East Brunswick, New Jersey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
East Brunswick, New Jersey
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Township
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Busy Route 18 in East Brunswick, the geographical center of population of the U.S. state of New Jersey
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Location of East Brunswick in Middlesex County highlighted in pink
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Census Bureau map of East Brunswick, New Jersey
<mapframe text="Interactive map of East Brunswick Township, New Jersey" zoom="8" width="250" height="250"> { "type": "ExternalData", "service": "geoshape", "ids": "Q1086351" } </mapframe> |
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 East Brunswick, New Jersey
Location in Middlesex County, New Jersey
East Brunswick, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
East Brunswick, 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 | Middlesex | |
| Incorporated | February 28, 1860 | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Faulkner Act (mayor–council) | |
| • Body | Township Council | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 22.36 sq mi (57.91 km2) | |
| • Land | 21.78 sq mi (56.42 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.57 sq mi (1.48 km2) 2.56% | |
| Area rank | 123rd of 565 in state 6th of 25 in county |
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| Elevation | 131 ft (40 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 49,715 | |
| • Estimate
(2023)
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49,447 | |
| • Rank | 38th of 565 in state 7th of 25 in county |
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| • Density | 2,282.2/sq mi (881.2/km2) | |
| • Density rank | 273rd of 565 in state 20th of 25 in county |
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| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (EST) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT)) | |
| ZIP Code |
08816
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| Area code(s) | 732 | |
| FIPS code | 3402319000 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0882163 | |
| Website | ||
East Brunswick is a township in Middlesex County, New Jersey. It's a suburban community that is part of the New York City metropolitan area. The township is located near the Raritan River and is about 29 miles (47 km) from New York City. In 2020, its population was 49,715, which was the highest number ever recorded for the area.
East Brunswick became an official township on February 28, 1860. It was formed from parts of Monroe Township and North Brunswick Township. Over the years, some parts of East Brunswick became separate towns, like South River, Helmetta, Milltown, and Spotswood.
Since 2000, East Brunswick has been recognized as the geographical center of population for New Jersey. This means it's the point where the state's population is most evenly spread out.
Contents
History of East Brunswick
Early Days and Native Americans
The area of central New Jersey was originally home to the Lenape Native Americans. In 1677, a man named Thomas Lawrence bought a large amount of land from local Native American leaders. This area was called Piscopeek, and later became known as Lawrence Brook.
Settlement and Growth
Around the late 1600s, settlers began to arrive in the northern part of East Brunswick. By the mid-1800s, a small community called Old Bridge had formed in the southeastern part. This historic area was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.
East Brunswick officially became a township in 1860. It started as a farming community. However, after the 1930s, more people began to move in as roads improved. After World War II, a lot of new homes and roads were built. This changed East Brunswick into a more suburban place. When the New Jersey Turnpike was extended to East Brunswick in 1952, the population grew very quickly. For example, the population more than tripled between 1950 and 1960.
Geography of East Brunswick
East Brunswick covers about 22.36 square miles (57.91 km2). Most of this area is land, with a small amount of water.
Location and Travel
The township is located at Exit 9 of the New Jersey Turnpike. It's about 31 miles (50 km) southwest of New York City's Times Square. It takes about 45–60 minutes to reach Midtown Manhattan or Center City, Philadelphia, depending on traffic. Route 18 also runs through the eastern part of the township. This road is important for getting to the Jersey Shore and other parts of New Jersey. Many people who work in New York City choose to live in East Brunswick because it's easy to get to major highways.
Rivers and Lakes
East Brunswick is in the heart of the Raritan Valley region, right on the southern shore of the Raritan River. The Lawrence Brook, a major stream that flows into the Raritan River, runs along the western edge of the township. Farrington Lake and Westons Mill Pond are parts of the Lawrence Brook that have been made wider by dams. The South River, another important stream, runs along the eastern border near the historic village of Old Bridge.
Neighboring Towns
East Brunswick shares borders with several other towns in Middlesex County. These include Edison, Helmetta, Milltown, Monroe Township, New Brunswick, North Brunswick, Old Bridge, Sayreville, South River, South Brunswick, and Spotswood.
