Holmdel Township, New Jersey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Holmdel Township, New Jersey
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Township
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 Holmdel Township, New Jersey
Location in Monmouth County, New Jersey
Holmdel Township, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Holmdel 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 | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Township | |
| • Body | Township Committee | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 18.05 sq mi (46.75 km2) | |
| • Land | 17.85 sq mi (46.22 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.20 sq mi (0.53 km2) 1.13% | |
| Area rank | 156th of 565 in state 10th of 53 in county |
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| Elevation | 144 ft (44 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 17,400 | |
| • Estimate
(2023)
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17,402 | |
| • Rank | 153rd of 565 in state 13th of 53 in county |
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| • Density | 975.0/sq mi (376.4/km2) | |
| • Density rank | 388th of 565 in state 45th of 53 in county |
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| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT)) | |
| ZIP Codes |
07733
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| Area code(s) | 732 | |
| FIPS code | 3402532640 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0882119 son | |
| Website | ||
Holmdel Township is a community in Monmouth County, New Jersey. It's located near Raritan Bay and is known as a business center in Central Jersey. Holmdel is home to important places like Bell Labs and the PNC Bank Arts Center. Many people who live here also work in New York City.
In 2020, about 17,400 people lived in Holmdel. This was a small increase from the 2010 census. Holmdel Township was officially created on February 23, 1857. It was formed from parts of another area called Raritan Township (which is now Hazlet). The name "Holmdel" might come from the Holmes family, who were early settlers. Or, it could come from Dutch words meaning "pleasant valley."
Holmdel is about 15 miles west of the Jersey Shore. It's famous for its connection to Bell Labs. Scientists Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson discovered important evidence for the Big Bang theory here. They used the Holmdel Horn Antenna at Bell Labs and later won the Nobel Prize in Physics. Another Nobel Prize winner, Steven Chu, also did important work on laser cooling in Holmdel.
Holmdel is known for its beautiful scenery and good location near major highways. It has excellent public schools and large homes. Because of these things, Money magazine and CNN named Holmdel the #1 "Six-Figure Town" in 2009. This means many families living here earn a high income.
Contents
Holmdel's Past
The Lenape people lived in this area in the 1600s when Europeans first arrived. Holmdel became part of the Monmouth Tract in 1675. Later, it was part of Middletown Township. In 1848, it became part of Raritan Township (now Hazlet). Finally, Holmdel Township was formed on February 23, 1857.
Important discoveries in radio astronomy happened here. Bell Labs engineer Karl Guthe Jansky started this work in Holmdel in 1931. In 1964, Arno Penzias and Robert Woodrow Wilson of Bell Labs found evidence for cosmic microwave background radiation. This discovery, made with the Holmdel Horn Antenna, helped us understand the beginning of the universe. They won the Nobel Prize in Physics for it.
The PNC Bank Arts Center is a large outdoor concert place in Holmdel. It can hold 10,800 people. It opened in 1968 and was designed by architect Edward Durell Stone. Next to it is the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial, which opened in 1995.
In 1977, famous singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen wrote and recorded many songs for his album Darkness on the Edge of Town in an old farmhouse in Holmdel.
Geography and Location
Holmdel Township covers about 18 square miles (46.75 square kilometers). Most of this is land, with a small amount of water. Holmdel is about 40 miles south of Manhattan, New York City. It's also about 70 miles northeast of Philadelphia.
Crawford Hill is the highest point in Monmouth County. It stands 391 feet (119 meters) above sea level. A research lab for Bell Laboratories is located at the top of this hill.
Holmdel shares borders with other towns in Monmouth County. These include Aberdeen Township, Colts Neck Township, Hazlet Township, Marlboro Township, and Middletown Township.
Some smaller communities and places within Holmdel Township are Beers, Centerville, Crawford Corners, Everett, Morrells Corner, and Pleasant Valley Crossroads.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1860 | 1,334 | — | |
| 1870 | 1,415 | 6.1% | |
| 1880 | 1,575 | 11.3% | |
| 1890 | 1,479 | −6.1% | |
| 1900 | 1,190 | −19.5% | |
| 1910 | 1,058 | −11.1% | |
| 1920 | 1,100 | 4.0% | |
| 1930 | 1,191 | 8.3% | |
| 1940 | 1,201 | 0.8% | |
| 1950 | 1,380 | 14.9% | |
| 1960 | 2,959 | 114.4% | |
| 1970 | 6,117 | 106.7% | |
| 1980 | 8,447 | 38.1% | |
| 1990 | 11,532 | 36.5% | |
| 2000 | 15,781 | 36.8% | |
| 2010 | 16,773 | 6.3% | |
| 2020 | 17,400 | 3.7% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 17,402 | 3.8% | |
| Population sources: 1860–1920 1860–1870 1870 1880–1890 1890–1910 1910–1930 1940–2000 2000 2010 2020 |
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In 2009, the average family income in Holmdel was about $159,633. This made it one of the wealthiest communities in the country.
2010 Census Details
In 2010, Holmdel Township had 16,773 people living in 5,584 households. Most residents (77.55%) were White, and 19.16% were Asian. About 3.70% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
The average household had 2.92 people, and the average family had 3.29 people. About 25.8% of the population was under 18 years old. The median age was 45.1 years.
Arts and Fun Activities
Musical groups from Holmdel Township include Granian, a band started by musician Garen Guyikian.
