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Woodbridge Township, New Jersey

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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 2004 by the Census Bureau was 100,421, which places it as the fifth most populous municipality in the state, based on the 2004 estimates.

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.

Contents

Geography

Woodbridge Township is located at [40°33′25″N, 74°16′59″W] (40.557104, -74.283162)[Geographic references#1GR1].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 62.7 km² (24.2 mi²). 59.6 km² (23.0 mi²) of it is land and 3.1 km² (1.2 mi²) of it (5.00%) is water.

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):

Demographics

As of the census[Geographic references#2GR2] of 2000, there were 97,203 people, 34,562 households, and 25,437 families residing in the township. The population density was 1,631.0/km² (4,224.5/mi²). There were 35,298 housing units at an average density of 592.3/km² (1,534.1/mi²). 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.

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. 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.

Government

Local government

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

Frank G. Pelzman was the Mayor of Woodbridge Township[Frank G. Pelzman, Mayor of Woodbridge Township], accessed June 29, 2006 until his death on June 29, 2006[Township Dems to tap successor], Home News Tribune, June 30, 2006.

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:[Woodbridge Township Council members], accessedApril 12, 2006

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.

New Jersey's Seventh Congressional District, covering portions of Hunterdon County, Middlesex County, Somerset County and Union County, is represented by Mike Ferguson (R). New Jersey's Thirteenth Congressional District, covering portions of Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, and Union Counties, is now Vacant. The seat had been represented by Robert 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 Robert Menendez (D, Union City).

The 19th legislative 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, Parlin). The Governor of New Jersey is Jon Corzine (D, Hoboken).

Middlesex County is governed by a seven-member Board of Chosen Freeholders. Middlesex County's Freeholders are: Freeholder Director David B. Crabiel, Freeholder Deputy Director Stephen J. "Pete" Dalina, Camille Fernicola, H. James Polos, John Pulomena, Christopher D. Rafano and Blanquita B. Valenti.

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], [Woodbine Ave School #23], [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 [link], John F. Kennedy Memorial High School [link] 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.[New Jersey Department of Education Star School Award recipients], accessed May 23, 2006

Transportation

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

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. The Turnpike's Grover Cleveland service area is located between Interchanges 11 and 12 northbound at milepost 92.9[New Jersey Turnpike: Grover Cleveland Service Area], accessed May 31, 2006. The Thomas Edison service area is located between Interchanges 11 and 12 southbound at milepost 92.9[New Jersey Turnpike: Thomas Edison Service Area], accessed May 31, 2006.

References

External links

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