South Brunswick Township, New Jersey
Encyclopedia
South Brunswick Township is a Township
in Middlesex County
, New Jersey
, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 43,417.
South Brunswick was first mentioned on February 28, 1778, in Freeholder minutes as being formed from New Brunswick Township
. It was formally incorporated as one of New Jersey's initial group of 104 townships on February 21, 1798. Portions of the township have been taken to form Cranbury Township
(March 7, 1872) and Plainsboro Township
(April 1, 1919).
CNNMoney.com
ranked South Brunswick Township 22nd on its 2011 list of the "Best Places to Live", featuring its picks of the best small towns in the United States.
, the township has a total area of 41.1 square miles (106.4 km²), of which, 40.86 square miles (105.8 km²) of it is land and 0.24 square mile (0.6215971464 km²) of it (0.58%) is water.
The township encompasses the census-designated place
s of Dayton
(2000 Census population of 6,235), Heathcote
(4,755), Kendall Park
(9,006), Kingston
(1,292) and Monmouth Junction
(2,721). Deans
is an unincorporated area within the Township. Kingston has been designated as a Village Center by the New Jersey State Planning Commission
and is overseen by an advisory commission that consists of seven members from Franklin Township
and South Brunswick.
The Lawrence Brook
, a tributary of the Raritan River
, flows through the township.
Kingston
's location on the Lenape
Assunpink Trail
where it crossed the Millstone River
was the prime factor in its early prominence. Kingston was by far the most active and important village, being situated on both the heavily traveled King's Road and Millstone River, combining commercial activities of both mills and taverns. The Kingston Village Advisory Committee
, jointly appointed by the South Brunswick and Franklin Township
Councils, reports to the Township Council on matters of concern to residents of Kingston
.
Dayton
was first known simply as The Cross Roads, where James Whitlock built a tavern on Georges Road around 1750. Early enterprises included a brick manufacturer and large nursery. In 1866, the name was changed from Cross Roads to Dayton, in honor of William L. Dayton
, an attorney for the Freehold and Jamesburg Agricultural Railroad. Dayton had helped settle disputes arising from the location of a railroad right-of-way. He was later a United States Senator
, was the first Republican
nominee for Vice President
(in 1856), and Minister to France
.
Deans
originated from its location on both Crosswicknung Trail (Georges Road) and Lawrence Brook. Dams were built on the brook, creating Deans Pond.
Monmouth Junction
was created as the junction of three rail branches, the New York division of the Pennsylvania Railroad
, the Rocky Hill and the Jamesburg and Freehold.
With increased mobility and a growing population, the suburban style residential development was born after the World War II
and Kendall Park
was begun in the 1950s. Kendall Park is located right off Route 27, the old Indian trail and major thoroughfare of earlier centuries.
Pigeon Swamp State Park
is a New Jersey state park located on Deans Rhode Hall Road (Middlesex CR-610). The park has 1078 acres (4.4 km²) of undeveloped land.
zone. Average Winter-time high temperatures range from 38-43 degrees Fahrenheit, and the lows range from 19-24 degrees with the record low being -16 degrees. Average summer-time high temperatures range from 84-87 degrees Fahrenheit, though temperatures exceed 90 degrees often with the record high being 105 degrees. The lows range from 63-67 degrees. South Brunswick can receive much snow during the winter months, sometimes up to 3 feet. About 4-5 inches of rain falls every month, and is evenly spread throughout the year, though the area can go through long periods of drought or long-lasting periods with little to no rain. During winter and early spring, South Brunswick can in some years experience "nor'easter
s", which are capable of causing blizzards or flooding throughout the northeastern United States. Hurricanes and tropical storms (such as Hurricane Floyd
in 1999), tornadoes and earthquakes are rare.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 37,734 people, 13,428 households, and 10,084 families residing in the township. The population density
was 923.5 people per square mile (356.6/km²). There were 13,862 housing units at an average density of 339.3 per square mile (131.0/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 70.49% White, 7.88% African American, 0.13% Native American, 18.04% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.37% from other races
, and 2.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.08% of the population.
As of the 2000 census, 10.48% of South Brunswick's residents identified themselves as being of Indian American
ancestry, which was the seventh highest of any municipality in the United States and the fourth highest in New Jersey — behind Edison
(17.75%), Plainsboro Township
(16.97%) and Piscataway Township
(12.49%) — of all places with 1,000 or more residents identifying their ancestry.
There were 13,428 households out of which 43.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.8% were married couples
living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.9% were non-families. 19.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.27.
