East Brunswick, NJ

Nestled along the picturesque Raritan River, the thriving township of East Brunswick spreads across 22.5 verdant square miles in central New Jersey. This Midddlesex County community of over 50,000 residents welcomes all walks of life.

A strengthened downtown now anchors vibrant arts, while community festivals and youth programs instill neighborliness.

Population

As of 2022, East Brunswick has a population of 50,239 residents according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The township is diverse as proven by the following racial distribution:

Race	Percentage of Population
White	53.4%
Asian	27.2%
Hispanic	11.7%
African American	3.8%
Two or more races	2.4%

The median age is 43 years.

The median household income is $124,775.

History

East Brunswick was first settled in the 17th century by settlers of Scotch, English, Dutch, and German origin. This diversity is readily apparent in its heritage. 

The area was incorporated in 1860 from parts of North Brunswick and Monroe townships, including the historic community of Old Bridge. Today, the Old Bridge Historic District dating back to the 17th century is home to the East Brunswick Museum and around 80 historic homes listed on state and national registers. 

Education 

East Brunswick Public Schools serves over 9,000 students in grades PK-12 across 11 schools. The student-teacher ratio is 17:1 and test scores show 39% of students proficient in math and 62% in reading. 

East Brunswick High School offers a comprehensive curriculum and a wide variety of extracurricular activities, including an acclaimed Academic Team. The district has received an overall A- grade on Niche's rankings.

Health

Heart disease proves problematic across New Jersey, though East Brunswick demonstrates lower rates. The age-adjusted heart disease death rate per 100,000 residents is 163.7, below both Middlesex County and state averages of 175 and 179 respectively.

Obesity, a driving factor of cardiac and oncologic issues, impacts fewer East Brunswick adults as well. Only 24.2% of the population struggles with obesity, less than both the 26% county and 28.2% state figures.

Key health resources include the New Jersey Department of Health, Middlesex County Office of Health Services, and East Brunswick Health Department. Nearby hospitals providing urgent and specialty care include:

• Hackensack Meridian Old Bridge Medical Center – offers a range of services including a women's health center, imaging center, and preadmission testing.
• Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital New Brunswick – a 610-bed non-profit, public, research, and academic teaching hospital with a Level 1 Trauma Center and the first Pediatric Trauma Center in the state.
• Saint Peter's University Hospital – a Roman Catholic healthcare system providing services such as maternity care, pediatrics, neonatology, women's health, breast health, cancer care, and stroke care.

Quality of Life

East Brunswick has a low crime rate and offers residents parks like Butterfly Park, Bicentennial Park, and Welsh Park for recreation. Residents enjoy the small-town feel alongside nearby amenities in neighboring towns.

Unfortunately, the township is not highly walkable compared to other locales. However, there are many parks and recreation areas in East Brunswick, so residents who enjoy walking arguably still have plenty of options. Electric vehicle drivers have access to over 9 charging locations.

Parks and Recreation 

East Brunswick is home to several parks, including Bicentennial Park and Welsh Park. Bicentennial Park, which is over 30 acres, offers athletic and sports facilities for basketball, volleyball, tennis, handball, football, and more. It also has picnic tables, grills, a playground for kids, and it is located next to Farrington Lake, which offers opportunities for fishing and kayaking

Transportation

Commuters can access trains and buses to New York City and Philadelphia from the Transportation and Commerce Center or Neilson Plaza park and ride lots. 

Daily parking passes may be purchased via ParkMobile using their app that is available for iPhones or Android devices. Long-term parking permits may be purchased via the Parking Portal. 

The Transportation and Commerce Center is open Monday through Friday and has over 400 spaces for daily parking ($5 per day) and over 1,000 spaces for permit holders. Neilson Plaza is open 7 days a week and has over 400 daily parking spaces ($5 per day) and over 600 spaces for permit holders.

The Princeton Airporter provides transportation to Newark and Kennedy airports.

Points of Interest

Residents and visitors alike enjoy exploring these popular attractions:

• Crystal Springs Family Waterpark: This spacious outdoor aquatic center features pools, waterslides, a lazy river, and a spray park for all ages.
• Giamarese Farm & Orchards: A historic family-run farmstand bursting with local produce, baked goods and seasonal activities like hayrides and pick-your-own fruits and veggies.
• St. Mary Coptic Orthodox Church: Graceful in its unique architectural embellishments, this house of worship offers insights into Coptic culture.
• Brunswick Square Mall: As a bustling retail hub, this mall entices shoppers with stores, eateries, and entertainment under one roof.
• The East Brunswick Museum: Through engaging exhibits and special programs like the annual Cemetery Tour, this museum brings the township's rich history to life.