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{{short description|Town and municipality in Puerto Rico}}
{{use mdy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Toa Baja
| official_name =
| native_name = <small>{{lang|es|Municipio Autónomo de Toa Baja}}</small>
| native_name_lang = es<!-- ISO 639-2 code e.g. "es" for Spanish. -->
| settlement_type = [[Toa Baja barrio-pueblo|Town]] and [[Municipalities of Puerto Rico|Municipality]]
| image_skyline = Punta Salinas Beach, Toa Baja.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = [[Punta Salinas]] Beach in Toa Baja
| image_flag = Flag of Toa Baja, Puerto Rico.svg
| flag_alt =
| image_shield = Escudo de Toa Baja, Puerto Rico.svg
| shield_alt =
| nicknames = ''Ciudad de los Valles del Toa'',<br> ''Ciudad Bajo Aguas'',<br>''Los Llaneros''
| anthem = ''"Mi Pueblo Es Toa Baja"''
| image_map = Locator-map-Puerto-Rico-Toa-Baja.svg
| mapsize = 300px
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Map of Puerto Rico highlighting Toa Baja Municipality
| coordinates = {{coord|18|26|38|N|66|15|35|W|type:city_region:US-PR|display=inline,title}}
| coor_pinpoint =
| coordinates_footnotes =
| subdivision_type = [[Sovereign state]]
| subdivision_name = {{flag|United States}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[Commonwealth (United States insular area)|Commonwealth]]
| subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Puerto Rico}}
| established_title = Settled
| established_date = 1745
| established_title1 = Founded
| established_date1 = January 18, 1784
| founder =
| parts_type = [[Barrios of Puerto Rico|Barrios]]
| parts = 5 barrios
| p1 = [[Candelaria, Toa Baja, Puerto Rico|Candelaria]]
| p2 = [[Media Luna, Toa Baja, Puerto Rico|Media Luna]]
| p3 = [[Palo Seco, Toa Baja, Puerto Rico|Palo Seco]]
| p4 = [[Sabana Seca]]
| p5 = [[Toa Baja barrio-pueblo]]
| seat_type =
| seat =
| government_footnotes =
| leader_party = [[Partido Nuevo Progresista|PNP]]
| leader_title = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name = [[Bernardo Márquez García]]
| leader_title1 = Senatorial dist.
| leader_name1 = 2 - Bayamón
| leader_title2 = Representative dist.
| leader_name2 = 10
| area_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 = 108.0
| area_land_km2 = 59.99
| area_water_km2 = 48.01
| area_water_percent =
| area_note =
| unit_pref = Imperial
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m =
| population_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite web|title=PUERTO RICO: 2020 Census|url=https://www.census.gov/library/stories/state-by-state/puerto-rico-population-change-between-census-decade.html|access-date=2021-08-25|website=The United States Census Bureau|language=EN-US|archive-date=2021-08-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826053734/https://www.census.gov/library/stories/state-by-state/puerto-rico-population-change-between-census-decade.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| population_total = 75243
| population_as_of = 2020
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym = Toabajeños
| population_note =
| timezone1 = [[Atlantic Standard Time|AST]]
| utc_offset1 = −4
| postal_code_type = [[ZIP Codes]]
| postal_code = 00949, 00950, 00951, 00952
| area_code = [[Telephone numbers in Puerto Rico|787/939]]
| blank_name_sec1 = [[List of highways in Puerto Rico|Major routes]]
| blank_info_sec1 = [[File:PR urban primary 2.svg|25px|link=Puerto Rico Highway 2]] [[File:PR urban primary 165.svg|31px|link=Puerto Rico Highway 165]] [[File:PR urban primary 167.svg|31px|link=Puerto Rico Highway 167]]<br>[[File:Toll plate yellow.svg|25px|link=Puerto Rico Highway 22]]<br>[[File:PR primary 22.svg|25px|link=Puerto Rico Highway 22]]
| website = {{URL|http://www.toabaja.com}}
| footnotes =
| population_rank = [[Municipalities of Puerto Rico|8th]] in Puerto Rico
}}
'''Toa Baja''' ({{IPA|es|ˈtoa ˈβaxa}}) is a [[Toa Baja barrio-pueblo|town]] and [[Municipalities of Puerto Rico|municipality]] of [[Puerto Rico]] located in the northern coast, north of [[Toa Alta, Puerto Rico|Toa Alta]] and [[Bayamón, Puerto Rico|Bayamón]]; east of [[Dorado, Puerto Rico|Dorado]]; and west of [[Cataño, Puerto Rico|Cataño]]. Toa Baja is spread over five [[Barrios of Puerto Rico | barrios]], including [[Toa Baja barrio-pueblo|Toa Baja Pueblo]] (the downtown area and the administrative center of the city). Toa Baja is part of the [[San Juan-Caguas-Guaynabo Metropolitan Statistical Area]]. Toa Baja is located fifteen minutes by car from [[San Juan, Puerto Rico|San Juan]] and two hours from [[Ponce, Puerto Rico|Ponce]].