In the township the population was spread out with 28.4% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 36.7% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 7.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.3 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $78,737, and the median income for a family was $86,891. Males had a median income of $61,637 versus $41,554 for females. The per capita income
for the township was $32,104. About 2.1% of families and 3.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.9% of those under age 18 and 4.5% of those age 65 or over.
form of municipal government. Members of the Township Council are elected to four-year terms in partisan elections on a staggered basis.
Members of the Township Council are Mayor
Frank Gambatese (D
; term ends December 31, 2014), Deputy Mayor
Chris Killmurray (D; 2014), Joseph J. Camarota Jr. (D; 2012), Charlie Carley (D; 2012), and John O'Sullivan (R; 2012).
based on the results of the 2010 Census. The new district was in effect for the June 2011 primary and the November 2011 general election, with the state senator and assembly members elected taking office in the new district as of January 2012.
in 1798. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the community was primarily agricultural. The Straight Turnpike, now U.S. Route 1
, was constructed in 1804.
In 1872, the Legislature first reduced the size of South Brunswick with the creation of the separate Cranbury Township
from the southern portion of South Brunswick. In 1885, it redefined and enlarged the boundaries of Cranbury, and in 1919, the size of South Brunswick was further reduced with the formation of Plainsboro Township
. The present boundaries of South Brunswick date back to this last change.
20th century South Brunswick has seen extensive transformation with the impact of American industrial technology. The New Brunswick and Trenton Fast Line began operation in 1900, a trolley line running parallel to the Old Straight Turnpike of 1804 (Route 1
), intersecting George's Road just north of the Five Corners intersection in Dayton. This trolley provided daily passenger and freight service, stopping at a local crossroads. The New Jersey Turnpike
opened in 1951, again roughly parallel to Route 1, on the eastern edge of the Township. One effect of the Turnpike opening up Interchange 8A (just outside the township) was the transformation of the agricultural area on the southeast corner of South Brunswick to that of a burgeoning industrial development. As of 2011, the majority of land between Route 130 and the turnpike
consists largely of warehouses.
In 1980, the Township population approached 18,000. In 1990, this figure reached 25,792 and by 2010, South Brunswick had over 43,000 residents. Much of the township's 42 square miles (108.8 km²) remain undeveloped and there are still significant amounts of wetlands, woodlands and open space within the community.
, U.S. Route 130
, Route 27, Route 32, and Interstate 95
(the New Jersey Turnpike
). A few county routes, such as 535
and 522
, pass through the town. US 1 passes through in the western part while US 130 runs through the center-eastern part. Near the intersection of Route 32 and 130, there is a park and ride
, where commuters can take buses to the Port Authority Bus Terminal
in Midtown Manhattan
. Other limited access roads that are accessible outside the township include Interstate 287
in neighboring Franklin Township
.
South Brunswick houses about a 3½ mile section of the New Jersey Turnpike in the eastern part, and a few Turnpike ramps that lead to the toll gate for Interchange 8A which is just outside of the municipality in Monroe Township
. Due to heavy congestion on the ramp to Route 32 west, the Turnpike Authority replaced it with a new two lane ramp that goes from the toll gate to the intersection of CR 535
and Thatcher Road. Motorists must then take 535 south to access 32 west.
On December 1, 2004, plans were announced to widen the dual-dual setup of the turnpike from Interchange 8A in Monroe Township to Interchange 6 in Mansfield Township
. This plan also proposes to add another lane on the outer truck lanes from Interchange 8A to Interchange 9 in East Brunswick Township
.
A couple of proposed Turnpike Authority maintained roads were to traverse South Brunswick. The first was the Driscoll Expressway
which was to start from the Garden State Parkway
at exit 80 in Toms River
and end 3 miles north of exit 8A along the turnpike in South Brunswick. This was cancelled in the 1980s. The other proposed road was an west-east spur, Route 92. While the majority of the spur was to be in South Brunswick, it was to begin at US 1, just north of the intersection with Ridge Road in South Brunswick and terminate at the tollgate for Exit 8A in Monroe Township. However this was cancelled on December 1, 2006.
USA, subsidiary of the Brandstätter Group
, has its headquarters in Dayton
in the township.
serves students in prekindergarten through 12th grade. The district has grown substantially in recent decades, with high school enrollment doubling to nearly 2,000 in the decade to 2001, and increasing by another 1,000 in the subsequent decade. Schools in the district (with 2009-10 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics
) are seven elementary schools (K-5, except as indicated) —
Brooks Crossing Elementary School (841 students),
Brunswick Acres Elementary School (556; includes PreK),
Cambridge Elementary School (571),
Constable Elementary School (568; includes PreK),
Greenbrook Elementary School (462),
Indian Field Elementary School (680) and
Monmouth Junction Elementary School (385) —
Crossroads Middle Schools North and South (1,011 and 1,153 respectively) for grades 6-8 and
South Brunswick High School (2,739) for grades 9-12
Township (New Jersey)
A township, in the context of New Jersey local government, refers to one of five types and one of eleven forms of municipal government. As a political entity, a township is a full-fledged municipality, on par with any town, city, borough, or village, collecting property taxes and providing...
in Middlesex County
Middlesex County, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 750,162 people, 265,815 households, and 190,855 families residing in the county. The population density was 2,422 people per square mile . There were 273,637 housing units at an average density of 884 per square mile...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 43,417.
