Essex Fells was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 31, 1902, from portions of Caldwell Township (now Fairfield Township).[22] The community's name was derived by taking "Essex" from the name of the county and adding "Fells" from the name of John F. Fell which also means hill or down.[23][24]
New Jersey Family magazine ranked Essex Fells as the best town for families in its 2016 rankings of "New Jersey's Best Towns for Families".[25]New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked Essex Fells as its 10th best place to live in its 2008 rankings of the "Best Places To Live" in New Jersey.[26]Niche.com ranked Essex Fells as the seventh best place to live in its 2019 rankings of the "Best Places to Live" in New Jersey.[27]
In 1702, settlers purchased the 14,000 acres (57 km2) Horseneck Tract—so-called because of its irregular shape that suggested a horse's neck and head—from the Lenni LenapeNative Americans for goods equal to $325. This purchase encompassed much of western Essex County, from the Orange, or First Mountain in the Watchung Mountain range to the Passaic River.[29]
In the late 1800s, Philadelphia developer Anthony S. Drexel realized the impact of train travel on residential development and sent Charles W. Leavitt to the northern New Jersey area near the end of the Caldwell line. Leavitt, Drexel and Drexel's son-in-law John F. Fell formed the Suburban Land Company and purchased 1,000 acres of land from the estate of Revolutionary War General William J. Gould. In order to create their residential development the group commissioned noted architect Ernest W. Bowditch. The community's name was derived by taking "Essex" from the name of the county and adding "Fells" from the name of John F. Fell which also means hill or down.[23][24]
Based on an ordinance passed in 1928, commercial activity in the borough is limited to a single three-story building constructed to look like a house and two small workshops on a dead end. As of 2000[update], Essex Fells had 750 houses, most of which were custom built, with many occupying lots several acres in size. The borough has no apartment buildings, office buildings or traffic lights, and until recently, no condominiums. The only units available for rental are in carriage houses and other ancillary structures.[29]
In 1981, the borough was one of seven Essex County municipalities to pass a referendum to become a township, joining four municipalities that had already made the change, of what would ultimately be more than a dozen Essex County municipalities to reclassify themselves as townships in order take advantage of federal revenue sharing policies that allocated townships a greater share of government aid to municipalities on a per capita basis.[30][31][32][33] Effective January 1, 1992, it again became a borough.[34]
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 1.41 square miles (3.66 km2), including 1.41 square miles (3.65 km2) of land and 0.01 square miles (0.02 km2) of water (0.43%).[1][2]
Of the 728 households, 42.6% had children under the age of 18; 73.4% were married couples living together; 6.2% had a female householder with no husband present and 17.9% were non-families. Of all households, 16.3% 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 2.90 and the average family size was 3.26.[19]
29.9% of the population were under the age of 18, 4.3% from 18 to 24, 18.0% from 25 to 44, 31.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.8 years. For every 100 females, the population had 94.6 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 95.6 males.[19]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $182,031 (with a margin of error of +/− $16,894) and the median family income was $202,917 (+/− $46,038). Males had a median income of $120,417 (+/− $32,492) versus $72,500 (+/− $12,065) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $94,423 (+/− $11,353). About 0.9% of families and 0.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.9% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.[45]
2000 census
As of the 2000 United States census[16] there were 2,162 people, 737 households, and 605 families residing in the borough. The population density was 1,534.0 inhabitants per square mile (592.3/km2). There were 761 housing units at an average density of 540.0 per square mile (208.5/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 96.95% White, 0.46% African American, 0.19% Native American, 1.02% Asian, 0.14% from other races, and 1.25% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.20% of the population.[43][44]
There were 737 households, out of which 40.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 75.3% were married couples living together, 5.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.9% were non-families. 15.1% 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 3.28.[43][44]
In the borough the population was spread out, with 29.7% under the age of 18, 3.6% from 18 to 24, 24.5% from 25 to 44, 27.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.6 males.[43][44]
The median income for a household in the borough was $148,173, and the median income for a family was $175,000. Males had a median income of $100,000 versus $52,266 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $77,434. About 0.3% of families and 1.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.9% of those under age 18 and 0.6% of those age 65 or over.[43][44]
Parks and recreation
Grover Cleveland Park, the seventh-largest park in the Essex County park system, is a heavily wooded park covering 41.48 acres (167,900 m2) in the western section of the county along the Caldwell-Essex Fells border.[46]
Essex Fells Pond, or also known as "The Pond" by Essex Fells residents, is a popular destination in the winter. Located on Fells Road, "The Pond" attracts people of all ages, typically during the months of December through March. Popular activities include ice skating, pond hockey, and figure skating.[47]
