According to the recently released 2010 U.S. Census numbers, Jersey City’s total population now stands at 247,597 residents, up from 236,641 in 2000, an increase of 3 percent. Jersey City is home to 80,885 Caucasians, 68,256 Latinos, 64,002 African-Americans, and 58,595 Asians.
The city had expected to overtake Newark, the most populous city in the state, but did not. Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy’s office is arguing that the city has been “undercounted.” With millions of dollars in federal aid on the line, they will challenge the numbers.
The data could have major implications politically.
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Between 2000 and 2010, Newark’s population grew from 273,546 residents to 277,140, a 1 percent increase, according to the Census.
Census figures determine how more than $430 billion in federal money gets allocated for education, sewers, transportation infrastructure, and public health.
Changing your representatives
Politically, the new Census data will affect which legislators represent certain parts of Jersey City, as the boundaries of their districts will change in a process known as “redistricting.” Jersey City falls within three state legislative districts – the 31st District, represented by State Sen. Sandra Cunningham, the 32nd District, represented by State Sen. Nicholas Sacco, and the 33rd District, represented by State Sen. Brian Stack. Each district is also represented by two Assembly people.
The 10-member New Jersey Apportionment Commission will use much of this spring to re-draw Jersey City’s legislative map. Some observers have suggested the 31st and 33rd districts could be expanded within Jersey City, with the 32nd District being reduced locally and expanded into Bergen County.
The state Apportionment Commission will hold several public hearings on redistricting, with the first one scheduled for today (Sunday, Feb. 13) in Jersey City. The hearing will be held at the Culinary Conference Center at Hudson County Community College, 161 Newkirk St. The meeting will take place in the Scott Ring Room on the second floor and will begin at 1 p.m.
The meeting will give Hudson County residents an opportunity to offer their input into the redistricting process, which will ultimately influence policy-making in New Jersey for the next decade.
Who’s there
The new numbers reveal various demographic trends. Latinos represent 27.6 percent of Jersey City’s population, a number that is indicative of a countywide increase in the Latino population. Neighboring Union City has the highest percentage of Latinos of any town in the state, with 86 percent.
In addition, 31,726 residents classified themselves as “some other race,” while 10,956 residents are of mixed race.
According to an analysis recently conducted by Bloomberg News, 75 languages are spoken by Jersey City school children.
The city’s diversity was on display last week at the Harsimus Cove ShopRite. In the span of just 30 minutes shoppers could be overheard speaking English, Spanish, French, one of the Slavic languages, and a fifth that could have been Hindi.
“I don’t speak nothing but English,” said Jersey City resident and shopper Dorrie Williams. “But,” she added in a nod to the city’s growing diversity, “my sister’s husband is Dominican, so they both speak English and Spanish. And their kids speak both.”
E-mail E. Assata Wright at awright@hudsonreporter.com.