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Clifton, New Jersey

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Template:Short description Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement Clifton is a city in Passaic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Criss-crossed by several major highways, the city is a regional commercial hub for North Jersey and is a bedroom suburb of New York City in the New York Metropolitan Area.<ref name=NYT2018>Levin, Jay. "Living in Clifton, N.J.: Where a Lot of Little Worlds Commingle" Template:Webarchive, The New York Times, March 14, 2018. Accessed May 24, 2023. "There are multiple ways to commute to their jobs in Manhattan, some 15 miles away.... Buses provide Clifton transit commuters the most direct way to Manhattan: From Route 3, it is a straight shot to the Lincoln Tunnel."</ref> As of the 2020 United States Census, the city retained its position as the state's 11th-most-populous municipality, just behind tenth-ranked Trenton, and well ahead of Cherry Hill in twelfth place,<ref name=Largest2020>Table1. New Jersey Counties and Most Populous Cities and Townships: 2020 and 2010 Censuses Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed December 1, 2022.</ref> with a population of 90,296,<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/> reflecting an overall increase of 6,160 (+7.3%) from the 2010 census count of 84,136,<ref name=Census2010/><ref name=LWD2010/> which in turn reflected an overall increase of 5,464 (+6.9%) from the 78,672 counted in the 2000 census.<ref name=Census2000/><ref>Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010 Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023.</ref> The Population Estimates Program calculated a population of 88,461 for 2023, making Clifton the 394th-most populous municipality in the nation.<ref name=ANNRNK>Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places of 20,000 or More, Ranked by July 1, 2023 Population: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023, United States Census Bureau, released May 2024. Accessed May 30, 2024. Note that townships (including Edison, Lakewood and Woodbridge, all of which have larger populations) are excluded from these rankings.</ref>

Clifton was incorporated as a city by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 26, 1917, replacing Acquackanonk Township, based on the results of a referendum held two days earlier.<ref name=Story>Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606–1968 Template:Webarchive, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 209. Accessed March 16, 2012.</ref> Clifton is listed under five different ZIP codes. 07011, 07012, 07013, 07014, and 07015.<ref>Zip Codes Template:Webarchive, State of New Jersey. Accessed November 18, 2016.</ref> Clifton has been named as one of the best cities to live in the United States.<ref name="Overmyer 2023 n787">Template:Cite web</ref>

History

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The city of Clifton turned 100 years old in April 2017, but documented European settlements in the area date back to 1679, when a leader of the Lenape Native Americans gave a deed for Template:Convert along the shores of the Passaic River to Hans Frederick.<ref name=Record2017>Gicas, Tony. "Clifton celebrates 100 years of history, change" Template:Webarchive, The Record, April 26, 2017. Accessed December 27, 2022. "City historical documents show that a community has lived on land comprising present-day Clifton since 1679 when an Indian sachem named Captahem gifted Hans Frederick a deed for 11,000 acres on the shores of the Passaic River. Inspired by the Native American word Haquequenunk, the area was known as Acquackanonk Township from 1693 until 1917. During its early days, portions of what is now Paterson, Woodland Park, Little Falls and the entirety of Passaic fell within Acquackanonk borders."</ref> The modern name of "Clifton" was derived from the cliffs of Garrett Mountain, which borders the Albion Place neighborhood in the western part of the city.<ref name=Record2017 /> Clifton was once an agricultural hub, and home to the U.S. Animal Quarantine Station, which was operated in Clifton by the United States Department of Agriculture, starting in 1903. It was served by the Newark Branch of the Erie–Lackawanna Railroad. It was the primary location on the East Coast where animals from poultry, horses, and cattle, to zoo animals, were held in quarantine after being brought into the United States, to ensure that the animals were not infected with diseases that could be spread in the U.S. The federal station operated in Clifton until the late 1970s, when the facility was relocated to Stewart International Airport.<ref>Prial, Frank J. "U. S. Animal Center to Move From Clifton" Template:Webarchive, The New York Times, August 9, 1975. Accessed September 16, 2019. "The United States Department of Agriculture's quarantine station for imported animals, in Clifton; N.J., since 1903, will be relocated at Stewart Airport, near Newburgh. ... The center, scheduled to be completed in 1978, will occupy a 74‐acre site, and will be equipped to handle 1,800 head of cattle, 800 horses, 300 lions and tigers and other zoo animals, and 4,000 chickens and other poultry."</ref>

Although Clifton has long converted from farmlands to suburban neighborhoods, given its close proximity to Manhattan, the city still has three small working farms that sell fresh and organic vegetables in-season:

