Franklin Township, New Jersey | |
---|---|
Location in Somerset County Location in New Jersey | |
Coordinates: 40°28′37″N74°33′02″W / 40.476872°N 74.550447°W [1] [2] | |
Country | United States |
State | New Jersey |
County | Somerset |
Formed as Eastern precinct | c. 1745 |
Incorporated | February 21, 1798 |
Named for | Benjamin Franklin |
Government | |
• Type | Faulkner Act (council–manager) |
• Body | Township Council |
• Mayor | Phillip Kramer (D, term ends December 31, 2023) [4] [5] |
• Manager | Robert G. Vornlocker Jr. [6] |
• Municipal clerk | Ann McCarthy [7] |
Area | |
• Total | 46.88 sq mi (121.43 km2) |
• Land | 46.17 sq mi (119.58 km2) |
• Water | 0.71 sq mi (1.85 km2) 1.52% |
• Rank | 37th of 565 in state 2nd of 21 in county [1] |
Elevation | 62 ft (19 m) |
Population | |
• Total | 68,364 |
68,233 | |
• Rank | 19th of 565 in state 1st of 21 in county [12] |
• Density | 1,480.7/sq mi (571.7/km2) |
• Rank | 337th of 565 in state 8th of 21 in county [12] |
Time zone | UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT)) |
ZIP Codes | |
Area code(s) | 732, 908 and 609 [19] |
FIPS code | 3403524900 [1] [20] [21] |
GNIS feature ID | 0882170 [1] [22] |
Website | www |
Franklin Township is a township in Somerset 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 68,364, [9] [10] an increase of 6,064 (+9.7%) from the 2010 census count of 62,300, [23] [24] which in turn reflected an increase of 11,397 (+22.4%) from the 50,903 counted in the 2000 census. [25] The township was the state's 19th most-populous municipality in 2020, after being ranked 22nd in 2010. [26]
Traditionally a farming community, it has become a fast-growing suburb with massive development in the later 20th and 21st centuries as a diverse blend of races, religions, and cultures. In 2008, Franklin Township ranked #5 on Money magazine's list of America's Top 100 Best Places to Live. [27]
What is now Franklin Township was originally formed circa 1745 as Eastern precinct. Franklin Township was incorporated on February 21, 1798, as one of New Jersey's initial group of 104 townships by an act of the New Jersey Legislature. Portions of the township were taken to form South Bound Brook (formed within Township, became independent municipality as of April 11, 1907) and East Millstone (February 18, 1873, returned to Franklin Township on December 31, 1949). [28]
It has been unclear if the township was named for founding father Benjamin Franklin or for his illegitimate son William Franklin, a Loyalist and the last Royal Governor of New Jersey (from 1763 to 1776). In 2000, after considering the evidence set forth by William B. Brahms in his books Images of America: Franklin Township (1997) [29] and Franklin Township, Somerset County, NJ: A History, [30] and The Case for William Franklin and The Case for Benjamin Franklin, the Township Council chose the theory that the township was indeed named for Benjamin Franklin. [31] [32]
Franklin Township was very much a part of Revolutionary War history and the scene of many raiding parties along Route 27, then known as the King's Highway. Two British generals, Cornwallis and DeHeister, tried to lure General George Washington and his Continental Army into battle on the plains of Middlebush and East Millstone. Washington, however, kept his troops at Chimney Rock, just north of Franklin, until the British withdrew. Several of the prosperous Middlebush farms were destroyed by the British soldiers during their retreat. In 1777, near the mill on the Millstone River at Weston, the Continental Army and local militia engaged and successfully drove off a British foraging party of about 600 troops, sent out of New Brunswick by General Cornwallis. On November 2, 1783, Washington composed his farewell address to the army while staying at Rockingham near Rocky Hill. [33]
The construction of the Delaware and Raritan Canal in the 1830s, stretching 22 miles (35 km) to connect New York City and Philadelphia, led to significant growth in the township, with as much as 200,000 tons of goods shipped on barges using the canal by the 1860s. The rise of shipping commercial goods using railroads led to a substantial decline in canal traffic. [34] The area has been restored as the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park [35]
