Montclair, New Jersey

{{Short description|Township in Essex County, New Jersey, US}} {{Other uses|Montclair (disambiguation)}} {{Use American English|date=March 2020}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2020}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Montclair, New Jersey | settlement_type = Township | nickname = | motto =

|image_skyline = {{multiple image |border = infobox |total_width = 290 |image_style = border:1; |perrow = 1/2/2/2/2 |caption_align = center |image1 = Montclair overlook.JPG |caption1 = Panoramic view of Montclair from atop one of the Watchung Mountains, 2008 |image2 = The Anchorage, Montclair, New Jersey.jpg |caption2 = The Anchorage, 2014 |image3 = NJ Transit ABB ALP-44M 4430.jpg |caption3 = Montclair-Boonton Line bound for the Upper Montclair station, 2006 |image4 = Opening Night- Wild Rose - 47719254672.jpg |caption4 = Opening night for the film ''Wild Rose'' at Wellmont Theater, 2019 |image5 = MontclairHigh MainFront.JPG |caption5 = Montclair High School, 2008 |image6 = Montclair State University (13023183544).jpg |caption6 = Montclair State University, 2014 |image7 = Montclair Art Museum (Montclair, New Jersey).jpg |caption7 = Montclair Art Museum, 2008 |image8 = Mountainside Hospital in Montclair.JPG |caption8 = Mountainside Medical Center, 2008 |image9 = 30 Eagle Rock Way Montclair jeh.jpg |caption9 = Victorian home on 30 Eagle Rock Way, 2011 }} | image_flag = | image_seal =

| subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_type1 = State | subdivision_name = {{nowrap|{{flag|United States}}}} | subdivision_name1 = {{flag|New Jersey}} | subdivision_type2 = County | subdivision_name2 = Essex | government_footnotes = <ref name=DataBook/> | government_type = Faulkner Act (council–manager) | governing_body = Township Council | leader_title = Mayor | leader_name = Renee Baskerville (D) (term ends June 30, 2028)<ref name=MayorCouncil/><ref>[https://data.nj.gov/Government-Finance/NJ-Mayors-Directory/gkt3-i954/data_preview NJ Mayors Directory], New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Accessed January 1, 2026.</ref> | leader_title1 = Township manager | leader_name1 = Michael Lapolla (interim)<ref>[https://www.montclairnjusa.org/Government/Office-of-the-Township-Manager Office of Township Manager], Township of Montclair. Accessed January 22, 2025.</ref> | leader_title2 = Municipal clerk | leader_name2 = Angelese Bermúdez Nieves<ref>[https://www.montclairnjusa.org/Government/Office-of-the-Township-Clerk Office of the Township Clerk], Township of Montclair. Accessed January 22, 2025.</ref> | established_title = Incorporated | established_date = April 15, 1868 (as township) | established_title1 = Reincorporated | established_date1 = February 24, 1894 (as town)

| unit_pref = Imperial | area_footnotes = <ref name=CensusArea>[https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_cousubs_34.txt 2019 Census Gazetteer Files: New Jersey Places] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321021831/https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_cousubs_34.txt |date=March 21, 2021 }}, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 1, 2020.</ref> | area_magnitude = | area_total_km2 = 16.17 | area_land_km2 = 16.16 | area_water_km2 = 0.02 | area_total_sq_mi = 6.25 | area_land_sq_mi = 6.24 | area_water_sq_mi = 0.01 | area_water_percent = 0.11 | area_rank = 252nd of 565 in state 6th of 22 in county<ref name=CensusArea/> | demographics_type1 = Economics | demographics1_title1 = Median income | demographics1_info1 = $158,765 (± $11,562) ''(2018-2022)''<ref name=Census2020/><ref>[https://data.census.gov/profile/Montclair_township,_Essex_County,_New_Jersey?g=060XX00US3401347500 Census Data for Montclair township, Essex County, New Jersey], United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 10, 2024.</ref>

| population_as_of = 2020 | population_footnotes = <ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/> | population_total = 40921 | population_rank = 57th of 565 in state 6th of 22 in county<ref name=LWD2020Density>[https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/assets/PDFs/dmograph/est/mcd/density.xlsx Population Density by County and Municipality: New Jersey, 2020 and 2021] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307144148/https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/assets/PDFs/dmograph/est/mcd/density.xlsx |date=March 7, 2023 }}, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed March 1, 2023.</ref> | population_density_km2 = auto | population_density_sq_mi = 6560.0 | population_density_rank = 79th of 565 in state 10th of 22 in county<ref name=LWD2020Density/> | population_est = 41076 | pop_est_as_of = 2024 | pop_est_footnotes = <ref name=Census2020/><ref name=PopEst/> | population_demonym =

| timezone = Eastern (EST) | utc_offset = −05:00 | timezone_DST = Eastern (EDT) | utc_offset_DST = −04:00 | elevation_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite GNIS|id=1729720|name=Township of Montclair|access-date=March 8, 2013}}</ref> | elevation_m = | elevation_ft = 299 | coordinates = {{coord|40.824998|-74.210856|region:US-NJ_type:city|display=inline,title}} | coordinates_footnotes = <ref name=CensusArea/><ref name="GR1">[https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824085937/https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html |date=August 24, 2019 }}, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 4, 2014.</ref>

| postal_code_type = ZIP Codes | postal_code = 07042, 07043<ref>[http://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupResultsAction!input.action?resultMode=0&city=montclair&state=NJ Look Up a ZIP Code for Montclair, NJ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428010315/https://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupResultsAction!input.action?resultMode=0&city=montclair&state=NJ |date=April 28, 2021 }}, United States Postal Service. Accessed April 5, 2012.</ref><ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/infobank/njzips.htm ZIP codes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617122541/http://www.state.nj.us/infobank/njzips.htm |date=June 17, 2019 }}, State of New Jersey. Accessed October 3, 2013.</ref> | area_code = 973<ref>[http://www.area-codes.com/search.asp?frmNPA=&frmNXX=&frmState=NJ&frmCity=Montclair Area Code Lookup – NPA NXX for Montclair, NJ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428004619/http://www.area-codes.com/search.asp?frmNPA=&frmNXX=&frmState=NJ&frmCity=Montclair |date=April 28, 2021 }}, Area-Codes.com. Accessed October 3, 2013.</ref>{{force singular}} | blank_name = FIPS code | blank_info = 3401347500<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name="GR2">[https://www.census.gov U.S. Census website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961227012639/https://www.census.gov/ |date=December 27, 1996 }}, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 4, 2014.</ref><ref>[https://mcdc.missouri.edu/applications/geocodes/?state=34 Geographic Codes Lookup for New Jersey] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119221733/https://census.missouri.edu/geocodes/?state=34 |date=November 19, 2018 }}, Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed April 1, 2022.</ref> | blank1_name = GNIS feature ID | blank1_info = 1729720<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name="GR3">[http://geonames.usgs.gov US Board on Geographic Names] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212191832/http://geonames.usgs.gov/ |date=February 12, 2012 }}, United States Geological Survey. Accessed September 4, 2014.</ref> | website = [https://www.montclairnjusa.org/Home montclairnjusa.org] | footnotes = }} '''Montclair''' is a township in Essex County in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Situated on the cliffs of the Watchung Mountains, Montclair is a commercial and cultural hub of North Jersey and a diverse bedroom community of New York City within the New York metropolitan area.<ref name=NYT2012/> The township is home to Montclair State University, the state's second-largest university.

As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 40,921,<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/> an increase of 3,252 (+8.6%) from the 2010 census count of 37,669,<ref name=Census2010/><ref name=LWD2010/> which in turn reflected a decline of 1,308 (−3.4%) from the 38,977 counted in the 2000 census.<ref>[https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/assets/PDFs/census/2010/2010data/table7cm.xls Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602092646/https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/assets/PDFs/census/2010/2010data/table7cm.xls |date=June 2, 2022 }}, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023.</ref> As of 2010, it was the 60th-most-populous municipality in New Jersey.<ref>Staff. [https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/census/profile/nj#locality-tab "N.J.'s population shifting to coast, south"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410072557/http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/census/profile/nj#locality-tab |date=April 10, 2016 }}, ''USA Today''. Accessed April 5, 2012.</ref>

==History== {{expand section|history of the town between 1894 and 1980|date=April 2026}} Montclair was initially formed as a township on April 15, 1868, from portions of Bloomfield Township,<ref>[http://www.montclairnjusa.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=342&Itemid=507 History of Montclair] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927085733/http://www.montclairnjusa.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=342&Itemid=507 |date=September 27, 2007 }}, Montclair Township. Accessed August 5, 2007. "When Bloomfield authorities declined to authorize a bond issue to underwrite another railroad, Montclair residents were successful in securing from the State legislature a charter for a separate township. Thus in 1868, the Township of Montclair was created."</ref> so that a second railroad could be built to Montclair. After a referendum held on February 21, 1894, Montclair was reincorporated as a town three days later.<ref name=Story>Snyder, John P. [https://nj.gov/dep/njgs/enviroed/oldpubs/bulletin67.pdf ''The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606–1968''], Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 129. Accessed May 30, 2024.</ref> It derives its name from the French ''mont clair'', meaning "clear mountain" or "bright mountain."<ref>Hutchinson, Viola L. [http://mapmaker.rutgers.edu/356/nj_place_names_origin.pdf#page=21 ''The Origin of New Jersey Place Names''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151115082401/http://mapmaker.rutgers.edu/356/nj_place_names_origin.pdf#page=21 |date=November 15, 2015 }}, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 7, 2015.</ref><ref>Gannett, Henry. [https://books.google.com/books?id=9V1IAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA20 ''The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States''], p. 21. United States Government Printing Office, 1905. Accessed September 7, 2015.</ref>

In 1980, after multiple protests filed by Montclair officials regarding inequities built into the federal revenue-sharing system for local governments,<ref>Hanley, Robert. [https://www.nytimes.com/1977/08/29/archives/opponent-of-distribution-formula-for-federal-aid-steps-up-attack-as.html "Opponent of Distribution Formula For Federal Aid Steps Up Attack; As South Orange Moves to Become Township, Montclair Aide Calls for Equitable Sharing"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810072754/https://www.nytimes.com/1977/08/29/archives/opponent-of-distribution-formula-for-federal-aid-steps-up-attack-as.html |date=August 10, 2018 }}, ''The New York Times'', August 29, 1977. Accessed August 9, 2018. "Montclair, Aug. 26 A Town Commissioner here is intensifying his five-year-long campaign to correct what he considers are inequities in the distribution of Federal revenue-sharing money that allows diversion of the grants to New Jersey's townships at the expense of the state's needy cities."</ref> Montclair voters passed a referendum changing its form of government to being a township, becoming the third of more than a dozen Essex County municipalities to reclassify their governmental organization in order to take advantage of federal revenue sharing policies that allocated townships a greater share of government aid to municipalities on a per capita basis.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150925103452/http://www.njstatelib.org/slic_files/imported/NJ_Information/Digital_Collections/MFMG/MFMGCH6.PDF#page=3 "Chapter VI: Municipal Names and Municipal Classification"], p. 73. New Jersey State Commission on County and Municipal Government, 1992. Accessed September 24, 2015.</ref><ref>[http://www.gao.gov/assets/140/137109.pdf#page=54 "Removing Tiering From The Revenue Sharing Formula Would Eliminate Payment Inequities To Local Governments"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027050745/http://www.gao.gov/assets/140/137109.pdf#page=54 |date=October 27, 2020 }}, Government Accountability Office, April 15, 1982. Accessed September 24, 2015. "In 1978, South Orange Village was the first municipality to change its name to the 'township' of South Orange Village effective beginning in entitlement period 10 (October 1978 to September 1979). The Borough of Fairfield in 1978 changed its designation by a majority vote of the electorate and became the 'Township of Fairfield' effective beginning entitlement period 11 (October 1979 to September 1980).... However, the Revenue Sharing Act was not changed and the actions taken by South Orange and Fairfield prompted the Town of Montclair and West Orange to change their designation by referendum in the November 4, 1980, election. The municipalities of Belleville, Verona, Bloomfield, Nutley, Essex Fells, Caldwell, and West Caldwell have since changed their classification from municipality to a township."</ref><ref>Narvaez, Alfonso A. [https://www.nytimes.com/1981/12/27/nyregion/new-jersey-journal-147786.html "New Jersey Journal"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021124848/http://www.nytimes.com/1981/12/27/nyregion/new-jersey-journal-147786.html |date=October 21, 2016 }}, ''The New York Times'', December 27, 1981. Accessed September 24, 2015. "Under the Federal system, New Jersey's portion of the revenue sharing funds is disbursed among the 21 counties to create three 'money pools.' One is for county governments, one for 'places' and a third for townships. By making the change, a community can use the 'township advantage' to get away from the category containing areas with low per capita incomes."</ref>

Before cannabis was legalized for sale for both medical and recreational use in 2022, the state's first marijuana dispensary opened in Montclair in December 2012, joining Bellmawr, Cranbury, Egg Harbor Township, and Woodbridge Township as one of the five municipalities that had authorized the sale of medical cannabis.<ref>Guion, Payton. [http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2017/11/marijuana_legalization_would_mean_tough_choices_fo.html#incart_most-commented_hudson_article "Marijuana legalization would force tough choice for N.J. towns"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115181345/http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2017/11/marijuana_legalization_would_mean_tough_choices_fo.html#incart_most-commented_hudson_article |date=November 15, 2017 }}, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, November 15, 2017. Accessed November 15, 2017. "NJ Advance Media reached out to mayors in all five towns that have medical dispensaries: Bellmawr, Cranbury, Egg Harbor, Montclair and Woodbridge."</ref>

