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Information AboutSouth Brunswick Township, New Jersey |
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GEOGRAPHY According to the United States Census Bureau , the township has a total area of 106.4 Km&2 (41.1 Mi&2 ). 105.8 km&2 (40.9 mi&2) of it is land and 0.6 km&2 (0.2 mi&2) of it is water. The total area is 0.58% water. The township encompasses the Census-designated Place s and Unincorporated areas of Dayton (2000 Census population of 6,235), Heathcote (4,755), Kendall Park (9,006), Kingston (1,292) and Monmouth Junction (2,721). Deans is an Unincorporated area within the Township. Kingston 's location on the Lenape Assunpink Trail where it crossed the Millstone River was the prime factor in its early prominence. Kingston was by far the most active and important village, being situated on both the heavily traveled King's Road and Millstone River, combining commercial activities of both mills and taverns. Dayton was first known simply as The Cross Roads, where James Whitlock built a tavern on Georges Road around 1750. Early enterprises included a brick manufacturer and large nursery. In 1866, the name was changed from Cross Roads to Dayton, in honor of William L. Dayton , an attorney for the Freehold and Jamesburg Agricultural Railroad. Dayton had helped settle disputes arising from the location of a railroad right-of-way. He was later a United States Senator , was the first Republican nominee for Vice President (in 1856), and Minister to France . The nature of its business establishments — farm implements, tow hay dealers, a general store, a nursery and a harness maker — attests to its agricultural identity. Deans originated from its location on both Crosswicknung Trail (Georges Road) and Lawrence Brook. Dams were built on the brook, creating Deans Pond. Monmouth Junction was created as the junction of three rail branches, the New York division of the Pennsylvania Railroad , the Rocky Hill and the Jamesburg and Freehold. With increased mobility and a growing population, the suburban style residential development was born after the World War II and Kendall Park was begun in the 1950s. Kendall Park is located right off Route 27 , the old Indian trail and major thoroughfare of earlier centuries. DEMOGRAPHICS As of the Census 2 of 2000, there were 37,734 people, 13,428 households, and 10,084 families residing in the township. The Population Density was 356.6/km&2 (923.5/mi&2). There were 13,862 housing units at an average density of 131.0/km&2 (339.3/mi&2). The racial makeup of the township was 70.49% White , 7.88% African American , 0.13% Native American , 18.04% Asian , 0.04% Pacific Islander , 1.37% from Other Races , and 2.04% from two or more races. 5.08% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 13,428 households out of which 43.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.8% were Married Couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.9% were non-families. 19.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.27. In the township the population was spread out with 28.4% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 36.7% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 7.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.3 males. The median income for a household in the township was $78,737, and the median income for a family was $86,891. Males had a median income of $61,637 versus $41,554 for females. The Per Capita Income for the township was $32,104. 3.1% of the population and 2.1% of families were below the Poverty Line . 2.9% of those under the age of 18 and 4.5% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line. GOVERNMENT Local government Members of the Township Council have been elected to four-year terms in partisan elections on a staggered basis. Members of the Township Council are Mayor Frank Gambatese (term ends 2006), Deputy Mayor Carol Barrett (2008), Chris Killmurray (2006), Charlie Carley (2008), Joseph J. Camarota Jr. (2008). Federal, state and county representation South Brunswick Township is in the Twelfth Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 14th Legislative District. HISTORY South Brunswick Township was incorporated by an act of the New Jersey Legislature in 1798. The 18th century character of South Brunswick was that of a rural agricultural township with small clustered settlements located on major transportation routes. The early settlers took advantage of fertile soils and favorable growing conditions. The rural nature of the Township continued throughout the 19th century, with increases in commercial and residential growth and development coinciding with the introduction of new transportation routes. The Straight Turnpike, now U.S. Route 1 , was constructed in 1804. In 1872, the Legislature first reduced the size of South Brunswick with the creation of the separate Cranbury Township from the southern portion of South Brunswick. In 1885, it redefined and enlarged the boundaries of Cranbury, and in 1919, the size of South Brunswick was further reduced with the formation of Plainsboro Township . The present boundaries of South Brunswick date back to this last change. 20th century South Brunswick has seen extensive transformation with the impact of American industrial technology. The New Brunswick and Trenton Fast Line began operation in 1900, a trolley line running parallel to the Old Straight Turnpike of 1804 ( Route 1 ), intersecting George's Road just north of the Five Corners intersection in Dayton. This trolley provided daily passenger and freight service, stopping at a local crossroads. The New Jersey Turnpike opened in 1951, again roughly parallel to Route 1, on the eastern edge of the Township. One typical effect of the Turnpike was the transformation of the agricultural area on the southeast corner of South Brunswick to that of a burgeoning industrial development. In 1980, the Township population approached 18,000. In 1990, this figure reached 25,792 and today South Brunswick has over 33,400 residents. In short, since the early 1900s, the town has matured from a tranquil and rustic farming community to a vibrant, diverse and active suburban town. While South Brunswick has been growing rapidly, much of the town's 42 square miles remain undeveloped and there are still significant amounts of wetlands, woodlands and open space within the community. EDUCATION As the township continues to grow, the South Brunswick Public Schools are experiencing a similar trend. In 1991, the district’s enrollment was just under 4,000 students. As of January 20 , 2006 , the district had 8,808 students enrolled in the district’s schools, including seven elementary schools for 4,210 students in Grades K-5, two middle schools for 2,062 students in Grades 6-8 and a high school for 2,536 students in Grades 9-12. EXTERNAL LINKS
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