Editing Perth Amboy, New Jersey

{{short description|City in Middlesex County, New Jersey, U.S.}}
{{Redirect|Perth Amboy|a band once known as Perth Amboy|Stonebolt}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                     = Perth Amboy, New Jersey
|settlement_type          = [[City (New Jersey)|City]]
|other_name               = 
|native_name              = 
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    = The City by the Bay<ref name=NYT2001/>

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = CourtHousePoliceHQPerthAmboy.JPG
|imagesize                = 250x200px
|image_caption            = Perth Amboy courthouse and police station
|image_flag               = 
|flag_size                = 
|image_seal               = Perth Amboy Seal.png
|image_shield             = 
|shield_size              = 
|image_blank_emblem       = 
|blank_emblem_size        =

<!-- Maps -->
|image_map                = Middlesex County New Jersey Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Perth Amboy Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250x200px
|map_caption              = Location of Perth Amboy in [[Middlesex County, New Jersey|Middlesex County]] highlighted in red (left). Inset map: Location of Middlesex County in [[New Jersey]] highlighted in orange (right).
|image_map1               = Census_Bureau_map_of_Perth_Amboy,_New_Jersey.png
|mapsize1                 = 250x200px
|map_caption1             = Census Bureau map of Perth Amboy, New Jersey
|pushpin_map              = USA New Jersey Middlesex County#USA New Jersey#USA
|pushpin_label            = Perth Amboy
|pushpin_map_caption      = Location in [[Middlesex County, New Jersey|Middlesex County]]##Location in [[New Jersey]]##Location in the United States
|pushpin_relief           = yes

<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type         = Country
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name         = {{nowrap|{{US}}}}
|subdivision_name1        = {{flag|New Jersey}}
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in New Jersey|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Middlesex County, New Jersey|Middlesex]]
|government_type          = [[Faulkner Act (mayor–council)]]
|government_footnotes     = <ref name=DataBook/>
|governing_body           = City Council
|leader_title             = [[Mayor of Perth Amboy, New Jersey|Mayor]]
|leader_name              = Helmin J. Caba<br>
(term ends December 31, 2024)<ref name=Mayor/><ref>[https://www.state.nj.us/dca/home/2023mayors.pdf 2023 New Jersey Mayors Directory], [[New Jersey Department of Community Affairs]], updated February 8, 2023. Accessed February 10, 2023.</ref>
|leader_title1            = [[City manager|Administrator]]
|leader_name1             = Michael E. Greene<ref>[https://www.perthamboynj.org/government/departments/business_administration Business Administration]. Accessed May 28, 2024.</ref>
|leader_title2            = [[Municipal clerk]]
|leader_name2             = Victoria Ann Kupsch<ref>[https://www.perthamboynj.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=11205008&pageId=12071513 Office of Municipal Clerk]. Accessed May 28, 2024.</ref>
|established_title        = Earliest European Settlement
|established_date         = 1683
|established_title1       = [[Royal charter]]
|established_date1        = August 4, 1718
|established_title2       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date2        = December 21, 1784
|established_title3       = Reincorporated
|established_date3        = April 8, 1844 (included Township)
|named_for                = [[James Drummond, 4th Earl of Perth]]

<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer/5/query?where=STATE='34'&outFields=NAME,STATE,PLACE,AREALAND,AREAWATER,LSADC,CENTLAT,CENTLON&orderByFields=PLACE&returnGeometry=false&returnTrueCurves=false&f=json|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 11, 2022}}</ref>
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 15.44
|area_land_km2            = 12.07
|area_water_km2           =  3.37
|area_total_sq_mi         =  5.96
|area_land_sq_mi          =  4.66
|area_water_sq_mi         =  1.30
|area_water_percent       = 21.37
|area_rank                = 259th of 565 in state<br>13th of 25 in county<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], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed July 1, 2020.</ref>

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = <ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/>
|population_total         = 55436
|population_rank          = [[List of United States cities by population|725th]] in country (as of 2022)<ref name=ANNRNK>[https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/tables/2020-2022/cities/totals/SUB-IP-EST2022-ANNRNK.xlsx Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places of 50,000 or More, Ranked by July 1, 2022 Population: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022], [[United States Census Bureau]], released May 2023. Accessed May 18, 2023.</ref><br>31st of 565 in state<br>5th of 25 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], [[New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development]]. Accessed March 1, 2023.</ref>
|population_density_km2   = auto
|population_density_sq_mi = 11891.0
|population_density_rank  = 27th of 565 in state<br>1st of 25 in county<ref name=LWD2020Density/>
|population_est           = 55249
|pop_est_as_of            = 2023
|pop_est_footnotes        = <ref name=Census2020/><ref name=ANNRNK/><ref name=PopEst/>

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
|utc_offset               = −05:00
|timezone_DST             = [[Eastern Daylight Time|Eastern (EDT)]]
|utc_offset_DST           = −04:00
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref>{{cite GNIS |id=885349 |name=City of Perth Amboy |access-date=March 11, 2013}}</ref>
|elevation_m              = 
|elevation_ft             = 62
|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], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed September 4, 2014.</ref>
|coordinates              = {{coord|40.52016|-74.271331|region:US-NJ_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]s
|postal_code              = 08861–08863<ref>[http://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupResultsAction!input.action?resultMode=0&city=perth%20amboy&state=NJ Look Up a ZIP Code for Perth Amboy, NJ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120528201636/https://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupResultsAction!input.action?resultMode=0&city=perth%20amboy&state=NJ |date=2012-05-28 }}, [[United States Postal Service]]. Accessed November 28, 2011.</ref><ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/infobank/njzips.htm Zip Codes], State of [[New Jersey]]. Accessed August 18, 2013.</ref>
|area_code                = [[Area codes 732 and 848|732]] [[telephone exchange|Exchanges]]: 293,324,376,442,697,826<ref>[http://www.area-codes.com/search.asp?frmNPA=&frmNXX=&frmState=NJ&frmCity=Perth+Amboy&frmCounty=Middlesex Area Code Lookup - NPA NXX for Perth Amboy, NJ], Area-Codes.com. Accessed April 9, 2015.</ref>
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 3402358200<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name="GR2">[https://www.census.gov U.S. Census website], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed September 4, 2014.</ref><ref>[https://mcdc.missouri.edu/applications/geocodes/?state=34 Geographic Codes Lookup for New Jersey], Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed April 1, 2022.</ref>
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 0885349<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name="GR3">[http://geonames.usgs.gov US Board on Geographic Names], [[United States Geological Survey]]. Accessed September 4, 2014.</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|https://www.perthamboynj.org/}}
|footnotes                = 
}}
'''Perth Amboy''' is a [[city (New Jersey)|city]] in northeastern [[Middlesex County, New Jersey|Middlesex County]], in the [[U.S. state]] of [[New Jersey]], within the [[New York metropolitan area|New York Metro Area]]. As of the [[2020 United States census]], the city's population was 55,436.<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/> Perth Amboy is known as the "City by the Bay", referring to its location adjoining [[Raritan Bay]].<ref name=NYT2001/><ref>Reyes, Raul A. [https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/nj-latina-her-citys-first-woman-mayor-n451586 "How A Local New Jersey Latina Became Mayor, Rising Political Star"], [[NBC News]], November 16, 2015. Accessed December 18, 2019. "Perth Amboy, N.J. – To spend a morning with Mayor Wilda Diaz in this “City by the Bay” is to understand the meaning of local celebrity."</ref>

The earliest residents of the area were the [[Lenape]] [[Native Americans of the United States|Native Americans]], who called the point on which the city lies "Ompoge". Perth Amboy was settled in 1683 by Scottish colonists and was called "New Perth" after [[James Drummond, 4th Earl of Perth]]; the native name was eventually corrupted and the two names were merged. Perth Amboy was formed by [[Royal charter]] in 1718, and the [[New Jersey Legislature]] reaffirmed its status in 1784, after independence. The city was a capital of the [[Province of New Jersey]] from 1686 to 1776. During the mid-1800s, the [[Industrial Revolution]] and immigration grew the city, developing a variety of neighborhoods which residents from a diverse range of ethnicities lived in. The city developed into a [[resort town]] for the [[Raritan Bayshore]] near it, but the city has grown in other industries since its redevelopment starting in the 1990s. Its residents are [[List of U.S. communities with Hispanic-majority populations in the 2010 census|mostly Hispanic]].<ref name="Record2011" />

Perth Amboy borders the [[Arthur Kill]] and features a historic waterfront. The [[Perth Amboy Ferry Slip]] was once an important [[ferry slip]] on the route south from New York City; it was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1978. The [[Raritan Yacht Club]], one of the oldest [[yacht club]]s in the United States, is located in the city. Perth Amboy is connected to the [[Staten Island]] borough of [[New York City]] via the [[Outerbridge Crossing]].

==History==
===Name===
The [[Lenape]] [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]] called the point on which the city is built "Ompoge", meaning "level ground"<ref name=NYT2001>Cheslow, Jerry. [https://www.nytimes.com/2001/12/02/realestate/if-you-re-thinking-living-perth-amboy-waterfront-city-planning-comeback.html "If You're Thinking of Living In/Perth Amboy; A Waterfront City Planning a Comeback"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', December 2, 2001. Accessed December 18, 2019. "The ''City by the Bay,'' as Perth Amboy calls itself, has a proud history. Founded in 1683, it was the first city in New Jersey to be chartered by the Crown, in 1718.... The name Perth Amboy comes from the Earl of Perth, one of the proprietors of New Jersey under the royal grant, and the Leni Lenape Indian word 'ompage', meaning 'level ground.'"</ref> or "standing or upright".<ref>[http://mapmaker.rutgers.edu/356/nj_place_names_origin.pdf The Origin of New Jersey Place Names], May 1945, p. 26. Accessed December 18, 2019.</ref> When settled in 1683, the new city was dubbed "New Perth" in honor of [[James Drummond, 4th Earl of Perth|James Drummond, Earl of Perth]], one of the 12 associates of a company of Scottish proprietors; Drummond has been honored with a statue located outside of city hall.<ref name=CN2018>Makin, Bob. [https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/new-jersey/jersey-history/2018/06/28/walking-guide-perth-amboys-colonial-revolutionary-war-history/735404002/ "Walking guide to Perth Amboy's Colonial, Revolutionary War history"], ''[[Courier News]]'', June 28, 2018. Accessed December 18, 2019. "Outside city hall is a statue of James Drummond, 4th Earl of Perth, a Scottish statesmen who partnered with William Penn in the settlement of East Jersey in 1681. In 1683, he and Penn were among the 12 Proprietors who established the city as a port, fishery and trading post. Perth Amboy is named in the Earl’s honor, Amboy being an Anglicizing of the Lenape word for valley, 'ompoge.'"</ref> The [[Algonquian languages|Algonquian language]] name persisted, corrupted to Ambo, or Point Amboy, and eventually a combination of the native and colonial names emerged,  also appearing in [[South Amboy, New Jersey|South Amboy]].<ref name=WPA>Compiled by the Federal Writers' Project of the Works Project Administration Project for the State of New Jersey [https://books.google.com/books?id=t6wmzEJvTGcC&pg=PA362 ''New Jersey A Guide to Its Past and Present''], p. 362. [[Works Project Administration]], reprinted by US History Publishers, 2007. {{ISBN|9781603540292}}. Accessed August 8, 2014.</ref><ref>Hutchinson, Viola L. [http://mapmaker.rutgers.edu/356/nj_place_names_origin.pdf#page=26 ''The Origin of New Jersey Place Names''], New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 17, 2015.</ref><ref>[[Henry Gannett|Gannett, Henry]]. [https://books.google.com/books?id=9V1IAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA243 ''The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States''], p. 243. [[United States Government Printing Office]], 1905. Accessed September 17, 2015.</ref>

===Scottish colony===
Perth Amboy was settled by [[Scottish colonization of the Americas|Scottish colonists]] around 1683 who had been recruited to inhabit the share of the East Jersey colony owned by [[Robert Barclay]], a Quaker who would later become the absentee governor of the province.<ref>DeAngelo, Walter A. [http://www.middlesexcountynj.gov/Government/Departments/BDE/Documents/history_buffs_guide.pdf ''The History Buff's Guide to Middlesex County''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929202842/http://www.middlesexcountynj.gov/Government/Departments/BDE/Documents/history_buffs_guide.pdf |date=September 29, 2020 }}, [[Middlesex County, New Jersey]]. Accessed December 18, 2019. "The City of Perth Amboy (originally known as Scottish Colony) was founded by Robert Barclay in 1683 (Perth Amboy received a Royal City Charter in 1718)."</ref><ref>Klett, Joseph R. [https://www.nj.gov/state/archives/pdf/proprietors.pdf "Using the Records of East and West Jersey Proprietors"], New Jersey State Archives, 2014. Accessed April 9, 2015. "Scottish Colony, 1683 – Following the purchase of a share of East Jersey by Scottish Quaker and later Governor Robert Barclay, Scottish settlers were recruited and began to arrive in Perth Amboy and surrounding areas beginning in 1683. Most were not Quakers, but rather Calvinists from Edinburgh, Montrose, Aberdeen and Kelso. Settlers and their servants were granted lots in Perth Amboy and areas of Monmouth County. Perth Amboy became the capital of East New Jersey in 1686."</ref>

===Charter and incorporation===
Perth Amboy was formed by [[Royal charter]] on August 4, 1718, within various townships and again by the [[New Jersey Legislature]] on December 21, 1784, within Perth Amboy Township and from part of [[Woodbridge Township, New Jersey|Woodbridge Township]]. Perth Amboy Township was formed on October 31, 1693, and was enlarged during the 1720s to encompass Perth Amboy city. Perth Amboy Township was incorporated as one of New Jersey's initial 104 townships through the [[Township Act of 1798]] on February 21, 1798. The township was replaced by Perth Amboy city on April 8, 1844.<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. 172. Accessed May 30, 2024.</ref>

===Provincial capital===
[[File:ProprietaryHousePerthAmboy.JPG|thumb|Proprietary House]]
[[Elizabeth, New Jersey|Elizabeth]] (then known as Elizabethtown) was designated in 1668 as the first capital of New Jersey.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110714185802/http://www.njhm.com/statecapitals.htm Was Trenton NJ's only capital? If not what other city was?], New Jersey History's Mysteries, updated July 14, 2011. Accessed December 18, 2019. "The very first capital of New Jersey was Elizabethtown (now Elizabeth) named in 1668 when the original Proprietors, Lord Berkeley and George Carteret, send Philip Carteret to govern their new possession. Later they moved the capital to Perth Amboy in 1686, and when New Jersey was divided into East and West Jersey, Burlington became the capital of the latter, and Perth Amboy remained the capital of the former. In 1702, New Jersey became a Royal Colony, but both towns remained capitals and the Royal Governors split time between the two (when they didn't govern from New York City, but that is another story)."</ref>  In 1686, Perth Amboy was designated as the capital of [[East Jersey]], while [[Burlington, New Jersey|Burlington]] was the capital of [[West Jersey]]. After the two were united as a [[royal colony]] in 1702, the two cities alternated as the capital of the [[Province of New Jersey]] until November 1790, when [[Trenton, New Jersey|Trenton]] was designated as the unified state capital, chosen based on its location midway between [[New York City]] and [[Philadelphia]].<ref>Stansfield, Charles A. [https://books.google.com/books?id=FTXwgHg89W8C&pg=PA79 ''A Geography of New Jersey: The City in the Garden''], p. 79. [[Rutgers University Press]], 1998. {{ISBN|9780813525792}} Accessed December 18, 2019. "Until the Revolution, the royal governor and legislature migrated back and forth from East Jersey's capital, Perth Amboy, to Burlington, capital of West Jersey."</ref><ref>Ryan, Joe. [https://www.nj.com/news/2007/11/on_nov_25_1790_the.html "Looking Back: Lawmakers call Trenton home"], ''[[The Star-Ledger]]'', November 25, 2007, updated April 2, 2019. Accessed December 18, 2019. "On Nov. 25, 1790, the New Jersey Legislature ended its years of wandering and named Trenton the state capital.... Elizabeth was the first Colonial capital, followed by Perth Amboy and Burlington as the capitals of East and West Jersey in 1676. Trenton, named for Philadelphia merchant William Trent, was well positioned on the Delaware River, roughly halfway between New York and Philadelphia."</ref>

