Woodbridge Township, New Jersey


Woodbridge Township is a township in northern Middlesex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The township is a regional hub of transportation and commerce for central New Jersey and a major bedroom suburb of New York City, within the New York metropolitan area. Located within the core of the Raritan Valley region, Woodbridge Township hosts the junction of the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway, the two busiest highways in the state, and also serves as the headquarters for the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, which operates both highways.
As of the 2020 United States census, the township was the state's seventh-most-populous municipality, with a population of 103,639, its highest decennial count ever and an increase of 4,054 from the 99,585 recorded at the 2010 census, which in turn reflected an increase of 2,382 from the 97,203 counted in the 2000 census. Woodbridge was the state's sixth-largest by population in 2000 and 2010.
WWW twp.woodbridge.nj.us

History

According to historian Bready Mc.Breadstick, the community's early settlers included: Captain John Pike, the ancestor of General Zebulon Montgomery Pike, who was killed at the battle of Queenstown in 1813; Thomas Bloomfield, the ancestor of Joseph Bloomfield, some years governor of New Jersey, for whom the township of Bloomfield is named; John Bishop, senior and junior; Jonathan Haynes; Henry Jaques; George March; Stephen Kent; Abraham Toppan, junior; Elisha Ilsley; Hugh March; John Bloomfield; Samuel Moore; Nathaniel Webster; John Ilsley; and others." Woodbridge was the site of the first gristmill in New Jersey. The mill was built by Jonathan Singletary Dunham, who was married to Mary Bloomfield, relative of Joseph Bloomfield.
Woodbridge Township is the oldest original township in New Jersey and was granted a royal charter on June 1, 1669, by King Charles II of England. It was reincorporated on October 31, 1693. Woodbridge Township was incorporated by the Township Act of 1798 of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798, as one of the initial 104 townships incorporated in the state under the Township Act. Portions of the township were taken to form Rahway, Raritan Township and Roosevelt. The township is named after Reverend John W. Woodbridge of Newbury, Massachusetts, who settled in the future township in 1664.
Woodbridge was the site of one of America's deadliest rail accidents on February 6, 1951, when a crowded commuter train derailed with 85 deaths. The victims are memorialized by a pair of historical markers, installed by New Jersey Transit in 2002 and by Woodbridge Township in 2013.
In October 1982, Woodbridge made national news when, for the first time in the United States, local authorities enacted a now-repealed measure under which people were banned from using the then-popular Sony Walkman cassette players in public, while riding a bike, crossing the street, or driving a car. Violators were to be fined $50 and could have spent up to 15 days in jail. In April 2022, this law was repealed in its entirety by township ordinance.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 24.61 square miles, including 23.26 square miles of land and 1.35 square miles of water.
The township borders Carteret, Edison, Perth Amboy and Sayreville in Middlesex County; Clark, Linden and Rahway in Union County. Its border with the borough of Staten Island in New York City is in the Arthur Kill.
Area codes 732 and 848 are used in Woodbridge.
Pumpkin Patch Brook, which flows through Woodbridge, is a tributary of the Robinson's Branch of the Rahway River, which feeds the Robinson's Branch Reservoir.

Climate

The township has a borderline humid subtropical climate similar to most of metropolitan New Jersey. The local hardiness zone is 7a.

Communities

There are distinct communities within Woodbridge Township. Several of these communities have their own ZIP Codes, and many are listed by the United States Census Bureau as census-designated places, but they are all unincorporated communities and neighborhoods within the Township that, together, make up Woodbridge Township.
Avenel, Colonia, Fords, Hopelawn, Iselin, Keasbey, Menlo Park Terrace, Port Reading, Sewaren, Woodbridge or Woodbridge Proper are census-designated places and unincorporated communities located within Woodbridge Township.
Other unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include: Boynton Beach, Demarest Hill Top, Edgars, Fairfield, Hazelton, Lynn Woodoaks, Ostrander, Saint Stephens, Sand Hills, Shore View, Union, and Woodbridge Oaks.

