Raritan, New Jersey

Not to be confused with Raritan Township, New Jersey.

Raritan, New Jersey
Borough
Nevius Street Bridge
Seal
Motto:  "A friendly town of friendly people"
Location of Raritan in Somerset County highlighted in yellow (right). Inset map: Location of Somerset County in New Jersey highlighted in black (left).
Census Bureau map of Raritan, New Jersey
Raritan Location in Somerset County Show map of Somerset County, New Jersey Raritan Location in New Jersey Show map of New Jersey Raritan Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Coordinates: 40°34′17″N74°38′46″W / 40.571344°N 74.646026°W / 40.571344; -74.646026 [1] [2]
Country	United States
State	New Jersey
County	Somerset
Incorporated	April 3, 1868 (as town)
Reincorporated	May 12, 1948 (as borough)
Named for	Raritan tribe
Government [3]
• Type	Borough
• Body	Borough Council
•  Mayor	Nicolas Carra (R, term ends December 31, 2027) [4]
•  Administrator	Eric M. Colvin [5]
•  Municipal clerk	Eric M. Colvin [6]
Area [7]
• Total	2.03 sq mi (5.27 km2)
• Land	1.99 sq mi (5.16 km2)
• Water	0.04 sq mi (0.11 km2)  2.02%
• Rank	412th of 565 in state 17th of 21 in county [1]
Elevation [8]	125 ft (38 m)
Population  (2020) [9] [10]
• Total	7,835
• Estimate  (2023) [9] [11]	8,422
• Rank	297th of 565 in state 14th of 21 in county [12]
• Density	3,933.2/sq mi (1,518.6/km2)
• Rank	163rd of 565 in state 6th of 21 in county [12]
Time zone	UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT))
ZIP Codes	08869 [13] [14]
Area code	908 [15]
FIPS code	3403561980 [1] [16] [17]
GNIS feature ID	0885365 [1] [18]
Website	www.raritanboro.org

Raritan is a borough in Somerset County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 7,835, ^{[9] [10]} its highest decennial census count ever and an increase of 954 (+13.9%) from the 2010 census count of 6,881, ^{[19] [20]} which in turn had reflected an increase of 543 (+8.6%) from the 6,338 counted at the 2000 census. ^[21]

The borough's name is derived from the Raritans, a Native American group of Lenape. ^[22] The name of the tribe is said to mean "forked river", ^[23] "stream overflows", or "point on a tidal river". ^{[24] [25]}

History

Raritan town was originally established as a subdivision within Bridgewater Township by act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 3, 1868. Despite its size, the town has an extensive history, that encompasses local, national, and even global history.

Raritan Woolen Mills

The Rariten Woolen Mills, pictured 1918 during the tail-end of WWI

The town's location on the Raritan River, a major artery for the use of trading goods into New York City, contributed it in being a bustling mill town during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The Raritan Woolen Mills was established in 1846, as a major producer of textiles, known throughout the United States. Its name changed to the Somerset Manufacturing Company in 1882, employing as many as 400 people during its peak at the turn of the century. The mill created uniforms and blankets for the Union Army during the Civil War, along with uniforms for the United States Army during World War I. ^[26]

End of World War I

Memorial plaque marking the Frelinghuysen estate site and signing of the Knox–Porter Resolution on July 2, 1921

The Knox–Porter Resolution ending United States involvement in World War I was signed by President Harding at the estate of New Jersey Senator Joseph S. Frelinghuysen Sr. on July 2, 1921. ^{[27] [28]} That Memorial plaque marking of the Frelinghuysen estate is located in the borough.

Creation of the borough

The Nevius Street Bridge was completed in 1886 by the Wrought Iron Bridge Company, it is still utilized by pedestrians crossing the river today

After a series of bitter lawsuits between Raritan and Bridgewater in the 1930s and 1940s, the Legislature allowed Raritan to become a fully independent borough by an Act on May 12, 1948, based on the results of a referendum passed on June 12, 1948. The new borough incorporated the old town and an additional portion of Bridgewater Township. ^[29]

Geography

The John Basilone Veterans Memorial Bridge is for cars crossing the river

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 2.03 square miles (5.27 km²), including 1.99 square miles (5.16 km²) of land and 0.04 square miles (0.11 km²) of water (2.02%). ^{[1] [2]}

The borough borders the Somerset County municipalities of Bridgewater Township, Hillsborough Township, and Somerville. ^{[30] [31] [32]} Raritan is in the western division of the Raritan Valley region (a line of municipalities in central New Jersey), along with Branchburg and Bridgewater.