A few of the buildings from this early period can still be seen today.<ref name=CN2018/> Most notably, the [[Proprietary House]], the home of [[William Franklin]], the last Royal Governor of New Jersey and estranged son of [[Benjamin Franklin]], still stands in the waterfront area of the city. Architect John Edward Pryor was hired in 1761 to design and construct the building, which was completed in September 1764, years late and over budget. Franklin preferred his alternate home in Burlington.<ref>[https://www.theproprietaryhouse.org/construction Construction 1762 -1764], [[Proprietary House]]. Accessed December 18, 2019. "On March 25, 1761, the Board of the Proprietors of the Eastern Division of New Jersey (to give them their full title) proposed to construct a fine mansion worthy of serving as the residence of the Royal Governors. They hired the English architect and builder John Edward Pryor to design and build what they called the 'Proprietary House in Amboy.'... Troubled by cost overruns and delays that almost ruined Pryor, major construction was at last completed in September of 1764.... New Jersey's royal governor at the time was William Franklin. London was slow to support his plan to buy the mansion in Perth Amboy and he had heavily invested in a fine estate in Burlington, closer to Philadelphia where his family still resided."</ref> Franklin finally moved in 1774 into the Proprietary House. Franklin's father, Ben, tried unsuccessfully to convince his son to support the Colonial cause. William Franklin was arrested and detained at Proprietary House in 1776 until he was tried and convicted of treason.<ref>[https://www.theproprietaryhouse.org/royal-governor Royal Governor 1774 -1776], [[Proprietary House]]. Accessed December 18, 2019. "The Franklins didn’t move into Proprietary House until 1774. Their time there would be short but fateful. With the outbreak of hostilities between the colonies and Britain in 1775, high drama played out at the governor’s mansion when Ben Franklin visited and tried in vain to win his Loyalist son over to the cause of independence. But William remained loyal to the crown. The New Jersey Assembly ordered the Governor held under house arrest at Proprietary House in January 1776 and removed him for trial in June of the same year."</ref>

[[Perth Amboy City Hall]] was first built as a court house for Middlesex County in 1714, having been designated as the county seat the previous year. The building was later used as the home of the East Jersey Provincial Assembly. The building was destroyed by a major fire in 1731 and rebuilt in 1745. Another fire was deliberately set in 1764, forcing a rebuilding that was completed in 1767.<ref>[https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/c66b5230-abc7-44fb-b6f6-cb398e568875 National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form for Perth Amboy City Hall], [[National Park Service]], received November 1980. Accessed December 18, 2019. "The Perth Amboy City Hall, believed to be the oldest municipal office still in use in the United States and constructed during the years 1713-1714, began its existence as a combination jail and court house. It was built in response to Perth Amboy's designation in 1713 by the Provincial Assembly (Legislature) of New Jersey as the location for the Middlesex County Court House and Jail. City Hall also became the meeting place of the Provincial Assembly when it sat in East Jersey (since Perth Amboy was its capital) and the site wherein New Jersey's Royal Governors were inaugurated. As such, City Hall was a seat of 'state' government at this time."</ref> It is the oldest city hall in continuous use in the United States.<ref>Martin, Antoinette. [https://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/18/realestate/in-the-region-new-jersey-new-urbanism-is-driving-a-big-waterfront-project.html "In the Region/New Jersey; 'New Urbanism' Is Driving a Big Waterfront Project"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', April 18, 2004. Accessed November 28, 2011. "Perth Amboy is home to the only official Royal Governor's Palace still intact from colonial days, a mansion built for Governor William Franklin, the son of Benjamin Franklin, who moved into the house in 1774. Perth Amboy is also home to the oldest City Hall in continuous use in the United States."</ref><ref name= CofPA>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110713143234/http://ci.perthamboy.nj.us/the-history-of-perth-amboy.html The History of Perth Amboy], City of Perth Amboy, backed up by the [[Internet Archive]] as of July 13, 2011. Accessed December 18, 2019. "Perth Amboy is also home to the oldest City Hall in continuous use in the United States, built during 1714-1717 or 1718, to serve as the County courthouse and jail."</ref> On November 20, 1789, City Hall was the site where the [[New Jersey General Assembly]] met to ratify the [[United States Bill of Rights|Bill of Rights]], becoming the first state in the nation to do so.<ref>Russell, Suzanne. [https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/middlesex-county/2014/11/11/perth-amboy-re-enacts-signing-bill-rights/18879407/ "Veterans Day Celebration"], ''[[Courier News]]'', November 11, 2014. Accessed December 18, 2019. "In 1789 Perth Amboy was the capital of New Jersey. Members of the General Assembly of New Jersey met in the courthouse, now part of City Hall, to ratify the Bill of Rights. William Livingston was governor of New Jersey at that time and on Nov. 20, 1789 the Bill of Rights was ratified in Perth Amboy, officials said. The document became a part of the Constitution on Dec. 10, 1791."</ref>

[[File:George Washington by Nels N. Alling, Market Square, Perth Amboy, NJ.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Statue of George Washington (Perth Amboy, New Jersey)|''George Washington'']] by [[Nels N. Alling]]]]
Market Square, located across from City Hall, is a park that had been an outdoor marketplace during the Colonial era. Market Square includes a replica of the Liberty Bell, a [[Statue of George Washington (Perth Amboy, New Jersey)|statue of George Washington]], and the Bill of Rights Arch, which commemorates the fact that New Jersey was the first state to ratify the Bill of Rights.<ref>[ftp://www.njleg.state.nj.us/20162017/AR/63_I1.HTM Assembly Resolution No. 63 State of New Jersey 217th Legislature]{{dead link|date=May 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}, [[New Jersey Legislature]]. Accessed December 18, 2019. "Whereas, It was in Perth Amboy City Hall that the State of New Jersey became the first state in the country to ratify the Bill of Rights on November 20, 1789, and this event is commemorated by the Bill of Rights Arch, located in Market Square Park; and Whereas, Market Square Park, commonly referred to as City Hall Park or City Hall Circle, celebrates and stands as a monument to the City of Perth Amboy’s historical significance, and contains the Bill of Rights Arch and an exact replica of the Liberty Bell"</ref>

[[St. Peter's Episcopal Church (Perth Amboy, New Jersey)|St. Peter's Church]], which held its first service in 1685 and received a royal charter in 1718, has been recognized as the first [[Episcopal Church (United States)|Episcopal]] congregation in the state. Its current building, dating from the 1850s, is surrounded by a graveyard of early inhabitants and displays a collection of stained-glass windows with religious scenes as well as early depictions of New Jersey receiving her charter and a meeting between William Franklin and his father, Ben.<ref>[https://www.stpetersepiscopal.com/history History], [[St. Peter's Episcopal Church (Perth Amboy, New Jersey)|St. Peter's Church]]. Accessed December 18, 2019. "St. Peter’s is proud to be the oldest Episcopal parish in New Jersey. Historic records show that the first service was held in 1685. Our first rector arrived from England in 1698. In our history we have had twenty-six rectors, only four since 1914. Our royal charter was received in 1718, the same year as the city of Perth Amboy received its charter."</ref>

Perth Amboy was New Jersey's primary inbound port for African slaves.<ref>[https://www.salon.com/2015/07/29/secret_history_of_a_northern_slave_state_how_slavery_was_written_into_new_jerseys_dna/ Secret History of a Northern Slave State] Retrieved March 28, 2020</ref>

The [[Kearny Cottage]] is a remaining example of 18th-century vernacular architecture. Operated as a [[historic house museum]] and operated by the Kearny Cottage Historical Society. Built in 1781 on High Street, the house was moved to Sadowski Parkway in the 1920s, and was later relocated to its current site at 63 Catalpa Avenue, just inland from the mouth of the Raritan River.<ref>[https://njht.org/dca/njht/funded/sitedetails/kearnycottage.html Kearny Cottage] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219045415/https://njht.org/dca/njht/funded/sitedetails/kearnycottage.html |date=December 19, 2019 }}, [[New Jersey Historic Trust]]. Accessed December 18, 2019. "Constructed in 1781, Kearny Cottage is a rare surviving example of an eighteenth- century vernacular residence in urban Perth Amboy. Once home to the successful and influential Kearney family, the cottage has since served as Perth Amboy's sole museum and repository for local historical memorabilia since the 1920s."</ref><ref>[http://www.kearnycottage.org Home Page], [[Kearny Cottage]]. Accessed December 18, 2019. "Built in 1781, the four-room cottage is a museum operated by Kearny Cottage Historical Society and serves as a repository for many items donated by citizens of Perth Amboy reflecting the maritime history of its owners and the city."</ref>

During the colonial period and for a significant time thereafter, Perth Amboy was an important way-station for travelers between [[New York City]] and [[Philadelphia]], as it was the site of a ferry that crossed the [[Arthur Kill]] to [[Tottenville, Staten Island]]. The first ferry operated in 1684 and regular service began operating in 1709. This ferry became less important when the [[Outerbridge Crossing]] opened in 1928, but continued to operate until 1963.<ref>[https://www.silive.com/timecapsule/2016/10/vintage_week_photos_of_ferries.html "Staten Island Ferry facts and vintage photos"], ''[[Staten Island Advance]]'', October 21, 2016, updated January 3, 2019. Accessed December 18, 2019. "The Perth Amboy Ferry slip, located on Arthur Kill Road, was once a vital slip for vessels entering and exiting New York Harbor -- ferry service dates back to 1684, with regular service beginning in 1709. It was operational until 1963.... It became less important with the opening of the Outerbridge Crossing in 1928."</ref> In 1998, the [[Perth Amboy Ferry Slip]] was restored to its 1904 appearance.<ref>Laub, Donald. [http://www.nypl.org/blog/2008/02/07/new-jersey-side-tottenville-ferry "New Jersey Side of the Tottenville Ferry"], [[New York Public Library]], February 7, 2008. Accessed August 18, 2013.</ref> A replica of the ticket office has been constructed and is used as a small museum.<ref name=CofPA/><ref name="Perth Amboy">[https://web.archive.org/web/20081121093359/http://www.raritanmillstone.org/guidebook/perth_amboy.htm#ferryslip Perth Amboy Tottenville Ferry Slip HS], Raritan-Millstone Heritage Alliance, backed up by the [[Internet Archive]] as of November 21, 2008. Accessed April 9, 2015.</ref>

On March 31, 1870, [[Thomas Mundy Peterson]] became the first African-American in the United States to vote in an election under the recently enacted provisions of the [[Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution]].<ref>Ginxburg, Ralph. [https://www.nytimes.com/1987/02/15/nyregion/perth-amboy-church-is-302-and-counting.html "Perth Amboy Church Is 302 And Counting"], ''[[The New York Times]]'' February 15, 1987. Accessed December 18, 2019. "The first black man to vote in America, Thomas Mundy Peterson, was a member of St. Peter's and is buried in its graveyard. He voted in the Perth Amboy mayoral election of March 31, 1870, one day after adoption of the 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution."</ref> Peterson voted in an election to update the Perth Amboy city charter.<ref>[https://historyengine.richmond.edu/episodes/view/5614 "Thomas Peterson Casts the First Vote"], [[University of Richmond]]. Accessed December 18, 2019. "The first African American to take advantage of the new right to vote was Thomas Mundy Peterson. Peterson cast his historic vote on March 31, 1870. The iconic vote was cast in a local election in Perth Amboy, New Jersey for the town’s charter. Gary Sullivan of the ''News Tribune'' stated, 'Exercising his right to vote in a local election on March 31, 1870. Peterson became the first black man in the United States to cast a ballot. The amendment had been ratified on February 3, 1870, and within just two months the Fifteenth Amendment was put to use.'"</ref>

===Industrialization and immigration===
[[File:PSM V40 D330 Three kilns at the perth amboy terra cotta company.jpg|thumb|Three kilns at the [[Perth Amboy Terra Cotta Company]]]]
By the middle of the 19th century, immigration and industrialization transformed Perth Amboy. Factories such as [[A. Hall and Sons Terra Cotta]], Guggenheim and Sons and the Copper Works Smelting Company fueled a thriving downtown and employed many area residents. Growth was further stimulated by becoming the tidewater terminal for the [[Lehigh Valley Railroad]] and a coal shipping point.<ref>[http://soundunderwatersurvey.com/wrecks/bouquet-2/the-path-of-the-black-diamond/ The Path of the Black Diamond; A history of one company’s undertaking to distribute Anthracite coal within New England. The Lehigh Valley Railroad & Bee Line Transportation Company], Sound Underwater Survey. Accessed December 18, 2019. "This competing action by the L&S necessitated a quick response by the LV, and resulted in the building of its extension eastward across New Jersey and the building of a salt water terminal by 1876. The line was built by acquiring the charters of two, as yet unbuilt railroads in New Jersey, and melding them into a single charter for a line titled Easton & Amboy Railroad (E&A). The eastern terminal was established at Perth Amboy, New Jersey, a salt water port at the confluence of the Arthur Kill and the Raritan River."</ref> Perth Amboy developed tightly-knit and insular ethnic neighborhoods such as Budapest, Dublin, and Chickentown.<ref>Wang, Paul W.; and Massopust, Katherine A. [https://books.google.com/books?id=c2Zmt4p9lQ4C&pg=PA19 ''Perth Amboy''], p. 19. [[Arcadia Publishing]], 2009. {{ISBN|978-0-7385-6241-4}}. Accessed September 22, 2016.</ref> Immigrants from [[Denmark]], [[Poland]], [[Hungary]], [[Czechoslovakia]], [[Italy]], [[Russia]], and [[Austria]] quickly dominated the factory jobs.<ref name=WPA />

In 1903, the [[Perth Amboy Public Library]], one of the first [[List of Carnegie libraries in New Jersey|Carnegie libraries]] in the state, made possible through grants from [[Andrew Carnegie]] and donations by local philanthropists, opened to the public.<ref name=LibraryMission/><ref name=NYT1901>Staff. [https://www.nytimes.com/1901/03/14/archives/library-for-perth-amboy-mr-carnegie-given-20000-the-city-secures-a.html "Library for Perth Amboy; Mr. Carnegie Given $20,000 -- The City Secures a Site"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', March 14, 1901. Accessed September 8, 2018.</ref><ref name=CN2015/>

In 1914, Perth Amboy hosted a [[minor league baseball]] team called the [[Perth Amboy Pacers]], who played as members of the [[Class D (baseball)|Class D]] level [[Atlantic League (1914)|Atlantic League]]. The Atlantic League folded after one season.<ref>[https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/team.cgi?id=4e1972b2 1914 Perth Amboy Pacers], [[Baseball-Reference.com]]. Accessed April 9, 2015.</ref>

In late August 1923, an estimated 6,000 persons rioted, breaking through police lines after the [[Ku Klux Klan]] attempted to organize a meeting in the city.<ref>Staff. [https://www.nytimes.com/1923/08/31/archives/perth-amboy-mob-in-antiklan-riot-scores-are-beaten-crowd-of-6000.html "Perth Amboy Mob In Anti-Klan Riot. Scores Are Beaten. Crowd of 6,000 Drive Ku Kluxers From Hall, Pummeling and Stoning Them. Police Tear Gas Futile. Fire Department Attempts to Halt Assault, but Rioters Cut Every Line of Hose."], ''[[The New York Times]]'', August 31, 1923. Accessed September 8, 2018. "In the wildest disorder incident to Ku Klux Klan activities yet known in the East, a mob of 6,000 persons in Perth Amboy, N.J., last night overcame the combined police and fire departments of the town and broke up a meeting of 'Invisible Empire' subjects."</ref><ref>[https://stanleyrogouski.wordpress.com/2014/10/08/the-battle-of-perth-amboy-1923/ "The Battle of Perth Amboy (1923)"], Stanley W. Rogouski, October 8, 2014. Accessed April 9, 2015.</ref>

The city was a resort town in the 19th century and early 20th century, located on the northern edge of the [[Raritan Bayshore]]. Since the early 1990s Perth Amboy has seen redevelopment. Small businesses have started to open up, helped by the city's designation as an [[Urban Enterprise Zone]]. The waterfront has also seen a rebirth. The marina has been extended, and there are new promenades, parks, and housing overlooking the bay.

The chapter "More Alarms at Night" in humorist [[James Thurber]]'s biography ''[[My Life and Hard Times]]'' involves Perth Amboy. One night during his adolescence in Ohio, young Thurber is unable to go to sleep because he cannot remember the name of this New Jersey community. He wakens his father, demanding that he start naming towns in New Jersey. When the startled father names several towns with single-word names, Thurber replies that the name he is seeking is "two words, like helter skelter". This convinces his father that Thurber has become dangerously insane. Thurber also wrote the story later made into the film ''[[The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (1947 film)|The Secret Life of Walter Mitty]]'', about an "inconsequential guy from Perth Amboy, New Jersey".<ref name=Mitty>Staff. [https://variety.com/1946/film/reviews/the-secret-life-of-walter-mitty-1200414953/ "Review: 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty'"], ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'', December 31, 1946. Accessed April 9, 2015. "Thurber's whole conception of Mitty was an inconsequential fellow from Perth Amboy, NJ, to whom nothing – but nothing – ever happened and who, as a result, lived a 'secret life' via his excursions into daydreaming."</ref> Perth Amboy's water pumping station is located in [[Old Bridge Township, New Jersey|Old Bridge Township]].<ref>Haydon, Tom. [https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/12/old_bridge_seeks_to_pump_own_w.html "Old Bridge seeks to pump own water from reservoir in effort to reduce costs"], NJ Advance Media for [[NJ.com]], December 12, 2010. Accessed September 22, 2016. "Middlesex Water Company takes water from the large reservoir that Perth Amboy built on property the city purchased in Old Bridge in the 1920s. The city turned over operation of the reservoir, known as the Runyon Watershed, to the water company more than 10 years ago."</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], the city had a total area of 5.93 square miles (15.36&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>), including 4.66 square miles (12.07&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) of land and 1.27 square miles (3.28&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) of water (21.37%).<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name=GR1 />

Perth Amboy, and [[South Amboy, New Jersey|South Amboy]] across the [[Raritan River]], are collectively referred to as [[The Amboys]]. Signage for Exit 11 on the [[New Jersey Turnpike]] refers to "The Amboys" as a destination. The Amboys are the northern limit of the area informally referred to as the [[Raritan Bayshore|Bayshore]].

