Woodbridge Township, New Jersey

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Woodbridge Township, New Jersey
Map of Woodbridge Township in Middlesex County. Inset: Location of Middlesex County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.
Census Bureau map of Woodbridge Township, New Jersey
Coordinates: 40°33′25″N 74°16′59″W / 40.55694°N 74.28306°W / 40.55694; -74.28306Coordinates: 40°33′25″N 74°16′59″W / 40.55694°N 74.28306°W / 40.55694; -74.28306
Country United States
State New Jersey
County Middlesex
Settled 1664
Chartered June 1, 1669
Incorporated February 21, 1798
Government
 - Type Faulkner Act Mayor-Council
 - Mayor John E. McCormac
Area
 - Total 24.2 sq mi (62.7 km2)
 - Land 23.0 sq mi (59.6 km2)
 - Water 1.2 sq mi (3.1 km2)  5.00%
Elevation [1] 59 ft (18 m)
Population (2006)[2]
 - Total 99,208
 - Density 4,224.5/sq mi (1,631.0/km2)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 - Summer (DST) Eastern (EDT) (UTC-4)
ZIP code 07095
Area code(s) 732
FIPS code 34-82000[3][4]
GNIS feature ID 0882165[5]
Website http://www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us/

Woodbridge Township is a Township in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township had a total population of 97,203. Its estimated population as of 2005 by the Census Bureau was 100,577,[2] which places it as the fifth most populous municipality in the state, although the 2006 estimate has it back down to 99,208, making it the sixth most populous municipality in New Jersey.

The township of Woodbridge is named after Reverend John W. Woodbridge (1613-1691) of Newbury, Massachusetts. The Township of Woodbridge is the oldest original township in the state of New Jersey. It was settled in the early autumn of 1664 and was granted a charter on June 1, 1669 by King Charles II of England, and reincorporated on October 31, 1693. Woodbridge Township was incorporated by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798. 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).[6]

Contents

[edit] Geography

Woodbridge Township is located at 40°33′26″N 74°16′59″W / 40.557104°N 74.283162°W / 40.557104; -74.283162 (40.557104, -74.283162).[7]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 24.2 square miles (62.7 km2), of which, 23.0 square miles (59.6 km2) of it is land and 1.2 square miles (3.1 km2) of it (5.00%) is water.

Area code 732 is used in Woodbridge.

[edit] Communities

Many distinct communities exist 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, but they are all unincorporated areas and neighborhoods within the Township that, together, form Woodbridge Township in population and area.

These communities are as follows (with 2000 populations listed for the seven census-designated places):

[edit] Demographics

Historical populations
Census Pop.  %±
1930 25,266
—
1940 27,191 7.6%
1950 35,758 31.5%
1960 78,846 120.5%
1970 98,944 25.5%
1980 90,074 −9.0%
1990 93,086 3.3%
2000 97,203 4.4%
Est. 2006 99,208 [2] 2.1%
Population 1930 - 1990.[8]

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 97,203 people, 34,562 households, and 25,437 families residing in the township. The population density was 4,224.5 people per square mile (1,631.0/km2). There were 35,298 housing units at an average density of 1,534.1/sq mi (592.3/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 70.83% White, 8.75% African American, 0.17% Native American, 14.46% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 3.30% from other races, and 2.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.21% of the population.

As of the 2000 census, 9.19% of Woodbridge Township's residents identified themselves as being of Indian American ancestry, which was the tenth highest of any municipality in the United States and the fifth highest in New Jersey — behind Edison (17.75%), Plainsboro Township (16.97%), Piscataway Township (12.49%) and South Brunswick Township (10.48%) — of all places with 1,000 or more residents identifying their ancestry.[9]

There were 34,562 households out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.1% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.4% were non-families. 21.7% of all households 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 2.71 and the average family size was 3.19.

In the township the population was spread out with 22.4% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 34.8% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 100.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.0 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $60,683, and the median income for a family was $68,492 (which had risen to $77,019 and $82,831 respectively as of the 2006 estimate.[10]) Males had a median income of $49,248 versus $35,096 for females. The per capita income for the township was $25,087. About 3.2% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.7% of those under age 18 and 5.3% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Government

[edit] Local government

Woodbridge is governed under the Faulkner Act (Mayor-Council) system of municipal government.[11]

The Mayor of Woodbridge Township is John E. McCormac,[12] who was elected on November 7, 2006 and sworn in on November 14, 2006.[13] McCormac replaced Frank G. Pelzman, who was the mayor until his death on June 29, 2006.[14] Mayor is a member of the Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition,[15] a bi-partisan group with a stated goal of "making the public safer by getting illegal guns off the streets." The Coalition is co-chaired by Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

The Township Council is the legislative body which represents the public; receives input, develops and adopts policy, and resolves public issues; formulates Township policy through motions, resolutions and ordinances which reflect the needs of the public; and maintains a working knowledge of intergovernmental issues and how they will affect Woodbridge Township. Members of the Township Council are:[16]