The Van Wickle House, located next to the Delaware and Raritan Canal in the Somerset section of the township, in between New Brunswick and South Bound Brook, was built in 1722 by Dutch settlers and is now owned by Franklin Township and leased by the Meadows Foundation. Set back behind Easton Avenue, the home adjoins the Rutgers Preparatory School and a Revolutionary War-era graveyard. [36]
Passenger and freight railroad service was available in Franklin Township during the later half of the 19th century via the Millstone and New Brunswick Railroad (M&NB) which opened in 1854. The railroad was built and operated by the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR), from a junction with the PRR mainline at Jersey Avenue in New Brunswick to East Millstone. The M&NB is now known as the Conrail Millstone Secondary Branch. The branch line was still operated by Conrail up to just west of Clyde Road in Somerset for a time, serving local industry in the industrial section of Somerset. [37] As of 2011, Hermann Warehouse Corp re-located out of the Clyde Road facility and there has not been rail service into that building since then. A bumper was placed east of the Somerset Road/Route 27 crossing, with Clyde Road, Veronica Avenue and Route 27 crossings currently out of service. Jersey Avenue/Route 91 remains the sole active crossing on the line.
In 1922, the infamous Hall-Mills Murder took place in Franklin Township, in the area adjacent to New Brunswick known as Somerset. [38]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 46.88 square miles (121.43 km2), including 46.17 square miles (119.58 km2) of land and 0.71 square miles (1.85 km2) of water (1.52%). [1] [2]
The community is approximately 75% rural. [39]
The township borders the municipalities of Bridgewater Township, Hillsborough Township, Manville, Millstone, Montgomery Township, Rocky Hill and South Bound Brook in Somerset County; Princeton in Mercer County; New Brunswick, North Brunswick, Piscataway and South Brunswick in Middlesex County. [40] [41] [42]
The following are unincorporated communities and census-designated places (CDPs) located within Franklin Township: [43] [44] [45]
Other unincorporated communities, localities, and place names located partially or completely within the township include Hamilton Park and Rockingham.[ citation needed ] [63]
According to the A. W. Kuchler U.S. potential natural vegetation types, Franklin Township would have an Appalachian Oak (104) vegetation type with an Eastern Hardwood Forest (25) vegetation form. [64]
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1790 | 2,068 | — | |
1810 | 2,539 | — | |
1820 | 3,071 | 21.0% | |
1830 | 3,352 | 9.2% | |
1840 | 3,878 | 15.7% | |
1850 | 3,062 | −21.0% | |
1860 | 3,599 | 17.5% | |
1870 | 3,912 | 8.7% | |
1880 | 3,147 | * | −19.6% |
1890 | 2,478 | −21.3% | |
1900 | 2,398 | −3.2% | |
1910 | 2,395 | * | −0.1% |
1920 | 2,955 | 23.4% | |
1930 | 5,675 | 92.0% | |
1940 | 5,912 | 4.2% | |
1950 | 9,601 | * | 62.4% |
1960 | 19,858 | 106.8% | |
1970 | 30,389 | 53.0% | |
1980 | 31,358 | 3.2% | |
1990 | 42,780 | 36.4% | |
2000 | 50,903 | 19.0% | |
2010 | 62,300 | 22.4% | |
2020 | 68,364 | 9.7% | |
2023 (est.) | 68,233 | [9] [11] | −0.2% |
Population sources: 1790–1920 [65] 1840 [66] 1850–1870 [67] 1850 [68] 1870 [69] 1880–1890 [70] 1890–1910 [71] 1910–1930 [72] 1920–1940 [73] 1940–2000 [74] 2000 [75] [76] 2010 [23] [24] 2020 [9] [10] * = Territory change in previous decade. [28] |
Race / Ethnicity | Pop 1990 [77] | Pop 2000 [78] | Pop 2010 [79] | Pop 2020 [80] | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
White alone (NH) | 28,823 | 26,226 | 24,198 | 21,405 | 67.37% | 51.52% | 38.84% | 31.28% |
Black or African American alone (NH) | 8,916 | 12,888 | 15,888 | 16,531 | 20.84% | 25.32% | 25.50% | 24.18% |
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 62 | 65 | 102 | 95 | 0.14% | 0.13% | 0.16% | 0.14% |
Asian alone (NH) | 3,001 | 6,475 | 12,410 | 15,835 | 7.01% | 12.72% | 19.93% | 23.13% |
Pacific Islander alone (NH) | N/A | 12 | 8 | 13 | N/A | 0.02% | 0.01% | 0.02% |
Some Other Race alone (NH) | 65 | 214 | 223 | 483 | 0.15% | 0.42% | 0.36% | 0.71% |
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) | N/A | 896 | 1,421 | 2,064 | N/A | 1.76% | 2.28% | 3.02% |
Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1,913 | 4,127 | 8,050 | 11,938 | 4.47% | 8.11% | 12.92% | 17.53% |
Total | 42,780 | 50,903 | 62,300 | 68,364 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
