According to beautyphoon.com, Elizabeth, New Jersey is located in Union County and is part of the larger New York metropolitan area. The city has a total area of 11.1 square miles and is situated on the Arthur Kill, a tidal strait between Staten Island and New Jersey. Elizabeth is bordered by Newark to the south, Hillside to the west, Linden to the north, and Rahway to the east.
Elizabeth’s terrain is mainly composed of low-lying hills that are part of the Watchung Mountains. The city has two major parks—Warinanco Park and Rahway River Park—which offer recreational activities such as biking trails, fishing spots, and playgrounds for children.
The climate in Elizabeth is humid subtropical with hot summers and mild winters. The average temperatures range from 22°F in January to 78°F in July with an average annual precipitation of 44 inches.
Elizabeth has a diverse population that includes people from all walks of life including African Americans, Latinos, Asians, Europeans, Middle Easterners, as well as recent immigrants from all over the world. This diversity is reflected in its many neighborhoods which include Downtown Elizabeth (the historic center), Midtown (the main commercial district), Bayway (an industrial area), Elmora (a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood), and North Elizabeth (a residential area).
Elizabeth’s geography offers a variety of landscapes ranging from urban areas to suburban neighborhoods as well as natural areas such as parks which provide residents with plenty of recreational opportunities year-round.
History of Elizabeth, New Jersey
Elizabeth, New Jersey was first settled in 1664 by English colonists who named it Elizabethtown after the wife of the governor of New Jersey at that time. In 1740, Elizabethtown became an independent municipality and was incorporated as a city in 1855.
During the 19th century, Elizabethtown was an important port city and a major manufacturing hub due to its location on the Arthur Kill and its proximity to New York City. The city was home to several factories producing goods such as textiles, pottery, leather goods, and cigars.
The 20th century saw a period of decline for Elizabeth with many factories closing down or moving elsewhere. However, in recent decades the city has seen a resurgence with new businesses opening up and old ones being revitalized. This has led to an increase in employment opportunities for residents as well as an influx of new residents from other parts of the country and abroad.
Today, Elizabeth is a vibrant city with a diverse population that includes people from all walks of life including African Americans, Latinos, Asians, Europeans, Middle Easterners, as well as recent immigrants from all over the world. The city is home to numerous historical landmarks such as Liberty Hall Museum (the former home of William Livingston), First Presbyterian Church (the oldest church in Elizabeth), and Boxwood Hall (a Georgian-style mansion built in 1750). It also has many parks such as Warinanco Park and Rahway River Park which offer recreational activities year-round.
Elizabeth’s history is one of change and progress that has shaped it into what it is today: a thriving urban center with plenty to offer its residents whether they be lifelong locals or new arrivals.
Economy of Elizabeth, New Jersey
Elizabeth, New Jersey is an economically diverse city that has experienced both periods of growth and decline over its long history. In the 19th century, Elizabethtown was a major port city and manufacturing hub due to its location on the Arthur Kill and its proximity to New York City. The city was home to several factories producing goods such as textiles, pottery, leather goods, and cigars.
The 20th century saw a period of decline for Elizabeth with many factories closing down or moving elsewhere. However, in recent decades the city has seen a resurgence with new businesses opening up and old ones being revitalized. This has led to an increase in employment opportunities for residents as well as an influx of new residents from other parts of the country and abroad.
Today, Elizabeth’s economy is largely based on services such as healthcare, education, retail trade, finance, insurance, real estate, professional services and transportation. The largest employers in the city are Trinitas Regional Medical Center (a hospital), Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Rahway (a hospital), Elizabeth Public Schools (a school district) and Amazon (an online retailer).
The city also has a growing technology sector which includes companies like Oracle Corporation that have offices here. Additionally, there are numerous small businesses throughout the area that contribute to the local economy such as restaurants, bars/pubs and other retail stores.
Elizabeth’s economy is strong and growing due to its diverse mix of industries and businesses offering jobs to both locals and newcomers alike. With continued investment in infrastructure projects such as transportation improvements along with incentives for businesses looking to relocate or expand here it looks like Elizabeth will continue to be an economic powerhouse in New Jersey for many years to come.
Politics in Elizabeth, New Jersey
Elizabeth, New Jersey is a city with a rich political history. The city has been governed by a variety of mayors over the years, and is currently led by Mayor J. Christian Bollwage. Elizabeth is part of Union County and is represented in the New Jersey Legislature by Senator Joseph Cryan and Assemblyman Jamel Holley.
At the federal level, Elizabeth is represented by Congressman Donald Payne Jr., who serves as the U.S. Representative for New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District. The city also votes in presidential elections, most recently favoring Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton in 2016.
The local government in Elizabeth consists of an elected Mayor and City Council which are responsible for setting policy, approving spending plans, enacting ordinances, and appointing department heads. The Mayor has veto power over council decisions and appoints members to various boards and commissions which advise on matters such as planning, zoning, parks & recreation, education and public safety.
Elizabeth also has numerous community organizations which are actively involved in local politics including the Elizabeth Development Company (EDC), Greater Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce (GECC) and Elizabethtown Community Association (ECA). These organizations work together to advocate for their respective interests while striving to improve quality of life for all residents of the city.
In addition to these traditional forms of political engagement, there are also several grassroots initiatives taking place in Elizabeth such as community gardens, public art projects and youth leadership programs that seek to empower citizens through direct involvement in their local government process.
Politics in Elizabeth are a vibrant mix of traditional players such as elected officials along with more progressive forms of civic engagement that seek to bring positive change to the community from within its own ranks.