Old Bridge Township, New Jersey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Old Bridge Township, New Jersey
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Township
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Location of Old Bridge Township in Middlesex County highlighted in red (left). Inset map: Location of Middlesex County in New Jersey highlighted in orange (right).
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Census Bureau map of Old Bridge Township, New Jersey
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 Old Bridge Township, New Jersey
Location in Middlesex County, New Jersey
Old Bridge Township, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Old Bridge 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 | Middlesex | |
| Incorporated | March 2, 1869 (as Madison Township) | |
| Renamed | November 5, 1975 (as Old Bridge Township) | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Faulkner Act Mayor-Council | |
| • Body | Township Council | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 40.93 sq mi (106.00 km2) | |
| • Land | 38.18 sq mi (98.89 km2) | |
| • Water | 2.75 sq mi (7.11 km2) 6.71% | |
| Area rank | 52nd of 565 in state 3rd of 25 in county |
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| Elevation | 46 ft (14 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 66,876 | |
| • Estimate
(2023)
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68,165 | |
| • Rank | 21st of 565 in state 3rd of 25 in county |
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| • Density | 1,751.6/sq mi (676.3/km2) | |
| • Density rank | 314th of 565 in state 22nd of 25 in county |
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| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT)) | |
| ZIP Codes |
08857 – Old Bridge
08859 – Parlin 08879 – Laurence Harbor 07735 – Cliffwood Beach 07747 – Matawan* 08879 – South Amboy* |
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| Area code(s) | 732/848 | |
| FIPS code | 3402354705 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0882158 | |
Old Bridge Township is a community in Middlesex County, New Jersey. It's located in the Raritan Valley region and is part of the larger New York metropolitan area. Old Bridge is a bedroom suburb, meaning many people who live here travel to New York City for work. It's about 25 miles (40 km) from Manhattan.
The area was first called Madison Township when it became a township on March 2, 1869. On November 5, 1975, voters decided to change the name to Old Bridge Township. This was done to avoid confusion with another town called Madison in Morris County. When it was first established, Old Bridge was mostly farmland. Its population grew slowly at first, but then saw a big increase as farms became new neighborhoods.
Money magazine recognized Old Bridge Township as one of the best places to live in the United States in 2005 and 2007. In 2016, SafeWise also named Old Bridge Township as the sixth-safest city in America to raise a child.
Contents
- A Look Back: The History of Old Bridge
- Exploring Old Bridge: Geography and Communities
- People of Old Bridge: Population and Demographics
- How Old Bridge Works: Economy and Industries
- Learning in Old Bridge: Education
- Getting Around: Transportation in Old Bridge
- Staying Healthy and Safe: Healthcare and Emergency Services
- Fun Things to Do: Township Attractions
- Interesting Facts and Historical Tidbits
- Famous Faces from Old Bridge
A Look Back: The History of Old Bridge
Early Inhabitants and European Settlement
The first people to live in the Old Bridge area were the Lenni Lenape Native Americans. They were known as the Unami, or "people down the river." Like many people today, they would travel to the Raritan shore each summer.
In 1664, the English took control from the Dutch. New Jersey was then split into two parts: East Jersey and West Jersey. In 1683, the area that would become Middlesex County was officially defined. It included all the settlements along the Raritan River.
Founding Families and Land Grants
One of the first landowners in this area was Thomas Warne, in 1683. His son is believed to be the first European resident in the Cheesequake area. In 1737, John and Susannah Brown received a large land grant from the King of England. They named their area Brownville, which is now known as Browntown. Other important early families included the Bowne, Morgan, Letts, Tone, Herbert, and Cottrell families.
How Old Bridge Got Its Name
In 1684, South Amboy Township was formed. This large area included what is now Monroe and Old Bridge Townships, plus Sayreville and South Amboy. Old Bridge Township officially separated from South Amboy on March 2, 1869, and was first called Madison Township.