The 2010 United States census counted 62,300 people, 23,301 households, and 15,938 families in the township. The population density was 1,350.0 per square mile (521.2/km2). There were 24,426 housing units at an average density of 529.3 per square mile (204.4/km2). The racial makeup was 44.76% (27,887) White, 26.55% (16,539) Black or African American, 0.29% (183) Native American, 19.98% (12,450) Asian, 0.01% (9) Pacific Islander, 5.11% (3,183) from other races, and 3.29% (2,049) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.92% (8,050) of the population. [23]
Of the 23,301 households, 30.7% had children under the age of 18; 53.3% were married couples living together; 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present and 31.6% were non-families. Of all households, 25.7% were made up of individuals and 8.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.19. [23]
22.1% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 30.4% from 25 to 44, 26.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.3 years. For every 100 females, the population had 92.0 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 88.5 males. [23]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $89,992 (with a margin of error of +/− $2,918) and the median family income was $103,060 (+/− $3,429). Males had a median income of $66,178 (+/− $2,448) versus $54,733 (+/− $2,427) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $40,036 (+/− $1,203). About 3.2% of families and 5.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.9% of those under age 18 and 4.8% of those age 65 or over. [81]
As of the 2000 United States census [20] there were 50,903 people, 19,355 households, and 12,987 families residing in the township. The population density was 1,088.3 inhabitants per square mile (420.2/km2). There were 19,789 housing units at an average density of 423.1 per square mile (163.4/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 55.11% White, 25.98% African American, 0.18% Native American, 12.74% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 3.56% from other races, and 2.39% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.11% of the population. [75] [76]
There were 19,355 households, out of which 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.1% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.9% were non-families. 25.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.14. [75] [76]
In the township, the population was spread out, with 22.7% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 36.9% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.8 males. [75] [76]
The median income for a household in the township was $67,923, and the median income for a family was $78,177. Males had a median income of $52,351 versus $41,101 for females. The per capita income for the township was $31,209. About 3.1% of families and 5.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.3% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over. [75] [76]
Parks in the township include:
The Township of Franklin is chartered under the Faulkner Act, formally known as the Optional Municipal Charter Law, within the Council-Manager, Plan D. [3] [90] [91] The township is one of 42 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form of government. [92] The Township Council is comprised of nine members, including one from each of the five wards, three elected from the township at-large, and the mayor. The mayor is the Chief Legislative Officer of the township and is directly elected from the township at-large to serve a four-year term. The Township Manager is the chief executive officer overseeing the township's daily operations and is hired by and serves at the pleasure of the Township Council. Councilmembers are chosen for a four-year term in partisan elections held at the June Primary and November General Elections in odd-numbered years, with the five ward seats coming up for election together and the mayoral and at-large seats up for election two years later. [93]
As of 2022 [update] , the Mayor of Franklin Township is Democrat Phillip Kramer, whose term of office ends December 31, 2023. Members of the Township Council are Deputy Mayor Crystal Pruitt (D; At-Large, 2023), Sivaraman Anbarasan (D; At-Large, 2023), Kimberly Francois (D; At-Large, 2023), Charles Onyejiaka (D; 3rd Ward, 2025), Ed Potosnak (D; 1st Ward, 2025), Shepa Uddin (D; 2nd Ward, 2025), James Vassanella (D; 5th Ward, 2025) and Carl R.A. Wright (D; 4th Ward, 2025). [4] [94] [95] [96] [97] [98]
