North Brunswick is a township in Middlesex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It is centrally located in the Raritan Valley region within the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 43,905, an increase of 3,163 (+7.8%) from the 2010 census count of 40,742, which in turn reflected an increase of 3,455 (+12.3%) from the 36,287 counted in the 2000 census.Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023.
North Brunswick is located south of New Brunswick. It was named for its earlier-established neighbor, South Brunswick.The Changing Landscape of North Brunswick, Rutgers University. Accessed November 25, 2012. "The aptness of the name 'North Brunswick' has proven a puzzle to many modern historians, since the township is actually situated south of New Brunswick and west of East Brunswick. However, during the early part of the 19th century, the area was commonly referred to as the 'north ward of New Brunswick' and the township is located north of the earlier organized Township of South Brunswick." Brunswick comes from New Brunswick, which was named after the German city of Braunschweig, formerly translated in English as Brunswick or for the British royal House of Brunswick. North and South Brunswick, in turn, became the namesakes for East Brunswick.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 10, 2015. Alternatively, the city gets its name from King George II of Great Britain, the Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 9, 2015.Gannett, Henry. The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States, p. 223. United States Government Printing Office, 1905. Accessed September 9, 2015.
History The area that would become North Brunswick had been settled by the Lenape Native Americans. European settlers from France and The Netherlands acquired land in 1772 from the Lenape that would become North Brunswick.De Angelo, Walter A. The History Buff's Guide to Middlesex County , Middlesex County, New Jersey. Accessed December 16, 2019. "The number of municipalities in Middlesex County continued to expand, and, in 1761, North Brunswick was founded when Dutch and French settlers purchased the land from the Lenape."
North Brunswick was first mentioned in Middlesex Freeholder Board minutes of February 28, 1779. North Brunswick Township was incorporated on February 21, 1798, by the New Jersey Legislature's Township Act of 1798 as one of the state's initial group of 104 townships. Portions of the township have since separated to create East Brunswick (February 28, 1860) and Milltown (January 29, 1889). Territorial exchanges were made with Franklin Township, Somerset County, New Jersey in 1850 and 1858, with South Brunswick in 1856 and with New Brunswick in 1860, 1917 and 1929.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 172. Accessed May 30, 2024.
Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 12.31 square miles (31.88 km2), including 12.03 square miles (31.16 km2) of land and 0.28 square miles (0.71 km2) of water (2.24%).
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Adams, Berdines Corner, Black Horse, Bodines Corner, Franklin Park, Georges Road, Livingston Park, Maple Meade, Patricks Corner and Red Lion.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed January 11, 2015. The northern portion of the township, near the New Brunswick border, is mainly middle class while the southern and eastern sections tend to be more affluent, with a few homes priced around $1 million.
The township borders the municipalities of East Brunswick, Milltown, New Brunswick and South Brunswick in Middlesex County; and Franklin Township in Somerset County.Areas touching North Brunswick Township, MapIt. Accessed January 11, 2015.Municipalities , Middlesex County, New Jersey. Accessed December 1, 2019.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.
Like many other New Jersey communities, North Brunswick is faced with the issues of suburban sprawl and open space preservation. The Park Facilities , Township of North Brunswick. Accessed May 12, 2020.Parks Map , Township of North Brunswick. Accessed May 12, 2020. Otken Farm property on Route 130 between Adams Lane and Renaissance Boulevard was purchased by the township to be converted into North Brunswick Community Park, which opened in April 2007.Amato, Jennifer. "North Brunswick park begins to take shape; Construction well under way at site of former Otken farm" , North Brunswick Sentinel, September 28, 2006. Accessed September 10, 2015.Amato, Jennifer. "North Brunswick opens 105-acre park to public" , North Brunswick Sentinel, April 19, 2007. Accessed September 10, 2015. "Anyone seeking active or leisure recreation is now able to visit the North Brunswick Community Park, a 105-acres tract set off Route 130 that has been converted from the former Otken farm to accommodate a myriad of recreational uses for all county residents." The nearby Pulda Farm, on Route 130 at Wood Avenue, however may be developed into an age-restricted community pending legal challenge.Amato, Jennifer. "Court reinstates suit by Pulda housing objectors; Judges rule settlement was not reached between developer and NBR" , North Brunswick Sentinel, February 1, 2007. Accessed September 10, 2015. Re-development of the site of the former Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical plant on U.S. Route 1 between Adams Lane and Aaron Road is currently the subject of a public hearing process that will determine what may be built on the property. There is also discussion of building an NJ Transit commuter railroad station on the site, along the Northeast Corridor Line. Other parcels slated for development into retail shopping centers include the currently wooded corner of Route 130 and Adams Lane diagonally across from the Maple Meade Plaza.Amato, Jennifer. "Some residents oppose Rt. 130 retail center" , North Brunswick Sentinel, September 22, 2005. Accessed September 10, 2015.
