Earth Day Network
 Urban Environment Report: How Does Your City Perform?
 
CITY ENVIRONMENT DATA
Newark, New Jersey
State New Jersey
City Newark
County1 Essex
City Population (2005)2 254,217 3.0% of state population
City Population Rank in United States, largest 50 Cities (2005) (Not Available)
City Population Rank in Urban Environment Report (2005) 54 (of 72 in EDN study)
City Population Rank in State (2005) 1
City Size Classification - Population Mid
City Size Classification - Population Density High Density
State Capitol City Trenton
State Population (2005)2 8,521,427
 
 
CIVIC LEADERSHIP INFORMATION
Mayor Name (as of 1/1/2007) Cory Booker
Mayor/City Website (as of 1/1/2007) http://www.ci.newark.nj.us/
Mayor/City Contact (as of 1/1/2007) 973-733-6400
Mayor Political Affiliation (as of 1/1/2007) Democrat
Next General Mayoral Election Tuesday, May 11, 2010
US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement as of 10/18/06  Yes
State Governor Name Jon Corzine
State/Governor Website http://www.state.nj.us/
State/Governor Contact Information 609-292-6000
State/Governor Party Affiliation Democrat
State Governor Current Term Ends January 1, 2010
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Note: All rank information is out of 72 cities, though not all may have reported in every category.
1 is the 'best' (least polluting, most tree cover, etc) and 72 is the 'worst'.
 

