Brick Township, New Jersey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Brick Township, New Jersey
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Township
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_from_the_overpass_for_Ocean_County_Route_549_(Lanes_Mill_Road-Burnt_Tavern_Road)_in_Brick_Township,_Ocean_County,_New_Jersey.jpg)
Southward view of the Garden State Parkway in Brick Township
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| Nickname(s):
Bricktown USA
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Location of Brick Township in Ocean County highlighted in yellow (right). Inset map: Location of Ocean County in New Jersey highlighted in black (left).
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Census Bureau map of Brick Township, New Jersey
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 Brick Township, New Jersey
Location in Ocean County, New Jersey
Brick Township, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Brick 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 |  Ocean |
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| Incorporated | February 15, 1850 | |
| Named for | Joseph W. Brick | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Faulkner Act (mayor–council) | |
| • Body | Township Council | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 32.22 sq mi (83.44 km2) | |
| • Land | 25.61 sq mi (66.34 km2) | |
| • Water | 6.61 sq mi (17.11 km2) 20.50% | |
| Area rank | 77th of 565 in state 11th of 33 in county |
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| Elevation | 16 ft (5 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 73,620 | |
| • Estimate
(2023)
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76,021 | |
| • Rank | 13th of 565 in state 3rd of 33 in county |
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| • Density | 2,877.2/sq mi (1,110.9/km2) | |
| • Density rank | 225th of 565 in state 10th of 33 in county |
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| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT)) | |
| ZIP Codes |
08723–08724
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| Area code(s) | 732 | |
| FIPS code | 3402907420 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0882075 | |
| Website | ||
Brick Township is a town located on the Jersey Shore in Ocean County, New Jersey. It is one of the largest towns in the state by population. In 2020, about 73,620 people lived here.
Most of Brick Township is on the mainland. However, parts of it, like Ocean Beaches I, II, and III, are on the Barnegat Peninsula. This is a long, narrow strip of land that separates Barnegat Bay from the Atlantic Ocean. The mainland and beach areas are not directly connected.
Brick Township became an official township on February 15, 1850. It was formed from parts of Dover Township (now Toms River Township) and Howell Township. The town was named after Joseph Brick. He owned the Bergen Iron Works, which was located on the Metedeconk River. Over the years, some areas left Brick Township to form new towns. These included Point Pleasant Beach, Bay Head, Lakewood Township, Mantoloking, and Point Pleasant.
Brick Township has been recognized for its safety. In 2006, it was named "America's Safest City" among 371 cities nationwide. Since 2000, it has been the safest large town in New Jersey.
Contents
- History of Brick Township
- Geography and Location
- Population and People
- Sports and Activities
- Parks and Outdoor Fun
- How Brick Township is Governed
- Education in Brick Township
- Getting Around Brick Township
- Media and News
- Climate and Weather
- Ecology and Nature
- Notable People from Brick Township
- See also
History of Brick Township
The Havens Homestead Museum tells the story of the Havens family. They were early settlers in the Laurelton/Burrsville area of Brick. The museum is the original Havens family home. It sits on a small piece of farmland. You can visit the museum for tours and a gift shop.
In December 2010, Brick Township had a huge snowstorm. It received 30 inches of snow, which was the most in New Jersey. In October 2012, Hurricane Sandy caused a lot of damage. Areas on the barrier island and near the water were hit especially hard. Many homes and buildings were damaged or even had to be torn down.
Geography and Location
Brick Township covers about 32.22 square miles (83.44 km²). About 25.61 square miles (66.34 km²) is land, and 6.61 square miles (17.11 km²) is water.
Many smaller communities are located within Brick Township. Some of these include Adamston, Breton Woods, Herbertsville, and Laurelton.
The communities of Herbertsville and Parkway Pines are near exit 91 of the Garden State Parkway. They are close to the Monmouth County border. These areas are a bit separate from the rest of the township.
