North Caldwell

New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked North Caldwell as its 10th-best place to live in its 2010 rankings of the "Best Places To Live" in New Jersey, and its third-best place to live in its 2013 ranking. In 2017, a Bloomberg analysis ranked North Caldwell the 34th richest town in the United States.

• Name — North Caldwell, New Jersey • Settlement Type — Borough • Mapsize — 260px • Mapsize1 — 250x200px • Subdivision Type — Country • Subdivision Name — United States • Subdivision Type1 — State • Subdivision Name1 — New Jersey • Subdivision Type2 — County • Subdivision Name2 — Essex • Government Type — Borough • Governing Body — Borough Council • Leader Title — Mayor • Leader Name — Joshua H. Raymond (D, term ends December 31, 2026) • Leader Title1 — Administrator • Leader Name1 — Glenn Domenick • Leader Title2 — Municipal Clerk • Leader Name2 — Tami Michelotti • Established Title — Incorporated • Established Date — March 31, 1898 • Named For — James Caldwell • Unit Pref — Imperial • Area Total Km2 — 7.96 • Area Land Km2 — 7.95 • Area Water Km2 — 0.01 • Area Total Sq Mi — 3.07 • Area Land Sq Mi — 3.07 • Area Water Sq Mi — 0.01 • Area Water Percent — 0.16 • Area Rank — 332nd of 565 in state 15th of 22 in county • Population As Of — 2020 • Population Total — 6694 • Population Rank — 325th of 565 in state 20th of 22 in county • Population Density Km2 — auto • Population Density Sq Mi — 2182.0 • Population Density Rank — 282nd of 565 in state 18th of 22 in county • Population Est — 6769 • Pop Est As Of — 2024 • Timezone — Eastern (EST) • Utc Offset — −05:00 • Timezone Dst — Eastern (EDT) • Utc Offset Dst — −04:00 • Elevation Ft — 420 • Postal Code Type — ZIP Code • Postal Code — 07006 – Caldwell • Area Codes — 201 and 973 • Blank Name — FIPS code • Blank Info — 3401352620 • Blank1 Name — GNIS feature ID • Blank1 Info — 0878839

North Caldwell was part of the Horseneck Tract, which was an area that consisted of what are now the municipalities of Caldwell, West Caldwell, North Caldwell, Fairfield, Verona, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Roseland, and portions of Livingston and West Orange. In 1702, settlers purchased the 14,000 acre from the Lenape Native Americans for goods equal to $325. The explanation for the name "Horse Neck" lies in the language of its first Dutch settlers and not (as has been inaccurately reported) because of its irregular shape. This purchase encompassed much of western Essex County, from the First Mountain to the Passaic River. In 1982, the borough was one of four Essex County municipalities to pass a referendum to become a township, joining 11 municipalities that had already made the change. Ultimately, more than a dozen Essex County municipalities reclassified 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. Effective January 1, 1992, it again became a borough. The borough housed the Essex County Penitentiary, constructed in 1872 and used as the Essex County Jail Annex until 2004. It was sold to K. Hovnanian Companies in 2002, which redeveloped the site into a residential community. In 1994, the "Unabomber", Theodore Kaczynski, sent a mail bomb that killed Thomas J. Mosser, an advertising executive who lived in the borough.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 3.07 square miles (7.96 km 2), including 3.07 square miles (7.95 km 2) of land and 0.01 square miles (0.01 km 2) of water (0.16%). The highest point in Essex County is located in the Hilltop of North Caldwell at 691 ft. The borough is bordered by the municipalities of Caldwell, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Fairfield Township, Verona and West Caldwell in Essex County; and Little Falls and Wayne in Passaic County.