  • Ploch's Farm is a family-run Template:Convert farm since 1867. The farm is still in operation as Clifton's last remaining farm. Ploch's Farm is open seasonally selling fruits and vegetables during the months of August and September.<ref>Fagan, Matt. "What's going there? In Clifton, former Ploch's Garden Center is becoming a storage center" Template:Webarchive, The Record, November 22, 2020. Accessed May 24, 2023. "The former Ploch's Garden Center, which for decades sold items such as garden soil and fresh eggs, is growing girder by girder into a multistory storage facility. ... The plan to replace the garden center with a 5,496-square-foot mini-mart and eight-pump gas station was denied because city zoning doesn't allow more than one use on any property. In the summer of 2018, the city's zoning board approved the new plan for the self-storage facility."</ref>
  • City Green Farm Eco Center is an organic farm and 501(c)3 non-profit focused on promoting urban farming and education since 2011. The Template:Convert property, which was the site of the Schultheis Farm, was acquired by the city in 2005 for permanent preservation as open space.<ref>The Farm Eco-Center Clifton, NJ Template:Webarchive, City Green. Accessed May 4, 2023. "The City Green Farm Eco-Center is a five-acre site located on Grove Street in Clifton, New Jersey. In 2005, with the additional support of Passaic County Open Space funding and New Jersey Green Acres funding, the city of Clifton permanently preserved this land, formerly known as Schultheis Farm, to remain as green, open space forever. City Green leased the property in 2011 and has since transformed it into a hub of agricultural and environmental education and recreation."</ref>
  • Richfield Farms is a family-run Template:Convert farm and garden center since 1917, which had escaped redevelopment efforts in 2018.<ref>Fagan, Matt. "Clifton's Richfield Farms developer withdraws plan" Template:Webarchive, The Record, June 11, 2018. Accessed May 24, 2023. "Fans and neighbors of Richfield Farms can breathe a sigh of relief, as the beloved 100-plus-year-old farm stand and garden center appears to be keeping its farm intact, at least for now. ... Richfield Mews, the developer that applied to subdivide roughly half the 4.75-acre Richfield Farms site for town homes, has pulled the application before the city zoning board. ... The family's local history began in 1917, when Leenhardt Van Breeman emigrated from Holland. He opened a farm stand and sold produce, and for decades family members grew lettuce, corn and tomatoes to sell in Newark and New York's Hunts Point Market."</ref>

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the city had a total area of 11.43 square miles (29.60 km2), including 11.27 square miles (29.19 km2) of land and 0.16 square miles (0.41 km2) of water (1.37%).<ref name=CensusArea /><ref name=GR1 />

The Passaic River provides part of the boundary of Clifton at its northeastern edge. Weasel Brook is a tributary of the Passaic, which links from Plog Brook, passing through its namesake Weasel Brook Park, before turning south and joining the Passaic River close to Route 21.

Unincorporated communities, localities, and place names, located partially or completely within the city, include:<ref>Locality Search Template:Webarchive, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.</ref>

  • Albion Place – mostly residential, and adjacent to Garret Mountain Reservation in the northwestern corner of the city;
  • Allwood – the other main "business district" in the city, along its main highway, State Route 3;
  • Athenia – one of the more centrally located neighborhoods in the city, as well as home to one of the city's two train stations, and adjacent to the 3rd Ward Park neighborhood in Passaic;
  • Botany Village – the northernmost neighborhood in the city, historically containing European ethnic groups, but mostly populated by Hispanic/Latino immigrants in recent years;
  • Delawanna – home to one of the two train stations locally, in the southeastern corner of the city, and adjacent to Nutley/the 3rd Ward Park neighborhood in Passaic;
  • Dutch Hill – mostly residential, and largely situated near downtown and one of the two local train stations;
  • Lakeview – shares its name with the adjacent neighborhood in Paterson, along the western edge of the city, and mostly populated by Arabic and Hispanic/Latino residents;
  • Main Mall – largely considered the main "downtown" section of the city;
  • Montclair Heights – one of the wealthiest neighborhoods locally, adjacent to both Montclair State University, as well as Upper Montclair, in the southwestern corner of the city;
  • Richfield – another of the more centrally located neighborhoods in the city, along with Athenia;
  • Rosemawr – largely residential and wealthier, falling partially within Allwood, and home to an Orthodox Jewish community associated with a neighboring one in the city of Passaic, with which it shares the Passaic/Clifton Eruv<ref>Allora, Michael. Understanding the Relationship Between the Clifton Fire Template:Webarchive, Homeland Security Digital Library. Accessed June 1, 2023. "There is a large Orthodox Jewish community that borders the Cities of Clifton and Passaic, NJ. The Orthodox Jewish community in Clifton is concentrated in the Rosemawr Section. The Orthodox Jewish community is concentrated within an area surrounded by the Passaic/Clifton Eruv (See Appendix A)."</ref>
  • Styertowne – home to the main namesake shopping plaza in the city;
  • Yanticaw Pond – adjacent to the neighboring municipalities of Bloomfield, Nutley, and Montclair

Clifton is located off both Route 3 and Route 46, and is situated Template:Convert west of Midtown Manhattan, which is accessible via the Lincoln Tunnel.<ref name=NYT2018 /> The city is also served by the Garden State Parkway, Route 19 and Route 21; all of those highways pass either around or through parts of the city.

The city borders the municipalities of Little Falls, Passaic, Paterson, and Woodland Park in Passaic County; Elmwood Park, Garfield, Lyndhurst, and Rutherford in Bergen County, and Bloomfield, Montclair, and Nutley in Essex County.<ref>Areas touching Clifton Template:Webarchive, MapIt. Accessed March 26, 2020.</ref><ref>Passaic County Map Template:Webarchive, Coalition for a Healthy NJ. Accessed March 26, 2020.</ref><ref>New Jersey Municipal Boundaries Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.</ref>

Demographics

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Template:US Census population

2020 census

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Template:Expand section

Clifton, New Jersey – Racial and ethnic composition
Template:Nobold
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 1990<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>Template:Cite web</ref> Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Partial<ref name=2020CensusP2>Template:Cite web</ref> % 1990 % 2000 % 2010 Template:Partial
White alone (NH) 63,396 53,206 44,870 39,250 88.37% 67.63% 53.33% 43.47%
Black or African American alone (NH) 861 2,002 3,235 3,899 1.20% 2.54% 3.84% 4.32%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 61 64 105 89 0.09% 0.08% 0.12% 0.10%
Asian alone (NH) 2,439 5,028 7,401 8,414 3.40% 6.39% 8.80% 9.32%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) N/A 9 11 14 N/A 0.01% 0.01% 0.02%
Other race alone (NH) 108 226 318 607 0.15% 0.29% 0.38% 0.67%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) N/A 2,529 1,342 1,864 N/A 3.21% 1.60% 2.06%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4,877 15,608 26,854 36,159 6.80% 19.84% 31.92% 40.04%
Total 71,742 78,672 84,136 90,296 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2010 census