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1870	1,009		—
1880	2,046		102.8%
1890	2,556		24.9%
1900	3,244		26.9%
1910	3,672		13.2%
1920	4,457		21.4%
1930	4,751		6.6%
1940	4,839		1.9%
1950	5,131		6.0%
1960	6,137		19.6%
1970	6,691		9.0%
1980	6,128		−8.4%
1990	5,798		−5.4%
2000	6,338		9.3%
2010	6,881		8.6%
2020	7,835		13.9%
2023 (est.)	8,422	[9] [11]	7.5%
Population sources: 1870–1920 [33] 1870 [34] 1880–1890 [35] 1890–1910 [36] 1910–1930 [37] 1940–2000 [38] 2000 [39] [40] 2010 [19] [20] 2020 [9] [10]

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 6,881 people, 2,673 households, and 1,748 families in the borough. The population density was 3,452.2 per square mile (1,332.9/km²). There were 2,847 housing units at an average density of 1,428.3 per square mile (551.5/km²). The racial makeup was 76.40% (5,257) White, 2.09% (144) Black or African American, 0.16% (11) Native American, 14.29% (983) Asian, 0.01% (1) Pacific Islander, 4.59% (316) from other races, and 2.46% (169) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 16.39% (1,128) of the population. ^[19]

Of the 2,673 households, 31.2% had children under the age of 18; 48.5% were married couples living together; 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present and 34.6% were non-families. Of all households, 27.8% were made up of individuals and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.16. ^[19]

23.1% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 27.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.1 years. For every 100 females, the population had 96.1 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 95.1 males. ^[19]

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $70,116 (with a margin of error of +/− $10,294) and the median family income was $79,813 (+/− $8,715). Males had a median income of $54,130 (+/− $7,617) versus $44,125 (+/− $12,260) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $34,617 (+/− $5,703). About 6.3% of families and 7.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.4% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over. ^[41]

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census ^[16] there were 6,338 people, 2,556 households, and 1,671 families residing in the borough. The population density was 3,113.8 inhabitants per square mile (1,202.2/km²). There were 2,644 housing units at an average density of 1,299.0 per square mile (501.5/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 87.74% White, 0.93% African American, 0.08% Native American, 8.17% Asian, 0.16% Pacific Islander, 1.64% from other races, and 1.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.41% of the population. ^{[39] [40]}

There were 2,556 households, out of which 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.0% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.6% were non-families. 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.08. ^{[39] [40]}

In the borough, the population was spread out, with 22.3% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 35.0% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males. ^{[39] [40]}

The median income for a household in the borough was $51,122, and the median income for a family was $59,962. Males had a median income of $46,071 versus $35,704 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $26,420. About 5.5% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.0% of those under age 18 and 12.8% of those age 65 or over. ^{[39] [40]}

Parks and recreation

Frelinghuysen Park is a public park dedicated to General John Frederick Frelinghuysen. ^[42] This is one of the public parks in Raritan, along with Basilone Park and Elizabeth Avenue Park, and it includes two little league baseball fields, two full-sized outdoor basketball courts, two full sized tennis courts and a playground. During the summer months Frelinghuysen Park and Basilone Park have recreational pools open to children. The parks offers tables for picnicking. It is located at the end of Sherman Avenue before getting onto Highway 206. ^[43]

Government

The Raritan Relief Hose Company No. 2 Fire Engine House is on both the New Jersey Register of Historic Places and the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

Local government

Raritan is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey. ^[44] The governing body is comprised of the mayor and the borough council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. The mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council includes six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle. ^[3] The borough form of government used by Raritan is a "weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council. ^{[45] [46]}

As of 2024 ^[update] , the mayor of the Borough of Raritan is Republican Nicolas Carra, whose term of office expires December 31, 2027. ^[47] Members of the Raritan Borough Council are Council President Donald Tozzi (R, 2026), ^[48] Michael Patente (R, 2026), ^[49] Adam Armahizer (D, 2025), ^[50] Kenneth DiGraziano (R, 2024, appointed to fill an unexpired term), ^[51] David Fritzinger (R, 2024) ^[52] and Umesh Agrawal (R, 2024, appointed to fill an unexpired term). ^{[53] [54]}

