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Monmouth County

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 31, 2022
Population: 99621
Community Activities and Services
The Latino Festival of Monmouth County in Freehold connects the region. The county seat is the connector for all government services in the area. There is tremendous interaction between the Latino communities of Monmouth. The main social service agencies serving the community have offices in Red Bank, Freehold and Asbury Park.
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Windors Area - NAACP and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 31, 2022
Population: 135835
voting rights education Black
Cultural or Historical Interests
Community goes to Mercer County Park; Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center is a major hospital in the region; and Woo-Ri Mart is an important grocery store.
Community Activities and Services
This community includes the town of West Windsor, Plainsboro, Princeton, Hillsborough, Montgomery, East Windsor, Robbinsville, and Cranbury. Princeton University is a hub for this region and they share the Princeton Junction Station train station and the Conway Central Express Bus Station
Community Needs and Concerns
Many of these towns share a school district but the towns are currently in multiple legislative districts.
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Pan-Asian Super COI in Central NJ

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 30, 2022
Population: 736364
transportation housing voting rights diversity education
Cultural or Historical Interests
*This map was created in a community mapping exercise conducted by the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund.* This community represents the bulk of New Jersey's growing AAPI population, encompassing Middlesex, Mercer, and Somerset counties. Community members work locally or in nearby Trenton, own businesses in the area and send their children to high-density AAPI schools, and attend numerous houses of worship of various denominations. Historically, Middlesex in particular was highly diverse but in the 2020 survey has become one of the 20 most diverse counties in the country - and that growth and its population is predominantly from Asian-Americans.
Community Needs and Concerns
While there are too many individuals in this community of interest for two or even three legally compliant district to contain the whole community, it is important that these high-density AAPI towns be able to vote with at least a few others similar to their composition.
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South Asian Community in Jersey City

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 30, 2022
Population: 72910
transportation diversity affordable
Community Activities and Services
*This map was created in a community mapping exercise conducted by the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund.* This community of interest comprises the primarily South Asian community growing in Jersey City, anchored by community-owned businesses in "India Square" aka Little India.
Economic or Environmental Interests
This community has a strong focus on transportation, as many residents are recent arrivals on work visas who commute to NYC via PATH.
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East Asian (Korean) Community in Bergen County

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 30, 2022
Population: 271314
housing voting rights diversity education
Cultural or Historical Interests
Bergen County has the highest concentration of ethnic Koreans in both the US and the Western hemisphere. Numerous Koreatowns exist in the area, particularly in Palisades Park, where Korean-language products are easily available and many businesses are owned by Korean American community members.
Community Activities and Services
*This map was created in a community mapping exercise conducted by the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund.* This community is predominantly East Asian (Chinese and Korean) and is located throughout Bergen County. Very high-density towns include Palisades Park, Leonia, Ridgefield, and Fort Lee.
Community Needs and Concerns
While there are too many individuals in this community of interest for a legally compliant district to contain the whole community, it is important that these high-density towns be able to vote with at least a few others similar to their composition.
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South Asian community around Parsippany

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 30, 2022
Population: 158581
housing diversity education
Cultural or Historical Interests
This primarily South Asian community is anchored around houses of worship and ethnic restaurants and grocery stores, particularly those owned by community members. 280 and 287 bracket the community as members use them to get to Parsippany and also to commute to jobs in cities like Newark and NYC.
Community Activities and Services
*This map was created in a community mapping exercise conducted by the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund.* This Asian community is primarily South Asian (mostly Indian) with some East Asians (Chinese), and grew around Parsippany, NJ. It also encompasses the South Asian populations that settled in towns like Hanover, Livingston, and Millburn for the excellent school districts and the proximity to Parsippany.
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Pan-Asian community in Northwest NJ

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 30, 2022
Population: 28716
housing diversity education
Cultural or Historical Interests
This is a very young community that mostly resides in newer housing developments in the area.
Community Activities and Services
*This map was created in a community mapping exercise conducted by the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund.* This is a growing pan-Asian community that has grown around local school districts, affordable property, access to highways for transit, and local Asian-owned businesses both in the area as well as across the river in Easton, PA.
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South Asian Americans in Greater Philadelphia

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 30, 2022
Population: 298121
diversity education
Cultural or Historical Interests
The people in this community consider themselves residents of greater Philadelphia, but many are small business owners in the local towns contained in this community, as well as sending their children to schools in the area.
Community Activities and Services
*This map was created in a community mapping exercise conducted by the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund.* This community of South Asian Americans anchors itself around houses of worship, particularly mosques and temples, and ethnic restaurants in the area that are mostly halal kebab grills.
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Delta Sigma Theta Sorority - Black community of Montclair and Surrounding Areas

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 29, 2022
Population: 93207
healthcare voting rights diversity Black
Community Activities and Services
the Black community of Montclair and the surrounding area. In this community of interest, we have included the southern regions of Montclair and Bloomfield as well as all of West Orange. To the districts in Montclair we propose adding Bloomfield and areas north to Claremont Avenue in the north to include Mountainside Hospital.
Community Needs and Concerns
Although this community is spread across multiple municipalities, residents share many community institutions, such as shopping and community recreation centers. In considering the mapping of this area, please consider that Belleville and Newark share the resources of Branchville Park and Clara Mass Medical Center. This acute care facility serves Essex, Bergen, Hudson, and Passaic counties.
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Delta Sigma Theta Sorority - Greater Newark Area