Government
Local government
Essex Fells 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.[48] The governing body is comprised of the mayor and the borough council, with all positions elected at-large 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] The borough form of government used by Essex Fells 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.[49][50]
As of 2022[update], the mayor of Essex Fells is Republican Edward A. Davis, whose term of office ends December 31, 2025. Members of the Essex Fells Borough Council are Michael Cecere (R, 2024), Bernard J. D'Avella (R, 2023), Gregory J. Hindy (R, 2022), John A. King (R, 2023), Margaret D. O'Connor (R, 2022) and William B. Sullivan (R, 2024).[3][51][52][53][54][55]
In November 2014, the borough council appointed Greg Hindy to fill the vacant seat expiring in December 2016 that had been held by Jane McWilliams, until she resigned from office.[56] In the November 2015 general election, Hindy was elected to serve the balance of the term of office.[57]
Essex County is governed by a directly elected county executive, with legislative functions performed by the Board of County Commissioners. As of 2025[update], the County Executive is Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. (D, Roseland), whose four-year term of office ends December 31, 2026.[64] The county's Board of County Commissioners is composed of nine members, five of whom are elected from districts and four of whom are elected on an at-large basis. They are elected for three-year concurrent terms and may be re-elected to successive terms at the annual election in November.[65] Essex County's Commissioners are:
Constitutional officers elected countywide are:
Clerk Christopher J. Durkin (D, West Caldwell, 2025),[79][80]
Register of Deeds Juan M. Rivera Jr. (D, Newark, 2029),[81][82]
Sheriff Amir Jones (D, Newark, 2027),[83][84] and
Surrogate Alturrick Kenney (D, Newark, 2028).[85][86]
Politics
As of March 2011, there were a total of 1,696 registered voters in Essex Fells, of which 347 (20.5%) were registered as Democrats, 847 (49.9%) were registered as Republicans and 499 (29.4%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 3 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.[87]
Essex Fells has supported Republican presidential candidates in each of the last five presidential elections, though the margins of victory have decreased. However, in the 2024 United States presidential election, the borough voted for Republican Donald Trump by a wider margin than it did in 2016 and 2020.
Essex Fells vote by party in presidential elections
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 81.3% of the vote (590 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 18.6% (135 votes), and other candidates with 0.1% (1 vote), among the 736 ballots cast by the borough's 1,789 registered voters (10 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 41.1%.[89][90] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 68.5% of the vote (688 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 22.3% (224 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 7.9% (79 votes) and other candidates with 0.5% (5 votes), among the 1,005 ballots cast by the borough's 1,682 registered voters, yielding a 59.8% turnout.[91]
On a local level, Essex Fells has elected a Republican mayor in every vote held since becoming a borough in 1902.[29]
As of May 2010[update], the borough had a total of 16.99 miles (27.34 km) of roadways, of which 15.31 miles (24.64 km) were maintained by the municipality and 1.68 miles (2.70 km) by Essex County.[107]
^"Removing Tiering From The Revenue Sharing Formula Would Eliminate Payment Inequities To Local Governments", Government Accountability Office, April 15, 1982. Accessed September 24, 2015. "In 1978, South Orange Village was the first municipality to change its name to the 'township' of South Orange Village effective beginning in entitlement period 10 (October 1978 to September 1979). The Borough of Fairfield in 1978 changed its designation by a majority vote of the electorate and became the 'Township of Fairfield' effective beginning entitlement period 11 (October 1979 to September 1980).... However, the Revenue Sharing Act was not changed and the actions taken by South Orange and Fairfield prompted the Town of Montclair and West Orange to change their designation by referendum in the November 4, 1980, election. The municipalities of Belleville, Verona, Bloomfield, Nutley, Essex Fells, Caldwell, and West Caldwell have since changed their classification from municipality to a township."
^Narvaez, Alfonso A. "New Jersey Journal", The New York Times, December 27, 1981. Accessed September 24, 2015. "Under the Federal system, New Jersey's portion of the revenue sharing funds is disbursed among the 21 counties to create three 'money pools.' One is for county governments, one for 'places' and a third for townships. By making the change, a community can use the 'township advantage' to get away from the category containing areas with low per capita incomes."
^"Station: Essex Fells Service BLDG, NJ". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
^Albanese, Laurie Lico. "Gliding Through the Winter Freeze", Baristanet, February 10, 2011. Accessed May 26, 2015. "Essex Fells' outdoor ice skating rink – known as The Pond – is a favorite, picturesque spot for winter skating. Never heard of it? That's because the Pond has been Essex County's best-kept winterland secret…until now."
^State of the Borough Address 2015, Borough of Essex Fells. Accessed July 2, 2016. "Jane served the residents of Essex Fells as a Councilwoman from April 20, 2010 to November 25, 2014.... Several weeks ago, on November 25, 2014, Greg Hindy was sworn in to complete Jane's unexpired term."
