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On January 19, 1883, the world's first electric lighting system employing overhead wires began service in Roselle. It had been built by Thomas Edison to demonstrate that an entire community could be illuminated by electricity. This success encouraged the installation of electric lighting in numerous other villages and cities.[22] The First Presbyterian Church, located on the corner of West 5th Avenue and Chestnut Street, was the first church in the United States to be lit by electricity, and the second in the world after the City Temple church in London.[23]
Roselle was incorporated on December 20, 1894, at the height of the Boroughitis phenomenon sweeping through New Jersey at the time, based on the results of a referendum held two days earlier, from portions of Linden.[24] Roselle's name is derived from the Roselle Land Improvement Company, which was created in 1866 to lay out a community around the Mulford Station on the Central Railroad of New Jersey. The name "Roselle" is said to have been based on the company's founder, John Conklin Rose[25] or from John Pierre Roselle, a friend of the railroad's president.[26]
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 2.65 square miles (6.86 km2), including 2.64 square miles (6.82 km2) of land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2) of water (0.49%).[1][2]
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the borough include Aldene.[27]
Roselle borough, New Jersey – Racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
The 2010 United States census counted 21,085 people, 7,407 households, and 5,096 families in the borough. The population density was 7,953.5 per square mile (3,070.9/km2). There were 7,939 housing units at an average density of 2,994.7 per square mile (1,156.3/km2). The racial makeup was 29.59% (6,240) White, 55.06% (11,610) Black or African American, 0.31% (65) Native American, 2.23% (471) Asian, 0.02% (5) Pacific Islander, 9.63% (2,030) from other races, and 3.15% (664) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 26.77% (5,644) of the population.[19]
Of the 7,407 households, 31.1% had children under the age of 18; 42.0% were married couples living together; 19.8% had a female householder with no husband present and 31.2% were non-families. Of all households, 26.7% were made up of individuals and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.44.[19]
23.5% of the population were under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 26.7% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.0 years. For every 100 females, the population had 90.6 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 85.6 males.[19]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $58,041 (with a margin of error of +/− $3,948) and the median family income was $64,038 (+/− $4,495). Males had a median income of $40,163 (+/− $3,874) versus $36,210 (+/− $1,612) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $25,678 (+/− $1,130). About 7.5% of families and 8.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.9% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.[43]
2000 census
As of the 2000 United States census[16] there were 21,274 people, 7,520 households, and 5,226 families residing in the borough. The population density was 8,048.8 inhabitants per square mile (3,107.7/km2). There were 7,870 housing units at an average density of 2,977.5 per square mile (1,149.6/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 51.32% African American, 35.58% White, 0.31% Native American, 2.71% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 6.07% from other races, and 3.93% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 17.11% of the population.[37][38]
8.0% of the population of Roselle (Creole: Wozel) was of Haitian ancestry. This was the third-highest such percentage in New Jersey and the 16th-highest of any municipality in the nation.[44]
There were 7,520 households, out of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.3% were married couples living together, 18.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.5% were non-families. 25.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.41.[37][38]
In the borough the population was spread out, with 25.5% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.8 males.[37][38]
The median income for a household in the borough was $51,254, and the median income for a family was $58,841. Males had a median income of $37,604 versus $32,535 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $21,269. About 5.8% of families and 7.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.5% of those under age 18 and 10.7% of those age 65 or over.[37][38]
Economy
Portions of the borough are part of an Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ), one of 32 zones covering 37 municipalities statewide. Roselle was selected in 2002 as one of a group of three zones added to participate in the program.[45] In addition to other benefits to encourage employment and investment within the Zone, shoppers can take advantage of a reduced 3.3125% sales tax rate (half of the 6+5⁄8% rate charged statewide) at eligible merchants.[46] Established in July 2002, the borough's Urban Enterprise Zone status expires in December 2023.[47]
Arts and culture
The Roselle House Music Festival is held each July in Warinanco Park, sponsored by the borough council, the Union County Board of County Commissioners and commercial brand sponsors.[48][49][50]
Parks and recreation
Warinanco Park is a Union County park created in 1920 that covers 205 acres (83 ha) in Roselle and Elizabeth.[51]
Government
Local government
Roselle is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 municipalities of the 564 statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey.[52] The governing body is comprised of the mayor and the borough council, with all positions elected on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. The mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council includes six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle.[6] Roselle is divided into five election districts, referred to as wards.[53] One councilperson is elected from each of the five wards, and one councilperson is elected from the borough at-large.[54][55][56] Roselle is one of only two boroughs statewide that use wards (the other is Roselle Park).[57] The borough form of government used by Roselle is a "weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.[58][59] A borough administrator, appointed by the borough council, oversees the day-to-day operations of the municipal government.