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 29, 2022
Population: 621909
housing voting rights diversity Black
Cultural or Historical Interests
Newark is home to Symphony Hall and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, both of which are cornerstones of Newark and surrounding communities and Newark and surrounding communities and the state of New Jersey.
Community Activities and Services
"Greater Newark" containing the entirety of Newark, East Orange, Irvington, Hillside, the southern section of Maplewood (bounded by Springfield Avenue), and a segment of Harrison (to the border of Central Avenue).Harrison is home to the famous Top s Diner, a vital gathering place for the Newark and Harrison communities. ]It is important to note that Springfield Avenue is a corridor containing a substantial portion of black-owned businesses supported by residents of Newark and Irvington. Many of these communities share houses of worship, libraries, and parks as well.
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Atlantic County Community of Interest

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 28, 2022
Population: 237704
Community Activities and Services
Atlantic County Community of Interest mapped by LWVNJ and LWV AC on 12/9/2021. Area united by shared school districts, universities, hospitals and community centers. INparticular Galloway and & Port Republic share many services and interests in common with Atlantic City. Two major employers, Atlanticare Regional Medical Center and Stockton University, unite Galloway with Atlantic City. Students reside in Stockton’s new Atlantic City dorms and shuttle to the Galloway campus, uniting these towns means this student COI would no longer be divided
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Teaneck-Area Community

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 28, 2022
Population: 214870
education environment
Community Activities and Services
Teaneck-area community mapped by LWVNJ & LWV Teaneck on 1/10. Common activities and services include parks, schools, hospitals and libraries.
Economic or Environmental Interests
Common environmental impacts related to the rivers and flooding
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Ramapough Lenape nation

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 28, 2022
Population: 48279
Cultural or Historical Interests
The Ramapough people consist of the turtle clan, deer clan, and wolf clan. The turtle clan is based around Mahwah, New Jersey. The deer clan is based in Hillburn, NY. And the wolf clan is in Ringwood, NJ. The Ramapough people have been in the area for centuries. The Ramapough are a blended tribe. Other nations have joined, e.g., Kikiat, Esopus, Hackensack, Tappan, Nyax, and Pomptons are all part of the same nation with a lineage going back a long way. The Ramapough people who survived the wars joined with other survivors of other nations. Our nation signed most of the land deeds in the area.
Community Activities and Services
Some of us our Christian, and some of us are spiritual and follow the traditional way. There's a Brook Church in Hillburn that many people attend. There's a Ramapough tribal center in Mahwah, that's the main tribal center, each headed by a clan chief, but there's one in Ringwood and Hillburn for different clans as well. There are powwow up at Sally field in Ringwood. The mountains are very important to the people, people enjoy fishing and hunting. There's a big burial site - Split Rock, where people go for spiritual sessions.
Economic or Environmental Interests
We're economically a very diverse people. Many of the people are blue collar workers, who do physical labor. But others do white collar jobs. There is a stigma for Ramapough people in the area, so many have moved away. Many of us are veterans, and have joined the service to escape that local stigma.
Community Needs and Concerns
The Ramapough people could use more job opportunities, better education, affordable housing. In Ringwood is a superfund site that is still not cleaned up, and needs to be. The Ramapo River has had oil spills right there in Mahwah, there was diesal fuel that leaked where people swam and fished. In Tuxedo Park in New York there was a home heating oil trucks that were flooded and leaking into the river. Many environmental justice issues.
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Greater Trenton

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 28, 2022
Population: 186425
Cultural or Historical Interests
My community is mostly African American with a significant Latinx and white population as well. Many community members commute to Philadelphia, but many others work in the surrounding area. There's a mix between people who rent and people who own. Many people in the area have been based here for generations, but others have just moved to the area in recent years. The area is a great, diverse mix of people.
Community Activities and Services
There's a strong Christian background many residents have, and lots of established churches in Trenton such as Shiloh Baptist Church. People like to eat and shop in the surrounding area - Rats Restaurant in Hamilton; Palmer Square in Princeton; Quaker Bridge mall in Lawrenceville; people attend public schools like Ewing High; Steinert High School. People go to Capital Health; St. Francis Hospital for healthcare. Many people go out in Cadwalader Park, Mill Hill Park, Moody Park, Trenton Thunder Stadium, the Delaware River and parks along the river are also places people like to go.
Economic or Environmental Interests
There are many people who work in blue collar jobs for the state of New Jersey. There is a good mix of service industry jobs in the surrounding area, as well as a lot of white collar jobs in pharmaceutical, legal, and finance fields.
Community Needs and Concerns
There are issues with transportation and healthcare access. Mercer Hospital in downtown Trenton closed. There's a lack of sufficient walkable services in Trenton generally; housing, job opportunities. The area also lacks healthy and affordable food options. People may need to leave the immediate area for healthcare and other services. There's significant older, vacant housing stock in the area and not much investment to fix it up.
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Cherry Hill Community Map

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 28, 2022
Population: 142235
Cultural or Historical Interests
This is a community map drawn by the RACE Council with the Cherry Hill Community.
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Greater New Brunswick Area

