Red Bank, New Jersey
Red Bank is a borough in Monmouth County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Incorporated in 1908, the community is on the Navesink River, the area's original transportation route to the Atlantic Ocean and to other ports. Red Bank is in the New York metropolitan area and is a commuter town of New York City. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 12,936, its highest decennial census count ever and an increase of 730 from the 2010 census count of 12,206, which in turn had reflected an increase of 362 from the 11,844 counted at the 2000 census. In the 2020 census, Red Bank was the fourth-most densely populated municipality in Monmouth County.
Red Bank was formed as a town on March 17, 1870, from parts of Shrewsbury Township. On February 14, 1879, Red Bank became Shrewsbury City, part of Shrewsbury Township; this lasted until May 15, 1879, when Red Bank regained its independence. On March 10, 1908, Red Bank was formed as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature and was set off from Shrewsbury Township. The borough was named for the red soil along the Navesink River.
Downtown Red Bank is notable for its many local and well-known businesses including Garmany, Urban Outfitters, and Tiffany & Co. on and around Broad Street. Many annual events happen throughout the year, including the International Beer, Wine & Food Festival, a long-running sidewalk sale, a farmers' market, an indie film festival, the Red Bank Guinness Oyster Festival, a Halloween parade, and a holiday town lighting.
History
Red Bank has been occupied by indigenous peoples for thousands of years. The area of modern-day Red Bank was the territory of the Algonquian-speaking Lenape Native Americans, also called the Delaware by the English. The Lenape lived in the area between the Navesink River and the Shrewsbury River in an area they called Navarumsunk. The Native Americans traded freely with European settlers from England and the Dutch Republic in the mid-17th century, who purchased land in the area.Originally part of "Shrewsbury Towne", Red Bank was named in 1736, when Thomas Morford sold Joseph French "a lot of over three acres on the west side of the highway that goes to the red bank". English colonists settled Red Bank beginning in the 17th century and it became a center for shipbuilding. Its population grew rapidly after 1809, when regularly scheduled passenger ships were established to serve the route to Manhattan.
By 1844, Red Bank had become a commercial and manufacturing center, focused on textiles, tanning, furs, and other goods for sale in Manhattan. With the dredging of the Navesink River about 1845, Red Bank became a port from which steamboats transported commuters to work in Manhattan. Red Bank grew in size as a result, and because the Raritan and Delaware Bay Railroad constructed a railway in the town in 1860.
In the 20th century, Red Bank was a strong cultural, economic, and political center in Monmouth County until it was hindered by the economic recession that began in 1987. During this time, its economy, based largely on retail commerce, was in decline, due to a real estate scandal. Local pundits and urban planners referred to the town as "Dead Bank".
Beginning in approximately 1991, under the New Jersey Development and Redevelopment Law, the borough authorized the creation of the Red Bank RiverCenter to manage redevelopment in what was designated as a special improvement district. RiverCenter retains authority over the management and redevelopment of a defined central business district, which includes Broad Street from the post office to Marine Park and from Maple Avenue to one block east of Broad Street. A number of urban redevelopment projects have taken place, including improved signage, distinctive and pedestrian-friendly sidewalks and lighting, a coherent design plan for Main Street and other major thoroughfares, and improving the condition of parking lots with landscaping.
The district as originally proposed was larger, to include the commercial areas west of Maple Avenue, including the antique buildings, The Galleria, and Shrewsbury Avenue. But some property owners in this area opposed paying the special assessment. Plans for the larger district advanced but opposition became more rigorous. The proposed district was amended to exclude opponents, and the district that was adopted stops on Maple Avenue.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had an area of 2.16 square miles, including 1.75 square miles of land and 0.41 square miles of water.Red Bank is on the southern bank of the Navesink River in northern Monmouth County. It is about due south of the tip of Manhattan and about to the tip of Manhattan if traveling by water along the Navesink River and through the Raritan Bay.
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names partially or completely within the borough include Newmans Corner.
Red Bank is bordered by the Monmouth County municipalities of Fair Haven, Little Silver, Middletown, Shrewsbury and Tinton Falls.
