Old Bridge Township, New Jersey | |
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![]() Location of Old Bridge Township in Middlesex County highlighted in red (left). Inset map: Location of Middlesex County in New Jersey highlighted in orange (right). | |
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Location in Middlesex County Location in New Jersey | |
Coordinates: 40°24′17″N74°18′31″W / 40.404632°N 74.308537°W [1] [2] | |
Country | ![]() |
State | ![]() |
County | Middlesex |
Incorporated | March 2, 1869 (as Madison Township) |
Renamed | November 5, 1975 (as Old Bridge Township) |
Government | |
• Type | Faulkner Act Mayor-Council |
• Body | Township Council |
• Mayor | Eleanor "Debbie" Walker (R, term ends December 31, 2027) [4] [5] |
• Administrator | Himanshu Shah [6] |
• Municipal clerk | Kathryn Hutchinson [7] |
Area | |
• Total | 40.93 sq mi (106.00 km2) |
• Land | 38.18 sq mi (98.89 km2) |
• Water | 2.75 sq mi (7.11 km2) 6.71% |
• Rank | 52nd of 565 in state 3rd of 25 in county [1] |
Elevation | 46 ft (14 m) |
Population | |
• Total | 66,876 |
• Estimate | 68,165 |
• Rank | 21st of 565 in state 3rd of 25 in county [12] |
• Density | 1,751.6/sq mi (676.3/km2) |
• Rank | 314th of 565 in state 22nd of 25 in county [12] |
Time zone | UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT)) |
ZIP Codes | 08857 – Old Bridge [13] 08859 – Parlin [14] 08879 – Laurence Harbor [15] 07735 – Cliffwood Beach [16] 07747 – Matawan* 08879 – South Amboy* |
Area code(s) | 732/848 [17] |
FIPS code | 3402354705 [1] [18] [19] |
GNIS feature ID | 0882158 [1] [20] |
Website | www |
Old Bridge Township is a township in Middlesex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, located in the Raritan Valley region and within the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2020 United States census, the township was the state's 21st-most-populous municipality, [21] with a population of 66,876, [9] [10] an increase of 1,501 (+2.3%) from the 2010 census count of 65,375, [22] [23] which in turn reflected an increase of 4,919 (+8.1%) from the 60,456 counted in the 2000 census. [24] As of the 2010 Census, the township was ranked 18th in the state by population, after being the state's 21st most-populous municipality in 2000. [25] Old Bridge is a bedroom suburb of New York City located across the Raritan Bay from Staten Island, [26] [27] and it is about 25 miles (40 km) from Manhattan, [28] and about 30 miles (48 km) south of Newark. [29]
What is now Old Bridge Township was originally incorporated as Madison Township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 2, 1869, from portions of South Amboy Township (now City of South Amboy). [30] In a referendum held on November 5, 1975, voters approved changing the township's name to Old Bridge Township by a margin of 7,150 votes to 4,888. [31] [32] The township's name was changed to avoid confusion with the borough of Madison in Morris County. [31] [26] When the township was established, the area was made up primarily of farms and the population grew slowly. In 1880, the population was 1,662 and by 1950 it had reached 7,365. Over the next decade, a building boom started; [33] as farms gave way to developments, the population tripled to 22,772 by 1960. [27] The 1980 census cited 51,406 people. The township saw major changes with the extension of Route 18 to the shore.