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 28, 2022
Population: 122190
Cultural or Historical Interests
My community is very diverse with many different groups of color. We have a strong Black American community, African community, and Asian Americans of many different backgrounds - we are truly an extremely diverse community. That is also true for our communities of faith, we have many different faith communities which make up our broader community. We also have a very diverse economic community - everything from warehouses to professional services. We really pride ourselves on this diversity.
Community Activities and Services
On Demott Lane is called Interfaith Way due to the wide variety of different faiths that are represented. Many people attend services on Interfaith Way. Hamilton street is the defacto center of town - it's where the neighborhood shops: barber shops, a mosque, food, commercial centers, childcare centers. Downtown New Brunswick is a walkable community with many diverse places to shop and eat. We have two major hospitals in our community: St. Peters & Robert Wood Johnson. We have an extremely robust arts and cultural commission, as well as performing arts spaces, which unites our diverse community in art.
Economic or Environmental Interests
The New Brunswick campuses of Rutgers University are also major institutions in our district, with many students who are a part of our community. There are numerous affordable housing developments which are being constructed, supporting our communities great economic diversity. Robert Wood Johnson is centered in our community. Johnson and Johnson is a major employer.
Community Needs and Concerns
Because of depressed economic conditions in certain communities, there is a heightened level of criminal activity. We need economic programs to support those communities and additional low income housing and a strategy to address homelessness. It's also vital to expand public transportation beyond the core of downtown New Brunswick, so that everyone can access jobs and vital services.
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Newark Ironbound Community Map

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 28, 2022
Population: 49836
Cultural or Historical Interests
This is a map drawn by NJISJ with a member of the Ironbound community in Newark.
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Newark North Ward Community (repaired)

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 28, 2022
Population: 92795
Cultural or Historical Interests
The North Ward community of Newark is a heavily Latinx populated, although there's a sizable African American population as well. The area is very Catholic.
Community Activities and Services
Some prominent churches in the area are: the Basilica of Saint Mary, Saint Lucy's church, and many other small churches. Branch Brook Park is a major park in the area that people enjoy. It goes all the way from 7th Ave to the Forest Hills section. Some major schools in the area are McKinley School, Roberto Clemente High School, Barringer High School, Webster High School. Clairemont and Saint Michael's Hospitals serve residents in the area. People enjoy Newark Public Library, skating rink, and other services (e.g., rotunda) in the area.
Economic or Environmental Interests
There are many mom and pop stores, bodegas, and too many liquor stores. They are mostly blue collar workers; public transportation (the light rail, Penn Station, buses) very big for people in the area. Ross Street and Bloomfield Ave are a major commercial corridors in the area.
Community Needs and Concerns
Major issues facing the North Ward are issues with gangs, lack of employment; Food insecurity for residents of the area. Lack of mental health services for residents. There's a need for more affordable housing in the area as well.
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Winslow Twp Community

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 28, 2022
Population: 37174
Cultural or Historical Interests
My community is the African-American community of Winslow and Sicklerville. Many of the residents in my immediate area are retired. Some residents have moved here from other places and settled, others have lived here for generations. Some residents are transitional. There is a small-town mindset to the area which is very nice - people know each other and have strong ties and relationships. People are very proud of the community, it is a great place to raise children. Much of the area are homeowners in rural areas, but there is also a significant portion of renters living around transit hubs. The area is growing.
Community Activities and Services
Winslow is a twp with many sections. There are about many faith communities in the area which people attend: Christ Care Missionary Baptist Church (provides many community services bishop been there 40 years, 70 acres w/ apartments, Sr. homes); Winslow Baptist Church; United Methodist Church; and more. There is a mosque nearby, the Islamic Community of S. Jersey in where many Muslims worship. Right in the heart of Sicklerville there are barber shops, nail salons, and a great downtown area. Williamstown New Freedom Road is also a major commercial area. Schools are Winslow High (formerly Edgewood), and Winslow Middle School - a new school district as of 2001 to accommodate growth in the area.
Economic or Environmental Interests
Many people in the area work in Philadelphia and commute. Others work in the casinos in Atlantic City. The workforce is very diverse, with white collar and blue collar workers. The area has high employment, but many people work outside of the community and return to live. Of the people who live in the area, some people work in factories in Winslow and Sicklerville, others work in services and retail in the area. The area has an excellent transportation network.
Community Needs and Concerns
Winslow is divided into four wards, with a mayor and eight council people. The local electeds are very responsive. The area could absolutely use more recreational facilities (playground, etc.) for an area of 40K residents, and recreational facilities that are culturally appropriate to the people who live in the area. We need programs for students, particularly after school, to keep children safe, learning, and occupied when they're not in the classroom. There have been conversations for years about a recreation center which has not materialized yet. The third ward is the one w/ the most open land & least parks; organizations must use the schools for recreational and social activities.
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Mercer County

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 28, 2022
Population: 104152
Community Needs and Concerns
South Asian American influenced Community of Interest created by Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF)
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Dunnellen, Middlesex, Bound Brook, and South Bound Brook

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 28, 2022
Population: 38165
Economic or Environmental Interests
The Latino Community is very connected through economic and environmental interests. The Green Brook Tributary runs through Dunnellen and Middlesex and leads to the Raritan River in Bound Brook and South Bounden. Flooding is caused flooding during storms and the most frequent was that of Hurricane Ida. The community has experienced flood damage that has impacted the local economy.
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Greater Brick Community Map