(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
 
EDN VULNERABLE POPULATION INDEX (EDN VPI) 1.60    
Vulnerable Population Estimate 24.6%    
     Disability Status 15.4% 41  
     Emphysema 1.20% 43  
     Cardiovascular Disease 24.10% 38  
     Diabetes 5.09% 40  
     Pediatric Asthma 8.50% 28  
     Adult Asthma 8.96% 53  
     Adult Obesity 19.0%   13
     People Without Health Insurance 14.8%   30
     Age: Children under 5 years 7.5% 40  
     Age: 65 years and over 9.9% 22  
     Not Literate (Adult Level 1 Literacy) 52.0% 71  
     Adults without High School Degree (or higher) 33.8% 4  
     High School Drop-Out Rate 33.8% 46  
     Unemployed (Civilian Labor Force) 11.3% 60  
     Individuals Below Poverty 28.1% 68  
     Children (under 18 years old) Below Poverty 36.6% 67  
     Free or Reduced Lunch 82.5% 63  
     Other Languages Spoken at Home (primary language is not English) 46.4% 67  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
1 • TOXICS & WASTE     (metadata) (score) 2.3    
Overall Toxics Rank Average 28.1 (of 51) 29  
Cumulative Cancer-Causing Chemical Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 38,567,697 pounds   24
Cumulative Developmental Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 51,077,853 pounds 28
Cumulative Reproductive Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 4,198,885 pounds 29
Cumulative Suspected Neurological Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 259,887,339 pounds 23
Cumulative Suspected Respiratory Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 265,857,572 pounds 23
Dioxin Releases by State (grams in 2000) 8.6 grams 12
Number of Superfund Sites in County 6 sites 58  
Municipal Solid Waste Generation, tons per person (1997) 0.907 tons per person 15
Recycling Rate (1997) 45.0% 2
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Generated by State (2004) 10,215,776 tons 40
Municipal Solid Waste Generated Per Capita by State, tons/person (2004) 1.2 tons/person 15
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 3,663,501 tons 10
% Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 35.9% 10
% Municipal Solid Waste to Waste-to-Energy (2004) 15.1% 11
% Change in Municipal Solid Waste Generated (1997 to 2004) 32.3% 26
% Change in State Recycling Rate (1997 to 2004) -20.2% 32
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
2 • AIR QUALITY     (metadata) (score)    2.5***    
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Released, Tons in 2002 48,300 tons   14
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) Released, Tons in 2002 27,800 tons   12
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Released, Tons in 2002 12,440,700 tons   11
Mercury Released, Pounds in 2002 450.0 pounds   12
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2001-2003) 3.2 days 22  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2001 - 2003) 1.5 PM2.5 29  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2001 - 2003) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2002 - 2004) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2002 - 2004) 1.5 PM2.5 36  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2002 - 2004) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
EPA Ambient Carbon Monoxide (CO) (8-hr ppm) 3 ppm 16  
EPA Ambient Lead (PB) Q Max (ug/m3) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
EPA Mean Ambient Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2 ppm) 0.032 ppm 54  
EPA Larger Particle (PM10) 24-hr (ug/m3) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
EPA Mean Ambient Sulfur Dioxide (SO2 ppm) 0.008 ppm 47  
EPA Days over 100 AQI (Warning Level) 12 days 29  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
3 • DRINKING & SURFACE WATER     (metadata) (score) 2.4    
DRINKING WATER QUALITY
Tap Water Quality & Compliance Grade Fair ---  
Right to Know Report, What's in your Tap Water Grade Failing ---  
Drinking Water Source Protection Grade Fair ---  
WATERSHED & RESOURCES
Watershed Name Hackensack-Passaic ---  
# of Units in Watershed 725 units 1  
# of Assessed Watershed Units 725 units 1  
# of Threatened & Impaired Watershed Units 624 units 64  
% of Watershed Units Assessed as Impaired or Threatened 86.1% 46  
% of Watershed Units Not Assessed 0.0% 1  
U.S. Census Annual Rainfall, inches (1961-1990) 43.97 inches 18  
Water Area Total, square miles 796 square miles 50  
Water Area Inland, square miles 371 square miles 57  
Water Area Coastal, square miles 425 square miles 14  
Water Area Great Lakes, square miles 0 square miles 10  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Station Atlantic City ---  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Length of record in years 55 years 36  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Annual 113 days 30  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Station Atlantic City ---  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Length of record in years 51 years 42  
Snow & Ice Pellets, Annual inches (thru 1998) 15.7 inches 33  
WATER WITHDRAWN
Water Withdrawn - Total, gallons/day 6,110,000,000 gallons/day 47  
Fresh Water Withdrawn - Per capita, gallons/day 269,000,000 gallons/day 68  
Ground water, gallons/day 580,000,000 gallons/day 47  
Surface water, gallons/day 5,530,000,000 gallons/day 42  
Irrigation, gallons/day 125,000,000 gallons/day 48  
Public Supply, gallons/day 1,120,000,000 gallons/day 26  
Industrial, gallons/day 486,000,000 gallons/day 33  
Thermo-Electric, gallons/day 4,360,000,000 gallons/day 36  
Fresh Water Consumption, gallons/day 210,000,000 gallons/day 61  
WATER POLLUTION
Water Supplier Newark Water Department ---  
Number of People Served by Water Supplier 273,000 people 58  
Year(s) Included in Summary 1998-2001 ---  
Total Contaminants Detected 13 contaminants 21  
Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 2 contaminants 15  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected 4 contaminants 37  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected 4 contaminants 34  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Industrial Pollutants Detected 8 contaminants 34  
Industrial Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected 4 contaminants 12  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected, Over Health Based Limits 3 contaminants 29  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected 8 contaminants 42  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
WATER HEALTH & TESTING SUMMARY
Contaminants in Tap Water 13 contaminants 21  
Contaminants in Tap Water, Over Health Based Limits 2 contaminants 15  
Contaminants Reported as Tested by this Water Supplier 80 contaminants 46  
Contaminants with Federal Legal Limit in Tap Water 73 contaminants ---  
Regulated Contaminants Tested 63 contaminants 49  
Unregulated Contaminants Tested 17 contaminants 29  
WATER VIOLATION SUMMARY
Total Violations 6 violations 66  
Health Violations 3 violations 70  
Monitoring Violations 3 violations 62  
Reporting Violations 0 violations 1  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
4 • QUALITY OF LIFE (SITES4)     (metadata) (score) 3.5    
DENSITY & SPRAWL
Population Density, people per square mile of land area 11,495.0 people per square mile 5  
Housing Density, units per square mile of land area 4,208.1 housing units per square mile 7  
TRANSPORTATION
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2000) 31.7 minutes 69  
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2004) 32.3 minutes 69  
Means of Transportation - % Carpool (2000) 17.6% 4  
Means of Transportation - % Public (2000) 26.5% 5  
Means of Transportation - % Walk or Bike (2000) 8.1% 11  
Means of Transportation - % Work @ Home (2000) 1.2% 71  
Cost of Living: Transportation, % of National Average 118.8 67  
Motor Vehicle Registrations per 100 Residents (2003) 78.8 MV registrations   15
% Change in Motor Vehicle Registrations (1980 to 2003) 41.0%   24
Motor Vehicle Registrations - Autos Only per 100 Residents (2003) 52.2 MV registrations   42
Motor Vehicle Registrations per Licensed Driver (2003) 1.17 MV registrations   24
Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 38,952 miles   15
Total State Highway Mileage, Estimated % of Land Area (2003) 1.193%   49
Urban Highway Mileage, % of Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 81.0%   2
