Green Brook Township, New Jersey
Encyclopedia
Green Brook Township is a township
in Somerset County
, New Jersey
, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 7,203.
What is now Green Brook was originally created as North Plainfield Township on April 2, 1872, from portions of Warren Township
. Portions of the township were taken to form North Plainfield borough
(June 9, 1885) and Watchung
(March 23, 1926). Green Brook was incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature
on November 8, 1931, replacing North Plainfield Township, based on the results of a referendum held that same day.
Most of Green Brook shares ZIP code
08812 with Dunellen
.
The township's unofficial motto is "Small Enough to Know You, Large Enough to Get Things Done".
, the township has a total area of 4.6 square miles (11.9 km²), all of it land. Green Brook is in Raritan Valley, a line of cities in central New Jersey. Green Brook lies in the northern division of Raritan Valley along with North Plainfield.
of 2000, there were 5,654 people, 1,893 households, and 1,508 families residing in the township. The population density
was 1,234.7 people per square mile (476.6/km²). There were 1,916 housing units at an average density of 418.4 per square mile (161.5/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 88.43% White, 1.68% African American, 0.07% Native American, 7.99% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.71% from other races
, and 1.08% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.09% of the population.
There were 1,893 households out of which 37.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.0% were married couples
living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.3% were non-families. 15.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.20.
In the township the population was spread out with 24.3% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 91.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.0 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $80,644, and the median income for a family was $87,744. Males had a median income of $52,147 versus $46,434 for females. The per capita income
for the township was $37,290. About 1.7% of families and 2.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.9% of those under age 18 and 5.5% of those age 65 or over.
, members of the Green Brook Township Committee are Mayor
Jerry Searfoss (2013), Deputy Mayor Patrick Boccio (2012), Keri Benscoter (2011), Kenneth Herrmann (2012) and Edward Pfeifer (2011).
Green Brook is in the
. Thirteen years later, in 1885, the Borough of North Plainfield
was created from a section of the subdivided land. The land at that time was designated as North Plainfield. Many years later, in 1926, the Borough of Watchung
was carved out of North Plainfield Township. The remaining land continued until 1932, when the name changed to Green Brook Township.
Green Brook Township took its name from the powerful brook that passes through the township called the Green Brook that rises in the Watchung Mountains
several miles away, feeding from many smaller brooks and ponds along the way, as it flows in a southwesterly direction for a distance of fifteen miles (24 km). It then continues southwestward and flows into the Raritan River
at Bound Brook, New Jersey
.
Also contained within the boundaries of this community is Washington Rock State Park
, which commemorates the spot where George Washington
and Marquis de Lafayette watched the movement of the British soldiers during the American Revolutionary War
, mainly the months of May and June 1777. Washington Rock State Park
was commissioned on March 17, 1913 and is about 34 acres (137,593.2 m²) in size.
serves public school students in Kindergarten through eighth grade. Within the district there are two schools (with 2008-09 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics
), the Irene E. Feldkirchner Elementary School (grades K-3; 422 students) and the Green Brook Middle School (grades 4-8; 561 students).
Both the elementary school and the middle school recently underwent construction. The schools are now much larger and contain more classrooms to help facilitate the students learning. Green Brook Middle School is now currently remodeling the track and field and installing solar panels on the roof.
For the 1998-99 school year, Irene E. Feldkirchner Elementary School was recognized with the Blue Ribbon Award
from the United States Department of Education
, the highest honor that an American school can achieve.
Green Brook's public school students in grades 9-12 attend public school at Watchung Hills Regional High School
in Warren Township
. Students from Green Brook and from the neighboring communities of Watchung
and Warren Township (in Somerset County
) and Long Hill Township
(in Morris County
) attend the school. Watchung Hills underwent some recent remodeling and now has a new gym, auditorium, and classrooms.
, which volunteers for different causes. The Green Brook Recreation Committee is a volunteer organization that provides programs and event for all residents.
Township (New Jersey)
A township, in the context of New Jersey local government, refers to one of five types and one of eleven forms of municipal government. As a political entity, a township is a full-fledged municipality, on par with any town, city, borough, or village, collecting property taxes and providing...
in Somerset County
Somerset County, New Jersey
Somerset County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. In 2010, the population was 323,444. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Somerville....
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 7,203.
What is now Green Brook was originally created as North Plainfield Township on April 2, 1872, from portions of Warren Township
Warren Township, New Jersey
Warren Township is a Township in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 15,311....
. Portions of the township were taken to form North Plainfield borough
North Plainfield, New Jersey
North Plainfield is a Borough in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 21,936....
(June 9, 1885) and Watchung
Watchung, New Jersey
Watchung is a Borough in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 5,801.Watchung was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on May 23, 1826, from portions of North Plainfield Township based on the results...