Climate
East Brunswick has a climate that is a mix of humid continental and humid subtropical. This means it has warm, humid summers and cold winters.
| Climate data for East Brunswick, 1981–2010 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 71 (22) |
75 (24) |
88 (31) |
95 (35) |
97 (36) |
100 (38) |
103 (39) |
102 (39) |
101 (38) |
94 (34) |
82 (28) |
76 (24) |
103 (39) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 38 (3) |
41 (5) |
50 (10) |
61 (16) |
72 (22) |
80 (27) |
85 (29) |
84 (29) |
77 (25) |
65 (18) |
54 (12) |
43 (6) |
63 (17) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 30 (−1) |
32 (0) |
41 (5) |
50 (10) |
61 (16) |
70 (21) |
75 (24) |
73 (23) |
66 (19) |
54 (12) |
45 (7) |
35 (2) |
53 (12) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 21 (−6) |
23 (−5) |
31 (−1) |
40 (4) |
50 (10) |
59 (15) |
64 (18) |
63 (17) |
55 (13) |
43 (6) |
35 (2) |
27 (−3) |
43 (6) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −13 (−25) |
−7 (−22) |
6 (−14) |
16 (−9) |
30 (−1) |
40 (4) |
45 (7) |
40 (4) |
35 (2) |
25 (−4) |
13 (−11) |
−7 (−22) |
−13 (−25) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 4.10 (104) |
2.98 (76) |
4.11 (104) |
4.08 (104) |
4.57 (116) |
3.86 (98) |
4.97 (126) |
4.46 (113) |
4.38 (111) |
3.39 (86) |
3.95 (100) |
3.93 (100) |
48.78 (1,238) |
People of East Brunswick (Demographics)
East Brunswick has seen steady population growth over the years. In 1860, about 2,436 people lived here. By 2020, the population had grown to 49,715. This shows how much the township has developed and attracted new residents.
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1860 | 2,436 | — | |
| 1870 | 2,861 | 17.4% | |
| 1880 | 3,272 | 14.4% | |
| 1890 | 2,642 | * | −19.3% |
| 1900 | 2,423 | * | −8.3% |
| 1910 | 1,602 | * | −33.9% |
| 1920 | 1,857 | 15.9% | |
| 1930 | 2,711 | 46.0% | |
| 1940 | 3,706 | 36.7% | |
| 1950 | 5,699 | 53.8% | |
| 1960 | 19,965 | 250.3% | |
| 1970 | 34,166 | 71.1% | |
| 1980 | 37,711 | 10.4% | |
| 1990 | 43,548 | 15.5% | |
| 2000 | 46,756 | 7.4% | |
| 2010 | 47,512 | 1.6% | |
| 2020 | 49,715 | 4.6% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 49,447 | 4.1% | |
| Population sources: 1860–1920 1860–1870 1870 1880–1890 1890–1910 1910–1930 1940–2000 2000 2010 2020 * = Lost territory in previous decade. |
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What the 2010 Census Showed
In 2010, there were 47,512 people living in East Brunswick. There were 16,810 households, with many being families. About 37% of households had children under 18. Most households (65.8%) were married couples living together. The average household had about 2.81 people. The population was diverse, with people from many different backgrounds. About 24% of the population was under 18 years old.
Economy of East Brunswick
East Brunswick is an important economic center in Central Jersey. This is because it has easy access to major highways like Route 18 and the New Jersey Turnpike. Its location close to cities like New Brunswick, New York City, Newark, and Philadelphia helps its economy.
Shopping and Businesses
Brunswick Square Mall opened in 1970. It is a large shopping mall with stores like Macy's and JCPenney. The township also has many other shopping areas, especially along Route 18. There are also other big malls nearby, such as Menlo Park Mall in Edison.
The Tower Center complex is a notable business area. It has two tall office towers and a Hilton Hotel. These towers are among the tallest buildings in Central Jersey. In 2023, a technology company called Wipro opened its American headquarters in the Tower Center.
Giamarese Farm & Orchards is a family-owned farm that has been around since 1941. It covers 35 acres and is a popular place for residents to visit during different seasons.
Arts and Culture in East Brunswick
East Brunswick has a lively arts scene. Playhouse 22 is a community theater run by volunteers. It is located at the Elliott Taubenslag Theater in the East Brunswick Community Arts Center. They put on many musicals, plays, comedies, and original shows.
The East Brunswick Arts Coalition was started in 2019. It supports local arts groups like the East Brunswick Museum and the East Brunswick Historical Society. The Harvest Fest is an annual outdoor festival hosted by this coalition. It features food, crafts, live music, and more.
Several musical groups have come from East Brunswick. These include the ska punk band Catch 22, the heavy metal group God Forbid, and the ska punk band Streetlight Manifesto. In 2021, a film called Shiv Shastri Balboa was filmed in East Brunswick.
Parks and Recreation
East Brunswick has many great places for outdoor activities. While there are no large county or state parks within the township, there are plenty of local options.
The Ireland Brook Conservation area is a large nature preserve on the border of East Brunswick and South Brunswick. It has forests, fields, nature trails, and wetlands.
Heavenly Farms is the biggest park managed by the township. It offers baseball and softball fields, bike trails, a disc golf course, a dog park, and fields for football and soccer.
Crystal Springs Family Waterpark is a popular aquatic center. It has five different pools, a splash park, water slides, and a lazy river. It opened in 1994 and was the first waterpark of its kind in New Jersey.
