Newark (NEW-rk) is a city in Alameda County, California, United States. It was incorporated as a city in September 1955. Newark is an enclave, surrounded by the city of Fremont. The three cities of Newark, Fremont, and Union City make up the Tri-City Area. Newark's population was 47,529 at the 2020 census making it the third largest city in the US named Newark after Newark, New Jersey, and Newark, Ohio.
The western edge of the city is near the southern end of the San Francisco Bay. State Route 84 runs through the city, and continues as the Dumbarton Bridge to cross the San Francisco Bay to reach Menlo Park. Interstate 880 serves as the eastern boundary with Fremont.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 13.9 square miles (of which 13.9 square miles (is land and 0.02 square miles (comprising 0.17%, is water.
Newark was named after Newark Castle, Port Glasgow, in Scotland by J. Barr Robertson.
Before it was settled by Europeans, Newark was home to the Ohlone Native American Peoples. The first European settlement in the area was by the Spanish missionaries of Mission San Jos, whose territory covered much of the present-day cities of Newark, Fremont, and Union City. In 1878 land belonging to Washington Township of Alameda County was purchased by The Pacific Land Investment Company and subdivided to form the town of Newark.
In the early 1950s, the amalgamation of towns was increasing in Alameda County. In 1953, residents in the towns surrounding Newark were concerned about being annexed into the nearby city of Hayward, and began plans to incorporate as a single city, eventually becoming Fremont. Driven by their own concerns of being forced to amalgamate into this new city and the resulting changes in zoning, Newark was incorporated in September 1955, before the incorporation of Fremont was completed.
The 2020 United States census reported that Newark had a population of 47,529. The population density was 3,414.7 inhabitants per square mile (The racial makeup of Newark was 22.6% White, 3.3% African American, 1.2% Native American, 41.7% Asian, 1.5% Pacific Islander, 17.5% from other races, and 12.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 30.2% of the population.
The Census reported that 99.4% of the population lived in households, 0.6% lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0.0% were institutionalized.
There were 14,946 households, out of which 38.7% included children under the age of 18, 60.8% were married-couple households, 5.6% were cohabiting couple households, 18.8% had a female householder with no partner present, and 14.8% had a male householder with no partner present. 14.1% of households were one person, and 5.8% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 3.16. There were 11,858 families (of all households).
The age distribution was 20.6% under the age of 18, 7.8% aged 18 to 24, 33.2% aged 25 to 44, 25.0% aged 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65years of age or older. The median age was 36.8years. For every 100 females, there were 101.4 males.
There were 15,371 housing units at an average density of 1,104.3 unitsper square mile (units/km2), of which 14,946 (were occupied. Of these, 68.1% were owner-occupied, and 31.9% were occupied by renters.
In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that 46.3% of the population were born in California, 9.3% were born in a different state, 1.4% were born in a US territory or abroad to an American parent, and 43.0% were born outside US jurisdiction. Of those aged 5 or older, 42.8% spoke only English at home, 19.1% spoke Spanish, 11.6% spoke other Indo-European languages, 26.1% spoke Asian or Pacific Islander languages, and 0.4% spoke other languages. Of those aged 25 or older, 89.5% were high school graduates and 47.1% had a bachelor's degree. The median household income was $164,909, and the per capita income was $68,775. Of those aged 16 and over, 67.9% were employed.
In the state legislature, Newark is in the 10th Senate District, represented by Democrat Aisha Wahab, and in the 24th Assembly District, represented by Democrat Alex Lee. Federally, Newark is in California's 17th congressional district, represented by Democrat Ro Khanna.
Newark's economy is at the edge of Silicon Valley and shares its economic pattern.
Cargill Salt, previously known as Leslie Salt, operates a large salt refinery in Newark, cleaning salt produced in salt evaporation ponds in the San Francisco Bay.
The city houses the NewPark Mall, a super-regional shopping center, with anchor stores Macy's and Burlington Coat Factory, and over 140 other retailers. A 140,000-square-foot (addition at NewPark, including restaurants, entertainment and a multiplex movie theater with IMAX, opened in 2015.
The former Sun Microsystems site near I-880, State Route 84 and the Dumbarton Bridge, was purchased by BioMed Realty Trust and is now known as the Pacific Research Center.
In the early to mid-20th century, Newark's economy was based on manufacturing, including: Wedgewood stoves (A.O. Smith Corporation, followed by National Steel Corporation, glass-lined water heaters (Peterbilt trucks (and Trailmobile semi-trailers (to the city's June 2020 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:
The City of Newark has thirteen parks and sport play facilities, the George M. Silliman Community Activity and Family Aquatic Center (the Silliman Center). The Family Aquatic Center portion of the Silliman Center opened in the summer of 2004 and includes a 32,300-square-foot (indoor swim facility specifically designed for recreation, fitness, and instruction programs for the entire family. The 11,350-square-foot (Natatorium includes four separate pools, including a 45ft 75ft (23m) Activity Pool; a 245' long Lazy River pool (a pair of 20' tall, curving water slides); a 4-foot (deep, 4-lane, 25-yard (Lap Pool; and a 15-person warm-water spa.
Newark also houses a portion of the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife refuge along with the city of Fremont.
Newark also hosts a festival in honor of the city's founding. "Newark Days" is a four-day Festival/Celebration that takes place every September on the Macgregor Soccer fields (to the Community center on Cedar Blvd).
Newark lies near the intersection of I-880, State Route 84, and the Dumbarton Bridge.
Newark is served by AC Transit bus system. Surrounding Fremont is the access point for most transportation services, including Fremont and Union City BART stations, and ACE and Amtrak trains.
In 2007, the plans for the Dumbarton Rail Corridor envisioned Caltrain building a station in Newark.
Newark is home to a new campus of Ohlone College, a member of the California Community Colleges system. Other nearby educational centers include the University of Phoenix, ITT Institute, DeVry University, and Unitek College.