In January 2024, the borough council appointed Republican Umesh Agrawal to fill the seat expiring in December 2025 that became vacant when Nicolas J. Carra took office as mayor earlier that month; Agrawal will serve on an interim basis until the November 2024 general election. ^[55]

In May 2024, the borough council appointed Republican Kenneth DiGraziano to fill the seat expiring in December 2024 that became vacant when Joyce Melitsky resigned earlier that month. ^[56]

Rocco Miele was Raritan's first mayor, serving from its founding in 1948 to 1953. ^[57]

Federal, state and county representation

Raritan is located in the 7th Congressional District ^[58] and is part of New Jersey's 23rd state legislative district. ^{[59] [60] [61]}

For the 118th United States Congress , New Jersey's 7th congressional district is represented by Thomas Kean Jr. ( R , Westfield ). ^[62] New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Democrats Cory Booker ( Newark , term ends 2027) ^[63] and George Helmy ( Mountain Lakes , term ends 2024). ^{[64] [65]}

For the 2024-2025 session , the 23rd legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Doug Steinhardt ( R , Lopatcong Township ) and in the General Assembly by John DiMaio (R, Hackettstown ) and Erik Peterson (R, Franklin Township ). ^[66]

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. ^[67] As of 2024 ^[update] , Somerset County's County Commissioners are:

Director Shanel Robinson (D, Franklin Township, 2024), ^[68] Melonie Marano (D, Green Brook Township, 2025), ^[69] Paul Drake (D, Hillsborough Township, 2026), ^[70] Douglas Singleterry (D, North Plainfield, 2026) ^[71] and Deputy Director Sara Sooy (D, Bernards Township, 2024). ^{[72] [73] [74] [75] [76]}

Constitutional officers, elected on a countywide basis are: Clerk Steve Peter (D, Somerville, 2027), ^{[77] [78]} Sheriff Darrin Russo (D, Franklin Township, 2025) ^{[79] [80]} and Surrogate Bernice "Tina" Jalloh (D, Franklin Township, 2025) ^{[81] [82] [75]}

Politics

Raritan vote by party
in presidential elections

Year	Democratic	Republican	Third Parties
2020	52.3%1,985	45.1% 1,712	1.9% 73
2016	49.0%1,559	46.9% 1,500	3.9% 124
2012	48.7% 1,323	50.0%1,360	1.3% 35
2008	44.7% 1,287	52.6%1,514	1.5% 42
2004	44.2% 1,239	53.4%1,497	1.2% 33

As of March 2011, there were a total of 3,926 registered voters in Raritan, of which 1,122 (28.6% vs. 26.0% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 882 (22.5% vs. 25.7%) were registered as Republicans and 1,917 (48.8% vs. 48.2%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 5 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens. ^[83] Among the borough's 2010 Census population, 57.1% (vs. 60.4% in Somerset County) were registered to vote, including 74.2% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 80.4% countywide). ^{[83] [84]}

In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 50.0% of the vote (1,360 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 48.7% (1,323 votes), and other candidates with 1.3% (35 votes), among the 2,759 ballots cast by the borough's 4,159 registered voters (41 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 66.3%. ^{[85] [86]} In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 1,514 votes (52.6% vs. 46.1% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 1,287 votes (44.7% vs. 52.1%) and other candidates with 42 votes (1.5% vs. 1.1%), among the 2,879 ballots cast by the borough's 3,830 registered voters, for a turnout of 75.2% (vs. 78.7% in Somerset County). ^[87] In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 1,497 votes (53.4% vs. 51.5% countywide), ahead of Democrat John Kerry with 1,239 votes (44.2% vs. 47.2%) and other candidates with 33 votes (1.2% vs. 0.9%), among the 2,802 ballots cast by the borough's 3,606 registered voters, for a turnout of 77.7% (vs. 81.7% in the whole county). ^[88]

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 72.0% of the vote (1,249 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 26.0% (451 votes), and other candidates with 2.0% (34 votes), among the 1,759 ballots cast by the borough's 4,253 registered voters (25 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 41.4%. ^{[89] [90]} In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 1,292 votes (60.9% vs. 55.8% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 562 votes (26.5% vs. 34.1%), Independent Chris Daggett with 202 votes (9.5% vs. 8.7%) and other candidates with 22 votes (1.0% vs. 0.7%), among the 2,120 ballots cast by the borough's 3,948 registered voters, yielding a 53.7% turnout (vs. 52.5% in the county). ^[91]

