Woodbridge Township, New Jersey facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Woodbridge Township, New Jersey
Township
The New Jersey Turnpike (Interstate 95) in Woodbridge Township, near its intersection with the Garden State Parkway
Seal
Motto(s):  The Best Town Around
Location of Woodbridge Township in Middlesex County highlighted in red (right). Inset map: Location of Middlesex County in New Jersey highlighted in black (left).
Census Bureau map of Woodbridge Township, New Jersey
Woodbridge Township, New Jersey Location in Middlesex County, New Jersey Show map of Middlesex County, New Jersey Woodbridge Township, New Jersey Location in New Jersey Show map of New Jersey Woodbridge Township, New Jersey Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	New Jersey
County	Middlesex
Settled	1664
Chartered	June 1, 1669
Incorporated	February 21, 1798
Named for	John W. Woodbridge
Government
• Type	Faulkner Act (mayor–council)
• Body	Township Council
Area
• Total	24.61 sq mi (63.74 km2)
• Land	23.26 sq mi (60.24 km2)
• Water	1.35 sq mi (3.50 km2)  5.50%
Area rank	110th of 565 in state 5th of 25 in county
Elevation	59 ft (18 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	103,639
• Estimate  (2023)	103,194
• Rank	7th of 565 in state 2nd of 25 in county
• Density	4,456.1/sq mi (1,720.5/km2)
• Density rank	137th of 565 in state 11th of 25 in county
Time zone	UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT))
ZIP Codes	07095 – Woodbridge 07001 – Avenel 07064 – Port Reading 07067 – Colonia 07077 – Sewaren 07095 – Woodbridge 08830 – Iselin 08832 – Keasbey 08840 – Menlo Park Terrace 08861 – Hopelawn 08863 – Fords
Area code	732
FIPS code	34-82000
GNIS ID	882165

Woodbridge Township is a township in northern Middlesex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The township is a regional hub of transportation and commerce for central New Jersey and a major bedroom suburb of New York City, within the New York metropolitan area. Located within the core of the Raritan Valley region, Woodbridge Township hosts the junction of the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway, the two busiest highways in the state, and also serves as the headquarters for the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, which operates both highways.

As of the 2020 United States census, the township was the state's seventh-most-populous municipality, with a population of 103,639, its highest decennial count ever and an increase of 4,054 (+4.1%) from the 99,585 recorded at the 2010 census, which in turn reflected an increase of 2,382 (+2.5%) from the 97,203 counted in the 2000 census. Woodbridge was the state's sixth-largest by population in 2000 and 2010.

History

The Jonathan Singletary Dunham House, built in 1709

According to historian Joshua Coffin, the community's early settlers included: Captain John Pike, the ancestor of General Zebulon Montgomery Pike, who was killed at the battle of Queenstown in 1813; Thomas Bloomfield, the ancestor of Joseph Bloomfield, some years governor of New Jersey, for whom the township of Bloomfield is named; John Bishop, senior and junior; Jonathan Haynes; Henry Jaques; George March; Stephen Kent; Abraham Toppan, junior; Elisha Ilsley; Hugh March; John Bloomfield; Samuel Moore; Nathaniel Webster; John Ilsley; and others." Woodbridge was the site of the first gristmill in New Jersey. The mill was built by Jonathan Singletary Dunham, who was married to Mary Bloomfield, relative of Joseph Bloomfield.

Woodbridge Township is the oldest original township in New Jersey and was granted a royal charter on June 1, 1669, by King Charles II of England. It was reincorporated on October 31, 1693. Woodbridge Township was incorporated by the Township Act of 1798 of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798, as one of the initial 104 townships incorporated in the state under the Township Act. Portions of the township were taken to form Rahway (April 19, 1858), Raritan Township (March 17, 1870, now Edison Township) and Roosevelt (April 11, 1906, now Carteret). The township is named after Reverend John W. Woodbridge (1613–1696) of Newbury, Massachusetts, who settled in the future township in 1664.

Woodbridge was the site of one of America's deadliest rail accidents on February 6, 1951, when a crowded commuter train derailed with 85 deaths. The victims are memorialized by a pair of historical markers, installed by New Jersey Transit in 2002 and by Woodbridge Township in 2013.

