Hudson County is a county located in the state of New Jersey. As of 2000, the population is 608,975. Its county seat is Jersey City⁶.

Hudson County lies several hundred feet from the western shore of Ellis and Liberty Islands, and has always been a gateway for many immigrants to the United States. It is also recognized as one of the Northeast's major transportation and industrial hubs.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 162 km² (62 mi²). 121 km² (47 mi²) of it is land and 41 km² (16 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 25.21% water.

Hudson County is the smallest of New Jersey's 21 counties.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 608,975 people, 230,546 households, and 143,630 families residing in the county. The population density is 5,036/km² (13,044/mi²). There are 240,618 housing units at an average density of 1,990/km² (5,154/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 55.58% White, 13.48% Black or African American, 0.42% Native American, 9.35% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 15.48% from other races, and 5.63% from two or more races. 39.76% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 230,546 households out of which 29.60% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.80% are married couples living together, 16.60% have a female householder with no husband present, and 37.70% are non-families. 29.50% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.60% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.60 and the average family size is 3.27.

In the county the population is spread out with 22.60% under the age of 18, 10.40% from 18 to 24, 35.60% from 25 to 44, 20.00% from 45 to 64, and 11.40% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 96.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 94.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $40,293, and the median income for a family is $44,053. Males have a median income of $36,174 versus $31,037 for females. The per capita income for the county is $21,154. 15.50% of the population and 13.30% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 22.00% of those under the age of 18 and 15.70% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Hudson County is the most densely populated county in the state.

Transportation

Hudson County is well-served by an extensive road and freeway network, connecting the county's communities to the rest of New Jersey and the New York metropolitan area. Indeed, an estimated one million commuters travel through Hudson County daily. Major highways include the New Jersey Highways 3, 7, 139, 185, 440, 495, Interstate 78, Interstate 95 (the New Jersey Turnpike), Interstate 280, and U.S. Highways 1 and 9. The Pulaski Skyway connects Jersey City with neighboring Newark.

Access to New York City is available through the Lincoln Tunnel, which connects Weehawken to midtown Manhattan, and the Holland Tunnel, which connects Jersey City to lower Manhattan.

The county is served by an extensive mass transit infrastructure. The PATH system provides an alternate means of transportation into Manhattan, and serves much of Jersey City and Hoboken. The Hudson-Bergen Light Rail connects the communities of Bayonne, Jersey City, Hoboken, and Weehawken, and provides connections to the PATH and the New Jersey Transit commuter rail system. The Hoboken Terminal is a major hub of train, bus, and ferry activity. Buses, run both by New Jersey Transit and private companies, provide service throughout much of the densely populated county.

The New York metropolitan area's three major airports -- JFK International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport -- are within a relatively short distance of Hudson County. Newark Liberty, however, is the closest.

Cities and towns

• Bayonne
• East Newark
• Guttenberg
• Harrison
• Hoboken
• Jersey City
• Kearny
• North Bergen Township
• Secaucus
• Union City
• Weehawken Township
• West New York

Facts

• The tallest building in Hudson County is the Goldman Sachs Tower.

External link

• Hudson County Government