South Brunswick was first mentioned on February 28, 1778, in Freeholder minutes as being formed from New Brunswick Township
New Brunswick, New Jersey
New Brunswick is a city in Middlesex County, New Jersey, USA. It is the county seat and the home of Rutgers University. The city is located on the Northeast Corridor rail line, southwest of Manhattan, on the southern bank of the Raritan River. At the 2010 United States Census, the population of...
. It was formally incorporated as one of New Jersey's initial group of 104 townships on February 21, 1798. Portions of the township have been taken to form Cranbury Township
Cranbury Township, New Jersey
- Demographics :As of the census of 2000, there were 3,227 people, 1,091 households, and 877 families residing in the township. The population density was 240.6 people per square mile . There were 1,121 housing units at an average density of 83.6 per square mile...
(March 7, 1872) and Plainsboro Township
Plainsboro Township, New Jersey
Plainsboro Township is a township in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2000 United States Census, the township population was 20,215.Plainsboro was incorporated as a township on May 6, 1919...
(April 1, 1919).
CNNMoney.com
CNNMoney.com
CNNMoney.com is the world's largest business website. The site is the online home of Fortune and Money, and serves as CNN.com's exclusive business site. The site, edited by Chris Peacock, together with the three titles, is part of the Fortune|Money Group, and attracts more than 10.8 million unique...
ranked South Brunswick Township 22nd on its 2011 list of the "Best Places to Live", featuring its picks of the best small towns in the United States.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the township has a total area of 41.1 square miles (106.4 km²), of which, 40.86 square miles (105.8 km²) of it is land and 0.24 square mile (0.6215971464 km²) of it (0.58%) is water.
The township encompasses the census-designated place
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
s of Dayton
Dayton, New Jersey
Dayton is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within South Brunswick Township, in Middlesex County, New Jersey. As of the United States 2000 Census, the CDP population was 6,235.Dayton is also a post office with its own ZIP code...
(2000 Census population of 6,235), Heathcote
Heathcote, New Jersey
Heathcote is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within South Brunswick Township. As of the United States 2000 Census, the CDP population was 4,755-Geography:Heathcote is located at ....
(4,755), Kendall Park
Kendall Park, New Jersey
Kendall Park is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within South Brunswick Township, in Middlesex County, New Jersey. As of the United States 2000 Census, the CDP population was 9,006....
(9,006), Kingston
Kingston, New Jersey
Kingston is a census-designated place and unincorporated area in the U.S. state of New Jersey, which has been officially designated as a Village Center by the New Jersey State Planning Commission. The CDP portion, is the area that lies in Middlesex County...
(1,292) and Monmouth Junction
Monmouth Junction, New Jersey
Monmouth Junction is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within South Brunswick Township, in Middlesex County, New Jersey. As of the United States 2000 Census, the CDP population was 2,721.-Geography:...
(2,721). Deans
Deans, New Jersey
Deans is an unincorporated area located within South Brunswick Township, in Middlesex County, New Jersey.Deans originated from its location on both Crosswicknung Trail and Lawrence Brook. Dams were built on the brook, creating Deans Pond....
is an unincorporated area within the Township. Kingston has been designated as a Village Center by the New Jersey State Planning Commission
New Jersey State Planning Commission
The New Jersey State Planning Commission is responsible for oversight of planning issues affecting the U.S. state of New Jersey. The Commission consists of 17 members representing State government, local government and the public. Local government and public members are appointed by the Governor of...
and is overseen by an advisory commission that consists of seven members from Franklin Township
Franklin Township, Somerset County, New Jersey
-Communities of Franklin Township:The following are census-designated places, unincorporated enclaves, and historical communities located within Franklin Township...
and South Brunswick.
The Lawrence Brook
Lawrence Brook
Lawrence Brook is a tributary of the Raritan River. Its entire course is in Middlesex County, New Jersey in the United States.-Course:Originally a stream, its course now includes man-made lakes created by dams built in the 19th and 20th centuries: Deans Pond , Davidsons Mill Pond , Farrington Lake...