Perth Amboy borders [[Woodbridge Township, New Jersey|Woodbridge]] (adjacent by land to the north and west), [[Sayreville, New Jersey|Sayreville]] (to the southwest, across the [[Raritan River]]), [[South Amboy, New Jersey|South Amboy]] (south across the upper reaches of [[Raritan Bay]], directly connected only by rail), and the New York City borough of [[Staten Island]] (east across the [[Arthur Kill]]).<ref>[https://global.mapit.mysociety.org/area/1010517/touches.html Areas touching Perth Amboy], MapIt. Accessed March 2, 2020.</ref><ref>[http://www.middlesexcountynj.gov/Government/Pages/Municipalities.aspx Municipalities], [[Middlesex County, New Jersey]]. Accessed March 2, 2020.</ref><ref>[https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/gis/maps/polnoroads.pdf New Jersey Municipal Boundaries], [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]]. Accessed November 15, 2019.</ref>

[[Local government in New Jersey#Unincorporated communities|Unincorporated communities]], localities and place names located partially or completely within the city include [[Barber, New Jersey|Barber]], Eagleswood and Florida Grove.<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/infobank/localnames.txt Locality Search], State of [[New Jersey]]. Accessed May 20, 2015.</ref>

Perth Amboy sits on a geological layer of [[clay]] several hundred feet thick. Consequently, clay mining and factories such as [[A. Hall and Sons Terra Cotta]] located in Perth Amboy in the late 19th century.<ref>[https://www.state.nj.us/dep/njgs/enviroed/oldpubs/CLAY-DEPOSITS-1878.PDF ''Report of the Clay Deposits of Woodbridge, South Amboy and Other Places of New Jersey, Together With Their Uses for Fire Brick, Pottery, Etc.''], Geological Survey of New Jersey, 1878. Accessed December 18, 2019.</ref>

In its September 2005 issue, ''[[Golf Magazine]]'' named Perth Amboy the unofficial "Golf Capital of the U.S.", despite the fact that there are no golf courses within the city limits, citing the city's access to 25 of the magazine's Top 100 Golf Courses in the U.S., which can be found within {{convert|150|mi|abbr=on}} of Perth Amboy.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20071111154237/http://www.golfonline.com/golfonline/travel/ranked/article/0,17742,1098535,00.html "The Golf Capital of the U.S."], ''[[Golf Magazine]]'', backed up by the [[Internet Archive]] as of November 11, 2007. Accessed December 19, 2019. "Amboy, N.J. (perhaps best known as Bon Jovi's early stomping grounds) is an easy drive from a quarter of the best golf courses in the country, making it the unofficial golf capital of the United States. Exactly 25 of our Top 100 Golf Courses in the U.S. are found less than 150 miles from Perth Amboy -- creating a hub of great American golf."</ref>

[[File:Victorian homes in Perth Amboy, New Jersey.jpg|thumb|Typical Victorians on High Street]]
[[File:Perth Amboy waterfront Arthur Kill.jpg|thumb|Arthur Kill along waterfront walkway just south of Ferry Slip]]

===Waterfront===
Perth Amboy features a historic waterfront, which has gone through significant [[urban renewal|revitalization]]. Local attractions include the [[Perth Amboy Ferry Slip]], two small museums, an art gallery, a yacht club, and a marina. Near the marina lies a park with a small bandshell. On Sunday afternoons in the summertime, Perth Amboy hosts the Concerts by the Bay in the park's bandshell. Every Thursday evening in the summer, Perth Amboy hosts the Mayor's Concert Series in Bayview Park. Perth Amboy also hosts an annual Waterfront Arts Festival. The waterfront is also characterized by a redbrick promenade near the water and many stately [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]] homes, some on hills overlooking the bay and tree lined streets with well-manicured lawns. The land rises steeply after two blocks. This hides the rest of the town, making the waterfront look like a quiet fishing village. Points of interest on the waterfront include St. Peter's Episcopal Church, and the Proprietary House, which is now the former governor's mansion and houses a museum and some offices. [[Kearny Cottage]], which also has a museum, is here. This section of Perth Amboy once had a thriving Jewish community with yeshivas, synagogues, kosher butchers and bakers.<ref>Silverstein, Marilyn. [http://www.njjewishnews.com/njjn.com/2004/61704/sxrenaissance.html "Rabbi hopes to bring renaissance to shul"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222023457/http://www.njjewishnews.com/njjn.com/2004/61704/sxrenaissance.html |date=2012-02-22}}, ''[[New Jersey Jewish News]]'', June 17, 2004, accessed April 11, 2007. "'Once upon a time, Perth Amboy was the hub of a thriving Jewish community', observed Rabbi Israel Einhorn. 'Perth Amboy used to be the No. 1 shtetl in New Jersey. They had butchers, bakers, yeshivas,' Einhorn said as he sat in his office at Congregation Shaarey Tefiloh, an Orthodox shul on the waterfront in the economically depressed town."</ref> Today, however, there are only two synagogues left, each with only a few older members.

A project called 'The Landings at Harborside' was to have featured 2,100 residential units along with indoor parking, {{convert|150000|sqft|abbr=on}} of retail space, a community center, and recreation amenities for the public as well.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110501103211/http://newyork.construction.com/projects/TopProjects04/Landings.asp Top Projects Started 2003-2004: The Landings at HarborSide], New York Construction, backed up by the [[Internet Archive]] as of May 1, 2011. Accessed December 19, 2019. "The Landings at HarborSide - one of the largest comprehensive redevelopment projects in the United States between a private developer and municipality - is a comprehensive, eight-year $600 million plan that incorporates residential and retail development, recreation, parks, marina and future hotel site."</ref> However, after meeting with [[Charles Kushner]], the developer who spent two years in prison after being convicted of witness tampering, tax evasion and making illegal campaign contributions, Mayor Wilda Diaz endorsed a scaled-back design concept for the development, allowing Section 8 housing rentals instead of owner-occupied units as originally promised.<ref>Russell, Suzanne. [https://web.archive.org/web/20150402125156/http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20110916/NJNEWS/309160006/Perth-Amboy-s-Landings-at-Harborside-project-takes-new-direction "Perth Amboy's Landings at Harborside project takes new direction"], ''[[Home News Tribune]]'', September 16, 2011, backed up by the [[Internet Archive]] as of April 2, 2015. Accessed December 19, 2019.</ref>

The Raritan Yacht Club is the state's second-oldest and one of the oldest [[yacht club]]s in the United States, founded in 1882 from the merger of two older clubs, one founded in 1865 and the other in 1874.<ref>[https://www.1683society.org/raritan-yacht-club Raritan Yacht Club], 1683 Society. Accessed December 19, 2019. "The Club itself was established in 1882 from two others, the Carteret Boat Club (1865) and the Perth Amboy Yacht Club (1874), making it the second oldest yacht club in New Jersey and one of the oldest in the country."</ref><ref>[http://www.ycaol.com/americasoldest.htm America's Oldest Yacht Clubs], Yachting Club of America. Accessed December 19, 2019.</ref> Also located on the waterfront and founded in 1917, St. Demetrios was one of the first Greek Orthodox churches in central New Jersey. Established by the Greek immigrants who came to the United States at the turn of the 19th century, this community has stood as a beacon of the Orthodox Faith and Hellenism in Middlesex County.<ref>[http://www.stdemetriosperthamboy.org/our-parish/parish-history/ Parish History], St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church – Perth Amboy. Accessed December 19, 2019. Founded in 1917, St. Demetrios was one of the first Greek Orthodox churches in central New Jersey."</ref>

===Downtown Perth Amboy===
[[Image:PA Bank.jpg|thumb|The Perth Amboy National Bank Building at the [[Five Corners, Perth Amboy|Five Corners]]]]
Perth Amboy was settled by Europeans in 1683 and incorporated as a city in 1718. It was founded by English merchants, Scots seeking religious freedom, and French Protestants, who sought to make use of Perth Amboy's harbor to its full potential. Downtown is the main commercial district, and is centered on Smith Street. It is an [[Urban Enterprise Zone]], and the reduced sales tax rate (half of the statewide rate) funds revitalization of Smith Street with newly planted trees, [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]] streetlights, benches, garbage cans, and redbrick sidewalks.<ref>[http://ci.perthamboy.nj.us/an-invitation-from-the-chief.html Urban Enterprise Zone - An Invitation from the Chief Administrator] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111182702/http://ci.perthamboy.nj.us/an-invitation-from-the-chief.html |date=2012-01-11 }}, City of Perth Amboy. Accessed November 28, 2011.</ref><ref name=NJUEZ>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100103091626/http://www.state.nj.us/njbusiness/financing/tax/geographic.shtml Geographic & Urban Redevelopment Tax Credit Programs], State of [[New Jersey]], backed up by the [[Internet Archive]] as of January 3, 2010. Accessed January 24, 2012.</ref> Smith Street is a shopping center seven blocks wide, with stores catering to working-class customers. The street is flanked by mainly two- to three-story buildings of varied architecture. It also has a lone bank skyscraper called 'Amboy Towers', 10 stories tall, located at [[Five Corners, Perth Amboy|Five Corners]], the intersection of Smith Street, New Brunswick Avenue and State Street.<ref>Russell, Suzanne C. [https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/mycentraljersey/access/1788996381.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Feb+17%2C+2005&author=SUZANNE+C+RUSSELL&pub=Home+News+Tribune&desc=City+landmark+to+return+to+glory+days&pqatl=google "City landmark to return to glory days"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120724110950/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/mycentraljersey/access/1788996381.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Feb+17%2C+2005&author=SUZANNE+C+RUSSELL&pub=Home+News+Tribune&desc=City+landmark+to+return+to+glory+days&pqatl=google |date=2012-07-24 }}, ''[[Home News Tribune]]'', February 17, 2005. Accessed November 28, 2011. "The Perth Amboy Redevelopment Agency and Wilshire Enterprises, owners of Amboy Towers, also known as the Five Corners Building... He said the building, the tallest in Perth Amboy, is a city landmark."</ref> Once home to several department stores downtown, the largest storefront today is a discount retailer.

===Harbortown===

[[File:Tottenville ferry pilings jeh.JPG|thumb|Looking across [[Arthur Kill]] to Harbortown (center)]]
[[Harbortown, Perth Amboy|Harbortown]] is a [[townhouse]] development on the waterfront which continues to be expanded since construction started in 1987. [[Section 8 (housing)|"Section 8"]] housing along with more affluent homes can be found in Harbortown, an economically and ethnically diverse townhouse development in the city.<ref>Deas, Wayne L. [https://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/16/nyregion/perth-amboy-s-rebirth-tied-to-project.html "Perth Amboy's Rebirth Tied To Project"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', August 16, 1987. Accessed July 14, 2012. "The massive Harbortown waterfront development will displace the old Union Carbide warehouse near State and Parker streets on Arthur Kill. The multi-million-dollar development is to consist of 2,250 town houses, a marina, lagoon and restaurant along 120 acres of the waterfront."</ref>

This area was the Lehigh Valley Railroad marshaling yards where coal was loaded onto barges for shipment to New York City and elsewhere until the LVRR went bankrupt in 1976.<ref>Heiss, Ralph A. [https://books.google.com/books?id=BfbYjCQvLvcC Lehigh Valley Railroad Across New Jersey''], ''[[Arcadia Publishing]]'', 2009. {{ISBN|9780738565767}}. Accessed December 19, 2019.</ref>

===Hall Avenue===
Hall Avenue is a neighborhood centered on Hall Avenue east of the [[NJ Transit]] train tracks. The street itself, Hall Avenue, is no longer the commercial strip it once was. However, there is a recently built strip mall on the corner of Hall Avenue and State Street called the "Firehouse Plaza". There is also a "Banco Popular" branch of the bank headquartered in Puerto Rico. However, Hall Avenue is now primarily residential. Most of the homes are aging apartments, but there are also some newly constructed homes. Hall Avenue remains a traditional [[Puerto Rican American|Puerto Rican]] neighborhood, and it hosts the city's annual Puerto Rican Day Festival, which is held on the same day of the historic Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City.<ref>Staff. [http://njtoday.net/2011/06/09/puerto-rican-festival-this-weekend/ "Puerto Rican Festival This Weekend"], ''News Record'', June 9, 2011. Accessed January 24, 2012.</ref> Rudyk Park is north of [[New Jersey Route 440|Route 440]] and features the Roberto Clemente Baseball Field and an industrial park.

===Southwestern section===
The southwestern section is a mainly working-class residential neighborhood with some light industry, once the site of [[Eagleswood Military Academy]]. The city's largest strip mall is located here. This neighborhood has a large and diversified Hispanic neighborhood with many [[Dominican American|Dominicans]], Puerto Ricans, and recently, South Americans. Much of the city's [[Mexican American|Mexican]] population also lives in this section. Previously, this section of Perth Amboy had a large Irish population and was once named "Dublin". Following the Irish came the Eastern Europeans, primarily Polish and Hungarian. Most of the housing consists of small one- or two-family houses. The main commercial strip is Smith Street, west of the [[NJ Transit]] train tracks.

===Western section===
The western section of the waterfront is west of Kearny Avenue. It is an overwhelmingly blue-collar Hispanic neighborhood. Most of the homes are over 100 years old; many are modest row houses. Sadowski Parkway Park lines through the southern end of the neighborhood and has a walkway with a beach. The park also hosts the Dominican festival and other festivals during the summer.

===State Street===

State Street is a neighborhood east of the NJ Transit train tracks, north of Fayette Street, and south of Harbortown. Like the southwestern section of Perth Amboy, it is predominantly working-class Hispanic. In addition, this neighborhood had many industries and factories before they moved overseas. The neighborhood is mainly Caribbean Hispanic. This section once had a large [[Cuban American|Cuban community]]. The State and Fayette Gardens, an apartment complex in the neighborhood, were called "The Cuban Buildings" at one time. The Landings at Harborside redevelopment project is being constructed in this neighborhood.

===Amboy Avenue===
Amboy Avenue is a quasi-suburban, working to middle-class neighborhood. It is also referred to as the "Hospital section" or the "High School section" due to the fact that these places are located in the neighborhood. Today most residents are Hispanic; Amboy Avenue once had a strong [[Italian American|Italian]] population.

===Maurer===
[[Maurer, Perth Amboy|Maurer]] is a chiefly working to middle-class neighborhood that lies in the northern part of Route 440. It is heavily industrial with many oil refineries and brownfields. Like Amboy Avenue, it is quasi-suburban.

===Chickentown===
Chickentown is a neighborhood in the western part of Route 35 south of Spa Springs, just south of Route 440. It shares many of the same characteristics of Spa Springs but to a lesser extent. The city's largest park, Washington Park, is located here. It received its name from all the chicken farms (hens and eggs) that were located here before World War II.

==Climate==
Perth Amboy has a [[humid subtropical climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Cfa'') typical of New Jersey with hot, humid summers and cold, wet winters.