==History==
The region of what is now Toa Baja belonged to the [[Taíno people|Taíno]] region of Toa and Bayamón, which was located on the north coast of Puerto Rico.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.webring.org/l/rd?ring=taino;id=2;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.taino-tribe.org%2Fjatiboni-s.html|title=Gobierno Tribal del Pueblo Jatibonicu Taíno de Puerto Rico|access-date=January 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005010944/http://www.webring.org/l/rd?ring=taino;id=2;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.taino-tribe.org%2Fjatiboni-s.html|archive-date=October 5, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> The regions were led by cacique Aramana and Majagua respectively. During the [[Spanish colonization of the Americas|Spanish colonization]], a farm was settled in the region around 1511 where Spanish settlers tried to learn from the Taínos how to grow fruits and vegetables. Some of the families who settled in the region were Marrero, Salgado, and Martínez, from the [[Canary Islands]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prfrogui.com/home/toabaja.htm|title=Toa Baja, municipio de Puerto Rico|access-date=January 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405213327/http://www.prfrogui.com/home/toabaja.htm|archive-date=April 5, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Central Constancia, Toa Baja, Puerto Rico.jpg|thumb|Train at {{lang|es|Central Constancia}}, a 900-acre sugar cane farm in Toa Baja]]
In 1745, the town was officially organized, with the parish being built in 1749. It was dedicated to Nuestra Señora de la Concepción ([[Immaculate Conception|Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception]]). It is said that in 1776 there were six cattle ranches and 12 sugar cane [[hacienda|estates]] in the region. However, rises in the flow of nearby rivers were problematic for the population. Because of this, in 1841 a group of residents requested the settlement to be transferred to what is now [[Dorado, Puerto Rico|Dorado]]. The municipality of Dorado was officially founded the next year.<ref name="psh">{{cite web|url=http://www.salonhogar.net/Link%20P.R/www.linktopr.com/toabaja.html|title=Toa Baja... Ciudad de los Valles del Toa|publisher=Proyecto Salón Hogar|access-date=January 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411022246/http://www.salonhogar.net/Link%20P.R/www.linktopr.com/toabaja.html|archive-date=April 11, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
Puerto Rico was ceded by [[Spain]] in the aftermath of the [[Spanish–American War]] under the terms of the [[Treaty of Paris of 1898]] and became a territory of the United States. In 1899, the United States conducted its first [[census]] of Puerto Rico, finding that the population of Toa Baja was 4,030.
In 1902, the [[Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico]] approved the consolidation of several municipalities, which resulted in the annexation of Toa Baja to the municipality of [[Bayamón, Puerto Rico|Bayamón]]. However, in 1905 the law was annulled, and Toa Baja regained its status as an independent town.<ref name="psh" />
In 2010, Toa Baja was among the top ten municipalities in Puerto Rico, in terms of population, with 89,609 residents.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://electionspuertorico.org/referencia/censo2010/|title=Población de Puerto Rico por Municipios 2000 y 2010|publisher=electionspuertorico.org|date=March 24, 2011|access-date=January 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603161542/http://electionspuertorico.org/referencia/censo2010/|archive-date=June 3, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>
The [[Río de la Plata (Puerto Rico)|La Plata River]] rose more than 11 feet on September 20, 2017 as a result of [[Hurricane Maria]] and caused major infrastructure damage in Toa Baja.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/09/18/world/americas/hurricane-maria-tracking-map.html|title=Maps: Hurricane Maria’s Path Across Puerto Rico|first1=Sarah|last1=Almukhtar|first2=Matthew|last2=Bloch|first3=Ford|last3=Fessenden|first4=Jugal K.|last4=Patel|date=18 September 2017|via=NYTimes.com|access-date=3 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601121239/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/09/18/world/americas/hurricane-maria-tracking-map.html|archive-date=1 June 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Toa Baja PR, Punta Salinas Radar Installation.jpg|thumb|Radar installation at [[Punta Salinas]] in Toa Baja]]