Parks and Outdoor Fun
Holmdel Park opened in 1962 and covers 565 acres. It has the Historic Longstreet Farm, where you can see what farm life was like in the 1890s. The park also has sports fields and other fun things to do. The Holmdel Arboretum is part of the park. It covers 22 acres and shows many trees, shrubs, and plants from Monmouth County.
Schools and Learning
The Holmdel Township Public Schools teach students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. In the 2022–23 school year, there were 2,918 students across four schools. The schools are:
- Village Elementary School (PreK–3)
- Indian Hill School (grades 4–6)
- William R. Satz Middle School (grades 7–8)
- Holmdel High School (grades 9–12)
Holmdel High School is known as one of the top public high schools in New Jersey. New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked it 12th in the state in 2012.
There are also private schools in Holmdel. These include St. John Vianney High School for grades 9–12, and St. Benedict School, a Catholic school for kindergarten through eighth grade.
Getting Around Holmdel
_from_the_overpass_for_Monmouth_County_Route_52_(Red_Hill_Road)_in_Holmdel_Township,_Monmouth_County,_New_Jersey.jpg)
Holmdel Township has over 125 miles of roads. Many major roads pass through the area. The Garden State Parkway goes through the middle of the township. Route 34 is in the western part, and Route 35 is in the northern part.
Public Transportation
You can find public transportation from NJ Transit and Academy Bus in the area.
The closest train stations are in Aberdeen-Matawan, Hazlet, and Middletown. These stations are on the North Jersey Coast Line, which can take you to Hoboken Terminal, Newark Penn Station, and New York Penn Station.
Ferry service is also available from nearby Highlands. The Seastreak ferry can take you to New York City. It also offers special trips to places like Sandy Hook beaches, baseball games, and other fun excursions.
Healthcare Services
Bayshore Medical Center is a hospital located in Holmdel. It serves the local area and is part of Hackensack Meridian Health. The hospital has 169 beds and offers many services, including heart care, imaging, and emergency care. In 2021, it received a high safety grade from a patient safety group. Other nearby hospitals include Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank and Raritan Bay Medical Center in Perth Amboy and Old Bridge.
The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center has a location in neighboring Middletown. This center is known worldwide for cancer treatment and research. The Middletown location is the first one outside of their main center in Manhattan to offer outpatient surgery.
Famous People from Holmdel
- Henry E. Ackerson Jr. (1880–1970), a judge on the New Jersey Supreme Court.
- John Burke (born 1971), a former professional football player.
- John Cannon (born 1960), a former professional football player.
- Herbert Cohen (born 1940), an Olympic fencer.
- Sean Davis (born 1993), a professional soccer player.
- Christopher Dell (born 1956), a diplomat who served as U.S. Ambassador to several countries.
- Serena DiMaso (born 1963), a politician who was mayor of Holmdel Township.
- S. Thomas Gagliano (1931–2019), a politician who served in the New Jersey Senate.
- Renzo Gracie (born 1967), a professional mixed martial arts fighter.
- Brian Hanlon, a sculptor.
- Pete Hegseth (born 1980), a TV contributor and military veteran.
- Jennifer Farley (born 1986), an MTV television personality.
- Jodi Kantor (born 1975), a reporter for The New York Times and author.
- Lynja (1956–2024), a celebrity chef famous for her online videos.
- Dan Metzger (born 1993), a professional soccer player.
- Quenton Nelson (born 1996), an offensive guard for the Indianapolis Colts.
- Matt O'Ree (born 1972), a blues-rock guitarist and singer.
- Michael V. Pomarico (born 1955), a six-time Emmy Award winner for TV work.
- Tab Ramos (born 1966), a retired professional soccer player.
- Bob Roggy (1956–1986), an athlete who set a javelin throw record.
- Julie Sokolow (born 1987), a singer-songwriter and filmmaker.
- Michael Sorrentino (born 1982), an MTV television personality.
- Bruce Springsteen (born 1949), a famous singer-songwriter.
- Felicia Stoler, a TV host.
- John H. Tilelli Jr. (born 1941), a retired United States Army general.
- John Valentin (born 1967), a former professional baseball player.
- Robert Woodrow Wilson (born 1936), a Nobel Prize winner in Physics.
- Joe Yeninas (1934–2020), a cartoonist and illustrator.
- Harold A. Zahl (1905–1973), a research director important for radar technology.
Places to See in Holmdel
- Bell Labs Holmdel Complex – This famous building was designed by architects Eero Saarinen. It used to have 2 million square feet of space for 6,000 employees. Many important discoveries in communication technology happened here.
- Holmes-Hendrickson House – This historic home was built in the mid-1750s. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Upper Meeting House of the Baptist Church of Middletown – This church was built in 1809. It was the first Baptist church in the state, started in 1688. It is now part of the Holmdel Community Church.
- Vietnam Era Museum & Educational Center – This museum opened in 1998. It is next to the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial. It teaches about the Vietnam War from different viewpoints.
- Kovenhoven (1700) and Old Kentuck (1770) – These are two other historic homes from the 18th century. They are also on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Holmdel Cemetery & Mausoleum – This cemetery has been open since 1871. It covers more than 10 acres and has six mausoleums.
Images for kids
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Aerial view of Bell Labs
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The Holmes–Hendrickson House, 2014
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Holmdel Dutch Reformed Church, built 1838
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Upper Meeting House of the Baptist Church now known as known as Holmdel Community Church of the UCC, built 1809
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The historic Longstreet Farm at Holmdel Park, 2013
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The Kovenhoven House, 2014
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AT&T Holmdel and water tower