As of 2024, the mayor of the Borough of Roselle is Democrat Donald Shaw, whose term of office ends on December 31, 2027.[3] Members of the Roselle Borough Council are Council President Cindy Thomas (Ward 4; D, 2025), Brandon Bernier (Ward 2; D, 2024), John Fortuna (Ward 5; D, 2024), Cynthia Johnson (Ward 3; D, 2026), Isabel Sousa (Ward 1; D, 2026), and Denise Wilkerson (Council-at-Large; D, 2025).[54][60][61][62][63]
In January 2020, the borough council appointed Isabel Sousa to fill the First Ward seat expiring in December 2020 that had been held by Denise Wilkerson until she resigned from office to take a seat as the at-large councilmember.[64]
Council President Kim Shaw was named to serve as acting mayor in March 2015, after Jamel Holley was named to fill a vacant seat in the New Jersey General Assembly.[65] She served until Dansereau was sworn in on March 11, 2015, making her the first woman to serve as mayor in borough history.[66]
In April 2015, the borough council, based on nominations submitted by the Democratic municipal committee, chose Samuel Bishop to fill the vacant seat in the 5th Ward of Roy Locke, while Reginald W. Atkins was chosen to fill the at-large seat vacated by Christine Dansereau when she was sworn in as mayor.[67] Locke had resigned from office in February 2015, under pressure from then-mayor Jamal Holley who cited Locke's frequent absences from council meetings, which Locke attributed to conflicting work and personal responsibilities.[68]
Federal, state and county representation
Roselle is located in the 10th Congressional District[69] and is part of New Jersey's 20th state legislative district.[70][71][72]
Union County is governed by a Board of County Commissioners, whose nine members are elected at-large to three-year terms of office on a staggered basis with three seats coming up for election each year, with an appointed County Manager overseeing the day-to-day operations of the county. At an annual reorganization meeting held in the beginning of January, the board selects a Chair and Vice Chair from among its members.[78] As of 2024, Union County's County Commissioners are:
Constitutional officers elected on a countywide basis are:
Clerk Joanne Rajoppi (D, Union Township, 2025),[89][90]
Sheriff Peter Corvelli (D, Kenilworth, 2026)[91][92] and
Surrogate Christopher E. Hudak (D, Clark, 2027).[93][94]
Politics
As of March 2011, there were a total of 11,743 registered voters in Roselle, of which 7,127 (60.7% vs. 41.8% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 526 (4.5% vs. 15.3%) were registered as Republicans and 4,087 (34.8% vs. 42.9%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 3 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.[95] Among the borough's 2010 Census population, 55.7% (vs. 53.3% in Union County) were registered to vote, including 72.8% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 70.6% countywide).[95][96]
In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 8,034 votes (88.8% vs. 66.0% countywide), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 875 votes (9.7% vs. 32.3%) and other candidates with 53 votes (0.6% vs. 0.8%), among the 9,043 ballots cast by the borough's 12,694 registered voters, for a turnout of 71.2% (vs. 68.8% in Union County).[97][98] In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 8,055 votes (85.4% vs. 63.1% countywide), ahead of Republican John McCain with 1,262 votes (13.4% vs. 35.2%) and other candidates with 52 votes (0.6% vs. 0.9%), among the 9,428 ballots cast by the borough's 12,533 registered voters, for a turnout of 75.2% (vs. 74.7% in Union County).[99] In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 6,325 votes (79.4% vs. 58.3% countywide), ahead of Republican George W. Bush with 1,564 votes (19.6% vs. 40.3%) and other candidates with 40 votes (0.5% vs. 0.7%), among the 7,971 ballots cast by the borough's 11,609 registered voters, for a turnout of 68.7% (vs. 72.3% in the whole county).[100]
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Democrat Barbara Buono received 71.3% of the vote (2,882 cast), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 27.6% (1,115 votes), and other candidates with 1.1% (44 votes), among the 4,283 ballots cast by the borough's 12,460 registered voters (242 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 34.4%.[101][102] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Democrat Jon Corzine received 3,816 ballots cast (77.3% vs. 50.6% countywide), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 866 votes (17.5% vs. 41.7%), Independent Chris Daggett with 170 votes (3.4% vs. 5.9%) and other candidates with 35 votes (0.7% vs. 0.8%), among the 4,939 ballots cast by the borough's 12,148 registered voters, yielding a 40.7% turnout (vs. 46.5% in the county).[103]
