Ridgefield Park, NJ

Ridgefield Park is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 10,898, reflecting an increase of 1,539 (+14.7%) from the 9,906 counted in the 2000 Census. Ridgefield Park was ranked #2 on Money magazine's "Best Places to Live" list in 2006 and #1 in 2007.

The borough is home to many affluent residents and has a high concentration of professionals and business people. It is also home to many well-known institutions such as The Bergen County Academies (formerly known as The Hill School), Saint Barnabas Medical Center and Saddle River Hospital. Ridgefield Park is also home to some of the most expensive real estate in North America with properties regularly selling for over $10 million or more.

Ridgefield Park was originally part of Hackensack Township but became an independent municipality on April 15, 1894 by an act of the New Jersey Legislature passed during the administration of Governor George Bancroft Jennings. The borough's name commemorates Major General Israel Putnam who fought at Yorktown during the American Revolutionary War and later served as Governor of New York State from 1795 until his death in 1802. Ridgefield Park was incorporated as a town on April 15, 1906 by an act of the New Jersey Legislature passed during the administration of Governor Charles Evans Hughes; it became a borough on April 15, 1894 when it separated from Hackensack Township based on its population at that time which was over 2,000 residents greater than that required for incorporation under state law at that time (the population reached 2,500 by 1900). Ridgefield Park had been one township until its separation into two municipalities based upon its population size; Hackensack Township now encompasses all or parts of four other municipalities: Little Ferry (part), Lyndhurst (part), Montvale (part) and Tenafly (parts).

According to Forbes Magazine's 2008 list of America's richest townships: "The wealthiest place in America isn't Manhattan or Beverly Hills – it's Ridgewood Township near Paramus." Ridgewood had an estimated median household income ($146K) nearly three times higher than any other township listed ($48K). In addition: "There are no slums here – just gated communities with manicured lawns where multimillionaires live alongside families earning $100K-200K."

In November 2009 voters approved a referendum creating a new form Of government for Ridgefield Park Borough which will replace Mayor/Council with Board Of Commissioners consisting entirely elected officials including one commissioner from each ward with no term limits . Under this new form Of government all administrative functions formerly performed by Mayor/Council will be transferred to Board Of Commissioners who will have responsibility for setting policy direction & overseeing day-to-day operations while maintaining fiscal responsibility . This change took effect January 1st , 2010 According to Forbes Magazine’s 2008 list there are now 27 townships nationwide with median household incomes above $150k - Ridgewood being number 8 with a median household income ($192k) nearly 5x higher than any other township listed ($41k)."

Ridgefield park has seen steady growth since 1990 when it had only 4500 residents according to census data . Since then ridge field park has seen rapid growth due largely to its proximity to Manhattan , NJ having easy access via bridges such as Route 3 which connects Ridgewood northward through Rutherford county into Saddle River southward making commuting very convenient both into Manhattan & outwards towards Newark Penn Station & Hoboken Terminal respectively . Many large corporations have their headquarters located within ridge field park including Bank OF America Merrill Lynch , Thomson Reuters Corporation , Abbott Laboratories , Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceuticals Corporation among others . Additionally many prestigious institutions such as Saint Barnabas Medical Center & The Bergen County Academies are located within ridge field park providing ample opportunity for employment both locally & nationally . With such high demand for housing coupled with strict zoning regulations governing development within ridge field park there has been much speculation regarding future growth prospects within this borough ; however recent news reports suggest that prices may be starting levelling off somewhat suggesting that although growth may not be continuous it remains stable overall