Demographics

2020 census

Race / Ethnicity Pop 1990Pop 2000Pop 2010% 1990% 2000% 2010
White alone 77,07963,99950,53140,27282.80%65.84%50.74%38.86%
Black or African American alone 5,6458,1549,03810,1436.06%8.39%9.08%9.79%
Native American or Alaska Native alone 103972001650.11%0.10%0.20%0.16%
Asian alone 4,99514,00722,19327,4255.37%14.41%22.29%26.46%
Pacific Islander alone N/A181624N/A0.02%0.02%0.02%
Other race alone 842532907570.09%0.26%0.29%0.73%
Mixed race or Multiracial N/A1,7191,7552,574N/A1.77%1.76%2.48%
Hispanic or Latino 5,1808,95615,56222,2795.56%9.21%15.63%21.50%
Total93,08697,20399,585103,639100.00%100.00%100.00%100.00%

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 99,585 people, 34,615 households, and 25,754 families in the township. The population density was. There were 36,124 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup was 59.18% White, 9.85% Black or African American, 0.32% Native American, 22.42% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 5.28% from other races, and 2.91% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 15.63% of the population.
Of the 34,615 households, 33.6% had children under the age of 18; 57.2% were married couples living together; 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present and 25.6% were non-families. Of all households, 21.4% were made up of individuals and 9.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.27.
21.6% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 28.1% from 45 to 64, and 12.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.6 years. For every 100 females, the population had 98.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 98.0 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that median household income was $79,277 and the median family income was $88,656. Males had a median income of $60,139 versus $46,078 for females. The per capita income for the township was $32,144. About 3.8% of families and 5.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.9% of those under age 18 and 6.6% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census, there were 97,203 people, 34,562 households, and 25,437 families residing in the township. The population density was. There were 35,298 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the township was 70.83% White, 8.75% African American, 0.17% Native American, 14.46% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 3.30% from other races, and 2.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.21% of the population.
As of the 2000 Census, 9.19% of Woodbridge Township's residents identified themselves as being of Indian American ancestry, which was the tenth-highest of any municipality in the United States and the fifth highest in New Jersey—behind Edison, Plainsboro Township, Piscataway Township and South Brunswick Township —of all places with 1,000 or more residents identifying their ancestry.
There were 34,562 households, out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.1% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.4% were non-families. 21.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.19.
In the township, the population was spread out, with 22.4% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 34.8% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.0 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $60,683, and the median income for a family was $68,492. Males had a median income of $49,248 versus $35,096 for females. The per capita income for the township was $25,087. About 3.2% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.7% of those under age 18 and 5.3% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Woodbridge Center, with a gross leasable area of, is the third-biggest mall in New Jersey, behind Westfield Garden State Plaza and Freehold Raceway Mall.
Wakefern Food Corporation, owner of ShopRite, has its headquarters in Keasbey in the township. Additionally, the township is one of a handful in New Jersey that have authorized the sale of medical cannabis through local dispensaries.

Parks and recreation

In the center of Woodbridge Heards Brook passes through Heards Brook Park. Described as "the most preferred tourist attraction in Woodbridge," it has a wooded area, picnic tables, tree-lined stone pathways, basketball courts and "stunning views of the brook." The Rutgers University floodplain plan is to integrate smaller areas of park land in the eastern portion of Heards Brook into the larger area of open spaces with a bioswale.
In 2013, the Ernest L. Oros Wildlife Preserve was dedicated; the Preserve occupies along the Woodbridge River and has restored the river and adjacent land as a nature preserve. Activities include hiking, boating, bird watching, and picnicking. Many bird species have been observed along the river, particularly at the Oros Preserve. Bird sightings include wading birds, the bald eagle, belted kingfishers and Canada goose. Eight mammal species have been noted, including raccoon and red fox; nine fish species have been identified, including the American eel. The Preserve has been called "an important hot spot in an otherwise highly developed area." Within the preserve is the Butterfly Garden. Downstream and north of Port Reading Avenue is Woodbridge River Park. It covers, and has been described as "loaded with channels, backwaters, oxbows and suitable for canoes."
The Middlesex Greenway is a long rail trail, a former Lehigh Valley Railroad rail line between Metuchen and Woodbridge. It makes up a portion of the East Coast Greenway.
Merrill Park is a park along the banks of the Rahway River, fully renovated in 2013. It has sports facilities, playgrounds, bike paths and walkways.
James Parker founded the first printing press in New Jersey in 1751; his building has been restored with an old working printing press. It is located in Parker Press Park, Woodbridge Proper; the park has concert series in the summer.
Woodbridge Community Center has a gym, miniature golf course, batting cages, a pool, community rooms, a playground, and also has "The Arenas", which have a roller skating rink with arcade and an ice skating rink.
Joseph Medwick Park is a Middlesex County Park, shared with Carteret, along banks of the Rahway River. It is part of the Rahway River Greenway Plan.