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The 2010 United States census counted 84,136 people, 30,661 households, and 21,125 families in the city. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 31,946 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup was 69.63% (58,588) White, 4.92% (4,137) Black or African American, 0.50% (419) Native American, 8.90% (7,488) Asian, 0.03% (22) Pacific Islander, 12.44% (10,464) from other races, and 3.59% (3,018) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 31.92% (26,854) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/>

Of the 30,661 households, 30.3% had children under the age of 18; 50.3% were married couples living together; 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present and 31.1% were non-families. Of all households, 26.0% were made up of individuals and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.33.<ref name=Census2010/>

22.0% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 27.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.4 years. For every 100 females, the population had 93.2 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 90.4 males.<ref name=Census2010/>

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $62,271 (with a margin of error of +/− $3,208) and the median family income was $76,070 (+/− $2,883). Males had a median income of $49,780 (+/− $2,391) versus $40,149 (+/− $2,057) for females. The per capita income for the city was $29,812 (+/− $1,255). About 7.2% of families and 9.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.5% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.<ref>DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Clifton city, Passaic County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed March 16, 2012.</ref>

Same-sex couples headed 243 households in 2010.<ref>Lipman, Harvy; and Sheingold, Dave. "North Jersey sees 30% growth in same-sex couples", The Record, August 14, 2011, backed up by the Internet Archive as of February 3, 2013. Accessed August 21, 2014.</ref>

2000 census

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As of the 2000 United States census<ref name="GR2" /> there were 78,672 people, 30,244 households, and 20,354 families residing in the city. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 31,060 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the city was 66.22% White, 2.89% African American, 0.24% Native American, 6.44% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 9.60% from other races, and 4.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 19.84% of the population.<ref name=Census2000>Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Clifton city Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 18, 2011.</ref><ref name=Census2000SF1>DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 – Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Clifton city, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 13, 2012.</ref>

There were 30,244 households, out of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.3% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 27.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.20.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

In the city the population was 21.6% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.1 males.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

The median income for a household in the city was $50,619, and the median income for a family was $60,688. Males had a median income of $40,143 versus $32,090 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,638. About 4.3% of families and 6.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.6% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

The most common ancestry groups in Clifton as of 2000 were Italian American (17%), Polish American (13%), Irish American (9%) and German American (8%).<ref>Clifton, NJ Ancestry & Family History Template:Webarchive, EPodunk. Accessed April 21, 2007.</ref> Many Turkish, Albanian, and Ukrainian immigrants also live in Clifton. There are significant populations of Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Arabs, Filipinos, Chinese, and Indians as well.

Economy

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File:Rutts Hut.jpg
Rutt's Hut, in Clifton, was opened in 1928.

Clifton is a diverse suburb of New York City, just over 10 miles to the West of the city. It boasts numerous national and local shopping options and countless specialty grocers and retailers. Notable local businesses in Clifton include:

Parks and recreation

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File:Vanderhoef-Westervelt House, Clifton, NJ.jpg
The Vanderhoef–Westervelt House in Weasel Brook Park

Government

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Local government

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The city of Clifton is governed under the 1923 Municipal Manager Law. The city is one of seven municipalities (of the 564) statewide governed under this form.<ref>Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey Template:Webarchive, Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> The governing body is the City Council, which is comprised of seven council members, with all positions elected at-large on a non-partisan basis to concurrent four-terms of office as part of the November general election. The mayor is chosen by the City Council, with the position traditionally given to the top vote getter in the previous election.<ref name=DataBook>2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2006, p. 165.</ref><ref>"Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey" Template:Webarchive, p. 9. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> Clifton's municipal elections had been held in May, as required for municipalities conducting non-partisan elections. Following the passage of a state law in 2010 allowing non-partisan elections to be shifted to November, Clifton voters were overwhelmingly in favor of the move in a non-binding referendum held in November 2013. On December 13, 2013, the Clifton City Council voted 6–0, with one abstention, to make the move to November local elections binding, which had the effect of extending the terms of all sitting council members by six months, from June 30 to December 31. Officials cited increased voter participation and reduced costs as the justifications behind supporting the shift.<ref>Gicas, Tony. "Clifton elections officially changed to November", Clifton Journal, December 13, 2013. Accessed February 10, 2014. "After months of passionate debate and an overwhelming vote of confidence from City voters on a non-binding referendum last month, the municipal council officially moved its election date from May to November.... After months of passionate debate and an overwhelming vote of confidence from City voters on a non-binding referendum last month, the municipal council officially moved its election date from May to November."</ref>