In the November 2015 general election, Phillip Kramer became the first Democrat directly elected as mayor in the township's history, resulting in the mayor and entire council being from the Democratic Party. [99] This marked a transition that started in 1995, when the council was controlled 8 to 1 by the Republican Party.[ citation needed ] In January 2016, the Township Council selected Charles Onyejiaka from a list of three candidates nominated by the Democratic municipal committee to fill the Third Ward seat expiring in December 2017 that was vacated by Philip Kramer when he took office as mayor; Onyejiaka will serve on an interim basis until the November 2016 general election, when voters will select a candidate to fill the one-year balance of the term of office. [100]
In January 2015, the Township Council chose Chris Kelly from among three candidates offered by the Republican municipal committee to fill the vacant seat of Brian D. Levine, who had resigned from his council seat to take office on the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders. [101]
In 1998, the township approved a referendum by a better than 2–1 margin to raise property taxes by 3 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, with the money to be used to preserve open space. [39]
Franklin Township is located in the 12th Congressional District [102] and is part of New Jersey's 17th state legislative district. [103] [104] [105] Prior to the 2010 Census, Franklin Township had been split between the 6th Congressional District and the 12th Congressional District, a change made by the New Jersey Redistricting Commission that took effect in January 2013, based on the results of the November 2012 general elections. [106]
For the 118th United States Congress , New Jersey's 12th congressional district is represented by Bonnie Watson Coleman ( D , Ewing Township ). [107] [108] New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Democrats Cory Booker ( Newark , term ends 2027) and Andy Kim ( Moorestown , term ends 2031) [109] [110]
For the 2024-2025 session , the 17th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Bob Smith ( D , Piscataway ) and in the General Assembly by Joseph Danielsen (D, Franklin Township ) and Kevin Egan (D, New Brunswick ). [111]
Somerset County is governed by a five-member Board of County Commissioners, whose members are elected at-large to three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with one or two seats coming up for election each year. At an annual reorganization meeting held on the first Friday of January, the board selects a Director and deputy director from among its members. [112] As of 2025 [update] , Somerset County's County Commissioners are:
Director Shanel Robinson (D, Franklin Township, 2027), [113] Melonie Marano (D, Green Brook Township, 2025), [114] Paul Drake (D, Hillsborough Township, 2026), [115] Douglas Singleterry (D, North Plainfield, 2026) [116] and Deputy Director Sara Sooy (D, Bernards Township, 2027). [117] [118] [119] [120] [121]
Constitutional officers, elected on a countywide basis are: Clerk Steve Peter (D, Somerville, 2027), [122] [123] Sheriff Darrin Russo (D, Franklin Township, 2025) [124] [125] and Surrogate Bernice "Tina" Jalloh (D, Franklin Township, 2025) [126] [127] [120]
As of March 2011, there were a total of 36,240 registered voters in Franklin Township, of which 13,993 (38.6% vs. 26.0% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 4,962 (13.7% vs. 25.7%) were registered as Republicans and 17,262 (47.6% vs. 48.2%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 23 voters registered to the Libertarian Party or other parties. [128] Among the township's 2010 Census population, 58.2% (vs. 60.4% in Somerset County) were registered to vote, including 74.7% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 80.4% countywide). [128] [129]