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 28, 2022
Population: 33824
Cultural or Historical Interests
This is a map drawn by NJISJ with a member of the Greater Brick community.
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Plainfield/North Plainfield

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 28, 2022
Population: 57928
Community Activities and Services
Latino community in Plainfield and North Plainfield are very connected. Downtown shopping areas are connected. Saint Mary’s church serves Latinos from both towns. Many North Plainfield Latinos moved there from Plainfield.
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Greater Union Township/Vauxhall Community Map

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 28, 2022
Population: 50901
Cultural or Historical Interests
This is a map drawn by NJISJ with a member of the Greater Union Township community.
Community Needs and Concerns
Lots of development going on; reduced affordability; concerns over taxes; need more schools, more public services, increased traffic requires more infrastructure; missing a hospital in the area. Redlining has created major disparities between the North and South parts of the area.
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Newark South Ward Community

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 27, 2022
Population: 68069
Cultural or Historical Interests
The South Ward of Newark is a predominantly African Community. It's a primarily young, but there are older families too. Many people have been here for a long time, although there are areas where houses have been torn town and built up, which do not have residents that have been like for a long time. Many people that live and grow up in the South Ward move far beyond Newark, there is a very established multi-generational community.
Community Activities and Services
Many people receive healthcare at Beth Israel Hospital; Many people attend Metropolitan Baptist Church, Saint Marks Baptist church. There are some charter schools off of Clinton Ave. There's Weequahic High School, Greater Oaks, Heshine; Elizabeth Avenue and the chancellor side of South Ward is socially and culturally connected to Hillside; People like to out to Green Acres, Weequahic Park is the biggest.
Economic or Environmental Interests
Along Clinton Ave there are a lot of mom and pop stores, many that come and go, and a few restaurants. The area is home to many blue collar workers, many people work in Newark or nearby. Many people are civil servants that work for Newark Public Schools, Police, etc. Other groups work in warehouses. Many other people work for major hospitals in the area.
Community Needs and Concerns
Some issues facing the South Ward are resources - in terms of development within the community, from the community; The schools could use more resources. Teachers are overworked and underpaid. There's insufficient access to preventative health or mental healthcare services. There's a lack of resources when it comes to sanitation and the upkeep of the community in general. Finally, we need better quality food services in the area.
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Englewood-Teaneck-Hackensack Community

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 27, 2022
Population: 263322
Cultural or Historical Interests
The community is very diverse. Englewood and Hackensack have a growing Hispanic population, including growing Hispanic business downtown. The Black population is also centered in Englewood and Hackensack. The area can be a transient area due to the industries in NYC. The Englewood community is a mixture of homeowners and renters, although there are more renters because people are often transient. In the last two years more people have purchased homes in the area to work from home. The area is really growing, and many new luxury apartments have been built (with some, but not enough affordable housing), which may be pushing out older residents.
Community Activities and Services
Most children in the community go to public schools in the area, whether that's Teaneck, Hackensack, or Englewood. There has been an uptick in Charter Schools in the area as well. People enjoy the county parks like McKay Park, Votee Park, Overpeck Park. People go to Englewood Hospital or Hackensack University medical center, and Holy Name hospital in Teaneck; People worship at Community Baptist Church (Englewood), there are a number of synagogues in Englewood and Teaneck, and a mosque in Teaneck. People spend time at the Court in Hackensack, that's where people hold rallys and other events. There are food truck conventions at the Garden State Plaza, which people enjoy. Also Bergen CC, & FDU
Economic or Environmental Interests
Major commercial areas around Palisades Ave is an area where people like to go out to eat; people shop at the Shops at Riverside Square Mall in Hackensack and the Garden State Plaza in Paramus. Residents are a mix of blue collar and white collar workers. There's a large community of nurses, entrepreneurs, and professionals that work in New York City and commute. Many residents take New Jersey Transit (Pascack Valley and Bergen Co Line) and the bus system, although less since COVID. Major highways are Rt 4 to the GWB, and Rt 95 which runs north and south which takes you to the Holland and Lincoln Tunnel, and Rt 3 is how people get to the city and come back. Home-improvement stores are big.
Community Needs and Concerns
Some major issues facing the community are access to mental health services; There's a need for more affordable equitable housing and senior services in the area as well. The education system can also be somewhat skewed - which can explain the emergence of charter schools. There's a need for equitable education across all the municipalities in the area.
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Millville, Bridgeton, and Vineland

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 27, 2022
Population: 118623
Cultural or Historical Interests
The Latino communities in Millville, Bridgeton, and Vineland are driving the population growth in Cumberland County. In fact, Cumberland County experienced the fastest Latino growth in the entire state over the last 10 years. These three communities share very similar growth trends with the Latino population growing faster than every other demographic group.
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Greater Vineland Area