The township was named as a contender for the title of one of the best places to live in the United States by Money magazine in both 2005 and 2007. [34] [35]
In 2016, SafeWise named Old Bridge Township as the sixth-safest city in America to raise a child; the township was the second-highest ranked of the 12 communities in New Jersey included on the list. [36]
The first inhabitants of the area known as Old Bridge were the Lenni Lenape Native Americans. Those who settled in Old Bridge and other parts of Central Jersey were known as the Unami, or "people down the river." [30] They migrated to the shore along the Raritan each summer from their hunting grounds in the north. [32] When the English gained control from the Dutch in 1664, the state was divided into two provinces, East Jersey and West Jersey. In 1683, the general assembly of East Jersey defined the boundaries of Middlesex County and the three other original counties (Bergen, Essex and Monmouth) as containing all plantations on both sides of the Raritan River, as far as Cheesequake Harbor to the east, then southwest to the Provincial line, with the southwest line being the border of Monmouth and Middlesex counties and the Township's southern border. [37]
Thomas Warne, one of the original 24 proprietors of East Jersey, was listed as a landowner of this area, and his son is said to have been the earliest European resident residing in the Cheesequake area in 1683. John and Susannah Brown were granted a 1,000 acres (4.0 km2) land grant from the King of England in 1737. They called the area Brownville, and this part of township is still known as Browntown. [32]
In 1684, South Amboy Township was formed. At that time, it covered an area that now consists of the Townships of Monroe and Old Bridge, the Borough of Sayreville and the City of South Amboy. The Township covers 42 square miles (110 km2) that separated from South Amboy on March 2, 1869, and was originally called Madison Township. [30] In 1975, the name was changed by referendum to the Township of Old Bridge. The purpose was to establish a single postal designation and ZIP code for the township and to differentiate the township from the Borough of Madison in Morris County. [38] [27] The community of Old Bridge in East Brunswick derives its name from the fact that the first bridge spanning the South River was built there, and as other bridges were built across the river the first one became known as "the Old Bridge." [39]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 40.93 square miles (106.00 km2), including 38.18 square miles (98.89 km2) of land and 2.75 square miles (7.11 km2) of water (6.71%). [1] [2]
Brownville (2010 population of 2,383 [40] ), Laurence Harbor (2010 population of 6,536 [41] ), Madison Park (2010 population of 7,144 [42] ) and Old Bridge CDP (2010 population of 23,753 [43] ) are unincorporated communities and census-designated places (CDPs) located within Old Bridge Township. [44] [45] Other unincorporated communities, localities and place names within Old Bridge Township include Browntown, Brunswick Gardens, Cheesequake, Cottrell Corners, Matchaponix, Moerls Corner, Morristown, Parlin, Redshaw Corner, Runyon, Sayre Woods South, South Old Bridge and Texas. [46]
Old Bridge Township borders the municipalities of East Brunswick, Monroe Township, Sayreville and Spotswood in Middlesex County; Aberdeen Township, Manalapan Township, Marlboro Township and Matawan in Monmouth County; and shares a border with the borough of Staten Island in New York City, across Raritan Bay. [47] [48] [49]
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1870 | 1,870 | — | |
1880 | 1,662 | −11.1% | |
1890 | 1,520 | −8.5% | |
1900 | 1,671 | 9.9% | |
1910 | 1,621 | −3.0% | |
1920 | 1,808 | 11.5% | |
1930 | 2,566 | 41.9% | |
1940 | 3,803 | 48.2% | |
1950 | 7,366 | 93.7% | |
1960 | 22,772 | 209.2% | |
1970 | 48,715 | 113.9% | |
1980 | 51,515 | 5.7% | |
1990 | 56,475 | 9.6% | |
2000 | 60,456 | 7.0% | |
2010 | 65,375 | 8.1% | |
2020 | 66,876 | 2.3% | |
2023 (est.) | 68,165 | [9] [11] | 1.9% |
Population sources: 1870–1920 [50] 1870 [51] [52] 1880–1890 [53] 1890–1910 [54] 1910–1930 [55] 1940–2000 [56] 2000 [57] [58] 2010 [22] [23] 2020 [9] [10] |
The 2010 United States census counted 65,375 people, 23,777 households, and 17,333 families in the township. The population density was 1,717.7 per square mile (663.2/km2). There were 24,638 housing units at an average density of 647.3 per square mile (249.9/km2). The racial makeup was 74.06% (48,418) White, 6.21% (4,063) Black or African American, 0.20% (129) Native American, 14.34% (9,374) Asian, 0.02% (10) Pacific Islander, 2.72% (1,780) from other races, and 2.45% (1,601) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.81% (7,064) of the population. [22]
Of the 23,777 households, 33.7% had children under the age of 18; 58.5% were married couples living together; 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present and 27.1% were non-families. Of all households, 22.6% were made up of individuals and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.25. [22]
22.8% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 30.1% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.1 years. For every 100 females, the population had 95.2 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 92.5 males. [22]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $82,640 (with a margin of error of +/− $6,053) and the median family income was $98,634 (+/− $2,857). Males had a median income of $67,487 (+/− $3,364) versus $48,856 (+/− $3,104) for females. The per capita income for the township was $35,666 (+/− $1,152). About 3.1% of families and 4.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.3% of those under age 18 and 6.6% of those age 65 or over. [59]
As of the 2000 United States census [18] there were 60,456 people, 21,438 households, and 15,949 families residing in the township. The population density was 1,587.4 inhabitants per square mile (612.9/km2). There were 21,896 housing units at an average density of 574.9 per square mile (222.0/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 79.48% White, 10.82% Asian, 5.30% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.87% from other races and 2.32% from two or more races. 7.57% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. [57] [58]