As of 2023, Clifton's mayor is Raymond Grabowski, whose term of office ends December 31, 2026. He replaced James Anzaldi, who had been one of the members of the City Council since 1978, and was first selected to be mayor in 1990, succeeding two-term mayor Gloria Kolodziej. Anzaldi was the first mayor in Clifton's history to be elected to six terms.<ref>Greenberg, Adam. "Anzaldi wins historic sixth term as mayor in Clifton" Template:Webarchive, The Record, May 11, 2010. Accessed January 13, 2013. "James Anzaldi, the city's longest-serving mayor, finished strong in Tuesday's election, taking both a ninth City Council term and an unprecedented sixth term as mayor, as the election's top vote-getter."</ref> The other current members of the City Council are Chris D'Amato, William "Bill" Gibson, Antonio Latona, Joseph Kolodziej, Rosemary Pino, Mary Sadrakula, all of whom are serving concurrent terms of office that end on December 31, 2026.<ref name=Council>City Council Template:Webarchive, City of Clifton. Accessed April 10, 2022.</ref><ref>2022 Municipal Data Sheet Template:Webarchive, City of Clifton. Accessed November 20, 2022.</ref><ref name=PassaicDirectory>Passaic County 2021 Directory Template:Webarchive, Passaic County, New Jersey, April 2021. Accessed April 10, 2022.</ref><ref name=Passaic2018>November 6, 2018 Summary Report Passaic County Official Results Template:Webarchive, Passaic County, New Jersey, updated November 12, 2015. Accessed September 15, 2019.</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Grabowski's election and Council nomination as mayor ended up being considered the most contentious local political event since 1966, when the then-top vote getter, Bill Bate, the only Democrat on the Council at that time, ended up getting passed over in favor of Joseph Vanecek, as, this time around, Grabowski would only get four of the seven possible votes on the Council, as opposed to Anzaldi, who won most, if not all, of those votes unanimously, in each of his terms, with the other three votes going to newcomer Antonio Latona (Grabowski/Kolodziej/Murphy/Sadrakula voting for Grabowski; Gibson/Latona/Pino, surprisingly, voting for Latona, all despite Gibson reportedly privately considering taking enough of those votes away from Grabowski to become mayor himself as of January 2023, even though Grabowski won at the polls in November 2022 by the final margin of roughly 9,400–8,200).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Vacancies

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If at any time a seat becomes vacant on the council, it is filled by special election unless the vacancy occurs during a council election year. If the vacancy comes before a council election year, the council must decide whether or not to appoint someone to serve as an interim councilperson within thirty days of the creation of the vacancy; if they choose to appoint someone, that person serves until the special election can be held and is eligible to run for the remainder of the term if he/she so desires.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The appointee will usually be the first runner up in the previous council election.

The city has done this five times since 1990:

  • In 1992, Councilman George Bayeux died in office. His seat was left vacant and in the special election held in November 1992, Richard Stockinger was elected to take his place.<ref name="highbeam.com">Tedeschi, Bruno. "Richard Stockinger, Longtime Clifton Gop Stalwart", The Record, March 25, 1996. Accessed August 21, 2014. "Mr. Stockinger won his City Council seat in a special election in November 1992 after the death of Councilman George Bayeaux."</ref>
  • In March of 1996, a vacancy was created when Stockinger, who had been elected to a full term when the council stood for election in 1994, died from lung cancer. His seat remained vacant, and the special election to fill his seat was held in November 1996 and won by Edward Welsh.<ref name="Municipal Elections At A Glance">McGrath, Mary. "Municipal Elections At A Glance", The Record, November 6, 1996. Accessed August 21, 2014. "Democrat Edward Welsh, vice chairman of the Planning Board, won a landslide victory Tuesday in the race for the City Council seat left vacant after the death of Richard Stockinger in March."</ref>
  • After the newly elected council had been sworn in in 2006, Antonio Latona was forced to vacate his seat as it was determined that, as a city employee (at the time, Latona was a working member of the city fire department), serving on the council would be a conflict of interest. Matt Ward, who had finished eighth in the election, was appointed to fill the vacancy in November of that year.<ref name="Clifton Council fills vacant seat">Kindergan, Ashley. "Clifton Council fills vacant seat", The Record, November 14, 2006. Accessed August 21, 2014. "The City Council tapped Matthew Ward, the runner-up in May's municipal elections, to fill a vacant seat on Monday night."</ref> The city held a special election in November 2007 to fill the remainder of the term; Ward defeated three other candidates to win.<ref name="Keller, Karen 2007">Keller, Karen. "Clifton -- Election 2007: Municipal Results", The Record, November 7, 2007. Accessed August 21, 2014. "Incumbent Matthew Ward won a special election Tuesday to complete an unexpired term on the City Council, beating three challengers."</ref>
  • In February 2015, just after he was sworn into office for his second term, Councilman Matt Grabowski died from cancer. The council appointed Joseph Cupoli, the highest vote-getter among the previous losing candidates, to fill the seat until the November election. Raymond Grabowski, the councilman's brother, won the special election to serve out the remainder of the term.<ref>Gicas, Tony. "Joe Cupoli appointed to Clifton Council" Template:Webarchive, Clifton Journal, March 27, 2015. Accessed August 13, 2015. "The City's municipal government unanimously voted to return a former Council member to the dais and fill the empty seat left after last month's death of Councilman Matt Grabowski. On Saturday, during a public budget meeting, officials voted 6-0 to appoint former Councilman Joe Cupoli, who finished eighth in last November's general election, to the Council. In the event of a Clifton Council member's death, the empty seat is traditionally filled by the eighth-place finisher of the previous election.</ref><ref name=Passaic2015>November 3, 2015 Summary Report Passaic County Official Results Template:Webarchive, Passaic County, New Jersey, updated November 12, 2015. Accessed July 28, 2016.</ref><ref>Green, Jeff. "New Clifton council member carries on for his late brother" Template:Webarchive, The Record, November 13, 2015. Accessed March 29, 2016. "Newly elected Ray Grabowski was sworn into office after a decisive victory in last week's municipal election, carrying on in that seat in the wake of his brother Matt's death early this year. Grabowski takes over for Joe Cupoli, who was appointed to the seat in March following the former councilman's death."</ref>
  • On January 13, 2024, Councilwoman Lauren Murphy died after a battle with pancreatic cancer. The council chose Chris D’Amato, who finished eighth in the previous council election, to fill the vacancy on February 3; D'Amato won the special election to fill the remainder of the term in November 2024.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Federal, state and county representation