, a tributary of the Raritan River
Raritan River
The Raritan River is a major river of central New Jersey in the United States. Its watershed drains much of the mountainous area of the central part of the state, emptying into the Raritan Bay on the Atlantic Ocean.-Description:...
, flows through the township.
Kingston
Kingston, New Jersey
Kingston is a census-designated place and unincorporated area in the U.S. state of New Jersey, which has been officially designated as a Village Center by the New Jersey State Planning Commission. The CDP portion, is the area that lies in Middlesex County...
's location on the Lenape
Lenape
The Lenape are an Algonquian group of Native Americans of the Northeastern Woodlands. They are also called Delaware Indians. As a result of the American Revolutionary War and later Indian removals from the eastern United States, today the main groups live in Canada, where they are enrolled in the...
Assunpink Trail
Assunpink Trail
The Assunpink Trail was a Native American trail in what later became Middlesex, Somerset, and Mercer counties in the central and western part of New Jersey...
where it crossed the Millstone River
Millstone River
The Millstone River is a tributary of the Raritan River in central New Jersey in the United States.The Millstone River begins in western Monmouth County and flows northward through southern Somerset County into the Raritan River at Manville. Almost three quarters of its length is paralleled by...
was the prime factor in its early prominence. Kingston was by far the most active and important village, being situated on both the heavily traveled King's Road and Millstone River, combining commercial activities of both mills and taverns. The Kingston Village Advisory Committee
Kingston Village Advisory Committee
The Kingston Village Advisory Committee, jointly appointed by the South Brunswick Township and Franklin Township Councils, reports to both Township Councils on matters of concern to the historic "village" of Kingston and its citizens...
, jointly appointed by the South Brunswick and Franklin Township
Franklin Township, Somerset County, New Jersey
-Communities of Franklin Township:The following are census-designated places, unincorporated enclaves, and historical communities located within Franklin Township...
Councils, reports to the Township Council on matters of concern to residents of Kingston
Kingston, New Jersey
Kingston is a census-designated place and unincorporated area in the U.S. state of New Jersey, which has been officially designated as a Village Center by the New Jersey State Planning Commission. The CDP portion, is the area that lies in Middlesex County...
.
Dayton
Dayton, New Jersey
Dayton is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within South Brunswick Township, in Middlesex County, New Jersey. As of the United States 2000 Census, the CDP population was 6,235.Dayton is also a post office with its own ZIP code...
was first known simply as The Cross Roads, where James Whitlock built a tavern on Georges Road around 1750. Early enterprises included a brick manufacturer and large nursery. In 1866, the name was changed from Cross Roads to Dayton, in honor of William L. Dayton
William L. Dayton
William Lewis Dayton was an American politician.A distant relation of U.S. House Speaker and U.S. Constitution signatory Jonathan Dayton, he was born in Basking Ridge, New Jersey to farmer Joel Dayton and his wife...
, an attorney for the Freehold and Jamesburg Agricultural Railroad. Dayton had helped settle disputes arising from the location of a railroad right-of-way. He was later a United States Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
, was the first Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
nominee for Vice President
Vice President of the United States
The Vice President of the United States is the holder of a public office created by the United States Constitution. The Vice President, together with the President of the United States, is indirectly elected by the people, through the Electoral College, to a four-year term...
(in 1856), and Minister to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
Deans
Deans, New Jersey
Deans is an unincorporated area located within South Brunswick Township, in Middlesex County, New Jersey.Deans originated from its location on both Crosswicknung Trail and Lawrence Brook. Dams were built on the brook, creating Deans Pond....
originated from its location on both Crosswicknung Trail (Georges Road) and Lawrence Brook. Dams were built on the brook, creating Deans Pond.
Monmouth Junction
Monmouth Junction, New Jersey
Monmouth Junction is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within South Brunswick Township, in Middlesex County, New Jersey. As of the United States 2000 Census, the CDP population was 2,721.-Geography:...
was created as the junction of three rail branches, the New York division of the Pennsylvania Railroad
Pennsylvania Railroad
The Pennsylvania Railroad was an American Class I railroad, founded in 1846. Commonly referred to as the "Pennsy", the PRR was headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
, the Rocky Hill and the Jamesburg and Freehold.
With increased mobility and a growing population, the suburban style residential development was born after the World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and Kendall Park
Kendall Park, New Jersey
Kendall Park is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within South Brunswick Township, in Middlesex County, New Jersey. As of the United States 2000 Census, the CDP population was 9,006....
was begun in the 1950s. Kendall Park is located right off Route 27, the old Indian trail and major thoroughfare of earlier centuries.