  • Brenda Yori Velasco, Council President, Councilwoman-at-Large
  • James V. Carroll, Councilman-at-Large
  • Gregg M. Ficara, Councilman-at-Large
  • Patricia Osborne, Councilwoman-at-Large
  • Charles Kenny, Councilman-First Ward
  • Richard A. Dalina, Council Vice President, Councilman-Second Ward
  • Greg Bedard, Councilman-Third Ward
  • James Major, Councilman-Fourth Ward
  • Robert G. Luban, Councilman-Fifth Ward

[edit] Federal, state and county representation

Woodbridge Township is split between the Seventh and Thirteenth Congressional Districts and is part of New Jersey's 19th Legislative District.[17]

New Jersey's Seventh Congressional District, covering portions of Hunterdon County, Middlesex County, Somerset County and Union County, is represented by Leonard Lance (R, Flemington). New Jersey's Thirteenth Congressional District, covering portions of Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, and Union Counties, is now represented by Albio Sires (D, West New York), who won a special election held on November 7, 2006 to fill the vacancy the had existed since January 16, 2006. The seat had been represented by Bob Menendez (D), who was appointed to the United States Senate to fill the seat vacated by Governor of New Jersey Jon Corzine. New Jersey is represented in the Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).

For the 2008-2009 Legislative Session, the 19th District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Joseph Vitale (D, Woodbridge) and in the Assembly by Joseph Vas (D, Perth Amboy) and John S. Wisniewski (D, Sayreville).[18] The Governor of New Jersey is Jon Corzine (D, Hoboken).[19]

Middlesex County is governed by a seven-member Board of Chosen Freeholders, elected at-large to three-year terms of office on a staggered basis. As of 2008, Middlesex County's Freeholders are Freeholder Director David B. Crabiel (Milltown), Freeholder Deputy Director Stephen J. "Pete" Dalina (Fords), Camille Fernicola (Piscataway), H. James Polos (Highland Park), Ronald Rios (Carteret), Christopher D. Rafano (South River) and Blanquita B. Valenti (New Brunswick).[20]

[edit] Education

The Woodbridge Township School District serves students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. The district's 16 elementary schools ( Mawbey St. School #1, Avenel St. School #4&5, Port Reading School #9, Ross St. School #11, Ford Ave. School #14, Indiana Ave. School #18, Menlo Park Terrace #19, Claremont Ave School #20, Oak Ridge Heights School #21, Lynn Crest School #22, Kennedy Park School #24, Lafayette Estates School #25, Robert Mascenik School #26, Pennsylvania Ave School #27 and Matthew Jago School #28) serve 5,953 students in Grades K through 5, with 478 certified staff members and 6 guidance counselors. Enrollment in the district's five middle schools ( Avenel Middle School, Colonia Middle School, Fords Middle School, Iselin Middle School and Woodbridge Middle School) is 3,336 students, with 281 certified staff members including 10 guidance counselors for Grades 6 through 8.

Total enrollment at the three high schools is 4,161 students, served by 328 certified staff members including 14 guidance counselors covering Grades 9 through 12. The high schools offer more than 150 courses, including Advanced Placement, college preparatory, business, vocational and cooperative work/study programs. All schools in the district are accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. High schools in the district are Colonia High School, John F. Kennedy Memorial High School and Woodbridge High School.

For the 2004-05 school year, Matthew Jago Elementary School was named a "Star School" by the New Jersey Department of Education, the highest honor that a New Jersey school can achieve.[21]

[edit] Transportation

There are three train stations in the township: Metropark, Avenel(limited service) and Woodbridge. Service is provided by New Jersey Transit Northeast Corridor and North Jersey Coast Line as well as Amtrak Acela Express and Regional services to Newark Penn Station, Penn Station New York, PHL, WAS, & BOS (MetroPark only).

Garden State Parkway exits 127 to 131 are in the Township. The New Jersey Turnpike passes through Woodbridge Township, 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.[22] The Thomas Edison service area is located between Interchanges 11 and 12 southbound at milepost 92.9.[23]

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 Edison Bridge on U.S. Route 9 spans the Raritan River, connecting Woodbridge Township on the north with Sayreville on the south.

The first cloverleaf interchange in the United States opened in 1929 at the intersection of highways 25 and 4 (now U.S. Route 1/9 and Route 35, respectively).[24]

[edit] Points of interest

  • The Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center is a correctional facility operated by the New Jersey Department of Corrections. The facility is located in the Avenel section of the Township. ADTC provides treatment to convicted sex offenders.
  • Rahway State Prison is the former and still most commonly used name for the East Jersey State Prison, a male prison facility in Woodbridge Township, on the border of Rahway. However, the mailing address is in Rahway, leading many to believe the facility resides there. The name was changed in 1988 at the request of the Rahway residents.
  • Woodbridge Center Mall the second biggest mall in the State of New Jersey and a popular shopping center for visitors and local residents.
  • J.J. Bitting Brewing Co.Established in 1997, J.J. Bitting Brewing Company was the first brewery to operate in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey, since the repeal of prohibition in 1933.The 3 story restaurant resides in a beautifully restored 100 year old brick building that once housed The J.J. Bitting Coal and Feed Depot that serviced the farming community of Woodbridge.

