Belleville, Residential township in Essex County, New Jersey, US
Belleville is a residential township in Essex County, New Jersey, that combines single-family neighborhoods with small commercial corridors throughout its districts. The area sits on relatively flat terrain and maintains direct connections to major regional highways.
The area was originally called Second River before taking the name Belleville in the late 1700s. The township was formally established in 1839 when it separated from Bloomfield Township and began its own development.
The township has a strong Hispanic community presence, with Spanish-language businesses and eateries that shape daily life throughout the area. This cultural diversity is visible in the streets and local shops where multiple languages are spoken daily.
You can reach the township via NJ Transit buses or use the Silver Lake light rail station for connections to other parts of the area. Routes 7 and 21 run through the township, making it easy to travel by car within and beyond.
The township hosted one of the earliest Chinese settlements on the East Coast during the 1800s, which preceded similar communities elsewhere in the region. Few visitors know about this chapter of local history, though some historic markers and references remain scattered throughout the area.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