Total Highway Mileage per Licensed Driver (2003) 0.01 miles   3
Total Highway Mileage per Motor Vehicle Registration (2003) 5.80 miles   3
State $ Disbursements for Highways (2003) $6,364,000,000   47
State $ Disbursements for Highways, per highway mile (2003) $163,381 per mile   50
% Change in State Disbursements for Highways (1995 to 2003) 202.8%   51
Annual Person Hours of Delay, per person (2003) 23.0 hours per person 30  
Annual Congestion Cost, $ per person (2003) $383 per person 30  
Annual Congestion Delay and Fuel Cost (2003) $6,780,000,000 51  
Fuel Wasted, gallons per person (2003) 11 gallons per person 18  
INCOME & EMPLOYMENT
Median Household Income (2004) $26,309 71  
Median Household Income (2000) $26,913 68  
Per capita income (2004) $13,914 72  
Per capita Personal Income (2000) $13,009 72  
% of Families Below Poverty Level (2004) 26.7% 71  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (1999) 28.4% 70  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (2004) 28.1% 68  
% of Households with Public Assistance Income (2000) 12.6% 72  
% of Children Under 18 Years Old Below Poverty Level (1999) 36.6% 67  
People In the Labor Force, Unemployed (2005) 13,260 people 20  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 7.2% 60  
% of the Civilian Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 11.3% 60  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2000) 8.5% 71  
% of the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000) 16.1% 72  
% Change in the Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) -17.7% 7  
% Change in the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) -42.5% 3  
State Minimum Wage Laws (2006) Higher Than Federal ---  
State Minimum Wage Rates (2006) $7.15 per hour 4  
EDUCATION
# of School Age Kids K-12 (ages 5 to 17) 63,837 kids (0.7% of total pop.) 48  
Largest School District Enrollment 42,150 kids (0.5% of total pop.) 47  
% on Free or Reduced Lunch 82.5% 63  
Cumulative Promotion Index (CPI) Graduation Rate 61.2% 24  
Level of Education: % with High School Degree or Higher (2004) 66.2% 69  
Level of Education: % with Bachelor's Degree or Higher (2004) 10.2% 72  
Adult Level 1 Literacy Rate 52% 71  
State School Bus Efficiency (2002) Middle of the Road   ---
State School Bus Soot Pollution Grade B   ---
State School Bus Cleanup Program Rank (2006) Poor   ---
State School Bus Smog Pollution Rank (2006) Above Average   ---
HOUSING & COST OF LIVING
Occupied Housing Units (2004) 90,598 units 55  
% of Owner Occupied Housing 78.5% 1  
Cost of Living: Housing 132.5 54  
Cost of Living: Utilities 121.7 53  
Cost of Living: Miscellaneous 112.8 68  
Cost of Living: Overall 121.5 54  
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Voter Turnout in the Election of November 2004 64.54%   23
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2002 Election 38.00%   39
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2004 Election 57.50%   45
State Volunteering Rate: 2002-2005 Combined 26.4%   37
SAFETY/SECURITY
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 5,740.8 incidents per 100,000 people 25  
Violent Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 1,024.5 incidents per 100,000 people 46  
Property Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 4,716.3 incidents per 100,000 people 23  
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2003) 5,956.5 incidents per 100,000 people 27  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
5 • PARKS & RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES     (metadata) (score)    5.0***    
Average # of Parks, per square mile (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Average Area Dedicated to Parks, per city square mile (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Park Area per 1000 Residents, acres (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Parkland as % of City Area (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Adjusted Park Spending, per resident (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Total City Tree Canopy % 6.9% 39  
Total City Urbanized Area % 83.6% 62  
Park Programs to Assist Low-Income Park Users (Not Available) ---  
Disability Advisory Committees (Not Available) ---  
Collection of Data on Crime in Parks (Not Available) ---  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
6 • HUMAN & PUBLIC HEALTH     (metadata) (score) 2.4    
Pediatric Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 8.50% 28
Adult Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 8.96% 53
Chronic Bronchitis, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 3.07% 31
Emphysema, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 1.20% 43
Cardiovascular Disease, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 24.10% 38
Diabetes, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 5.09% 40  
% of Adults with Obesity (2001) 19.0% 13
Change in % of Adults with Obesity (1991-2001) 9.3% 34
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1992 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1992) <10% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1997 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1997) 15%-19% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (2003) 15%-19% ---
% of Adults Lacking Healthcare Insurance, ages 18 - 65 (2001) 8.0% 4
Infant Mortality Rate (2002) 5.7% 10
Number of Cancer Deaths per 100,000 people (2002) 196.9 25
Cost of Living: Health 119.3 55  
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2003-04 Average) 14.2% 28
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2004-05 Average) 14.8% 30
Rate of Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 4.2% 39
Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 0.6% 40
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farms 12 farms 25
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farmers' Markets 85 markets 2
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Restaurants 19 restaurants 2
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Groceries 6 grocery stores 5
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Other 17 other sources 2
Cost of Living: Food 111.7 56
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Men (1999-2003) 68.9% 29
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Women (1999-2003) 37.1% 20
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
7 • GLOBAL WARMING CLIMATE CHANGE     (metadata) (score) 2.6    
Mini-Kyoto Participant, US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement (as of 10/18/06) Yes ---
Number of State and Local Net Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Programs 1 program   13
Net Metering No Net Metering   ---
Net Metering Residential Size Limit 2,000 kW   1
Net Metering Commercial Size Limit 2,000 kW   1
Completed Climate Action Plans Completed State Climate Action Plan   ---
Regional Initiatives Yes   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Inventories Yes   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Reporting & Registries Yes   ---
States with Public Benefit Funds Funds support Energy Effeciency & Renewable Energy   ---
States with Renewable Portfolio Standards 20%   4
Date set for Renewable Portfolio Standards 2020   16
States with Green Pricing Programs None   ---
States with Renewable Energy Credit Tracking Systems Yes   ---
States with Mandates and Incentives Promoting Ethanol None   ---
States with Residential Energy Codes State Codes without ECPA Compliance   ---
States with Commercial Energy Codes 1999 ASHRAE or Later (ECPA Compliant)   ---
Green Building Standards for State Buildings LEED Recommended   ---
ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection Participant (US CCP) Yes ---
% of State Generation that is from Renewable sources (2003) 2.5%   38
Average percentage of possible sunshine thru 1998: Length of record (years) 37 years 54
Average percentage of Possible Sunshine: Annual 56% 34
Annual Average wind speed, m.p.h. 9.9 mph 21
January Average wind speed, m.p.h. 10.9 mph 15
July Average wind speed, m.p.h. 8.3 mph 25
Heating Degree Days 5,169 days 35
Cooling Degree Days 826 days 25
Average Relative Humidity (%), Length of record (years) 34 years 45
Annual Morning Average Relative Humidity (%) 82% 40
Annual Afternoon Average Relative Humidity (%) 56% 20
Elevation, feet 30 feet 9
 
