aid Squad.

Federal, state, and county representation

Livingston is located in the Template:Ushr<ref name=PCR2012>Plan Components Report, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref> and is part of New Jersey's 27th state legislative district.<ref name=Districts2011>Municipalities Sorted by 2011-2020 Legislative District, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref><ref name=LWV2019>2019 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed October 30, 2019.</ref><ref>Districts by Number for 2011–2020, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 6, 2013.</ref> Prior to the 2010 Census, Livingston had been split between the Template:Ushr and the 11th Congressional District, a change made by the New Jersey Redistricting Commission that took effect in January 2013, based on the results of the November 2012 general elections.<ref name=LWV2011>2011 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government Template:Webarchive, p. 60, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed May 22, 2015.</ref>

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Politics

As of October 2022, there were a total of 23,689 registered voters in Livingston, of which 9,221 (39%) were registered as Democrats, 4,140 (17%) were registered as Republicans and 10,217 (43%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 49 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.<ref>Voter Registration Summary – Essex, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed November 5, 2012.</ref> Template:PresHead Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow |}

In the 2016 presidential election, Democrat Hillary Clinton received 60.8% of the vote (9,052 cast), ahead of Republican Donald Trump with 36.8% (5,475 votes), and other candidates with 2.5% (367 votes), among the 15,235 ballots cast by the township's 22,664 registered voters (341 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 67.2%.<ref name=2016Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2016VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 51.1% of the vote (7,303 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 48.1% (6,863 votes), and other candidates with 0.8% (116 votes), among the 14,371 ballots cast by the township's 21,225 registered voters (89 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 67.7%.<ref name=2012Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2012VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 53.4% of the vote here (8,244 cast), ahead of Republican John McCain with 44.8% (6,920 votes) and other candidates with 0.8% (122 votes), among the 15,433 ballots cast by the township's 20,367 registered voters, for a turnout of 75.8%.<ref>2008 Presidential General Election Results: Essex County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed November 5, 2012.</ref>

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In the 2017 gubernatorial election, Democrat Phil Murphy received 61.2% of the vote (4,671 cast), ahead of Republican Kim Guadagno with 37.6% (2,872 votes), and other candidates with 1.2% (95 votes), among the 7,722 ballots cast by the township's 22,280 registered voters (84 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 34.7%.<ref name=2017Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2017VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 62.7% of the vote (4,860 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 36.1% (2,799 votes), and other candidates with 1.1% (89 votes), among the 7,905 ballots cast by the township's 21,260 registered voters (157 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 37.2%.<ref name=2013Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2013VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 48.8% of the vote here (4,863 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 44.0% (4,386 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 5.7% (563 votes) and other candidates with 0.6% (61 votes), among the 9,961 ballots cast by the township's 20,405 registered voters, yielding a 48.8% turnout.<ref>2009 Governor: Essex County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed November 5, 2012.</ref>

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Livingston was the home of one of New Jersey's most prominent political families, the Keans. Robert Kean served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1939 to 1958, when he ran for U.S. Senator; his son, Thomas Kean, who served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1968 to 1978 (and as Assembly Speaker in 1972–1973, and Minority Leader 1974–1977), as Governor of New Jersey from 1982 to 1990, and as President of Drew University from 1990 to 2004. Thomas Kean Jr., elected to the State Assembly in 2001 and the State Senate in 2003, was the Republican nominee for United States Senator in 2006.

When Robert Kean ran for the Senate, losing to Harrison A. Williams in 1958, Livingston's Congressman became George M. Wallhauser, a Republican. In redistricting after the 1960 census, Livingston was moved into the district of Republican Congresswoman Florence P. Dwyer. After redistricting following the 1970 census, Livingston went into Congressman Peter Frelinghuysen Jr.'s district. He was the father of Livingston's Congressman until 2019 Rodney P. Frelinghuysen. When Peter Frelinghuysen retired in 1974, he was succeeded by Millicent Fenwick, who beat Tom Kean in a Republican primary by about 80 votes. After the 1980 census, Livingston was moved to Congressman Joseph G. Minish's district. Minish was defeated by Dean Gallo in 1984 and served until his death in 1994. Rodney Frelinghuysen took his seat. The 2000 Census split the town between the 8th and 11th districts; as of the 2010 Census, the entire township is in the 11th district.