Education
Students are educated by the Roselle Public Schools, which serves students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade.[104] As of the 2020–21 school year, the district, comprised of eight schools, had an enrollment of 2,897 students and 289.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 10.0:1.[105] Schools in the district (with 2020–21 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[106]) are
Kindergarten Success Academy[107] with 184 students in Kindergarten,
Harrison Elementary School[108] with 268 students in grades 1–4,
Dr. Charles C. Polk Elementary School[109] with 295 students in grades 1–4,
Washington Elementary School[110] with 317 students in grades 1–4,
Leonard V. Moore Middle School[111] with 460 students in grades 5–6,
Grace Wilday Junior High School[112] with 503 students in grades 7–8 and
Abraham Clark High School[113] with 781 students in grades 9–12.[114][115][116]
St. Joseph the Carpenter School, which was founded in 1913, serves students in preschool through eighth grade, operating under the supervision of the Newark Archdiocese.[118][119]
Transportation
Roads and highways
Route 27 northbound on the southeast edge of Roselle
As of May 2010, the borough had a total of 49.96 miles (80.40 km) of roadways, of which 40.32 miles (64.89 km) were maintained by the municipality, 8.60 miles (13.84 km) by Union County and 1.04 miles (1.67 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.[120]
New Jersey Route 27 is the most significant highway in Roselle.[121] It forms the borough's southeastern border with Linden.[122]
The Staten Island Railway passed through the community before being dormant for years. It was reactivated by the Morristown & Erie Railway, but Morristown & Erie did not renew their option and their 10-year lease ceased as of May 15, 2012.[citation needed]
^Good, Philip. "Historic Chandelier Restored", The New York Times, June 16, 1991. Accessed July 29, 2012. "In 1947, during a tribute to the inventor on the centennial of his birth, his son Charles Edison said: 'Here in Roselle for the first time electric lines were strung overhead. This was just one of the many experiments, revolutionary and bold for the time, which were tried out in Roselle. The success of the Roselle venture encouraged immediate and widespread installation of electric lighting in villages, towns and small cities throughout the nation.' The successful experiment began in 1882, and by 1883 the hanging light fixture was installed in the church's sanctuary."
^"For the Record". Editorials. Shamokin News-Dispatch. Shamokin, Pennsylvania. February 23, 1951. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
^A Brief History of Roselle, Borough of Roselle. Accessed September 25, 2015. "By 1866, a Mr. John Conklin Rose took advantage of his connections with the railroad, (which was by then known as the Central Railroad of New Jersey) and with the cooperation of several landowners in this area established the Roselle Land Improvement Company. They laid out 'The Village of Roselle' on an area that the railroad had called Mulford Station, a stop on the road named for the many Mulford families who lived here."
^The History of Roselle Park, New Jersey, Borough of Roselle Park. Accessed September 25, 2015. "In 1839, the first railroad began regular routes from Elizabethtown to Plainfield, and soon a stop at Mulford Station, named in honor of a prominent family, was scheduled, where Union Road crossed the tracks to Roselle. The stop was moved to Chestnut street about 30 years later and named Roselle in honor of the railroad president's good friend, John Pierre Roselle."
^Urban Enterprise Zone Tax Questions and Answers, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, May 2009. Accessed October 28, 2019. "The legislation was amended again in 2002 to include 3 more zones. They include Bayonne City, Roselle Borough, and a joint zone consisting of North Wildwood City, Wildwood City, Wildwood Crest Borough, and West Wildwood Borough."