[edit] Notable residents

Notable current and former residents of Woodbridge Township include:

[edit] References

  1. ^ USGS GNIS: Township of Woodbridge, Geographic Names Information System, accessed April 16, 2007.
  2. ^ a b c Census data for Woodbridge township, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 24, 2007.
  3. ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved on 2008-01-31. 
  4. ^ A Cure for the Common Codes: New Jersey, Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed July 14, 2008.
  5. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved on 2008-01-31. 
  6. ^ "The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 174.
  7. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2005-05-03. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved on 2008-01-31. 
  8. ^ New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990. Accessed March 1, 2007.
  9. ^ Asian-Indian Communities, Epodunk. Accessed February 18, 2007.
  10. ^ 2006 American Community Survey, Data Profile Highlights: Woodbridge Township, United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 2, 2007.
  11. ^ 2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 87.
  12. ^ John E. McCormac, Mayor of Woodbridge Township, Township of Woodbridge. Accessed June 29, 2006.
  13. ^ McCormac now heads Woodbridge, Home News Tribune, November 14, 2006.
  14. ^ Township Dems to tap successor, Home News Tribune, June 30, 2006.
  15. ^ "Mayors Against Illegal Guns: Coalition Members". http://www.mayorsagainstillegalguns.org/html/about/members.shtml. 
  16. ^ Woodbridge Township Council members, accessed April 12, 2006.
  17. ^ 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters, p. 66. Accessed August 30, 2006.
  18. ^ Legislative Roster: 2008-2009 Session, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed June 6, 2008.
  19. ^ "About the Governor". New Jersey. http://www.nj.gov/governor/about/. Retrieved on 6 June 2008. 
  20. ^ Elected County Officials, Middlesex County, New Jersey. Accessed February 21, 2007.
  21. ^ New Jersey Department of Education Star School Award recipients, accessed May 23, 2006.
  22. ^ New Jersey Turnpike: Grover Cleveland Service Area, accessed May 31, 2006.
  23. ^ New Jersey Turnpike: Thomas Edison Service Area, accessed May 31, 2006.
  24. ^ Kane, Joseph Nathan. Famous First Facts, H.W. Wilson Company, 2006 (ISBN 0-8242-1065-4), p. 222.
  25. ^ Tom Higgins, database Football. Accessed November 14, 2007.
  26. ^ INTERVIEW WITH JACK H. JACOBS, Rutgers University, November 20, 2000. Accessed July 11, 2008. "JJ: ... Anyway, we moved to New Jersey in the mid-'50s, and my parents still live in the same house in Woodbridge. I went to Woodbridge High School, and then, from there, I went to Rutgers."
  27. ^ Kyle Johnson player profile, National Football League Players Association. Accessed July 29, 2007. "Hometown: Woodbridge, N.J....Johnson earned second-team all-state recognition and was named all-county and all-area as a senior at Woodbridge High School in Woodbridge, N.J., after rushing for 1,235 yards.
  28. ^ New Jersey High-Tech Hall of Fame: 2004 State Government Official Category. Accessed July 24, 2007. "McCormac, who lives in the Colonia section of Woodbridge Township, is a Certified Public Accountant, a Certified Municipal Finance Officer, a Certified Management Accountant, a Registered Municipal Accountant, a Certified Financial Planner, a Licensed Public School Accountant and a Certified Government Financial Manager."
  29. ^ Herszenhorn, David M. "In Woodbridge, Borrowing Doubled Under McGreevey", The New York Times, October 18, 2001. Accessed May 23, 2008. "To persuade voters, Mr. McGreevey and his aides rely on a neatly tailored summary of his record as mayor here in Woodbridge for the last nine years."
  30. ^ Falkenstein, Michelle. "Around the Scene, a Whirl of Change", The New York Times, December 31, 2006. Accessed September 30, 2007. "Bruce Springsteen, who grew up in Freehold, served up the critically acclaimed “We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions” in April, and the singer Jon Bon Jovi, who was raised in Sayreville, and his band’s guitarist Richie Sambora, from Woodbridge, will be immortalized as action figures next July by McFarlane Toys, it was announced in October."
  31. ^ Sullivan, Joseph F. "Jersey City Mayor Warns of Possible Bankruptcy", The New York Times, November 10, 1992. Accessed May 23, 2008. "Mr. Schundler, who was born in Colonia, graduated from Harvard University [sic] with honors in 1981 and then worked as a Congressional aide and a campaign coordinator for Gary Hart's 1984 presidential run."
  32. ^ Senator Vitale's Legislative Website, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed July 24, 2007.
  33. ^ Chang, Kathy. "Young fencer enjoys living on the edge: Woodbridge resident hoping for a spot on 2008 Olympic team", Woodbridge Sentinel, August 16, 2006. Accessed July 8, 2008. "Wozniak graduated from Colonia High School in June. She heads to St. John's University in Queens, N.Y., this fall on a full athletic scholarship."

[edit] External links

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