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 27, 2022
Population: 122532
Cultural or Historical Interests
My community is a majority people of color community with people from all over, Mexican-Americans, Guatamalan-Americans, other Hispanic-Americans, African Americans on a daily basis. Many of the residents are former migrant farm-workers, of descended from former farm workers, who settled in the area. These individuals and families are now joining city-council, and starting businesses in the area.
Community Activities and Services
The is a main state road which cuts through the community - Rt. 49. Inspira Healthcare network and Complete Care (for the underinsured) serves the Bridgeton and Fairfield communities. Fairfield twp has one school - a K-8 school; Bridgeton has 1 elementary and high school. Many members attend Union Baptist Temple, either for services or to use the facilities there. It has become a community center for Bridgeton and Fairfield community. There is also a Catholic Church. CThere's a building called the Hope Loft on commerce street, a major center, which is being transitioned into "the Campus" a safe-haven for children in the area. There's also a state prison and a half-way house in the community.
Economic or Environmental Interests
The area is a primarily working class community. The area was, and still is, a major agricultural community (the largest nursery producer in the country). There is a glass factory in the area that employs quite a few people. The hospital and health care industry are a large employer as well. Many people also work for the Gateway Community Partnership, a federally funded non-profit focused on anti-poverty efforts in the area.
Community Needs and Concerns
The area has an issue with gangs, partially drawn by the state prison and half-way house, which creates issues in the community. The area struggles with poverty and particularly lack of education. Our educational services are severely underfunded. Our children struggle with teen pregnancy. The area also needs more investment in mental health services.
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Lawrence Township

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 27, 2022
Population: 280328
Community Activities and Services
This community interest map was created by the League of Women Voters during a mapping session on December 2, 2021.
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East Black Horse Pike (Atlantic City and Pleasantville)

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 27, 2022
Population: 41694
Community Needs and Concerns
Communities of color, particularly the Latino community, lives along East Black Horse Pike Road between Atlantic City and Pleasantville. The Spanish Seventh Day Adventist Church is also located along the road and is shared by the Latino communities in Atlantic City and Pleasantville.
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Rowan University Students Community

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 27, 2022
Population: 299992
Cultural or Historical Interests
This is a community map drawn by the NAACP with the student community of Rowan University.
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Scotch Plains-Westfield-Fanwood Community

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 27, 2022
Population: 96862
Cultural or Historical Interests
This is a map drawn by Social Justice Matters with the Scotch Plains-Westfield-Fanwood Community.
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South Asian Community in Northeast NJ

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 27, 2022
Population: 24555
Cultural or Historical Interests
This is a community map drawn by the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) with the South Asian community in Northeast NJ.
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Englewood-Teaneck-Hackensack Community

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 21, 2022
Population: 201211
Cultural or Historical Interests
The community is very diverse. Englewood and Hackensack have a growing Hispanic population, including growing Hispanic business downtown. The Black population is also centered in Englewood and Hackensack. The area can be a transient area due to the industries in NYC. The Englewood community is a mixture of homeowners and renters, although there are more renters because people are often transient. In the last two years more people have purchased homes in the area to work from home. The area is really growing, and many new luxury apartments have been built (with some, but not enough affordable housing), which may be pushing out older residents.
Community Activities and Services
Most children in the community go to public schools in the area, whether that's Teaneck, Hackensack, or Englewood. There has been an uptick in Charter Schools in the area as well. People enjoy the county parks like McKay Park, Votee Park, Overpeck Park. People go to Englewood Hospital or Hackensack University medical center, and Holy Name hospital in Teaneck; People worship at Community Baptist Church (Englewood), there are a number of synagogues in Englewood and Teaneck, and a mosque in Teaneck. People spend time at the Court in Hackensack, that's where people hold rallys and other events. There are food truck conventions at the Garden State Plaza, which people enjoy. Also Bergen CC, & FDU
Economic or Environmental Interests
Major commercial areas around Palisades Ave is an area where people like to go out to eat; people shop at the Shops at Riverside Square Mall in Hackensack and the Garden State Plaza in Paramus. Residents are a mix of blue collar and white collar workers. There's a large community of nurses, entrepreneurs, and professionals that work in New York City and commute. Many residents take New Jersey Transit (Pascack Valley and Bergen Co Line) and the bus system, although less since COVID. Major highways are Rt 4 to the GWB, and Rt 95 which runs north and south which takes you to the Holland and Lincoln Tunnel, and Rt 3 is how people get to the city and come back. Home-improvement stores are big.
Community Needs and Concerns
Some major issues facing the community are access to mental health services; There's a need for more affordable equitable housing and senior services in the area as well. The education system can also be somewhat skewed - which can explain the emergence of charter schools. There's a need for equitable education across all the municipalities in the area.
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Newark South Ward Community

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 21, 2022
Population: 74245
Cultural or Historical Interests
The South Ward of Newark is a predominantly African Community. It's a primarily young, but there are older families too. Many people have been here for a long time, although there are areas where houses have been torn town and built up, which do not have residents that have been like for a long time. Many people that live and grow up in the South Ward move far beyond Newark, there is a very established multi-generational community.
Community Activities and Services
Many people receive healthcare at Beth Israel Hospital; Many people attend Metropolitan Baptist Church, Saint Marks Baptist church. There are some charter schools off of Clinton Ave. There's Weequahic High School, Greater Oaks, Heshine; Elizabeth Avenue and the chancellor side of South Ward is socially and culturally connected to Hillside; People like to out to Green Acres, Weequahic Park is the biggest.
Economic or Environmental Interests
Along Clinton Ave there are a lot of mom and pop stores, many that come and go, and a few restaurants. The area is home to many blue collar workers, many people work in Newark or nearby. Many people are civil servants that work for Newark Public Schools, Police, etc. Other groups work in warehouses. Many other people work for major hospitals in the area.
Community Needs and Concerns
Some issues facing the South Ward are resources - in terms of development within the community, from the community; The schools could use more resources. Teachers are overworked and underpaid. There's insufficient access to preventative health or mental healthcare services. There's a lack of resources when it comes to sanitation and the upkeep of the community in general. Finally, we need better quality food services in the area.
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Newark Central Ward Community