^About Us, Warinanco Park. Accessed December 7, 2022. "Historic Warinanco Park, named after a prominent Native American Lanape leader, opened in 1920. Located in Union County on the border of the borough of Roselle and the city of Elizabeth, the 205 acre park packs in numerous amenities for the community."
^About Roselle, Borough of Roselle. Accessed May 14, 2020. "Roselle is incorporated as a borough. The salaried governing body is the Borough Council which is made up of six members and a mayor. The mayor and council representative-at-large are elected by the entire borough. The remaining five council members are elected from five wards, one from each ward in which the member resides. Term of office for mayor is four years; council members, three years."
^§ 5-2 Elected officers; wards., Borough of Roselle. Accessed May 14, 2020. "A. The elected officers of the Borough shall consist of the Mayor and six Council members, one member elected at large, five members elected by ward in the Borough, all of whom shall be elected and take office in the manner provided by law. The term of office shall commence January 1 next following their election. B. Wards. The Borough of Roselle shall be divided into five wards with one Council member to be elected from each ward and one Council member to be elected at large. The wards and election districts as shown on the map dated (date) are incorporated herein by reference."
^"What Ward Am I In?: A Primer On Roselle Park’s Wards", Roselle Park News. Accessed May 14, 2020. "Out of the 566 municipalities in the state, Roselle Park is only one of two that have a Borough form of government that have ward councilmembers dedicated to individual wards. The other is its neighbor to the south, Roselle.... In Roselle Park and Roselle, residents in each of the five wards can vote for their ward council representative and only they can vote for their councilmember."
^"The Borough of Roselle Welcomes Incoming First Ward Councilwoman Isabel Sousa", Borough of Roselle, February 5, 2020. Accessed May 14, 2020. "The Borough of Roselle Council has named Isabel Sousa as their choice to replace the vacant First Ward seat at the January 27, 2020 special council meeting. The First Ward seat was previously held by Councilwoman Denise Wilkerson who was elected to Council-at-Large in the November Election."
^Lloyd, Kathy. "Update: Council President Kim Shaw Will Serve As Acting Mayor of Roselle", TAPinto.net. Accessed March 7, 2015. "A correction to the story posted on TAPinto on Monday evening: TAPinto Roselle had originally reported Council President Kim Shaw as being sworn in as mayor. Shaw was actually sworn in as 'acting mayor' until a new candidate can be chosen. Shaw is the first African-American woman in the position of acting mayor in Roselle history due to the vacancy of former Mayor Jamel Holley leaving for the State Assembly."
^Staff. "Christine Dansereau sworn in as first female mayor of Roselle", Suburban News, March 12, 2015. Accessed October 12, 2015. "Christine Dansereau was sworn in to Roselle's highest office Wednesday night, becoming the first female mayor in the Borough's 132-year history. Dansereau, who had served as 5th Ward Councilwoman for eight years and the last three years as Councilwoman-at-Large, succeeds former Mayor Jamel C. Holley, who resigned his post on Feb. 23 to represent the 20th District in the Assembly."
^Smith, Bhriana. "Two new Members Added to Roselle Council", TAPinto.net, April 11, 2015. Accessed October 12, 2015. "Roy Locke, former Councilman of the 5th ward, was asked to step down by Former Mayor Jamel Holley due to reoccurring absences from public meetings, the seat of 5th ward councilman has been vacant since the beginning of March. Locke's seat was filled by Samuel Bishop.... Filling the seat of Councilman At-Large, vacated by Christine Dansereau who is now Roselle Mayor is Reginald W. Atkins."
^Lannan, Katie. "Roselle councilman steps down after dispute over absences", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, February 19, 2015. Accessed October 12, 2015. "Locke, a first-term councilman elected in 2012, cited increased personal and professional demands when he submitted his resignation to Mayor Jamel Holley and the council on Wednesday. He will continue serve as 5th Ward councilman through the end of the month. Holley had been calling for Locke to step down, citing an attendance record he said was among the worst he'd ever seen."
^Roselle Borough Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, Roselle Public Schools. Accessed March 24, 2020. "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 Roselle Borough School District. Composition: The Roselle Borough School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Roselle Borough in the County of Union."