Brick Township shares borders with several other towns. These include Bay Head, Lakewood Township, Mantoloking, Point Pleasant, and Toms River Township in Ocean County. It also borders Brielle, Howell Township, and Wall Township in Monmouth County.
Population and People
Brick Township has seen its population change over the years. In 1850, there were 1,558 people. By 2020, the population had grown to 73,620.
In 2010, there were 75,072 people living in Brick Township. The average household had about 2.49 people. The average family had about 3.05 people. The median age in the township was 43.6 years old.
Sports and Activities
Brick Township has a strong sports community. The Brick Pop Warner Little Scholars Mustangs football team had a perfect season in 2006. They won the Jersey Shore B Division.
The Pop Warner Brick Mustang cheerleaders have also done very well. They competed in Disney World several times. In 2003, the junior peewee Mustang cheer squad won the national title.
Brick is home to the Ocean Ice Palace, which opened in 1960. This ice rink is where the Brick Hockey Club plays. It also hosts the Brick Stars, a special needs hockey team.
Parks and Outdoor Fun
The Brick Township Reservoir is a great place for outdoor activities. It covers 80 acres and has a 1.7-mile trail around it. You can go fishing there. The reservoir holds a lot of water, which comes from the Metedeconk River.
The township also has many community parks. There is a large multi-sports facility called the Drum Point Sports Complex. Brick Township also has three oceanfront beaches. Windward Beach Park is another popular spot on the Metedeconk River.
How Brick Township is Governed
Brick Township uses a special type of local government called the Mayor-Council plan. This system started on January 1, 1990. In this system, the Mayor and seven Township Council members lead the town. They are elected for four-year terms. Elections happen every two years in November.
The Mayor is the main leader of the township. They are in charge of local laws and making decisions. The Mayor also appoints people to important roles. The Township Council helps make laws. They can also override the Mayor's decisions with a two-thirds vote.
As of 2024, Lisa Crate is the Mayor of Brick Township. She is a Democrat. The Township Council members include Vincent Minichino, Steve Feinman, Perry Albanese, Derrick T. Ambrosino, Heather deJong, Marianna Pontoriero, and Melissa Travers.
Education in Brick Township
The Brick Public Schools system serves students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. As of the 2020–21 school year, the district had 12 schools and about 8,414 students. This means there were about 12 students for every teacher.
The schools in the district include:
- Herbertsville Preschool (PreK)
- Warren H. Wolf Preschool (PreK)
- Drum Point Elementary School (K-5)
- Lanes Mill Elementary School (K-5)
- Midstreams Elementary School (K-5)
- Osborneville Elementary School (K-5)
- Veterans Memorial Elementary School (K-5)
- Emma Havens Young Elementary School (K-5)
- Lake Riviera Middle School (6-8)
- Veterans Memorial Middle School (6-8)
- Brick Memorial High School (9-12)
- Brick Township High School (9-12)
There are also private schools in Brick Township. St. Dominic Elementary School is a Roman Catholic school. St. Paul's Christian School is a Methodist private school. Both serve students from nursery through eighth grade.
Getting Around Brick Township
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Brick Township has many roads and highways. As of 2015, there were over 318 miles of roadways. Most of these are maintained by the town itself.
The Garden State Parkway is a major highway that goes through Brick. It has three exits in the township: Exits 91, 90, and 89. Other important state routes include Route 70, Route 88, and Route 35.
The Laurelton Circle was once a large traffic circle in Brick Township. It was at the meeting point of Route 70, Route 88, and Princeton Avenue. In 1986, it was changed to a traffic light intersection. This was done to help with traffic and reduce accidents.
Public Transportation Options
NJ Transit offers bus service from Brick Township to other major cities. You can take a bus to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan on the 137 route. There are also buses to Camden (route 317) and Newark (route 67).
The Academy Bus Line provides service from the Garden State Parkway to the Financial District in Lower Manhattan. The Brick Township Park & Ride is located off the Garden State Parkway at exit 91. It offers express bus service to New York City during busy times. Ocean Ride also provides local bus service on routes 3, 3A, and 4.
