Branchburg, New Jersey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Branchburg, New Jersey
|
||
|---|---|---|
|
Township
|
||
Raritan Valley Community College
|
||
|
||
Location of Branchburg Township in Somerset County highlighted in yellow (right). Inset map: Location of Somerset County in New Jersey highlighted in black (left).
|
||
Census Bureau map of Branchburg Township, New Jersey
|
||
 Branchburg, New Jersey
Location in Somerset County, New Jersey
Branchburg, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Branchburg, New Jersey
Location in the United States
|
||
| Country |  United States |
|
| State |  New Jersey |
|
| County |  Somerset |
|
| Incorporated | April 5, 1845 | |
| Named for | Raritan River juncture | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Township | |
| • Body | Township Committee | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 20.30 sq mi (52.58 km2) | |
| • Land | 20.07 sq mi (51.98 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.23 sq mi (0.60 km2) 1.14% | |
| Area rank | 141st of 565 in state 7th of 21 in county |
|
| Elevation | 161 ft (49 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
|
||
| • Total | 14,940 | |
| • Estimate
(2023)
|
15,246 | |
| • Rank | 177th of 565 in state 8th of 21 in county |
|
| • Density | 744.4/sq mi (287.4/km2) | |
| • Density rank | 414th of 565 in state 15th of 21 in county |
|
| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT)) | |
| ZIP Code | ||
| Area code(s) | 908 | |
| FIPS code | 3403507180 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0882175 | |
Branchburg is a township located in Somerset County, in the state of New Jersey. It's a community with a rich history and a growing population. As of the 2020 United States census, about 14,940 people live in Branchburg. This was the highest number of residents ever counted in the township.
Contents
Branchburg's History
The area that is now Branchburg has a long history, even before the American Revolutionary War. The township officially became its own town on April 5, 1845. It was formed from parts of Bridgewater Township.
The name "Branchburg" comes from its location. It's where different branches of the Raritan River meet.
Early Settlers and Land
Long ago, the land was home to the Raritans. They were a group of Lenni Lenape Native Americans. By 1686, most of the land was bought from the Lenape. It was then sold in smaller pieces to new settlers. Most of these settlers came from the Netherlands or England.
In 1688, the border between East and West Jersey changed. This split the Branchburg region. Part of it was in Essex County and part in the new Somerset County. By 1741, Branchburg was fully within Somerset County.
Becoming a Township
Bridgewater Township was created in 1749. People living west of the Raritan River wanted their own township. Their wish was granted on April 5, 1845.
The first town meeting was held on April 14, 1845. It took place at the White Oak Tavern. This tavern was a popular stop for stagecoaches and a local meeting spot.
Geography and Natural Features
Branchburg Township covers about 20.30 square miles (52.58 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
Local Areas and Borders
The township is about 11 miles (18 km) long. At its widest point, it is about 2 miles (3.2 km) across. Some smaller communities within Branchburg include Neshanic Station and North Branch.
Branchburg shares its borders with several other townships. To the west is Readington Township. To the north is Bedminster Township. To the south are Bridgewater Township and Hillsborough Township.
Rivers and Waterways
Important rivers flow through Branchburg. The Lamington River is to the north. The North Branch of the Raritan River is to the east. The South Branch of the Raritan River is to the east and south.
These rivers and smaller streams are great for fishing. Many people enjoy catching trout here. Branchburg is part of the Raritan Valley. This area is known for its beautiful natural settings.
Population and People
Branchburg has seen its population grow over the years. In 1850, there were 1,143 people. By 2020, the population had grown to 14,940.
Community Snapshot
The 2010 United States census counted 14,459 people living in Branchburg. There were 5,271 households. Most households (67.6%) were married couples.
About 26.1% of the population was under 18 years old. The median age was 42.3 years. This means half the people were younger than 42.3 and half were older.
Local Economy
Branchburg Township is home to the 31 Tannery Project. This is where Ferreira Construction and other companies have their main offices. The building was finished in 2006.
It was the first building in New Jersey to meet a special state rule for green buildings. It was also the first commercial building in the United States to produce as much energy as it uses. This is called a "net zero" electric building.
Sports in Branchburg
Branchburg is proud of its sports teams. In 2012, the 14U Babe Ruth World Series Championship baseball team was from Branchburg. They were called the Bulldogs.
This was the first time a team from New Jersey won this championship since 1989. The Bulldogs were considered underdogs. They won against teams that had many more players to choose from.
Emergency Services
Branchburg Township has three main emergency services. These are the Police Department, the all-volunteer Emergency Medical & Rescue Services Squad, and four all-volunteer Fire Departments. They all work to keep the community safe.
