Harrison is a town in the western part of Hudson County in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It is part of the New York metropolitan area. It is a suburb of the neighboring city of Newark, and is located from New York City. Once considered "the beehive of industry", the town is undergoing a residential and economic renewal, particularly along the Passaic River.Brenzel, Kathryn. "Ready to move: How Harrison is transforming from an industrial powerhouse" , NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, May 11, 2015. Accessed August 31, 2015.

As of the 2020 United States census, the town's population was 19,450, an increase of 5,830 (+42.8%) from the 2010 census count of 13,620, which in turn reflected a decrease of 804 (−5.6%) from the 14,424 counted in the 2000 census.Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023. The Population Estimates Program calculated a population of 22,182 for 2024.

History Colonial era to 19th century The area that is now Harrison was the southernmost part of the land grant awarded to William Sandford in 1668. When that grant was divided in 1671 between Sandford and his uncle, Nathaniel Kingsland of Barbados, Sandford's share included Harrison. While Sandford and his family established a plantation on the northern portion of his tract, there is no evidence they developed any significant part of Harrison. Upon his death in 1691, Sandford's land passed to his wife, Sarah Sandford (née Whartman). Upon her death , she passed most of the land, including Harrison, to her son William (). In 1729, William transferred the southern parts of his upland to three of his sons, John, Robert and Peter, each receiving a lot that included a portion of Harrison's upland. John and Robert sold their lots to members of the Schuyler family in 1733 and 1736, respectively, and migrated westward, John to Newark and Robert to Pine Brook. The disposition of Peter's lot is not known, but no further record of him is found in or near Harrison.

A road to the Hudson Waterfront was completed in 1750, named for Douwe's Ferry which it met at its eastern end to cross the Hackensack River.chronology , Liberty Historic Railway. Accessed September 11, 2013. In 1790 the state legislature decided that "public good would be served by a 64-foot road from Paulus Hook to Newark Courthouse". By 1795, a bridge over the Hackensack long and another over the Passaic long (at the site of the Bridge Street Bridge) were built creating an uninterrupted toll road connection.Olsen, Kevin K. A Great Conveniency: A Maritime History of the Passaic River, Hackensack River and Newark Bay , American History Imprints, 2008. . It is now known as the Newark-Jersey City Turnpike.

In 1826, the New Jersey Legislature formed Lodi Township from the southern portion of New Barbadoes Neck in Bergen County.Bergen County New Jersey Municipalities , Dutch Door Genealogy. Accessed December 15, 2011. "Lodi Township was formed March 1, 1826 from area taken from New Barbadoes Township. In 1840 a part of its area was transferred to Harrison Township in Hudson County." Since Lodi Township was part of Bergen County, matters dealing with the county government and courts had to be taken to Hackensack.

In 1840, the inhabitants of Lodi Township joined with present-day Secaucus, Bayonne, Jersey City, Hoboken, Weehawken, and Union City and petitioned for the creation of a new county due to the great distance which the petitioners had to travel to reach the county seat in Hackensack. This appeal resulted in the creation of Hudson County and the first mention of Harrison occurs in the law which was passed on April 13, 1840. Harrison Township was thereby established.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606–1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography, Trenton, New Jersey, 1969. p. 146. Accessed May 28, 2024.History, Town of Harrison. Accessed February 28, 2023.

The first committee meeting of the Township of Harrison was held on April 16, 1840, and it is widely accepted that Harrison was named for President William Henry Harrison, who was elected that year.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names , New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed August 26, 2015.

19th century to present Union Township (now Lyndhurst) was created as of February 19, 1852, from portions of the township and became part of Bergen County.

General N. N. Halstead succeeded in getting the necessary laws passed in Trenton and on April 8, 1867, Kearny became a separate Township from land that was a part of Harrison, which included East Newark at the time; East Newark later seceded from Kearny, establishing their own Borough. On March 25, 1869, Harrison town was incorporated, replacing the township.

While campaigning for re-election in 1912, President William Howard Taft told residents gathered for a rally that "you have reason to be proud of this Hive of Industry", from which was coined the town's motto, "The Beehive of Industry", which is still used today.Jones, Richard G. "As Newark Neighbor Moves Toward Rebirth, Some Pains Are Felt" , The New York Times, February 21, 2007. Accessed December 15, 2011. "It was a sobering descent from the days when Harrison, which juts into the Passaic River just across from Newark, was the city where the likes of R.C.A., Otis Elevator and Thomas A. Edison helped forge the town's motto: 'Beehive of Industry.'"

