Category Archives: NJ Cities Gates services

As of the 2020 United States Census, its population was 159,732[20] rendering it New Jersey’s third-most-populous city[21][22] reflecting an increase of 13,613 (9.3%) from the 146,199[23][24][25] measured in the 2010 census, which had in turn been a decline by 3,023 (−2.0%) from the 149,222 counted in the 2000 Census.[26] Paterson, with a population density of 17,317 inhabitants per square mile (6,686/km2) of land as of 2013, had the fourth-highest density of any U.S. city with over 100,000 people, behind only New York City (27,781 people per square mile of land), San Francisco (17,859), and Jersey City (17,396).[27]

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.[25]

In 2008, Elizabeth was named one of “America’s 50 Greenest Cities” by Popular Science magazine, the only city in New Jersey selected.[23]

Middletown is a bedroom community of New York City, located alongside of the Raritan Bay within the Raritan Valley region in the New York metropolitan area. Due to its affluence, low crime, access to cultural activities, public school system, proximity to the Jersey Shore and Raritan Bayshore, and central commuting location, Middletown was ranked in 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2014 in the Top 100 in CNNMoney.com’s Best Places to Live.[30][31][32][33] Time magazine listed Middletown on its list of “Best Places to Live 2014”.[34]

Lakewood is a hub of Orthodox Judaism, and is home to Beth Medrash Govoha (BMG), the largest yeshiva outside of Israel.[25] The large Orthodox population, which comprises more than half the township’s population, strongly influences the township’s culture[25][26] and wields considerable political clout in the township as a voting bloc.[27][28][29]

What is now Edison Township was originally incorporated as Raritan Township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 17, 1870, from portions of both Piscataway Township and Woodbridge Township. The township got its original name from the Raritan indigenous people. Portions of the township were taken to form Metuchen on March 20, 1900, and Highland Park on March 15, 1905. The name was officially changed to Edison Township on November 10, 1954, in honor of inventor Thomas Edison, who had his main laboratory in the Menlo Park section of the township.[22]

According to Joshua Coffin, the early settlers included “Captain John Pike, the ancestor of General Zebulon Montgomery Pike, who was killed at the battle of Queenstown in 1813; Thomas Bloomfield, the ancestor of Joseph Bloomfield, some years governor of New Jersey, for whom the township of Bloomfield, New Jersey is named; John Bishop, senior and junior; Jonathan Haynes; Henry Jaques; George March; Stephen Kent; Abraham Toppan, junior; Elisha Ilsley; Hugh March; John Bloomfield; Samuel Moore; Nathaniel Webster; John Ilsley; and others.”[31] Woodbridge was the site of the first gristmill in New Jersey.[32][33] The mill was built by Jonathan Singletary Dunham (married to Mary Bloomfield, relative of Joseph Bloomfield).[34][35]

As of the 2020 United States Census, the township had a total population of 95,438,[10] with the township ranking as the eighth-most-populous municipality in the state in 2020 (same place as in 2010)[21] and the second most-populous municipality in Ocean County (behind Lakewood Township, which had a population of 135,158).[22] The 2020 population increased by 4,199 (+4.6%) from the 91,239 counted in the 2010 Census, which had in turn increased by 1,533 (+1.7%) from the 89,706 counted in the 2000 Census, and by 13,335 (+17.5%) from the 76,371 counted in the 1990 Census.[23]

Hamilton was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 11, 1842, from portions of the now-defunct Nottingham Township. Portions of the township were taken to form Chambersburg borough (April 1, 1872, annexed by Trenton in 1888) and Wilbur borough (April 24, 1891, annexed by Trenton in 1898).[25] Hamilton Township derives its name from the village of Hamilton Square, which might have been named for Alexander Hamilton.[26][27]

Trenton dates back at least to June 3, 1719, when mention was made of a constable being appointed for Trenton while the area was still part of Hunterdon County. Boundaries were recorded for Trenton Township as of March 2, 1720.[26] A courthouse and jail were constructed in Trenton around 1720, and the Freeholders of Hunterdon County met annually in Trenton.[27]