As of the 2020 census, North Caldwell had a population of 6,694. The median age was 44.4 years. 24.7% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 97.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 95.2 males age 18 and over. 100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas. There were 2,258 households in North Caldwell, of which 40.5% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 75.3% were married-couple households, 8.1% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 13.9% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 11.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. There were 2,364 housing units, of which 4.5% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 25.8%. Racial composition as of the 2020 census • Race — Number — Percent • White — 5,556 — 83.0% • Black or African American — 88 — 1.3% • American Indian and Alaska Native — 10 — 0.1% • Asian — 522 — 7.8% • Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander — 0 — 0.0% • Some other race — 97 — 1.4% • Two or more races — 421 — 6.3% • Hispanic or Latino (of any race) — 405 — 6.1%

The 2010 United States census counted 6,183 people, 2,092 households, and 1,820 families in the borough. The population density was 2,053.2 per square mile (792.7/km 2). There were 2,134 housing units at an average density of 708.6 per square mile (273.6/km 2). The racial makeup was 91.69% (5,669) White, 0.73% (45) Black or African American, 0.03% (2) Native American, 5.73% (354) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 0.49% (30) from other races, and 1.34% (83) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.21% (260) of the population. Of the 2,092 households, 41.3% had children under the age of 18; 78.1% were married couples living together; 6.5% had a female householder with no husband present and 13.0% were non-families. Of all households, 10.7% were made up of individuals and 5.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.96 and the average family size was 3.19. 27.3% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 19.6% from 25 to 44, 33.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.8 years. For every 100 females, the population had 99.6 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 97.0 males. The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $151,953 (with a margin of error of +/− $28,824) and the median family income was $178,750 (+/− $38,265). Males had a median income of $140,729 (+/− $14,382) versus $74,750 (+/− $15,480) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $71,798 (+/− $8,574). About none of families and 2.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.

As of the 2000 United States census there were 7,375 people, 2,070 households, and 1,834 families residing in the borough. The population density was 2,464.6 PD/sqmi. There were 2,108 housing units at an average density of 704.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the borough was 79.63% White, 14.51% African American, 0.03% Native American, 4.71% Asian, 0.26% from other races, and 0.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.16% of the population. There were 2,070 households, out of which 42.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 80.5% were married couples living together, 5.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 11.4% were non-families. 9.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.02 and the average family size was 3.23. In the borough the population was spread out, with 23.1% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 26.4% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 118.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 124.2 males. The median income for a household in the borough was $117,395, and the median income for a family was $125,465. Males had a median income of $87,902 versus $47,904 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $48,249. About 0.8% of families and 1.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.4% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

North Caldwell 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. 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. The borough form of government used by North Caldwell 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. As of 2025, the mayor of North Caldwell is Democrat Joshua H. Raymond, whose term of office ends December 31, 2026. Members of the Borough Council are Council President Anthony Floria-Callori (D, 2026), Matthew J. Atlas (D, 2026), Arthur J. Rees (R, 2028), Johanna Stroever (D, 2027), Kenneth Tilton (R, 2027) and Suzanne Corbo (R, 2028). In January 2023, the borough council appointed Kenneth Tilton to fill vacant seat expiring in December 2023 that had been held by Francis Astorino. In October 2014, the borough council appointed Robert Kessler to fill the vacant seat of Patricia Fost.

North Caldwell is located in the 11th Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 40th state legislative district.

As of March 2011, there were a total of 4,712 registered voters in North Caldwell, of which 1,123 (23.8%) were registered as Democrats, 1,591 (33.8%) were registered as Republicans and 1,994 (42.3%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 4 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens. In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 61.1% of the vote (2,043 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 37.5% (1,253 votes), and other candidates with 1.3% (45 votes), among the 3,361 ballots cast by the borough's 4,856 registered voters (20 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 69.2%. In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 56.8% of the vote (2,047 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 41.5% (1,495 votes) and other candidates with 0.7% (25 votes), among the 3,603 ballots cast by the borough's 4,704 registered voters, for a turnout of 76.6%. In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 58.9% of the vote (2,137 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 40.4% (1,465 votes) and other candidates with 0.3% (15 votes), among the 3,628 ballots cast by the borough's 4,502 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 80.6. In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 72.9% of the vote (1,446 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 26.1% (517 votes), and other candidates with 1.0% (20 votes), among the 2,012 ballots cast by the borough's 4,920 registered voters (29 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 40.9%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 60.6% of the vote (1,495 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 32.0% (789 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 6.4% (157 votes) and other candidates with 0.3% (8 votes), among the 2,469 ballots cast by the borough's 4,695 registered voters, yielding a 52.6% turnout.