North Brunswick is part of the watershed of the Lawrence Brook, a tributary of the Raritan River. The brook's watershed covers that also includes East Brunswick, Milltown, New Brunswick and South Brunswick.What We Do, Lawrence Brook Watershed Partnership. Accessed November 15, 2019. "The Lawrence Brook Watershed Partnership, Inc. (LBWP) is a not-for-profit organization with the mission to protect the water in a 48-square-mile area, the Lawrence Brook watershed (USGSHUC code: 02030105130); this area extends over parts of 5 municipalities: New Brunswick, East Brunswick, North Brunswick, South Brunswick, and Milltown; it also covers most of Rutgers University's Cook Campus." Farrington Lake, part of the Lawrence Brook watershed, is a freshwater reservoir bordered by North Brunswick, East Brunswick and South Brunswick.
Demographics
2020 census The 2020 United States census counted 43,905 people in the township, comprised of 15,339 households and 11,099 families. The population density was . There were 15,789 housing units in the township. The racial makeup was 39.3% (17,255) White, 20.9% (9,176) Black or African American, 24.6% (10,801) Asian, 0.2% (103) Native American, and 3.8% multiracial. Hispanic or Latino persons of any race were 20.9% (9,175) of the population.
The 2017-2021 American Community Survey reported 15,339 households, with an average household size of 2.70 persons. Of those households, 11,229 households were families. The average household size of families was 3.22 persons. 32.7% (5,105) households had children under the age of 18. The population under the age of 18 years was 9,707, and the population over the age of 65 years was 5,845.
The median household income of the township was $103,488 (+/- $5,388) and the mean income was $129,117 (+/- $11,272). Both numbers were reported in 2021 inflation-adjusted dollars. The per-capita income was $46,291 (+/- $4,254). Of the 30,408 people who were 25 years or older, 88.88% (27,027) had at least a high school diploma, 50.95% (15,493) had at least a bachelor's degree, and 21.95% (6,675) had a graduate or professional degree. Approximately 9% of the population is below the poverty line, including 16.0% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 and over. The poverty rate of families stood at 5.2%.
2010 census
The 2010 United States census counted 40,742 people, 14,551 households, and 10,404 families in the township. The population density was . There were 15,045 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 46.61% (18,991) White, 17.47% (7,116) Black or African American, 0.42% (171) Native American, 24.27% (9,888) Asian, 0.04% (15) Pacific Islander, 8.16% (3,323) from other races, and 3.04% (1,238) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 17.73% (7,223) of the population.
Of the 14,551 households, 35.7% had children under the age of 18; 53.4% were married couples living together; 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present and 28.5% were non-families. Of all households, 22.3% were made up of individuals and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.22.
23.4% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 33.3% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 9.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35.5 years. For every 100 females, the population had 97.6 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 95.2 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $78,469 (with a margin of error of +/− $3,515) and the median family income was $91,053 (+/− $3,268). Males had a median income of $60,285 (+/− $3,591) versus $50,018 (+/− $2,499) for females. The per capita income for the township was $32,944 (+/− $1,441). About 4.5% of families and 6.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.2% of those under age 18 and 5.3% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for North Brunswick township, Middlesex County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed April 28, 2012.
2000 census At the 2000 United States census there were 36,287 people, 13,635 households and 9,367 families residing in the township. The population density was . There were 13,932 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the township was 62.73% White, 15.27% African American, 0.17% Native American, 14.20% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 4.70% from other races, and 2.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.40% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for North Brunswick township, Middlesex County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed April 28, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for North Brunswick township, Middlesex County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 25, 2012.