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Clifton is located in the 9th Congressional District,<ref name=PCR2012>Plan Components Report Template:Webarchive, 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=Districts2023>Municipalities Sorted by 2023-2031 Legislative District Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed September 1, 2023.</ref>

Template:NJ Congress 09 Template:NJ Senate

Template:NJ Legislative 27

As of the state legislative elections in November 2023, Clifton will be part of the 27th Legislative District, with both Clifton and Montclair leaving the 34th, and joining Livingston, Millburn, Roseland, and West Orange in Essex County, in that Legislative District;<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> that reapportionment decision represented compromise between state legislators in both parties - the initial Democratic plan would have kept the existing 34th District entirely intact, while the initial Republican plan would have added it to the 40th Legislative District, placing it with some of the longtime Republican-leaning municipalities in that district.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Template:NJ Passaic County Commissioners

Politics

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As of January 2021, there were a total of 53,555 registered voters in Clifton, of which 22,940 (42.8% vs. 31.0% countywide) were registered Democrats, 9,562 (18% vs. 18.7%) were registered Republicans, and 20,150 (37.5% vs. 50.3%) were registered Unaffiliated. There were 19 voters registered to other parties.<ref name=VoterRegistration>Voter Registration Summary - Passaic Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed January 16, 2013.</ref> Among the city's 2020 Census population, 52.9% (vs. 53.2% in Passaic County) were registered to vote, including 67.9% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 70.8% countywide).<ref name=VoterRegistration/><ref>GCT-P7: Selected Age Groups: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision; 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 16, 2013.</ref>

In the 2020 presidential election, Democrat Joe Biden received 59% of the vote (23,930 cast), ahead of the then-President, Republican Donald Trump, with 39.7% of the vote (16,128 cast), and all other candidates with 1.3% of the vote (565 cast), among the 40,623 ballots cast by the city's 57,785 registered voters (70.3%).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2016 presidential election, Democrat Hillary Clinton received 60% of the vote (20,425 votes cast), ahead of Republican Donald Trump with 37% (12,620 votes cast), and all other candidates with their combined 3% (973 votes).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2012 presidential election, the then-President, Democrat Barack Obama, received 62.6% of the vote (18,761 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 36.3% (10,885 votes), and other candidates with 1.0% (305 votes), among the 30,261 ballots cast by the city's 47,933 registered voters (310 ballots were spoiled), for turnout of 63.1%.<ref name="2012Elections">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="2012VoterReg">Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 18,260 votes (56.5% vs. 58.8% countywide), ahead of Republican John McCain with 12,848 votes (39.8% vs. 37.7%) and other candidates with 334 votes (1.0% vs. 0.8%), among the 32,317 ballots cast by the city's 44,903 registered voters, for turnout of 72.0% (vs. 70.4% in Passaic County).<ref>2008 Presidential General Election Results: Passaic County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed January 16, 2013.</ref> In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 15,597 votes (52.0% vs. 53.9% countywide), ahead of the then-President, Republican George W. Bush, with 13,120 votes (43.8% vs. 42.7%), and other candidates with 228 votes (4.2% vs. 0.7%), among the 29,971 ballots cast by the city's 41,220 registered voters, for turnout of 72.7% (vs. 69.3% in the whole county).<ref>2004 Presidential Election: Passaic County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed January 16, 2013.</ref>

Presidential elections results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2024<ref name="2024Elections">Template:Cite web</ref> style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|48.1% 17,776 style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|47.2% 17,415 3.7% 1,630
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|2020<ref name="2020Elections">Template:Cite web</ref> style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|39.7%' 16,128 style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|59.0% 23,930 1.3% 565
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|2016<ref name="2016Elections">Template:Cite web</ref> style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|37.0% 12,620 style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|60.0% 20,425 3.0% 973
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|2012<ref name="2012Election">Template:Cite web</ref> style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|36.3% 10,885 style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|62.6% 18,671 1.0% 305
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|2008<ref name="state.nj.us">2008 Presidential General Election Results: Passaic County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed January 11, 2025.</ref> style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|39.8% 12,848 style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|56.5% 18,260 1.0% 134
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|2004<ref name="Presidential Election 2004">2004 Presidential Election: Passaic County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed January 11, 2025.</ref> style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|43.8% 13,120 style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|52.0% 15,597 4.2% 228

In the 2021 gubernatorial election, the incumbent governor, Democrat Phil Murphy, received 10,240 votes cast (54%), ahead of Republican Jack Ciattarelli with 8,485 votes cast (45%), and all other candidates with 200 combined votes (1%), among the 18,925 ballots cast by the city's 53,555 registered voters (35.3%);<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> despite Murphy winning by noticeably closer margins both locally and statewide compared to 2017, there were many more in-person votes cast once again, in contrast with 2020.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2017 gubernatorial election, Democrat Phil Murphy received 9,465 votes cast (61.3%), ahead of Republican Kim Guadagno with 5,655 votes cast (36.7%), and all other candidates with 315 combined votes (2%), among the 15,435 ballots cast by the city's 52,065 registered voters (30%).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 56.0% of the vote (9,300 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 42.8% (7,100 votes), and other candidates with 1.2% (200 votes), among the 16,600 ballots cast by the city's 49,230 registered voters (361 ballots were spoiled), for turnout of 34.5%.<ref name=2013Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2013VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Democrat Jon Corzine received 9,080 ballots cast (49.1% vs. 50.8% countywide), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 8,220 votes (44.5% vs. 43.2%), Independent Chris Daggett with 787 votes (4.3% vs. 3.8%), and other candidates with 243 votes (1.3% vs. 0.9%), among the 18,330 ballots cast by the city's 43,800 registered voters, yielding 42.2% turnout (vs. 42.7% in the county).<ref>2009 Governor: Passaic County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed January 16, 2013.</ref> In the 2005 gubernatorial election, Democrat Jon Corzine received 9,925 votes cast (56.5%), ahead of Republican Doug Forrester with 7,038 votes cast (40%), and all other candidates with 625 votes cast (3.5%), among the 17,588 ballots cast by the city's 39,878 registered voters (46%). In the 2001 gubernatorial election, Jim McGreevey, the unsuccessful Democratic nominee in 1997, received 10,015 votes cast (55.5%), ahead of Republican Bret Schundler with 7,850 votes cast (43.5%), and all other candidates with 175 combined votes (1.5%), among the 18,040 total votes cast locally in said election.