The North Caldwell Public Schools serve students in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. As of the 2023–24 school year, the district, comprised of two schools, had an enrollment of 691 students and 70.2 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 9.8:1. Schools in the district (with 2023–24 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics) are Grandview School with 395 students in grades PreK–3 and Gould School with 283 students in grades 4–6. Gould / Mountain School was one of nine schools in New Jersey honored in 2020 by the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program, which recognizes high student achievement. North Caldwell is home to the West Essex Regional School District, which also serves public school students from Fairfield, Essex Fells and Roseland in seventh through twelfth grades. Schools in the district (with 2023–24 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics) are West Essex Middle School with 622 students in grades 7-8 and West Essex High School with 1,055 students in grades 9-12. Seats on the nine-member board of education of the high school district are allocated based on population, with three seats assigned to North Caldwell.

• Illustration — County Route 527 in North Caldwell

As of 2010 5, the borough had a total of 35.53 mi of roadways, of which 29.55 mi were maintained by the municipality and 5.98 mi by Essex County. The main roads serving North Caldwell include County Route 527 and County Route 506.

NJ Transit provides bus service to Newark on the 29 route.

• In the HBO crime-drama television show The Sopranos (1999-2007), the house used during filming to portray the home of Tony Soprano and his family is located in North Caldwell. Many scenes throughout the show were filmed in North Caldwell and other communities in North Jersey. • Stuckeyville, the fictional town in the NBC television series Ed, was modeled after North Caldwell. • The 1994 film North included scenes which were filmed in North Caldwell. • Sylvester Stallone filmed scenes from the movie Cop Land in 1997 at the Hilltop Reservations. • Jermaine Jackson filmed the "Dynamite" music video in 1984 at the Essex County Jail Annex.

People from North Caldwell, New Jersey People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with North Caldwell include: • Martin Brodeur (born 1972), former goalie for the New Jersey Devils • Jane Burgio (1922–2005), politician who served as Secretary of State of New Jersey and as a member of the New Jersey General Assembly • Rob Burnett (born 1962), producer, director, and writer, who is the executive producer of the Late Show with David Letterman and president and CEO of Worldwide Pants • David Chase (born 1945), creator of The Sopranos • Ken Daneyko (born 1964), former New Jersey Devils defenseman • Julio M. Fuentes (born 1946), Senior United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, who is the first Hispanic judge to serve the Third Circuit • Josh Gottheimer (born 1975), Congressman who represents New Jersey's 5th congressional district • Wyclef Jean (born 1969), hip hop and R&B music artist • Jamie Langenbrunner (born 1975), winger and former captain of the New Jersey Devils • Veronica Miele Beard, fashion designer • David Newsom (born 1962), producer, actor, and fine-arts photographer • Joe Piscopo (born 1951), comedian and actor best known for his work on Saturday Night Live • Barbara Rachelson, politician who has served in the Vermont House of Representatives since 2014 • Frederic Remington (1929–2016), politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1978 to 1992 • Josh Saviano (born 1976), actor who played the role of "Paul Pfeiffer" on The Wonder Years • Ernestine Schumann-Heink (1861–1936), opera singer • Johnny Sylvester (1915–1990), who as a young boy achieved national fame when Babe Ruth dedicated home runs to him in the 1926 World Series • Thea White (1940–2021), voice actress best known for her work as Muriel Bagge in the animated TV show Courage the Cowardly Dog • Richard Wilbur (1921–2017), poet, critic, and translator that won two Pulitzer Prizes and served as United States Poet Laureate • Joe Yeninas (1934–2020), cartoonist and illustrator for the Newark Evening News, the Associated Press, and The Journal of Commerce