{{Weather box |metric first =
|location = Perth Amboy, New Jersey
|single line = Y
|Jan high F = 39
|Feb high F = 42
|Mar high F = 51
|Apr high F = 62
|May high F = 72
|Jun high F = 81
|Jul high F = 86
|Aug high F = 84
|Sep high F = 77
|Oct high F = 66
|Nov high F = 55
|Dec high F = 43
|year high F=
|Jan low F = 24
|Feb low F = 26
|Mar low F = 33
|Apr low F = 42
|May low F = 51
|Jun low F = 61
|Jul low F = 66
|Aug low F = 65
|Sep low F = 57
|Oct low F = 46
|Nov low F = 37
|Dec low F = 29
|year low F=
|Jan precipitation inch = 3.63
|Feb precipitation inch = 3.06
|Mar precipitation inch = 4.13
|Apr precipitation inch = 4.01
|May precipitation inch = 4.22
|Jun precipitation inch = 4.21
|Jul precipitation inch = 5.50
|Aug precipitation inch = 3.73
|Sep precipitation inch = 4.57
|Oct precipitation inch = 4.21
|Nov precipitation inch = 3.85
|Dec precipitation inch = 4.00
|year precipitation inch= 49.12
|source 1 = <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.weather.com/weather/climatology/monthly/USNJ0404?x=0&y=0%7Cfrom=yest_bottomnav_undeclared |title=Average weather for Perth Amboy, New Jersey |access-date=December 20, 2008 |publisher=Weather.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202161141/http://www.weather.com/weather/climatology/monthly/USNJ0404?x=0&y=0%7Cfrom=yest_bottomnav_undeclared |archive-date=February 2, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|date=August 2010
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1790=   582
|1810=   815
|1820=   798
|1830=   879
|1840=  1303
|1850=  1865
|1860=  2302
|1870=  2851
|1880=  4808
|1890=  9512
|1900= 17699
|1910= 32121
|1920= 41707
|1930= 43516
|1940= 41242
|1950= 41330
|1960= 38007
|1970= 38798
|1980= 38951
|1990= 41967
|2000= 47303
|2010= 50814
|2020= 55436
| estimate=55249
| estyear=2023
| estref=<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=ANNRNK/><ref name=PopEst>[https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/tables/2020-2023/mcds/totals/SUB-MCD-EST2023-POP-34.xlsx Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Minor Civil Divisions in New Jersey: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023], [[United States Census Bureau]], released May 2024. Accessed May 16, 2024.</ref>
|footnote=Population sources:<small>1790–1920<ref>[https://dspace.njstatelib.org/xmlui/handle/10929/25218?show=full ''Compendium of Censuses 1726–1905: Together with the Tabulated Returns of 1905''], [[New Jersey Department of State]], 1906. Accessed May 10, 2013.</ref><br>1840<ref>[[Francis Bowen|Bowen, Francis]]. [https://books.google.com/books?id=DnUFAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA231 ''American Almanac and Repository of Useful Knowledge for the Year 1843''], p. 231, David H. Williams, 1842. Accessed May 10, 2013.</ref> 1850–1870<ref>Raum, John O. [https://books.google.com/books?id=5qZ4AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA247 ''The History of New Jersey: From Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time, Volume 1''], p. 271, J. E. Potter and company, 1877. Accessed May 10, 2013. "Perth Amboy city is situated at the head of Raritan bay. In 1850 it contained 1,865 inhabitants; in 1860, 2,302; and in 1870 2,861. It takes its name from James Drummond, one of the proprietors, and Earl of Perth, and Amboy from Ambo, meaning in the Indian language, a point."</ref> 1850<ref>[[J. D. B. De Bow|Debow, James Dunwoody Brownson]]. [https://books.google.com/books?id=25TicJOdU0AC&pg=PA139 ''The Seventh Census of the United States: 1850''], p. 139. R. Armstrong, 1853. Accessed May 10, 2013.</ref><br>1870<ref>Staff. [https://books.google.com/books?id=gNwIAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA260 ''A compendium of the ninth census, 1870''], p. 260. [[United States Census Bureau]], 1872. Accessed November 25, 2012.</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''], p. 98. [[United States Census Bureau]], 1890. Accessed November 25, 2012.</ref> 1850–1930<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=kifRAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA712 ''Fifteenth Census of the United States: 1930 – Population Volume I''], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed November 28, 2011.</ref><br>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], Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network, August 2001. Accessed May 1, 2023.</ref> 2000<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/><br>2010<ref name=Census2010>[http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0600000US3402358200 DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 for Perth Amboy city, Middlesex County, New Jersey] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20200212104354/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0600000US3402358200|date=February 12, 2020 }}, [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed July 3, 2012.</ref><ref name=LWD2010>[http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/lpa/census/2010/dp/dp1_mid/perthamboy1.pdf Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2010 for Perth Amboy city] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119010936/http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/lpa/census/2010/dp/dp1_mid/perthamboy1.pdf|date=2012-01-19}}, [[New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development]]. Accessed July 3, 2012.</ref> 2020<ref name=Census2020>[https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/perthamboycitynewjersey QuickFacts Perth Amboy city, New Jersey], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed January 16, 2023.</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], [[New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development]]. Accessed December 1, 2022.</ref></small>
}}
The city is one of many [[List of U.S. communities with Hispanic majority populations#New Jersey|U.S. communities with a majority Hispanic population]].

===2010 census===
The [[2010 United States census]] counted 50,814 people, 15,419 households, and 11,456 families in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|10806.8|/sqmi}}. There were 16,556 housing units at an average density of {{convert|3521.0|/sqmi}}. The racial makeup was 50.26% (25,541) [[White (U.S. census)|White]], 10.54% (5,358) [[Black (U.S. census)|Black or African American]], 1.10% (561) [[Native American (U.S. census)|Native American]], 1.69% (859) [[Asian (U.S. census)|Asian]], 0.05% (27) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. census)|Pacific Islander]], 30.77% (15,634) from [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census#Race|other races]], and 5.58% (2,834) from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. census)|Hispanic or Latino]] of any race were 78.10% (39,685) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/> The city's Hispanic population was the second-highest percentage among municipalities in New Jersey as of the 2010 Census, ranked behind [[Union City, New Jersey|Union City]] with 84.7%.<ref name=Record2011>Mascarenhas, Rohan. [https://www.nj.com/news/2011/02/census_data_shows_hispanics_as.html "Census data shows Hispanics as the largest minority in N.J."], ''[[The Star-Ledger]]'', February 3, 2011. Accessed August 7, 2013.</ref>

Of the 15,419 households, 40.0% had children under the age of 18; 40.1% were married couples living together; 24.6% had a female householder with no husband present and 25.7% were non-families. Of all households, 20.3% were made up of individuals and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.25 and the average family size was 3.65.<ref name=Census2010/>

27.3% of the population were under the age of 18, 11.0% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 9.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32.4 years. For every 100 females, the population had 97.3 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 94.3  males.<ref name=Census2010/>

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 [[American Community Survey]] showed that (in 2010 [[inflation adjustment|inflation-adjusted]] dollars) [[median household income]] was $47,696 (with a margin of error of +/− $3,644) and the median family income was $53,792 (+/− $2,943). Males had a median income of $38,485 (+/− $2,450) versus $30,078 (+/− $3,452) for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $20,162 (+/− $933). About 16.3% of families and 19.4% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 28.8% of those under age 18 and 15.2% of those age 65 or over.<ref>[http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0600000US3402358200 DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Perth Amboy city, Middlesex County, New Jersey] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20200212082532/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0600000US3402358200 |date=February 12, 2020 }}, [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed January 24, 2012.</ref>

===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States census]]<ref name="GR2" /> there were 47,303 people, 14,562 households, and 10,761 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|9,892.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 15,236 housing units at an average density of {{convert|3,186.2|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 46.41% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 10.04% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.70% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.53% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.13% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 35.59% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 5.61% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 69.83% of the population.<ref name=Census2000>[http://censtats.census.gov/data/NJ/1603458200.pdf Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Perth Amboy city] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130721074728/http://censtats.census.gov/data/NJ/1603458200.pdf |date=2013-07-21}}, [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed January 24, 2012.</ref><ref name=Census2000SF1>[http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/00_SF1/DP1/0600000US3402358200 DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Perth Amboy city, New Jersey] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20200212102221/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/00_SF1/DP1/0600000US3402358200 |date=February 12, 2020 }}, [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed July 13, 2012.</ref>

There were 14,562 households, out of which 40.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 21.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.1% were non-families. 20.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.20 and the average family size was 3.63.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

In the city the population was spread out, with 28.5% under the age of 18, 11.4% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 10.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.8 males.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

The median income for a household in the city was $37,608, and the median income for a family was $40,740. Males had a median income of $29,399 versus $21,954 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $14,989. About 14.3% of families and 17.6% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 24.1% of those under age 18 and 12.8% of those age 65 or over.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

In 2000, 27.79% of Perth Amboy residents identified themselves as being of [[Puerto Rican American|Puerto Rican]] ancestry, the fifth highest concentration of Puerto Ricans on the U.S. mainland of those municipalities with 1,000 or more residents identifying their ancestry.<ref>[http://www.epodunk.com/ancestry/Puerto-Rican.html Puerto Rican Communities] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060715105330/http://www.epodunk.com/ancestry/Puerto-Rican.html |date=2006-07-15 }}, [[EPodunk]]. Accessed July 7, 2006.</ref> In the same census, 18.81% of Perth Amboy residents identified themselves as being of Dominican ancestry, the third highest concentration in the country of [[Dominican Americans|Dominicans]] in the United States after [[Haverstraw, New York]], and [[Lawrence, Massachusetts]], using the same criteria.<ref>[http://www.epodunk.com/ancestry/Dominican-Republic.html Dominican Communities] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101017104216/http://www.epodunk.com/ancestry/Dominican-Republic.html |date=2010-10-17 }}, [[EPodunk]]. Accessed July 7, 2006.</ref>

==Economy==
Portions of the city are part of an [[Urban Enterprise Zone]] (UEZ), one of 32 zones covering 37 municipalities statewide. The city was selected in 1994 as one of a group of 10 zones added to participate in the program.<ref>[https://www.state.nj.us/dca/affiliates/uez/publications/pdf/tax_q&a_052709.pdf ''Urban Enterprise Zone Tax Questions and Answers''], [[New Jersey Department of Community Affairs]], May 2009. Accessed October 28, 2019. "In 1994 the legislation was amended and ten more zones were added to this successful economic development program. Of the ten new zones, six were predetermined: Paterson, Passaic, Perth Amboy, Phillipsburg, Lakewood, Asbury Park/Long Branch (joint zone). The four remaining zones were selected on a competitive basis. They are Carteret, Pleasantville, Union City and Mount Holly."</ref> In addition to other benefits to encourage employment within the UEZ, shoppers can take advantage of a reduced 3.3125% [[sales tax]] rate (half of the {{frac|6|5|8}}% rate charged statewide) at eligible merchants.<ref>[https://www.nj.gov/dca/affiliates/uez/about/ Urban Enterprise Zone Program], [[New Jersey Department of Community Affairs]]. Accessed October 27, 2019. "Businesses participating in the UEZ Program can charge half the standard sales tax rate on certain purchases, currently 3.3125% effective 1/1/2018"</ref> Established in October 1994, the city's Urban Enterprise Zone status expires in October 2025.<ref>[https://www.nj.gov/dca/affiliates/uez/publications/pdf/ZONE%20EXPIRATION%20DATES%20-%202018.pdf Urban Enterprise Zones Effective and Expiration Dates], [[New Jersey Department of Community Affairs]]. Accessed January 8, 2018.</ref> As of 2023, hundreds of millions of dollars were being invested in the redevelopment of Perth Amboy's [[waterfront area]], in part related to its strategically-located industrial area.<ref name=PerthAmboyWaterfrontDRedevelopment>{{cite web|access-date=September 25, 2023|author=John Mooney|date=April 19, 2023|publisher=TAP IP LLC|quote=$500 Million Redevelopment Project to Generate 1,500 Permanent Jobs|title=Perth Amboy Redevelopment Agency Joins State and City Officials to Break Ground on 1 Million Square Foot Logistics Park|url=https://www.tapinto.net/towns/raritan-bay/sections/business-and-finance/articles/perth-amboy-redevelopment-agency-joins-state-and-city-officials-to-break-ground-on-1-million-square-foot-logistics-park}}</ref>

==Government==

===Local government===
{{Further|Mayor of Perth Amboy, New Jersey}}
The City of Perth Amboy is governed under the [[Faulkner Act (mayor–council)|Mayor-Council]] system of municipal government under the [[Faulkner Act]]. The city is one of 71 municipalities (of the 564) statewide governed under this form.<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''], [[Rutgers University]] Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> The governing body is comprised of the Mayor and the City Council, all of whom are elected [[at-large]] on a [[non-partisan democracy|non-partisan]] basis. The city council includes five members, who are elected to four-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either two or three seats coming up for election in alternating even-numbered years. The mayor also serves a four-year term of office, which is up for election the same year that two council seats are up for vote.<ref name=DataBook>''2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book'', [[Rutgers University]] [[Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy]], March 2013, p. 87.</ref><ref>[https://njdatabook.rutgers.edu/sites/njdatabook.rutgers.edu/files/documents/forms_of_municipal_government_in_new_jersey_9220.pdf#page=10 "Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey"], p. 10. [[Rutgers University]] Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> In October 2010, the City Council voted to shift the city's non-partisan elections from May to November, with the first balloting held in conjunction with the General Election in November 2012.<ref>Stirling, Stephen. [https://www.nj.com/news/local/index.ssf/2010/10/perth_amboy_moves_its_non-part.html "Perth Amboy moves its non-partisan city elections to November"], ''[[The Star-Ledger]]'', October 31, 2010. Accessed May 10, 2013. "Perth Amboy's City Council voted 3-1 with 1 abstention to make the change at its Wednesday meeting and will hold its 2012 non-partisan general election in November."</ref>

{{As of|2024}}, the mayor of Perth Amboy is Helmin J. Caba, whose term of office ends December 31, 2024. Caba defeated former three-term mayor Wilda Diaz who had served 12 years in office from 2008 to 2020.<ref name=Mayor>[https://www.perthamboynj.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=11205008&pageId=12069664 Mayor], City of Perth Amboy. Accessed May 28, 2024.</ref> After trailing behind incumbent mayor Wilda Diaz by 33%-30% (a margin of more than 400 votes) in the November 2020 general election, he won the mayoral runoff election against Wilda Diaz on December 15, 2020.<ref>Pizarro, Max. [https://www.insidernj.com/diaz-loses-perth-amboy/ "Diaz Loses in Perth Amboy"], Insider NJ, December 18, 2020. Accessed July 19, 2022. "She and Caba both made the runoff on the strength of their Nov. 3rd performances but Caba eventually beat her in a dogfight: 4,748 to 4,118, with provisional ballots still pending but not enough."</ref> Members of the City Council are Hailey V. Cruz (2026), Rose B. Morales (2024), Kenneth Puccio (2026), Milady Tejeda (2026) and Bienvenido "BJ" Torres (2024).<ref>[https://www.perthamboynj.org/government/city_council City Council], City of Perth Amboy. Accessed May 28, 2024.</ref><ref>[https://cdnsm5-hosted.civiclive.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_11204924/File/Departments/FINANCE/2024/CY2024%20Adopted%20Budget.pdf 2024 Municipal Data Sheet], City of Perth Amboy. Accessed May 28, 2024.</ref><ref name=Middlesex2022>[https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/NJ/Middlesex/116148/web.307039/#/summary November 8, 2022 General Election Official Results], [[Middlesex County, New Jersey]], updated November 22, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.</ref><ref name=Middlesex2020>[https://app.powerbigov.us/view?r=eyJrIjoiODhjZDE4ZGUtZjk2Yy00MTI4LTk4ZjYtMmNkY2Q1ZTJmNjY0IiwidCI6IjhlZjNiNGU0LTBlODgtNDM4Yi1iOWE1LTEwZmVjYmQwYjcxZSJ9 Election Results 2020], [[Middlesex County, New Jersey]], as certified on November 20, 2020. Accessed January 21, 2021.</ref>

In the November 2014 general election, Fernando Gonzalez came in third place, winning the final seat up for election ahead of Sergio Diaz by nine votes. In March 2015, a Superior Court judge ordered a special election between Diaz and Gonzalez after finding that votes had been illegally cast and that there was evidence of fraud in mail voting.<ref>Staff. [http://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/middlesex-county/2015/03/25/perth-amboy-voter-fraud/70461226/ "Special election in Perth Amboy after judge rules voter fraud"], [[MyCentralJersey.com]], March 25, 2015. Accessed April 9, 2015. "A special election will be held for a city council position here after a judge's ruling on Wednesday found voter fraud occurred during the November 2014 election. Middlesex County Superior Court Judge Heidi Currier ordered a new election to be held in 45 to 50 days, as required by law, thereby vacating the election of Fernando Gonzalez. Gonzalez defeated Sergio Diaz by nine votes in November."</ref> In the special election, Gonzalez beat Diaz by a 112-vote margin.<ref>Bichao, Sergio. [http://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/politics/2015/05/12/perth-amboy-election-ends-another-nailbiter/27211719/ "Perth Amboy do-over election ends with mayor's critic winning again"], ''[[Courier News]]'', May 13, 2015. Accessed July 13, 2016. "After a hotly-contested special election Tuesday for a seat on the City Council, voters backed Fernando Gonzalez — the same candidate who had won in November by just nine votes.... Diaz on Tuesday received 1,298 machine votes while Gonzalez received 1,273. But with the mail-in votes, Gonzalez had 1,488 votes to 1,376."</ref>

===Federal, state and county representation===
Perth Amboy is located in the 6th Congressional District<ref name=PCR2012>[https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/2012-congressional-districts/njcd-2011-plan-components-county-mcd.pdf Plan Components Report], [[New Jersey Redistricting Commission]], December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref> and is part of New Jersey's 19th state legislative district.<ref name=Districts2011>[https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/2011-legislative-districts/towns-districts.pdf Municipalities Sorted by 2011-2020 Legislative District], [[New Jersey Department of State]]. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref><ref name=LWV2019>[https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5bae63366fd2b2e5b9f87e5e/5d30f0a94a82c66427e564d2_2019_CitizensGuide.pdf ''2019 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government''], New Jersey [[League of Women Voters]]. Accessed October 30, 2019.</ref><ref>[https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/districts/districtnumbers.asp#19 Districts by Number for 2011-2020], [[New Jersey Legislature]]. Accessed January 6, 2013.</ref>

{{NJ Congress 06}} {{NJ Senate}}

{{NJ Legislative 19}}

{{NJ Middlesex County Commissioners}}

===Politics===
As of March 2011, there were a total of 22,737 registered voters in Perth Amboy, of which 9,212 (40.5%) were registered as [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrats]], 1,022 (4.5%) were registered as [[Republican Party (United States)|Republicans]] and 12,500 (55.0%) were registered as [[Unaffiliated (New Jersey)|Unaffiliated]]. There were 3 voters registered to either the [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian Party]] or the [[Green Party of the United States|Green Party]].<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2011-middlesex-co-summary-report.pdf Voter Registration Summary - Middlesex] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004215902/http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2011-middlesex-co-summary-report.pdf |date=2013-10-04 }}, [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed November 25, 2012.</ref>