(March 23, 1926). Green Brook was incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature
New Jersey Legislature
The New Jersey Legislature is the legislative branch of the government of the U.S. state of New Jersey. In its current form, as defined by the New Jersey Constitution of 1947, the Legislature consists of two houses: the General Assembly and the Senate...
on November 8, 1931, replacing North Plainfield Township, based on the results of a referendum held that same day.
Most of Green Brook shares ZIP code
ZIP Code
ZIP codes are a system of postal codes used by the United States Postal Service since 1963. The term ZIP, an acronym for Zone Improvement Plan, is properly written in capital letters and was chosen to suggest that the mail travels more efficiently, and therefore more quickly, when senders use the...
08812 with Dunellen
Dunellen, New Jersey
Dunellen is a Borough in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2000 United States Census, the borough population was 6,823.Dunellen was formed as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on October 28, 1887, when it broke away from Piscataway Township, based on the results...
.
The township's unofficial motto is "Small Enough to Know You, Large Enough to Get Things Done".
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the township has a total area of 4.6 square miles (11.9 km²), all of it land. Green Brook is in Raritan Valley, a line of cities in central New Jersey. Green Brook lies in the northern division of Raritan Valley along with North Plainfield.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 5,654 people, 1,893 households, and 1,508 families residing in the township. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,234.7 people per square mile (476.6/km²). There were 1,916 housing units at an average density of 418.4 per square mile (161.5/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 88.43% White, 1.68% African American, 0.07% Native American, 7.99% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.71% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.08% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.09% of the population.
There were 1,893 households out of which 37.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.0% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.3% were non-families. 15.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.20.
In the township the population was spread out with 24.3% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 91.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.0 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $80,644, and the median income for a family was $87,744. Males had a median income of $52,147 versus $46,434 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the township was $37,290. About 1.7% of families and 2.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.9% of those under age 18 and 5.5% of those age 65 or over.
Local government
The Township Committee form of government consists of five members who each serve a term of three years on a staggered basis. At a reorganization meeting, held each year within the first week of January, the Committee elects a Mayor and a Deputy Mayor for that year from among its members., members of the Green Brook Township Committee are Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
Jerry Searfoss (2013), Deputy Mayor Patrick Boccio (2012), Keri Benscoter (2011), Kenneth Herrmann (2012) and Edward Pfeifer (2011).
Federal, state and county representation
Green Brook Township is in the 7th Congressional district.Green Brook is in the
History
In 1872, a tract of land was subdivided off from Warren TownshipWarren Township, New Jersey
Warren Township is a Township in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 15,311....
. Thirteen years later, in 1885, the Borough of North Plainfield
North Plainfield, New Jersey
North Plainfield is a Borough in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 21,936....
was created from a section of the subdivided land. The land at that time was designated as North Plainfield. Many years later, in 1926, the Borough of Watchung
Watchung, New Jersey
Watchung is a Borough in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 5,801.Watchung was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on May 23, 1826, from portions of North Plainfield Township based on the results...
was carved out of North Plainfield Township. The remaining land continued until 1932, when the name changed to Green Brook Township.
Green Brook Township took its name from the powerful brook that passes through the township called the Green Brook that rises in the Watchung Mountains
Watchung Mountains
The Watchung Mountains are a group of three long low ridges of volcanic origin, between 400 ft. and 500 ft. high, lying parallel to each other in northern New Jersey in the United States...
several miles away, feeding from many smaller brooks and ponds along the way, as it flows in a southwesterly direction for a distance of fifteen miles (24 km). It then continues southwestward and flows into the Raritan River
Raritan River
The Raritan River is a major river of central New Jersey in the United States. Its watershed drains much of the mountainous area of the central part of the state, emptying into the Raritan Bay on the Atlantic Ocean.-Description:...
at Bound Brook, New Jersey
Bound Brook, New Jersey
Bound Brook is a borough in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. At the United States 2010 Census, the population was 10,402.Bound Brook was originally incorporated as a town by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 24, 1869, within portions of Bridgewater Township...
.
Also contained within the boundaries of this community is Washington Rock State Park
Washington Rock State Park
Washington Rock State Park is a scenic state park on top the first Watchung Mountain in Green Brook Township, New Jersey. The park is operated and maintained by the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry....
, which commemorates the spot where George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
and Marquis de Lafayette watched the movement of the British soldiers during the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
, mainly the months of May and June 1777. Washington Rock State Park
Washington Rock State Park
Washington Rock State Park is a scenic state park on top the first Watchung Mountain in Green Brook Township, New Jersey. The park is operated and maintained by the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry....
was commissioned on March 17, 1913 and is about 34 acres (137,593.2 m²) in size.
Education
The Green Brook School DistrictGreen Brook School District
The Green Brook School District is a community public school district that serves students in Kindergarten through eighth grade from Green Brook, in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States....
serves public school students in Kindergarten through eighth grade. Within the district there are two schools (with 2008-09 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics
National Center for Education Statistics
The National Center for Education Statistics is the part of the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences that collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics on education and public school district finance information in the United States...