There were 21,438 households, out of which 37.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.2% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.6% were non-families. 21.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.30. [57] [58]
In the township the population was spread out, with 25.9% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 33.6% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.7 males. [57] [58]
The median income for a household in the township was $64,707, and the median income for a family was $74,045. Males had a median income of $51,978 versus $35,462 for females. The per capita income for the township was $26,814. About 3.0% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.0% of those under age 18 and 7.2% of those age 65 or over. [57] [58]
Madison Township had many mill streams that were used to generate water power. The Warne family owned fulling mills in the area. Fulling was used as a finishing process used on woolen cloth that would remove the dirt and grease and to compact the wool fibers. The mill is said to have been run behind Old Bridge High School and flows east into the Matawan Creek. The area of Old Bridge was also known for its many mills that manufactured snuff, a scented tobacco product that was used by men and women during that time. The Washington Snuff mill (later renamed the Dill Snuff Mill) was established in 1801 and was located on Mount Pleasant and Old Bridge Turnpike (now Route 516). [60]
The clay soil in the area surrounding Old Bridge was used for pottery and bricks way before the first European settlers. "Fine clay had surrounded Cheesequake Creek when the Lenni Lenape Native Americans lived there. The early discoveries of clay along the banks opened the clay industry to Middlesex County as well as the state of New Jersey. By the 1800s clay was a major industry. The clay deposits found along Cheesequake Creek are reported to be some of the finest stoneware clays in the United States." [38] The clay supplied local potters as well as those in Hudson Valley, Norwalk, Connecticut, other New England states, and parts of Canada. The earliest use of clay from this area was used by Captain James Morgan before the Revolution. The Perrine clay pit was located near U.S. Route 9 and Ernston Road. [60]
The Cottrell homestead is a landmark in Old Bridge. It was built in 1831 and still stands today on the northeast corner of County Route 516 and Cottrell Road. The Cottrells owned a 150-acre (61 ha) apple orchard that was located across the street from their home. Apples that could not be used because of their size or quality did not go to waste. Across from the cold-storage building on the southwest corner of Cottrell Road and Route 516, the family built the New Jersey Apple Growers Inc. distillery. It was at this distillery that they pressed the apples into cider and distilled the brandy in large vats. The brandy would age in barrels in a government warehouse that was located on the Cottrells' property. The Cottrells produced apple brandy for twenty years on the farm and sold it wholesale to distributors under the name Browntown. [38]
Old Bridge Township is governed within the Faulkner Act, formally known as the Optional Municipal Charter Law, under the Mayor-Council system of municipal government. [3] [61] The township is one of 71 municipalities (of the 564) statewide governed under this form. [62] The Township Council is comprised of nine members, with six elected to represent wards and three elected at-large from the township as a whole in partisan elections held as part of the November general election in odd-numbered years. All elected officials serve four-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with the six ward seats up for election together and the three at-large seats and the mayoral seat up for vote together two years later. [63] [64]
As of 2024 [update] , the Mayor of Old Bridge Township is Republican Eleanor "Debbie" Walker, whose term of office ends December 31, 2027. [4] The members of the Township Council are Council President Mary Rita Sohor (R, 2027; At Large), Council Vice-President Anita Greenberg-Belli (R, 2027; At-Large), Darin Accettulli (R, 2025; Ward 2 - appointed to serve an unexpired term), Jill DeCaro (D, 2025; Ward 4), Erik DePalma (R, 2027; At Large), Kiran Desai (D, 2025; Ward 3), Kevin J. Garcia (R, 2025; Ward 1), John E. Murphy III (R, 2025; Ward 6), Anthony Paskitti (R, 2025; Ward 5). [65] [66] [67] [68]
Darin Accettulli was appointed to fill the Wars 2 seat expiring in December 2025 that had been held by Erik DePalma, until he took office as an at-large councilmember. Accettulli will serve on an interim basis until the November 2024 general election, when voters will choose a candidate to serve the balance of the term of office. [69]
Republican Mark Razzoli had been behind Democrat Jill DeCaro by 11 votes at the November 2021 general election for the seat in Ward 4. In December 2021, the results were invalidated after it was confirmed that dozens of residents had received incorrect ballots that had voters casting ballots in the incorrect ward. [70] In a March 2022 special election, DeCaro was elected over Razzoli by an 838 to 693 margin. [71] [72]
In January 2020, the Township Council selected Erik DePalma from a list of three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the Second Ward seat expiring in December 2021 that became vacant when Mary Sohor resigned to take office after taking office to an at-large seat. [73]
In June 2016, the Township Council appointed June Dungee to fill the vacant Third Ward seat expiring in December 2017 that had been held by Reginald Butler until his death earlier that month; Dungee served until the November 2016 general election, when voters choose a candidate to serve the balance of the term of office. [74]
The Old Bridge Municipal Court has authority over misdemeanor cases related to traffic violations, criminal offenses, and local ordinance violations that occur within Old Bridge Township.