In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 71.2% of the vote (19,611 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 27.7% (7,640 votes), and other candidates with 1.0% (288 votes), among the 27,718 ballots cast by the township's 39,291 registered voters (179 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 70.5%. [130] [131] In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 19,442 votes (70.0% vs. 52.1% countywide), ahead of Republican John McCain with 7,951 votes (28.6% vs. 46.1%) and other candidates with 246 votes (0.9% vs. 1.1%), among the 27,776 ballots cast by the township's 35,508 registered voters, for a turnout of 78.2% (vs. 78.7% in Somerset County). [132] In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 14,737 votes (64.2% vs. 47.2% countywide), ahead of Republican George W. Bush with 7,913 votes (34.5% vs. 51.5%) and other candidates with 211 votes (0.9% vs. 0.9%), among the 22,962 ballots cast by the township's 28,743 registered voters, for a turnout of 79.9% (vs. 81.7% in the whole county). [133]
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 51.7% of the vote (8,178 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 46.9% (7,420 votes), and other candidates with 1.3% (209 votes), among the 16,108 ballots cast by the township's 40,155 registered voters (301 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 40.1%. [134] [135] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Democrat Jon Corzine received 9,369 ballots cast (53.0% vs. 34.1% countywide), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 6,842 votes (38.7% vs. 55.8%), Independent Chris Daggett with 1,180 votes (6.7% vs. 8.7%) and other candidates with 137 votes (0.8% vs. 0.7%), among the 17,679 ballots cast by the township's 36,033 registered voters, yielding a 49.1% turnout (vs. 52.5% in the county). [136]
Year | Democratic | Republican | Third Parties |
---|---|---|---|
2024 | 67.1%20,829 | 29.3% 9,107 | 3.2% 1,007 |
2020 | 72.8%25,587 | 25.7% 9,040 | 1.1% 396 |
2016 | 71.1%21,375 | 26.0% 7,818 | 2.9% 860 |
2012 | 71.2%19,611 | 27.7% 7,640 | 1.0% 288 |
2008 | 70.0%19,442 | 28.6% 7,951 | 0.9% 246 |
2004 | 64.2%14,737 | 34.5% 7,913 | 0.9% 211 |
The Franklin Township Public Schools serve students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. [137] As of the 2018–19 school year, the district, comprised of 10 schools, had an enrollment of 7,150 students and 703.5 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 10.2:1. [138] Schools in the district (with 2018–19 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics [139] ) are Claremont Elementary School [140] (665 students; in grades Pre-K–5), Conerly Road School [141] (400; Pre-K–5), Elizabeth Avenue School [142] (493; Pre-K–5), Franklin Park School [143] (664; Pre-K–5), Hillcrest School [144] (436; Pre-K–5), MacAfee Road School [145] (381; Pre-K–5), Pine Grove Manor School [146] (331; Pre-K–5), Franklin Middle School at Hamilton Street Campus [147] (706; 6–8), Franklin Middle School at Sampson G. Smith Campus [148] (797; 6–8) and Franklin High School [149] (2,146; 9–12). [150] [151] [152]
Central Jersey College Prep Charter School is a comprehensive public charter middle school / high school serving students in grades 6–12 that aims to prepare all graduates for admission to a four-year university. [153] In 2016, the school was one of ten schools in New Jersey, and the only charter school, recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School by the United States Department of Education. [154] As of the 2018–2019 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 820 students and 73.4 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 11.2:1. [155]
Rutgers Preparatory School, a private day school founded in 1766, is located in Franklin Township and occupies a 35-acre campus between Easton Avenue and the Raritan River. The state's oldest independent school, RPS moved to Franklin Township in 1957. [156]
Saint Matthias School is a parochial elementary school founded in 1962 that serves students in preschool through eighth grade and operates under the supervision of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen. [157] [158]
Cedar Hill Preparatory School, a Pre-K–8 school founded in 2003 as Oakcrest Academy, [159] was one of eight private schools recognized in 2017 by the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program as an Exemplary High Performing School by the United States Department of Education. [160]