Media and News
WBGD 91.9FM, also known as Brick Green Dragons, started broadcasting in 1974. It was originally at Brick Township High School. This radio station was run by students. It received its license for educational broadcasting.
One famous broadcast was the first state high school football championship game in December 1974. Brick Township High School played against Camden High School. Brick Green Dragons won the game 21–20 on the very last play.
The station's broadcast tower was damaged in 2007 and was never replaced. In 2010, WBGD's license was retired.
The Asbury Park Press provides daily news about Brick Township. WOBM-FM radio also covers local news. The Brick Times is a weekly newspaper that includes information from the township government.
Climate and Weather
Brick Township has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has warm, humid summers and mild winters. During summer, a cool sea breeze often blows in the afternoon. However, it can get very hot and humid sometimes. July is usually the wettest month, with many thunderstorms. In winter, it can get very cold and windy.
The average yearly snowfall is between 18 and 24 inches. February is usually the snowiest month. This is when "nor'easters" (big winter storms) are most common.
Ecology and Nature
Brick Township's natural areas include two main types of vegetation. Inland from the bays and rivers, you would find Northeastern Oak/Pine forests. These are mixed forests with both oak and pine trees.
Closer to the bays and rivers, and on the barrier island, you would find Northern Cordgrass. This type of plant forms coastal prairies.
Notable People from Brick Township
Many interesting people have lived in or are connected to Brick Township. Here are a few:
- Jay Alders (born 1973), a fine artist and photographer known for his surf art.
- Harry Bernstein (1910–2011), an author who wrote The Invisible Wall.
- Hank Borowy (1916–2004), a Major League Baseball All-Star pitcher. He played for teams like the New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs.
- Johnny Buchanan (born 1999), an American football linebacker.
- John Catalano (born 1949), a politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly.
- Nick Catone (born 1981), a mixed martial artist who competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championships.
- Andrew R. Ciesla (born 1953), a politician who served in the New Jersey Senate.
- Jim Dowd (born 1968), a former National Hockey League (NHL) player. He won a Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils.
- John Paul Doyle (born 1942), a politician who was a leader in the New Jersey General Assembly.
- Kirsten Dunst (born 1982), a famous actress who grew up in the township.
- Dana Eskelson, an actress who has appeared in TV, movies, and theater.
- Andrew Fischer (born 2004), a college baseball player.
- Garrett Graham (born 1986), an NFL tight end who played for the Houston Texans.
- Jack Martin (1887–1980), a Major League Baseball infielder. Jack Martin Boulevard is named after him.
- Tom McCarthy (born 1968), a television announcer for the Philadelphia Phillies.
- Gregory P. McGuckin (born 1961), a politician who serves in the New Jersey General Assembly.
- Eli Mintz (1904–1988), an actor.
- Daniel F. Newman (1935–2009), a politician who served as Mayor of Brick Township.
- Nick Piantanida (1932–1966), an amateur parachute jumper who reached very high altitudes.
- John Sadak (born 1979), a television announcer for the Cincinnati Reds.
- Craig Scarpelli (born 1961), a retired American soccer goalkeeper.
- Leah Scarpelli (born 2001), a soccer player who plays as a defender or midfielder.
- Betsy Sholl (born 1945), a poet who was the poet laureate of Maine.
- George Tardiff (1936–2012), a football head coach.
- Ja'Sir Taylor (born 1999), an American football cornerback for the Los Angeles Chargers.
- Art Thoms (born 1947), an NFL defensive tackle for the Oakland Raiders.
- Scott Thomsen (born 1993), a soccer player who plays as a defender.
- George Wirth, a singer-songwriter.
- Warren Wolf (1927–2019), a long-time football coach for Brick Township High School.
- David W. Wolfe (born 1942), a politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly.
See also
In Spanish: Municipio de Brick para niños