The name was changed to Old Bridge in 1975. This helped to create one postal area for the township. It also made sure people didn't confuse it with the town of Madison in Morris County. The name "Old Bridge" comes from the fact that the very first bridge over the South River was built here. As more bridges were built, this first one became known as "the Old Bridge." Before that, it was simply called "South River Bridge."
Exploring Old Bridge: Geography and Communities
Where is Old Bridge?
Old Bridge Township covers about 40.8 square miles (105.6 square kilometers). Most of this is land, with about 2.7 square miles (7.0 square kilometers) of water.
Several communities are located within Old Bridge Township. These include Brownville, Laurence Harbor, Madison Park, and Old Bridge CDP. Other smaller areas include Browntown, Cheesequake, Parlin, and Texas.
Old Bridge Township shares a border with Staten Island, a borough of New York City, across Raritan Bay. It also borders other towns in Middlesex County and Monmouth County.
Major Waterways
Old Bridge is home to several important streams and rivers:
- Raritan Bay
- South River
- Matchaponix Brook
- Deep Run
- Tennets Brook
- Barclay Brook
- Cheesequake Creek
People of Old Bridge: Population and Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1870 | 1,870 | — | |
| 1880 | 1,662 | −11.1% | |
| 1890 | 1,520 | −8.5% | |
| 1900 | 1,671 | 9.9% | |
| 1910 | 1,621 | −3.0% | |
| 1920 | 1,808 | 11.5% | |
| 1930 | 2,566 | 41.9% | |
| 1940 | 3,803 | 48.2% | |
| 1950 | 7,366 | 93.7% | |
| 1960 | 22,772 | 209.2% | |
| 1970 | 48,715 | 113.9% | |
| 1980 | 51,515 | 5.7% | |
| 1990 | 56,475 | 9.6% | |
| 2000 | 60,456 | 7.0% | |
| 2010 | 65,375 | 8.1% | |
| 2020 | 66,876 | 2.3% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 68,165 | 4.3% | |
| Population sources: 1870–1920 1870 1880–1890 1890–1910 1910–1930 1940–2000 2000 2010 2020 |
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As of the 2020 United States census, Old Bridge Township had a population of 66,876 people. This was an increase of over 1,500 people since the 2010 census. The township has seen significant growth over the years. For example, its population tripled between 1950 and 1960.
The average income for families in Old Bridge Township was about $98,634 in 2010. A small percentage of families and people lived below the poverty line.
How Old Bridge Works: Economy and Industries
Old Mill Streams and Early Manufacturing
In the past, Madison Township had many streams used to power mills. The Warne family owned mills that processed wool. This process, called fulling, cleaned and compacted the wool fibers. There was also a mill that made snuff, a type of scented tobacco. The Washington Snuff mill, later called the Dill Snuff Mill, was established in 1801.
The Clay Industry
The soil around Old Bridge was rich in clay. This clay was used for pottery and bricks even before European settlers arrived. The clay deposits near Cheesequake Creek were considered some of the best in the United States. This clay was used by local potters and also shipped to other states and even Canada. The clay industry was very important in Middlesex County by the 1800s.
Apple Farms and Brandy Production
The Cottrell family owned a 150-acre apple orchard. Their homestead, built in 1831, still stands today. Apples that weren't perfect for eating were used to make cider. The family also had a distillery where they made apple brandy. This brandy was aged in barrels and sold wholesale under the name Browntown.
Learning in Old Bridge: Education
The Old Bridge Township Public Schools serve students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. The district has 14 schools and over 8,000 students. The student-teacher ratio is about 12 students per teacher.