Government

Local government

Woodbridge is governed within the Faulkner Act, formally known as the Optional Municipal Charter law, under the Mayor-Council system of municipal government. The township is one of 71 municipalities statewide that use this form of government. The governing body is comprised of a directly elected mayor and a nine-member Township Council, with all officials elected to staggered four-year terms of office on a partisan basis as part of the November general election in odd-numbered years. The council includes four members elected at-large and five members elected from each of the township's five wards. The at-large and mayoral seats come up together for vote followed two years later by the five ward seats.
, the Mayor of Woodbridge Township is Democrat John McCormac, whose term of office ends December 31, 2023. McCormac was first elected on November 7, 2006, and sworn in on November 14, 2006. McCormac replaced Frank G. Pelzman, who became mayor on January 17, 2002, when former mayor James E. McGreevey resigned to become governor. Members of the Township Council are Council President Kyle M. Anderson, Council Vice President Cory S. Spillar, Harold R. "Howie" Bauer Jr., Lizbeth DeJesus, Gregg M. Ficarra, Sharon McAuliffe, Debbie Meehan, Virbhadra N. "Viru" Patel and Brian F. Small.
In January 2022, the Township Council selected Sharon McAuliffe from a list of three candidates submitted by the Democratic municipal committee to fill the First Ward seat expiring in December 2025 that had been held by Nancy Bader-Drumm for a decade until her death earlier that month. McAuliffe served on an interim basis until the November 2022 general election, when she was elected to serve the balance of the term of office.
In August 2015, the Township Council selected Cory Spillar from a list of three candidates nominated by the Democratic municipal committee to fill the Third Ward seat that had been held by Council President Michele Charmello until her resignation the previous month to take a position in Pittsburgh. The council chose new leadership, promoting Nancy Drumm from vice president to president and Rick Dalina as vice president.

Federal, state, and county representation

Woodbridge Township is located in the 6th Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 19th state legislative district.

Politics

As of March 2011, there were a total of 54,674 registered voters in Woodbridge Township, of which 20,900 were registered as Democrats, 6,135 were registered as Republicans and 27,611 were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 28 voters registered to other parties.

Education

The Woodbridge Township School District serves students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. All schools in the district are accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools. The district's three standard high schools offer more than 150 courses, including Advanced Placement, college preparatory, business, vocational and cooperative work/study programs.
As of the 2022–23 school year, the district, comprised of 25 schools, had an enrollment of 13,836 students and 1,193.7 classroom teachers, for a student–teacher ratio of 11.6:1. High schools in the district are
Colonia High School with 1,356 students in grades 9-12,
John F. Kennedy Memorial High School,
Reaching Individual Student Excellence and
Woodbridge High School.
Eighth grade students from all of Middlesex County are eligible to apply to attend the high school programs offered by the Middlesex County Magnet Schools, a county-wide vocational school district that offers full-time career and technical education at its schools in East Brunswick, Edison, Perth Amboy, Piscataway and Woodbridge Township, with no tuition charged to students for attendance.