The town's proximity to rail lines and a large waterfront made Harrison favorably situated for trade. Some of the industries which called Harrison home included the Edison Lamp Works, Worthington Pump and Machinery, the RCA Company, Crucible Steel Company, Otis Elevator, Hartz Mountain, Remco Industries and Hyatt Roller Bearing.

As the U.S. moved into the 20th century, these facilities played a major role in the development of new products for both the private and public sector, peaking during World War II. The small town of about only 14,000 residents had more than 90,000 workers commuting into it on a daily basis. In the 21st century the town is undergoing a transformation from a manufacturing center to a residential and service sector town.Akin, Stephanie. "Harrison, a town in transition, is backdrop for latest Port Authority intrigue" , The Record, February 2, 2014. Accessed April 20, 2015.

Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town had a total area of 1.33 square miles (3.44 km2), including 1.21 square miles (3.14 km2) of land and 0.12 square miles (0.30 km2) of water (8.72%). Unincorporated communities located partially or completely within Harrison include Manhattan Transfer.Locality Search , State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.

The town borders the municipalities of East Newark and Kearny in Hudson County; and Newark across the Passaic River in Essex County.Areas touching Harrison , MapIt. Accessed March 29, 2020.Hudson County Map , Coalition for a Healthy NJ. Accessed March 29, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries , New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Climate

Demographics

Racial and ethnic composition +Harrison town, New Jersey – Racial and ethnic compositionRace / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)Pop 2000Pop 2010Pop 2020% 2000% 2010% 2020White alone (NH)6,7564,8184,69046.84%35.37%24.11%Black or African American alone (NH)871737220.60%1.27%3.71%Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)186180.12%0.04%0.09%Asian alone (NH)1,7002,1984,94611.79%16.14%25.43%Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)4200.03%0.01%0.00%Other race alone (NH)2022345291.40%1.72%2.72%Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)3241727862.25%1.26%4.04%Hispanic or Latino (any race)5,3336,0177,75936.97%44.18%39.89%Total14,42413,62019,450 100.00%100.00%100.00%

2020 census As of the 2020 census, Harrison had a population of 19,450. The population density was 16,061.1 persons per square mile.

The median age was 32.1 years. Of residents, 17.2% were under the age of 18 and 9.2% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females, there were 107.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 107.8 males age 18 and over.

100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 8,111 households in Harrison, of which 26.0% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 36.7% were married-couple households, 27.1% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 27.1% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 8,594 housing units, of which 5.6% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 4.8%.

Income and poverty The median household income for Harrison was $68,494.00.

2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 13,620 people, 4,869 households, and 3,262 families in the town. The population density was 11,319.3 per square mile (4,370.4/km2). There were 5,228 housing units at an average density of 4,344.9 per square mile (1,677.6/km2). The racial makeup was 58.30% (7,941) White, 2.18% (297) Black or African American, 0.56% (76) Native American, 16.28% (2,217) Asian, 0.01% (2) Pacific Islander, 18.48% (2,517) from other races, and 4.19% (570) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 44.18% (6,017) of the population.

Of the 4,869 households, 31.8% had children under the age of 18; 44.2% were married couples living together; 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present and 33.0% were non-families. Of all households, 22.1% were made up of individuals and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.23.

20.8% of the population were under the age of 18, 10.9% from 18 to 24, 35.0% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 9.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34.0 years. For every 100 females, the population had 105.7 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 105.7 males.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 14,424 people, 5,136 households, and 3,636 families residing in the town. The population density was . There were 5,254 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 66.10% White, 0.98% African American, 0.40% Native American, 11.89% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 15.96% from other races, and 4.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 36.97% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Harrison town, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 12, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 – Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Harrison town, Hudson County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 12, 2012.

As of the 2000 census, 7.22% of Harrison's residents identified themselves as being of Chinese ancestry. This was the fifth-highest percentage of people with Chinese ancestry in any place in New Jersey with 1,000 or more residents identifying their ancestry.Chinese Communities , EPodunk. Accessed August 23, 2006.

There were 5,136 households, out of which 33.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were married couples living together, 13.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.2% were non-families. 22.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.27.