Education

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The Clifton Public Schools serve students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade.<ref>Clifton Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification Template:Webarchive, Clifton Public Schools. Accessed October 6, 2022. "Purpose: The Clifton Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Kindergarten through twelve in the Clifton Public Schools. Composition: The Clifton Public Schools is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of the City of Clifton."</ref> As of the 2020–21 school year, the district, comprised of 18 schools, had an enrollment of 10,514 students and 870.5 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 12.1:1.<ref name=NCES>District information for Clifton Public School District Template:Webarchive, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 15, 2022.</ref> Schools in the district (with 2020–21 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics<ref>School Data for the Clifton Public Schools Template:Webarchive, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 15, 2022.</ref>) are Clifton Early Learner Academy<ref>Clifton Early Learner Academy Template:Webarchive, Clifton Public Schools. Accessed October 6, 2022.</ref> (377 students; in grades Pre-K), School One<ref>School One Template:Webarchive, Clifton Public Schools. Accessed October 6, 2022.</ref> (245; K–5), School Two<ref>School Two Template:Webarchive, Clifton Public Schools. Accessed October 6, 2022.</ref> (385; K–5), School Three<ref>School Three Template:Webarchive, Clifton Public Schools. Accessed October 6, 2022.</ref> (282; K–5), School Four<ref>School Four Template:Webarchive, Clifton Public Schools. Accessed October 6, 2022.</ref> (141; K–5), School Five<ref>School Five Template:Webarchive, Clifton Public Schools. Accessed October 6, 2022.</ref> (373; K–5), School Eight<ref>School Eight Template:Webarchive, Clifton Public Schools. Accessed October 6, 2022.</ref> (169; Pre-K–5), School Nine<ref>School Nine Template:Webarchive, Clifton Public Schools. Accessed October 6, 2022.</ref> (285; K–5), School Eleven<ref>School Eleven Template:Webarchive, Clifton Public Schools. Accessed October 6, 2022.</ref> (415; K–5), School Twelve<ref>School Twelve Template:Webarchive, Clifton Public Schools. Accessed October 6, 2022.</ref> (616; Pre-K–5), School Thirteen<ref>School Thirteen Template:Webarchive, Clifton Public Schools. Accessed October 6, 2022.</ref> (447; K–5), School Fourteen<ref>School Fourteen Template:Webarchive, Clifton Public Schools. Accessed October 6, 2022.</ref> (356; K–5), School Fifteen<ref>School Fifteen Template:Webarchive, Clifton Public Schools. Accessed October 6, 2022.</ref> (310; Pre-K–5), School Sixteen<ref>School Sixteen Template:Webarchive, Clifton Public Schools. Accessed October 6, 2022.</ref> (195; K–5), School Seventeen<ref>School Seventeen Template:Webarchive, Clifton Public Schools. Accessed October 6, 2022.</ref> (476; Pre-K–5), Christopher Columbus Middle School<ref>Christopher Columbus Middle School Template:Webarchive, Clifton Public Schools. Accessed October 6, 2022.</ref> (1,172; 6–8), Woodrow Wilson Middle School<ref>Woodrow Wilson Middle School Template:Webarchive, Clifton Public Schools. Accessed October 6, 2022.</ref> (1,276; 6–8) and Clifton High School<ref>Clifton High School Template:Webarchive, Clifton Public Schools. Accessed October 6, 2022.</ref> (2,891; 9–12).<ref>Passaic County 2021-22 Public School Directory Template:Webarchive, Passaic County, New Jersey. Accessed October 6, 2022.</ref><ref>School Performance Reports for the Clifton School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed March 31, 2024.</ref><ref>New Jersey School Directory for the Clifton Public Schools, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref>

With more than 3,300 students enrolled in 2006, Clifton High School was the largest single-facility high school in New Jersey; Elizabeth High School had more students, but they were spread over multiple campuses before the school was split into separate academies.<ref>Alex, Patricia. "Clifton High's 'mosh pit' -- Thousands of teens converge in hallway gridlock", The Record, December 6, 2006. Accessed March 29, 2016. "Clifton High School, circa 1962, is the largest single high school in the state. Only Elizabeth High School has more students, but they are spread out over five campuses."</ref> An additional overflow site, the Clifton High School Annex, was constructed at a cost of $17 million and opened in September 2009 to accommodate 540 of the school year's 850 incoming ninth graders to alleviate overcrowding.<ref>Gicas, Tony. "Clifton High annex nearly ready", The Record, July 14, 2009. Accessed August 21, 2014. "The Clifton High School annex building, a lightning rod for controversy since its approval in 2004, is complete and almost ready to be occupied.... The $17 million school at 290 Brighton Road, in the renovated former Mayer Textile building, will hold about 540 of the total 850 freshmen expected to be enrolled for classes in September."</ref>