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
BACKGROUND INFORMATION      
SIZE & CLASSIFICATION
City Population (2005)2 254,217 54 (of 72 in EDN study) 3.0% of state population
City Population (2000) 273,546 51 (of 72 in EDN study)  
State Population (2005)2 8,521,427 10 (of 51 in EDN study)  
General Region Mid-Atlantic ---  
EPA Region 2 ---  
PHYSICAL QUALITIES
City Land Area, square miles 24.0 square miles 66 0.3% of state land area
State Land Area, square miles 7,419 square miles 46  
Watershed Name Hackensack-Passaic ---  
Elevation, feet 30 ft. (9.1 m) 35  
Average Daily Temperature - January 31.3°F (-0.4°C) 46
Average Daily Temperature - July 77.2°F (25.1°C) 39  
DEMOGRAPHIC SUMMARY
Median Age 29.6 years 29  
18 years and older, % of population (2004) 67.1% 70  
65 years and older, % of population (2004) 9.9% 51  
Under 5 years of age 18,943 kids (7.5% of total pop.) 52  
One Race-White % (2005) 21.9% 69  
One Race - Non-white % (2005) 78.1% 4  
Hispanic or Latino, of any race % (2005) 32.9% 14  
% of Population who Speak a non-English Language at Home (2004) 46.4% 6  
Largest School District Name Newark City ---  
 
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1 Use of the * within the County field indicates the city is in multiple counties. Typically the county for which the city serves as a county seat was selected.
2 Use of the * within the Population Rank Indicates year 2000 data was used since year 2004 data was not available.
3 Scores in parenthesis indicate partial scores, e.g. at least one scored indicator was not available or reported for this city.
4 SITES is an acronym developed by EDN as a summary for the 'Safety, Income, Transportation, Education and Sprawl' Topic.
 
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© 2006 Earth Day Network