Pigeon Swamp State Park
Pigeon Swamp State Park
Pigeon Swamp State Park is a New Jersey state park located on Deans Rhode Hall Road in South Brunswick, New Jersey. It is an undeveloped park, with a mix of habitats including open ponds and uplands hardwood forests. It also includes a good example of an inner coastal plain lowland deciduous...
is a New Jersey state park located on Deans Rhode Hall Road (Middlesex CR-610). The park has 1078 acres (4.4 km²) of undeveloped land.
Weather
South Brunswick is in the humid continental climateHumid continental climate
A humid continental climate is a climatic region typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot summers and cold winters....
zone. Average Winter-time high temperatures range from 38-43 degrees Fahrenheit, and the lows range from 19-24 degrees with the record low being -16 degrees. Average summer-time high temperatures range from 84-87 degrees Fahrenheit, though temperatures exceed 90 degrees often with the record high being 105 degrees. The lows range from 63-67 degrees. South Brunswick can receive much snow during the winter months, sometimes up to 3 feet. About 4-5 inches of rain falls every month, and is evenly spread throughout the year, though the area can go through long periods of drought or long-lasting periods with little to no rain. During winter and early spring, South Brunswick can in some years experience "nor'easter
Nor'easter
A nor'easter is a type of macro-scale storm along the East Coast of the United States and Atlantic Canada, so named because the storm travels to the northeast from the south and the winds come from the northeast, especially in the coastal areas of the Northeastern United States and Atlantic Canada...
s", which are capable of causing blizzards or flooding throughout the northeastern United States. Hurricanes and tropical storms (such as Hurricane Floyd
Hurricane Floyd
Hurricane Floyd was the sixth named storm, fourth hurricane, and third major hurricane in the 1999 Atlantic hurricane season. Floyd triggered the third largest evacuation in US history when 2.6 million coastal residents of five states were ordered from their homes as it approached...
in 1999), tornadoes and earthquakes are rare.
Demographics
As of the 2010 Census, South Brunswick had a population of 43,417. The median age was 38.6. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 52.1% White, 7.7% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 35.9% Asian, 1.5% some other race and 2.6% reporting two or more races. 6.0% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.As of the census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 37,734 people, 13,428 households, and 10,084 families residing in the township. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 923.5 people per square mile (356.6/km²). There were 13,862 housing units at an average density of 339.3 per square mile (131.0/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 70.49% White, 7.88% African American, 0.13% Native American, 18.04% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.37% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.08% of the population.
As of the 2000 census, 10.48% of South Brunswick's residents identified themselves as being of Indian American
Indian American
Indian Americans are Americans whose ancestral roots lie in India. The U.S. Census Bureau popularized the term Asian Indian to avoid confusion with Indigenous peoples of the Americas who are commonly referred to as American Indians.-The term: Indian:...
ancestry, which was the seventh highest of any municipality in the United States and the fourth highest in New Jersey — behind Edison
Edison, New Jersey
Edison Township is a township in Middlesex County, New Jersey. What is now Edison Township was originally incorporated as Raritan Township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 17, 1870, from portions of both Piscataway Township and Woodbridge Township...
(17.75%), Plainsboro Township
Plainsboro Township, New Jersey
Plainsboro Township is a township in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2000 United States Census, the township population was 20,215.Plainsboro was incorporated as a township on May 6, 1919...
(16.97%) and Piscataway Township
Piscataway Township, New Jersey
The township consists of the following historic villages and areas: New Market, known as Quibbletown in the 18th Century, Randolphville, Fieldville and North Stelton...
(12.49%) — of all places with 1,000 or more residents identifying their ancestry.
There were 13,428 households out of which 43.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.8% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.9% were non-families. 19.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.27.
In the township the population was spread out with 28.4% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 36.7% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 7.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.3 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $78,737, and the median income for a family was $86,891. Males had a median income of $61,637 versus $41,554 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the township was $32,104. About 2.1% of families and 3.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.9% of those under age 18 and 4.5% of those age 65 or over.
Local government
South Brunswick Township operates under the Faulkner Act (Council-Manager)Faulkner Act (Council-Manager)
The Faulkner Act, or Optional Municipal Charter Law, provides for New Jersey municipalities to adopt a Council-Manager government.The council consists of 5, 7, or 9 members elected by the public...
form of municipal government. Members of the Township Council are elected to four-year terms in partisan elections on a staggered basis.
Members of the Township Council are Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
Frank Gambatese (D
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
; term ends December 31, 2014), Deputy Mayor
Deputy Mayor
Deputy mayor is an elective or appointive office of the second-ranking official in many local governments. Many elected deputy mayors are members of the city council who are given the title and serve as acting mayor in the mayor's absence...
Chris Killmurray (D; 2014), Joseph J. Camarota Jr. (D; 2012), Charlie Carley (D; 2012), and John O'Sullivan (R; 2012).