==Geography== [[File:Montclair old road map.jpg|thumb|A mural of the road map of Montclair from 1857, when it was known as West Bloomfield]] According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 6.25 square miles (16.17 km2), including 6.24 square miles (16.16 km2) of land and 0.01 square miles (0.02 km2) of water (0.11%).<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name=GR1 />

Montclair is on the east side of the First Mountain of the Watchung Mountains. Some higher locations in the township provide excellent views of the surrounding area and of the New York City skyline about {{convert|12|mi|km}} away.<ref>Garbarine, Rachelle. [https://www.nytimes.com/1990/04/20/business/where-sites-are-rare-montclair-projects-echo-older-housing.html "Montclair Projects Echo Older Housing"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106024402/https://www.nytimes.com/1990/04/20/business/where-sites-are-rare-montclair-projects-echo-older-housing.html |date=November 6, 2019 }}, ''The New York Times'', April 20, 1990. Accessed November 5, 2019. "Kip's Ridge, which sits on an eight-acre tract on a ridge along the side of First Mountain, rises 600 feet along the border of Montclair and Verona.... As Montclair's highest point, the ridge offers a clear view of the Manhattan skyline."</ref>

Named localities in the township include Church Street, Frog Hollow, South End, Upper Montclair, and Watchung Plaza.<ref>[https://www.state.nj.us/infobank/localnames.txt Local Place Names] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024120307/https://www.state.nj.us/infobank/localnames.txt |date=October 24, 2018 }}, State of New Jersey. Accessed November 5, 2019.</ref>

Montclair is split between two ZIP Codes. The central and southern parts of the township are designated 07042. Upper Montclair lies north of Watchung Avenue and has a separate ZIP code, 07043. Because the ZIP codes do not exactly match municipal boundaries, a few homes near the borders with neighboring towns fall into the ZIP codes for those communities. A few homes in some adjoining municipalities use one of the two ZIP codes assigned to Montclair, as does HackensackUMC Mountainside (07042, formerly known as Mountainside Hospital), whose campus straddles the border with Glen Ridge.<ref>[http://www.mountainsidehosp.com/News-and-Events/News/Mountainside-Hospital-News-2012/Hackensack-University-Health-Network-and-LHP-Hospi.aspx "Hackensack University Health Network and LHP Hospital Group"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005000817/http://www.mountainsidehosp.com/News-and-Events/News/Mountainside-Hospital-News-2012/Hackensack-University-Health-Network-and-LHP-Hospi.aspx |date=2013-10-05 }}, HackensackUMC Mountainside, July 12, 2012. Accessed October 3, 2013. "HackensackUMC Mountainside, located on the Montclair/Glen Ridge border, is known for providing access to state-of-the-art patient care in a nurturing, community hospital setting."</ref><ref>Roll, Erin. [http://www.northjersey.com/community/217868251_Glen_Ridge_baby_boom__More_than_500_births_so_far_in_2013.html "Glen Ridge baby boom: More than 500 births so far in 2013"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005042546/http://www.northjersey.com/community/217868251_Glen_Ridge_baby_boom__More_than_500_births_so_far_in_2013.html |date=October 5, 2013 }}, ''Glen Ridge Voice'', August 1, 2013. Accessed October 3, 2013. "Mountainside is located on the Montclair-Glen Ridge border, and the hospital's mailing address is listed as Montclair. But because the hospital building itself is located in Glen Ridge, every child born at the hospital has Glen Ridge listed as their place of birth."</ref> Small areas in the southeast of the township fall into the Glen Ridge ZIP code 07028.

Several streams flow eastward through Montclair: Toney's Brook in the center, Nishuane Brook in the southeast, Wigwam Brook in the southwest, Pearl Brook in the northwest, and Yantacaw Brook in the northeast—all in the Passaic River watershed. Yantacaw and Toney's brooks are dammed in parks to create ponds. Wigwam, Nishuane, and Toney's brooks flow into the Second River, and the others flow into the Third River. Montclair lies just north of the northernmost extent of the Rahway River watershed.

Montclair borders the municipalities of Bloomfield, Cedar Grove, Glen Ridge, Orange, Verona, and West Orange in Essex County; and Clifton and Little Falls in Passaic County.<ref>[https://global.mapit.mysociety.org/area/720248/touches.html Areas touching Montclair] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106024404/https://global.mapit.mysociety.org/area/720248/touches.html |date=November 6, 2019 }}, MapIt. Accessed February 27, 2020.</ref><ref>[http://www.essexregister.com/municipalities/ Municipalities] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420030757/http://www.essexregister.com/municipalities/ |date=April 20, 2022 }}, Essex County, New Jersey Register of Deeds and Mortgages. Accessed February 27, 2020.</ref><ref>[https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/gis/maps/polnoroads.pdf New Jersey Municipal Boundaries] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031204213712/https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/gis/maps/polnoroads.pdf |date=December 4, 2003 }}, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.</ref>

The southern border of Montclair is a straight line between Eagle Rock, on the ridge of the First Watchung Mountain, and the point where Orange Road begins at the foot of Ridgewood Avenue. The eastern border is roughly a straight line between that point and a point just southwest of where Broad Street crosses the Third River. The western border runs roughly along the ridge of the First Watchung Mountain between Eagle Rock and the Essex County/Passaic County border. The northern border is the border between those two counties.

===Climate=== Montclair has a temperate climate, with warm-to-hot, humid summers and cool-to-cold winters, as is characteristic of the Köppen climate classification humid continental climate. January tends to be the coldest month, with average high temperatures in the upper 30s Fahrenheit and lows averaging 21. July, the warmest month, features high temperatures in the mid-80s and lows in the 70s, with an average high of 86 degrees. From April to June and from September to early November, Montclair experiences temperatures from the lower 60s to the lower 70s.

Montclair gets approximately {{convert|50|in}} of rain per year, above the United States average of {{convert|39|in}}.{{citation needed|date=November 2019}} Snowfall is common from December to early March and totals about {{convert|30|in|cm}} annually. The number of days each year in Montclair with any measurable precipitation is 90; the area has an average of 202 sunny days.

Montclair is one or two degrees warmer than the neighboring municipalities of Verona and Cedar Grove because of the mountain between them, which sometimes blocks winds and clouds, including warmer air from the ocean to the east.{{citation needed|date=November 2019}}

==Demographics== {{US Census population | 1870= 2853 | 1880= 5147 | 1890= 8636 | 1900= 13962 | 1910= 21550 | 1920= 28810 | 1930= 42017 | 1940= 39807 | 1950= 43927 | 1960= 43129 | 1970= 44043 | 1980= 38321 | 1990= 37729 | 2000= 38977 | 2010= 37669 | 2020= 40921 | estimate=41076 | estyear=2024 | estref=<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=PopEst>[https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/tables/2020-2024/mcds/totals/SUB-MCD-EST2024-POP-34.xlsx Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Minor Civil Divisions in New Jersey: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2024], United States Census Bureau, released May 2025. Accessed May 18, 2025.</ref> | footnote=Population sources: 1870–1920<ref>[https://dspace.njstatelib.org/xmlui/handle/10929/25218?show=full ''Compendium of censuses 1726–1905: together with the tabulated returns of 1905''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226125132/https://dspace.njstatelib.org/xmlui/handle/10929/25218?show=full |date=February 26, 2021 }}, New Jersey Department of State, 1906. Accessed October 3, 2013.</ref> 1870–1910<ref>Staff. [https://books.google.com/books?id=PcQpAAAAYAAJ&q=montclair+2853+5147 ''1914 Year Book''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230930112205/https://books.google.com/books?id=PcQpAAAAYAAJ&q=montclair+2853+5147 |date=September 30, 2023 }}, p. 69. Board of Trade of the City of Newark, 1914. Accessed October 11, 2012.</ref> 1870<ref>Raum, John O. [https://books.google.com/books?id=5qZ4AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA243 ''The History of New Jersey: From Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time, Volume 1''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230930112205/https://books.google.com/books?id=5qZ4AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA243#v=onepage&q&f=false |date=September 30, 2023 }}, p. 243, J. E. Potter and company, 1877. Accessed October 3, 2013. "Montclair was formed from Bloomfield, April 15th, 1868. The first mountain forms its boundary on the west, and separates it from Caldwell township. Population in 1870, 2,853."</ref><ref>Staff. [https://books.google.com/books?id=gNwIAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA258 ''A compendium of the ninth census, 1870''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230930112249/https://books.google.com/books?id=gNwIAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA258#v=onepage&q&f=false |date=September 30, 2023 }}, p. 258. United States Census Bureau, 1872. Accessed October 3, 2013.</ref> 1880–1890<ref>Porter, Robert Percival. [https://books.google.com/books?id=8gUkQkJdLpsC&pg=PA98 ''Preliminary Results as Contained in the Eleventh Census Bulletins: Volume III – 51 to 75''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230930112205/https://books.google.com/books?id=8gUkQkJdLpsC&pg=PA98#v=onepage&q&f=false |date=September 30, 2023 }}, p. 98. United States Census Bureau, 1890. Accessed October 3, 2013.</ref> 1890–1910<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=T9HrAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA336 ''Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910: Population by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions, 1910, 1900, 1890''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715184554/https://books.google.com/books?id=T9HrAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA336 |date=July 15, 2023 }}, United States Census Bureau, p. 336. Accessed July 8, 2012. 1890 population for Montclair Township is listed in Footnote 11.</ref> 1900–1930<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=kifRAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA711 ''Fifteenth Census of the United States : 1930 – Population Volume I''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230930112206/https://books.google.com/books?id=kifRAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA711#v=onepage&q&f=false |date=September 30, 2023 }}, United States Census Bureau, p. 711. Accessed July 8, 2012.</ref> 1940–2000<ref>[https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/assets/PDFs/census/2kpub/njsdcp3.pdf#page=27 Table 6: New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1940 - 2000] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005222054/https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/assets/PDFs/census/2kpub/njsdcp3.pdf#page=27 |date=October 5, 2022 }}, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network, August 2001. Accessed May 1, 2023.</ref> 2000<ref name=Census2000>[http://censtats.census.gov/data/NJ/0603401347500.pdf Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Montclair township, Essex County, New Jersey] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100602052849/http://censtats.census.gov/data/NJ/0603401347500.pdf |date=June 2, 2010 }}, United States Census Bureau. Accessed March 26, 2012.</ref><ref name=Census2000SF1>[http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/00_SF1/DP1/0600000US3401347500 DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 – Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Montclair township, Essex County, New Jersey] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20200212101931/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/00_SF1/DP1/0600000US3401347500 |date=February 12, 2020 }}, United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 11, 2012.</ref> 2010<ref name=Census2010>[http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0600000US3401347500 DP-1 – Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 for Montclair township, Monmouth County, New Jersey] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20200212113358/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0600000US3401347500 |date=February 12, 2020 }}, United States Census Bureau. Accessed April 5, 2012.</ref><ref name=LWD2010>[http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/lpa/census/2010/dp/dp1_ess/montclair1.pdf Table DP-1. Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2010 for Montclair township] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602062427/http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/lpa/census/2010/dp/dp1_ess/montclair1.pdf |date=June 2, 2013 }}, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed April 5, 2012.</ref> 2020<ref name=Census2020>[https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/montclairtownshipessexcountynewjersey QuickFacts Montclair township, Essex County, New Jersey] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230304021333/https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/montclairtownshipessexcountynewjersey |date=March 4, 2023 }}, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 21, 2022.</ref><ref name=LWD2020>[https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/assets/PDFs/census/2020/2020%20pl94%20Tables/2020_Mun/MCD%200_All.pdf Total Population: Census 2010 - Census 2020 New Jersey Municipalities] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213084623/https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/assets/PDFs/census/2020/2020%20pl94%20Tables/2020_Mun/MCD%200_All.pdf |date=February 13, 2023 }}, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed December 1, 2022.</ref> }}

The township has long been known for its ethnic diversity, a feature that has attracted many to the community.<ref name=NYT2012>Goodnough, Abby. [https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/22/nyregion/schools-referendum-how-to-pick-the-school-board.html "Schools: Referendum; How to Pick the School Board?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828063105/http://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/22/nyregion/schools-referendum-how-to-pick-the-school-board.html |date=August 28, 2017 }}, ''The New York Times'', October 22, 1995. Accessed August 5, 2022. "In a town that has always been proud of its diversity – many residents say it was their primary reason for moving to Montclair – the difference of opinion has caused considerable strife."</ref> Its African-American community was once stable at around 30% of the population for decades, but has declined in both absolute and proportional terms in the 21st century, to 27% in 2010 and then to 22% in 2020.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2010/> At the same time, the township’s Hispanic population has increased, accounting for more than 10% of residents in 2020.