Police Department
The Branchburg Police Department started on June 16, 1980. It has 26 full-time police officers. They also have civilian employees, crossing guards, and emergency management volunteers.
The department has special units. These include the Detective Bureau, School Resources, and Traffic Safety. They also have a Community Policing unit.
EMS and Rescue Squad
The Branchburg Rescue Squad provides emergency medical and rescue services. It was formed in October 1955. The squad is made up entirely of volunteers. They rely on donations from the community.
They offer many services, including:
- Basic Life Support (BLS) and Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
- Rescue services like vehicle extrication (getting people out of crashed cars).
- Water rescue, confined space rescue, and rope rescue.
- They operate from Station 74 Rescue. They have ambulances, heavy rescue units, and inflatable rescue boats.
Fire Departments
Four volunteer fire departments protect Branchburg Township:
- North Branch Volunteer Fire Company (in the north).
- Readington Volunteer Fire Company (to the west).
- Neshanic Volunteer Fire Department (on the south).
- Country Hills Volunteer Fire Company (covering the central part).
Education in Branchburg
Branchburg has public schools for students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. The Branchburg Township School District has three schools. In the 2020–21 school year, about 1,325 students attended these schools.
Local Schools
- Whiton Elementary School: For students in Pre-K through 3rd grade.
- Stony Brook School: For students in 4th and 5th grades.
- Branchburg Central Middle School: For students in 6th through 8th grades.
After eighth grade, students go to Somerville High School. This high school is part of the Somerville Public Schools. About 1,155 students attended Somerville High School in the 2020–2021 school year.
Special Education and College
Midland School is a special education school in Branchburg. It helps children with developmental disabilities. Students from 5 to 21 years old attend this school.
Branchburg Township is also home to the main campus of Raritan Valley Community College. This college offers many different programs for higher education.
Transportation
Branchburg Township has many roads and highways. As of 2010, there were over 113 miles (182 km) of roadways. Most of these are maintained by the township itself.
Major Roads
U.S. Route 202 and U.S. Route 22 pass through Branchburg. These roads make it easy to reach larger highways. These include Interstate 78, Interstate 287, and Route 206. This allows residents to travel to New York City and Philadelphia in about an hour.
Train and Bus Services
NJ Transit offers train service from Branchburg to New York City. You can catch a train on the Raritan Valley Line at the North Branch station. This line has weekly service to Newark Penn Station. From there, you can connect to Pennsylvania Station in Midtown Manhattan.
Bus services are also available. NJ Transit offers bus service to Newark. Trans-Bridge Lines offers bus service between New Hope, Pennsylvania, and New York City. There is a stop at the Municipal Park-and-Ride facility on Route 202 North.
Nearby Airports
Several airports are within driving distance of Branchburg. Newark Liberty International Airport is about 35 miles (56 km) northeast. Other airports include Lehigh Valley International Airport near Allentown, Pennsylvania, and Trenton-Mercer Airport near Trenton.
Points of Interest
Branchburg has some interesting historical sites to visit.
South Branch Schoolhouse
The South Branch Schoolhouse is on South Branch Road. It's a one-room schoolhouse built in 1873. It was the last one-room schoolhouse used in the county. It taught children from Branchburg and Hillsborough townships until 1965.
In 2007, the schoolhouse was fixed up. A bell tower was added back to the top. It's also known as the Little Red Schoolhouse. The township of Branchburg now owns it. Famous people who went to this school include opera singer Anna Case. The schoolhouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.
Neshanic Station Historic District
The Neshanic Station Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2016. It shows how the community developed over time. This district includes the Neshanic Station Lenticular Truss Bridge. This bridge crosses the South Branch Raritan River.
Notable People
Many interesting people have lived in or are connected to Branchburg.
- Christopher Bateman (born 1957), a member of the New Jersey Senate. He was also the mayor of Branchburg in 1986.
- Raymond Bateman (1927–2016), a politician who served in the New Jersey Senate.
- Frank Chapot (1932–2016), an Olympic silver medalist in equestrian sports.
- Jeffrey Chiesa (born 1965), who served as the New Jersey Attorney General. He was also a United States Senate member for a short time.
- Denise Coyle (born 1953), a member of the New Jersey General Assembly. She was the mayor of Branchburg in 1993.
- Anthony Gargiulo (born 1984), a football player who played in the Canadian Football League.
- Brendan O'Hare, a comedian known for his podcast, This Is Branchburg.
Images for kids
-
South Branch Schoolhouse
-
Colonial Revival style house in Neshanic Station
-
Neshanic Station Lenticular Truss Bridge