Federal, state and county representation
South Brunswick Township is in the 12th Congressional district and is part of New Jersey's 14th state legislative district. The township was relocated to the 16th state legislative district by the New Jersey Apportionment CommissionNew Jersey Apportionment Commission
The New Jersey Apportionment Commission is a constitutionally-created ten-member commission responsible for apportioning the forty districts of the New Jersey Legislature. The commission is convened after each decennial U.S. Census, and the districts are to be in use for the legislative elections...
based on the results of the 2010 Census. The new district was in effect for the June 2011 primary and the November 2011 general election, with the state senator and assembly members elected taking office in the new district as of January 2012.
History
South Brunswick Township was incorporated by an act of the New Jersey LegislatureNew Jersey Legislature
The New Jersey Legislature is the legislative branch of the government of the U.S. state of New Jersey. In its current form, as defined by the New Jersey Constitution of 1947, the Legislature consists of two houses: the General Assembly and the Senate...
in 1798. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the community was primarily agricultural. The Straight Turnpike, now U.S. Route 1
U.S. Route 1 in New Jersey
U.S. Route 1 is a United States highway which parallels the East Coast of the United States, running from Key West, Florida in the south to Fort Kent, Maine at the Canadian border in the north. Of the entire length of the route, of it runs through New Jersey...
, was constructed in 1804.
In 1872, the Legislature first reduced the size of South Brunswick with the creation of the separate Cranbury Township
Cranbury Township, New Jersey
- Demographics :As of the census of 2000, there were 3,227 people, 1,091 households, and 877 families residing in the township. The population density was 240.6 people per square mile . There were 1,121 housing units at an average density of 83.6 per square mile...
from the southern portion of South Brunswick. In 1885, it redefined and enlarged the boundaries of Cranbury, and in 1919, the size of South Brunswick was further reduced with the formation of Plainsboro Township
Plainsboro Township, New Jersey
Plainsboro Township is a township in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2000 United States Census, the township population was 20,215.Plainsboro was incorporated as a township on May 6, 1919...
. The present boundaries of South Brunswick date back to this last change.
20th century South Brunswick has seen extensive transformation with the impact of American industrial technology. The New Brunswick and Trenton Fast Line began operation in 1900, a trolley line running parallel to the Old Straight Turnpike of 1804 (Route 1
U.S. Route 1 in New Jersey
U.S. Route 1 is a United States highway which parallels the East Coast of the United States, running from Key West, Florida in the south to Fort Kent, Maine at the Canadian border in the north. Of the entire length of the route, of it runs through New Jersey...
), intersecting George's Road just north of the Five Corners intersection in Dayton. This trolley provided daily passenger and freight service, stopping at a local crossroads. The New Jersey Turnpike
New Jersey Turnpike
The New Jersey Turnpike is a toll road in New Jersey, maintained by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority. According to the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association, the Turnpike is the nation's sixth-busiest toll road and is among one of the most heavily traveled highways in the United...
opened in 1951, again roughly parallel to Route 1, on the eastern edge of the Township. One effect of the Turnpike opening up Interchange 8A (just outside the township) was the transformation of the agricultural area on the southeast corner of South Brunswick to that of a burgeoning industrial development. As of 2011, the majority of land between Route 130 and the turnpike
New Jersey Turnpike
The New Jersey Turnpike is a toll road in New Jersey, maintained by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority. According to the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association, the Turnpike is the nation's sixth-busiest toll road and is among one of the most heavily traveled highways in the United...
consists largely of warehouses.
In 1980, the Township population approached 18,000. In 1990, this figure reached 25,792 and by 2010, South Brunswick had over 43,000 residents. Much of the township's 42 square miles (108.8 km²) remain undeveloped and there are still significant amounts of wetlands, woodlands and open space within the community.
Transportation
South Brunswick hosts U.S. Route 1U.S. Route 1 in New Jersey
U.S. Route 1 is a United States highway which parallels the East Coast of the United States, running from Key West, Florida in the south to Fort Kent, Maine at the Canadian border in the north. Of the entire length of the route, of it runs through New Jersey...
, U.S. Route 130
U.S. Route 130
U.S. Route 130 is a north–south U.S. Highway completely within the state of New Jersey. It runs from Interstate 295 and US 40 at Deepwater in Pennsville Township, Salem County, where the road continues east as Route 49, north to US 1 in North Brunswick Township, Middlesex County, where...
, Route 27, Route 32, and Interstate 95
Interstate 95 in New Jersey
Interstate 95 is a major Interstate Highway that traverses the full extent of the East Coast of the United States, from Florida to Maine...