Montclair has attracted many former New Yorkers.<ref>Poletto, Christina. [https://nypost.com/2019/09/04/montclair-is-the-only-suburb-true-new-yorkers-will-even-consider/ "Montclair is the only suburb true New Yorkers will even consider"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106024402/https://nypost.com/2019/09/04/montclair-is-the-only-suburb-true-new-yorkers-will-even-consider/ |date=November 6, 2019 }}, ''New York Post'', September 4, 2019. Accessed November 5, 2019. "Some folks like to say that Montclair, the winsome New Jersey township 12 miles west of Manhattan, is the optimal spot for urbanites ready for more bang for their real estate buck."</ref> Many residents are commuters to the City and its metro area. Some work for major media organizations there.<ref>[https://gawker.com/243262/where-they-weekend-montclair-nj Where They Weekend: Montclair, NJ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211015443/https://gawker.com/243262/where-they-weekend-montclair-nj |date=February 11, 2021 }}, Gawker.com, March 11, 2007. Accessed July 3, 2007.</ref>

===2020 census=== {{expand section|household and income data for the 2020 census|date=November 2023}} {| class="wikitable" |+'''Montclair township, Essex County, New Jersey – Racial and Ethnic Composition''' (''NH = Non-Hispanic'') {{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}} !Race / Ethnicity !Pop 1990<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Jersey: 1990 |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1990/cp-1/cp-1-32-1.pdf |access-date=June 20, 2024}}</ref> !Pop 2000<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Jersey: 2000 |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2002/dec/phc-1-32.pdf |access-date=June 20, 2024}}</ref> !Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>[https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALPL2010.P2?q=P2:+HISPANIC+OR+LATINO,+AND+NOT+HISPANIC+OR+LATINO+BY+RACE+Montclair+township,+Essex+County,+New+Jersey P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Montclair township, Essex County, New Jersey], United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 10, 2024.</ref> !Pop 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2>[https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALPL2020.P2?q=P2:+HISPANIC+OR+LATINO,+AND+NOT+HISPANIC+OR+LATINO+BY+RACE+Montclair+township,+Essex+County,+New+Jersey P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Montclair township, Essex County, New Jersey], United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 10, 2024</ref> !% 1990 !% 2000 !% 2010 !% 2020 |- |White alone (NH) |24,013 |22,268 |21,920 |22,593 |63.65% |57.13% |58.12% |55.25% |- |Black or African American alone (NH) |11,464 |12,194 |9,902 |9,008 |30.39% |31.29% |26.25% |22.02% |- |Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) |79 |57 |39 |36 |0.21% |0.15% |0.10% |0.09% |- |Asian alone (NH) |840 |1,214 |1,416 |2,045 |2.23% |3.11% |3.76% |5.00% |- |Pacific Islander alone (NH) |N/A |12 |8 |11 |N/A |0.03% |0.02% |0.03% |- |Some Other Race alone (NH) |84 |220 |237 |444 |0.22% |0.56% |0.63% |1.08% |- |Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) |N/A |1,017 |1,337 |2,480 |N/A |2.61% |3.55% |6.07% |- |Hispanic or Latino (any race) |1,249 |1,995 |2,810 |4,304 |3.31% |5.12% |7.47% |10.53% |- |'''Total''' |'''37,729''' |'''38,977''' |'''37,669''' |'''40,921''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |}

===2010 census=== The 2010 United States census counted 37,669 people, 15,089 households, and 9,446 families in the township. The population density was {{convert|5971.2|/sqmi}}. There were 15,911 housing units at an average density of {{convert|2522.2|/sqmi}}. The racial makeup was 62.16% (23,416) White, 27.16% (10,230) Black or African American, 0.16% (59) Native American, 3.81% (1,434) Asian, 0.02% (9) Pacific Islander, 2.19% (826) from other races, and 4.50% (1,695) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 7.46% (2,810) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/>

Of the 15,089 households, 33.9% had children under the age of 18; 46.1% were married couples living together; 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present and 37.4% were non-families. Of all households, 30.9% were made up of individuals and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.15.<ref name=Census2010/>

25.5% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 30.3% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.9 years. For every 100 females, the population had 87.2 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 82.2 males.<ref name=Census2010/>

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $95,696 (with a margin of error of +/− $5,396) and the median family income was $126,983 (+/− $8,950). Males had a median income of $83,589 (+/− $5,955) versus $66,063 (+/− $3,616) for females. The per capita income for the township was $53,572 (+/− $2,671). About 4.6% of families and 2.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.0% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.<ref>[http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0600000US3401347500 DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Montclair township, Essex County, New Jersey] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20200212084813/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0600000US3401347500 |date=February 12, 2020 }}, United States Census Bureau. Accessed April 5, 2012.</ref>

==Economy== [[File:Street in Upper Montclair, NJ (2006).jpg|thumb|left|The Upper Montclair neighborhood]]

Montclair has six distinct commercial zones: * Montclair Center, also known as Downtown Montclair, centered on the intersection of Bloomfield Avenue, South Fullerton Avenue, Glenridge Avenue, and Church Street, is the township's main commercial zone. This intersection is also known as Six Corners. It is home to some of Montclair's largest stores and restaurants and features many upscale restaurants and boutiques near the center of this commercial district. Near the eastern end of this district is Lackawanna Plaza, which once housed the Lackawanna railway station. There is a post office one block to the north of this area. In 2015, Montclair Center won the Great American Main Street Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.preservationnation.org/main-street/awards/gamsa/2015/montclair-center-bid.html |title=Montclair Center BID, Montclair, New Jersey: 2015 Great American Main Street Award Winner |publisher=National Trust for Historic Preservation |date=March 29, 2015 |access-date=April 1, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150406015851/http://www.preservationnation.org/main-street/awards/gamsa/2015/montclair-center-bid.html |archive-date=April 6, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> * Upper Montclair, in the north of the town, is the second-largest commercial zone. The center is the intersection of Valley Road and Bellevue Avenue and incorporates the surrounding areas. The Upper Montclair Business District is home to several restaurants, shops, and in more recent times, chain stores. Upper Montclair is home to the Upper Montclair railway station, a post office, and Anderson Park, a 14.85-acre parcel of land donated by Montclair resident Charles W. Anderson in 1903.  It was called Montclair Park until 1909 when the township requested the name change. The park was designed by John Charles Olmsted, the stepson of Frederick Law Olmsted.<ref>Friends of Anderson Park - a non-profit conservancy dedicated to stewardship of the Olmsted-designed Anderson Park in Montclair, NJ</ref> * Watchung Plaza is located around the intersection of Watchung Avenue and Park Street and is on the divide between two Montclair ZIP Codes, 07042 and 07043. It is home to many "Mom and Pop Stores" and other small businesses. Watchung Plaza has its own post office. It is served by the Watchung Avenue station. * Walnut Street, built around the Walnut Street train station. In the spring, summer, and fall it is home to the Montclair Farmer's Market. This commercial zone is home to many restaurants and cafes as well as home to Montclair Brewery, New Jersey's first black-owned microbrewery, and Montclair's only operating brewery. * South End, in the south of town, at the intersection of Cedar Avenue and Orange Road. * Valley Road, between Chestnut Street and Claremont Avenue, is known locally as "Frog Hollow." This area has some strip mall-style shops on one side, and on the other side, window shops with residential apartments on top of them.

==Arts and culture==

===Literature and film=== In the 1948 biographical novel ''Cheaper by the Dozen'', the principal characters Frank Bunker Gilbreth Sr. and Lillian Moller Gilbreth live in Montclair, as the authors did in real life.<ref>Yardley, Jonathan. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A40407-2003Aug24.html "Gold by a Couple: 'Cheaper by the Dozen'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204092251/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A40407-2003Aug24.html |date=February 4, 2017 }}, ''The Washington Post'', August 25, 203. Accessed March 30, 2016. "They had a 14-room house in the New Jersey bedroom community of Montclair and rode around in a 'gray Pierce Arrow, equipped with two bulb horns and an electric Klaxon, which Dad would try to blow all at the same time when he wanted to pass anyone.'"</ref>

Some scenes of the film "Seven Minutes in Heaven" (1986) were filmed in and around Montclair High School.<ref>"Seven Minutes in Heaven". Fast Rewind. Retrieved September 4, 2023.</ref>

The 1989 film ''Bloodhounds of Broadway'', which starred Madonna, Matt Dillon, and Jennifer Grey, was partially filmed in Montclair.<ref name=JerseyDigs>{{cite web|url=https://jerseydigs.com/madonna-bloodhounds-of-broadway-union-city/|title=Union City Building Where Madonna Filmed 'Bloodhounds of Broadway' Hits the Market|author=Fry, Chris|publisher=Jersey Digs|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=October 24, 2023|access-date=October 27, 2023|archive-date=October 27, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20231027223927/https://jerseydigs.com/madonna-bloodhounds-of-broadway-union-city/}}</ref>

Pedro Almodóvar's 2024 film ''The Room Next Door'' features scenes filmed in the Montclair Book Center and Montclair State University.<ref>{{cite web |title=See teaser for Pedro Almodóvar's first English-language movie, filmed in N.J. |url=https://www.nj.com/entertainment/2024/08/see-teaser-for-pedro-almodovars-first-english-language-movie-filmed-in-nj.html |website=nj.com |date=August 22, 2024 }}</ref>

The HBO drama ''The Sopranos'' features several scenes shot in and taking place in Montclair with numerous references to the township appearing in the show.<ref>{{cite web |title=A Trip Back In Time: 'The Sopranos' Locations You'll Recognize |url=https://montclairlocal.news/2024/01/a-trip-back-in-time-the-sopranos-locations-youll-recognize/ |website=Montclair Local |date=January 12, 2024 }}</ref>

===Music=== Herman Hupfeld, composer of the song "As Time Goes By", was born, lived, and was buried in Montclair.<ref name="Hupfeld">{{cite web |last1=Orel |first1=Gwen |title=The Montclair residence of "As Time Goes By" composer Herman Hupfeld hums with artistic activity. |url=http://www.northjersey.com/community-news/a-house-hums-an-artistic-melody-1.366007?page=all |website=Internet Archive. Wayback machine: NorthJersey.com: Community news |publisher=The Montclair Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304080403/http://www.northjersey.com/community-news/a-house-hums-an-artistic-melody-1.366007?page=all |access-date=September 5, 2021|archive-date=March 4, 2016 }}</ref> The song was voted No. 2 on the AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs special, commemorating the best songs in film.<ref>[https://www.afi.com/afis-100-years-100-songs/ AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325225550/https://www.afi.com/afis-100-years-100-songs/ |date=March 25, 2021 }}, American Film Institute. Accessed March 6, 2022.</ref>

The indie rock band Pinegrove is from Montclair. In 2023, it released ''Montclair: Live at the Wellmont Theater'', a film recording a 2021 performance in Montclair.<ref>[https://www.newjerseystage.com/articles/getarticle2.php?titlelink=pinegrove-releases-montclair-live-at-the-wellmont-theater "Pinegrove Releases ''Montclair: Live at the Wellmont Theater''"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230830115959/https://www.newjerseystage.com/articles/getarticle2.php?titlelink=pinegrove-releases-montclair-live-at-the-wellmont-theater |date=August 30, 2023 }}, ''New Jersey Stage'', May 16, 2023. Accessed August 30, 2023. "The Indie/rock group Pinegrove has released ''Montclair: Live at the Wellmont Theater'', a concert film shot at the band’s hometown show in October 2021. The film is available to watch on YouTube and can also be streamed across all DSPs."</ref>

===Theatre=== In 1971, the actors Louis Zorich and his wife, the later Oscar-winning actress, Olympia Dukakis, founded a theatre group that included Remi Barclay, Jason Bosseau, Margery Fierst, Gerald Fierst, and many others. Some of the acting artistic and administrative participants were permanent, and semi-permanent. Performances were peppered with visits and occasional celebrity artists. Naming themselves Whole Theatre, they based themselves in Montclair. Located {{convert|12|mi}} from Midtown Manhattan via the Lincoln Tunnel under the Hudson River, the ''Whole Theatre'' productions were readily available to New York City and New Jersey audiences.

In the two decades in which Whole Theatre flourished, it presented a long list of performances in a wide variety of genres. Productions included ''The Rose Tattoo'', ''Mother Courage'', ''Rabelais: a Dramatic Game'' (1985), and ''America at Full Moon'' (1986).

The theatre enjoyed the support of the local community and the theatre community of New York and New Jersey generally. For example, in 1975–1976 the company acknowledged over 120 substantial donors in their program as well as funding from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Dukakis (Artistic Director) |first1=Olympia |title=Whole Theatre School |journal=Newsletter |date=Spring 1989 |page=3}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Dukakis (Artistic Director) |first1=Olympia |title=The Whole Theatre Company Bicentennial Season 75-76 |date=1975–76 |publisher=Whole Theatre Company}}</ref><ref name="montclair">{{cite news |last1=Boles |first1=Mark (photos) |title=Whole Theatre Cabaret Night |publisher=The Montclair Times, Montclair, New Jersey |date=13 April 1989}}</ref>

In 1989, Olympia Dukakis was named as the company's Artistic Director. Her two co-directors were Remi Barclay and Gerald Fierst, who were jointly responsible for Education and Outreach.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Dukakis (Artistic Director) |first1=Olympia |title=Whole Theatre School Journal=Newsletter |date=Spring 1989 |page=3}}</ref> In 2018 Brooke Lea Foster of ''The New York Times'' stated that it was one of several "least suburban of suburbs, each one celebrated by buyers there for its culture and hip factor, as much as the housing stock and sophisticated post-city life."<ref>{{cite web|author=Foster, Brooke Lea|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/23/realestate/comparing-suburbs-montclair-in-new-jersey-vs-dobbs-ferry-in-new-york.html|title=Comparing Suburbs: Montclair in New Jersey vs. Dobbs Ferry in New York|work=The New York Times|date=2018-02-23|access-date=January 27, 2020|archive-date=February 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227115541/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/23/realestate/comparing-suburbs-montclair-in-new-jersey-vs-dobbs-ferry-in-new-york.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Art institutions=== Montclair hosts many art institutions and theaters, and despite its relatively small size, has many art venues. It has its own art museum, the Montclair Art Museum, and several small galleries.