In October 1982, Woodbridge made national news when, for the first time in the United States, local authorities enacted a now-repealed measure under which people were banned from using the then-popular Sony Walkman cassette players in public, while riding a bike, crossing the street, or driving a car. Violators were to be fined $50 and could have spent up to 15 days in jail. In April 2022, this law was repealed in its entirety by township ordinance.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 24.61 square miles (63.74 km²), including 23.26 square miles (60.24 km²) of land and 1.35 square miles (3.50 km²) of water (5.50%).

The township borders Carteret, Edison, Perth Amboy and Sayreville in Middlesex County; Clark, Linden and Rahway in Union County. Its border with the borough of Staten Island in New York City is in the Arthur Kill.

Area codes 732 and 848 are used in Woodbridge.

Pumpkin Patch Brook, which flows through Woodbridge, is a tributary of the Robinson's Branch of the Rahway River, which feeds the Robinson's Branch Reservoir.

Climate

The township has a borderline humid subtropical climate (Cfa) similar to most of metropolitan New Jersey. The local hardiness zone is 7a.

Communities

There are distinct communities within Woodbridge Township. Several of these communities have their own ZIP Codes, and many are listed by the United States Census Bureau as census-designated places (CDPs), but they are all unincorporated communities and neighborhoods within the Township that, together, make up Woodbridge Township.

Avenel (with 2010 Census population of 17,011), Colonia (17,795), Fords (15,187), Iselin (18,695), Port Reading (3,728), Sewaren (2,756), Woodbridge or Woodbridge Proper (19,265) are census-designated places and unincorporated communities located within Woodbridge Township.

Other unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include: Boynton Beach, Demarest Hill Top, Edgars, Fairfield, Hazelton, Hopelawn, Keasbey, Lynn Woodoaks, Menlo Park Terrace,, Ostrander, Saint Stephens, Sand Hills, Shore View, Union, and Woodbridge Oaks.

Demographics

2020 census

Map of racial distribution in Woodbridge, 2020 U.S. census. Each dot is one person: ⬤ White ⬤ Black ⬤ Asian ⬤ Hispanic ⬤ Multiracial ⬤ Native American/Other

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 99,585 people, 34,615 households, and 25,754 families in the township. The population density was 4,290.0 per square mile (1,656.4/km²). There were 36,124 housing units at an average density of 1,556.2 per square mile (600.9/km²). The racial makeup was 59.18% (58,935) White, 9.85% (9,810) Black or African American, 0.32% (321) Native American, 22.42% (22,324) Asian, 0.04% (39) Pacific Islander, 5.28% (5,254) from other races, and 2.91% (2,902) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 15.63% (15,562) of the population.

Of the 34,615 households, 33.6% had children under the age of 18; 57.2% were married couples living together; 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present and 25.6% were non-families. Of all households, 21.4% were made up of individuals and 9.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.27.

21.6% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 28.1% from 45 to 64, and 12.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.6 years. For every 100 females, the population had 98.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 98.0 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $79,277 (with a margin of error of +/− $2,537) and the median family income was $88,656 (+/− $2,537). Males had a median income of $60,139 (+/− $1,971) versus $46,078 (+/− $1,635) for females. The per capita income for the township was $32,144 (+/− $717). About 3.8% of families and 5.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.9% of those under age 18 and 6.6% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Woodbridge Center, with a gross leasable area of 1,633,000 square feet (151,700 m²), is the third-biggest mall in New Jersey, behind Westfield Garden State Plaza and Freehold Raceway Mall.

Wakefern Food Corporation, owner of ShopRite, has its headquarters in Keasbey in the township.

Parks and recreation

Woodbridge River in Woodbridge Township, 2008

Heards Brook in Woodbridge Township

In the center of Woodbridge Heards Brook passes through Heards Brook Park. Described as "the most preferred tourist attraction in Woodbridge," it has a wooded area, picnic tables, tree-lined stone pathways, basketball courts and "stunning views of the brook." The Rutgers University floodplain plan is to integrate smaller areas of park land in the eastern portion of Heards Brook into the larger area of open spaces with a bioswale.