^General Information, Essex County, New Jersey. Accessed July 20, 2020. "The County Executive, elected from the County at-large, for a four-year term, is the chief political and administrative officer of the County.... The Board of Chosen Freeholders consists of nine members, five of whom are elected from districts and four of whom are elected at-large. They are elected for three-year concurrent terms and may be re-elected to successive terms at the annual election in November. There is no limit to the number of terms they may serve."
^Essex Fells Board of Education District Bylaw 0110 - Identification, Essex Fells School District. Accessed May 5, 2024. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Kindergarten through six in the Essex Fells School District. Composition: The Essex Fells School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Essex Fells."
^Clark, Adam. "These 10 N.J. schools earn Blue Ribbon honors", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, September 28, 2016. Accessed November 13, 2016. "The U.S. Department of Education on Wednesday announced that 10 New Jersey schools have been named National Blue Ribbon Schools, a recognition celebrating excellence in academics."
^West Essex Regional School District Bylaw 0110 - Identification, West Essex Regional School District. Accessed September 2, 2020. "Purpose The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades seven through twelve in the West Essex Regional School District. Composition: The West Essex Regional School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Essex Fells, Fairfield, North Caldwell and Roseland."
^School History, West Essex Regional School District. Accessed September 3, 2020. "The first comprehensive study was submitted in 1956, and it recommended the consolidation of the five school districts and all grades from kindergarten through twelfth grade. The communities, however, were reluctant to carry the recommendation into effect. Heeding the communities’ hesitance, the Rutgers educators suggested the formation of a regional school district for grades 7-12 for Caldwell Township, Essex Fells, North Caldwell and Roseland.... Dr. Twichell and the State Education Department approved the move, and by December 1957, the referendum was passed by voters.".
^Fensom, Michael J. "More new stadiums: New Jersey sports in 2010", The Star-Ledger, December 30, 2009. Accessed May 8, 2012. "Accompanying Howard to the competition in South Africa will be national team coach and Essex Fells native Bob Bradley, along with his son, Michael, from Princeton, and Livingston's Jozy Altidore."
^Vazquez, Andy. "Fun Of Game Was Cook's Hook", The Record, March 15, 2011. Accessed October 7, 2024, via ProQuest. "Cook, who has devoted himself to his career with the same passion he tackled basketball, will retire later this year. He lives in Essex Fells and has three grown daughters."
^Ian Eagle, CBS Sports. Accessed November 9, 2012. "A 1990 graduate of Syracuse University, Eagle was the play-by-play voice of the Orangemen for football, basketball and lacrosse, and was awarded the Bob Costas Award for Outstanding Sportscasting. He lives in Essex Fells, N.J., with his wife, Alisa, and two children."
^Staff. "Goldstein Wins 18s, Open Spot", The Washington Post, August 16, 1993. Accessed August 28, 2017. "In the 16s, top-seeded Justin Gimelstob of Essex Fells, N.J., beat No. 4 Ryan Wolters of San Jose. 6-3, 6-1."
^ abJames Randall Marsh (1896 - 1965), Askart. Accessed July 30, 2019. "In 1925 he married Anne Steele, the daughter of the prominent illustrator Frederic Dorr Steele and his wife Mary Thyng. The couple lived in Essex Fells, NJ where he had a large forge and, working with architects, designed and fabricated lighting fixtures and railings for both commercial and residential use."
^"Essex Fells Social Notes", Verona-Cedar Grove Times, June 24, 1954. Accessed January 12, 2022, via Newspapers.com. "Recent hostesses at a party for their classmates at Grover Cleveland High School held at the Essex Fells Auditorium were Elizabeth Parr, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. V. S. Parr of Forest Way..."
^Carroll, Maurice. "A Candidate For Governor Shuns Jersey's Financing", The New York Times, March 26, 1981. Accessed December 30, 2017. "But the money question came up as Mr. Sullivan, a 44-year-old businessman with little background in public life outside his home town of Essex Fells, sat outside the gym, puffing on a cigarette and talking about his campaign. "
^Thomas Jr., Robert McG."Johnny Sylvester, the Inspiration For Babe Ruth Heroics, Is Dead", The New York Times, January 11, 1990. Accessed September 28, 2012. "According to his son, John D. Sylvester Jr., and at least one contemporary account, the ailment was an infection of the forehead caused by a kick from a horse after the youngster fell while riding, in Essex Fells, N.J. His father, Horace C. Sylvester Jr., a vice president of the National City Bank in New York, maintained an estate there."
^Board of Directors, Lower Manhattan Development Corporation. Accessed September 28, 2012. "John C. Whitehead was born in Evanston, Illinois. He grew up in Montclair, New Jersey, attended public schools there and graduated from Montclair High School. He lived in nearby Essex Fells until 1985 and has resided in Manhattan since 1989."
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