Montclair also hosts one cinema, the Claridge Cinema on Bloomfield Avenue that shows different types of movies from documentaries to small-scale indie films. The township hosted its first annual film festival in 2012 to provide a platform for filmmakers from New Jersey, the US, and the world.<ref>[https://montclairfilm.org/about/mission/ Mission] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106024403/https://montclairfilm.org/about/mission/ |date=November 6, 2019 }}, Montclair Film Festival. Accessed November 5, 2019.</ref>

Live theaters include The Montclair Operetta Company, the Wellmont Theater, Montclair State University's Kasser Theater, Montclair State University's theater in Life Hall, and the Studio Playhouse. On Bloomfield Avenue, there is a public stage used for concerts and other events. Dotted around Montclair there are also many art galleries, although most are centered in the Bloomfield Avenue Downtown Area.<ref>[http://www.montclairartmuseum.org/ Home page] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090105210958/http://montclairartmuseum.org/ |date=January 5, 2009 }}, Montclair Museum. September 3, 2009.</ref> Concerts are held at the Wellmont Theater and at several churches and auditoriums sponsored by Outpost in the Burbs, a community-based organization. In 2017, The Montclair Orchestra was formed as a semi-professional orchestra, with professional musicians and students from top colleges.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20191106024404/http://montclairorchestra.org/mission/ Mission]}}, Montclair Orchestra. Accessed November 5, 2019.</ref>

Montclair was the setting for some of the stories in the HBO television series ''The Sopranos'', and many Montclair streets, locations, and businesses were featured in the show, such as Bloomfield Avenue.<ref>Segedin, Andrew. [http://www.northjersey.com/arts_entertainment/celebrities/213826181_Montclair_remembers__Soprano__days.html "Montclair remembers 'Soprano' days"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005021944/http://www.northjersey.com/arts_entertainment/celebrities/213826181_Montclair_remembers__Soprano__days.html |date=October 5, 2013 }}, ''The Montclair Times'', July 1, 2013. Accessed October 3, 2013. "Tierney's is far from the only Montclair establishment in which ''The Sopranos'' filmed. According to the Montclair Township Clerk's Office, the show also filmed at Montclair High School, Applegate Farms, the intersection of Bradford and Upper Mountain avenues, Valley Road and Madison Avenue."</ref>

Montclair Public Library is one of the oldest public libraries in New Jersey, with the largest collection of materials in northern New Jersey.<ref>[https://montclairlibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/smaller_FINAL-Montclair-WITHOUT-ACTION-STEPS-1.pdf ''Strategic Plan 2018-2021''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026101243/https://montclairlibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/smaller_FINAL-Montclair-WITHOUT-ACTION-STEPS-1.pdf |date=October 26, 2020 }}, Montclair Public Library. Accessed June 29, 2022.</ref> Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Montclair city council cut library funding to the minimum levels required by New Jersey law. The library's director resigned following a forensic audit, in which no irregularities were found.<ref>Hochman, Louis C. [https://www.montclairlocal.news/2021/12/10/montclair-library-director-coyl-sacramento-california/ "Montclair's Library Director Leaving For 28-Branch Sacramento System As Power Struggle Continues Here"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210205819/https://www.montclairlocal.news/2021/12/10/montclair-library-director-coyl-sacramento-california/ |date=December 10, 2021 }}, ''Montclair Local'', December 10, 2021. Accessed June 29, 2022.</ref>

==Sports== [[File:EagleRock 002.jpg|thumb|left|Skyline of New York City from Montclair at the start of the range of the Watchung Mountains]]

* Independent baseball league New Jersey Jackals of the Frontier League. From 1998 until 2022, the Jackals played at Yogi Berra Stadium, which has seating for 3,784, plus overflow capacity. The Jackals moved to Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson, New Jersey.<ref>[http://www.jackals.com/content.asp?ID=1 Yogi Berra Stadium] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005000124/http://www.jackals.com/content.asp?ID=1 |date=October 5, 2013 }}, New Jersey Jackals. Accessed October 3, 2013.</ref> * New York Red Bulls II, the USL Championship affiliate of Major League Soccer's New York Red Bulls, play at Montclair State University as of 2017.<ref>Staff. [http://www.newyorkredbulls.com/post/2016/05/10/new-york-red-bulls-ii-make-montclair-state-university-home-remainder-2016-usl "New York Red Bulls II Make Montclair State University Home; Remainder of 2016 USL Schedule to be played at Red Bull Arena"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513023525/http://www.newyorkredbulls.com/post/2016/05/10/new-york-red-bulls-ii-make-montclair-state-university-home-remainder-2016-usl |date=May 13, 2016 }}, New York Red Bulls, May 10, 2016. Accessed December 20, 2016. "New York Red Bulls II has finalized a partnership with Montclair State University to upgrade the university's current Pittser Soccer Complex to serve as the club's home beginning in 2017, the club announced today."</ref> * The New Jersey Pride of Major League Lacrosse played in Montclair for the 2004 and 2005 seasons.<ref>[http://forums.lax.tv/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=3569 "NJ Pride Move to Rutgers"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221000558/http://forums.lax.tv/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=3569 |date=December 21, 2016 }}, LAX.tv, January 19, 2006. Accessed December 20, 2016. "The New Jersey Pride, the Garden State's only professional lacrosse team, announced today that the team will play their 2006 home games at Yurcak Field on the campus of Rutgers University in Piscataway, the premier lacrosse facility in the state.... The move to Rutgers comes after the Pride spent the last two seasons at Sprague Field on the campus of Montclair State University in Montclair. Prior to the 2004 season, the team spent two seasons at Commerce Bank Park in Bridgewater, a year after playing at MSU's Yogi Berra Stadium."</ref> * Montclair Rugby Football Club, also known as the Norsemen, of USA Rugby Division 2, play at Codey Field.<ref>[https://montclairrugby.wordpress.com/category/about-the-club/history/ History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106024403/https://montclairrugby.wordpress.com/category/about-the-club/history/ |date=November 6, 2019 }}, Montclair Rugny Football Club. Accessed November 5, 2019.</ref> * Essex Eagles cricket team, a division III team in the Cricket League of New Jersey. * Montclair United Soccer Club * Amateur Baseball Association baseball team the Montclair Giants<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/MontclairGiantsNJ |title=Montclair Giants |website=Facebook |access-date=January 14, 2014 |archive-date=September 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230930112218/https://www.facebook.com/MontclairGiantsNJ |url-status=live }}</ref> * Montclair Athletic Club ice hockey team, member of the American Amateur Hockey League in 1897–1898 and 1898–1899.

==Parks and recreation== [[File:AndersonParkMontclair NJ.JPG|thumb|Anderson Park]] [[File:Edgemont Park.JPG|thumb|Edgemont Memorial Park]] Montclair is home to many parks and nature reserves. Parks in Montclair are both county and municipal. Additional open space includes the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens, and many school-owned sports fields, viz., Montclair State University's Sprague Field. In total Montclair has {{convert|153.9|acre|km2}} of township park land spread over 18 parks and {{convert|123.8|acre|km2}} of county park land consisting of five parks.<ref>[https://www.montclairnjusa.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=5276290&pageId=5573710 PAkrs and Park Facilities] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180122072037/https://www.montclairnjusa.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=5276290&pageId=5573710 |date=January 22, 2018 }}, Montclair, New Jersey. Accessed January 21, 2018.</ref>

Municipal parks include Mountainside Park, the township's largest at {{convert|33.2|acres}}, which offers extensive tennis and recreation facilities, and includes the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens, a {{convert|6.5|acre|adj=on}} living museum donated by the family of Frank Presby that is maintained by volunteers and dedicated to the iris.<ref>[http://presbyirisgardens.org/wordpress/the-gardens/history-of-the-gardens/ History of the Gardens], Presby Memorial Iris Gardens. Accessed January 21, 2018. "Frank Presby was an iris hybridizer and owned a fine iris collection. It was his expressed wish to give a collection of his favorite flower, the iris, to Montclair's newly acquired Mountainside Park. Unfortunately, before he could carry out his plans, he passed away in 1924."</ref> Covering nearly {{convert|20|acres}} of wetlands and uplands along the Third River, the Alonzo F. Bonsal Wildlife Preserve offers hiking trails and other passive recreation.<ref>[https://njurbanforest.com/2012/04/28/montclairs-alonzo-bonsal-wildlife-preserve/ Montclair's Alonzo Bonsal Wildlife Preserve! ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180122001123/https://njurbanforest.com/2012/04/28/montclairs-alonzo-bonsal-wildlife-preserve/ |date=January 22, 2018 }}, NJUrbanForest.com. Accessed January 21, 2018. "Welcome to the 20.68 acre Alonzo F. Bonsal Wildlife Preserve! The preserve is located and owned by the Township of Montclair, New Jersey and was purchased with NJ DEP Green Acres funds."</ref> Yantacaw Brook Park, covering {{convert|11.5|acres}}, surrounds a pond that is fed by Yantacaw Brook and that in turn feeds into the Third River on its way towards the Passaic River.<ref>[https://www.yantacawbrookparkconservancy.org/about/ About] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180122071905/https://www.yantacawbrookparkconservancy.org/about/ |date=January 22, 2018 }}, Yantacaw Brook Park Conservancy. Accessed January 21, 2018. "Yantacaw Brook Park is the municipal park located in Montclair, New Jersey. The park consists of approximately 11.5 acres (47,000 m2) of land. The park contains a small pond and a stream that feeds into it. The pond is surrounded by trees and low hills. There are paths and benches throughout the park. The Yantacaw Brook feeds the pond and then continues into the Third River through Bloomfield, Nutley, and Belleville where it finally meets the Passaic River."</ref>

The township has 17 public tennis courts, four skating rinks (two of which are indoor), and three public swimming pools: the Mountainside pool, the Nishuane pool, and the Essex pool.<ref>[http://montclairnjusa.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=340&Itemid=509 Montclair Information] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080423095842/http://montclairnjusa.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=340&Itemid=509 |date=April 23, 2008 }}, Township of Montclair. Accessed July 4, 2008.</ref>

In 2007, township residents advocated for the construction of a public skatepark.<ref>[http://www.baristanet.com/2007/07/skateboarder-arrest-fuels-new-bid-for-skate-park/ "Skateboarder Arrest Fuels New Bid For Skate park"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130124063428/http://www.baristanet.com/2007/07/skateboarder-arrest-fuels-new-bid-for-skate-park/ |date=January 24, 2013 }}, July 31, 2007. Accessed October 3, 2013.</ref> Community members revitalized the effort in 2010 and lobbied the Parks and Recreation Committee for support. The township council passed a resolution expressing approval of the project but allocated no funds for it.<ref>Emling, Shelly. [http://montclair.patch.com/groups/sports/p/montclair-town-council-to-consider-skate-park-resolut8df2e5ecf0 "Montclair Town Council To Consider Skate Park Resolution Tuesday"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004213053/http://montclair.patch.com/groups/sports/p/montclair-town-council-to-consider-skate-park-resolut8df2e5ecf0 |date=October 4, 2013 }}, Montclair Patch, August 2, 2010. Accessed October 3, 2013.</ref><ref>Emling, Shelly. [http://montclair.patch.com/groups/sports/p/skatepark-in-montclair-ready-to-make-their-case "Skatepark In Montclair NJ! Ready To Make Its Case"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004212924/http://montclair.patch.com/groups/sports/p/skatepark-in-montclair-ready-to-make-their-case |date=October 4, 2013 }}, Montclair Patch, July 4, 2010. Accessed October 3, 2013.</ref><ref>[http://kids.baristanet.com/2010/06/montclair_parents_and_skateboarders_rally_for_skatepark/ "Montclair Parents and Skateboarders Rally For Skatepark"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004235633/http://kids.baristanet.com/2010/06/montclair_parents_and_skateboarders_rally_for_skatepark/ |date=October 4, 2013 }}, Baristanet, June 30, 2010. Accessed October 3, 2013.</ref> In the spring of 2020, an impromptu skatepark was created by community members on two of the unused tennis courts at Rand Park on North Fullerton Avenue during the COVID-19 pandemic. In July 2020, the township held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially recognize this space as a temporary skatepark. The township's playground insurance covers skateboarding, allowing it to allocate funds to the park. The township paid for signs for the skatepark using its playground fund. All skating equipment (ramps, rails, etc.) at Rand Park has been provided by community members with no financial support from the township.<ref>[https://patch.com/new-jersey/montclair/long-awaited-skate-park-opens-montclair-amid-pandemic/ "Long-Awaited Skate Park Opens In Montclair Amid Pandemic"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211003191500/https://patch.com/new-jersey/montclair/long-awaited-skate-park-opens-montclair-amid-pandemic |date=October 3, 2021 }}, Montclair Patch, August 4, 2020. Accessed October 3, 2021.</ref><ref>[https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/essex/montclair/2020/09/29/montclair-nj-skate-park-offers-teens-refuge-time-coronavirus/5859122002/ "Montclair's skate park, open after decades of wrangling, is refuge for teens amid pandemic"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211003191458/https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/essex/montclair/2020/09/29/montclair-nj-skate-park-offers-teens-refuge-time-coronavirus/5859122002/ |date=October 3, 2021 }}, NorthJersey.com, September 29, 2020. Accessed October 3, 2021.</ref>