Education

Public schools

Template:Main The Livingston Public Schools serves students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade.<ref>Livingston Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, Livingston Public Schools. Accessed June 4, 2021. "Purpose The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Pre-Kindergarten through twelve in the Livingston School District. Composition The Livingston School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Livingston."</ref> The district consists of six elementary schools, grades Pre-K/K–5; one middle school for grade 6 and another middle school for grades 7 and 8, and one four-year high school.<ref>About Our Schools, Livingston Public Schools. Accessed June 4, 2021.</ref> As of the 2019–20 school year, the district, comprised nine schools, had an enrollment of 6,151 students and 500.6 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 12.3:1.<ref name=NCES>District information for Livingston Board Of Education School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed April 1, 2021.</ref> Schools in the district (with 2019–20 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics<ref>School Data for the Livingston Public Schools, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed April 1, 2021.</ref>) are Burnet Hill Elementary School<ref>Burnet Hill Elementary School, Livingston Public Schools. Accessed June 4, 2021.</ref> (488 students in grades Pre-K–5), Collins Elementary School<ref>Collins Elementary School, Livingston Public Schools. Accessed June 4, 2021.</ref> (462; K–5), Amos W. Harrison Elementary School<ref>Amos W. Harrison Elementary School, Livingston Public Schools. Accessed June 4, 2021.</ref> (449; K–5), Hillside Elementary School<ref>Hillside Elementary School, Livingston Public Schools. Accessed June 4, 2021.</ref> (397; K–5), Mount Pleasant Elementary School<ref>Mount Pleasant Elementary School, Livingston Public Schools. Accessed June 4, 2021.</ref> (434; K–5), Riker Hill Elementary School<ref>Riker Hill Elementary School, Livingston Public Schools. Accessed June 4, 2021.</ref> (400; K–5), Mount Pleasant Middle School<ref>Mount Pleasant Middle School, Livingston Public Schools. Accessed June 4, 2021.</ref> (507; Grade 6), Heritage Middle School<ref>Heritage Middle School, Livingston Public Schools. Accessed June 4, 2021.</ref> (1,008; 7–8) and Livingston High School<ref>Livingston High School, Livingston Public Schools. Accessed June 4, 2021.</ref> (1,945; 9–12).<ref>Directory of Schools, Livingston Public Schools. Accessed June 4, 2021.</ref><ref>District Fact Sheet April 2021, Livingston Public Schools. Accessed June 4, 2021.</ref><ref>New Jersey School Directory for Livingston Public Schools, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref>

For the 1997–98 school year, Livingston High School received the National Blue Ribbon Schools Award from the United States Department of Education, one of the highest honors that an American school can achieve.<ref>Blue Ribbon Schools Program: Schools Recognized 1982–1983 through 1999–2002 (PDF), United States Department of Education. Accessed November 4, 2019.</ref> Livingston High School was ranked 24th in New Jersey in New Jersey Monthly's 2012 rankings,<ref>"The Top New Jersey High Schools", New Jersey Monthly, August 13, 2012. Accessed July 17, 2014.</ref> 9th in New Jersey high schools in Newsweek's 2013 rankings of "America's Best High Schools", and is ranked 605th in US News' 2020 national high school rankings.<ref>Streib, Lauren. "America's Best High Schools" Template:Webarchive, The Daily Beast, May 6, 2013. Accessed May 8, 2013.</ref>

Approximately 26.7% of the township's population 25 years and older have attained professional, Masters or Doctorate degrees.<ref name="citidata">Livingston, New Jersey, City-Data. Accessed March 28, 2011.</ref><ref>Pursuing Water Conservation in Livingston, New Jersey, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Planning and Sustainable Communities, Accessed January 22, 2011.</ref> During 2007–2008 budget year, Livingston allocated 59.96% of local property tax toward the Livingston Public Schools. Additionally, a separate budget of 7% of all municipal services went toward the operation of its public library.<ref name="towntopicswinter0708">Town Topics Template:Webarchive, Township of Livingston, Winter 2007–2008, p. 12. Accessed April 19, 2009.</ref> According to library statistics collected by Institute of Museum and Library Services, Livingston Public Library was ranked 22 out of 232 municipal libraries in New Jersey based on total circulation in 2006.<ref>Public Library (Public Use) Data Files, Institute of Museum and Library Services. Accessed April 19, 2009.</ref>

Private schools

Founded as Saint Philomena School in 1952 and given its current name in 1987, Aquinas Academy is a private coeducational Roman Catholic school that serves students from preschool through eighth grade and operates under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark.<ref>Our History, Aquinas Academy. Accessed February 19, 2023. "The name Saint Philomena School was changed to Saint Philomena Academy in 1982 and changed again in 1987 to Aquinas Academy, in honor of Saint Thomas Aquinas, the Dominican scholar, philosopher and patron of Catholic schools. Our name reflects the love of truth and the pursuit of knowledge espoused by Saint Thomas."</ref><ref>Essex County Catholic Elementary Schools, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark. Accessed February 19, 2023.</ref>

Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy is a private coeducational Jewish day school that serves preschool through eighth grade, while Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School is a four-year yeshiva high school for grades 9–12.<ref>About Us, Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy / Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School. Accessed August 5, 2013.</ref> The Tzedek School is a non-sectarian co-educational school of Jewish Heritage and Hebrew Language serving the communities of Livingston and the surrounding area for students in grades K–12.<ref>Vision, The Tzedek School. Accessed December 7, 2011.</ref>

Newark Academy is a private coeducational day school founded in 1774, that serves grades 6–8 in its middle schools and 9–12 in the upper school.<ref>Quick Facts Template:Webarchive, Newark Academy. Accessed August 5, 2013.</ref>

Livingston Chinese School and Livingston Huaxia Chinese School are two weekend Chinese-language schools in Livingston which use facilities of Heritage Middle School and Mount Pleasant school.

