East Brunswick is a township in Middlesex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The suburban bedroom community is part of the New York metropolitan area and is located on the southern shore of the Raritan River, directly adjacent to New Brunswick and located roughly away from New York City.Raritan River Basin, Sierra Club, New Jersey Chapter - Raritan Valley Group. Accessed September 16, 2017. "The Raritan River proper forms at the confluence of the North Branch and the South Branch just west of Somerville. It flows 16 miles before slowing in tidewater at New Brunswick.", Distance between cities. Accessed May 3, 2022.Capuzzo, Jill P. "Living In: East Brunswick, N.J.: Community Gardens, Parks and Highways", The New York Times, May 13, 2015. Accessed May 3, 2022. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 49,715, its highest decennial count ever and an increase of 2,203 (+4.6%) from the 2010 census count of 47,512, which in turn reflected an increase of 756 (+1.6%) from the 46,756 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.

East Brunswick was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 28, 1860, from portions of both Monroe Township and North Brunswick. Portions of the township were taken to form Washington town within the township (February 23, 1870; became independent as South River on February 28, 1898), Helmetta (March 20, 1888), Milltown (January 29, 1889) and Spotswood (April 15, 1908).Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. Accessed May 1, 2026.

Since the 2000 census, the United States Census Bureau calculated that New Jersey's center of population was located in the township.Sweilem, Amira. "N.J.’s population center still tilts north. This town considers it a badge of honor.", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, November 27, 2022. Accessed January 20, 2024. "Answer time: East Brunswick has held the statistical center of population title since the 2010 Census.... The U.S. Census runs the calculation every 10 years and it has wobbled around Middlesex County since 1880, straying just once since that time into Somerset County (Warren Township) in 1890. East Brunswick just barely held onto the population center in the 2020 Census calculations.... The new spot is on Hawk Court just off Milltown Road between the NJ Turnpike and Ryders Lane."Stirling, Stephen. "U.S. Census shows East Brunswick as statistical center of N.J.", The Star-Ledger, March 31, 2011. Accessed July 14, 2011. "For any of you who have ever lain awake at night asking: Where, oh where is the statistical center of New Jersey, there really is an answer. Nenninger Lane, East Brunswick. A few hundred feet into the woods along tiny Nenninger, a dead-end road beside the New Jersey Turnpike, sits the heart of the Garden State in terms of population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau."

History

The general area of central New Jersey was originally occupied by the Lenape Native Americans. According to a 1677 bill of sale now in the New Jersey State Museum in Trenton, New Jersey, Thomas Lawrence, a New York baker, purchased thousands of acres of land from local Native Americans named Querameck, Kesyacs, Isarick, Metapis, Peckawan, and Turantecas.

In this document, the area is called Piscopeek, which later become known as Lawrence Brook, after its purchaser. Around the late 17th century, settlers began arriving in the northern part of East Brunswick, and by the mid-19th century, a small settlement had formed in the southeastern part, known as the Old Bridge section of the town, an area that was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977, the Old Bridge Historic District.Cheslow, Jerry. "If You're Thinking of Living in: East Brunswick", The New York Times, December 2, 1990. Accessed January 4, 2012. "The first settlers -- Dutch, English, Scots and Germans -- arrived in the 16th century, according to the East Brunswick Historical Society. One of them, Thomas Lawrence, bought several thousand acres from the Leni Lenape Indians to create a plantation in an area now known as Lawrence Brook, which is within walking distance of the park-and-ride operation at the Tower Center. The oldest homes are in a historic district called Old Bridge, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Not to be confused with the nearby town of Old Bridge, the district arose next to the first bridge across the South River, which was used by early settlers to ship fruit and vegetables to New York City and Philadelphia."History of East Brunswick , East Brunswick Historical Society / Township of East Brunswick. Accessed January 4, 2012.

The area today known as East Brunswick was incorporated in 1860 from parts of North Brunswick and Monroe townships, including the community of Old Bridge. Originally a farming community, suburban settlement started in the 1930s with improved road access. Large scale housing and road construction, especially after World War II, transformed East Brunswick into a more suburban community. The extension of the New Jersey Turnpike to East Brunswick in 1952 led to a sharp spike in population growth, with the 1950 Census population of 5,699 more than tripling to 19,965 as of the 1960 enumeration.

In the early 1970s, a citizens group called Concerned Citizens of East Brunswick sued the New Jersey Turnpike Authority over a proposed major widening project. The citizens group effectively won the case, gaining concessions in turnpike design, scale and mitigation measures for noise and air quality. The citizens group presented technical data from their own experts and prevailed in what was one of the earliest technical confrontations regarding urban highway design related to environmental factors in U.S. history.Ladeda, James. "Compromise Setteles Suit Over Widening of Turnpike" , copy of article from The Star-Ledger at the New Jersey Historical Society, January 29, 1972. Accessed January 4, 2012.