In 2013, the Ernest L. Oros Wildlife Preserve was dedicated; the Preserve occupies 67 acres (27 ha) along the Woodbridge River and has restored the river and adjacent land as a nature preserve. Activities include hiking, boating, bird watching, and picnicking. Many bird species have been observed along the river, particularly at the Oros Preserve. Bird sightings include wading birds (great blue herons and great egrets), the bald eagle, belted kingfishers and Canada goose. Eight mammal species have been noted, including raccoon and red fox; nine fish species have been identified, including the American eel. The Preserve has been called "an important hot spot in an otherwise highly developed area." Within the preserve is the Butterfly Garden. Downstream and north of Port Reading Avenue is Woodbridge River Park. It covers 40 acres (16 ha), and has been described as "loaded with channels, backwaters, oxbows and suitable for canoes."

The Middlesex Greenway is a 3.5-mile (5.6 km) long rail trail, a former Lehigh Valley Railroad rail line between Metuchen and Woodbridge. It makes up a portion of the East Coast Greenway.

Merrill Park is a 179 acres (72 ha) park along the banks of the South Branch Rahway River, fully renovated in 2013. It has sports facilities, playgrounds, bike paths and walkways.

James Parker founded the first printing press in New Jersey in 1751; his building has been restored with an old working printing press. It is located in Parker Press Park, Woodbridge Proper; the park has concert series in the summer.

Woodbridge Community Center has a gym, miniature golf course, batting cages, a pool, community rooms, a playground, and also has "The Arenas", which have a roller skating rink with arcade and an ice skating rink.

Joseph Medwick Park is a Middlesex County Park, shared with Carteret, along banks of the Rahway River. It is part of the Rahway River Greenway Plan.

Education

The Woodbridge Township School District serves students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. All schools in the district are accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools. The district's three standard high schools offer more than 150 courses, including Advanced Placement, college preparatory, business, vocational and cooperative work/study programs.

As of the 2022–23 school year, the district, comprised of 25 schools, had an enrollment of 13,836 students and 1,193.7 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 11.6:1. High schools in the district (with 2022–23 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics) are Colonia High School with 1,356 students in grades 9-12, John F. Kennedy Memorial High School (1,371; 9-12), Reaching Individual Student Excellence (RISE) (NA; 9-12) and Woodbridge High School (1,558; 9-12).

Transportation

Roads and highways

The Governor Alfred E. Driscoll Bridge on the Garden State Parkway, crosses the Raritan River connecting Woodbridge to Sayreville; with a total of 15 travel lanes and six shoulder lanes, is one of the world's widest and busiest motor vehicle bridges

As of May 2010^[update], the township had a total of 303.32 miles (488.15 km) of roadways, of which 244.16 miles (392.94 km) were maintained by the municipality, 28.79 miles (46.33 km) by Middlesex County, 17.69 miles (28.47 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and 12.68 miles (20.41 km) by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.

The Garden State Parkway extends 7+1⁄2 miles (12.1 km) through the Township, including exits 127 to 132. The Parkway connects Sayreville in the south to Clark in the north. In addition, the New Jersey Turnpike (Interstate 95) passes through Woodbridge Township for about 5+1⁄4 miles (8.4 km), and is accessible at Exit 11 (which features a 24-lane toll gate). The Turnpike's Grover Cleveland Service Area is located between Interchanges 11 and 12 northbound at milepost 92.9 and the Thomas Edison Service Area is between Interchanges 11 and 12 southbound at milepost 92.9.

U.S. Route 1 and U.S. Route 9 serve the township and merge heading north of the township as the U.S. Route 1/9 concurrency. Other roadways passing through the township are Route 27, Route 35, Route 184, and Route 440.

The 15-lane Driscoll Bridge on the Garden State Parkway and the adjacent 6-lane Edison Bridge on U.S. Route 9 both span the Raritan River, connecting Woodbridge Township on the north with Sayreville on the south.

The first cloverleaf interchange in the world, the Woodbridge Cloverleaf, opened in 1929 at the intersection of Route 25 (since renamed as U.S. Route 1/9) and Route 4 (now Route 35).