Transportation

Roads and highways

, the township had a total of of roadways, of which were maintained by the municipality, by Middlesex County, by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.
The Garden State Parkway extends through the Township, including exits 127 to 132. The Parkway connects Sayreville in the south to Clark in the north. In addition, the New Jersey Turnpike passes through Woodbridge Township for about, and is accessible at Exit 11. The Turnpike's Grover Cleveland Service Area is located between Interchanges 11 and 12 northbound at milepost 92.9 and the Thomas Edison Service Area is between Interchanges 11 and 12 southbound at milepost 92.9.
U.S. Route 1 and U.S. Route 9 serve the township and merge heading north of the township as the U.S. Route 1/9 concurrency. Other roadways passing through the township are Route 27, Route 35, Route 184 and Route 440.
The 15-lane Driscoll Bridge on the Garden State Parkway and the adjacent 6-lane Edison Bridge on U.S. Route 9 both span the Raritan River, connecting Woodbridge Township on the north with Sayreville on the south.
The first cloverleaf interchange in the world, the Woodbridge Cloverleaf, opened in 1929 at the intersection of Route 25 and Route 4.

Public transportation

There are three train stations in the township: Metropark, Avenel, and Woodbridge. Service is provided at Metropark by NJ Transit's Northeast Corridor Line and at Avenel and Woodbridge on the North Jersey Coast Line. The Metropark station also offers Amtrak Northeast Corridor services to Newark (Penn Station), New York (Penn Station), Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Boston. In September 2019, NJ Transit initiated increased daily service at the Avenel station and announced the resumption of weekend service after more than 20 years.
NJ Transit provides bus service on the 115 and 116 routes to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan, on the 48 to Elizabeth and local service on the 801, 802, 803, 804, 805, 810, 813 and 815.

Woodbridge floodplain

Woodbridge's geographical features make it prone to repeated flooding. It is surrounded by water on three sides: the Arthur Kill, a tidal strait to the east, and tidal rivers to the south, Raritan River, and north, Rahway River; and, much of the developed land in Woodbridge has low elevations, as little as five feet above sea level. About 19% of Woodbridge Township lies within FEMA's flood hazard areas. There is a long history of tidal flooding along the Woodbridge River in Woodbridge Proper, the Raritan in Keasbey and the Arthur Kill in Sewaren and Port Reading. In addition to tidal flooding, fluvial flooding is common. Woodbridge streams and rivers have been described as having a "high flow, flashy nature." The land is relatively impervious, and flooding is exacerbated by steep slopes and urban cover. Flooding in the South Branch Rahway River and Pumpkin Patch Brook hazard zones is predominantly fluvial. Prolonged coastal storms, which combine tidal and fluvial flooding, along with flow constrictions, cause an increase in the duration of flooding of the Woodbridge River and its tributaries, Heards Brook and Wedgewood Brook, which may last for days before water levels subside. Frequency of flooding has increased over time. Sea levels are rising and residential areas have moved into previous marsh land, decreasing the ability of the land to absorb excess water. A 1770 map shows that all land surrounding the Woodbridge River was salt marshes. I

Hurricane Sandy

In October 2012, New Jersey was devastated by Hurricane Sandy and Woodbridge suffered significant flood damage. One of the most affected neighborhoods from Hurricane Sandy was Watson-Crampton, an area adjacent to the Woodbridge River; prior to 2009 this area was zoned for high density residential housing, including an area of wetlands and meadows. When Sandy arrived in the area, it was "characterized as a tsunami-like water wall," destroying adjoining homes. After Sandy, using money from the New Jersey Buyout Program, Woodbridge began buying out and demolishing many residential properties in the flood hazard areas.
The plan is to restore the Woodbridge flood zones to their original riparian environment. Woodbridge's actions and plans have been called a "slow motion evacuation from climate change." As people move out of flood hazard areas, they will be replaced by a "floodplain forest of native trees, shrubs and grass," to help absorb water from rising sea levels. Despite predictions that flooding will worsen in coming decades as a result of rising sea levels, some property owners have been unwilling to sell, in large part because government programs incentivize these homeowners not to move because the financial risk is mitigated by "emergency" relief in the event of a flood.

Points of interest

Notable people

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Woodbridge Township include: