Newark

The City in Brief

Founded: 1666 (incorporated, 1836)

Head Official: Mayor Sharpe James (D) (since 1986; current term expires 2006)

City Population

1980: 329,248

1990: 275,221

2000: 273,546

2003 estimate: 277,911

Percent change, 1990–2000: -.6%

U.S. rank in 1980: 46th

U.S. rank in 1990: 56th (State rank: 1st)

U.S. rank in 2000: 68th (State rank: 1st)

Metropolitan Area Population

1990: 1,915,694

2000: 2,032,989

Percent change, 1990–2000: 6.1%

U.S. rank in 1990: 1st (NY–NJ CMSA)

U.S. rank in 2000: 1st (NY–NJ CMSA)

Area: 24.14 square miles (2000)

Elevation: 0 to 273.4 feet above sea level

Average Annual Temperature: 54° F

Average Annual Precipitation: 19.7 inches of rain; 27.6 inches of snow

Major Economic Sectors: Financial services, distribution, wholesale and retail trade, services, publishing

Unemployment Rate: 5.4% (NY–NJ MSA; February 2005)

Per Capita Income: $13,009 (1999)

2002 FBI Crime Index Total: 17,814

Major Colleges and Universities: Rutgers University-Newark Campus; New Jersey Institute of Technology; Seton Hall School of Law; University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey; Essex County College

Daily Newspaper: The Star-Ledger