Public transportation

Woodbridge station (New Jersey Transit)

There are three train stations in the township: Metropark, Avenel, and Woodbridge. Service is provided at Metropark by NJ Transit's Northeast Corridor Line and at Avenel and Woodbridge on the North Jersey Coast Line. The Metropark station also offers Amtrak Northeast Corridor services to Newark (Penn Station), New York (Penn Station), Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Boston. In September 2019, NJ Transit initiated increased daily service at the Avenel station and announced the resumption of weekend service after more than 20 years.

NJ Transit provides bus service on the 115 and 116 routes to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan, on the 48 to Elizabeth and local service on the 801, 802, 803, 804, 805, 810, 813 and 815.

Woodbridge Floodplain

Flood hazard zones in Woodbridge Township

Woodbridge's geographical features make it prone to repeated flooding. It is surrounded by water on three sides: the Arthur Kill, a tidal strait to the east, and tidal rivers to the south, Raritan River, and north, Rahway River; and, much of the developed land in Woodbridge has low elevations, as little as five feet above sea level. About 19% of Woodbridge Township lies within FEMA's flood hazard areas. There is a long history of tidal flooding along the Woodbridge River in Woodbridge Proper, the Raritan in Keasbey and the Arthur Kill in Sewaren and Port Reading. In addition to tidal flooding, fluvial flooding is common. Woodbridge streams and rivers have been described as having a "high flow, flashy nature." The land is relatively impervious, and flooding is exacerbated by steep slopes and urban cover. Flooding in the South Branch Rahway River and Pumpkin Patch Brook hazard zones is predominantly fluvial. Prolonged coastal storms (nor'easters), which combine tidal and fluvial flooding, along with flow constrictions, cause an increase in the duration of flooding of the Woodbridge River and its tributaries, Heards Brook and Wedgewood Brook, which may last for days before water levels subside. Frequency of flooding has increased over time. Sea levels are rising and residential areas have moved into previous marsh land, decreasing the ability of the land to absorb excess water. A 1770 map shows that all land surrounding the Woodbridge River was salt marshes. I

Hurricane Sandy

Woodbridge area inundated by Woodbridge River after Hurricane Sandy

In October 2012, New Jersey was devastated by Hurricane Sandy and Woodbridge suffered significant flood damage. One of the most affected neighborhoods from Hurricane Sandy was Watson-Crampton, an area adjacent to the Woodbridge River; prior to 2009 this area was zoned for high density residential housing, including an area of wetlands and meadows. When Sandy arrived in the area, it was "characterized as a tsunami-like water wall," destroying adjoining homes. After Sandy, using money from the New Jersey Buyout Program, Woodbridge began buying out and demolishing many residential properties in the flood hazard areas.

The plan is to restore the Woodbridge flood zones to their original riparian environment. Woodbridge's actions and plans have been called a "slow motion evacuation from climate change." As people move out of flood hazard areas, they will be replaced by a "floodplain forest of native trees, shrubs and grass," to help absorb water from rising sea levels. Despite predictions that flooding will worsen in coming decades as a result of rising sea levels, some property owners have been unwilling to sell, in large part because government programs incentivize these homeowners not to move because the financial risk is mitigated by "emergency" relief in the event of a flood.

Points of interest

• The Jonathan Singletary Dunham House was built near the location of the earliest grist mill in New Jersey by Jonathan Singletary Dunham who was a Member of the New Jersey Provincial Congress.
• The Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center is a correctional facility operated by the New Jersey Department of Corrections.
• East Jersey State Prison is a male prison facility in Woodbridge Township, on the border of Rahway. However, the mailing address is in Rahway and the facility was known until 1988 as Rahway State Prison, leading many to believe the facility was located there.
• J. J. Bitting Brewing Co., established in 1997, was the first brewery to operate in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey, since the repeal of prohibition in 1933. The three-story restaurant resides in a restored 100-year-old brick building that once housed the J. J. Bitting Coal and Feed Depot that serviced the farming community of Woodbridge.
• St. James Catholic Church, founded in 1860, has become one of the largest parishes in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen.

Notable people

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Woodbridge Township include:

See also

In Spanish: Municipio de Woodbridge (Nueva Jersey) para niños