The four radar systems used by the [[Federal Aviation Administration]] in Puerto Rico were broken and took almost two weeks to restore. One of the radar systems is located at [[Punta Salinas]] in Toa Baja.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nationalguard.mil/News/Article/1331405/puerto-rico-air-national-guard-returns-key-radar-to-service/|title=Puerto Rico Air National Guard returns key radar to service|website=National Guard|access-date=2019-07-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190704092611/https://www.nationalguard.mil/News/Article/1331405/puerto-rico-air-national-guard-returns-key-radar-to-service/|archive-date=2019-07-04|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Flood control project===
In mid 2018, the [[United States Army Corps of Engineers]] announced it would be undertaking a major [[flood control]] project of the [[Río de la Plata (Puerto Rico)|Río de la Plata]] river, which often causes flooding in Toa Baja.<ref name="2018_USACE">{{cite web|url=https://caribbeanbusiness.com/usace-3-348-billion-go-toward-reducing-flood-risk-in-florida-puerto-rico-and-usvi/|title=USACE: $3.348 billion go toward reducing flood risk in Florida, Puerto Rico and USVI|date=6 July 2018|website=Caribbean Business|access-date=1 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601110917/https://caribbeanbusiness.com/usace-3-348-billion-go-toward-reducing-flood-risk-in-florida-puerto-rico-and-usvi/|archive-date=1 June 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Geography==
Toa Baja is located in the Northern Coastal Plains of the island, in the [[Northern Karst (Puerto Rico)|Northern Karst]] zone. It has an area of 24.0 miles<sup>2</sup> (62.4 km<sup>2</sup>). The terrain consists mostly of alluvial deposits and clay-like surface as a result of the surrounding waters.<ref name="geo">{{cite web|url=http://www.toabaja.com/InformacionGeografia.html#Geologia|title=Geografía de Toa Baja|access-date=January 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513220250/http://www.toabaja.com/InformacionGeografia.html#Geologia|archive-date=May 13, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="PR_Ency">{{cite web|url=https://enciclopediapr.org/en/encyclopedia/toa-baja-municipality/|title=Toa Baja Municipality|publisher=Fundación Puertorriqueña de las Humanidades (FPH)|website=enciclopediapr.org|access-date=2019-03-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620041651/https://enciclopediapr.org/en/encyclopedia/toa-baja-municipality/|archive-date=2019-06-20|url-status=live}}</ref>
The elevations range from 200 to 490 feet (60 to 150 meters) above sea level, with most of its highest parts located in the south. The rest of the area is mostly plain. The northern part of Toa Baja is characterized for its [[mangrove]]s and [[marsh]]es, while the southern part is classified as typical [[karst]] area.<ref name="geo" />
Updated flood zone maps (as of 2019) show that Toa Baja is extremely vulnerable to flooding, along with [[Humacao, Puerto Rico|Humacao]], [[Rincón, Puerto Rico|Rincón]], [[Barceloneta, Puerto Rico|Barceloneta]], and [[Corozal, Puerto Rico|Corozal]]. For its many rivers, almost the entire municipality of Toa Baja is in the flood zone area.<ref name="León_END_Flood_Zones">{{cite web |last1=Alvarado León |first1=Gerardo E. |title=Sobre 250,000 estructuras están en zonas inundables |url=https://jp.pr.gov/Portals/0/Noticias/Nuevo%20d%C3%ADa%20-%20Zonas%20Inundables%20%205.22.19.pdf?ver=2019-05-22-172159-483 |website=Junta de Planificación - Gobierno de Puerto Rico |publisher=El Nuevo Día |access-date=3 July 2019 |language=es |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190613133412/http://jp.pr.gov/Portals/0/Noticias/Nuevo%20d%C3%ADa%20-%20Zonas%20Inundables%20%205.22.19.pdf?ver=2019-05-22-172159-483 |archive-date=13 June 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Homes in Toa Baja have historically been built a few feet above ground level to account for flooding. After [[Hurricane Maria]], architects from the [[University of Puerto Rico]] and [[Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico]] provided residents of Toa Baja with ideas on how to mitigate flooding.<ref name="Seguro">{{Cite web|url=https://www.construccionelnuevodia.com/noticia/se-ponen-el-casco-por-un-puerto-rico-mas-seguro/|title=Se ponen el casco por un Puerto Rico más seguro [They wear a hardhat for a safer Puerto Rico]|website=Revista Construcción / El Nuevo Día|language=es|access-date=2019-12-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217203039/https://www.construccionelnuevodia.com/noticia/se-ponen-el-casco-por-un-puerto-rico-mas-seguro/|archive-date=2019-12-17|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Water features===
There are three main rivers in Toa Baja: [[Rio de la Plata (Puerto Rico)|Río de la Plata]], [[Río Cocal]], and [[Hondo River (Bayamón, Puerto Rico)|Río Hondo]]. La Plata is the longest river on the island and crosses Toa Baja in the east. Cocal is the natural boundary between Toa Baja and Dorado. Boca Vieja Bay ({{langx|es|Ensenada Boca Vieja}}) is a bay located in Toa Baja.<ref>{{GNIS|1610283|Ensenada Boca Vieja}}</ref>
===Barrios===
[[File:Toa Baja, Puerto Rico locator map.png|thumb|Subdivisions of Toa Baja.]]