==Media== Montclair has one local newspaper, the ''Montclair Local''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://montclairlocal.news/wp |title=Local Web site |access-date=August 24, 2018 |archive-date=August 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180824135252/http://www.montclairlocal.news/wp/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In addition, there is a radio station at 90.3 FM on the campus of Montclair State University, WMSC.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://wmscradio.com/ |title=WMSC Radio Web site |access-date=August 27, 2017 |archive-date=August 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827234017/https://wmscradio.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

There is a pirate radio station broadcasting at 91.9 FM on Valley Road, between Bellevue Rd. and Lorraine Ave. playing "I'll make love to you" by Boys II Men. The transponder, owned by George Louvis, has been broadcasting the song on repeat since 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |last=waynelaforme |title=91.9 FM Pirate Radio Station in Montclair |url=http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/91-9-fm-radio-montclair |access-date=2026-01-12 |website=Atlas Obscura |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Katzban |first=Nicholas |title=How a tiny Montclair radio station came to play a continuous loop of one Boyz II Men song |url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/essex/montclair/2024/06/20/tiny-montclair-radio-station-plays-one-song-over-and-over/74124151007/ |access-date=2026-01-12 |website=North Jersey Media Group |language=en-US}}</ref>

The township has a municipal public service television channel, Channel 34, where township council and school board meetings are broadcast. Montclair High School has its own paper ''the Mountaineer'', and Montclair State University has its own student-run paper, the ''Montclarion''. WNJN, one of four stations of state-wide PBS member station NJTV, is also located there.

==Government== thumb|Montclair Municipal Building, the town's government building

===Local government=== Since July 1, 1988, Montclair has been governed under the Council-Manager Plan 13 form of municipal government under the Faulkner Act, whose originator, Bayard H. Faulkner, was a former mayor of Montclair.<ref>[http://www.dudley-2010.com/Faulkner%20Act%2046pages.pdf "The Faulkner Act: New Jersey's Optional Municipal Charter Law"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012040522/http://www.dudley-2010.com/Faulkner%20Act%2046pages.pdf |date=October 12, 2013 }}, New Jersey State League of Municipalities, July 2007. Accessed October 3, 2013.</ref> The township is one of 42 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form of government.<ref>[https://njdatabook.rutgers.edu/sites/njdatabook.rutgers.edu/files/documents/inventory_of_municipal_forms_of_government_in_new_jersey.pdf ''Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601184216/https://njdatabook.rutgers.edu/sites/njdatabook.rutgers.edu/files/documents/inventory_of_municipal_forms_of_government_in_new_jersey.pdf |date=June 1, 2023 }}, Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> The governing body is comprised of the mayor and the township council, who are elected to concurrent four-year terms on a non-partisan basis in elections held as part of the May municipal elections. The mayor is elected directly by the voters. The township council includes six members, of which two council seats are elected from the township at-large and one council seat is elected from each of four wards.<ref name=DataBook>''2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book'', Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 148.</ref><ref>[https://njdatabook.rutgers.edu/sites/njdatabook.rutgers.edu/files/documents/forms_of_municipal_government_in_new_jersey_9220.pdf#page=12 "Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604040836/https://njdatabook.rutgers.edu/sites/njdatabook.rutgers.edu/files/documents/forms_of_municipal_government_in_new_jersey_9220.pdf#page=12 |date=June 4, 2023 }}, p. 12. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref><ref>[https://www.montclairnjusa.org/files/sharedassets/public/v/1/government/documents/wardmap_official_2022.pdf, Montclair Township. Accessed January 22, 2025.</ref> A deputy mayor is selected by the six council members from their members, and this position is largely ceremonial. The mayor has no executive powers, but presides over council meetings and has both a voice and vote in its proceedings. The mayor appoints members to many local governing groups, most notably the board of education.<ref>[https://www.montclairnjusa.org/Government/Mayor-Township-Council/Council-Manager-Form-of-Government Council-Manager Form of Government], Montclair Township. Accessed January 22, 2025. "Montclair Township operates under the Optional Municipal Charter Law (OMCL) popularly known as the Faulkner Act. The OMCL provides for several forms of government. and in 1980 the Township voted to adopt the 'council-manager' plan."</ref>

{{As of|2025}}, the mayor of Montclair is Renee Baskerville,<ref>[https://www.montclairnjusa.org/Government/Mayor-Township-Council/Mayor-Dr.-Renee-Baskerville Mayor Dr. Renee Baskerville], Montclair Township. Accessed January 22, 2025.</ref> who became the township's first African-American woman elected as mayor.<ref>Maginnis, Steven C. [https://www.tapinto.net/towns/montclair/sections/government/articles/baskerville-makes-her-story-sworn-in-as-first-african-american-female-mayor-of-montclair "Baskerville Makes 'Her'story: Sworn in as First African-American Female Mayor of Montclair"], TAPinto Montclair, July 2, 2024. Accessed December 6, 2024. "Dr. Baskerville made history on several fronts. She is Montclair's first female mayor of color, the first female mayor of Montclair since 1984, and the first female mayor of Montclair elected directly by the people."</ref> Members of the township council are Deputy Mayor Susan Shin Andersen (At-Large), Eileen Birmingham (Second Ward), Erik D'Amato (First Ward), Carmel Loughman (At-Large), Aminah Toler (Fourth Ward), and Rahum Williams (Third Ward), all serving terms of office expiring on June 30, 2028.<ref name=MayorCouncil>[https://www.montclairnjusa.org/Government/Mayor-Township-Council Mayor & Township Council], Montclair Township. Accessed January 22, 2025.</ref><ref>[https://www.montclairnjusa.org/files/sharedassets/public/v/1/government/departments/finance-and-taxes/financial-information/adopted-budgets/0713_certifiedadoptbudget_2024.pdf#page=18 2024 Municipal Data Sheet], Montclair Township. Accessed January 22, 2025.</ref><ref name=EssexDirectory>[https://essexcountynj.org/county-directory/ Essex County Directory], Essex County, New Jersey. Accessed January 22, 2025.</ref><ref name=Essex2024Municipal>[https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/NJ/Essex/121184/web.317647/#/summary May Municipal Election May 14, 2024 Official Results], Essex County, New Jersey, May 22, 2024. Accessed July 1, 2024.</ref>

===Federal, state, and county representation=== [[File:Montclair logo.jpg|thumb|Logo of Montclair, depicting the letter 'l' as the memorial obelisk in Edgemont Memorial Park]] Montclair is split between the 10th and 11th Congressional Districts<ref name=PCR2012>[https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/2012-congressional-districts/njcd-2011-plan-components-county-mcd.pdf Plan Components Report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219202014/https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/2012-congressional-districts/njcd-2011-plan-components-county-mcd.pdf |date=February 19, 2020 }}, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref> and is part of New Jersey's 27th state legislative district.<ref>[https://nj1015.com/whats-your-new-nj-legislative-district-20-moved-on-new-map/ Districts by Number for 2023-2031] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307042307/https://nj1015.com/whats-your-new-nj-legislative-district-20-moved-on-new-map/ |date=March 7, 2023 }}, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed September 18, 2023.</ref>

Prior to the 2010 Census, Montclair had been part of the {{ushr|NJ|8|8th Congressional District}} and the 10th Congressional District, a change made by the New Jersey Redistricting Commission that took effect in January 2013, based on the results of the November 2012 general elections.<ref name=LWV2011>[http://www.lwvnj.org/images/cg_2011.pdf#page=61 ''2011 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130604153059/http://www.lwvnj.org/images/cg_2011.pdf#page=61 |date=June 4, 2013 }}, p. 61, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed May 22, 2015.</ref> The split that took effect in 2013 drew the southern section of the township (26,730 residents) into the 10th District, while the northern portion (11,299 residents) moved to the 11th District.<ref name=PCR2012/><ref>[https://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/assets/pdf/2012-congressional-districts/2012-nj-montclair.pdf New Jersey Congressional Districts 2012–2021: Montclair Map] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805060733/https://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/assets/pdf/2012-congressional-districts/2012-nj-montclair.pdf |date=August 5, 2020 }}, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref>

===Politics=== As of March 2011, there were a total of 27,289 registered voters in Montclair, of whom 14,782 (54.2%) were registered as Democrats, 2,581 (9.5%) were registered as Republicans and 9,903 (36.3%) were registered as unaffiliated. There were 23 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2011-essex-co-summary-report.pdf Voter Registration Summary – Essex] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602061240/http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2011-essex-co-summary-report.pdf |date=June 2, 2013 }}, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed November 5, 2012.</ref> Montclair has consistently ranked as one of the most steadfastly Democratic suburbs in New Jersey, with no presidential candidate breaking 20% of the vote since George W. Bush. No candidate has broken 30% of the vote in any statewide election in the 2000s, even in the 2013 gubernatorial election. {{PresHead|place=Montclair|source=<ref>{{Cite web |title=NJ DOS - Division of Elections - Election Results Archive |url=https://nj.gov/state/elections/election-information-results.shtml |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=nj.gov}}</ref>}}  {{PresRow|2024|Democratic|2,669|19,159|443|New Jersey}} {{PresRow|2020|Democratic|2,430|21,015|258|New Jersey}} {{PresRow|2016|Democratic|2,318|18,048|661|New Jersey}} {{PresRow|2012|Democratic|3,034|15,811|201|New Jersey}} {{PresRow|2008|Democratic|3,294|17,396|132|New Jersey}} {{PresRow|2004|Democratic|3,995|15,597|157|New Jersey}} |}

In the 2016 presidential election, Democrat Hillary Clinton received 85.8% of the vote (18,048 votes), ahead of Republican Donald Trump with 11.0% (2,318 votes), and other candidates with 3.1% (661 votes), among the 21,382 ballots cast by the township's 31,610 registered voters (355 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 67.6%.<ref>[https://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/2016/2016-gen-elect-presidential-results-essex.pdf Presidential General Election Results - November 8, 2016 - Essex County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725041757/https://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/2016/2016-gen-elect-presidential-results-essex.pdf |date=July 25, 2020 }}, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections. Accessed July 24, 2020.</ref><ref>[https://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/2016/2016-gen-elect-ballotscast-results-essex.pdf Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast - November 8, 2016 - Essex County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725061211/https://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/2016/2016-gen-elect-ballotscast-results-essex.pdf |date=July 25, 2020 }}, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections. Accessed July 24, 2020.</ref> In the 2012 presidential election, Barack Obama received 83.0% of the vote (15,811 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 15.9% (3,034 votes), and other candidates with 1.1% (201 votes), among the 19,576 ballots cast by the township's 29,463 registered voters (530 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 66.4%.<ref name=2012Elections>{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2012-results/2012-presidential-essex.pdf |title=Presidential General Election Results – November 6, 2012 – Essex County |date=March 15, 2013 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections |access-date=December 24, 2014 |archive-date=December 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226085014/http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2012-results/2012-presidential-essex.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=2012VoterReg>{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2012-results/2012-ballotscast-essex.pdf |title=Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast – November 6, 2012 – General Election Results – Essex County |date=March 15, 2013 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections |access-date=December 24, 2014 |archive-date=August 18, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140818055709/http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2012-results/2012-ballotscast-essex.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 83.0% of the vote (17,396 cast), ahead of Republican John McCain with 15.7% (3,294 votes) and other candidates with 0.6% (132 votes), among the 20,951 ballots cast by the township's 27,476 registered voters, for a turnout of 76.3%.<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2008-gen-elect-presidential-results-essex.pdf 2008 Presidential General Election Results: Essex County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602061723/http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2008-gen-elect-presidential-results-essex.pdf |date=June 2, 2013 }}, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed November 6, 2012.</ref> In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 78.8% of the vote (15,597 ballots cast), outpolling Republican George W. Bush with 20.2% (3,995 votes) and other candidates with 0.6% (157 votes), among the 19,804 ballots cast by the township's 25,762 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 76.9.<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2004-presidential_essex_co_2004.pdf 2004 Presidential Election: Essex County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602062315/http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2004-presidential_essex_co_2004.pdf |date=June 2, 2013 }}, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed November 6, 2012.</ref>