In the [[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2012|2012 presidential election]], Democrat [[Barack Obama]] received 87.0% of the vote (11,774 cast), ahead of Republican [[Mitt Romney]] with 12.3% (1,667 votes), and other candidates with 0.7% (100 votes), among the 13,869 ballots cast by the city's 24,253 registered voters (328 ballots were [[Spoilt vote|spoiled]]), for a turnout of 57.2%.<ref name=2012Elections>{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2012-results/2012-presidential-middlesex.pdf |title=Presidential General Election Results - November 6, 2012 - Middlesex County |date=March 15, 2013 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections |access-date=December 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150111233101/http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2012-results/2012-presidential-middlesex.pdf |archive-date=January 11, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=2012VoterReg>{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2012-results/2012-ballotscast-middlesex.pdf |title=Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast - November 6, 2012 - General Election Results - Middlesex County |date=March 15, 2013 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections |access-date=December 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150111223203/http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2012-results/2012-ballotscast-middlesex.pdf |archive-date=January 11, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> In the [[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2008|2008 presidential election]], Democrat Barack Obama received 81.6% of the vote (10,999 cast), ahead of Republican [[John McCain]] with 16.8% (2,261 votes) and other candidates with 0.7% (91 votes), among the 13,473 ballots cast by the city's 23,248 registered voters, for a turnout of 58.0%.<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2008-gen-elect-presidential-results-middlesex.pdf 2008 Presidential General Election Results: Middlesex County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722203923/http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2008-gen-elect-presidential-results-middlesex.pdf |date=2013-07-22 }}, [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed November 25, 2012.</ref> In the [[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2004|2004 presidential election]], Democrat [[John Kerry]] received 71.0% of the vote (8,677 ballots cast), outpolling Republican [[George W. Bush]] with 27.5% (3,359 votes) and other candidates with 0.4% (79 votes), among the 12,223 ballots cast by the city's 21,686 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 56.4.<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2004-presidential_middlesex_co_2004.pdf 2004 Presidential Election: Middlesex County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722204150/http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2004-presidential_middlesex_co_2004.pdf |date=2013-07-22 }}, [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed November 25, 2012.</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; font-size:95%;"
|+ Presidential Elections Results
!Year
![[Republican Party (New Jersey)|Republican]]
![[Democratic Party (New Jersey)|Democratic]]
![[Third Party (United States)|Third Parties]]
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[2024 United States presidential election in New Jersey|2024]]<ref name="2024Elections">{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/2024/2024-official-general-results-president-middlesex.pdf|title=Presidential General Election Results - November 5, 2024 - Middlesex County|publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections|access-date=December 31, 2024}}</ref>'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|44.5% ''6,209''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''53.3%'''  ''7,430''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |2.2% ''268''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2020|2020]]<ref name="2020Elections">{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/2020/2020-official-general-results-president-middlesex.pdf|title=Presidential General Election Results - November 3, 2020 - Middlesex County|publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections|access-date=December 31, 2020}}</ref>'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|27.7% ''4,246''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''71.3%'''  ''10,929''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |1.0% ''104''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2016|2016]]<ref name="2016Elections">{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.gov/state/elections/2016-results/2016-gen-elect-presidential-results-middlesex.pdf|title=Presidential General Election Results - November 8, 2016 - Middlesex County|publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections|access-date=December 31, 2017}}</ref>'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|16.2% ''2,278''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''81.2%''' ''10,915''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |2.1% ''281''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2012|2012]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/2012/2012-presidential-middlesex.pdf|title=Presidential General Election Results - November 6, 2012 - Middlesex County|date=March 15, 2013|publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections|access-date=January 9, 2025}}</ref>'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|12.3% ''1,667''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''87.0%'''  ''11,774''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |0.7% ''100''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2008|2008]]'''<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2008-gen-elect-presidential-results-middlesex.pdf 2008 Presidential General Election Results: Middlesex County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722203923/http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2008-gen-elect-presidential-results-middlesex.pdf |date=July 22, 2013}}, [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed January 9, 2025.</ref>
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|16.8% ''2,261''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''81.6%'''  ''10,999''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |0.7% ''91''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2004|2004]]'''<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2004-presidential_middlesex_co_2004.pdf 2004 Presidential Election: Middlesex County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722204150/http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2004-presidential_middlesex_co_2004.pdf |date=July 22, 2013}}, [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed January 9, 2025.</ref>
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|27.5% ''3,359''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''71.0%'''   ''8,677''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |0.4% ''79''
|-
|}

In the [[2013 New Jersey gubernatorial election|2013 gubernatorial election]], Democrat [[Barbara Buono]] received 63.1% of the vote (3,574 cast), ahead of Republican [[Chris Christie]] with 35.6% (2,014 votes), and other candidates with 1.3% (74 votes), among the 5,915 ballots cast by the city's 24,593 registered voters (253 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 24.1%.<ref name=2013Elections>{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2013-results/2013-general-election-results-governor-middlesex.pdf |title=Governor - Middlesex County |date=January 29, 2014 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections |access-date=December 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924134016/http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2013-results/2013-general-election-results-governor-middlesex.pdf |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=2013VoterReg>{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2013-results/2013-general-election-ballotscast-middlesex.pdf |title=Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast - November 5, 2013 - General Election Results - Middlesex County |date=January 29, 2014 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections |access-date=December 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924133312/http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2013-results/2013-general-election-ballotscast-middlesex.pdf |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> In the [[2009 New Jersey gubernatorial election|2009 gubernatorial election]], Democrat [[Jon Corzine]] received 69.8% of the vote (4,645 ballots cast), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 24.2% (1,611 votes), Independent [[Chris Daggett]] with 3.4% (228 votes) and other candidates with 0.8% (50 votes), among the 6,654 ballots cast by the city's 22,185 registered voters, yielding a 30.0% turnout.<ref>[http://www.njelections.org/election-results/2009-governor_results-middlesex.pdf 2009 Governor: Middlesex County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017230558/http://www.njelections.org/election-results/2009-governor_results-middlesex.pdf |date=2012-10-17 }}, [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed November 25, 2012.</ref>

==Transportation==

===Roads and highways===
[[File:Victory Bridge from US 9.JPG|thumb|Victory Bridge from US 9]]
[[File:2021-08-24 13 58 10 View south along New Jersey State Route 440 and Middlesex County Route 501 (Middlesex Freeway) from the pedestrian overpass between Lawrence Street and Grove Street in Perth Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey.jpg|thumb|left|View south along [[New Jersey Route 440|Route 440]], the largest and busiest highway in Perth Amboy]]
{{As of|2019|3}}, the city had a total of {{convert|75.14|mi}} of roadways, of which {{convert|58.59|mi}} were maintained by the municipality, {{convert|11.11|mi}} by Middlesex County,  {{convert|4.27|mi}} by the [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]] and {{convert|1.17|mi}} by the [[Port Authority of New York and New Jersey]].<ref>[https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/pdf/mileage_Middlesex.pdf Middlesex County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction], [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]], March 2019. Accessed January 18, 2021.</ref>

The city is crisscrossed by many many major roads and highways.<ref>[https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/gis/maps/middlesex.pdf Middlesex County Road Map], [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]]. Accessed December 1, 2019.</ref> Major roads in the city include [[New Jersey Route 35|Route 35]]<ref>[https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/00000035__-.pdf#page=18 Route 35 Straight Line Diagram], [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]], updated March 2016. Accessed December 19, 2019.</ref> [[New Jersey Route 184|Route 184]],<ref>[https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/00000184__-.pdf Route 184 Straight Line Diagram], [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]], updated April 2016. Accessed December 19, 2019.</ref> [[New Jersey Route 440|Route 440]],<ref>[https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/00000440__-.pdf#page=2 Route 440 Straight Line Diagram], [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]], updated May 2016. Accessed December 19, 2019.</ref> [[County Route 501 (New Jersey)|CR 501]]<ref>[https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/12000616__-.pdf#page=2 Middlesex County Route 501 Straight Line Diagram], [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]], updated June 2011. Accessed December 19, 2019.</ref> and [[List of county routes in Middlesex County, New Jersey#616|CR 616]].<ref>[https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/12000624__-.pdf#page=2 Middlesex County Route 616 Straight Line Diagram], [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]], updated January 2014. Accessed December 19, 2019.</ref>

The [[Outerbridge Crossing]], which opened to traffic on June 29, 1928, is a [[Cantilever bridge|cantilever bridge]] over the [[Arthur Kill]] that connects Perth Amboy with [[Staten Island]]. Known locally as the "Outerbridge", it is part of a major route on [[New York State Route 440|NY-440]] / NJ-440 from the south and west to [[New York City]] and [[Long Island]]. Despite the assumption that the name is derived from its location as the southernmost bridge in New York State and Staten Island, the Outerbridge Crossing was named in honor of [[Eugenius Harvey Outerbridge|Eugenius H. Outerbridge]], first Chairman of the [[Port Authority of New York and New Jersey|Port Authority]].<ref>[http://www.panynj.gov/bridges-tunnels/outerbridge-crossing-history.html Outerbridge Crossing History], [[Port Authority of New York and New Jersey]]. Accessed December 19, 2019.</ref> The bridge clears the channel by {{convert|143|ft|abbr=on}}, providing passage for some of the largest ships entering the [[Port of New York and New Jersey]].<ref>[http://www.panynj.gov/bridges-tunnels/outerbridge-crossing-facts-info.html Outerbridge Crossing Facts & Info], [[Port Authority of New York and New Jersey]]. Accessed December 19, 2019.</ref>

[[File:Perth Amboy Station.jpg|thumb|right|Main entrance of Perth Amboy Station]]
The [[Victory Bridge (New Jersey)|Victory Bridge]] carries Route 35 over the [[Raritan River]], connecting Perth Amboy on the north with [[Sayreville, New Jersey|Sayreville]] to the south. From the time of its construction in 1926 until the [[Edison Bridge (New Jersey)|Edison Bridge]] was completed in 1939, all traffic heading across the Raritan River was funneled through the Victory Bridge, whose original single-span swing bridge was replaced under a project completed in 2005 that provides two spans of traffic, including a {{convert|134|m|adj=on}} main span that was the longest precast cantilever segmental construction in the United States at the time of its construction.<ref>[https://www.preservationnj.org/listings/victory-bridge/ Victory Bridge], Preservation New Jersey. Accessed December 24, 2019. "Until the completion of the Thomas Edison Bridge in 1939, the Victory Bridge served as the sole north–south crossing of the Raritan River on the eastern side of the state and carried all of the automobile traffic for what are the present-day routes 9, 34, and 35."</ref><ref>[https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/about/press/2005/102705.shtm Lettiere announces completion of Route 35 Victory Bridge and Victory Circle Project], [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]] press release dated October 27, 2005. Accessed December 24, 2019. "The original Route 35 Victory Bridge was built in 1926, connecting the municipalities of Perth Amboy City and Sayreville Borough in Middlesex County. The 360-foot structure was the longest swing span bridge in New Jersey at the time it was built.... The Route 35 Victory Bridge provides a vital highway link over the Raritan River in Middlesex County. Its traffic volume currently exceeds 20,000 vehicles per day and is projected to exceed 25,000 vehicles per day by 2015. A combined 350,000 cars travel over the Raritan River each day via the Parkway, Route 35 and Route 9."</ref><ref>Figg, Linda; and Pate, W. Denney. [https://www.pci.org/PCI_Docs/Design_Resources/Guides_and_manuals/references/bridge_design_manual/JL-04-September-October__Precast_Concrete_Segmental_Bridges.pdf "Precast Concrete Segmental Bridges -- America's Beautiful and Affordable Icons"], ''PCI Journal'', September–October 2004. Accessed December 24, 2019. "In 2004, the record for a balanced cantilever span length in America was broken again. With a fully match-cast, precast concrete main span of 440 ft (134.1 in), the current record holder is the new twin-span Victory Bridge in northern New Jersey. The 3971 ft (1210 m), $109 million precast concrete segmental bridge will carry traffic 110 ft (33.5 m) above the Raritan River between Perth Amboy and Sayreville, replacing a 1927 steel swing bridge."</ref>

===Public transportation===
The city has [[NJ Transit]] train service at [[Perth Amboy station|Perth Amboy Station]].<ref>[http://www.njtransit.com/rg/rg_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=TrainStationLookupFrom&selStation=119 Perth Amboy station] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725033313/http://www.njtransit.com/rg/rg_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=TrainStationLookupFrom&selStation=119 |date=2014-07-25 }}, [[NJ Transit]]. Accessed July 17, 2014.</ref> The station provides service on the [[North Jersey Coast Line]] to [[Newark Penn Station]], [[Hoboken Terminal]], [[Secaucus Junction]], [[New York Penn Station]] and the [[Jersey Shore]].<ref>[http://www.njtransit.com/rg/rg_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=LineDetailsTo&selLine=NJCL North Jersey Coast Line] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130723025516/http://www.njtransit.com/rg/rg_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=LineDetailsTo&selLine=NJCL |date=July 23, 2013 }}, [[NJ Transit]]. Accessed July 17, 2014.</ref>

NJ Transit buses serve the [[Port Authority Bus Terminal]] on the [[List of NJ Transit bus routes (100-199)#To points in the Raritan Valley from PABT|116]] route, [[Elizabeth, New Jersey|Elizabeth]] on the [[List of NJ Transit bus routes (1-99)#Central Division: South and west from Hudson County/Newark|48]] line, with local service available on the [[List of NJ Transit bus routes (800-880)#Middlesex County local routes|813]], [[List of NJ Transit bus routes (800-880)#Middlesex County local routes|815]], and [[List of NJ Transit bus routes (800-880)#Middlesex County local routes|817]] bus routes.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090522212321/http://www.njtransit.com/sf/sf_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=BusRoutesMiddlesexCountyTo Middlesex County Bus/Rail Connections], [[NJ Transit]], backed up by the [[Internet Archive]] as of May 22, 2009. Accessed November 27, 2011.</ref><ref>[https://kmm.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Middlesex_County_Transit_Guide_2019_WEB.pdf Middlesex County Transit Guide], Middlesex County. Accessed April 1, 2023.</ref>

===Bicycle regulation===
Since 1939, legal use of a bicycle in Perth Amboy requires a license issued by the Perth Amboy police department. The purchase and sale of used bicycles must be reported to the Perth Amboy police department. Any person operating a business engaged in the sale or purchase of new or used bicycles must file a daily report with the Chief of Police detailing the particulars of all transactions.<ref>[https://ecode360.com/35010415 City of Perth Amboy, NJ / Part II: General Legislation / Chapter 158 Bicycles] Accessed April 20, 2021.</ref> There is at least one bicycle shop in Perth Amboy.<ref>{{Cite web|last=NBcycling|title=NBcycling|url=https://www.nbcycling.us/|access-date=2021-08-10|website=NBcycling}}</ref>

==Education==

[[File:Perth Amboy High School, Convery Boulevard, NJ - 2024.jpg|thumb|[[Perth Amboy High School]]]]
Public schools in Perth Amboy are operated by [[Perth Amboy Public Schools]], serving students in [[pre-kindergarten]] through [[twelfth grade]].<ref>[https://www.straussesmay.com/seportal/public/DistrictPolicy.aspx?policyid=0110&id=350315a8bc724468890cdb7e6cc07c6f Perth Amboy Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification], Perth Amboy Public Schools. Accessed March 29, 2022. "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 Perth Amboy School District. Composition: The Perth Amboy School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Perth Amboy."</ref> The district is one of 31 former [[Abbott district]]s statewide that were established pursuant to the decision by the [[New Jersey Supreme Court]] in ''Abbott v. Burke''<ref>[https://www.njsda.gov/About/WhatWeDo#History What We Do: History], [[New Jersey Schools Development Authority]]. Accessed March 1, 2022. "In 1998, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled in the ''Abbott v. Burke'' case that the State must provide 100 percent funding for all school renovation and construction projects in special-needs school districts. According to the Court, aging, unsafe and overcrowded buildings prevented children from receiving the "thorough and efficient" education required under the New Jersey Constitution.... Full funding for approved projects was authorized for the 31 special-needs districts, known as 'Abbott Districts'."</ref> which are now referred to as "SDA Districts" based on the requirement for the state to cover all costs for school building and renovation projects in these districts under the supervision of the [[New Jersey Schools Development Authority]].<ref>[https://www.njsda.gov/About/WhatWeDo What We Do], [[New Jersey Schools Development Authority]]. Accessed March 1, 2022.</ref><ref>[https://www.njsda.gov/Content/FactSheets/31_SDA_Districts.pdf SDA Districts], [[New Jersey Schools Development Authority]]. Accessed March 1, 2022.</ref>