Like all municipalities of Puerto Rico, Toa Baja is subdivided into [[Barrios of Puerto Rico|barrios]]. The municipal buildings, central square and large Catholic church are located in a barrio referred to as {{lang|es|"el pueblo"}}.<ref name="Pico_1969">{{cite book |last1=Picó |first1=Rafael |last2=Buitrago de Santiago |first2=Zayda |last3=Berrios |first3=Hector H. |title=Nueva geografía de Puerto Rico: física, económica, y social, por Rafael Picó. Con la colaboración de Zayda Buitrago de Santiago y Héctor H. Berrios. |url=https://archive.org/details/nuevageografad00pic/page/247 |publisher=San Juan Editorial Universitaria, Universidad de Puerto Rico,1969 |access-date=2019-01-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226171916/https://archive.org/details/nuevageografad00pic/page/247 |archive-date=2018-12-26 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Law2015">{{cite book|author=Gwillim Law|title=Administrative Subdivisions of Countries: A Comprehensive World Reference, 1900 through 1998| url =https://books.google.com/books?id=nXCeCQAAQBAJ|access-date=25 December 2018|date=20 May 2015|publisher=McFarland|isbn=978-1-4766-0447-3|page=300}}</ref><ref name="US2010Census" /><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://welcome.topuertorico.org/maps/toabaja.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324204920/http://welcome.topuertorico.org/maps/toabaja.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=2018-03-24 |title=Map of Toa Baja at the Wayback Machine|access-date=2018-12-29 }}</ref>
# [[Candelaria, Toa Baja, Puerto Rico|Candelaria]]
# [[Media Luna, Toa Baja, Puerto Rico|Media Luna]]
# [[Palo Seco, Toa Baja, Puerto Rico|Palo Seco]]
# [[Sabana Seca]]
# [[Toa Baja barrio-pueblo]]
Although not a barrio, [[Levittown, Puerto Rico|Levittown]] is the most populated community in the municipality of Toa Baja.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Historia – Municipio Autónomo de Toa Baja|url=https://www.toabaja.com/historia/|access-date=2021-10-11|language=es}}</ref>
===Sectors===
{{Further|List of barrios and sectors of Toa Baja, Puerto Rico}}
Barrios (which are, in contemporary times, roughly comparable to [[minor civil divisions]])<ref name="Barrio-Pueblo">{{cite web |title=US Census Barrio-Pueblo definition |url=https://factfinder.census.gov/help/en/barrio.htm |website=factfinder.com |publisher=US Census |access-date=5 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170513190743/https://factfinder.census.gov/help/en/barrio.htm |archive-date=13 May 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> are further subdivided into smaller areas called {{lang|es|sectores}} (''sectors'' in English). The types of ''sectores'' may vary, from normally ''sector'' to ''urbanización'' to ''reparto'' to ''barriada'' to ''residencial'', among others.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.presupuesto.pr.gov/Presupuesto2015-2016/PresupuestosAgencias/229.htm|title=Agencia: Oficina del Coordinador General para el Financiamiento Socioeconómico y la Autogestión (Proposed 2016 Budget)|website=Puerto Rico Budgets|language=es|access-date=28 June 2019|archive-date=28 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190628234856/http://www.presupuesto.pr.gov/Presupuesto2015-2016/PresupuestosAgencias/229.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Citation | author1=Rivera Quintero, Marcia | title=El vuelo de la esperanza: Proyecto de las Comunidades Especiales Puerto Rico, 1997-2004 | publication-date=2014 | publisher=San Juan, Puerto Rico Fundación Sila M. Calderón | edition=first | isbn=978-0-9820806-1-0 }}</ref><ref name="Law 1-2001">{{cite web|url=http://www.lexjuris.com/lexlex/Leyes2001/lex2001001.htm|title=Leyes del 2001|website=Lex Juris Puerto Rico|language=es|access-date=24 June 2020|archive-date=14 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914224408/http://www.lexjuris.com/lexlex/Leyes2001/lex2001001.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Special Communities===
{{See also|Puerto Rico Office for Socioeconomic and Community Development}}
{{lang|es|Comunidades Especiales de Puerto Rico}} (Special Communities of Puerto Rico) are marginalized communities whose citizens are experiencing a certain amount of [[social exclusion]]. A map shows these communities occur in nearly every municipality of the commonwealth. Of the 742 places that were on the list in 2014, the following barrios, communities, sectors, or neighborhoods were in Toa Baja: Sector Villa Hostos (Campanillas), San José, Sector El 26, Toa Ville, Villa Albizu in Candelaria, Villa Calma, Villa del Sol, Villa Esperanza, Villa Marisol, and Villa Quintero.