Education

Students from Raritan attend the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District, together with students from Bridgewater Township. ^{[92] [93]} As of the 2020–21 school year, the district, comprised of 11 schools, had an enrollment of 8,254 students and 754.4 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 10.9:1. ^[94] One of the largest suburban districts statewide, the district is the largest in Somerset County. ^[95] Schools in the district (with 2020–21 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics ^[96] ) are Adamsville Primary School ^[97] (532 students; in grades PreK–4), Bradley Gardens Primary School ^[98] (263; PreK–4), Crim Primary School ^[99] (342; K–4), Hamilton Primary School ^[100] (477; K–4), John F. Kennedy Primary School ^[101] (427; K–4), Milltown Primary School ^[102] (402; PreK–4), Van Holten Primary School ^[103] (334; K–4), Eisenhower Intermediate School ^[104] (704; 5–6), Hillside Intermediate School ^[105] (574; 5–6), Bridgewater–Raritan Middle School ^[106] (1,384; 7–8) and Bridgewater–Raritan High School ^[107] (2,747; 9–12). ^{[108] [109] [110] [111]} The overwhelming majority of students in the district are from Bridgewater, with approximately 1,000 students from Raritan. All schools in the district are in Bridgewater except for Kennedy, which is in Raritan.

During the 1999–2000 school year, Bridgewater-Raritan High School was recognized with the National Blue Ribbon School Award of Excellence by the United States Department of Education, ^[112] the highest award an American school can receive from the federal government. ^{[113] [114]}

Public high school students also have the option to attend the Somerset County Vocational and Technical High School, a four-year magnet school located in Bridgewater that provides occupational and academic training to students from all of Somerset County. ^[115]

St. Ann Classical Academy is a classical, liberal-arts Catholic school for students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade that operates under the supervision of the Raritan Oratory of St. Philip Neri and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen. ^{[116] [117]}

Transportation

U.S. Route 202 northbound at its junction with U.S. Route 206 and Route 28 at the Somerville Circle in Raritan

Roads and highways

As of May 2010 ^[update] , the borough had a total of 24.34 miles (39.17 km) of roadways, of which 18.26 miles (29.39 km) were maintained by the municipality, 2.85 miles (4.59 km) by Somerset County and 3.23 miles (5.20 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation. ^[118]

U.S. Route 202 traverses the borough from east to west. ^[119] U.S. Route 206 follows the border with Somerville. ^[120] New Jersey Route 28 has one side of the roadway within the borough as it follows the border with Bridgewater Township. ^[121] The northern terminus of County Route 567 is in Raritan. ^[122]

U.S. Routes 202 and 206 intersect with NJ Route 28 at the Somerville Circle on the borders with Bridgewater Township and Somerville, with the eastern half of the circle located in Raritan. ^[123] As part of an ongoing effort to improve traffic safety at the circle, the New Jersey Department of Transportation has made a series of changes to the structure of the traffic circle, originally constructed during the 1930s. With the suburbanization of the area, the circle was handling an average of 70,000 vehicles each day. In 1994, an overpass was completed to allow traffic on Route 202 between Flemington and Interstate 78 and Interstate 287 to avoid the circle, though the rate of accidents grew from 195 in 1991 before the project started to 302 for the year after the overpass was open to traffic. After yield signs were added in February 1995, the accident rate increased again, to an annualized rate above 400 per year. ^[124]

Public transportation

The Raritan train station is on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

The Raritan train station ^[125] offers NJ Transit service on the Raritan Valley Line to Newark Penn Station. ^{[126] [127]} The station is north of the town center on Thompson Street. The station building is south of the tracks in the main parking lot and was built in the early 1890s. There are also three other small lots for this station. Raritan is usually the most frequent terminus of the Raritan Valley Line. There is limited service farther west to High Bridge.