Public Schools in Old Bridge
The schools in the district include:
- M. Scott Carpenter Elementary School (K–5)
- Leroy Gordon Cooper Elementary School (K–5)
- Virgil I. Grissom Elementary School (K–5)
- Madison Park Elementary School (K–5)
- James A. McDivitt Elementary School (K–5)
- Memorial Elementary School (K–5)
- William A. Miller Elementary School (K–5)
- Walter M. Schirra Elementary School (K–5)
- Alan B. Shepard Elementary School (K–5)
- Southwood Elementary School (K–5)
- Raymond E. Voorhees Elementary School (K–5)
- Jonas Salk Middle School (6–8)
- Carl Sandburg Middle School (6–8)
- Old Bridge High School (9–12)
County Vocational and Technical Schools
Eighth-grade students in Middlesex County can also apply to special high school programs. These are offered by the Middlesex County Vocational and Technical Schools. They provide career and technical education at various locations, including the Middlesex County Academy in Edison and the Academy for Allied Health and Biomedical Sciences in Woodbridge Township.
Private Schools in Old Bridge
Old Bridge also has several private schools:
- Calvary Christian School (K–10)
- St. Ambrose School (Pre-K–8)
- St. Thomas the Apostle School (Pre-K–8)
St. Thomas the Apostle School was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School in 2018.
Getting Around: Transportation in Old Bridge
_from_the_overpass_for_Middlesex_County_Route_626_(Laurence_Harbor-Matawan_Road)_in_Old_Bridge_Township,_Middlesex_County,_New_Jersey.jpg)
Old Bridge Township has many roads and highways. As of 2010, there were over 222 miles (357 km) of roadways. Most of these are maintained by the township itself.
Major Roads and Highways
- The Garden State Parkway runs through Old Bridge for about 1.9 miles (3.1 km). It connects Old Bridge to towns like Aberdeen Township and Sayreville.
- Other important routes include U.S. Route 9, Route 18, Route 34, and Route 35.
- Several county routes also pass through, such as County Route 516 and County Route 520.
- The New Jersey Turnpike (Interstate 95) is just a few minutes away in nearby towns like East Brunswick.
Public Transportation Options
Busing
The Old Bridge Park and Ride is a bus stop located along Route 9. NJ Transit Bus Operations provides bus service to Midtown Manhattan, Newark, and Jersey City. There are also local bus routes. The Academy Bus Line offers service from Route 9 to Wall Street in New York City.
Middlesex County Area Transit (MCAT) shuttles also provide local service. For example, the M3 route runs between Brunswick Square and Old Bridge Township.
Rail
Old Bridge is close to train stations in nearby towns. The Aberdeen-Matawan train station and the South Amboy train station are both on the North Jersey Coast Line. The New Brunswick train station and Metropark are on the Northeast Corridor Line.
Aviation
Old Bridge Airport is a small airport located about 5 miles (8 km) south of the town center. It's used for general aviation. The closest major airport for commercial flights is Newark Liberty International Airport, which is about 23 miles (37 km) away.
Staying Healthy and Safe: Healthcare and Emergency Services
Healthcare Facilities
Raritan Bay Medical Center has a hospital in Old Bridge. It handles most medical cases. Other hospitals nearby include CentraState Medical Center in Freehold and Bayshore Medical Center in Holmdel. For very serious injuries (trauma cases), patients are usually taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick.
Old Bridge also has many long-term care facilities and nursing homes.
Emergency Services
Fire Departments
Old Bridge is divided into four fire districts, each with its own volunteer fire department:
- Fire District 1: Laurence Harbor Fire Department (established 1924)
- Fire District 2: Cheesequake Volunteer Fire Company
- Fire District 3: South Old Bridge Volunteer Fire Company (established 1947)
- Fire District 4: Madison Park Volunteer Fire Company (organized 1956)
These departments have several firehouses and are equipped for various situations. This includes handling hazardous materials, tower rescues, water rescues, heavy duty rescues, and wildland firefighting.
Medical and First Aid Services
Old Bridge is also divided into five districts for medical and first aid services. Each district has a volunteer first aid squad. A paid squad also works during daytime hours (6 AM to 6 PM).
- Cheesequake Volunteer First Aid Squad (formed 1969)
- Laurence Harbor Volunteer First Aid Squad (established 1927)
- Madison Park Volunteer First Aid Squad (formed 1959)
- Old Bridge First Aid and Rescue Squad (known as "Red & White")
- Old Bridge Volunteer Emergency Medical Services (known as "Green & White")
Advanced Life Support (ALS) teams, also called medics, are paid professionals who respond to serious emergencies. They are dispatched for life-threatening situations like traumatic injuries, heart problems, or serious vehicle crashes. These medics are part of larger hospital systems.