<ref>{{Citation|author1=Rivera Quintero, Marcia|title=El vuelo de la esperanza:Proyecto de las Comunidades Especiales Puerto Rico, 1997-2004|publication-date=2014| publisher=San Juan, Puerto Rico Fundación Sila M. Calderón| edition=Primera edición|page=278|isbn=978-0-9820806-1-0}}</ref><ref name="wordpress.com">{{cite web|url=https://cpprbib.wordpress.com/biblioteca-virtual/guias-tematicas/comunidades-especiales/comunidades-especiales-de-puerto-rico/|title=Comunidades Especiales de Puerto Rico|date=8 August 2011|language=es|access-date=24 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190624004414/https://cpprbib.wordpress.com/biblioteca-virtual/guias-tematicas/comunidades-especiales/comunidades-especiales-de-puerto-rico/|archive-date=24 June 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2009, an order was given by Governor Luis G. Fortuño to shut off essential services, such as water and electricity, to Villas del Sol, a "Special Community", which consisted of homes built illegally on flood-prone, state land. The Federal Emergency Management Agency bought these homes from the Puerto Rican government in order to keep the land from being used further. In January 2010, the Puerto Rican government began demolishing some of the homes. The village had a large population of Dominicans, including illegal aliens. In 2013, the mayor and the community continued to argue about how to construct in Villas del Sol.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.primerahora.com/noticias/isla/nota/toabajademandaraavillasdelsol-960752/|title=Toa Baja demandará a Villas del Sol|date=October 9, 2013|website=Primera Hora|access-date=July 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190712102100/https://www.primerahora.com/noticias/isla/nota/toabajademandaraavillasdelsol-960752/|archive-date=July 12, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> By 2016, six years after the community had been promised, by the government of Toa Baja, that it would receive permits for the building of critical infrastructure, it had not.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.primerahora.com/elnorte/noticias/isla/nota/elgobiernonosengano-1185578/|title="El gobierno nos engañó"|date=November 3, 2016|website=Primera Hora|access-date=July 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190712103319/https://www.primerahora.com/elnorte/noticias/isla/nota/elgobiernonosengano-1185578/|archive-date=July 12, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Some families had dispersed, others had constructed humble homes on land obtained from a private donor.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.primerahora.com/yo-soy-ph/yo-soy-ph/nota/yquepasoenvillasdelsol-984178/|title=¿Y qué pasó en Villas del Sol?|date=January 21, 2014|website=Primera Hora|access-date=July 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190712104012/https://www.primerahora.com/yo-soy-ph/yo-soy-ph/nota/yquepasoenvillasdelsol-984178/|archive-date=July 12, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| 1900= 4030
| 1910= 6254
| 1920= 7121
| 1930= 9865
| 1940= 11410
| 1950= 15761
| 1960= 19698
| 1970= 46384
| 1980= 78246
| 1990= 89454
| 2000= 94085
| 2010= 89609
|estyear=
|estimate=
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2016">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 21, 2017|archive-date=July 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709054630/https://www.census.gov/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/PEP/2016/PEPANNRES/0500000US72005|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 21, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213114938/https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/PEP/2016/PEPANNRES/0500000US72005|archive-date=February 13, 2020}}</ref><br />1899 (shown as 1900)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/reportoncensusof00unitiala#page/n245/mode/2up|title=Report of the Census of Porto Rico 1899|publisher=War Department Office Director Census of Porto Rico|access-date=September 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716033905/https://archive.org/stream/reportoncensusof00unitiala#page/n245/mode/2up|archive-date=July 16, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> 1910-1930<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/00476569ch4.pdf|title=Table 3-Population of Municipalities: 1930 1920 and 1910|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817181600/https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/00476569ch4.pdf|archive-date=August 17, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><br />1930-1950<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/23761117v1ch12.pdf|title=Table 4-Area and Population of Municipalities Urban and Rural: 1930 to 1950|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150830033735/http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/23761117v1ch12.pdf|archive-date=August 30, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> 1960-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/cen2000/phc-3-53-eng.pdf|title=Table 2 Population and Housing Units: 1960 to 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170724061852/https://www.census.gov/prod/cen2000/phc-3-53-eng.pdf|archive-date=July 24, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> 2010<ref name= "US2010Census">{{cite book|title=Puerto Rico:2010:population and housing unit counts.pdf|url=https://permanent.access.gpo.gov/gpo35934/cph-2-53.pdf|year=2010|publisher=U.S. Dept. of Commerce Economics and Statistics Administration U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=2018-12-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170220183043/https://permanent.access.gpo.gov/gpo35934/cph-2-53.pdf|archive-date=2017-02-20|url-status=live}}</ref>