The borough is served by the CAT-1R, 2R, and 3R routes (which all continue to Raritan Valley Community College on the western end. On the eastern end, buses continue to New Brunswick, North Plainfield, and Bridgewater Commons respectively), operated by Community Access Transit. ^{[128] [129]}

Community

General John Frelinghuysen House, now the Raritan Public Library

The Raritan Public Library is located in what was originally the homestead of General John Frederick Frelinghuysen. ^[42]

Notable people

See also: Category:People from Raritan, New Jersey

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Raritan include:

• John Basilone (1916–1945), awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Guadalcanal ^[130]
• Tony Bongiovi (born 1947), record producer and recording engineer ^[131]
• Isaac Brokaw (1746–1826), clockmaker ^[132]
• Ben Carnevale (1915–2008), basketball coach inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1970 ^[133]
• Jack Ciattarelli (born 1961), member of the New Jersey General Assembly who represented the 16th Legislative District from 2011 to 2018 ^[134]
• Joseph S. Frelinghuysen Sr. (1869–1948), U.S. Senator representing New Jersey ^[135]
• Mike Grosso (born 1947), former professional basketball player who played in the American Basketball Association ^[136]
• Terry Matalas (born 1975), screenwriter, grew up near Raritan ^[137]
• Frank Perantoni (1923–1991), American football center who played professional football for the New York Yankees ^[138]
• Elvira Woodruff (born 1951), children's writer known for books that include elements of fantasy and history ^[139]