Old Bridge Township is split between the 6th and 12th Congressional Districts [75] and is part of New Jersey's 12th state legislative district. [76]
For the 118th United States Congress , New Jersey's 6th congressional district is represented by Frank Pallone ( D , Long Branch ). [77] [78] For the 118th United States Congress , New Jersey's 12th congressional district is represented by Bonnie Watson Coleman ( D , Ewing Township ). [79] [80] New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Democrats Cory Booker ( Newark , term ends 2027) [81] and Bob Menendez ( Englewood Cliffs , term ends 2025). [82] [83]
For the 2024-2025 session , the 12th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Owen Henry ( R , Old Bridge Township ) and in the General Assembly by Robert D. Clifton (R, Matawan ) and Alex Sauickie (R, Jackson Township ). [84]
Middlesex County is governed by a Board of County Commissioners, whose seven members are elected at-large on a partisan basis to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either two or three seats coming up for election each year as part of the November general election. At an annual reorganization meeting held in January, the board selects from among its members a commissioner director and deputy director. [85] As of 2024 [update] , Middlesex County's Commissioners (with party affiliation, term-end year, and residence listed in parentheses) are:
Director Ronald G. Rios (D, Carteret, 2024), [86] Deputy Director Shanti Narra (D, North Brunswick, 2024), [87] Claribel A. "Clary" Azcona-Barber (D, New Brunswick, 2025), [88] Charles Kenny (D, Woodbridge Township, 2025), [89] Leslie Koppel (D, Monroe Township, 2026), [90] Chanelle Scott McCullum (D, Piscataway, 2024) [91] and Charles E. Tomaro (D, Edison, 2026). [92] [93]
Constitutional officers are: Clerk Nancy Pinkin (D, 2025, East Brunswick), [94] [95] Sheriff Mildred S. Scott (D, 2025, Piscataway) [96] [97] and Surrogate Claribel Cortes (D, 2026; North Brunswick). [98] [99] [100]
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third Parties |
---|---|---|---|
2020 | 49.7%17,179 | 48.7% 16,840 | 1.6% 452 |
2016 [101] | 50.6%14,541 | 46.3% 13,308 | 3.1% 889 |
2012 [102] | 44.9% 10,911 | 54.1%13,127 | 1.0% 240 |
2008 [103] | 47.4% 13,019 | 51.0%14,001 | 1.0% 274 |
2004 [104] | 51.0%12,722 | 47.7% 11,884 | 0.7% 237 |
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third Parties |
---|---|---|---|
2021 | 56.4%11,268 | 41.6% 8,319 | 1.7% 335 |
2017 | 51.0%7,654 | 46.8% 7,014 | 2.2% 172 |
2013 [105] | 68.3%10,211 | 39.6% 3,755 | 1.4% 206 |
2009 [106] | 57.8%9,511 | 44.1% 4,991 | 6.9% 1,144 |
2005 [107] | 45.6% 6,974 | 48.0%7,327 | 4.8% 740 |
As of March 2011, there were a total of 38,907 registered voters in Old Bridge Township, of which 10,946 (28.1%) were registered as Democrats, 6,363 (16.4%) were registered as Republicans and 21,577 (55.5%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 21 voters registered to other parties. [108]
In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 54.1% of the vote (13,127 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 44.9% (10,911 votes), and other candidates with 1.0% (240 votes), among the 24,402 ballots cast by the township's 39,947 registered voters (124 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 61.1%. [109] [110] In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 51.0% of the vote (14,001 cast), ahead of Republican John McCain with 47.4% (13,019 votes) and other candidates with 1.0% (274 votes), among the 27,464 ballots cast by the township's 39,454 registered voters, for a turnout of 69.6%. [111] In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 51.0% of the vote (12,722 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 47.7% (11,884 votes) and other candidates with 0.7% (237 votes), among the 24,931 ballots cast by the township's 36,428 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 68.4. [112]