2020<ref>{{Cite web|title=PUERTO RICO: 2020 Census|url=https://www.census.gov/library/stories/state-by-state/puerto-rico-population-change-between-census-decade.html|access-date=2021-08-25|website=The United States Census Bureau|language=EN-US|archive-date=2021-08-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826053734/https://www.census.gov/library/stories/state-by-state/puerto-rico-population-change-between-census-decade.html|url-status=live}}</ref>|2020=75243}}
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!colspan=3|Race (self-defined) Toa Baja, Puerto Rico<br /> – 2010 Census<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_PL_GCTPL1.CY07&prodType=table|title=American FactFinder US Census|website=factfinder.census.gov|access-date=2019-07-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120184043/http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_PL_GCTPL1.CY07&prodType=table|archive-date=2015-11-20|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-----
! Race
! Population
! % of Total
|-----
| [[White people|White]]||62,920||70.2%
|-----
| [[Black people|Black]]/[[African American]]||15,074||16.8%
|-----
| [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indian]] and <br />[[Alaska Native]]||522||0.6%
|-----
| [[Asian people|Asian]]||228||0.3%
|-----
| Some other race||7,787||8.7%
|-----
| Two or more races||3,076||3.4%
|}
In 2020, Toa Baja had a population of 75,293. This represents a decrease of 16% since 2010, when the population was 89,609. In 2000, the population was 94,085. The population in Toa Baja had steadily increased from 1899, when it had 4,030.<ref>[http://209.68.12.238/censo2000/1930-2000.html Población de Puerto Rico por Municipios] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130726155614/http://209.68.12.238/censo2000/1930-2000.html |date=2013-07-26 }} on CEEPUR</ref><ref>[http://electionspuertorico.org/referencia/censo2010/ Censo 2010] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603161542/http://electionspuertorico.org/referencia/censo2010/ |date=2012-06-03 }} on ElectionsPuertoRico</ref>
==Tourism==
===Landmarks and places of interest===
[[File:Hacienda Azurarera Santa Elena, Sugar Mill Ruins, 1.44 miles North of PR Route 2 Bridge (Toa Baja County, Puerto Rico).jpg|120px|thumb|Sugar Mill ruins of the Santa Elena Hacienda]]
There are 22 beaches in Toa Baja.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.primerahora.com/noticias/puerto-rico/nota/las1200playasdepuertorico-1216285/|title=Las 1,200 playas de Puerto Rico [The 1200 beaches of Puerto Rico]|date=April 14, 2017|website=Primera Hora|language=es|access-date=December 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212200804/https://www.primerahora.com/noticias/puerto-rico/nota/las1200playasdepuertorico-1216285/|archive-date=December 12, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
Some main attractions of Toa Baja include:
* [[El Cañuelo|Cañuelo Fortress]]
* [[Central Constancia]] (sugar mill)
* [[Isla de Cabras]]
* [[Hacienda Santa Elena]]
* Hermana Island
* Nuestra Señora del Carmen Church
* [[Palo Seco Thermoelectrical Power Station]]
* [[Punta Salinas|Punta Salinas Beach]]
* San Pedro Apostle Church
* [[Coliseo Antonio R. Barceló]]
==Culture==
===Festivals and events===
Toa Baja celebrates its [[Fiestas patronales in Puerto Rico|patron saint]] festival in June. The {{lang|es|Fiestas Patronales de San Pedro Apostol}} is a religious and cultural celebration in honor of [[Saint Peter]] and generally features parades, games, artisans, amusement rides, regional food, and live entertainment.<ref name="PR_Ency" /><ref>{{cite web | title=Puerto Rico Festivales, Eventos y Actividades en Puerto Rico | website=Puerto Rico Hoteles y Paradores | url=https://www.puertoricohotelesparadores.com/festivales-eventos-actividades | language=es | access-date=2020-07-17 | archive-date=2020-02-26 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226163727/https://www.puertoricohotelesparadores.com/festivales-eventos-actividades | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://eltoa.com/historia/fiestas_y_folcrore.html|title=Fiestas y Folclore|publisher=ElToa.com|access-date=January 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150207131323/http://eltoa.com/historia/fiestas_y_folcrore.html|archive-date=February 7, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{lang|es|Fiestas de la Santa Cruz}} is celebrated in May with the participation of various churches and cultural groups. It is dedicated to the Holy Cross, and lasts nine nights.
In October, the town celebrates the {{lang|es|Festival de la Zafra}} with musical groups of [[Bomba (Puerto Rico)|bomba]] and [[plena]].
