Demographics: Englewood is a five square mile city in Bergen County, New Jersey. The population in 2012 was 27,605 people in contrast to the state’s population of 8,867,749. It is a city filled with diversity with almost one-third of the population coming from a different country. The 2010 census showed that Englewood is comprised of 45.3% whites, 32.6% blacks, 8.1% Asians, and 27.5% Hispanic or Latino. Koreans and Colombians made up the greatest percentage of recent immigrants.

As of 2008- 2012, the amount of foreign-born residents was 1.8%. In 2010, it was reported that 34.3% of people spoke a different language other than English at home. http://cityofenglewood.org

Transportation: In proximity to New York, Englewood is 15 minutes away by taking the George Washington Bridge. According to the 2010 census data, 25% of residents work in New York City while 12% work in Englewood. NJ Transit provides an express bus from Englewood that takes 35 minutes to reach Port Authority Bus Terminal.

Households: The median household income for the years 2008-2012 was $69,557 with 11.6% of people below the poverty line, compared to the median household income of the United States at $53,046.

Real Estate: Estimated median house or condo value in 2013 was $372,351.
http://www.city-data.com/city/Englewood-New-Jersey.html#ixzz3mVBmlLuQ

Education: Englewood offers a number of public and private schools for residents. The public schools include Dwight Morrow High School, Academies at Englewood, and Janis E. Dismus Middle School to name a few. The private schools are Dwight Englewood and The Moriah School. The private school system ranges anywhere from $20- 40,000 a year. http://www.epsd.org/home

Recorded in 2012, 87.8% of residents were high school graduates and 46.4% over the age of 25 had a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Religious Institutions: Due to its diversity, Englewood provides over 50 religious institutions for its residents.

Parks/Recreation: The suburbs offer a large amount of open space, allowing for baseball fields, swimming pools, basketball courts, or even ice skating rinks.

Flat Rock Brook Nature Center—is a 150-acre preserve and environmental center located on Palisades Avenue. A last remnant of the Palisades Forest, it provides public information on preserving nature and its resources with nice trials and picnic areas.http://flatrockbrook.org/

Local Businesses /Organizations: Englewood Chamber of Commerce—a not-for-profit organization lead by business leaders to improve life in Englewood. They organize community events and represent each business in front of the city government.

The Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)—is a not-for-profit performing art center. Providing about 150 events each year, BergenPAC hosts a variety of artists, concerts, and performing programs. http://www.bergenpac.org

Englewood Hospital and Medical Center—An acclaimed hospital for its bloodless medicine and surgery program, cardiac and vascular programs, and leadership in breast care, oncology, and joint replacement services. http://www.englewoodhospital.com

Issues:

The NJ Transit is the only mode of public transportation in Englewood. Not as efficient as a train, there is talk about extending the Hudson Bergen Light Rail. However, designs are not known yet since it’s been an ongoing issue. Many residents are in favor of new and quick ways to get into the city but worry the light rail will cause congestion and limit parking.

Parking—There is a limited amount of parking downtown where all the shops and restaurants are. People constantly get tickets for going over the meter parking. There should be a parking center because if people can’t find parking they won’t shop and it will affect business.

Streetlights—Englewood is a city where many of its residents choose to walk at night whether it is to a friend’s house or the local religious institution. There have been accidents where cars have hit pedestrians because of the darkness. In 2011, the curb line on Broad Ave was illuminated with $30,000 worth of solar powered lights, now needed on more streets to prevent fatalities. There is a story that a local doctor was killed walking to his daughter’s house because a car didn’t see him. I could go to the police department and see how many deaths are caused a year by car accidents in Englewood, get residents and city council views on the issue of lighting, and family anecdotes.http://www.northjersey.com/news/city-park-renamed-to-honor-doctor-1.204788 http://www.northjersey.com/news/solar-lights-to-boost-safety-1.265268