Classical Academy Charter School of Clifton, a charter school founded in 1998<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> for Clifton residents that provides an education based on the classics to students in sixth through eighth grades, was recognized in 2008 by the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program.<ref>Staff. "Classical Academy makes mathematics count" Template:Webarchive, Clifton Journal, March 18, 2011. Accessed July 13, 2012. "Classical Academy Charter School of Clifton, a 2008 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, participated for the first time in the Mathcounts regional school competition."</ref>

Private schools in Clifton include Saint Philip Preparatory School, a K–8 elementary school that operates under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson.<ref>Passaic County Schools Template:Webarchive, Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson Catholic Schools Office. Accessed February 3, 2020.</ref> St. Andrew the Apostle School was closed after the 2017–2018 school year due to financial challenges and a decline in the number of students registering for the new school year.<ref>Fagan, Matt. "Clifton's St. Andrew School's closing is a betrayal, parents say" Template:Webarchive, The Record, May 2, 2018. Accessed February 3, 2020. "Clifton — St. Andrew school parents are angry. Back in March, they say, the Diocese of Paterson told them they had a year to get the school's enrollment up. Then, on Monday, they were told via text message and email that the school would close its doors in June — for good.... On Monday afternoon, the bad news officially came in the form of a text and an email. It said, in part, 'After careful review of the financials of the church and school, as well as the low number of registrations, we cannot sustain the school.'"</ref> St. Brendan Catholic School, which opened in 1946, was closed after the 2018–2019 school year and merged with the Academy of St. James in Totowa, with the merged school to be called The Academy of St. James and St. Brendan.<ref>Fagan, Matt. "St. Brendan Catholic School in Clifton to close, merge with St. James in Totowa" Template:Webarchive, The Record, June 5, 2019. Accessed February 3, 2020. "Clifton — St. Brendan Catholic School in Clifton, which first opened its doors in 1946, will close them for good at the end of the academic year. The Paterson Diocese announced the school closing in a merger with the Academy of St. James in Totowa beginning in the fall. The closing school's students – 182 this year – will have the opportunity to join the 192 who attend St. James, which will be renamed The Academy of St. James and St. Brendan, said Mary Baier, superintendent of the diocese schools."</ref>

Emergency services

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The Clifton Police Department is a full-service department, and employs 159 sworn officers, 20 public safety telecommunicators, 12 civilian officers, and 25 part-time special officers.<ref>Home Page Template:Webarchive, Clifton Police Department. Accessed March 14, 2017.</ref> The department is led by Chief Thomas Rinaldi, who was named to the position in February 2020, and made full-time June 1, 2020.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The Clifton Fire Department has 143 full-time firefighters. The department operates a fleet of five engines, two ladders, and three basic life support ambulances 24/7, along with three marine rescue boats, a foam pumper and tender, light rescue truck, and haz-mat unit, which are cross staffed. The department is led by Chief Frank S. Prezioso.<ref>Fire Department Template:Webarchive, City of Clifton. Accessed April 8, 2023.</ref>

Hatzolah of Passaic/Clifton EMS is a volunteer service that primarily covers the Passaic Park neighborhood of Passaic, and parts of Clifton. Hatzolah operates two ambulances strategically parked throughout the community, with a third on standby, available to assist neighboring chapters such as Union City and Elizabeth.<ref>About Template:Webarchive, Hatzolah of Passaic/Clifton EMS. Accessed December 3, 2015.</ref>

Transportation

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Roads and highways

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File:2021-06-06 12 29 43 View south along New Jersey State Route 444 (Garden State Parkway) from the overpass for the ramp from U.S. Route 46 eastbound in Clifton, Passaic County, New Jersey.jpg
The Garden State Parkway southbound in Clifton

Template:As of, the city had a total of Template:Convert of roadways, of which Template:Convert were maintained by the municipality, Template:Convert by Passaic County, Template:Convert by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and Template:Convert by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.<ref>Passaic County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2010. Accessed July 24, 2014.</ref>

Major roadways in the city include Route 3 (which crosses from east to west along the southern portion of the city), Route 21 (along the Passaic River), Route 19 in the city's northwest and U.S. Route 46. The Garden State Parkway crosses the city, connecting Bloomfield in Essex County to the south to Elmwood Park in Bergen County in the north.<ref>Garden State Parkway Straight Line Diagram Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of Transportation, January 1997. Accessed August 21, 2014.</ref> Parkway interchanges 153 (signed for Route 3 and Route 46 West) / 153A (for Route 3 East) / 153B (for Route 3 and Route 46 West), 154 (for Route 46), 155 (for Clifton) / 155P (for Passaic) and 156 (to Route 46).<ref>Travel Resources: Interchanges, Service Areas & Commuter Lots Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Turnpike Authority. Accessed August 21, 2014.</ref>

Public transportation

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NJ Transit trains at the Clifton station<ref>Clifton station Template:Webarchive, NJ Transit. Accessed August 21, 2014.</ref> and Delawanna station<ref>Delawanna station Template:Webarchive, NJ Transit. Accessed August 21, 2014.</ref> follow the NJ Transit Main Line to Suffern and Hoboken Terminal.<ref>Main/Bergen-Port Jervis Line Template:Webarchive, NJ Transit. Accessed August 21, 2014.</ref> Until 1966, the Newark Branch of the Erie-Lackawanna Railroad served several stations in the town, Athenia (Colfax Avenue) and Allwood.<ref>Newark Branch Timetable Template:Webarchive, Erie-Lackawanna Railroad, October 11, 1962, via KearneyAlumni.com. Accessed October 8, 2013.</ref> The Newark Branch tracks are now used for freight only, operated by Norfolk Southern.<ref>Master Plan for the Township of Nutley, Essex County, NJ Template:Webarchive, Township of Nutley, December 19, 2012. Accessed August 26, 2018. "Freight rail service is provided along the former Erie-Lackawanna (Newark Branch) passenger line. The line is currently owned by and operated by the Norfolk Southern Corporation."</ref>