^School History, St. Joseph the Carpenter School. Accessed August 4, 2016. "In the late summer of 1913, two hearty pioneer Sisters of St. Joseph traveled by train from their convent in Bayonne to establish St. Joseph the Carpenter School."
^"Former Roselle Mayor Reginald Atkins Sworn in to State Assembly", TAP into Roselle, January 12, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023. "Former Roselle Mayor Reginald Atkins was sworn in to the General Assembly on Tuesday. He represents the 20th Legislative District, serving neighbors in Roselle, Elizabeth, Hillside and Union Township."
^Biographical Sketches: Abraham Clark, National Park Service. Accessed August 12, 2007. "Clark was stricken with a sunstroke in 1794 at his birthplace in Roselle, where he had lived all his life except when political duty called him away."
^Eisner, Dan. "Hemmings, Dumas officially sign", Home News Tribune, February 4, 1999. Accessed March 13, 2011. "Roselle's Jameel Dumas was in a similar situation. Although the linebacker committed to Syracuse in late September he still received calls from other coaches in an attempt to change his mind."
^Mooney, John. "For Assemblyman Jerry Green: Politics Is Business", TAPinto.net, March 16, 2015. Accessed September 25, 2015. "Green, who stands 6-foot-3, grew up in Roselle and was a star basketball player in high school."
^Krier, Beth Ann. "Rosey Grier Takes a Giant Step", Los Angeles Times, February 15, 1977. Accessed March 13, 2011. "After the Griers moved North to a better life in Roselle, NJ, Grier developed as a champion high school athlete and won scholarship offers from 25 colleges..."
^Savage, Lauren. "A Doctor's Living Legacy", Columbia Magazine, Spring / Summer 2105. Accessed June 14, 2020. "In 1936, when the Works Progress Administration commissioned black artists to paint murals for Harlem Hospital Center, Gene-Ann Polk Horne ’68PH was a little girl growing up in Roselle, New Jersey."
^Beauregard, Steve. "Phil Ivey and His Divorce From His Wife Luciaetta Ivey", Gamboool!, April 12, 2014. Accessed June 14, 2015. "The two met before Phil became the wealthy, poker king he is today. In fact, they were high school sweethearts back in Roselle, New Jersey, where they met when Phil was 17 years old."
^McDonnell, Tim. "Former Maine Defensive Back Kendall James Drafted By Minnesota In Sixth Round", Colonial Athletic Association, May 10, 2014. Accessed September 25, 2015. "As a senior in 2013, James was named an Associated Press FCS All-American second team selection and was also tabbed a first team All-CAA honoree. The Roselle, New Jersey, native headlined a Maine secondary that allowed a league-low 165.4 passing yards per game last fall."
^Hambleton, Ken. "Catching up with Barron Miles", Lincoln Journal Star, December 1, 2006. Accessed March 13, 2011. "The Roselle, N.J., native set NU school records for pass breakups in a season and career, kick blocks in a season and career, and was named All-Big Eight twice."
^Kadosh, Matt. "", TAP into Westfield, January 17, 2019. Accessed January 4, 2021. "Morse, now a resident of Roselle, noted that hockey can be a tough sport to get into for those who don’t have the resources."
^Board of Directors, International Women's Brass Conference. Accessed November 21, 2020. "Carole Dawn Reinhart was born in Roselle, New Jersey on Dec. 20th, 1941."
^Staff. "Tunner New India-China ATC Leader"Archived July 23, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, The Command Post, September 8, 1944. Accessed March 13, 2011. "A native of Roselle, N.J., Gen. Tunner was graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1928 and commissioned a second lieutenant, field artillery. Since that time the bulk of his Army career has been devoted to the aviation branch of service."
^Segal, David. "Double Exposure", The Washington Post, May 12, 2005. Accessed July 21, 2016. "They remember none of it. Not the lady with the camera, arranging them by a wall at the Knights of Columbus hall in their home town of Roselle, N.J. Not the chocolate cake they had just finished, which is very faintly visible in the picture at the creases of their lips. The Wade sisters, as they were known before they each married, recall nothing about the day they gazed into the lens of Diane Arbus and became part of American photographic history."
United States
New Jersey
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