The Kingston Mill Historic District is a 49-acre (20 ha) historic district encompassing the community of Kingston, New Jersey (which is bounded by Franklin Township in Somerset County, Princeton in Mercer County, and South Brunswick in Middlesex County). In 1683, Henry Greenland built the first tavern here for travelers between New York City and Philadelphia. The current Kingston Mill, also known as the Kingston Gristmill, was built in 1888, the third one at this site. In 1755, Jacob Skilman built a gristmill and sawmill here on the Millstone River, located along the historic King's Highway. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 10, 1986 for its significance in engineering, exploration/settlement, industry, and transportation. The district includes 16 contributing buildings and 2 contributing structures. [161]
Franklin Township is served by 10 all-volunteer Fire Departments in four fire districts. [162]
Franklin Township is served by four volunteer First Aid and Rescue Squads and one hospital-based EMS provider [173]
As of May 2010 [update] , the township had a total of 260.12 miles (418.62 km) of roadways, of which 216.72 miles (348.78 km) were maintained by the municipality, 34.67 miles (55.80 km) by Somerset County and 8.73 miles (14.05 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation. [179]
Interstate 287 is the most significant highway within the township. It runs through the northern part of the township with two interchanges. [180] Route 27 runs along the border between New Brunswick, and the townships of South Brunswick and North Brunswick. [181] Some of the major county routes that are in the township are CR 514, [182] CR 518 [183] and CR 527. [184]
The New Jersey Turnpike (Interstate 95) passes outside the township in both neighboring South Brunswick and New Brunswick, but the closest interchanges are two towns away in Edison (Exit 10), East Brunswick Township (Exit 9) and Monroe Township (Exit 8A).
Franklin Township was to house the northern end of the Somerset Freeway at I-287 back in 1964 until it was later proposed to end in Piscataway. An additional spur, Interstate 695, was also proposed as part of the project. This road was to complete Interstate 95 at the proposed southern end in Hopewell Township at I-95 and I-295. However the entire project was ultimately cancelled in 1982.
Somerset County offers DASH routes 851 and 852, providing service to Franklin Township from Bound Brook, New Brunswick and North Brunswick. [185] Additionally, the CAT 1R provides service to Raritan Valley Community College, passing through Bound Brook, Somerville, and Raritan. [186] [187]
Commuter bus service to Midtown Manhattan is offered by commuter transportation company OurBus, during peak hours, with service at Kendall Park to and from New York City. [188]
Gas and electricity are provided by PSE&G. Water comes from the Delaware and Raritan Canal from water bought from American Water and neighboring North Brunswick and New Brunswick in Middlesex County. In 2011, the township considered privatizing the system and awarding the contract to United Water. [189] Sewerage service is provided by the Township of Franklin Sewerage Authority.
People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Franklin Township include:
Somerset County is a county located in the north-central part of the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 census, the county was the state's 13th-most-populous county, with a population of 345,361, its highest decennial count ever and an increase of 21,917 (+6.8%) from the 2010 census count of 323,444. Somerset County constitutes part of the New York metropolitan area. Its county seat is Somerville. The most populous place in the county was Franklin Township, with 68,364 residents at the time of the 2020 census, while Hillsborough Township, with 55.00 square miles (142.4 km2), covered the largest total area of any municipality. The county is part of the Central Jersey region of the state.
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Kingston is an unincorporated community and census designated place (CDP) along the border of South Brunswick Township in Middlesex County and Franklin Township in Somerset County, and also located relatively near Princeton in Mercer County in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The historic settlement is in the Raritan Valley region, located along the course of the Millstone River. As of the 2020 census, the CDP's population was 1,581, of which 1,272 were in South Brunswick Township and 309 in Franklin Township.