NJ Transit provides bus service on the 190, 191, 192 and 195 routes to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan, to Newark on the 13, 27 and 72 routes, and local service on the 74, 702, 703, 705, 707, 709, 744 routes.<ref>Template:Cite web, NJ Transit, backed up by the Internet Archive as of July 26, 2010. Accessed July 13, 2012.</ref><ref>Passaic County System Map Template:Webarchive, NJ Transit. Accessed August 13, 2015.</ref>

DeCamp Bus Lines provided service on the 33 and 66 routes to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan, until discontinuing its commuter routes in April 2023.<ref>Katzban, Nicholas. "Public officials scramble to fill gaps in bus service left by DeCamp's impending departure" Template:Webarchive, The Record, March 22, 2023. Accessed April 8, 2023. "Elected officials are scurrying following the announcement from DeCamp Bus Lines that the company will permanently halt its longtime commuter service into New York City on April 7, ending a faltering but still advantageous alternative for riders in remote neighborhoods underserved by NJ Transit.... Meanwhile, many more commuters in Clifton, Verona, the Caldwells, Roseland, Kearny, West Orange, Rutherford, Lyndhurst, Roseland, North Arlington and Harrison ― all of which are served by one state-run train stop (or none at all) ― could find themselves in newly abandoned transit deserts with long schleps to bus, rail or PATH stations."</ref>

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  • The character of Rupert Pupkin in Martin Scorsese's film The King of Comedy comes from Clifton.
  • The movie Donnie Brasco, which starred Johnny Depp and Al Pacino, was filmed partially in Clifton in 1996.<ref>Beckerman, Jim. "All The World's A Set: Movie Mania Hits N.J.", The Record, May 18, 1996. Accessed December 10, 2008.</ref>
  • Many scenes from The Sopranos were filmed in the town, including the Main Memorial Park and Clifton High School. The golf scenes were filmed at the Upper Montclair Country Club.Template:Citation needed
  • New York Yankee Hall of Famers Yogi Berra and Phil Rizzuto owned a bowling alley in Clifton called "Rizzuto-Berra Bowling Lanes."<ref>Pezzano, Chuck. "Rizzuto enjoyed a big role in bowling; Sport attractive to baseball figures.", The Record, August 20, 2007. "Rizzuto-Berra Bowling Lanes in Clifton, originally owned by Rizzuto and fellow icon Yogi Berra, was a favorite bowling spot for more than 40 years before giving way to a bank of shopping center stores."</ref> The alley, later known as Astro Bowl, was located in the Styertowne Shopping Center in the Allwood section of town and remained open until 1999.
  • The Upper Montclair Country Club was home to the NFL Golf Classic and the Thunderbird Classic. The Sybase Classic golf tournament was held there annually until 2009.<ref>Gicas, Tony. "Sybase golf classic is back on, it just won't be in Clifton" Template:Webarchive, Clifton Journal, January 28, 2010. Accessed December 18, 2011. "The Sybase Classic, the premier women's professional golf tournament in the metropolitan area will return in time for the LPGA's 2010 season after it was pulled from the schedule in November, but not to Clifton where it was held the past three years. On Tuesday, Octagon and Sybase, Inc. announced the Sybase Match Play Championship will be held at Hamilton Farm Golf Club in Gladstone, from May 20 to 23."</ref>
  • Baseball Hall of Famer Honus Wagner played his last two seasons (1896–1897) of minor league baseball for the Paterson Silk Sox.<ref>Model, Eric. "Paterson enjoys a rich baseball history" Template:Webarchive, NewJerseyNewsroom.com, May 25, 2011. Accessed June 14, 2012. "In fact, baseball great Honus Wagner is said to have started his pro baseball career in Paterson before reaching big leagues. Proof can be found in a place no less significant than the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, where a Honus Wagner 'Paterson' uniform is on display."</ref> While the team was named Paterson, the team played their games at Doherty Field, located off of Main Avenue behind the Doherty Silk Mill.
  • Clifton has an old sewerage system, accessible to intrepid urban explorers and evidently not actively maintained by any municipal authority or utility, known to some as the "Gates Of Hell." The walls are full of graffiti. The Clifton "Gates of Hell" are featured in the 2003 book Weird N.J.: Your Travel Guide to New Jersey's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets, published by Weird New Jersey.<ref>Spadora, Brian. "Reporting from the Gates of Hell - ghostly claim to fame called bunk" Template:Webarchive, The Record, October 23, 2017. Accessed May 24, 2023. "It is not clear how old the tunnels are or how long they have been a destination for daring (or bored) teens, said Rowan. But he said mischievous activity picked up around the Gates of Hell after a recent book recounted some of the lore surrounding the site. The book, Weird N.J.: Your Travel Guide to New Jersey's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets, was published in 2003 by the creators of a magazine of the same name."</ref>

Notable people

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

References

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Template:Reflist

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Template:Commons category Template:Portal

Template:Passaic County, New Jersey Template:New Jersey Template:New York metropolitan area Template:Passaic River Template:Authority control

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