Fun Things to Do: Township Attractions
Old Bridge Township offers several attractions for residents and visitors:
- Cheesequake State Park: This park covers 1,600 acres and is great for hiking and camping.
- Laurence Harbor Beachfront: This area has 70 acres along the Raritan Bay. You can enjoy beaches, playgrounds, and fishing. There's also a boardwalk at Paul's Beach.
- John Piccolo Arena
- Old Bridge Airport
- Old Bridge Township Raceway Park: This track was used for drag racing from 1965 to 2018. Now, it's planned to be a venue for outdoor concerts.
- Township Parks: These include Veterans Park and Geick Park.
Interesting Facts and Historical Tidbits
- Some small ponds in Old Bridge are actually old clay pits. These were dug in the 1800s when clay was a major industry.
- The Runyon coal yards, where coal was transported to the South Amboy docks, are now the site of Stavola Asphalt Construction Company.
- You can still find old bricks behind the Bridgepointe Development in Laurence Harbor. This area was once the Ochwald Brickworks, which operated from 1910 to the early 1960s.
- The Ernst Memorial Cemetery has a mass grave for victims of the 1918 T. A. Gillespie Company Shell Loading Plant explosion. This explosion happened in nearby Sayreville.
- A horse-racing track used to be where the Lakeridge development now stands.
- A circular car racing track was located where the Whispering Pines Development is today. It operated from the early 1950s until about 1982.
- Cheesequake State Park is one of the oldest state parks in the country. It opened on June 22, 1940.
- A Cold War-era Nike missile base is located off U.S. Route 9 on Jake Brown Road. It's now used by the Old Bridge Township Board of Education for storage.
Famous Faces from Old Bridge
Many notable people have lived in or are connected to Old Bridge Township:
- Brandon Allen (born 1993), professional soccer player.
- R. J. Allen (born 1990), professional soccer player.
- Josh Ansley, bass player for the bands Streetlight Manifesto and Catch 22.
- Adam Chazen (born 1986), special effects producer for Game of Thrones, winning five Emmy Awards.
- Quinton Crawford (born 1990), assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers.
- Junot Diaz (born 1968), a Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist.
- Doug Emhoff (born 1964), the Second Gentleman of the United States and husband of Vice President Kamala Harris.
- Colleen Fitzpatrick (born 1972), pop music artist and actress, known as Vitamin C.
- Minkah Fitzpatrick (born 1996), American football defensive back for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
- Bill Flynn (born 1938), a politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly and as mayor of Old Bridge Township.
- Laurie Hernandez (born 2000), an artistic gymnast who won a gold medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics.
- Phil Ivey (born 1977), a professional poker player.
- Franklin Lawson, a retired soccer player.
- Caren Lissner (born 1972), a novelist.
- Fabian Nicieza (born 1961), a comic book writer and editor.
- Brian O'Halloran (born 1969), an actor known for Clerks.
- Jodi Lyn O'Keefe (born 1978), an actress.
- Tab Ramos (born 1966), a retired soccer midfielder.
- George Rizzi (born 1951), guitarist for the band The Happenings.
- Michael Rotkowitz (born 1974), an applied mathematician.
- Diane Ruggiero, a screenwriter for Veronica Mars.
- Ed Sanicki (1923–1998), an outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies.
- Donna Simpson (born 1967), a Guinness World Record holder.
- Artur Sitkowski (born 2000), an American football coach.
- Joann H. Smith (1934–1998), a politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly.
- Shannon Sohn (born 1974), the first helicopter reporter to win a national Emmy Award.
- William H. Sutphin (1887–1972), who represented New Jersey in the U.S. House of Representatives.
- Tammy Lynn Sytch (born 1972), a professional wrestling manager known as Sunny.