{{U.S. GovHead|place=Montclair|source=<ref>{{Cite web |title=NJ DOS - Division of Elections - Election Results Archive |url=https://nj.gov/state/elections/election-information-results.shtml |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=nj.gov}}</ref>}}  {{U.S. GovRow|2025|Democratic|2,111|17,126|60|New Jersey}} {{U.S. GovRow|2021|Democratic|1,858|12,810|143|New Jersey}} {{U.S. GovRow|2017|Democratic|1,262|10,765|258|New Jersey}} {{U.S. GovRow|2013|Democratic|3,057|7,613|131|New Jersey}} {{U.S. GovRow|2009|Democratic|2,573|10,139|905|New Jersey}} {{U.S. GovRow|2005|Democratic|2,623|10,030|282|New Jersey}} {{U.S. GovFoot}}

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Democrat Barbara Buono received 70.5% of the vote (7,613 cast), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 28.3% (3,057 votes), and other candidates with 1.2% (131 votes), among the 10,941 ballots cast by the township's 29,768 registered voters (140 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 36.8%.<ref name=2013Elections>{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2013-results/2013-general-election-results-governor-essex.pdf |title=Governor – Essex County |date=January 29, 2014 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections |access-date=December 24, 2014 |archive-date=February 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220122059/http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2013-results/2013-general-election-results-governor-essex.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=2013VoterReg>{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2013-results/2013-general-election-ballotscast-essex.pdf |title=Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast – November 5, 2013 – General Election Results – Essex County |date=January 29, 2014 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections |access-date=December 24, 2014 |archive-date=February 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220224507/http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2013-results/2013-general-election-ballotscast-essex.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Democrat Jon Corzine received 73.9% of the vote (10,139 ballots cast), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 18.7% (2,573 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 5.8% (801 votes) and other candidates with 0.8% (104 votes), among the 13,723 ballots cast by the township's 26,843 registered voters, yielding a 51.1% turnout.<ref>[http://www.njelections.org/election-results/2009-governor_results-essex.pdf 2009 Governor: Essex County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150202084614/http://www.njelections.org/election-results/2009-governor_results-essex.pdf |date=February 2, 2015 }}, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed November 6, 2012.</ref>

{{U.S. SenHead|place=Montclair|Seat=1|source=<ref>{{Cite web |title=NJ DOS - Division of Elections - Election Results Archive |url=https://nj.gov/state/elections/election-information-results.shtml |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=nj.gov}}</ref>}}  {{U.S. SenRow|2024|Democratic|2,640|18,770|501|New Jersey}} {{U.S. SenRow|2018|Democratic|2,118|13,834|434|New Jersey}} {{U.S. SenRow|2012|Democratic|2,875|14,671|391|New Jersey}} {{U.S. SenRow|2006|Democratic|2,552|10,619|159|New Jersey}} {{U.S. SenFoot}} {{U.S. SenHead|place=Montclair|Seat=2|source=<ref>{{Cite web |title=NJ DOS - Division of Elections - Election Results Archive |url=https://nj.gov/state/elections/election-information-results.shtml |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=nj.gov}}</ref>}}  {{U.S. SenRow|2020|Democratic|2,652|20,386|382|New Jersey}} {{U.S. SenRow|2014|Democratic|1,570|9,317|135|New Jersey}} {{U.S. SenRow|2013|Democratic|1,301|8,234|58|New Jersey}} {{U.S. SenRow|2008|Democratic|3,385|14,691|343|New Jersey}} {{U.S. SenFoot}} {{clear}}

==Education== thumb|Board of Education Building The Montclair Public Schools serve students in kindergarten through twelfth grade.<ref>[https://www.straussesmay.com/seportal/Public/DistrictPolicy.aspx?policyid=0110&id=9ee47640ba314e5fa5c7139bb7be6a8b Montclair Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification], Montclair Public Schools. Accessed December 10, 2024. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Pre-Kindergarten through twelve in the Montclair School District. Composition: The Montclair School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Montclair."</ref> The district consists of seven elementary schools, three middle schools, and one high school.<ref>[https://www.montclair.k12.nj.us/district/about_our_district About Our District], Montclair Public Schools. Accessed May 9, 2020.</ref> As of the 2022–23 school year, the district, comprised of 11 schools, had an enrollment of 6,216 students and 564.6 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 11.0:1.<ref name=NCES>[https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/district_detail.asp?Search=2&details=1&ID2=3410560&DistrictID=3410560 District information for Montclair Public School District], National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref> Schools in the district (with 2022–23 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics)<ref>[https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3410560 School information for Montclair Public School District], National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref> are Bradford Elementary School<ref>[https://bradford.montclair.k12.nj.us/ Bradford Elementary School], Montclair Public Schools. Accessed December 10, 2024.</ref> (375 students in grades K-5), Charles H. Bullock Elementary School<ref>[https://chb.montclair.k12.nj.us/ Charles H. Bullock Elementary School], Montclair Public Schools. Accessed December 10, 2024.</ref> (428, K-5), Edgemont Elementary School<ref>[https://edgemont.montclair.k12.nj.us/ Edgemont Elementary School], Montclair Public Schools. Accessed December 10, 2024.</ref> (255, K-5), Hillside Elementary School<ref>[https://hillside.montclair.k12.nj.us/ Hillside Elementary School], Montclair Public Schools. Accessed December 10, 2024.</ref> (581, 3-5), Nishuane Elementary School<ref>[https://nishuane.montclair.k12.nj.us/ Nishuane Elementary School], Montclair Public Schools. Accessed December 10, 2024.</ref> (412, PreK-2), Northeast Elementary School<ref>[https://northeast.montclair.k12.nj.us/ Northeast Elementary School], Montclair Public Schools. Accessed December 10, 2024.</ref> (374, K-5), Watchung Elementary School<ref>[https://watchung.montclair.k12.nj.us/ Watchung Elementary School], Montclair Public Schools. Accessed December 10, 2024.</ref> (385, K-5), Buzz Aldrin Middle School<ref>[https://buzz-aldrin.montclair.k12.nj.us/ Buzz Aldrin Middle School], Montclair Public Schools. Accessed December 10, 2024.</ref> (607, 6-8), Renaissance Middle School at the Rand Building<ref>[https://rar.montclair.k12.nj.us/ Renaissance Middle School at the Rand Building], Montclair Public Schools. Accessed December 10, 2024.</ref> (201, 6-8) and Montclair High School<ref>[https://mhs.montclair.k12.nj.us/ Montclair High School], Montclair Public Schools. Accessed December 10, 2024.</ref> (1,961; 9-12).<ref>[https://www.montclair.k12.nj.us/district/magnet_system/school_feeder_pattern School Feeder Pattern], Montclair Public Schools. Accessed December 10, 2024.</ref><ref>[https://rc.doe.state.nj.us/selectreport/2022-2023/13/3310 School Performance Reports for the Montclair Public Schools], New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed April 3, 2024.</ref><ref>[https://homeroom6.doe.state.nj.us/directory/school/districtid/3310 New Jersey School Directory for the Montclair Public Schools], New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref>

[[File:Montclair State University (8563826766).jpg|thumb|right|Main entrance to Montclair State University]] Montclair is home to Montclair State University, which was founded in 1908 as the New Jersey State Normal School at Montclair.<ref>[http://www.montclair.edu/about-montclair/at-a-glance/ At a Glance] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016105052/http://www.montclair.edu/about-montclair/at-a-glance/ |date=October 16, 2012 }}, Montclair State University. Accessed October 11, 2012.</ref>

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark supervises the operation of Lacordaire Academy (for girls) at the high school level<ref>[https://catholicschoolsnj.org/essex-county-2 Essex County Catholic High Schools] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208173611/https://catholicschoolsnj.org/essex-county-2 |date=February 8, 2022 }}, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark. Accessed February 19, 2023.</ref> and Lacordaire Academy Lower Division and St. Cassian School for grades Pre-K–8.<ref>[https://catholicschoolsnj.org/essex-county-1 Essex County Catholic Elementary Schools] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307144609/https://catholicschoolsnj.org/essex-county-1 |date=March 7, 2023 }}, Roman Catholic Diocese of Newark. Accessed February 19, 2023.</ref> In 2016, St. Cassian School was one of ten schools in New Jersey, and one of four private schools in the state, recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School by the United States Department of Education, a recognition celebrating excellence in academics.<ref>[https://www2.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/2016/national.pdf#page=20 2016 National Blue Ribbon Schools All Public and Non‐Public] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009140454/http://www2.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/2016/national.pdf#page=20 |date=October 9, 2016 }}, National Blue Ribbon Schools Program. Accessed November 13, 2016.</ref><ref>Clark, Adam. [http://www.nj.com/education/2016/09/new_jersey_blue_ribbon_schools.html "These 10 N.J. schools earn Blue Ribbon honors"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021143639/http://www.nj.com/education/2016/09/new_jersey_blue_ribbon_schools.html |date=October 21, 2016 }}, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, September 28, 2016. Accessed November 13, 2016. "The U.S. Department of Education on Wednesday announced that 10 New Jersey schools have been named National Blue Ribbon Schools, a recognition celebrating excellence in academics."</ref> the diocese operated Immaculate Conception High School (coed) until it closed in 2025.

Montclair is also home to a host of public and private schools, including Montclair Kimberley Academy,<ref>[https://www.mka.org/about About] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106024403/https://www.mka.org/about |date=November 6, 2019 }}, Montclair Kimberley Academy. Accessed November 5, 2019.</ref> Montclair Community Pre-K, Montclair Cooperative School, Virginia Harkness Sawtelle Learning, Maria Montessori Early Learning, Trinity Academy, and Deron School II.

==Infrastructure== ===Transportation=== [[File:2018-07-18 16 03 17 View west along Essex County Route 506 (Bloomfield Avenue) just west of Essex County Route 668 (Elm Street) and Essex County Route 623 (Grove Street) in Montclair Township, Essex County, New Jersey.jpg|thumb|County Route 506 (Bloomfield Avenue) westbound in Montclair]] Montclair is considered a commuter suburb of New York City. NJ Transit is the provider of public transportation. The average Montclair commute is 38 minutes each way. About 24% of commuters take mass transit, while 59% drive alone. Twelve times more Montclair commuters take mass transit than the national average.{{citation needed|date=October 2012}}

====Roads and highways==== {{As of|2010|5}}, the township had a total of {{convert|100.62|mi}} of roadways, of which {{convert|86.68|mi}} were maintained by the municipality and {{convert|13.94|mi}} by Essex County Road Dept.<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/mileage_Essex.pdf Essex County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726034221/http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/mileage_Essex.pdf |date=July 26, 2014 }}, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2010. Accessed July 18, 2014.</ref>

Major roads in the township include County Route 506 (Bloomfield Avenue).<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/00000506__-.pdf#page=3 County Route 506 Straight Line Diagram] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303220857/http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/00000506__-.pdf#page=3 |date=March 3, 2016 }}, New Jersey Department of Transportation, June 2012. Accessed December 20, 2016.</ref><ref>[https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/gis/maps/Essex.pdf Essex County Highway Map] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215214817/https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/gis/maps/Essex.pdf |date=February 15, 2023 }}, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed February 16, 2023.</ref>

There is a taxi stand near Bloomfield Avenue in eastern Montclair, in front of Lackawanna Plaza, formerly the Montclair train station.

====Public transportation==== =====Rail===== [[File:Lackawanna.jpg|thumb|The former Lackawanna Railroad terminal, photographed when it housed a Hollywood Video store]] [[File:Montclair Heights Station - February 2015.jpg|thumb|Montclair-Boonton Line at Montclair Heights station]] Running through Montclair is the Montclair-Boonton Line, serving New York Penn Station and Hoboken Terminal to the east, and Hackettstown to the west.<ref>[https://www.njtransit.com/abc_montclair_boonton_line Montclair-Boonton Line], NJ Transit. Accessed March 13, 2026.</ref> Seven NJ Transit Rail stations serve Montclair: Bay Street,<ref>[https://www.njtransit.com/station/bay-street-station Bay Street station], NJ Transit. Accessed March 13, 2026.</ref> Walnut Street,<ref>[https://www.njtransit.com/station/walnut-street-station Walnut Street station], NJ Transit. Accessed March 13, 2026.</ref> Watchung Avenue,<ref>[https://www.njtransit.com/station/watchung-avenue-station Watchung Avenue station], NJ Transit. Accessed March 13, 2026.</ref> Upper Montclair,<ref>[https://www.njtransit.com/station/upper-montclair-station Upper Montclair station], NJ Transit. Accessed March 13, 2026.</ref> Mountain Avenue,<ref>[https://www.njtransit.com/station/mountain-avenue-station Mountain Avenue station], NJ Transit. Accessed March 13, 2026.</ref> and Montclair Heights in Montclair,<ref>[https://www.njtransit.com/station/montclair-heights-station Montclair Heights station], NJ Transit. Accessed March 13, 2026.</ref> and Montclair State University station in the Great Notch area of Little Falls.<ref>[https://www.njtransit.com/station/montclair-state-university-station Montclair State University station], NJ Transit. Accessed March 13, 2026.</ref> Only Bay Street station has weekend train service.<ref>Kadosh, Matt. [https://montclairlocal.news/2025/05/montclair-council-presses-nj-transit-for-better-weekend-service/ "Montclair Council Presses NJ Transit for Better Weekend Service"], ''Montclair Local'', May 22, 2025. Accessed March 13, 2026. "More weekend train service from Montclair’s Bay Street Station into New York City, the extension of weekend train service to stops north of Bay Street, along with weekend and weekday off-peak bus service to and from New York, are among the township’s asks of NJ Transit.... 'Weekend rail service to and from New York City, serving the Bay Street station every two hours, is inadequate, considering that weekend service is hourly on nearly all other New Jersey Transit lines, some of which have less weekend ridership,' the council says in its resolution."</ref>

Montclair has a long history of railroads. The first railroad to Montclair was built in 1856 by the Newark and Bloomfield Railroad. It terminated at a station in Downtown Montclair. First the Morris and Essex Railroad, then the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad leased the line.