Other festivals and events celebrated in Toa Baja include:
* Artisans Festival ({{lang|es|Feria de Artesanías}}) – March
* Beach Festival – July
* Musical Bands Festival – August
* [[Christmas]] Festival – December
===Sports===
Toa Baja doesn't have a team in the island's main male sports leagues. They do have a female [[volleyball]] team from the [[Liga de Voleibol Superior Femenino]], the [[Llaneras de Toa Baja]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fpvoleibol.com/LVSF_Llaneras.html|title=Llaneras de Toa Baja|publisher=Federación Puertorriqueña de Voleibol|access-date=January 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629071756/http://www.fpvoleibol.com/LVSF_Llaneras.html|archive-date=June 29, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.elnuevodia.com/nota-1167819.html|title=Listas las Llaneras para nueva temporada de voleibol superior|newspaper=[[El Nuevo Día]]|date=January 17, 2012|access-date=January 15, 2015}}</ref>
Each year, Toa Baja hosts both the [[Pee Wee Reese World Series]] (for baseball players of ages 12 and under) and the [[Willie Mays World Series]] (for baseball players of ages 10 and under). The town has a team, the [[Llaneros de Levittown]], in the PeeWee Reese Category [[baseball]] team from the Pro-Deportes/American Amateur Baseball Congress.{{citation needed|date=January 2015}}
==Economy==
For many years, Toa Baja's economy relied in agriculture, particularly [[sugar cane]] and [[cattle]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://edicionesdigitales.info/PueblosPR/PueblosPR/Toa_Baja.html|title=Toa Baja|publisher=EdicionesDigitales|access-date=January 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729165817/http://edicionesdigitales.info/PueblosPR/PueblosPR/Toa_Baja.html|archive-date=July 29, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Because of this, the municipality was the site of many important [[hacienda]]s like [[Hacienda Santa Elena|Santa Elena]] (founded in 1790), [[Central Constancia]] (founded in 1867), and Media Luna. In the middle of the 18th century, fishing also became a primary source of Toa Baja's economy. Cattle ranches were also among the best in the island, processing large amounts of milk. The growth of small fruits also continues to be one of Toa Baja's main products.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eltoa.com/historia/economia.html|title=La Economía|publisher=El Toa|access-date=January 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318115159/http://eltoa.com/historia/economia.html|archive-date=March 18, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
After the [[1950s]], manufacturing started replacing agriculture as the main economic source. Currently, the industrial sector continues to be one of the most important factors of economic growth in the region. Some of the products manufactured in Toa Baja are metal, plastic, concrete, textile, electrical and electronic machinery, and rum.
==Government==
{{Main|Mayoralty in Puerto Rico}}
All municipalities in Puerto Rico are administered by a mayor, elected every four years. The current mayor of Toa Baja is [[Bernardo Márquez García|Bernardo "Betito" Márquez García]], of the [[New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico|New Progressive Party]] (PNP). He was first elected at the [[Puerto Rican general election, 2016|2016 general elections]].
The city belongs to the [[Puerto Rico Senatorial district II]], which is represented by two Senators. [[Migdalia Padilla]] and [[Carmelo Ríos Santiago]] have served as District Senators since 2005.<ref>[http://ceepur.org/elecciones2008/CEE_Events/ELECCIONES_GENERALES_2008_4/ESCRUTINIO_GENERAL_8/default.html Elecciones Generales 2008: Escrutinio General] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111120101807/http://ceepur.org/elecciones2008/CEE_Events/ELECCIONES_GENERALES_2008_4/ESCRUTINIO_GENERAL_8/default.html |date=2011-11-20 }} on CEEPUR</ref>
==Symbols==
The {{lang|es|municipio}} has an official flag and coat of arms.<ref>{{cite web | title=Ley Núm. 70 de 2006 -Ley para disponer la oficialidad de la bandera y el escudo de los setenta y ocho (78) municipios. | website=LexJuris de Puerto Rico | url=https://www.lexjuris.com/LEXLEX/Leyes2006/lexl2006070.htm | language=es | access-date=2021-06-15 | archive-date=2021-01-20 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120152958/http://www.lexjuris.com/LEXLEX/Leyes2006/lexl2006070.htm | url-status=live }}</ref>
===Flag===
Toa Baja's official flag features two vertical bands: the left side is green and the right side is gold. The green band represents the plains of the Toa River (now known as [[Rio de la Plata (Puerto Rico)|La Plata]]), and the golden band represents the sun. The green band features two keys, one across the other. One is gold and the other silver, symbolizing the [[Saint Peter|Apostle Saint Peter]], the patron saint of the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.toabaja.com/EscudoyBandera.html|title=Escudo y Bandera|publisher=ToaBaja.com|access-date=January 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150118173610/http://www.toabaja.com/EscudoyBandera.html|archive-date=January 18, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="LexJuris (Leyes y Jurisprudencia) de Puerto Rico 2020">{{cite web | title=TOA BAJA | website=LexJuris (Leyes y Jurisprudencia) de Puerto Rico | date=19 February 2020 | url=http://www.lexjuris.com/pueblos/pueblos_files/TOABAJA.HTML | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219001116/http://www.lexjuris.com/pueblos/pueblos_files/TOABAJA.HTML | archive-date=19 February 2020 | url-status=live | language=es | access-date=17 September 2020}}</ref>