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 68.3% of the vote (10,211 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 30.3% (4,532 votes), and other candidates with 1.4% (206 votes), among the 15,147 ballots cast by the township's 40,437 registered voters (198 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 37.5%. [113] [114] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 57.8% of the vote (9,511 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 35.9% (5,898 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 5.9% (976 votes) and other candidates with 1.0% (168 votes), among the 16,444 ballots cast by the township's 38,430 registered voters, yielding a 42.8% turnout. [115]
The Old Bridge Township Public Schools serve students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. [116] As of the 2022–23 school year, the district, comprised of 14 schools, had an enrollment of 8,096 students and 670.5 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 12.1:1. [117] Schools in the district (with 2022–23 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics [118] ) are M. Scott Carpenter Elementary School [119] (with 226 students in grades K–5), Leroy Gordon Cooper Elementary School [120] (196; K–5), Virgil I. Grissom Elementary School [121] (182; K–5), Madison Park Elementary School [122] (285; K–5), James A. McDivitt Elementary School [123] (532; K–5), Memorial Elementary School [124] (417; K–5), William A. Miller Elementary School [125] (332; K–5), Walter M. Schirra Elementary School [126] (269; K–5), Alan B. Shepard Elementary School [127] (280; K–5), Southwood Elementary School [128] (343; K–5), Raymond E. Voorhees Elementary School [129] (394; K–5), Jonas Salk Middle School [130] (903; 6–8), Carl Sandburg Middle School [131] (981; 6–8) and Old Bridge High School [132] (2,707; 9–12). [133] [134] [135]
Eighth grade students from all of Middlesex County are eligible to apply to attend the high school programs offered by the Middlesex County Vocational and Technical Schools, a county-wide vocational school district that offers full-time career and technical education at Middlesex County Academy in Edison, the Academy for Allied Health and Biomedical Sciences in Woodbridge Township and at its East Brunswick, Perth Amboy and Piscataway technical high schools, with no tuition charged to students for attendance. [136] [137]
Multiple private schools operate in the township. [138] Calvary Christian School serves students in grades K–10, operating within Calvary Chapel Old Bridge. [139] St. Ambrose School [140] and St. Thomas the Apostle School [141] are Pre-K–8 Catholic elementary schools that operate under the supervision of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen. [142] St. Thomas the Apostle School was recognized in 2018 by the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program of the United States Department of Education. [143]
As of May 2010 [update] , the township had a total of 222.24 miles (357.66 km) of roadways, of which 179.32 miles (288.59 km) were maintained by the municipality, 24.41 miles (39.28 km) by Middlesex County and 16.65 miles (26.80 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and 1.86 miles (2.99 km) by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority. [144]
The township is crisscrossed by many major roads and highways. [145]
The Garden State Parkway passes through Old Bridge for about 1.9 miles (3.1 km), connecting Aberdeen Township in Monmouth County in the south to Sayreville in the north [146] and houses Interchange 120, which is signed for Laurence Harbor / Matawan. [147]
Other routes, such as U.S. Route 9, [148] Route 18, [149] Route 34 [150] and Route 35 [151] also pass through the township. Major county routes that pass through are County Route 516, [152] County Route 520, [153] County Route 527 [154] and County Route 615. [155]
The New Jersey Turnpike (Interstate 95) is minutes north along Route 18 outside the township in bordering East Brunswick (Exit 9) and not too far also in bordering Monroe Township (Exit 8A).