In 1868, the Montclair Railway built another line through Montclair, which caused disputes leading to Montclair's separation from Bloomfield. Shortly afterward it was taken over by the New York and Greenwood Lake Railway, a subsidiary of the Erie Railroad. A third railroad to Morristown was planned in 1860 and construction began, but the Panic of 1873 ended the project. In 1912 the Lackawanna Railroad built a large terminal at the end of their line. The Erie and Lackawanna Railroads later merged, forming the Erie-Lackawanna Railroad, which operated both lines for many decades. They were next operated by Conrail for approximately one year, after which NJ Transit took over passenger operations and Conrail continued freight operations. Meanwhile, the 1912 terminal was closed in 1981 and converted into shops. This station was replaced by the Bay Street station. In 2002, the two railway lines were connected with the construction of the Montclair Connection.<ref>Galant, Debra. [https://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/29/nyregion/jersey-montclair-s-connection-has-its-price.html 'Jersey; Montclair's Connection Has Its Price"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109191435/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/29/nyregion/jersey-montclair-s-connection-has-its-price.html |date=November 9, 2017 }}, ''The New York Times'', September 29, 2002. Accessed October 3, 2013. "On Sept. 20, New Jersey Transit officially terminated service at Mr. Wilson's beloved Benson Street stop, as well as at the Rowe Street stop in Bloomfield and the Arlington stop in Kearny. Those closings were part of the price of progress. Tomorrow, New Jersey Transit is to open the Montclair Connection – a plan first announced in 1929 to combine the Montclair and Boonton Branch lines."</ref>

=====Bus===== NJ Transit buses 11, 28, 29, 34, 97, 191, and 705 run through Montclair, most going along the main street, Bloomfield Avenue.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100322195452/http://www.njtransit.com/sf/sf_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=BusRoutesEssexCountyTo Essex County Bus / rail connections], NJ Transit, backed up by the Internet Archive as of March 22, 2012. Accessed July 8, 2012.</ref><ref>[https://www.njtransit.com/pdf/bus/Essex_County_Map.pdf Essex County System Map] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728205318/https://www.njtransit.com/pdf/bus/Essex_County_Map.pdf |date=July 28, 2014 }}, NJ Transit. Accessed November 2, 2019.</ref> The NJ transit bus routes are: * #11 from Downtown Newark through Verona, Cedar Grove, and Little Falls to Willowbrook Mall in Wayne. The only Montclair street it goes along is Bloomfield Avenue. * #28 follows the route of #29 on Bloomfield Avenue until halfway through Montclair, where it goes north along Park Street, Watchung Avenue, and Valley Road to Montclair State University, and to Willowbrook Mall on weekends. * #29 between West Caldwell and Newark, passing through Caldwell, Verona, Montclair, Glen Ridge, and Bloomfield on Bloomfield Avenue. It goes to Parsippany at rush hour. The only Montclair street it goes along is Bloomfield Avenue. * #34 to Newark through East Orange and Orange on some trips; otherwise it goes to Bloomfield along Orange Road, Elm Street, and Bloomfield Avenue. It goes farther to the Montclair High School during that school's start and end times. * #97 goes from the Montclair Center south along Orange and Harrison Roads through the Oranges. * #191 goes from Willowbrook Mall through Little Falls to Montclair State University, then to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan. * #705 goes from Passaic along Alexander Avenue, Grove Street (for one block), Mt. Hebron Road, and through Montclair State University to Willowbrook Mall. All of these routes except #97, #191, and #705 were trolley lines originally, operated by the Public Service Railway. A trolley garage existed on Bloomfield Avenue. In the 1930s and 1950s, the trolleys were destroyed and replaced with buses.

DeCamp Bus Lines routes 33 and 66 ran through Montclair to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City until April 2023, carrying primarily commuters. * #33 went along Bloomfield Avenue, with some buses going onto Grove Street<ref>[https://www.decamp.com/PDFs/decamp_33_LTR.pdf Route 33 Schedule] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106024400/https://www.decamp.com/PDFs/decamp_33_LTR.pdf |date=November 6, 2019 }}, DeCamp Bus Lines. Accessed November 5, 2019.</ref> * #66 went along Orange Road, Park Street, Valley Road, and Mt. Hebron Road<ref>[https://www.decamp.com/PDFs/decamp_66_LTR.pdf Route 66 Schedule] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804050241/https://www.decamp.com/PDFs/decamp_66_LTR.pdf |date=August 4, 2020 }}, DeCamp Bus Lines. Accessed November 5, 2019.</ref>

Montclair State University has shuttle buses going around its campus.<ref>[https://www.montclair.edu/facilities/our-services/shuttle-services/ Shuttle Services] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607221645/https://www.montclair.edu/facilities/our-services/shuttle-services/ |date=June 7, 2019 }}, Montclair State University. Accessed November 5, 2019.</ref>

The township of Montclair formerly operated its own jitney in the evening, from the Bay Street train station to the southern end of Montclair.<ref>[https://www.montclairnjusa.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_5276204/File/Government/Departments/Transportation%20Services/evening-shuttle-schedule.pdf NJ Transit Montclair Shuttle] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804015002/https://www.montclairnjusa.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_5276204/File/Government/Departments/Transportation%20Services/evening-shuttle-schedule.pdf |date=August 4, 2020 }}, Montclair, New Jersey. Accessed November 5, 2019.</ref>

===Healthcare=== [[File:Mountainside Hospital in Montclair.JPG|thumb|Mountainside Medical Center]] Mountainside Medical Center, also known as Mountainside Hospital, is a 398-bed acute-care hospital located in Montclair that serves Northern Essex County.<ref>{{Cite web|title=HACKENSACK UMC MOUNTAINSIDE (MONTCLAIR, NJ) Detailed Hospital Profile|url=http://www.hospital-data.com/hospitals/MOUNTAINSIDE-HOSPITAL-MONTCLAIR.html|access-date=2023-07-25|website=www.hospital-data.com|archive-date=July 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726031826/http://www.hospital-data.com/hospitals/MOUNTAINSIDE-HOSPITAL-MONTCLAIR.html|url-status=live}}</ref> A part of the Hackensack Meridian Health, Mountainside Hospital is one of only two for-profit hospitals in New Jersey.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.nj.com/ledgerupdates/2007/06/new_owners_for_mountainside_ho.html |title=New owners for Mountainside Hospital |website=blog.nj.com |date=5 June 2007 |access-date=July 25, 2023 |archive-date=August 24, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100824200619/http://blog.nj.com/ledgerupdates/2007/06/new_owners_for_mountainside_ho.html |url-status=live }}</ref> It is also a clinical campus and affiliate of the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine and provides clinical clerkship education for the medical school's osteopathic medical students.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Clinical Education Institutions {{!}} College of Osteopathic Medicine {{!}} New York Tech|url=https://www.nyit.edu/medicine/clinical_education_institutions|access-date=2021-09-26|website=www.nyit.edu|archive-date=February 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214172851/https://www.nyit.edu/medicine/clinical_education_institutions|url-status=live}}</ref> As of 2020, Mountainside Hospital provides 12 specialties and hosts 47 full-time interns and residents.<ref>{{Cite web|title=American Hospital Directory - Hackensack Meridian Health Mountainside Medical Center (310054) - Free Profile|url=https://www.ahd.com/free_profile/310054/Hackensack_Meridian_Health_Mountainside_Medical_Center_/Montclair/New_Jersey/|access-date=2023-07-25|website=www.ahd.com|archive-date=July 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726031830/https://www.ahd.com/free_profile/310054/Hackensack_Meridian_Health_Mountainside_Medical_Center_/Montclair/New_Jersey/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Housing=== [[File:WNJN-TV Montclair dishes jeh.jpg|thumb|WNJN-TV transmitter site]] Montclair is noted for its historic architecture. It is home to six historic districts listed on the Register of Historic Places of both the state and country as a whole, 92 individually listed landmarks, and two locally designated commercial districts. Works by significant architects include designs by Van Vleck and Goldsmith, Charles Follen McKim, McKim, Mead, and White, Henry Hudson Holly, Charles A. Platt, Alexander Jackson Davis, Dudley Van Antwerp, Effingham R. North, Montrose Morris, and Frances Nelson, among others.{{Citation needed|date=April 2009}}

In 2018, Bobbi Brown, founder and ex-CCO of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, and her husband, realtor Steven Plofker opened The George, a 32-room boutique hotel on North Mountain Avenue that was originally a private home constructed in 1902.<ref>Vora, Shivani. [https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/22/travel/bobbi-brown-hotel-review.html "From Bobbi Brown, a Boutique Hotel in New Jersey The cosmetics entrepreneur and her husband have opened The George in suburban Montclair. The hotel is modern (though the building dates to 1902), friendly and fun."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106024402/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/22/travel/bobbi-brown-hotel-review.html |date=November 6, 2019 }}, ''The New York Times'', September 22, 2018. Accessed November 5, 2019. "The George, in the New York City suburb of Montclair, N.J., is a collaboration between Bobbi Brown, the founder of the beauty line Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, and her husband, Steven Plofker, a real estate developer. The 32-room property, open since April 1, was originally built in 1902 as the private home of Charles Van Vleck, a wealthy local businessman."</ref>

Montclair has also housed many hotels, such as the defunct Hotel Montclair. In 2013, plans were announced to bring a new hotel to Montclair, featuring 100 rooms and a liquor license.<ref>Herbst, Diane. [http://www.northjersey.com/realestate/195936131_First_new_hotel_in_Montclair_in_a_century_in_2014_.html?page=all "First new hotel in Montclair in a century in 2014?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005022219/http://www.northjersey.com/realestate/195936131_First_new_hotel_in_Montclair_in_a_century_in_2014_.html?page=all |date=October 5, 2013 }}, ''The Montclair Times'', March 7, 2013. Accessed October 3, 2013. "Next year, an upscale, eight-story hotel with 100-plus rooms and a rooftop bar with views of the Manhattan skyline is expected to break ground in Montclair, the township's first new full-service hotel since the long-defunct Montclair Hotel was built in 1908."</ref>

=== Public safety ===

==== Montclair Fire Department ==== The Montclair Fire Department<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Fire Department |url=https://www.montclairnjusa.org/Government/Departments/Fire-Department |access-date=2026-03-13 |website=www.montclairnjusa.org |language=en-US}}</ref> is a career fire department that provides coverage to the Township of Montclair and Borough of Glen Ridge<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fire Service |url=https://www.glenridgenj.org/fire/ |access-date=2026-03-13 |website=Borough of Glen Ridge, NJ - official website |language=en-US}}</ref>, a coverage area 7.53 square miles<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Glen Ridge borough, New Jersey |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/glenridgeboroughnewjersey/PST045225 |access-date=2026-03-13 |website=www.census.gov |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Montclair township, Essex County, New Jersey |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/montclairtownshipessexcountynewjersey/LND110210 |access-date=2026-03-13 |website=www.census.gov |language=en}}</ref> and a combined population of 48,743<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />. The department is run by Fire Chief Robert Duncan<ref name=":0" /> and currently has two fire stations in operation. The department currently has a staffing level sitting at approximately 70, including one Fire Chief, two Deputy Chiefs, four Battalion Chiefs<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Wayback Machine |url=https://montclairlocal.news/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Study-Montclair-Fire-Department-Report-Final-1.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260313020451/https://montclairlocal.news/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Study-Montclair-Fire-Department-Report-Final-1.pdf |archive-date=2026-03-13 |access-date=2026-03-13 |website=montclairlocal.news}}</ref>. The department is divided into an operations section and an administrative section, both led by a Deputy Chief, the operations section is split into four groups which staff the on-duty apparatus, the administration section has a Office of Fire Prevention which employs a Fire Official, and subordinate fire inspectors as well as part time secretaries<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Wayback Machine |url=https://www.montclairnjusa.org/files/sharedassets/public/v/1/government/departments/fire-department/documents/memo-from-township-manager-to-fire-chief-re-department-table-of-organization-and-minimum-daily-staffing-2026-02-05_1.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260313014950/https://www.montclairnjusa.org/files/sharedassets/public/v/1/government/departments/fire-department/documents/memo-from-township-manager-to-fire-chief-re-department-table-of-organization-and-minimum-daily-staffing-2026-02-05_1.pdf |archive-date=2026-03-13 |access-date=2026-03-13 |website=www.montclairnjusa.org}}</ref><ref name=":3" />. The department's personnel are represented by the FMBA Local 20<ref>{{Cite web |last=Foundation |first=Montclair Firefighters |title=Montclair Firefighters Foundation |url=https://montclairfirefighters.org/montclair-fmba-local-20 |access-date=2026-03-13 |website=Montclair Firefighters Foundation |language=en-US}}</ref>, a subordinate of the New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association |url=https://www.njfmba.org/ |access-date=2026-03-13 |website=New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association |language=en}}</ref>. With a minimum daily staffing at 14, reduced recently from 16-17<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kadosh |first=Matt |date=2026-02-24 |title=Montclair to Reduce Fire Department’s Daily Staffing After Study Calls for 'Right-Sizing' |url=https://montclairlocal.news/2026/02/montclair-to-reduce-fire-departments-daily-staffing-after-study-calls-for-right-sizing/ |access-date=2026-03-13 |website=Montclair Local |language=en-US}}</ref>. The department has an annual call volume of 2,282 with an annual increase of around 4.5%.<ref name=":3" /> Emergency calls are dispatched through the Montclair Police Department communications center which is located in fire headquarters.<ref name=":3" />