===Coat of arms===
[[File:Escudo de Toa Baja, Puerto Rico.svg|thumb|right|150px|Toa Baja's coat of arms]]
Toa Baja's coat of arms features a green waving stripe, representing the [[Rio de la Plata (Puerto Rico)|Toa River]], one of the first mentioned in the history of Puerto Rico. Like the flag, it features two keys, one across the other, symbolizing [[Saint Peter]], [[patron saint]] of the town. The coat has the letters "F" and "J" to each side of the keys, representing [[Ferdinand II of Aragon]] and [[King of Castile|V of Castile]], and his daughter, [[Joanna of Castile]], [[Crown of Castile|sovereign of Castile and León]].<ref name="LexJuris (Leyes y Jurisprudencia) de Puerto Rico 2020" />
The gold fields above and below the green stripe represent the wealth of the city. It also feature handfuls of [[yucca]], one of the main crops of this area. It constitutes a symbol of the [[Taíno]]s who cultivated it, and whose main food was cassava or bread of yucca. Two sugar cane stems surround the shield, representing the cultivation and industry of [[sugar cane]], which was the main source of Toa Baja's economy.<ref name="LexJuris (Leyes y Jurisprudencia) de Puerto Rico 2020" />
==Transportation==
Toa Baja is approximately 25 minutes in non-rush hour from [[San Juan, Puerto Rico|San Juan]] by car, however, it may take up to 90 minutes in [[rush hour]]. The main road to the city is the [[PR-22]] and [[Puerto Rico Highway 165|PR-165]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.salonhogar.net/Link%20P.R/www.linktopr.com/toabaja.html|title=Toa Baja... Ciudad de los Valles del Toa|publisher=Proyecto Salón Hogar|access-date=January 15, 2015|archive-date=April 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411022246/http://www.salonhogar.net/Link%20P.R/www.linktopr.com/toabaja.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
A new [[bus rapid transit]] (BRT) system called [[Metro Urbano]] operates in the center of [[Puerto Rico Highway 22|José de Diego Expressway (PR-22)]] in [[high-occupancy vehicle lane]]s (HOV) from [[Candelaria, Toa Baja, Puerto Rico|Candelaria]] in Toa Baja to the [[Bayamón station|Bayamón Station]] of the [[Tren Urbano]] metro system.<ref>[http://www.fta.dot.gov/research_4329.html United States Department of Transportation / Federal Transit Administration] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110127164828/http://www.fta.dot.gov/research_4329.html |date=2011-01-27 }} (Autoridad de Carreteras y Transportacion) - Río Hondo Connector BRT - Retrieved July 12, 2011</ref>
There are 29 bridges in Toa Baja.<ref name="bridge">{{cite web|title=Toa Baja Bridges|url=http://bridgereports.com/pr/toa-baja/|website=National Bridge Inventory Data|publisher=US Dept. of Transportation|access-date=20 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221224250/http://bridgereports.com/pr/toa-baja/|archive-date=21 February 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
==
*[[Susana Centeno]], nurse
*[[Edwin Rosario]] (1963–1997) - professional boxer. 4 time world champion. Inducted to [[IBHOF]] in 2006
*[[Madison Anderson]] - [[Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2019]] and [[Miss Universe 2019]] 1st Runner-Up
==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed" heights="170px">
Playa en Sabana Seca, Toa Baja, Puerto Rico.jpg|Beach in Sabana Seca barrio
</gallery>
==See also==
{{Portal|Puerto Rico|Geography}}
*[[List of Puerto Ricans]]
*[[History of Puerto Rico]]
*[[Portal:Puerto Rico/Did you know/Archive|Did you know-Puerto Rico?]]
*[[2009 Sabana Seca massacre]], Sabana Seca area of Toa Baja
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==Further reading==
* {{lang|es|Los Municipios de Puerto Rico - Toa Baja}}, Commissioned by the Department of Education in 1992.
* Padilla Melendez, Debra E., {{lang|es|Toa Baja: Notas para su historia}}
==External links==
* [https://archive.today/20200212034402/http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/GCTTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=05000US72137&-_box_head_nbr=GCT-PH1&-ds_name=DEC_2000_SF1_U&-redoLog=false&-mt_name=DEC_2000_SF1_U_GCTPH1_CO2&-format=CO-2 Toa Baja and its barrios, United States Census Bureau]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040621203357/http://www.toabaja.gobierno.pr/ City of Toa Baja]
* [https://www.facebook.com/toabajaorgullollanero/?ref=search&__tn__=%2Cd%2CP-R&eid=ARC_0a3ViAWTwKZ2S8qBOYo4I8h0c2soe_7Y93ItyyORiKGVoLCQQccT8btbaS5fu9B-Rv9IofgRrXyz Toa Baja Municipality on Facebook]
{{Adjacent communities
|Centre = Toa Baja
|North = [[Atlantic Ocean]]
|Northeast =
|East = [[Cataño, Puerto Rico|Cataño]]
|Southeast = [[Bayamón, Puerto Rico|Bayamón]]
|South = [[Toa Alta, Puerto Rico|Toa Alta]]
|Southwest =
|West = [[Dorado, Puerto Rico|Dorado]]
|Northwest =
}}
{{Puerto Rico subdivisions}}
{{Subject bar|auto=y|d=y}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Toa Baja, Puerto Rico| ]]
[[Category:Municipalities of Puerto Rico]]
[[Category:
[[Category:San Juan–Caguas–Guaynabo metropolitan area]]
[[Category:1745 establishments in the Spanish Empire]]
[[Category:18th-century establishments in Puerto Rico]]
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