Old Bridge Airport | |||||||||||
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Summary | |||||||||||
Airport type | Public use | ||||||||||
Owner | Madison Inc. | ||||||||||
Operator | Paul Cerniglia | ||||||||||
Serves | Freehold / New Brunswick areas | ||||||||||
Location | Old Bridge Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey | ||||||||||
Elevation AMSL | 87 ft / 27 m | ||||||||||
Runways | |||||||||||
| |||||||||||
Statistics (2008) | |||||||||||
| |||||||||||
Source: Federal Aviation Administration [156] |
For busing, Old Bridge Park and Ride is located along Route 9 northbound, close to Ernston Road. [157]
NJ Transit Bus Operations provides bus service to communities along U.S. Route 9 from Lakewood Township to Old Bridge Township, via bus routes 131, 133, 134, 135, 138, and 139 to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan, service to Newark on the 67, on the 68 to Jersey City and local service on the 817 and 818 routes. [158] [159] Bus service is available from Route 9 to Wall Street in New York's Financial District via the Academy Bus Line.
Middlesex County Area Transit (MCAT) shuttles provide service on routes operating across the county, [160] including the M3 route, which operates between Brunswick Square and Old Bridge Township [161] and the M7 route between Brunswick Square and South Amboy. [162]
Old Bridge borders Matawan on Route 34, and the Aberdeen-Matawan train station, and it also borders South Amboy on U.S. Route 9, and the South Amboy train station, both located along the North Jersey Coast Line. Old Bridge is also close to the New Brunswick train station in nearby New Brunswick and Metropark in nearby Iselin on the Northeast Corridor Line.
Old Bridge Airport is a general aviation facility located 5 miles (8.0 km) south of the central business district. [163] The closest commercial airport is Newark Liberty International Airport, which is about 23 miles (37 km) (about 32 minute drive) from the center of Old Bridge Township. [164]
Raritan Bay Medical Center has two hospitals in the area, the Old Bridge division and the Perth Amboy division. The Old Bridge Division, which handles all but trauma cases is located at the intersection of, Route 18 and Ferry Road. [165]
Other regional hospitals near the township that handle all but trauma cases include CentraState Medical Center in nearby Freehold and Bayshore Medical Center in nearby Holmdel. Most trauma cases are handled by Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in nearby New Brunswick.
Old Bridge also has many long-term care facilities and nursing homes.
Old Bridge maintains a full-time police department consisting of 90 sworn personnel divided into multiple bureaus. [166] The police department handles approximately 50,000 to 55,000 calls for service each year.
Old Bridge is divided into four fire districts: [167]
Each of the above have several different fire houses with adequate equipment and trucks to handle any and all situations that arise within the township or surrounding towns. Old Bridge is equipped for:
Old Bridge is divided into five districts each with a volunteer first aid squad. Numerous ambulances are in service for the community. A paid squad is employed between the hours of 6am to 6pm.
Old Bridge Township Emergency Medical Services (OBTEMS) is the municipal paid service which covers daytime hours 6am–6pm. [178]
Advanced Life Support (ALS), also known as medics, are paid personnel dispatched to all township calls based on the requirements of assistance. Medics respond to all life/death situations due to a traumatic injury, industrial accident, heart problems, strokes, serious vehicle crashes, etc. The medics are housed by Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Saint Peter's University Hospital and Raritan Bay Medical Center. Each are assigned their own ambulance.
People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Old Bridge Township include:
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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 City metropolitan area and is located on the southern shore of the Raritan River, directly adjacent to the city of New Brunswick and located roughly 29 miles (47 km) away from New York City. 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.
Edison is a township located in Middlesex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Situated in Central New Jersey within the core of the state's Raritan Valley region, Edison is a commercial hub and is a bedroom community of New York City within the New York metropolitan area.
Helmetta is a borough in Middlesex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The borough is located in the heart of the Raritan Valley region, with Manalapan Brook flowing through the center of the community. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 2,455, its highest decennial count ever and an increase of 277 (+12.7%) from the 2010 census count of 2,178, which in turn reflected an increase of 353 (+19.3%) from the 1,825 counted in the 2000 census. The community was established around a snuff mill opened in the 1820s that was acquired by George Washington Helme in the 1880s.
Highland Park is a borough in Middlesex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, in the New York City metropolitan area. The borough is located on the northern banks of the Raritan River, in the Raritan Valley region. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 15,072, an increase of 1,090 (+7.8%) from the 2010 census count of 13,982, which in turn reflected a decline of 17 (−0.1%) from the 13,999 counted in the 2000 census.
Jamesburg is a borough in Middlesex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 5,783, a decrease of 132 (−2.2%) from the 2010 census count of 5,915, which in turn reflected a decline of 110 (−1.8%) from the 6,025 counted in the 2000 census.