* '''Department History''' ** The Montclair History website has a well put together history of the Montclair Fire Department that is available on the [https://www.montclairhistory.org/new-blog/2025/2/6/history-of-the-montclair-fire-department Montclair History website].<ref>{{Cite news |title=History of the Montclair Fire Department — Montclair History Center |url=https://www.montclairhistory.org/new-blog/2025/2/6/history-of-the-montclair-fire-department |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260313193534/https://www.montclairhistory.org/new-blog/2025/2/6/history-of-the-montclair-fire-department |archive-date=2026-03-13 |access-date=2026-03-13 |work=Montclair History Center |language=en-US}}</ref> * '''Fire Stations'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Facilities |url=https://www.montclairnjusa.org/Government/Facilities |access-date=2026-03-13 |website=www.montclairnjusa.org |language=en-US}}</ref> ** Fire Station 1 (Fire Department Headquarters) - Pine St, Montclair, NJ 07042 ** Fire Station 2 - 588 Valley Road, Montclair, NJ 07043 * '''Fire Prevention Bureau'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fire Prevention |url=https://www.montclairnjusa.org/Government/Departments/Fire-Department/Fire-Prevention |access-date=2026-03-13 |website=www.montclairnjusa.org |language=en-US}}</ref> ** The bureau is led by Fire Official Lieutenant Justin Thompson. ** The bureau is responsible for fire service activity that involves a decrease in the incidence of uncontrolled fire. Members of the bureau conduct inspections which includes engineering, code code enforcement, public fire safety education and fire investigations. They also are responsible for all fire investigation and fire department statistics. *'''Department Apparatus''' **On duty for each group the department staffs the following apparatus: ***Engine 1 (Station 1) ***Engine 2 (Station 2) ***Engine 3 (Station 1) ***Truck 1 (Station 1) ***Truck 2 (Station 2) - This truck has been [https://web.archive.org/web/20260313014950/https://www.montclairnjusa.org/files/sharedassets/public/v/1/government/departments/fire-department/documents/memo-from-township-manager-to-fire-chief-re-department-table-of-organization-and-minimum-daily-staffing-2026-02-05_1.pdf Browned Out]<ref name=":4" />. ***Rescue 1 (Station 1) - This is not staffed full time, it is cross staffed and staffed when needed. ***Battalion Chief * '''Medical Response<ref name=":5">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsY0ollpwfY |title=FY 2026 Departmental Budget Hearing - November 25, 2025 |date=2025-11-25 |last=Montclair Government |access-date=2026-03-13 |via=YouTube}}</ref>'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home {{!}} Montclair Ambulance Unit |url=https://www.montclairems.org/ |access-date=2026-03-13 |website=montclairems |language=en}}</ref> ** The Montclair Fire Department handles a minimal number of medical calls. Most medical calls are handled by the [https://www.montclairems.org/ Montclair Ambulance Unit] but in the case of forced entry, extrication, lift assists or other requests by the Montclair Ambulance Unit the fire department is dispatched to assist with the call. ** All members in the department maintain a minimum certification level of Emergency Medical Responder<ref>{{Cite web |title=Department of Health {{!}} Emergency Medical Services |url=https://www.nj.gov/health/ems/ |access-date=2026-03-13 |website=www.nj.gov}}</ref>. * '''Mutual Aid'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Township of Montclair, NJ: Mutual Assistance |url=https://ecode360.com/7184785 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20210620064921/https://ecode360.com/7184785 |archive-date=2021-06-20 |access-date=2026-03-13 |website=Township of Montclair, NJ Code |language=en-US}}</ref> ** The town receives fire service mutual aid from many towns, you can view a full list [https://ecode360.com/7184785 here] along with the terms of the agreement.

==Sister cities== Montclair's sister cities are:<ref>Hurwitz, Wilma: [https://www.montclairlocal.news/2019/01/31/sisterhood-montclair-graz/ "Honoring A Sisterhood Between Montclair, Graz"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415221629/https://www.montclairlocal.news/2019/01/31/sisterhood-montclair-graz/ |date=April 15, 2021 }}. ''Montclair Local''. January 31, 2019. Accessed December 23, 2020. "Montclair's other sister cities are Barnet, England; Cherepovets, Russia; and Aquilonia, Italy."</ref><ref>[https://www.montclairnjusa.org/Visitors/About-Montclair/Montclairs-Sister-Cities Montclair's Sister Cities], Montclair, New Jersey. Accessed January 28, 2024. "Montclair has Sister City relationships with municipalities in Europe: Graz, Austria; Barnet, England; and, most recently, Aquilonia, Italy"</ref> *{{flagicon|ITA}} Aquilonia, Italy *{{flagicon|UK}} Barnet, London, United Kingdom *{{flagicon|AUT}} Graz, Austria

In 2022, the town ended its relationship with the city of Cherepovets, in protest against the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.<ref>Wiener, Talia. [https://montclairlocal.news/2022/04/montclair-ends-sister-city-relationship-with-russian-city-of-cherepovets/ "Montclair ends sister city relationship with Russian city of Cherepovets"], ''Montclair Local'', April 12, 2022. Accessed October 21, 2023. "In a 4-3 vote, the Township Council terminated Montclair’s 30-year-long sister-city relationship with the Russian city of Cherepovets on April 5, citing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine."</ref>

==Points of interest== [[File:VanVleckHouse.jpg|thumb|Van Vleck House and Gardens]] * Montclair Art Museum * Howard Van Vleck Arboretum * Presby Memorial Iris Gardens * Van Vleck House and Gardens * Crane House and Museum * The Montclair History Center, which consists of: ** Crane House and Historic YMCA ** Clark House * Yogi Berra Stadium and the Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center * Revolutionary War site markers for the temporary headquarters of Marquis de Lafayette and George Washington ** Note: There is no written record to verify that Washington had spent time in Montclair (then called "Cranetown") or Upper Montclair (then called "Speertown") during the time period,{{cn|date=April 2026}} but the story was passed down by generations orally and the two markers were placed in the 1900s. * Brookdale Park * Parks and dining in Upper Montclair

==Historic sites== [[File:The Anchorage, Montclair, New Jersey.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|The Anchorage]] [[File:Monclair NJ Central Presby PHS746.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Central Presbyterian Church]] [[File:83 Watchung Avenue Montclair NJ-SWM-TLW- 2012-09-23.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|The House that Lives]] [[File:Charles S Schultz House, Montclair, New Jersey.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Charles S. Shultz House]] Montclair is home to the following locations on the National Register of Historic Places:<ref>[https://www.nj.gov/dep/hpo/1identify/nrsr_lists/Essex.pdf New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113160240/https://www.nj.gov/dep/hpo/1identify/nrsr_lists/Essex.pdf |date=November 13, 2019 }}, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Historic Preservation Office, updated September 20, 2019. Accessed November 13, 2019.</ref>

* The Anchorage – 155 Wildwood Avenue (added 1988)<ref>[https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/7acf0ad4-3637-48d7-9855-749945764e74 The Anchorage] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113160240/https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/7acf0ad4-3637-48d7-9855-749945764e74 |date=November 13, 2019 }}, National Park Service. Accessed November 13, 2019.</ref> * Anderson Park – SE corner of Bellevue and North Mountain Avenue (added 2009)<ref>[https://www.essexcountyparks.org/parks/anderson-park/about Anderson Park] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190813154212/https://www.essexcountyparks.org/parks/anderson-park/about |date=August 13, 2019 }}, Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs. Accessed November 13, 2019.</ref> * Joseph Bardsley House – 345 Park Street (added 1988) * Bradner's Pharmacy – 33 Watchung Plaza (added 1988) * Carnegie Library – Church Street at Valley Road (added 1988)<ref>Montclair History Center. [https://montclairlocal.news/2024/04/postcards-from-montclair-carnegie-library/ "Postcards From Montclair: The Carnegie Library"], ''Montclair Local'', April 21, 2024. Accessed January 22, 2025. "The Carnegie Library was built in 1904 at the corner of Church Street and Valley Road with funds from the Carnegie Foundation.... The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 1, 1988, for its significance in architecture."</ref> * Casa Deldra – 35 Afterglow Way (added 1988) * Central Presbyterian Church – 46 Park Street (added 1986) * J. M. Chapman House – 10 Rockledge (added 1988) * Cliffside Hose Company No. 4 – 588 Valley Road (added 1988) * Congregational Church – 42 South Fullerton Avenue (added 1988) * Israel Crane House – 110 Orange Road(added 1973) * Eastward – 50 Lloyd Road (added 1988) * Egbert Farm – 128 North Mountain Avenue (added 1988) * Henry Fenn House – 208 North Mountain Avenue (added 1988) * First Methodist Episcopal Church – 24 North Fullerton Avenue (added 1988) * Free Public Library, Upper Montclair Branch – 185 Bellevue Avenue (added 1988) * Frank Goodwillie House – 17 Wayside Place (added 1988) * Haskell's Bloomfield Villa – 84 Llewellyn Road (added 1988) * House at 147 Park Street – 147 Park Street (added 1988) * The House that Lives – 83 Watchung Avenue (added 1988) * Marlboro Park Historic District – Roughly along Fairfield Street, Waterbury Road, Montclair Avenue, and Watchung Avenue between North Fullerton and Grove Streets (added 1988) * Marsellis House – 190 Cooper Avenue (added 1988) * Miller Street Historic District – Miller and Fulton Streets between Elmwood Avenue, Elm, and New Streets (added 1988) * George A. Miller House – 275 Claremont Avenue (added 1988) * Montclair Art Museum – 3 South Mountain Avenue (added 1986) * Montclair Railroad Station – Lackawanna Plaza (added 1973) * Mountain Avenue station – 451 Upper Mountain Avenue (added 1984) * Mountain District – Roughly bounded by Highland, Bradford, Upper Mountain, and Claremont Avenue (added 1988) * Mulford House – 207 Union Street (added 1988) * Pine Street Historic District – Roughly bounded by Glenridge Avenue, the NJ Transit Boonton Line, Pine, and Baldwin Streets (added 2000) * Post Office Building, Upper Montclair – 242–244 Bellevue Avenue (added 1988) * Presby Memorial Iris Gardens Horticultural Center – 474 Upper Mountain Avenue (added 1980) * M. F. Reading House – 87 Midland Avenue (added 1988) * Red Gables – 99 South Fullerton Avenue (added 1988)<ref>[https://www.nj.gov/dca/njht/funded/sitedetails/bnaikeshettheredgables.shtml B'Nai Keshet: The Red Gables], New Jersey Historic Trust. Accessed January 22, 2025.</ref> * Charles S. Shultz House – 30 North Mountain Avenue (added 1979)<ref>Ross, Barton. [https://www.montclairnjusa.org/files/sharedassets/public/v/1/government/departments/planning-and-community-development/documents/charles-schultz-house_nomination-report.pdf ''Nomination Report for 'Evergreens' The Charles S. Shultz House''], Township of Montclair Planning Department, April 2013. Accessed January 22, 2025.</ref> * S. C. Smith House – 40 Northview Avenue (added 1988) * St. Luke's Church – 69 South Fullerton Avenue (added 1988) * Stone Eagles – 60 Undercliff Road (added 1988) * Upper Montclair station – 275 Bellevue Avenue (added 1984) * Van Reyper-Bond House – 848 Valley Road (added 1979) * Von Schmid House – 580 Park Street (added 1988) * Watchung Avenue station – Park Street (added 1984) * Allyn Wight House – 75 Gates Avenue (added 1988)

==Notable people== {{Main|List of people from Montclair, New Jersey}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Montclair, New Jersey}} {{Wikivoyage|Montclair|Montclair, New Jersey}} * [https://www.montclairnjusa.org/Home Montclair - official website] * [https://montclaircenter.com/ Montclair Business Improvement District] * [https://www.montclairhistory.org/ Montclair Historical Society]

{{Geographic Location |title = '''Neighboring communities.''' |Northwest = Little Falls |North = Clifton |Northeast = Clifton |West = Verona Cedar Grove |Centre = Montclair |East = Bloomfield Glen Ridge |Southwest = West Orange |South = Orange |Southeast = East Orange }} {{Montclair Parks, New Jersey}} {{Essex County, New Jersey}} {{New York metropolitan area}} {{Passaic River}} {{Authority control}}

Category:Montclair, New Jersey Category:1868 establishments in New Jersey Category:Cannabis in New Jersey Category:Faulkner Act (council–manager) Category:Populated places in the United States established in 1868 Category:Townships in New Jersey Category:Townships in Essex County, New Jersey