As of the 2020–21 school year, the district, comprised of 12 schools, had an enrollment of 10,786 students and 898.7 classroom teachers (on an [[full-time equivalent|FTE]] basis), for a [[student–teacher ratio]] of 12.0:1.<ref name=NCES>[https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/district_detail.asp?Search=2&details=1&ID2=3412930&DistrictID=3412930 District information for Perth Amboy Public School District], [[National Center for Education Statistics]]. Accessed February 15, 2022.</ref> Schools in the district (with 2020–21 enrollment data from the [[National Center for Education Statistics]]<ref>[https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3412930 School Data for the Perth Amboy Public Schools], [[National Center for Education Statistics]]. Accessed February 15, 2022.</ref>) are 
Ignacio Cruz Early Childhood Center<ref>[https://www.paps.net/cruz Ignacio Cruz Early Childhood Center], Perth Amboy Public Schools. Accessed March 30, 2022.</ref> (with 667 students in Pre-K), 
Edmund Hmieleski Jr. Early Childhood Center<ref>[https://www.paps.net/hmieleski Edmund Hmieleski Jr. Early Childhood Center], Perth Amboy Public Schools. Accessed March 30, 2022.</ref> (362; Pre-K), 
School #7 Early Childhood Center<ref>[https://www.paps.net/Domain/2466 School #7 Early Childhood Center], Perth Amboy Public Schools. Accessed March 30, 2022.</ref> (NA; Pre-K), 
Anthony V. Ceres Elementary School<ref>[https://www.paps.net/ceres Anthony V. Ceres Elementary School], Perth Amboy Public Schools. Accessed March 30, 2022.</ref> (581; K–4), 
James J. Flynn Elementary School<ref>[https://www.paps.net/flynn James J. Flynn Elementary School], Perth Amboy Public Schools. Accessed March 30, 2022.</ref> (550; K–4), 
Rose M. Lopez Elementary School<ref>[https://www.paps.net/lopez Rose M. Lopez Elementary School], Perth Amboy Public Schools. Accessed March 30, 2022.</ref> (812; K–3), 
Edward J. Patten Elementary Elementary School<ref>[https://www.paps.net/patten Edward J. Patten Elementary Elementary School], Perth Amboy Public Schools. Accessed March 30, 2022.</ref> (660; K–4), 
Dr. Herbert N. Richardson 21st Century Elementary School<ref>[https://www.paps.net/richardson Dr. Herbert N. Richardson 21st Century Elementary School], Perth Amboy Public Schools. Accessed March 30, 2022.</ref> (491; K–4), 
Robert N. Wilentz Elementary School<ref>[https://www.paps.net/wilentz Robert N. Wilentz Elementary School], Perth Amboy Public Schools. Accessed March 30, 2022.</ref> (637; K–4), 
Dual Language School<ref>[https://www.paps.net/dls Dual Language School], Perth Amboy Public Schools. Accessed March 30, 2022.</ref> (397; 4–8), 
William C. McGinnis Middle School<ref>[https://www.paps.net/mcginnis William C. McGinnis Middle School], Perth Amboy Public Schools. Accessed March 30, 2022.</ref> (1,398; 5–8), 
Samuel E. Shull Middle School<ref>[https://www.paps.net/shull Samuel E. Shull Middle School], Perth Amboy Public Schools. Accessed March 30, 2022.</ref> (1,410; 5–8) and 
[[Perth Amboy High School]]<ref>[https://www.paps.net/pahs Perth Amboy High School], Perth Amboy Public Schools. Accessed March 30, 2022.</ref> (2,547; 9–12).<ref>[https://www.paps.net/Page/16147 Our Schools], Perth Amboy Public Schools. Accessed March 30, 2022.</ref><ref>[https://rc.doe.state.nj.us/selectreport/2022-2023/23/4090 School Performance Reports for the Perth Amboy Public School District], [[New Jersey Department of Education]]. Accessed April 1, 2024.</ref><ref>[https://homeroom6.doe.state.nj.us/directory/school/districtid/4090 New Jersey School Directory for Perth Amboy Public Schools], [[New Jersey Department of Education]]. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref>

Based on data from the 2013–2017 [[American Community Survey]], 14.5% of adults over the age of 25 in Perth Amboy have a bachelor's degree or higher, a percentage significantly below the state average of 38.9% and the 42.7% of those in Middlesex County.<ref>[https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/perthamboycitynewjersey,middlesexcountynewjersey,NJ/PST045219 QuickFacts for Perth Amboy city, New Jersey; Middlesex County, New Jersey; New Jersey from Population estimates, July 1, 2019, (V2019)], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed May 21, 2020.</ref>

The [[Academy for Urban Leadership Charter High School]] is a public high school serving grades 7–12 open since September 2010, operating independently of the Perth Amboy Public Schools under the terms of a charter granted by the [[New Jersey Department of Education]]. The school opened with one hundred 9th graders, with plans to add a class of 100 students each year until it reached its goal of 400 students in grades 9–12 by the 2013–2014 school year and has since added grades 7 and 8.<ref>[https://www.aulcs.org/domain/6 Our School], [[Academy for Urban Leadership Charter High School]]. Accessed December 19, 2019. "The Academy for Urban Leadership Charter School is a public school that operates under a charter granted by the State Commissioner of Education on September 8, 2010. As of September 2016, AUL will be serving 500 students in grades 8-12, one hundred students per grade. In September 2017, AUL will be serving an additional one hundred students in grade 7."</ref> As of the 2021–22 school year, the school had an enrollment of 414 students and 39.0 classroom teachers (on an [[full-time equivalent|FTE]] basis), for a [[student–teacher ratio]] of 10.6:1.<ref>[https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/district_detail.asp?Search=2&details=1&ID2=3400741&DistrictID=3400741 District information for Academy For Urban Leadership Charter School], [[National Center for Education Statistics]]. Accessed December 1, 2022.</ref>

Eighth grade students from all of Middlesex County are eligible to apply to attend the high school programs offered by the [[Middlesex County Magnet Schools]], a county-wide vocational school district that offers full-time career and technical education at its schools in [[East Brunswick Magnet School|East Brunswick]], [[Edison Academy Magnet School|Edison]], [[Perth Amboy Magnet School|Perth Amboy]], [[Piscataway Magnet School|Piscataway]] and [[Woodbridge Academy Magnet School|Woodbridge Township]], with no tuition charged to students for attendance.<ref>Heyboer, Kelly. [https://www.nj.com/news/g66l-2019/02/1b0ab48c995308/how-to-get-your-kid-a-seat-in-one-of-njs-hardesttogetinto-high-schools.html "How to get your kid a seat in one of N.J.'s hardest-to-get-into high schools"], NJ Advance Media for [[NJ.com]], February 23, 2019. Accessed February 8, 2025. "Middlesex County has two stand-alone career academies for high-achieving students: the Academy for Science, Math and Engineering Technology, located on the campus of Middlesex County College in Edison, and the Academy for Allied Health and Biomedical Sciences in Woodbridge. How to apply: Students must attend a mandatory information session and submit an application by November of their 8th grade year."</ref><ref>[https://www.mcmsnj.net/about About Our Schools], [[Middlesex County Magnet Schools]]. Accessed February 8, 2025. "These high schools are free public schools that offer hands-on, integrated learning opportunities for students in grades 9-12 interested in all types of careers as well as higher education. Any student who resides anywhere in Middlesex County's 25 municipalities student may apply to the school district. If accepted, the home school district will permit the student to attend and will organize daily transportation at no cost to the student's family."</ref>

Assumption Catholic School (Pre-K–8)<ref>[https://assumptioncatholicschool.net/about-us/our-faculty-and-staff/ About Us], Assumption Catholic School. Accessed December 19, 2019.</ref> and Perth Amboy Catholic Primary School / Upper School (Pre-K–8)<ref>[http://www.pacatholicschool.org/pacs/ About Us], Perth Amboy Catholic School. Accessed December 19, 2019. "Since its inception in 1987, PACS has had the privilege of educating children from Perth Amboy and the surrounding area, as we live out our Mission Statement"</ref> operate under the supervision of [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen]].<ref>[https://diometuchen.org/assets/Uploads/Documents/Schools/ListofSchools2018.pdf Schools in the Diocese of Metuchen Listed by County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204202806/https://diometuchen.org/assets/Uploads/Documents/Schools/ListofSchools2018.pdf |date=December 4, 2019 }}, [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen]]. Accessed December 19, 2019.</ref>

In 1903, the [[Perth Amboy Public Library]] became the first [[List of Carnegie libraries in New Jersey|Carnegie library]] in the state, made possible through a grant of $20,000 from [[Andrew Carnegie]] Foundation and donations from local philanthropists, which were supplemented in 1914 by an additional $30,000 in Carnegie grants to pay for two additional reading rooms.<ref name=LibraryMission>[https://www.perthamboynj.org/library/the_library/our_story Our Story], Perth Amboy Free Public Library. Accessed December 20, 2019. "Our Library was built on its present site on Jefferson Street, in 1901, on land donated by J. C. Mc Coy, of the Raritan Copper Works and constructed with the aid of a $20,000 grant from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation, a $1,000 donation from Adolph Lewisohn to purchase new books, and an agreement by the City to provide for the Library's upkeep. On December 9, 1903, the building, the first in New Jersey to be the beneficiary of Mr. Carnegie's generosity, was opened to the Public. The growth of the Library from that time was so marked, that in 1914, the Carnegie Corporation donated an additional $30,000 for the creation of two reading rooms."</ref><ref name=NYT1901/> The library reopened in 2015 after a $2 million renovation project that kept the library closed for more than two years.<ref name=CN2015>Russell, Suzanne. [https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/middlesex-county/2015/10/19/renovations-perth-amboy-library/74017364/ "Renovations completed at Perth Amboy Public Library"], ''[[Courier News]]'', October 19, 2015. Accessed December 19, 2019. "More than two years after the Perth Amboy Public Library closed its doors in 2013 for a much-needed $2 million renovation, residents will be welcomed back to the Jefferson Street building Saturday, Oct. 24, to tour the restored 112-year-old structure and sign up for library cards.... 'We're still making repairs. The majority of the work has been done, but it's still a work in progress,' said Diaz, noting a stair tower, to provide handicap accessibility, has yet to be completed on the structure which opened in 1903 with funding from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation."</ref><ref>Hazard, Sharon. [http://njmonthly.com/articles/lifestyle/a-gift-that-keeps-on-giving.html "A Gift That Keeps on Giving: NJ's Carnegie Libraries - Industrialist Andrew Carnegie built 36 libraries in New Jersey — each an architectural gem. Thanks to preservation efforts and creative reuse, most still serve their communities."], ''[[New Jersey Monthly]]'', April 8, 2013. Accessed December 19, 2019. "Perth Amboy’s library, dedicated in 1903, is in the process of being enlarged to meet the growing needs of its community while maintaining its architectural integrity."</ref>

==Notable people==
{{Category see also|People from Perth Amboy, New Jersey}}
People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Perth Amboy include:

