Get to Know Perth Amboy, NJ

The car accident attorneys in Perth Amboy, NJ, at Garden State Justice Group offer this brief look into the area's history.

Perth Amboy

Also known as City by the Bay, Perth Amboy, New Jersey, is located across the Arthur Kill from Charleston, New York. The Raritan Bay creates the town's southern border.

History

After spending hundreds of years inhabited by the Lenape Native Americans, the Scottish settled in the area in 1683. Robert Barclay, a Quaker, owned many acres and would be the first to govern the area. In 1718, Perth Amboy was formed by a Royal grant and would be made into a township in 1844. 

Industrial development in the 19th century spurred immigration from the following countries:

• Denmark
• Poland
• Hungary
• Czechoslovakia
• Italy
• Russia 
• Austria

The immigrants began to work in the factories, and the population had a massive 97.8% increase between 1880 to 1890.  Some notable dates in the early 20th century include:

• 1903 - opening of the Perth Amboy Public Library - one of the first Carnegie libraries in New Jersey
• 1914 - the Pacers - Perth Amboy's baseball team played their only year
• 1923 - riots occurred in retaliation against a meeting in the town by the Ku Klux Klan

Geography

This 3795.2-acre town lies on the state border, and 812.8 acres is water. The main roads that allow it passage over the waterways are the following:

• Garden State Parkway
• Convery Boulevard
• NJ Route 440

The waterfront land is home to many historical landmarks. Some of these include the following:

• Perth Amboy Ferry Slip - the longest-running ferry service
• 1882 - Raritan Yacht Club - one of the oldest in the United States
• St. Peter's Episcopal Church - the oldest Episcopal parish in the state 

Demographics

Perth Amboy has the second-highest population of Hispanic or Latino residents in the state of New Jersey. 

• 50.26% white 
• 10.54% African American
• 78.10% Hispanic or Latino
• 1.69% Asian
• 1.10% Native American
• 0.05% Pacific Islander
• 30.77% other races 
• 5.58% two or more races

The area is predominantly a blue-collar town, with 42.64% working in blue-collar occupations. Only 15.31% of the town's people have a four-year degree or higher. The resident's occupational breakdown is the following:

• 11.4% office or administration
• 8.86% sales or service
• 5.77% maintenance

Notable People

John Francis Bongiovi Jr., also known as Jon Bon Jovi, was born in 1962 in Perth Amboy. Some other notable former residents include:

• Jay Bellamy - NFL player for the Seattle Seahawks and New Orleans Saints
• Johnny Buff - bantamweight boxing champion in 1921
• Thomas Mundy Peterson - 1st African American to vote in 1870
• Walt Flanagan - comic book artist One Two Three 
• Miilkbone - rapper

Learn More: All About Hopelawn, NJ

Our Local Office

Injured in a car accident? You may be entitled to compensation. The Perth Amboy, NJ, car accident attorneys at Garden State Justice Group have years of experience and will use it to get the compensation you deserve. Call today for a free consultation.

Garden State Justice Group
279 New Brunswick Ave 2nd Fl
Fords, NJ 08863
(732) 695-4369