Metuchen is a suburban borough in Middlesex County in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The borough is a commuter town of New York City, located in the heart of the Raritan Valley region within the New York Metropolitan area. The borough, along with Edison, is a regional commercial hub for Central New Jersey. The borough is 6 miles (9.7 km) northeast of New Brunswick, 17 miles (27 km) southwest of Newark, 20 miles (32 km) southwest of Jersey City, and 22 miles (35 km) southwest of Manhattan. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 15,049, an increase of 1,475 (+10.9%) from the 2010 census count of 13,574, which in turn reflected an increase of 734 (+5.7%) from the 12,840 counted in the 2000 census.
Milltown is a borough in Middlesex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The borough is nestled within the heart of the Raritan Valley region, with Lawrence Brook flowing through the center of the community. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 7,037, an increase of 144 (+2.1%) from the 2010 census count of 6,893, which in turn reflected a decrease of 107 (−1.5%) from the 7,000 counted in the 2000 census.
Monroe Township is a township located in southern Middlesex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The township is centrally located within the Raritan Valley region and is an outer-ring suburb of New York City within the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 48,594, its highest decennial count ever and an increase of 9,462 (+24.2%) from the 39,132 recorded at the 2010 census, which in turn reflected an increase of 11,133 (+39.8%) from the 27,999 counted in the 2000 census. Monroe Township also comprises the largest land area of any municipality in Middlesex County, at approximately 42 square miles (110 km2).
Perth Amboy is a city in northeastern Middlesex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, within the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2020 United States census, the city's population was 55,436. Perth Amboy is known as the "City by the Bay", referring to its location adjoining Raritan Bay.
Piscataway is a township in Middlesex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It is a suburb of the New York metropolitan area, in the Raritan Valley. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 60,804, an increase of 4,760 (+8.5%) from the 2010 census count of 56,044, which in turn reflected an increase of 5,562 (+11.0%) from 50,482 at the 2000 census.
Sayreville is a borough in Middlesex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Sayreville is within the heart of the Raritan Valley region, located on the south banks of the Raritan River, and also located on the Raritan Bay. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 45,345, an increase of 2,641 (+6.2%) from the 2010 census count of 42,704, which in turn reflected an increase of 2,327 (+5.8%) from the 40,377 counted in the 2000 census.
South Amboy is a suburban city in Middlesex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, located on Raritan Bay. As of the 2020 United States census, the city's population was 9,411, an increase of 780 (+9.0%) from the 2010 census count of 8,631, which in turn reflected an increase of 718 (+9.1%) from the 7,913 counted in the 2000 census.
Woodbridge Township is a township in northern Middlesex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The township is a regional hub of transportation and commerce for central New Jersey and a major bedroom suburb of New York City, within the New York metropolitan area. Located within the core of the Raritan Valley region, Woodbridge Township hosts the junction of the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway, the two busiest highways in the state, and also serves as the headquarters for the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, which operates both highways.
Aberdeen Township is a township situated on the Jersey Shore in Monmouth County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The township is located within the Raritan Valley region and is a part of the New York Metropolitan Area, bordering both Old Bridge Township, New Jersey, in adjacent Middlesex County, New Jersey, as well as Staten Island in New York City. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 19,329, its highest decennial count ever and an increase of 1,119 (+6.1%) from the 2010 census count of 18,210, which had in turn reflected an increase of 756 (+4.3%) from the 17,454 recorded at the 2000 census.
Branchburg is a township in Somerset County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 14,940, an increase of 481 (+3.3%) from the 2010 census count of 14,459, which in turn reflected a decline of 107 (−0.7%) from the 14,566 counted in the 2000 census.
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.
Central Jersey, or Central New Jersey, is the middle region of the U.S. state of New Jersey. The designation Central Jersey is a distinct administrative toponym. While New Jersey is often divided into North Jersey and South Jersey, many residents recognize Central Jersey as a distinct third entity. As of the 2020 census, Central Jersey has a population of 3,580,999.
Spotswood is a borough in Middlesex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The community is nestled within the heart of the Raritan Valley region, with the Manalapan Brook and Matchaponix Brook forming the confluence of the South River inside the borough. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 8,163, a decrease of 94 (−1.1%) from the 2010 census count of 8,257, which in turn reflected an increase of 377 (+4.8%) from the 7,880 counted in the 2000 census.