East Brunswick was also the site of the gunfight at Turnpike exit 9 shortly after midnight on May 2, 1973, in which a car being driven by Zayd Malik Shakur (born James F. Costan), with Assata Shakur (formerly JoAnne Chesimard) and Sundiata Acoli (born Clark Squire) as passengers, was stopped on the New Jersey Turnpike State Trooper James Harper, backed up by Trooper Werner Foerster in a second patrol vehicle. After Zayd Shakur was asked to step out of the car to address a discrepancy in his identification, a shootout ensued in which Trooper Foerster was shot twice in the head with his own gun and killed, Zayd Shakur was killed, and both Assata Shakur and Trooper Harper were wounded.via Associated Press. "Man Arrested In Slaying of Trooper", The Morning Record, May 4, 1973. Accessed January 4, 2012.

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 22.36 square miles (57.91 km2), including 21.78 square miles (56.42 km2) of land and 0.57 square miles (1.48 km2) of water (2.56%).

The township lies on exit 9 of the New Jersey Turnpike. Its Municipal Building, named for 1970s Mayor Jean Walling, is located southwest of New York City's Times Square and northeast of Center City, Philadelphia. It takes approximately 45–60 minutes to reach Midtown Manhattan in New York City or Center City, Philadelphia, depending on traffic and destination.Cheslow, Jerry. "If You're Thinking of Living in: East Brunswick", The New York Times, December 2, 1990. Accessed March 20, 2017. "Midway between New York City and Philadelphia, East Brunswick is a classic commuter community.... 'The turnpike has 18 exits,' Mayor Sinagra noted, 'and we're exit 9. That means we are situated 45 minutes from two major employment centers.'" Route 18 runs through the eastern part of the township, as it serves as a vital route in Central Jersey for access to the Jersey Shore and interior parts of the state. East Brunswick's pristine suburbs and its convenience to major highways for leisure and for work, have contributed to it being a popular place for New York City commuters.

East Brunswick is located in the heart of the Raritan Valley region, as the township is located right on the southern shore of the Raritan River. The Lawrence Brook, a major tributary of the Raritan River, runs along the western border of the township. Farrington LakeHatala, Greg. "Glimpse of History: A day on the lake in North Brunswick", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, July 28, 2014, updated March 29, 2019. Accessed December 3, 2019. "Farrington Lake, which today is bordered by both North Brunswick Township Park and Bicentennial Park, was a popular spot for boating, fishing, swimming and camping at the time this photo was taken. Actually a freshwater reservoir, the body of water was created by a dam on the Lawrence Brook, a tributary of the Raritan River, according to eden.rutgers.edu." and Westons Mill Pond are sections of the Lawrence Brook that have been widened by the presence of man-made dams. The South River, another major tributary of the Raritan River, runs along the eastern border of the township near the historic village of Old Bridge. The Manalapan Brook's watershed (a tributary of the South River) encompasses much of the southern half of the township near Spotswood and Monroe, whereas the aforementioned Lawrence Brook's watershed encompasses much of the northern half of the township near Milltown and the other Brunswicks."Watershed Protection And Restoration Plan For The Manalapan Brook Watershed", New Jersey Water Supply Authority, on behalf of the Manalapan Brook Watershed Restoration and Protection Plan Project Committee Watershed Protection Programs. February 2011. Accessed December 8, 2022."Lawrence Brook Watershed Partnership (LBWP) : Local watershed association". Archived May 17, 2008. Accessed December 8, 2022.

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Brookview, Dunhams Corner, Fairview Knolls, Farrington Lake Heights, Gillilandtown, Halls Corner, Herberts, Herberts Corner, Herbertsville, Jamesburg Park,, Lawrence Brook, Lawrence Brook Manor, Newton Heights, Old Bridge, Orchard Heights, Patricks Corner, Paulas Corner, Tanners Corner, Washington Heights and Westons Mills.,Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed March 15, 2015. Country Lane

The township borders the Middlesex County municipalities of Edison, Helmetta, Milltown, Monroe Township, New Brunswick, North Brunswick, Old Bridge Township, Sayreville, South River, South Brunswick and Spotswood.Areas touching East Brunswick Township, MapIt. Accessed July 13, 2016.Municipalities , Middlesex County, New Jersey. Accessed December 1, 2019.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Climate East Brunswick sits at the border between a humid continental climate according to the 0-degree-Celsius isotherm and a humid subtropical climate.

Demographics

2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 47,512 people, 16,810 households, and 13,179 families in the township. The population density was . There were 17,367 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 69.36% (32,954) White, 3.98% (1,890) Black or African American, 0.10% (48) Native American, 22.80% (10,835) Asian, 0.01% (6) Pacific Islander, 1.68% (798) from other races, and 2.06% (981) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.70% (3,184) of the population.