Climate
Red Bank has a humid subtropical climate.Demographics
2020 census
The 2020 United States census counted 12,936 people, 5,423 households, and 2,321 families in the borough. The population density was. There were 5,863 housing units at an average density of 3,350.3 per square mile. The racial makeup was 53.2% White, 7.8% Black or African American, 2.06% Native American, 1.82% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 23.02% from other races, and 12.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 37.8% of the population.Of the 5,423 households, 18.1% had children under the age of 18; 33.9% were married couples living together; 33.5% had a female householder with no husband present and 57.2% were non-families. Of all households, 57.2% were made up of individuals and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
21.1% of the population were under the age of 18. 28.5% of the population were under the age of 24, 31,1% were from 25 to 44, 24.7% were 45 to 64, and 15.7% were 65 years of age or older. The population was 49.4% male and 50.6% female.
2010 census
The 2010 United States census counted 12,206 people, 4,929 households, and 2,469 families in the borough. The population density was 7,019.1 per square mile. There were 5,381 housing units at an average density of 3,094.4 per square mile. The racial makeup was 63.20% White, 12.42% Black or African American, 0.97% Native American, 1.85% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 18.56% from other races, and 2.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 34.39% of the population.Of the 4,929 households, 23.1% had children under the age of 18; 32.8% were married couples living together; 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present and 49.9% were non-families. Of all households, 40.1% were made up of individuals and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.29.
20.4% of the population were under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 34.6% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35.2 years. For every 100 females, the population had 103.6 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 103.5 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that median household income was $59,118 and the median family income was $79,922. Males had a median income of $51,053 versus $47,368 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $36,424. About 13.1% of families and 14.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.5% of those under 18 and 9.7% of those 65 or older.
2000 census
As of the 2000 United States census there were 11,844 people, 5,201 households, and 2,501 families residing in the borough. The population density was. There were 5,450 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the borough was 68.19% White, 20.05% African American, 0.35% Native American, 2.19% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 6.73% from other races, and 2.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 17.11% of the population.There were 5,201 households, of which 18.0% had children under age 18 living with them, 32.2% were married couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 51.9% were non-families. 42.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.9% had someone living alone who 65 or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the borough the population was spread out, with 17.5% under 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 35.2% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 18.3% who were 65 or older. The median age was 38. For every 100 females, there were 91.8 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 88.9 males.
The median income for a household was $47,282, and the median income for a family was $63,333. Males had a median income of $45,922 versus $34,231 for females. The per capita income was $26,265. About 6.3% of families and 12.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.5% of those under 18 and 10.6% of those 65 or older.
Economy
Red Bank has a mix of businesses, including companies in entertainment, retail, professional, medical, and hospitality sectors, including major national and luxury retailers.Business districts
Red Bank has four main business districts throughout the town. The largest is the historic commercial center of Downtown Red Bank, which mainly runs along Broad Street. Other major connected commercial streets include Monmouth Street, Front Street, and White Street, all of which make up the Broad Street Historic District. Downtown includes a mixed variety of businesses, restaurants, and entertainment, ranging from high end retailers and fine dining to cheap eats and food. A section of Broad Street is closed off every year to allow for outdoor dining.The second largest commercial corridor is Shrewsbury Avenue, with most of the businesses being located between West Front Street and Drs. James Parker Boulevard, and primarily serves the West Side of the town with many neighborhood-oriented retail and restaurants.
The third commercial corridor is Newman Springs Road, which is a highway commercial district bordered with Shrewsbury and Tinton Falls, consisting of several car dealerships, auto body shops, and gas stations with large building footprints and parking lots.
The fourth commercial district is the train station area, which is actively being redeveloped as a mixed used walkable transit-oriented community after being the primary industrial area of the borough, and includes various restaurants and shops, as well as redeveloped industrial buildings such as the Galleria. While each commercial area is distinct from one another, Monmouth and West Front Streets' development will connect Downtown with Shrewsbury Avenue through the train station area.