West New York was incorporated as a town by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on July 8, 1898, replacing Union Township, based on the results of a referendum held three days earlier.
West New York's Urban Enterprise Zone covers portions of Bergenline Avenue from 49th to 67th Streets. In addition to other benefits to encourage employment within the Zone, shoppers can take advantage of a reduced 3½% sales tax rate (versus the 7% rate charged statewide).
As of 2007, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates there were 46,963 people, 17,906 households, and 11,463 families residing in the town. The average household size was 2.6 people. The town was 79.1 percent Hispanic (of any race). Of the total population, 68.4 percent was white, 5.6 percent black, 1.2 percent Native American, 3.4 percent Asian, and 19.5 percent other races.
In comparison, the 2000 census recorded 60.09% White, 3.55% African American, 0.67% Native American, 2.93% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 25.16% from other races, and 7.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 78.74% of the population.
There were 17,906 households out of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.0% were married couples living together, 17.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.0% were non-families. 30 percent lived alone.
In 2000, 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.9% were married couples living together, 16.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.0% were non-families. 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
The median age was 35.5 years.
The median income for a household was 41,459, and the median income for a family was $39,904, compared to $31,980, $34,083 in 2000, respectively. About 17.1 percent of the population in 2007 was below the poverty line, including 22.5% of those under age 18 and 30.6% of those age 65 or over.
West New York is ranked as #52 on a list of cities with the highest percentage of renters. 80.1% of West New York residents live in renter-occupied housing units, vs. 33.8% nationwide.
New Jersey Transit bus service is available to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan on the 128, 154, 156, 158, 159, 165, 166 and 168 routes. The 181 and 188 routes offer service to the George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal. Travel to other New Jersey communities, including Jersey City, is offered on the 22, 23, 84, 86, 88 and 89. With the addition of service on the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, many commuters can travel within Hudson County via Bus with connections to PATH train services to New York City.
NY Waterway provides ferry service between West New York/Port Imperial/Weehawken and New York City. The ferry terminal is located at Port Imperial Boulevard and Pershing Road, along the bank of the Hudson River. Ferry service runs regularly throughout the day.
The closest airport in New Jersey with scheduled passenger service is Newark Liberty International Airport, located 13.6 miles away in Newark / Elizabeth. New York City's LaGuardia Airport is 13.5 miles away in Flushing Queens via the Lincoln Tunnel.