Brick Township, New Jersey
Encyclopedia : B : BR : BRI : Brick Township, New Jersey
Brick Township is a Township in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township had a total population of 76,119.
Since the year 2000, Brick Township has been the safest "city" (population over 75,000) in New Jersey. In 2003 and 2004, Brick Township held the title of being the second safest city in the United States after Newton, Massachusetts [11th Annual Safest (and Most Dangerous) Cities: Top and Bottom 25 Cities Overall], accessed June 4, 2006. In 2005, Brick Township dropped down to the fifth safest "city" (population over 75,000) in the United States[12th Annual Safest (and Most Dangerous) Cities: Top and Bottom 25 Cities Overall], accessed June 4, 2006.
Brick Township has also been in the news for an alleged autism epidemic, in which 40 children out of over 6,000 surveyed were found to be autistic, though Brick's autism rate is statistically not far removed from national average. Many of the children found to be autistic were born in Northern New Jersey and other parts of the country. There is no evidence that the levels of autism are linked to any specific environmental factor in Brick.[Prevalence of Autism in a United States Population: The Brick Township, New Jersey, Investigation] Pediatrics journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, November 5, 2001
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 83.6 km² (32.3 mi²). 67.9 km² (26.2 mi²) of it is land and 15.6 km² (6.0 mi²) of it (18.69%) is water. Brick Township is bordered to the north by Howell Township and Wall Township, both of Monmouth County; to the west by Lakewood Township, to the east by Point Pleasant, and to the south by Toms River.Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 76,119 people, 29,511 households, and 20,775 families residing in the township. The population density was 1,120.5/km² (2,901.5/mi²). There were 32,689 housing units at an average density of 481.2/km² (1,246.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the township was 95.81% White, 0.99% African American, 0.10% Native American, 1.19% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.85% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.85% of the population.Current projections, as of June 2005, estimate the population of Brick Township to be around 83,500 with a trend moving towards a more non-white population. This is influenced by a large emigration of residents from Northern New Jersey and New York City, whom make up the majority of the township's population.
There were 29,511 households out of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.8% were married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.6% were non-families. 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the township the population was spread out with 23.8% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 17.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.8 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $52,092, and the median income for a family was $61,446. Males had a median income of $44,981 versus $31,020 for females. The per capita income for the township was $24,462. About 3.1% of families and 4.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.8% of those under age 18 and 5.0% of those age 65 or over.
Laurelton Circle
The Laurelton Circle was located near the center of Brick Township. The traffic circle was at the junction of Route 70, Route 88, and Princeton Avenue. It was converted to a traffic light regulated intersection in 1986, due to an increase in traffic and accidents. To reduce the need for left turns, a short portion of eastbound Route 88 was re-routed onto Princeton Avenue. Some other movements are controlled by jughandles and a two-way connection in the northwest corner.
- See also
Government
Local government
The Township operates under a Mayor-Council form of government under the Faulkner Act. The Mayor is elected for a four year term without limitation as to the number of terms. In November 1988, the voters approved a referendum which returned the Township to the partisan system of government. As a result, Township elections, which had been held in May, are now held in November.The Mayor is the chief executive and administrative officer in the Township and, as such, is responsible for administering local laws and policy development. The specific powers of the Mayor include various appointments, preparation of the Township's budget, and approval or veto (which may be overridden by a 2/3 vote of the Township Council) of the ordinances adopted by the Township Council. The Mayor appoints, with the advice and consent of the Township Council, the Business Administrator, the Township Attorney, and the Directors of the Departments of Public Safety, Engineering and Public Works.
The current Mayor of Brick Township is Joseph C. Scarpelli (D). Members of the current Township Council are President Anthony Matthews (R; term ends December 31, 2007), Vice President Stephen C. Acropolis (R; 2007), Kathy M. Russell (D; 2009), Joseph Sangiovanni (R; 2009), Ruthanne Scaturro (R; 2007), Michael A. Thulen, Sr. (R; 2007) and Dan Toth (R; 2009).[Brick Township Council], accessed June 4, 2006
Federal, state and county representation
Brick Township is in the Fourth Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 10th Legislative District.New Jersey's Fourth Congressional District, covering portions of Burlington County, Mercer County, Monmouth County and Ocean County, is represented by Christopher Smith (R). New Jersey is represented in the Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Robert Menendez (D, Union City).
The 10th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Andrew R. Ciesla (R, Brick) and in the Assembly by James W. Holzapfel (R, Brick) and David W. Wolfe (R, Brick). The Governor of New Jersey is Jon Corzine (D, Hoboken).
Ocean County is governed by a five-member Board of Chosen Freeholders. Ocean County's Freeholders are: John C. Bartlett Jr., John P. Kelly, James F. Lacey, Gerry P. Little and Joseph H. Vicari.
Noted residents
- Major League Baseball All-Star pitcher Hank Borowy who played for the New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates and Detroit Tigers. He lived the majority of his life in Brick Township and died there at age 88.
- National Hockey League Player Jim Dowd who grew up playing in the Ocean Ice Palace (which was featured in the motion picture Chasing Amy starring Ben Affleck)
- Warren Wolf, New Jersey's all time winningest high school football coach.
- ATV motocross racer Travis Spader, lived in Brick when he won his GNC National Championship in 2000. He currently lives in nearby Point Pleasant
References
External links
- [Brick Township website]
- [Brick Public Schools]
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- [National Center for Education Statistics data for the Brick Public Schools]
- [Bricktown Online - Community Information Portal]
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