References

1. 2019 Census Gazetteer Files: New Jersey Places, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 1, 2020.
2. US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 4, 2014.
3. 2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 77.
4. "MAYOR NICOLAS J. CARRA". The Official Website of the Borough of Raritan, NJ. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
5. Borough Administrator, Borough of Raritan. Accessed April 18, 2023.
6. Borough Clerk, Borough of Raritan. Accessed April 18, 2023.
7. "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
8. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Borough of Raritan, Geographic Names Information System. Accessed March 11, 2013.
9. QuickFacts Raritan borough, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed April 18, 2023.
10. Total Population: Census 2010 - Census 2020 New Jersey Municipalities, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed December 1, 2022.
11. Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Minor Civil Divisions in New Jersey: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023, United States Census Bureau, released May 2024. Accessed May 16, 2024.
12. Population Density by County and Municipality: New Jersey, 2020 and 2021, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed March 1, 2023.
13. Look Up a ZIP Code for Raritan, NJ, United States Postal Service. Accessed February 13, 2013.
14. Zip Codes, State of New Jersey. Accessed August 29, 2013.
15. Area Code Lookup - NPA NXX for Raritan, NJ, Area-Codes.com. Accessed August 29, 2013.
16. U.S. Census website, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 4, 2014.
17. Geographic Codes Lookup for New Jersey, Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed April 1, 2022.
18. US Board on Geographic Names, United States Geological Survey. Accessed September 4, 2014.
19. DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 for Raritan borough, Somerset County, New Jersey Archived February 12, 2020, at archive.today , United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 13, 2013.
20. Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2010 for Raritan borough Archived July 20, 2014, at the Wayback Machine , New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed February 13, 2013.
21. 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.
22. Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 21, 2015.
23. Gannett, Henry. The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States, p. 25. United States Government Printing Office, 1905. Accessed September 21, 2015.
24. Nestor, Sandy. Indian Placenames in America, Volume 1, p. 114. Accessed September 21, 2015. "Raritan is Lenape for 'stream overflows,' or 'a point on a tidal river.'"
25. The History of Raritan, Borough of Raritan. Accessed September 21, 2015. "The Dutch shortened and altered the name of the Naraticongs and named the area Raritan, or 'forked river'. Other versions of history state that Raritan translates to 'where the stream overflows'."
26. History, Borough of Raritan. Accessed August 12, 2023.
27. Staff. "Raritan marks the 90th anniversary of the official end of WW1", The Messenger-Gazette, September 12, 2011. Accessed January 10, 2012. "President Warren G. Harding signed the Knox-Porter Resolution on July 2, 1921 on the estate of Joseph Sherman Frelinghuysen, officially ending America's involvement in World War 1. A ceremony marking the event was held on Sept. 10 at the Raritan library."
28. Staff. "HARDING CONSULTS OVER PROCLAIMING STATUS OF PEACE; Confers With Hughes at White House on Need of a Presidential Declaration. NEW TREATY CONSIDERED Belief Persists in Some Quarters That Part of Versailles Agreement Will Be Used. WILL STAND BY THE ALLIES But No Decision Is Announced as to the Form of the Administration's Action.", The New York Times , July 6, 1921. Accessed January 10, 2012. "Secretary of State Hughes went to the white House this afternoon shortly after the return of President Harding from his weekend visit to the home of Senator Frelinghuysen, at Raritan, N.J., and conferred with the President..."
29. Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 224. Accessed May 30, 2024.
30. Areas touching Raritan, MapIt. Accessed March 3, 2020.
31. Municipalities, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed March 3, 2020.
32. New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.
33. Compendium of censuses 1726-1905: together with the tabulated returns of 1905, New Jersey Department of State, 1906. Accessed November 1, 2013.
34. Staff. A compendium of the ninth census, 1870, p. 260. United States Census Bureau, 1872. Accessed February 11, 2013.
35. Porter, Robert Percival. Preliminary Results as Contained in the Eleventh Census Bulletins: Volume III - 51 to 75, p. 99. United States Census Bureau, 1890.
36. Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910: Population by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions, 1910, 1900, 1890, United States Census Bureau, p. 338. Accessed February 11, 2013.
37. Fifteenth Census of the United States : 1930 - Population Volume I, United States Census Bureau, p. 718. Accessed February 11, 2013.
38. Table 6: New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1940 - 2000, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network, August 2001. Accessed May 1, 2023.
39. Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Raritan borough, New Jersey Archived January 12, 2016, at the Wayback Machine , United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 13, 2013.
40. DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Raritan borough, Somerset County, New Jersey Archived February 12, 2020, at archive.today , United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 13, 2013.
41. DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Raritan borough, Somerset County, New Jersey Archived February 13, 2020, at archive.today , United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 17, 2013.
42. Library History, Raritan Public Library. Accessed July 28, 2012.
43. Frelinghuysen Park, Somerset County Tourism. Accessed August 31, 2020.
44. Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey, Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023.
45. Cerra, Michael F. "Forms of Government: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know, But Were Afraid to Ask" Archived 2014-09-24 at the Wayback Machine , New Jersey State League of Municipalities. Accessed November 30, 2014.
46. "Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 6. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.
47. "MAYOR NICOLAS J. CARRA". The Official Website of the Borough of Raritan, NJ. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
48. "Council President Don Tozzi". The Official Website of the Borough of Raritan, NJ. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
49. "Councilman Michael Patente". The Official Website of the Borough of Raritan, NJ. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
50. "Councilman Adam Armahizer". The Official Website of the Borough of Raritan, NJ. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
51. "Councilman Kenneth DiGraziano". The Official Website of the Borough of Raritan, NJ. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
