Aberdeen Township, New Jersey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Aberdeen Township, New Jersey
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Township
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Mouth of Matawan Creek at the border of Keyport borough and Aberdeen Township
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Location of Aberdeen Township in Monmouth County highlighted in yellow (right). Inset map: Location of Monmouth County in New Jersey highlighted in black (left).
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Census Bureau map of Aberdeen Township, New Jersey
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 Aberdeen Township, New Jersey
Location in Monmouth County, New Jersey
Aberdeen Township, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Aberdeen Township, New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  New Jersey |
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| County | Monmouth | |
| Incorporated | February 23, 1857, as Matavan Township | |
| Renamed | 1882 as Matawan Township | |
| Renamed | November 8, 1977, as Aberdeen Township | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Faulkner Act (council–manager) | |
| • Body | Township Council | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 7.77 sq mi (20.13 km2) | |
| • Land | 5.45 sq mi (14.10 km2) | |
| • Water | 2.33 sq mi (6.03 km2) 29.95% | |
| Area rank | 234th of 565 in state 15th of 53 in county |
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| Elevation | 13 ft (4 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 19,329 | |
| • Estimate
(2023)
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19,230 | |
| • Rank | 143rd of 565 in state 11th of 53 in county |
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| • Density | 3,550.2/sq mi (1,370.7/km2) | |
| • Density rank | 189th of 565 in state 20th of 53 in county |
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| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT)) | |
| ZIP Code |
07747 - Aberdeen 07721 - Cliffwood 07735 - Cliffwood Beach
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| Area codes | 732 | |
| FIPS code | 3402500070 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0882121 | |
Aberdeen Township is a community in Monmouth County, New Jersey. It's located on the Jersey Shore and is part of the larger New York Metropolitan Area. The township borders Old Bridge Township, New Jersey and even Staten Island in New York City.
In 2020, about 19,329 people lived here. This was the highest number of people ever counted in the township. Aberdeen Township has worked with its neighbor, Matawan, to build new areas around the Aberdeen-Matawan train station. This helps people live closer to public transportation.
Contents
Discovering Aberdeen's Past
Early Beginnings
Long ago, the Lenni Lenape Native Americans lived in this area. Around the year 1000, they started farming and built small villages. As more Europeans arrived, the Lenape people moved west. Today, their names live on in places like Matawan Creek and Raritan Bay.
The first Europeans tried to settle here in 1650. They bought the land from the Lenni Lenape people.
How New Jersey Grew
In 1677, the first English land grant in this area was given to Jonathan Holmes. This land is now part of Oakshades.
The area was once called "New Aberdeen" by Scottish settlers. These settlers, many of whom were Quakers and Presbyterians, came from Scotland in the 1680s. They were looking for a place where they could practice their religion freely. In 1977, Matawan Township changed its name back to Aberdeen Township to honor this history.
In 1684, a large piece of land was granted near Raritan Bay and Matawan Creek. This area is now Cliffwood and Cliffwood Beach.
By 1701, a village site was granted to 24 Scottish settlers. This village became known as Mount Pleasant. A nearby landing spot on Matawan Creek became important for shipping goods. It was called Middletown Point. Another settlement, called Matawan, grew west of Matawan Creek.
From Middletown to Matawan
In 1693, what is now Aberdeen Township was part of a much larger area called Middletown Township. This big township included many other towns we know today. In 1710, a small part of it was given to Middlesex County.
Middletown Township was very large. So, in 1848, the western half was separated to create a new town called Raritan Township.
Then, on February 23, 1857, Matavan Township was officially formed from parts of Raritan Township. This new township included the villages of Middletown Point, Mount Pleasant, and Matavan. The name "Matavan" might come from a Lenape word meaning "where two rivers come together." It could also mean "bad riverbank" or "bad fog."
In 1865, the Middletown Point post office was renamed "Matawan" to match the township's name. In 1882, the spelling of the township was officially changed to "Matawan."
A small train station opened in 1875 at a spot called Hutchler's Crossing. It became known as Cliffwood Station. In 1885, the Cliffwood post office was set up.
Matawan became its own separate borough in 1895. It later grew by adding more parts of Matawan Township in 1931 and 1933.
A post office was opened in Mount Pleasant in 1889. Since that name was already used elsewhere, it was named "Freneau." This was to honor Philip Morin Freneau, a famous poet who lived there. This post office is now closed.
Cliffwood Beach started as a resort community in the 1920s. After World War II, it became a place where people lived all year. The Strathmore area was built in the 1960s. This added 2,000 new homes and caused the township's population to grow a lot.