Bridgewater Township is a township in Somerset County in the U.S. state of New Jersey, located within the heart of the Raritan Valley region. Situated within Central New Jersey and crisscrossed by several major highways, the township is known for being both the regional commercial hub for Somerset County and as a suburban bedroom community of New York City within the New York metropolitan area. The township is located roughly 32 miles (51 km) away from Manhattan and about 20 miles (32 km) away from Staten Island.
Manville is a borough in Somerset County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The borough is located in the heart of the Raritan Valley region and is a part of the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 10,953, an increase of 609 (+5.9%) from the 2010 census count of 10,344, which in turn reflected an increase of one person from the 10,343 counted in the 2000 census. Manville was named after the Johns-Manville Corporation, which maintained a large manufacturing facility in the borough for decades.
Millstone is a borough in Somerset County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The borough was originally known as Somerset Courthouse and was the county seat. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 448, an increase of 30 (+7.2%) from the 2010 census count of 418, which in turn reflected an increase of 8 (+2.0%) from the 410 counted in the 2000 census.
Montgomery Township is a township in southern Somerset County, in the central part of the U.S. state of New Jersey. It is located in the New York Metropolitan Area. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 23,690, an increase of 1,436 (+6.5%) from the 2010 census count of 22,254, which in turn reflected an increase of 4,773 (+27.3%) from the 17,481 counted in the 2000 census.
Somerset is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located within Franklin Township, in Somerset County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the CDP's population was 22,083.
Blackwells Mills is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located in Franklin Township in Somerset County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 U.S. census, the CDP's population was 803.
The Millstone River is a 38.6-mile-long (62.1 km) tributary of the Raritan River in central New Jersey in the United States.
Zarephath is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) and located in Franklin Township, in Somerset County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, about 15 mi (24 km) north of Princeton. As of the 2020 United States census, the CDP's population was 69, an increase of 32 (+86.5%) from the 37 enumerated at the 2010 census.
The Six Mile Run Reservoir Site, part of the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park, is located in Franklin Township, Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. It is adjacent to the Delaware and Raritan Canal. It covers 3,037 acres (12.29 km2). The reservoir plan was to flood the Six Mile Run watershed. The Six Mile Run is a tributary of the Millstone River that, with its tributaries, drains a large area in central Franklin Township, Somerset County, New Jersey and western portions of North Brunswick and South Brunswick Townships in Middlesex County, New Jersey. It derives its name, along with other streams, from the distance early surveyors estimated it was from the point where the historic King's Highway left the Raritan River at New Brunswick to the point the roadway crossed the stream. The estimates were not very accurate but the stream names have remained in use ever since.
Six Mile Run is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located in Franklin Township, in Somerset County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the CDP's population was 3,184.
Griggstown is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located within Franklin Township, in Somerset County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the CDP's population was 819. The area was first settled around 1733. The Millstone River and the Delaware and Raritan Canal both flow through Griggstown.
Middlebush is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located in Franklin Township, in Somerset County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the CDP's population was 2,326. It is perhaps most distinguished as being the host section for Franklin Township's municipal complex.
East Millstone is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located in Franklin Township in Somerset County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey.
Franklin Park is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located within Franklin Township, in Somerset County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the CDP's population was 13,295. Route 27 bisects the village and serves as the dividing line between the two counties. The adjacent sections of South Brunswick and North Brunswick, Middlesex County on the east side of Route 27 are also known as Franklin Park, but are not included within the CDP's boundaries.
Pleasant Plains is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located in Franklin Township, in Somerset County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the CDP's population was 922. Having no distinct boundaries, a large area in the center of Franklin Township centered on the intersections of South Middlebush Road with Claremont and Suydam Roads is generally considered Pleasant Plains.
Weston is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located in Franklin Township, in Somerset County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the CDP's population was 1,235.
Ten Mile Run is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located in Franklin Township, in Somerset County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the CDP's population was 1,959.