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Soren Sorensen Adams]] (1879–1963), inventor and manufacturer of novelty products, including the [[joy buzzer]]<ref>[[Maurice Zolotow|Zolotow, Maurice]]. [http://csadams.com/ittakes.php "S. S. Adams - mischief, incorporated"] from ''It Takes All Kinds'', at CSAdams.com. Accessed December 19, 2019. "The future Ford of foolery was born Soren Sorenson Adams in Aarhus, Denmark, in 1869. His father was a sabot maker, who removed to Perth Amboy, N. J., when Sam—as he has always been called—was two years old."</ref>
* [[Garth Ancier]] (born 1957), media executive best known for being one of only two people to have programmed three of the five US broadcast television networks<ref>[[Horace Newcomb|Newcomb, Horace]]. [https://books.google.com/books?id=NUXIAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA111 ''Encyclopedia of Television''], p. 111. [[Routledge]], 2014. {{ISBN|9781135194727}}. Accessed December 19, 2019. "Garth Ancier. Born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, September 3, 1957."</ref>
* [[Solomon Andrews (inventor)|Solomon Andrews]] (1806–1872), creator of the first successful dirigible [[airship]]; served three terms as mayor of Perth Amboy<ref>[http://www.njinvent.org/awards/Awards1992.html 1992 Award Winners] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708200518/http://www.njinvent.org/awards/Awards1992.html |date=2017-07-08}}, New Jersey Inventors Hall of Fame. Accessed September 17, 2015. "Solomon Andrews (1806-1872)... In addition, he built a successful medical practice, served three terms as Mayor of Perth Amboy, constructed the city's first sewer, and saved the residents from cholera and yellow fever epidemics."</ref>
* [[Carolyn Aronson]] (born 1966), hair care entrepreneur<ref>Reiser, Emon. [https://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2019/12/31/executive-profile-carolyn-aronson.html "Executive Profile: It's a 10 Haircare CEO Carolyn Aronson on betting on yourself"], ''South Florida Business Journal'', December 31, 2019. Accessed August 31, 2021. "Carolyn Aronson. Age: 53. Born: Perth Amboy, New Jersey."</ref>
* [[Mike Baumgartner (bobsleigh)|Mike Baumgartner]] (1922–1991), [[bobsleigh|bobsledder]] who competed in the [[Bobsleigh at the 1964 Winter Olympics – Four-man|Four-man event]] at the [[1964 Winter Olympics]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20200418075558/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/ba/mike-baumgartner-1.html Mike Baumgartner Bio, Stats, and Results], [[Sports-Reference]]. Accessed December 19, 2019. "Born: April 20, 1922 in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, United States"</ref>
* [[Jay Bellamy]] (born 1972), safety who played in the NFL for the [[Seattle Seahawks]] and the [[New Orleans Saints]]<ref>Staff. [https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19990817/2977869/seahawk-profile----jay-bellamy "Seahawk Profile -- Jay Bellamy"], ''[[The Seattle Times]]'', August 17, 1999. Accessed December 19, 2019. "Born in Perth Amboy, N.J."</ref>
* [[Jon Bon Jovi]] (born 1962), singer was born in Perth Amboy<ref>Campbell, Mary via [[Associated Press]]. [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GUojAAAAIBAJ&sjid=v84FAAAAIBAJ&dq=jon-bon-jovi%20perth-amboy&pg=4036%2C3422391 "Bon Jovi jets to rock success"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223151735/http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GUojAAAAIBAJ&sjid=v84FAAAAIBAJ&dq=jon-bon-jovi%20perth-amboy&pg=4036%2C3422391 |date=2015-02-23 }}, ''[[The Palm Beach Post]]'', February 13, 1987. Accessed July 6, 2010.</ref>
* [[Padi Boyd]], [[astrophysicist]] who is the head of [[NASA]]'s Exoplanets and Stellar Astrophysics Laboratory<ref>[https://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/features/bios/boyd/padi_boyd.html Profile: Dr. Padi Boyd From Singing to Science], [[NASA]]. Accessed December 19, 2019. "Patricia (Padi) Boyd was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey."</ref>
* [[Kelly J. Breen]] (born 1969), [[Horse trainer|trainer]] of [[thoroughbred]] [[racehorse]]s<ref>[http://files.ntra.com/stats_bios.aspx?id=15465 Kelly Breen] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923201343/http://files.ntra.com/stats_bios.aspx?id=15465 |date=2015-09-23}}, [[National Thoroughbred Racing Association]]. Accessed September 17, 2015. "Born: May 13, 1969, Perth Amboy, N.J. Residence: Tinton Falls, N.J."</ref>
* [[Malcolm Brenner (writer)|Malcolm Brenner]] (born 1951), author, journalist and [[zoophile]]<ref>Jordan, Chris. [http://www.app.com/story/entertainment/2015/03/18/film-on-jersey-mans-love-affair-with-dolphin-wins-award/24993801/ "Film on Jersey man's love affair with dolphin wins award"], ''[[Asbury Park Press]]'', March 18, 2015. Accessed September 17, 2015. "''Dolphin Lover,'' a short film about Perth Amboy native Malcolm Brenner's tryst with a bottlenose dolphin in Florida, won an honorable mention for documentary short at the Slamdance Film Festival in January."</ref>
* [[Miles Browning]] (1897–1954), officer in the United States Navy in the Atlantic during World War I and in the Pacific during World War II who was a pioneer in the development of aircraft carrier combat operations concepts<ref>via [[Associated Press]]. [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1913&dat=19540928&id=TjpHAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ufMMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3632,2917581&hl=en "Adm. Miles Browning Dies at Chelsea"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113045152/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1913&dat=19540928&id=TjpHAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ufMMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3632,2917581&hl=en |date=January 13, 2016 }}, ''[[Lewiston Evening Journal]]'', September 28, 1954. Accessed September 17, 2015. "He was born in Perth Amboy, N.J., and was graduated from the Naval Academy in 1917."</ref>
* [[Frank Buckiewicz]] (1930–2017), football player and coach who served as the head football coach at [[Pacific University]] from 1965 to 1980<ref>[https://goboxers.com/news/2017/9/14/general-remembrance-for-frank-buckiewicz-set-for-sept-23.aspx "Remembrance For Frank Buckiewicz Set For Sept. 23"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181108224814/https://goboxers.com/news/2017/9/14/general-remembrance-for-frank-buckiewicz-set-for-sept-23.aspx |date=2018-11-08 }}, [[Pacific University]], September 14, 2017. Accessed November 8, 2018. "Mr. Buckiewicz was born on April 14, 1930 in Perth Amboy, New Jersey and went to earn his bachelor's degree from Pacific University as a five-sport athlete in football, baseball, track, golf and basketball."</ref>
* [[Johnny Buff]] (1888–1955), boxer who was world bantamweight champion from 1921 to 1922<ref>Staff. [https://www.nytimes.com/1973/08/16/archives/toy-bulldog-at-72-new-jersey-sports.html "Toy Bulldog at 72; New Jersey Sports"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', April 16, 1973. Accessed December 19, 2019. "He became New Jersey's second world champion (Johnny Buff of Perth Amboy was first) when he won a decision from Jack Britton in 15 rounds on Nov. 1, 1922, for the welterweight crown."</ref>
* [[Anne Casale]] (1930–2002, class of 1948), cookbook author and cooking teacher<ref>[https://www.newjerseyhills.com/anne-lovi-casale-72-noted-gourmet-cook-and-author-former-watchung-resident/article_b772c63a-1c60-5563-925c-49b85da8df77.html "Anne Lovi Casale, 72, noted gourmet cook and author; former Watchung resident"], New Jersey Hills Media Group, December 19, 2002. Accessed January 18, 2020. "Anne Lovi Casale, 72, of Glendale, Ariz., and formerly of Watchung, died Monday, Dec. 2, 2002 at her home. Born in Perth Amboy, Mrs. Casale resided there before moving to North Plainfield in 1945. She lived in Watchung for more than 45 years and then moved to Glendale, Ariz."</ref>
* [[Karen A. Cerulo]] (born 1957), sociologist specializing in the study of culture, communication and cognition<ref>Lee, Eunice. [https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/12/climatologist_predicts_zero_ch.html "Climatologist predicts zero-percent chance of a white Christmas for N.J."], ''[[The Star-Ledger]]'', December 23, 2010. Accessed December 19, 2019. "At age 4, Cerulo recalled hearing Crosby crooning from the radio in her childhood home in Perth Amboy."</ref>
* [[Alan Cheuse]] (1940–2015), writer<ref>Haddock, Addy. [http://www.mtsu.edu/tnlitproj/TLP_Web_Layout_Alan_Cheuse.pdf Alan Cheuse] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140703062220/http://www.mtsu.edu/tnlitproj/TLP_Web_Layout_Alan_Cheuse.pdf |date=2014-07-03}}, [[Middle Tennessee State University]]. Accessed August 4, 2013. "NPR commentator and critic Alan Cheuse was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, on January 23, 1940. His early years were spent at Perth Amboy High School in 1957, and he graduated from Rutgers University in 1961."</ref>
* [[Steve Christiansen (rower)|Steve Christiansen]] (born 1956), [[rowing (sport)|rower]] who competed in the [[Rowing at the 1976 Summer Olympics – Men's eight|men's eight]] event at the [[1976 Summer Olympics]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20200418064855/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/ch/steve-christiansen-1.html Steve Christiansen], [[Sports Reference]]. Accessed December 19, 2019. "Born: November 10, 1956 (Age 61.300, YY.DDD) in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, United States"</ref>
* [[Stanley Norman Cohen]] (born 1935), co-creator of the first genetically modified organism and the process of [[recombinant DNA]] technology<ref>[http://www.dnaftb.org/34/bio.html Stanley Norman Cohen (1935–)], DNA From the Beginning. Accessed December 19, 2019. "Stan Cohen was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey."</ref>
* [[Craig Coughlin]] (born 1958), politician who has represented the [[New Jersey's 19th legislative district|19th Legislative District]] in the [[New Jersey General Assembly]] since 2010 and has served as the Speaker of the General Assembly since 2018<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=m5xDAQAAIAAJ&q=%22Craig+J.+Coughlin%22+1958 ''Manual of the Legislature of New Jersey, 2010''], p. 273. Accessed January 24, 2022. "Craig J. Coughlin, Dem., Woodbridge: Assemblyman Coughlin was born Jan. 31. 1958, in Perth Amboy."</ref>
* [[Flora Parker DeHaven]] (1883–1950), actress and mother of actress [[Gloria DeHaven]]<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sherwood |first1=Robert E. |title=The Best Moving Pictures of 1922-1923 |date=1923 |publisher=Small, Maynard & Company |location=Boston, MA |page=237 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yQOxAAAAIAAJ&dq=Flora+Parker+DeHaven&pg=PA237 |access-date=February 23, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Benjamin |first1=Ruth |title=Who Sang What on Broadway 1866-1996 |year=2006 |publisher=McFarland Co |location=Jefferson, N.C. |isbn=9780786421909 |page=593 |url=https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/who-sang-what-on-broadway-1866-1996/ |access-date=February 23, 2021}}</ref>
* [[Linda Deutsch]] (1943–2024), journalist who worked for the [[Associated Press]]<ref>[https://www.monmouth.edu/commencement/2023-graduate-commencement-program/ 2023 Graduate Commencement Program], [[Monmouth University]]. Accessed September 2, 2024. "Honorary Degree Linda Deutsch ’65... Born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, she was raised in the seaside town of Bradley Beach, graduated from Asbury Park High School, and earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Monmouth in 1965."</ref>
* [[Thomas J. Deverin]] (1921–2010), politician who served 11 terms in the [[New Jersey General Assembly]], from 1970 to 1992<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=peqHAAAAMAAJ&q=%22St.+Mary%27s+High+School%22 ''Manual of the Legislature of New Jersey, Volume 203, Part 1''], p. 259. J.A. Fitzgerald, 1988. Accessed September 3, 2019. "Thomas J. Deverin, Dem., Carteret - Assemblyman Deverin resides at 28 Cypress St., Carteret. He was born in Perth Amboy July 7, 1921."</ref>
* [[Cora Du Bois]] (1903–1991), [[Cultural anthropology|cultural anthropologist]]<ref>Seymour, Susan Christine. [https://books.google.com/books?id=PEGPBwAAQBAJ&pg=PT41 ''Cora Du Bois: Anthropologist, Diplomat, Agent''], p. 41. [[University of Nebraska Press]], 2015. {{ISBN|9780803274280}}. Accessed August 23, 2023. "The move to Perth Amboy, New Jersey, put th Du Boises in another small industrial town not unlike St. Quentin, France.... For the remainder of Cora's childhood, the Du Boises wuld reside at 105 High Street in Perth Amboy."</ref>
* [[William Dunlap]] (1766–1839), theater pioneer<ref name=History/>
* [[Bernard J. Dwyer]] (1921–1998, class of 1938), politician, who served in the [[United States House of Representatives]] from New Jersey from 1981 to 1993<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=iyC5RpVSRJIC&q=%22perth+amboy+high+school%22+%22Bernard+J.+Dwyer%22 ''Manual of the Legislature of New Jersey, Volume 203, Part 2''], p. 1002. J.A. Fitzgerald, 1989. Accessed August 4, 2019. "Bernard J. Dwyer, Dem., Edison - Mr. Dwyer was born on Jan. 24, 1921, in Perth Amboy. He was graduated from Perth Amboy High School in 1938, and has taken courses in insurance at Rutgers University, Newark."</ref>
* [[Walt Flanagan]] (born 1967), comic book artist and podcaster, creator of One True Three<ref>[[John Kenneth Muir|Muir, John Kenneth]]. [https://books.google.com/books?id=lRPlbFsZBb4C&dq=%22walt+flanagan%22+%22henry+hudson%22&pg=PT12 ''An Askew View 2: The Films of Kevin Smith''], [[Hal Leonard Corporation]], 2012. {{ISBN|1557837945}}. Accessed February 6, 2013. "Walt Flanagan is one of those friends. A dark-haired, shy type with an open and friendly face, this future 'Fanboy' of the View Askewniverse was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, a town north of Highlands and south of Metuchen. Two years older than Smith, Flanagan attended high school with Smith at Henry Hudson for a time."</ref>
* [[Bill Flynn (New Jersey politician)|Bill Flynn]] (born 1938), politician who served in the [[New Jersey General Assembly]] from 1974 to 1986<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=nW-HAAAAMAAJ&q=%20Assemblyman+Flynn+was+born+in+Perth+Amboy+Feb.+3+,+1938%20 ''Manual of the Legislature of New Jersey, Volume 200, Part 2''], p. 251. J.A. Fitzgerald, 1983. Accessed August 23, 2023. "William E. Flynn, Dem., Old Bridge -  Assemblyman Flynn was born in Perth Amboy Feb. 3, 1938."</ref>
* [[William Franklin]] (1730–1813), last governor of [[Province of New Jersey]]<ref>[https://www.1683society.org/proprietary-house Proprietary House], 1683 Society. Accessed December 20, 2019. "Ready for occupation, the house was leased to New Jersey's Chief Justice Smyth, and then another lawyer, before Royal Governor William Franklin finally took up residence in 1774. The son of Benjamin Franklin, William was loyal to the King as he took his commission as Royal Governor very seriously."</ref>
* [[Arthur Franz]] (1920–2006), actor<ref>via [[Associated Press]]. [https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/21/arts/television/21franz.html "Arthur Franz, Film and Television Actor, 86, Is Dead"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', June 21, 2006. Accessed December 19, 2019. "Born in Perth Amboy, N.J., Franz developed an interest in acting while he was a teenager."</ref>
* Elsie Frost (1919– 2003), American educator who was a children's advocate and wife of [[James A. Frost]]<ref name = "Elsie Mae Frost">{{cite news
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}}</ref>
* [[Thomas Gordon (lawyer)|Thomas Gordon]] (1652–1722), lawyer who served as Chief Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court and [[New Jersey Attorney General]] for the [[Province of New Jersey]]<ref>[https://www.nj.gov/oag/oag/ag_1714-1719_gordon_bio.htm Thomas Gordon Attorney General 1714-1719], [[New Jersey Attorney General]]. Accessed December 19, 2019. "On November 10, 1703 he represented the town of Perth Amboy when the first General Assembly of the Province of New Jersey was convened by Lord Cornbury. In 1703, Gordon was appointed Register of the Council of Proprietors of East Jersey."</ref>
* [[Angelina Grimké]] (1805–1879) and [[Sarah Grimké]] (1792–1873), abolitionists<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/women/article-9038128 Grimké, Sarah; and Grimké, Angelina] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070613130521/https://www.britannica.com/women/article-9038128 |date=2007-06-13 }}, ''Encyclopædia Britannica's Guide to Women's History''. Accessed June 4, 2007. "hey assisted in Weld's school in Belleville and later Perth Amboy, New Jersey, in 1848–62."</ref>
* [[Vida Guerra]] (born 1974), model, was born in Cuba but was raised in Perth Amboy<ref>
[https://web.archive.org/web/20080212093412/http://www.elheraldo.hn/nota.php?nid=51470&sec=3&fecha=2006-06-08 "Vida Guerra: libre e independiente en Playboy"], ''[[El Heraldo (Tegucigalpa)|El Heraldo]]'', June 8, 2006. Accessed October 23, 2007. "Nacida en Bauta, pueblo cercano a La Habana, en marzo de 1980, Vida fue traída por sus padres an Estados Unidos cuando contaba apenas seis años, pero no ha perdido ni el idioma ni sus costumbres latinas, ya que se ha mantenido oscilando entre las dos culturas desde su hogar en Perth Amboy, Nueva Jersey."</ref>
* [[Gene Hubka]] (1924–2017), [[American football]] [[Halfback (American football)|tailback]] who played for the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]]<ref>[https://obituaries.dailyitem.com/obituary/eugene-hubka-1014576911 "Eugene L. Hubka"], ''[[The Daily Item (Sunbury)|The Daily Item]]'', December 11, 2017. Accessed July 4, 2022. "Gene was born and raised in Perth Amboy, N.J., to the late Anthony and Violet Hubka.... Gene was a three-sport star in football, basketball and baseball during his days at Perth Amboy High School."</ref>
* [[George Inness]] (1825–1894), landscape painter<ref name=History/>
* [[Augustus Johnston]] (1729–1790), [[Rhode Island Attorney General]], Tory sympathizer{{citation needed|date=August 2014}}
* [[Lewis B. Kaden]], businessman, attorney, legal scholar, and former political advisor who served as vice chairman of [[Citigroup]] from 2005 to 2013<ref>[[David Wildstein|Wildstein, David]]. [https://newjerseyglobe.com/in-memoriam/lewis-kaden-counsel-to-gov-brendan-byrne-dies-at-78/ "Lewis Kaden, counsel to Gov. Brendan Byrne, dies at 78 Ex-aide to Robert F. Kennedy, Kaden ran for Congress in 1970"], New Jersey Globe, June 29, 2020. Accessed May 23, 2021. "He grew up in Perth Amboy and attended Harvard University. He was the John Harvard Scholar at Emmanuel College, Cambridge University, from 1963 to 1964."</ref>
* [[Lawrence Kearny]] (1789–1868), the "Sailor Diplomat", who paved the way for an open-door policy with China<ref name="Perth Amboy"/>
* [[Edward L. Kemeys]] (1843–1907), sculptor in residence at [[Eagleswood Mansion]]<ref name = CofPA/>
* [[Morgan Foster Larson]] (1882–1961), Governor of New Jersey from 1929 to 1932<ref>[https://www.nga.org/governor/morgan-foster-larson/ New Jersey Governor Morgan Foster Larson], [[National Governors Association]]. Accessed December 19, 2019. "Morgan F. Larson, the fifty-third governor of New Jersey, was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey on June 15, 1882."</ref>
* [[Yvonne Lopez]] (born 1957), politician who has represented the [[New Jersey's 19th legislative district|19th Legislative District]] in the [[New Jersey General Assembly]] since 2018<ref>[[Wildstein, David|David Wildstein]]. [https://newjerseyglobe.com/section-2/meet-arlene-lopez/ "Meet Yvonne Lopez of Perth Amboy"], New Jersey Globe, January 22, 2018. Accessed December 19, 2019. "New Jersey Assembly Democrat have produced a short video to introduce freshman Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez (D-Perth Amboy)."</ref>
* [[Miilkbone]] (born 1974 as Thomas Wlodarczyk), rapper<ref>Staff. [https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/mycentraljersey/access/1776447791.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jul+15%2C+2005&author=&pub=Home+News+Tribune&desc=Verbal+assault&pqatl=google "Verbal assault"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120724131313/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/mycentraljersey/access/1776447791.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jul+15%2C+2005&author=&pub=Home+News+Tribune&desc=Verbal+assault&pqatl=google |date=2012-07-24 }}, ''[[Home News Tribune]]'', July 15, 2005. Accessed March 7, 2012. "We had Miilkbone from Perth Amboy, we had Naughty by Nature out, we had Queen Latifah and her whole group out, we had Redman - which is my favorite..."</ref>