(the New Jersey Turnpike
New Jersey Turnpike
The New Jersey Turnpike is a toll road in New Jersey, maintained by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority. According to the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association, the Turnpike is the nation's sixth-busiest toll road and is among one of the most heavily traveled highways in the United...
). A few county routes, such as 535
County Route 535 (New Jersey)
County Route 535 is a county highway in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The highway extends from Logan Avenue , at the boundary between Trenton and Hamilton Township in Mercer County to the intersection of Main Street, Raritan Street and Washington Road in Sayreville in Middlesex County.The road...
and 522
County Route 522 (New Jersey)
County Route 522 is a county highway in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The highway extends from U.S. 1 in South Brunswick Township to Main Street in Freehold Borough.-Middlesex County:...
, pass through the town. US 1 passes through in the western part while US 130 runs through the center-eastern part. Near the intersection of Route 32 and 130, there is a park and ride
Park and ride
Park and ride facilities are car parks with connections to public transport that allow commuters and other people wishing to travel into city centres to leave their vehicles and transfer to a bus, rail system , or carpool for the rest of their trip...
, where commuters can take buses to the Port Authority Bus Terminal
Port Authority Bus Terminal
The Port Authority Bus Terminal is the main gateway for interstate buses into Manhattan in New York City...
in Midtown Manhattan
Midtown Manhattan
Midtown Manhattan, or simply Midtown, is an area of Manhattan, New York City home to world-famous commercial zones such as Rockefeller Center, Broadway, and Times Square...
. Other limited access roads that are accessible outside the township include Interstate 287
Interstate 287
Interstate 287 is an auxiliary Interstate Highway in the U.S. states of New Jersey and New York. It is a partial beltway around New York City, serving the northern half of New Jersey and the counties of Rockland and Westchester in New York...
in neighboring Franklin Township
Franklin Township, Somerset County, New Jersey
-Communities of Franklin Township:The following are census-designated places, unincorporated enclaves, and historical communities located within Franklin Township...
.
South Brunswick houses about a 3½ mile section of the New Jersey Turnpike in the eastern part, and a few Turnpike ramps that lead to the toll gate for Interchange 8A which is just outside of the municipality in Monroe Township
Monroe Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey
Monroe Township is a Township in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 27,999. Monroe was incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 9, 1838, from portions of South Amboy Township, based on the...
. Due to heavy congestion on the ramp to Route 32 west, the Turnpike Authority replaced it with a new two lane ramp that goes from the toll gate to the intersection of CR 535
County Route 535 (New Jersey)
County Route 535 is a county highway in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The highway extends from Logan Avenue , at the boundary between Trenton and Hamilton Township in Mercer County to the intersection of Main Street, Raritan Street and Washington Road in Sayreville in Middlesex County.The road...
and Thatcher Road. Motorists must then take 535 south to access 32 west.
On December 1, 2004, plans were announced to widen the dual-dual setup of the turnpike from Interchange 8A in Monroe Township to Interchange 6 in Mansfield Township
Mansfield Township, Burlington County, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 5,090 people, 2,077 households, and 1,561 families residing in the township. The population density was 234.3 people per square mile . There were 2,122 housing units at an average density of 97.7 per square mile...
. This plan also proposes to add another lane on the outer truck lanes from Interchange 8A to Interchange 9 in East Brunswick Township
East Brunswick Township, New Jersey
The town is located southwest of New York City and 48 miles northeast of Philadelphia.Lawrence Brook, a tributary of the Raritan River, runs along the western border of the township...
.
A couple of proposed Turnpike Authority maintained roads were to traverse South Brunswick. The first was the Driscoll Expressway
Driscoll Expressway
The Driscoll Expressway was a proposed long tolled limited-access highway in Central Jersey that would have connected the New Jersey Turnpike with the Garden State Parkway in the U.S...
which was to start from the Garden State Parkway
Garden State Parkway
The Garden State Parkway is a 172.4-mile limited-access toll parkway that stretches the length of New Jersey from the New York line at Montvale, New Jersey, to Cape May at New Jersey's southernmost tip. Its name refers to New Jersey's nickname, the "Garden State." Most New Jersey residents refer...
at exit 80 in Toms River
Toms River, New Jersey
Toms River is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Toms River Township and is the county seat of Ocean County, New Jersey. It is part of a larger Toms River Township...
and end 3 miles north of exit 8A along the turnpike in South Brunswick. This was cancelled in the 1980s. The other proposed road was an west-east spur, Route 92. While the majority of the spur was to be in South Brunswick, it was to begin at US 1, just north of the intersection with Ridge Road in South Brunswick and terminate at the tollgate for Exit 8A in Monroe Township. However this was cancelled on December 1, 2006.