Historic sites

The Ward–Force House and Condit Family Cook House are two building structures located at 366 South Livingston Avenue. These structures were jointly registered in the National Register of Historic Places in 1981, commonly known as the Old Force Homestead.<ref>New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places: Essex County, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Historic Preservation Office, updated September 11, 2023. Accessed December 25, 2023.</ref> Originally, Ward-Force House and Condit Family Cook House were built in separate properties. Ward-Force House was built as early as 1745 by Theophilus Ward. It was later purchased by Samuel Force for his son, Thomas Force. During the Revolutionary War, Thomas served as a patriot and was captured by the British. Thomas came back to live with his wife and children after the war and expanded the house. It was sold to the township in 1962.<ref>Theophilus Ward/Thomas Force House and Condit Family Cook House, New Jersey Historic Trust. Accessed December 25, 2023.</ref> The Condit Family Cook House was built as a stand-alone summer kitchen of a farm home near the current location of Livingston Mall. When the mall was built during the 1970s, the Cook House was donated to the township and was moved to the current location at the rear of Ward-Force House. Currently, the Old Force Homestead is the headquarters of Livingston Historical Society and the Force Homestead Museum.<ref>Livingston Historical Society, Township of Livingston. Accessed November 4, 2019.</ref><ref>Force Homestead Museum, Township of Livingston. Accessed December 25, 2023.</ref>

Dickinson House and Washington Place Schoolhouse are two other sites in the township that are registered in the New Jersey State Historic Site Program. Dickinson House is located at 84 Dickinson Lane. It was once visited by U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt for a hunting trip. Washington Place Schoolhouse is located at 122 Passaic Avenue. It was a school house that was built around 1800.<ref>Livingston Master Plan: Section XI – Historic Preservation Plan Element, Township of Livingston. Accessed December 25, 2023.</ref>

Transportation

Interstate 280 eastbound in Livingston
The intersection of Livingston Avenue and Route 10 at night

Roads and highways

As of 2010, The township had a total of Template:Convert of roadways, of which Template:Convert are maintained by the municipality, Template:Convert by Essex County and Template:Convert by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.<ref>Essex County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2010. Accessed July 18, 2014.</ref>

Livingston is located Template:Convert from New York City. Roads directly serving Livingston include Eisenhower Parkway (County Route 609), CR508, CR 527, CR 607, County Route 608, CR 634, CR 635, CR 649, CR 661, I-280 and Route 10. I-80, the Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) are all accessible via I-280.

Public transportation

Bus service to the Port Authority Bus Terminal is available on the Community Coach #77 bus route.<ref>Route 77 Schedule, Coach USA. Accessed November 5, 2019.</ref> OurBus company also operates a commuter route to New York City serving Livingston and West Orange.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> NJ Transit offers bus service to Newark on the 70, 71 and 73 routes, with local service available on the 873 route.<ref>Essex County Bus / Rail Connections, NJ Transit, backed up by the internet Archive as of May 22, 2009. Accessed December 7, 2011.</ref><ref>Essex County System Map, NJ Transit. Accessed November 2, 2019.</ref>

Rail service is accessible via the NJ Transit Morristown Line, which has several stops in adjacent communities such as Short Hills, Millburn, and South Orange. The stations are about Template:Convert from most of Livingston, accessible by car or taxi. The township provides a fee-based direct shuttle service called Livingston Express Shuttle for a 15-minute ride between Livingston Mall and South Orange Station for Morristown Line trains to New York Penn Station and Hoboken.<ref>Livingston Express Shuttle, Township of Livingston. Accessed November 5, 2019.</ref>

Amtrak's Northeast Corridor, for inter-city rail transit in the Northeastern United States, and the Port Authority's PATH service local rapid transit system are available 10 miles away at Newark Penn Station.

Notable events

Notable people

Template:Category see also People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Livingston include:

Jared Kushner
Shiva Ayyadurai
Paul E. Olsen
Roger Tsien
Jason Alexander
Chelsea Handler
Harlan Coben
Chris Christie
Lennie Friedman
Justin Gimelstob
Dan Kellner
Byron Scott

Academia

Artists

Business

Entertainment

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Literature

Government, politics, and military

Sports

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Others

  • Ruggiero "Richie The Boot" Boiardo (1890–1984), alleged capo of the Genovese crime family and mafiosa of Newark, New Jersey, in the early 1900s<ref>Kaufman, Michael J. "Boiardo's Daughter Killed While Cleaning a Window", The New York Times, October 19, 1973. Accessed July 28, 2020. "Livingston, N.J., Oct. 18 —The 47‐year‐old daughter of Ruggiero Boiardo, a patriarch of organized crime in New Jersey, was found dead yesterday at her home on her father's 29‐acre compound here, apparently the victim of a freakish accident.... For decades it has been the home of 82‐year‐old Ruggierio Boiardo, who describes himself as a mason and who, after being linked for decades with organized crime by law enforcement agencies, was convicted three years ago of a gambling violation."</ref>

References

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