There are also many smaller parks in the township, such as Community Park, Bicentennial Park, and Lenape Park.
Education in East Brunswick
Public Schools
The East Brunswick Public Schools serve students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. The district has 11 schools. In the 2018–19 school year, there were 8,260 students and about 687 teachers. This means there were about 12 students for every teacher.
The schools in the district include:
- Bowne-Munro Elementary School (grades K–4)
- Central Elementary School (Pre-K–4)
- Murray A. Chittick Elementary School (K–4)
- Robert Frost Elementary School (Pre-K–4)
- Irwin Elementary School (K–4)
- Lawrence Brook Elementary School (Pre-K–4)
- Memorial Elementary School (Pre-K–4)
- Warnsdorfer Elementary School (K–5)
- Hammarskjold Upper Elementary School (grades 5-6)
- Churchill Junior High School (grades 7–9)
- East Brunswick High School (grades 10–12)
East Brunswick High School is highly ranked in New Jersey.
Vocational and Charter Schools
Students in eighth grade from all over Middlesex County can apply to the Middlesex County Vocational and Technical Schools. These schools offer special career and technical programs. There are campuses in Edison, Woodbridge Township, and East Brunswick.
Hatikvah International Academy Charter School is a Hebrew language charter school. It offers an International Baccalaureate program. It opened in 2010 for grades K–7 and planned to add more grades each year. Students are chosen by a lottery system.
Saint Bartholomew's School is a Catholic elementary school. It serves students from Pre-K through eighth grade.
Historic District
The Old Bridge Village Historic District is a historic area along the South River. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. This district is important for its history in art, education, and industry. It includes 78 historic buildings.
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Old Bridge Baptist Church
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Simpson Methodist Episcopal Church
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General Obadiah Herbert House
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Alice Appleby Devoe Memorial Library
Transportation
East Brunswick has a good transportation network with major roads and public transit.
Roads and Highways
_from_the_overpass_for_Sullivan_Way_in_East_Brunswick_Township,_Middlesex_County,_New_Jersey.jpg)
The New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) goes through East Brunswick. The Joyce Kilmer service area for the Turnpike is located here. Route 18 connects with the Turnpike and leads to New Brunswick and the Jersey Shore. Other important county roads include CR 527 and CR 535. Major highways like the Garden State Parkway and I-287 are also nearby.
Public Transportation
NJ Transit provides bus service from East Brunswick to Midtown Manhattan and Jersey City. There are also local bus routes.
The MCAT shuttle system offers local service to places like Brunswick Square, Monroe Township, and Old Bridge Township.
Suburban Transit runs bus routes to New York City very often. These buses go to the Port Authority Bus Terminal, 59th Street, the United Nations, and Wall Street. The ride usually takes about 30–50 minutes.
The Raritan River Railroad is a freight train line that passes through the township. There have been ideas to turn this line into a light rail system for passengers.
For air travel, the closest major airport is Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, which is about 24 miles (39 km) away. John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport in New York are also within reach.
Points of Interest
- Playhouse 22: This is East Brunswick's community theater. It's located at the Community Arts Center in Heavenly Farms Park. They put on many different shows.
- Farrington Lake and Westons Mill Pond: These two parts of Lawrence Brook are great for canoeing, kayaking, and enjoying nature.
- Tamarack Golf Course: This is a public golf course operated by Middlesex County.
- Middlesex County Fair Grounds: This is where the week-long Middlesex County Fair is held every August. It's a fun event with activities and food for families. The fair started in 1938 and moved to its current location in 1965.
- East Brunswick Museum: Located in the historic community of Old Bridge, this museum features local art.
Notable People
Many interesting people have lived in or are connected to East Brunswick:
- Jesse Eisenberg (born 1983), a famous actor known for movies like The Social Network. His sister, Hallie Eisenberg (born 1992), is also an actress.
- Marc Ecko (born 1972), a well-known clothing designer.
- Dulé Hill (born 1975), an actor who appeared in The West Wing and Psych.
- Tomas Kalnoky (born 1980), the singer and guitarist for the band Streetlight Manifesto.
- Mr. Lawrence (born 1969), a voice actor famous for voicing Plankton in SpongeBob SquarePants.
- Sam Mattis (born 1994), an Olympic athlete who competes in the discus throw.
- Jackie Miskanic (Jax) (born 1996), a singer who finished third on American Idol.
- Heather O'Reilly (born 1985), a three-time Olympic games gold medalist with the United States women's national soccer team.
- Brian Selznick (born 1966), an author and illustrator of children's literature.
- Cenk Uygur (born 1970), a political commentator and host of The Young Turks.
- Aaron Yoo (born 1979), an actor who starred in the film 21.