Economy
PlaymobilPlaymobil
Playmobil is a line of toys produced by the Brandstätter Group , headquartered in Zirndorf, Germany.New products and product lines developed by a 50-strong development team are frequently introduced by Brandstätter. Some of these, such as promotional products, are only produced in limited quantities...
USA, subsidiary of the Brandstätter Group
Brandstätter Group
Brandstätter Group is a German company, headquartered in Zirndorf, Bavaria. The group is composed of toy company Playmobil, Playmobil 1.2.3 Ltd, Inmold Ltd, Hob Electronics Ltd, Hob Components Ltd, HOB Inc., HOB GmbH & Co KG, and Hob Software Ltd.In 1876, the company was founded by Andreas...
, has its headquarters in Dayton
Dayton, New Jersey
Dayton is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within South Brunswick Township, in Middlesex County, New Jersey. As of the United States 2000 Census, the CDP population was 6,235.Dayton is also a post office with its own ZIP code...
in the township.
Education
The South Brunswick Public SchoolsSouth Brunswick Public Schools
The South Brunswick Public Schools are a comprehensive community public school district, serving students in kindergarten through twelfth grade from South Brunswick Township in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States....
serves students in prekindergarten through 12th grade. The district has grown substantially in recent decades, with high school enrollment doubling to nearly 2,000 in the decade to 2001, and increasing by another 1,000 in the subsequent decade. Schools in the district (with 2009-10 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics
National Center for Education Statistics
The National Center for Education Statistics is the part of the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences that collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics on education and public school district finance information in the United States...
) are seven elementary schools (K-5, except as indicated) —
Brooks Crossing Elementary School (841 students),
Brunswick Acres Elementary School (556; includes PreK),
Cambridge Elementary School (571),
Constable Elementary School (568; includes PreK),
Greenbrook Elementary School (462),
Indian Field Elementary School (680) and
Monmouth Junction Elementary School (385) —
Crossroads Middle Schools North and South (1,011 and 1,153 respectively) for grades 6-8 and
South Brunswick High School (2,739) for grades 9-12
Notable residents
Noted current and former residents of South Brunswick include:- Donald FagenDonald FagenDonald Jay Fagen is an American musician and songwriter, best known as the co-founder, lead singer, and the principal songwriter of the rock band Steely Dan ....
(born 1948), a musicianMusicianA musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
and songwriterSongwriterA songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
, best known as the co-founder of the rock band Steely DanSteely DanSteely Dan is an American rock band; its core members are Donald Fagen and Walter Becker. The band's popularity peaked in the late 1970s, with the release of seven albums blending elements of jazz, rock, funk, R&B, and pop...
. - Anna QuindlenAnna QuindlenAnna Marie Quindlen is an American author, journalist, and opinion columnist whose New York Times column, Public and Private, won the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary in 1992. She began her journalism career in 1974 as a reporter for the New York Post...
(born 1952), best-selling author, journalist and Pulitzer Prize-winning opinion columnist. - George SegalGeorge Segal (artist)George Segal was an American painter and sculptor associated with the Pop Art movement. He was presented with a National Medal of Arts in 1999.-Works:...
(1924–2000), painterPaintingPainting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
and sculptor associated with the Pop ArtPop artPop art is an art movement that emerged in the mid 1950s in Britain and in the late 1950s in the United States. Pop art challenged tradition by asserting that an artist's use of the mass-produced visual commodities of popular culture is contiguous with the perspective of fine art...
movement. He was presented with a National Medal of ArtsNational Medal of ArtsThe National Medal of Arts is an award and title created by the United States Congress in 1984, for the purpose of honoring artists and patrons of the arts. It is the highest honor conferred to an individual artist on behalf of the people. Honorees are selected by the National Endowment for the...
in 1999. - DeForest SoariesDeForest SoariesReverend DeForest Blake "Buster" Soaries, Jr. is an African-American Baptist minister, Republican Party politician, author and public advocate, from Montclair, New Jersey. He is the former Secretary of State of New Jersey and former chairman of the federal Election Assistance Commission...
(born 1951), pastor and former chairman of the Election Assistance CommissionElection Assistance CommissionThe Election Assistance Commission is an independent agency of the United States government created by the Help America Vote Act of 2002 . The Commission serves as a national clearinghouse and resource of information regarding election administration...
.
External links
- South Brunswick Township web site
- South Brunswick Public Schools
- Data for the South Brunswick Public Schools, National Center for Education StatisticsNational Center for Education StatisticsThe National Center for Education Statistics is the part of the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences that collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics on education and public school district finance information in the United States...