52. "Councilman David Fritzinger". The Official Website of the Borough of Raritan, NJ. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
53. "Councilman Umesh Agrawal". The Official Website of the Borough of Raritan, NJ. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
54. 2023 Directory of County & Municipal Offices, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed April 10, 2024.
55. "Councilman Umesh Agrawal". The Official Website of the Borough of Raritan, NJ. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
56. "Raritan Swears in New Council Person, New Police Officer". TAPinto The Breeze. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
57. Raritan's Mayors, Raritan Online. Accessed November 26, 2011.
58. Plan Components Report, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020.
59. Municipalities Sorted by 2011-2020 Legislative District, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed February 1, 2020.
60. 2019 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed October 30, 2019.
61. Districts by Number for 2011-2020, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 6, 2013.
62. "Congressman Malinowski Fights For The Corporate Transparency Act", Tom Malinowski, press release dated October 23, 2019. Accessed January 19, 2022. "My name, Tom Malinowski. My address, 86 Washington Street, Rocky Hill, NJ 08553."
63. U.S. Sen. Cory Booker cruises past Republican challenger Rik Mehta in New Jersey, PhillyVoice. Accessed April 30, 2021. "He now owns a home and lives in Newark's Central Ward community."
64. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/23/nyregion/george-helmy-bob-menendez-murphy.html
65. Tully, Tracey (August 23, 2024). "Menendez's Senate Replacement Has Been a Democrat for Just 5 Months". The New York Times . Retrieved August 23, 2024.
66. Legislative Roster for District 23, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 18, 2024.
67. Elected Officials, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed June 17, 2022.
68. Commissioner Director Shanel Y. Robinson, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed June 17, 2022.
69. Commissioner Deputy Director Melonie Marano, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed June 17, 2022.
70. Commissioner Paul M. Drake, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed June 17, 2022.
71. Commissioner Douglas Singleterry, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed June 17, 2022.
72. Commissioner Sara Sooy, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed June 17, 2022.
73. Board of County Commissioners, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed June 17, 2022.
74. 2021 County Data Sheet, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed June 17, 2022.
75. 2023 Directory of County & Municipal Offices, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed April 10, 2024.
76. Somerset County General Election November 3, 2020 Final Certified Results, Somerset County, New Jersey, dated December 3, 2020. Accessed January 1, 2021.
77. County Clerk Steve Peter, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed June 17, 2022.
78. Clerks, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed June 17, 2022.
79. Sheriff Darrin J. Russo, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed June 17, 2022.
80. Sheriffs, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed June 17, 2022.
81. Somerset County Surrogate, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed January 30, 2021.
82. Surrogates, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed June 17, 2022.
83. Voter Registration Summary - Somerset, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed February 13, 2013.
84. GCT-P7: Selected Age Groups: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision; 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey Archived February 12, 2020, at archive.today , United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 13, 2013.
85. "Presidential General Election Results - November 6, 2012 - Somerset County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. March 15, 2013. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
86. "Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast - November 6, 2012 - General Election Results - Somerset County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. March 15, 2013. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
87. 2008 Presidential General Election Results: Somerset County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed February 13, 2013.
88. 2004 Presidential Election: Somerset County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed February 13, 2013.
89. "Governor - Somerset County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. January 29, 2014. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
90. "Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast - November 5, 2013 - General Election Results - Somerset County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. January 29, 2014. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
91. 2009 Governor: Somerset County Archived February 2, 2015, at the Wayback Machine , New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed February 13, 2013.
92. Cheslow, Jerry. "If You're Thinking of Living In/Bridgewater, N.J.; Where the Downtown Is a Shopping Mall", The New York Times , December 29, 2002. Accessed October 5, 2014. "Among the newer residents, Mr. Cirianni said that he and his wife, Rita, were drawn by the 8,550 Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District, which the township shares with the 6,000-resident borough to its south."
93. Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District 2014-15 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed March 3, 2020. "The Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District is a suburban school district located in Somerset County. We serve students from the Township of Bridgewater and the Borough of Raritan. The district is comprised of eleven schools and 3 ancillary buildings, with 1200 staff members serving 9000 students in grades pre-kindergarten through 12."
94. District information for Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 15, 2022.
95. About Us, Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District. Accessed June 26, 2022. "The Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District is the largest district in Somerset County and one of the largest suburban school districts in the State. We have approximately 8,800 students attending seven primary (K-4) schools, two intermediate (5-6) schools, one middle school, and one high school."
96. School Data for the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 15, 2022.
97. Adamsville Primary School, Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District. Accessed June 27, 2022.
98. Bradley Gardens Primary School, Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District. Accessed June 27, 2022.
99. Crim Primary School, Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District. Accessed June 27, 2022.
100. Hamilton Primary School, Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District. Accessed June 27, 2022.