), the Irene E. Feldkirchner Elementary School (grades K-3; 422 students) and the Green Brook Middle School (grades 4-8; 561 students).
Both the elementary school and the middle school recently underwent construction. The schools are now much larger and contain more classrooms to help facilitate the students learning. Green Brook Middle School is now currently remodeling the track and field and installing solar panels on the roof.
For the 1998-99 school year, Irene E. Feldkirchner Elementary School was recognized with the Blue Ribbon Award
Blue Ribbon Schools Program
The Blue Ribbon Schools Program is a United States government program created in 1981 to honor schools which have achieved high levels of performance or significant improvements with emphasis on schools serving disadvantaged students. The program centers around a self-assessment conducted by the...
from the United States Department of Education
United States Department of Education
The United States Department of Education, also referred to as ED or the ED for Education Department, is a Cabinet-level department of the United States government...
, the highest honor that an American school can achieve.
Green Brook's public school students in grades 9-12 attend public school at Watchung Hills Regional High School
Watchung Hills Regional High School
Watchung Hills Regional High School is a regional public high school and school district serving students in portions of Somerset and Morris Counties in New Jersey, United States. The high school is located next to Woodland School, in Warren Township...
in Warren Township
Warren Township, New Jersey
Warren Township is a Township in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 15,311....
. Students from Green Brook and from the neighboring communities of Watchung
Watchung, New Jersey
Watchung is a Borough in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 5,801.Watchung was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on May 23, 1826, from portions of North Plainfield Township based on the results...
and Warren Township (in Somerset County
Somerset County, New Jersey
Somerset County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. In 2010, the population was 323,444. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Somerville....
) and Long Hill Township
Long Hill Township, New Jersey
-Local government:Long Hill Township is governed under the Township form of government with a five-member Township Committee. The Township Committee is elected directly by the voters in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with one or two seats coming up for...
(in Morris County
Morris County, New Jersey
Morris County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey, about west of New York City. According to the United States 2010 Census, the population was 492,276. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Morristown....
) attend the school. Watchung Hills underwent some recent remodeling and now has a new gym, auditorium, and classrooms.
Community organizations
There are several committees and organizations within the township of Green Brook. Green Brook has a Baptist church on Greenbrook Road. There is the Green Brook Seniors, which is held at the Senior Center. This is a place for all township seniors to meet and participate in different events. Green Brook also has a Lions ClubLions Clubs International
Lions Clubs International is a secular service organization with over 44,500 clubs and more than 1,368,683 members in 191 countries around the world founded by Melvin Jones Headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois, United States, the organization aims to meet the needs of communities on a local and...
, which volunteers for different causes. The Green Brook Recreation Committee is a volunteer organization that provides programs and event for all residents.
Notable residents
Notable current and former residents of Green Brook Township include:- Paul CrookPaul CrookPaul Crook is an American guitarist currently recording and performing with Meat Loaf. He has also recorded and toured with Anthrax, Sebastian Bach and Marya Roxx.-Biography:...
(born 1966), lead guitarist for Meat LoafMeat LoafMichael Lee Aday , better known by his stage name, Meat Loaf, is an American hard rock musician and actor...
, AnthraxAnthrax (band)Anthrax is an American heavy metal band from New York City, formed in 1981. Founded by guitarists Scott Ian and Danny Lilker, the band has since released ten studio albums and 20 singles, and an EP featuring Public Enemy. The band was one of the most popular of the 1980s thrash metal scene...
and Sebastian BachSebastian BachSebastian Bach is a Canadian heavy metal singer who achieved mainstream success as frontman of Skid Row from 1987 to 1996. Since his departure from Skid Row, he has had many television roles, acted within Broadway plays, and leads a successful solo career.-Early life:Bach was born Sebastian...
. - Josh PaulsJosh PaulsJosh Pauls is an ice sledge hockey player from USA.He took part in the 2010 Winter Paralympics in Vancouver, where USA won gold. They beat Japan 2-0 in the final.He attended Watchung Hills Regional High School-External links:...
(born 1992), won a gold medal for sled hockey at the 2010 Winter Paralympics2010 Winter ParalympicsThe 2010 Winter Paralympics, officially the X Paralympic Winter Games, or the 10th Winter Paralympics, were held in Vancouver and Whistler, British Columbia, Canada from March 12 to 21, 2010. The Opening Ceremony took place in BC Place Stadium in Vancouver and the Closing Ceremony in Whistler...
in Vancouver.
External links
- Green Brook Township
- Green Brook School District
- Data for the Green Brook School District, National Center for Education StatisticsNational Center for Education StatisticsThe National Center for Education Statistics is the part of the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences that collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics on education and public school district finance information in the United States...
- Watchung Hills Regional High School website
- Green Brook Schools' Alumni Site
- Green Brook Hockey Club website
- Macaroni Kid Warren website of local kids' events