Aberdeen Township Today
On November 8, 1977, the people of Matawan Township voted to change the name of their community. They wanted a unique identity separate from Matawan Borough. They chose "Aberdeen Township." Officials thought this new name would help the township stand out because it would be listed first alphabetically among New Jersey's towns.
Today, Aberdeen is a suburban township with homes, businesses, and shopping centers. Some of its sections include Cliffwood, Cliffwood Beach, Freneau, and Strathmore.
The township has two volunteer fire companies and two volunteer First Aid Squads. These groups help the community in emergencies. A full-time Police Department was started in 1935.
The Henry Hudson Trail is a paved path about 9 miles long. It runs from Aberdeen Township east to Atlantic Highlands. It's built on an old railroad track.
Exploring Aberdeen's Landscape
Aberdeen Township covers about 7.77 square miles (20.13 square kilometers). About 5.45 square miles (14.10 square kilometers) is land, and 2.33 square miles (6.03 square kilometers) is water.
The township is actually in two separate parts. A small, wedge-shaped piece in the southwest is separated from the main part by a section of Matawan.
Some communities within Aberdeen Township include Cliffwood Beach and Strathmore. Other areas are Cliffwood and Henningers Mills.
Aberdeen Township shares borders with several other towns in Monmouth County. These include Hazlet Township, Holmdel Township, and Marlboro Township. It also borders Old Bridge Township in Middlesex County. The township also has a water border with Staten Island in New York City.
Who Lives in Aberdeen?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1860 | 2,072 | — | |
| 1870 | 2,839 | 37.0% | |
| 1880 | 2,699 | −4.9% | |
| 1890 | 1,092 | −59.5% | |
| 1900 | 1,310 | 20.0% | |
| 1910 | 1,472 | 12.4% | |
| 1920 | 1,856 | 26.1% | |
| 1930 | 2,496 | 34.5% | |
| 1940 | 2,633 | 5.5% | |
| 1950 | 3,888 | 47.7% | |
| 1960 | 7,359 | 89.3% | |
| 1970 | 17,680 | 140.3% | |
| 1980 | 17,235 | −2.5% | |
| 1990 | 17,038 | −1.1% | |
| 2000 | 17,454 | 2.4% | |
| 2010 | 18,210 | 4.3% | |
| 2020 | 19,329 | 6.1% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 19,230 | 5.6% | |
| Population sources: 1860–1920 1860–1870 1870 1880–1890 1890–1910 1910–1930 1940–2000 2000 2010 2020 |
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In 2010, there were 18,210 people living in Aberdeen Township. Most people were White (about 76.6%). About 11.9% were Black or African American, and 6.4% were Asian. About 10.4% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
The average age of people in Aberdeen was 39 years old. About 23.1% of the population was under 18.
Learning in Aberdeen
Aberdeen Township is part of the Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District. This district also includes the nearby town of Matawan. The district has seven schools:
- One preschool for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten.
- Three elementary schools for grades PreK–3.
- One school for grades 4–5.
- One middle school for grades 6–8.
- One high school for grades 9–12, which is Matawan Regional High School.
In the 2022–23 school year, about 3,950 students attended schools in the district. The district's main offices are in Aberdeen.
Getting Around Aberdeen
Roads and Highways
_from_the_overpass_for_Monmouth_County_Route_516_(Main_Street)_in_Aberdeen_Township,_Monmouth_County,_New_Jersey.jpg)
Aberdeen Township has many roads. The biggest highway is the Garden State Parkway, which has an exit (Exit 118) in the township. Route 34 and Route 35 also pass through Aberdeen.
Public Transportation
NJ Transit provides bus service from Aberdeen to Midtown Manhattan in New York City. These buses also stop in other towns like Old Bridge and Matawan. There's also a bus route that goes between Middletown and Perth Amboy.
The Aberdeen-Matawan station is a train station located in Aberdeen. It's on the NJ Transit North Jersey Coast Line. You can take a train from here north to New York Penn Station or south to Bay Head.
Famous Faces from Aberdeen
Many interesting people have lived in or are connected to Aberdeen Township:
- Jay Bellamy (born 1972), a football player who played for the Seattle Seahawks and New Orleans Saints.
- Anthony Brown (born 1998), an American football quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders.
- Erison Hurtault (born 1984), a sprinter who has competed for Dominica in international races.
- Jodi Lyn O'Keefe (born 1978), an actress and model.
- Retta (born 1970), a comedian and actress known for her roles in Parks and Recreation and Good Girls.
- Charlie Rogers (born 1976), a former NFL football player.
- Eileen Tell (born 1966), a former professional tennis player.
Images for kids
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The official seal of Aberdeen Township.
See also
In Spanish: Municipio de Aberdeen (Nueva Jersey) para niños