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 21, 2022
Population: 27058
Cultural or Historical Interests
My community, central ward, has a lot of black and brown folks. However, the area is also the central business district so there are a lot of diversity of people and businesses. It is a fast paced community. There are a lot of new residents, you can see the gentrification really happening in Central Ward. There are many new younger adults that have moved from NYC and commute to NYC. In South Ward you have a lot of people who have been in the area for generations.
Community Activities and Services
There are a lot of government centers in the area. There are educational institutions. There's a community college, Rutgers, NJIT. We're surrounded by a lot of schools - Newark Tech, Essex Co. College, Arts High School, Saint Benedict's High School. There are two major of hospitals - UNDMJ, and St. Michaels. There's Washington Park, Military Park, and Lincoln Park. Those parks have been there for decades.
Economic or Environmental Interests
The Central Ward is the downtown area of Newark. It is like the hub of the eateries and stores on Broad Street and Market Street - there's a supermarket, bodegas, law enforcement, entertainment (NJ Pac, Prudential Center), and mom and pop shops. The closest mall is the Jersey Gardens outlet mall in Elizabeth, which is about 10-15 minutes away. We also have Newark Penn Station, a major transit hub, and also a place where people without addresses reside.
Community Needs and Concerns
The Central Ward struggles with a drug epidemic (pills) and crime. The other major concern are residents without address in the area. The area could use more affordable housing and quality jobs. There is also a lot of food insecurity - we need more places where people can get healthy and affordable food options. There is a Whole Foods, but that food is not very affordable and often are frequented by new residents who do not look like me.
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Paterson Community

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 21, 2022
Population: 143568
Cultural or Historical Interests
Paterson is one of America's oldest industrial cities and it is now a multi-cultural diverse community, over 50 ethnicities are represented in the area. It's a mix of new immigrants, as well as families that have been here for decades if not longer.
Community Activities and Services
Many people attend the many churches of many different denominations in the area (e.g., Saint Luke Baptist Church, First AME Zion Church, Saint John the Baptist Cathedral). The are also hosts several mosques as well. Saint Joseph's medical center is the only hospital. People enjoy East Side Park, West Side Park, Garret Mountain. There are a number of high schools in the area: East Side High School, JFK High School, Rosa Parks High School of the Performing Arts, and Passaic Co. Technical Institute. People hold events and rallys at Passaic County College
Economic or Environmental Interests
The community s unfortunately plagued by poverty. There are not a lot of jobs in the city. There's a large working class community, but also people who are employed outside of the city but live and reside in Paterson. The largest employer is Saint Josephs Hospital and the Paterson Board of Education. The Great Falls area is the most visited tourist area in the state. It's a big attraction for the state. There is a small commercial district downtown Paterson, smaller than it used to be. Center City mall is a place where people shop. People also go to Willowbrook Mall, and Garden State Mall.
Community Needs and Concerns
The community is unfortunately plagued by poverty. Homelessness is an issue for the community. As are addiction services. Also, education.
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Atlantic City Area

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 20, 2022
Population: 101166
Cultural or Historical Interests
The Atlantic City community is a very diverse community; majority-minority - one of our schools has 37 nationalities represented. The area is a mix of long-time residents and those who have moved here recently.
Community Activities and Services
There are 48 churches in Atlantic City, a Synagogue, and 4 Mosques, and a Hindu Temple in Galloway; People really enjoy going to the beach and the boardwalk; Forsyth national reserve, people enjoy congregating at the pier, Bader field and Garden's Basin is a major place where there are lots of events, there are also several neighborhood parks in the area. The area is home for Atlantic Community College in Atlantic City, May's Landing, and Cape May; and Stockton U which has campuses in Atlantic City and Galloway. The major hospitals in the area are Atlantic Care in Atlantic City and Corona; and Shore Memorial in Somer's Point;
Economic or Environmental Interests
The majority of the community rents their homes. In Atlantic City proper only about 1/3 of the housing stock are residential houses. The walk in Atlantic City is the biggest commercial corridor where people go out; people also go out to Hamilton mall and Hamenton Commons; Many people work in casinos (8,000 people) the hospital system and the school system - those are the largest employers.
Community Needs and Concerns
The number one issue in the area is housing; a need for affordable and decent housing. There's very poor housing stock in the area, and not enough. The area could use more homeownership. The area needs a greater diversity of industry, many people are concentrated in just a few employers, and greater economic opportunity. The area could also use new commercial development to ease the tax burden on residents.
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Oranges-Maplewood Community

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 19, 2022
Population: 374850
Cultural or Historical Interests
The Oranges-Maplewood area is a very diverse area with a large African American, Caribbean (Haitian), and people from the African diaspora in the area. It is a very socio-economically diverse group as well. It is one of the most densely packed counties in the state with a wide range of homeowners and renters. There's also a significant population of people over 55.
Community Activities and Services
The area has one of the largest county park systems in the state, and the oldest in the nation - this includes: Branch Brook, Brookdale, South Mountain Reservation, Monte-Irving Orange Park, Weequahic, Verona Park, Eagle Rock reservation. Highways such as Route 280 runs through the area, Garden State Parkway - many of which have divided communities in the past - and a network of county roads that run throughout the municipalities. Boomfield Ave, Central Ave, Eagle Rock Ave. Hospitals includes East Orange Hospital, Mountainside Hospital, Glen Ridge Hospital, Newark Beth Israel Hospital, and Saint Barnabas Hospital in Livingston, Clara Mass Hospital, and University Hospital.
Economic or Environmental Interests
People work in a very wide variety of different jobs - ranging from blue collar to white collar jobs. There's significant representation across the scale - doctors, lawyers, healthcare. workers, civil service and governmental workers. South Orange Village, Maplewood town village. Downtown Montclair, are centers of shopping and dining and entertainment. People shop at the both the Livingston and Short Hills Malls. Also Central Ave and Main Street (MLK Blvd.) in East Orange used to be a major commercial centers but have been decimated in recent years. Irvington has a very robust Springfield Avenue shopping area, which runs straight up from Irvington into Maplewood. Bloomfield Ave.
Community Needs and Concerns
Affordable housing, especially senior citizen housing, is a major concern for the community. We need more affordable assisted living programs so that people can stay in their homes. There's a need for more robust public transportation in the area. There is a need for jobs and training for people to obtain better jobs. Public safety is another concern, both police, and fire, and EMS. There's also a need for more universal preschool in the area, more school construction to bring schools into the modern era and bridge the digital divide and learning gap, and expanded recreational programs (particularly after-school programs to keep children safe).
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Greater Trenton

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 19, 2022
Population: 162866
Cultural or Historical Interests
My community is mostly African American with a significant Latinx and white population as well. Many community members commute to Philadelphia, but many others work in the surrounding area. There's a mix between people who rent and people who own. Many people in the area have been based here for generations, but others have just moved to the area in recent years. The area is a great, diverse mix of people.
Community Activities and Services
There's a strong Christian background many residents have, and lots of established churches in Trenton such as Shiloh Baptist Church. People like to eat and shop in the surrounding area - Rats Restaurant in Hamilton; Palmer Square in Princeton; Quaker Bridge mall in Lawrenceville; people attend public schools like Ewing High; Steinert High School. People go to Capital Health; St. Francis Hospital for healthcare. Many people go out in Cadwalader Park, Mill Hill Park, Moody Park, Trenton Thunder Stadium, the Delaware River and parks along the river are also places people like to go.
Economic or Environmental Interests
There are many people who work in blue collar jobs for the state of New Jersey. There is a good mix of service industry jobs in the surrounding area, as well as a lot of white collar jobs in pharmaceutical, legal, and finance fields.
Community Needs and Concerns
There are issues with transportation and healthcare access. Mercer Hospital in downtown Trenton closed. There's a lack of sufficient walkable services in Trenton generally; housing, job opportunities. The area also lacks healthy and affordable food options. People may need to leave the immediate area for healthcare and other services. There's significant older, vacant housing stock in the area and not much investment to fix it up.
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Greater Highland Park / Edison

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 18, 2022
Population: 167367
Cultural or Historical Interests
The Highland Park community is a combination of working class people (e.g., warehouse workers) and academics who support Rutgers University. There are also white collar workers who work at Johnson and Johnson and other medical or pharmaceutical. The community is extremely diverse with a large and growing South Asian community.
Community Activities and Services
Johnson Park and Donaldson Park are major places where people congregate. Highland Park has a very robust downtown area where people shop and go out to eat. Metuchen also has a large downtown area where many people like to go out. There is a huge retail center serving the east Asian community route 27 corridor from highland park and extending North up to 287; Wood Avenue shopping district is a major area serving the South Asian community.
Economic or Environmental Interests
There are warehouses and manufacturing centers which employ a number of blue collar workers clustered around the major highways (27/287) which run through in the area. There are many medical offices in Edison which employ many in the area. Route 1 corridor is an active highly commercial area where many people shop and work. Two major malls in the area are Woodbridge and Menlo Park.
Community Needs and Concerns
Education is a major focus of our community. Many people are deeply invested in our public schools and in ensuring that students in our area are getting a good education and that our education reflects our community's diverse cultures.
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Greater New Brunswick Area

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 18, 2022
Population: 124910
Cultural or Historical Interests
My community is very diverse with many different groups of color. We have a strong Black American community, African community, and Asian Americans of many different backgrounds - we are truly an extremely diverse community. That is also true for our communities of faith, we have many different faith communities which make up our broader community. We also have a very diverse economic community - everything from warehouses to professional services. We really pride ourselves on this diversity.
Community Activities and Services
On Demott Lane is called Interfaith Way due to the wide variety of different faiths that are represented. Many people attend services on Interfaith Way. Hamilton street is the defacto center of town - it's where the neighborhood shops: barber shops, a mosque, food, commercial centers, childcare centers. Downtown New Brunswick is a walkable community with many diverse places to shop and eat. We have two major hospitals in our community: St. Peters & Robert Wood Johnson. We have an extremely robust arts and cultural commission, as well as performing arts spaces, which unites our diverse community in art.
Economic or Environmental Interests
The New Brunswick campuses of Rutgers University are also major institutions in our district, with many students who are a part of our community. There are numerous affordable housing developments which are being constructed, supporting our communities great economic diversity. Robert Wood Johnson is centered in our community. Johnson and Johnson is a major employer.
Community Needs and Concerns
Because of depressed economic conditions in certain communities, there is a heightened level of criminal activity. We need economic programs to support those communities and additional low income housing and a strategy to address homelessness. It's also vital to expand public transportation beyond the core of downtown New Brunswick, so that everyone can access jobs and vital services.
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South Orange Community Map

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 15, 2022
Population: 23227
Cultural or Historical Interests
This is a community of interest map drawn on 10/12/2021 with members of Alpha Phi Alpha of the South Orange area.
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Morristown Community Map

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 15, 2022
Population: 17236
Cultural or Historical Interests
This is a community of interest map drawn on 10/12/2021 with Alpha Phi Alpha members of the Morristown area.
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New Brunswick Community Map

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 15, 2022
Population: 76725
Community Needs and Concerns
This is a community map drawn on 10/19/2021 with the New Brunswick NAACP.
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Greater Bound Brook Community

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 14, 2022
Population: 21540
Cultural or Historical Interests
My community is a diverse suburban community; there are many Hispanic, Indian, Black and white residents in my community. Many of the residents have been in the area for a long time, and most people own their homes.
Community Activities and Services
I buy my groceries at the Shop Rite in Bound Brook, it is up the street from a larger shopping center which has a Home Depot, Walmart, Target - as well as small stores such as a liquor store, and pizzaria. East Union Ave has a lot of restaurants and other smaller stores - doctors office, dentist; many people go to Somerset Center and it serves as a downtown for many residents of Bound Brook. There are many services that I and other members of the community take advantage of; Bound Brook High School is right around the corner. The closest hospital is St. Peters in New Brunswick down Easton Ave. There is no hospital in Bound Brook. I also attend Crunch Fitness Somerset.
Economic or Environmental Interests
Was originally classified as a flood zone, but it has been reclassified since then. Still, the community faced some pretty serious flooding issues during Ida. The Raritan River is a major part of the community but river road in particular faced major flooding issues in the past year. Opened up a few new Amazon hubs in the area, and a number of warehouses that people work out. The businesses in the area appear to be hiring and there appear to be significant job openings. Transportation is an issue, there are not that many buses, although there is good train service from Bound Brook station.
Community Needs and Concerns
Being so close to the Raritan River there have been flooding issues. There could be improved transportation.
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Methodist Community of Indian Mills and Tabernacle

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 14, 2022
Population: 13236
Cultural or Historical Interests
I am part of the Methodist Congregation of Tabernacle, Shamong (Indian Mills), my community is a somewhat traditional, white, and rural group; We have Anglo pastor and a Korean pastor.
Community Activities and Services
Tabernacle United Methodist Church, Indian Mills United Methodist Church, Tabernacle,
Economic or Environmental Interests
There's a core of farmers in my community, including some traditional farms that are large in the area; many other people work outside of the community in the trades, healthcare, education.
Community Needs and Concerns
We do not have a healthcare facility in our community, we travel 12 ish miles to go to the Hospital in Vorhees
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Wind of the Spirit membership community in Morristown Area

New Jersey Communities of Interest
Danger: REPORT Jan. 12, 2022
Population: 28256
Cultural or Historical Interests
My community is made of many immigrant people and their families from Colombia, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador (S. and Central America) in the Morristown Area. Our community is currently being impacted by gentrification, and there are many new commuters in our community who are commuting to New York City.
Community Activities and Services
I work at Wind of the Spirit which is located on Sussex Avenue in Morristown; I attend church at Saint Margarets Church in Morristown, right down the street. People in my community attend restaurants on South Street; and Starbucks off the Green. I also like to go out to Colombian Bakery or the Ecuadorian restaurants - we have a very diverse food scene in the area around Wind of the Spirit and off Speedwell Avenue. Most members in our community attend the public Morris School system, many people go to Morristown High School. Most people would go to Morristown Memorial Hospital or free Zufall Clinic by the High School, which is extremely useful for the community.
Economic or Environmental Interests
Many members of the community use New Jersey Transit to attend work; people also attend County College of Morris and they take the bus to get there. The majority of our community members work in food service in Morristown, some members also do landscaping in areas such as Madison, Dover, Parsimony, Wharton.
Community Needs and Concerns
Our community is very similar to other communities with immigrant communities such as Morristown/Dover/Rockaway Twp./Madison. In fact Wind of the Spirit has a strong membership in those areas, and it would be good if they were kept in the same district in the next round. Our communities are dissimilar to those more rural, whiter communities, such as Mendham, Denville, Bernardsville, Rockaway Boro to the South of Morristown and West of Dover. We are more similar to diverse commuter communities to the east.
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48 Communities

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