* [[Walter Mitty]], fictional character from the 1947 film ''[[The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (1947 film)|The Secret Life of Walter Mitty]]''<ref name=Mitty/>
* [[Steve Mizerak]] (1944–2006), champion pool player<ref>[[Richard Goldstein (writer born 1942)|Goldstein, Richard]]. [https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/02/sports/02mizerak.html "Steve Mizerak, National Pool Champion, Is Dead at 61"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', June 2, 2006. Accessed December 19, 2019. "Stephen Mizerak Jr., was born in Perth Amboy, N.J., and was soon a fixture at the pool hall that his father, Stephen Sr., opened in Metuchen, N.J., after playing minor league baseball."</ref><ref>[http://www.legacy.com/palmbeachpost/DeathNotices.asp?Page=Notice&PersonID=17953598 Steve "the Miz" Mizerak], ''[[The Palm Beach Post]]'', accessed May 16, 2007.</ref>
* [[12465 Perth Amboy|Joseph Montani]] (PAHS, 1970), astronomer and planetary scientist who named the minor planet "12465 Perth Amboy" after his hometown<ref>[http://www.lpl.arizona.edu/~jmontani/nam_cits.htm Spacewatch Minor Planets Joe Has Named], [[University of Arizona]]. Accessed December 19, 2019. "(12465) Perth Amboy - 1997 AD10. Discovered 1997 Jan. 3 by Spacewatch at Kitt Peak. Perth Amboy, a New Jersey city, was settled 1683, incorporated 1718. Important industrial city and port of entry with a fine harbor, near New York City. Birthplace of William Dunlap, playwright, Mary White, actress, and Joe Montani, asteroid and comet discoverer."</ref>
* [[John A. Nagy]] (1946–2016), author of books about espionage and mutinies of the American Revolution<ref>[https://www.theintell.com/article/20120220/LIFESTYLE/302209613 "Author, scholar and expert on espionage during the American Revolution to do book signing Saturday"], ''[[The Intelligencer (Doylestown, Pennsylvania)|The Intellingencer]]'', February 20, 2012. Accessed December 19, 2019. "Author, scholar and espionage expert John A. Nagy will discuss and sign copies of his newest book, “Spies in the Continental Capital: Espionage across Pennsylvania during the American Revolution,” from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at the historic Moland House in Warwick.... Nagy was born in Perth Amboy, N.J., and is a scholar-in-residence at Saint Francis University in Loretto, Cambria County."</ref>
* [[Maria Nugent|Maria, Lady Nugent]] (1770/71 – 1834), diarist, first lady of Jamaica<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wlv.ac.uk |first=Ben Colbert, University of Wolverhampton |title=Maria Nugent {{!}} British Travel Writing |url=https://btw.wlv.ac.uk/authors/1105 |access-date=2023-08-01 |website=btw.wlv.ac.uk |language=en}}</ref>
* [[George Otlowski]] (1912–2009), politician who served as mayor of the city from 1976 to 1990<ref>Rispoli, Michael. [https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/03/former_perth_amboy_mayor_georg.html "Former Perth Amboy Mayor George J. Otlowski dies"], ''[[The Star-Ledger]]'', March 16, 2009. Accessed December 19, 2019. "Former Perth Amboy Mayor George J. Otlowski, a powerful and sometimes polarizing figure in Middlesex County politics for more than four decades, died today. He was 97."</ref>
* [[Thomas H. Paterniti]] (1929–2017), dentist and politician who served as Mayor of [[Edison, New Jersey|Edison]] and in both houses of the [[New Jersey Legislature]]<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=quKHAAAAMAAJ&q=%22Assemblyman+Paterniti+was+born%22 ''Manual of the Legislature of New Jersey, Volume 202, Part 2''], p. 258. E. J. Mullin, 1987. Accessed September 3, 2019. "Dr. Thomas H. Paterniti, Dem., Edison - Assemblyman Paterniti was born Feb. 4, 1929, in Perth Amboy."</ref>
* [[Edward J. Patten]] (1905–1994), lawyer and politician who represented [[New Jersey's 15th congressional district]] in the [[United States House of Representatives]] from 1963 until 1981<ref>Pace, Eric. [https://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/19/obituaries/edward-patten-89-who-served-nine-terms-as-a-congressman.html "Edward Patten, 89, Who Served Nine Terms as a Congressman"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', September 19, 1994. Accessed December 19, 2019. "Edward J. Patten, who served nine terms as a Democratic Congressman from New Jersey and retired in 1981 after a political career of nearly five decades, died on Saturday at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Edison, N.J. He was 89 and lived in Perth Amboy."</ref>
* [[Will Pennyfeather]] (born 1968), former center fielder for the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]]<ref>[https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/perth-amboys-pennyfeather-announces-retirement/n-3379254 "Perth Amboy's Pennyfeather announces retirement"], Our Sports Central, September 21, 2006. Accessed August 16, 2021. "The Newark Bears honored their 19-year veteran outfielder Will Pennyfeather during the final home game of the 2006 season, with a special in-game ceremony.... The Perth Amboy native began his career when he signed as a non-drafted free agent with the Pittsburgh Pirates in July of 1988, and played parts of the 1992, 1993, and 1994 seasons with the Pirates at the Major League level, collecting nine career hits in 46 at-bats."</ref>
* [[Thomas Mundy Peterson]] (1824–1904), first African-American to vote under the provisions of the 15th Amendment to the U.S. constitution in 1870<ref>Ginzburg, Ralph. [https://www.nytimes.com/1987/02/15/nyregion/perth-amboy-church-is-302-and-counting.html "Perth Amboy church is 302 and counting"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', February 15, 1987. Accessed December 19, 2019. "The first black man to vote in America, Thomas Mundy Peterson, was a member of St. Peter's and is buried in its graveyard. He voted in the Perth Amboy mayoral election of March 31, 1870, one day after adoption of the 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution."</ref>
* [[Bony Ramirez]] (born 1996), self-taught painter and visual artist<ref>Bruney, Gabrielle. [https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-artsy-vanguard-2021-bony-ramirez "The Artsy Vanguard 2021: Bony Ramirez"], [[Artsy (website)|Artsy]], December 1, 2021. Accessed January 25, 2024. "Once in the U.S., his family settled in Perth Amboy, New Jersey.... 'People ask me, "Oh, you’re going to Yale, or Columbia?" Ramirez said. 'I'm like, "No, I went to Perth Amboy High School."'"</ref>
* [[Joseph J. Sadowski]] (1917–1944), United States Army soldier awarded the [[Medal of Honor]] for his actions in World War II<ref>[http://www.battleofthebulge.org/fact/fact_sheet_of_the_4th_armored_di.html Fact Sheet of the 4th Armored Division] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090807023515/http://www.battleofthebulge.org/fact/fact_sheet_of_the_4th_armored_di.html |date=2009-08-07}}. Accessed November 7, 2007.</ref>
* [[Richie Sambora]] (born 1959), guitarist for Bon Jovi, was born here<ref>Dzielak, Kathy. [https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/app/access/1894926731.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Nov+05%2C+2009&author=KATHY+DZIELAK&pub=Asbury+Park+Press&desc=Sambora+helps+teen+diagnosed+with+brain+tumor&pqatl=google "Sambora helps teen diagnosed with brain tumor"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105111707/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/app/access/1894926731.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Nov+05,+2009&author=KATHY+DZIELAK&pub=Asbury+Park+Press&desc=Sambora+helps+teen+diagnosed+with+brain+tumor&pqatl=google |date=2012-11-05 }}, ''[[Asbury Park Press]]'', November 5, 2009. Accessed January 30, 2011. ""Born in Perth Amboy, Sambora, now 50, cut his musical teeth as a teenager playing Central Jersey clubs such as the now-defunct Charley's Uncle in East Brunswick."</ref>
* [[Arthur J. Sills]] (1917–1982), attorney who served as [[New Jersey Attorney General]] from 1962 to 1970<ref>[https://www.nj.gov/oag/oag/ag_1962-1970_sills_bio.htm Arthur J. Sills Attorney General 1962-1970], [[New Jersey Attorney General]]. Accessed December 19, 2019. "Arthur J. Sills was born in Brooklyn, New York on October 19, 1917. His family moved to Perth Amboy in 1921, where he attended the public schools and was graduated from Perth Amboy High School in 1934."</ref>
* [[Dave Smigelsky]] (born 1959), former [[American football]] [[Punter (football)|punter]] who played for the [[Atlanta Falcons]] of the [[National Football League]] and [[Washington Federals]] of the [[United States Football League]]<ref>[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmigDa20.htm Dave Smigelsky], [[Pro-Football-Reference.com]]. Accessed December 11, 2019. "Born: July 3, 1959 (Age: 60-161d) in Perth Amboy, NJ"</ref>
* [[Joann H. Smith]] (1934–1998), politician who served in the [[New Jersey General Assembly]] from the [[New Jersey's 13th legislative district|13th Legislative District]] from 1986 to 1998<ref>Levitt, David M. [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/55338231/obituary-of-joann-h-smith/ "GOP Assemblywoman Dies at 64"], ''[[Home News Tribune|The Central New Jersey Home News]]'', May 19, 1998. Accessed July 14, 2020. "Having grown up in Perth Amboy, Smith was steeped in the best of the old-style constituent-oriented politics, which made it hard to score political points against her, Gillespie said.... Smith was born in Perth Amboy and lived in Old Bridge since 1955."</ref>
* [[Marcus Spring]] (1810–1874), founder of [[Raritan Bay Union]] and [[Eagleswood Military Academy]]<ref>Staff. [https://www.nytimes.com/1874/08/22/archives/obituary-marcus-spring-john-harper-of-kentucky.html "Obituary.; Marcus Spring. John Harper, Of Kentucky."], ''[[The New York Times]]'', August 22, 1874. Accessed December 11, 2019.</ref>
* [[Steve Stanko]] (1917–1978), heavyweight weightlifter and [[bodybuilding|bodybuilder]] who was crowned [[Mr. America (contest)|Mr. America]] in 1944 and Mr. Universe in 1947<ref>Staff. [http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,761739,00.html "Sport: Bar Bellmen"], ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'', July 17, 1939. Accessed December 11, 2019. "Steve Stanko wanted to be an interior decorator but his father, a Hungarian immigrant, put him to work in an iron foundry close by their home in Perth Amboy, N. J."</ref>
* [[John Stevens (New Jersey politician)|John Stevens]] ({{circa|1715}}–1792), colonial American landowner, merchant and politician who was a delegate to the [[Continental Congress]] from New Jersey<ref>[http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=S000883 "Stevens, John, (1715 - 1792)"], ''[[Biographical Directory of the United States Congress]]''. Accessed December 19, 2019. "Stevens, John, a Delegate from New Jersey; born in Perth Amboy, N.J., in 1715"</ref>
* [[John Stevens (inventor, born 1749)|John Stevens]] (1749–1838), engineer who developed the multitubular boiler engine and the screw propeller<ref>Jensen, Merrill; DenBoer, Gordon. [https://books.google.com/books?id=rklx9c7MJFoC&pg=PA188 ''The Documentary History of the First Federal Elections, 1788-1790''], p. 188. [[University of Wisconsin Press]], 1987. {{ISBN|9780299106508}}. Accessed December 19, 2019. "Stevens, John Jr. (1749–1838), Candidate for Representative - Born in New York City and raised in Perth Amboy, Stevens was the son of John Stevens, a prominent New Jersey politician and landowner."</ref>
* [[Alec John Such]] (1951–2022), musician who was best known as a founding member of the [[Rock music|rock]] band [[Bon Jovi]], and as their bass player from 1983 to 1994<ref>Cotter, Kelly-Jane. [https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/319240767/ "The Spoils of Rock 'n Roll"], ''[[Home News Tribune]]'', May 14, 2000. Accessed June 7, 2022, via [[Newspapers.com]]. "'I made my money during the era of "He who dies with the most toys wins," ' says Alec John Such, right, who grew up in Perth Amboy and now lives in Colts Neck."</ref>
* [[Bruce Taylor (American football)|Bruce Taylor]] (born 1948), former [[NFL]] player<ref>via [[Associated Press]]. [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=yWJhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=sHMFAAAAIBAJ&dq=bruce-taylor%20perth-amboy&pg=5717%2C342634 Bruce Taylor Selected for Lowe Award"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118173435/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=yWJhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=sHMFAAAAIBAJ&dq=bruce-taylor%20perth-amboy&pg=5717%2C342634 |date=2015-11-18 }}, ''[[The Day (New London)|The Day]]'', December 1, 1969. Accessed January 30, 2011. "The 5-foot-11, 185-pound senior from Perth Amboy, N.J., became the third player to win the Lowe award in its 31-year history..."</ref>
* [[Brian Taylor (basketball)|Brian Taylor]] (born 1951), former professional basketball player who played for the [[New York Nets]] and three other teams in his 10-year career in the NBA<ref>Hasty, Miranda. [http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/article/2016/10/beyond-the-bubble-brian-taylor-84-former-nba-player-and-educator "Beyond the Bubble: Brian Taylor '84, former NBA player and educator"], ''[[The Daily Princetonian]]'', October 4, 2016. Accessed December 19, 2019. "Brian Taylor '84: I’m from Perth Amboy, New Jersey. Basketball was a sport, in which Perth Amboy had several different leagues. Even as a kid, they had a lot of recreation leagues."</ref>
* [[Harry Tierney]] (1890–1965), composer<ref name=History/>
* [[Marc Turtletaub]] (born 1946), movie producer and former president and CEO of [[The Money Store (company)|The Money Store]]<ref>Ortner, Sherry, B. [https://books.google.com/books?id=aIqdEw2VToUC&pg=PA11 ''Not Hollywood: Independent Film at the Twilight of the American Dream''], p. 11. [[Duke University Press]], 2013, {{ISBN|978-0-8223-9968-1}}. Accessed November 13, 2017. "A second example of a progressive investor is Marc Turtletaub, head of Big Beach Productions.... I met him on the seat of a later investing / producing project ''Sunshine Cleaning'', and asked him about his background. He said he's from Perth Amboy, N.J."</ref>
* [[Marcus Valdez]] (born 1999), professional [[gridiron football|football]] [[defensive lineman]] for the [[Montreal Alouettes]] of the [[Canadian Football League]]<ref>[https://bceagles.com/sports/football/roster/marcus-valdez/14847 Marcus Valdez], [[Boston College Eagles football]]. Accessed February 29, 2024. "Hometown: Perth Amboy, N.J.; High school: Don Bosco Prep"</ref>
* [[John Watson (painter)|John Watson]] (1685–1768), one of the first painters in America and holder of the first gallery of paintings in the country<ref>Dunlap, William. ''A History of the Rise and Progress of the Arts and Design in the United States''. C.E. Goodspeed & Co: Boston, 1918.</ref>
* [[Ruth White (actress)|Ruth White]] (1914–1969), [[Emmy Award]] winning television, stage and motion picture actress<ref name=History>[https://www.perthamboynj.org/visitors/history City History], City of Perth Amboy, New Jersey. Accessed August 2, 2022.</ref><ref>[http://www.playbill.com/person/ruth-white-vault-0000110569 Ruth White], ''[[Playbill]]''. Accessed December 20, 2019. "Performer Born: Apr 24, 1914 In Perth Amboy, New Jersey."</ref>
* [[Amy Wilentz]] (born 1954), writer<ref>Jacobs, Alexandra. [https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/03/books/review/Jacobs.t.html "California Girl"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', September 3, 2006. Accessed December 19, 2019. "A few years ago, Amy Wilentz's husband got a job offer from ''The Los Angeles Times'' and she agreed, ambivalently, to move from the Upper West Side of Manhattan to the West Coast with their three sons and dog. Raised in gritty Perth Amboy, N.J., Wilentz is an accomplished journalist who has corresponded from Jerusalem for ''The New Yorker'' and written a book about Haiti."</ref>
* [[David T. Wilentz]] (1894–1988), N.J. Attorney General from 1934 to 1944, who prosecuted Bruno Hauptmann in the Lindbergh kidnapping trial<ref>[https://nj.gov/oag/oag/ag_1934-1944_wilentz_bio.htm Biography of David T. Wilentz, NJ Attorney General, 1934-1944], [[New Jersey Attorney General]]. Accessed December 19, 2019. "David T. Wilentz was born in Dwinsk, Latvia on December 21, 1894. He attended local public schools and graduated from Perth Amboy High School in 1912."</ref>
* [[Robert Wilentz]] (1927–1996), Chief Justice of [[New Jersey Supreme Court]] from 1979 to 1996<ref>Sullivan, Joseph F. [https://www.nytimes.com/1986/07/30/nyregion/wilentz-reappointment-cleared-by-jersey-panel.html "Wilentz Reappointment Cleared By Jersey Panel"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', July 30, 1985. Accessed December 19, 2019. "Mr. Wilentz, who has an apartment in Perth Amboy and a home in Deal on the Jersey Shore, also has an apartment in Manhattan, where he has stayed virtually every night since October 1984, when his wife, Jacqueline, began undergoing chemotherapy for cancer in New York City. Mr. Wilentz said he hoped to be able to resume his former routine of staying in his Perth Amboy apartment five nights a week and visiting the Manhattan apartment only on weekends, if his wife's condition continues to improve.... He said that he voted and paid his taxes from his 166 Water Street address in Perth Amboy and that he considered New Jersey his home."</ref><ref>[[David Stout|Stout, David]]. [https://www.nytimes.com/1996/07/24/nyregion/robert-wilentz-69-new-jersey-chief-justice-dies-court-aided-women-and-the-poor.html "Robert Wilentz, 69, New Jersey Chief Justice, Dies; Court Aided Women and the Poor"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', July 24, 1996. Accessed December 19, 2019. "Robert Wilentz was born on Feb. 17, 1927, the son of David T. and Lena Wilentz. He spent his boyhood in Perth Amboy."</ref>
* [[Warren W. Wilentz]] (1924–2010), attorney and politician<ref>[https://obits.nj.com/obituaries/starledger/obituary.aspx?n=warren-w-wilentz&pid=140863601 "Obituary: Warren W. Wilentz"], ''[[The Star-Ledger]]'', March 19, 2010. Accessed December 19, 2019. "Mr. Wilentz was born on March 29, 1924, in Perth Amboy, N.J., the first son of David and Lena Wilentz."</ref>
* [[Blenda Wilson]] (born 1941), university president and education executive who was the first African-American woman to lead a large (over 25,000 students) university in the United States<ref>Smith, Jessie Carney. [https://books.google.com/books?id=steLXpuOONEC ''Black Firsts: 4,000 Ground-Breaking and Pioneering Historical Events''], [[Visible Ink Press]], 2012. {{ISBN|9781578594252}}. Accessed January 16, 2018. "Blenda Jacqueline Wilson (1941-) became the first black woman to head a public university in Michigan when she was appointed chancellor of the University of Michigan, Dearborn. Wilson was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, where she was one of only two black children in her kindergarten class."</ref>
* [[John Wisniewski]] (born 1962), politician who served in the [[New Jersey General Assembly]] from 1996 to 2018, where he represented the [[New Jersey's 19th legislative district|19th Legislative District]]<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=uHgkAQAAIAAJ&q=%22perth+amboy%22+%22John+S.+Wisniewski%22+born ''Manual of the Legislature of New Jersey, 2000''], p. 268. Fitzgerald's, 2000. {{ISBN|9781577410959}}. Accessed September 3, 2019. "John S. Wisniewski, Dem., Sayreville - The assemblyman was born June 28, 1962, in Perth Amboy."</ref>
{{div col end}}

==Sister cities==
* {{flagdeco|Portugal}} [[Caldas da Rainha]], Portugal
* {{flagdeco|US}} [[Hillsdale, Michigan|Hillsdale]], [[Michigan]]

==See also==
*[[ASARCO]]
*[[King's Highway (Charleston to Boston)|King's Highway]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Perth Amboy, New Jersey}}
*{{Official website|https://www.perthamboynj.org/}}

{{Perth Amboy, New Jersey}}
{{Middlesex County, New Jersey}}
{{New Jersey}}
{{Raritan Valley navigation}}
{{Raritan River}}
{{Raritan Bayshore}}
{{Jersey Shore region}}
{{New York metropolitan area}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Perth Amboy, New Jersey| ]]
[[Category:1683 establishments in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Cities in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Cities in Middlesex County, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Faulkner Act (mayor–council)]]
[[Category:New Jersey Urban Enterprise Zones]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1683]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Scottish-American history]]
[[Category:Jersey Shore communities in Middlesex County]]
[[Category:Hispanic and Latino American culture in New Jersey]]