101. John F. Kennedy Primary School, Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District. Accessed June 27, 2022.
102. Milltown Primary School, Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District. Accessed June 27, 2022.
103. Van Holten Primary School, Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District. Accessed June 27, 2022.
104. Eisenhower Intermediate School, Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District. Accessed June 27, 2022.
105. Hillside Intermediate School, Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District. Accessed June 27, 2022.
106. Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School, Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District. Accessed June 27, 2022.
107. Bridgewater-Raritan High School, Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District. Accessed June 27, 2022.
108. Our Schools, Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District. Accessed June 27, 2022.
109. 2021-2022 Somerset County Public School Directory, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed June 1, 2022.
110. School Performance Reports for the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed April 1, 2024.
111. New Jersey School Directory for the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024.
112. Blue Ribbon Schools Program: Schools Recognized 1982-1983 through 1999-2002 (PDF) Archived March 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine , United States Department of Education. Accessed March 30, 2011.
113. "CIBA cited as one of the best by Education Department", Journal Inquirer , November 16, 2006. "The Blue Ribbon award is given only to schools that reach the top 10 percent of their state's testing scores over several years or show significant gains in student achievement. It is considered the highest honor a school can achieve."
114. "Viers Mill School Wins Blue Ribbon; School Scored High on Statewide Test" The Washington Post , September 29, 2005. "For their accomplishments, all three schools this month earned the status of Blue Ribbon School, the highest honor the U.S. Education Department can bestow upon a school."
115. About SCVTS Archived 2013-10-22 at the Wayback Machine , Somerset County Vocational and Technical High School. Accessed November 3, 2013.
116. Home Page, St. Ann Classical Academy. Accessed February 19, 2021.
117. School Finder, Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen. Accessed February 19, 2021.
118. Ocean County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2010. Accessed November 3, 2013.
119. U.S. Route 202 Straight Line Diagram, July 2006. United States Department of Transportation. Accessed November 3, 2013.
120. U.S. Route 206 Straight Line Diagram, March 2008. United States Department of Transportation. Accessed November 3, 2013.
121. Route 28 Straight Line Diagram, April 2008. United States Department of Transportation. Accessed November 3, 2013.
122. County Route 567 Straight Line Diagram, August 2006. United States Department of Transportation. Accessed November 3, 2013.
123. Peterson, Iver. "Squaring Traffic Circles With Lights and Bridges", The New York Times , November 12, 1991. Accessed November 3, 2013. "As head of the Bridgewater Police traffic division, he has counted 76 accidents on the half of the Somerville Circle in his township through October this year, as traffic from U.S. Highways 202 and 206 intersects with traffic from State Route 28 coming out of Somerville. The eastern half of the circle, in Raritan Borough, has a similar accident rate."
124. Newman, Andy. "Road And Rail; Straightening Out the Perilous Somerville Circle", The New York Times , January 28, 1996. Accessed November 3, 2013.
125. Raritan station, NJ Transit. Accessed November 3, 2013.
126. Raritan Valley Line, NJ Transit. Accessed November 3, 2013.
127. Somerset County Bus / Rail Connections, NJ Transit, backed up by the Internet Archive as of January 28, 2010. Accessed November 3, 2013.
128. CAT, Ridewise. Accessed October 5, 2014. "CAT-2R shuttle serves Bedminster, Bridgewater, Somerville, Raritan and Branchburg, Monday through Friday."
129. County Shuttle Schedules, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed December 31, 2017.
130. Hochron, Adam. "Brother returns first time to Raritan's Basilone Parade", The Reporter, September 9, 2004. Accessed September 8, 2007. "Basilone, born in 1916, grew up in Raritan until joining the Army in 1934. After serving for three years in the Philippines, he returned home for a few years before enlisting in the Marine Corps."
131. Biography, Tony Bongiovi. Accessed November 3, 2013. "At the age of seventeen, while conducting experiments with equipment in his Raritan, New Jersey home, Tony Bongiovi discovered the secret to duplicating the well-guarded audio formula for the Motown sound."
132. Van Hoesen, Walter Hamilton. Crafts and Craftsmen of New Jersey, p. 70. Fairleigh Dickinson University Press, 1973. ISBN   9780838610800. Accessed September 21, 2015. "Brokaw was born in Raritan, Somerset County, in 1746, and died in 1826.... Isaac began his trade in Elizabeth around 1770 and remained there until 1790, when he removed to Bridge Town, on the south side of the Rahway River, which is now known as Rahway."
133. Frezza Jr., Harry. "Raritan man attends Final Four for 57th time", Courier News , April 1, 2001. Accessed August 2, 2007. "Ben Carnevale, who turns 86 on Oct. 30, has had the kind of life some people might call legendary. In fact, when you look at his life, which began in a house just off the last trolley stop on Gaston Avenue in Raritan Borough, you might agree. The 1934 Somerville High School graduate is a member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. He is also the winningest coach in United States Naval Academy history, a survivor of a ship that was torpedoed during World War II, and somebody who had a lot to do with building the NCAA basketball tournament."
134. Assemblyman Jack M. Ciattarelli, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed November 3, 2013.
135. Joseph Sherman Frelinghuysen, Biographical Directory of the United States Congress . Accessed January 10, 2012.
136. "Mike Grosso May Decide This Week", Spartanburg Herald-Journal via Associated Press. January 23, 1967. Accessed November 3, 2013. "The 6-foot-9 230-pound pivotman from Raritan, completed mid-term examinations at the University of South Carolina Saturday and left for his home."
137. "A nod to Raritan, New Jersey near my home town. I put it in everything I do. @NJGov", Terry Matalas via Twitter. Accessed March 7, 2023.
138. "Princeton's Top Football Award Shared by Perantoni and West", Courier News , December 2, 1947. Accessed April 1, 2021, via Newspapers.com. "A resident of Raritan, where he now makes his home with his wife, the former Madeline Harcarik, Frank prepared for Princeton at Blair Academy after having been graduated from Somerville High School."
139. Mathias, Madeleine. "Writers' workshop will benefit Easton library", The Morning Call , April 11, 2004. Accessed October 5, 2014. "When children's book author Elvira Woodruff was growing up in Raritan, N.J., the library was like a second home. Her mother and father would take her there every week to gather the books she wanted to read."

External links

• Raritan Borough official web site