Monroe Township, NJ

Sitting in the southern portion of Middlesex County, Monroe Township spans 42 square miles and is home to over 48,000 residents. The township offers an abundance of parks and green spaces, like the sprawling Thompson Park and Veterans Park, providing nearly 1,000 acres for hiking, boating, fishing, and sports. Various historic establishments peppering the township give it a sense of community.

History 

Monroe Township, located in the northeast corner of Gloucester County, New Jersey, was formed in March 1859 after being separated from South Amboy in 1838. It was initially referred to as one of the "pine townships" due to the abundance of pine timber. 

The Lenni-Lenape Indians, a member of the Delaware Tribe, were the first inhabitants of the area, hunting the woods and fishing the streams as early as 1776. The township was named after James Monroe, the fifth U.S. President, and portions of it have since been taken to form East Brunswick, Cranbury, and Jamesburg.

Population 

As of the 2020 Census, Monroe Township's population was 48,594 residents. The population is 68.7% White, 20% Asian, and 6.2% Hispanic. The median household income in 2021 was $99,732. 

With a population density of approximately 1,150 people per square mile, another interesting to note is that the township has seen a rapid 23x growth in its Indian American population since 2000. From 2017-2021, the per capita income in Monroe Township was $59,170.

Education

The Monroe Township School District serves 6,838 students across 8 public schools with average math and reading proficiency scores of 52% and 59% respectively. The district ranks in the top 20% in New Jersey with a student-teacher ratio of 16:1, higher than the state average of 19:1. 

Monroe Township High School offers a wide variety of academic and extracurricular programs, ranking 86th out of 420 NJ high schools according to SchoolDigger.

Healthcare

The Monroe Township Board of Health consists of 7 elected members and 1 alternate, overseeing public health activities from its municipal building. 

Top primary care services include:

• CentraState Medical Group: Offers primary care, rehab, and lab services in Monroe Township.
• St. Peter's Healthcare System: A major healthcare provider in the region with top-rated primary care.
• Penn Medicine Princeton Health: Part of the nationally-ranked Penn Medicine health system, with primary care clinics located about 10 miles away in Plainsboro and other nearby towns.
• Monroe Family Medical Center: A local independent family medicine practice.

Quality of Life

The Monroe Township Police Department is committed to serving the community and is responsible for Monroe Township earning recognition as one of the most secure cities in the United States. One historical fact worth noting is that the department evolved over time from part-time "specials" and constables in the 1800s to today's full-time professional police force.

Parks and Recreation 

The township is known for Thompson Park, a 675-acre park featuring the 30-acre Lake Manalapan for fishing and boating as well as zoo animals at 123-129 Perrineville Road. There’s even a conservation area within the park dedicated to planting vegetables.

The Veterans Park includes a playground, spray park, soccer field, and trails. On the other hand, the Monroe Community Center provides additional recreational activities. Nearby Thompson Park Disc Golf Course was established in 2014 on its 18-hole championship course.

Transportation 

Roadways giving access to Monroe Township include Routes 33, 32, and the New Jersey Turnpike near Exit 8A. The average commute time is 39.1 minutes. 

The Suburban Transit provides commuter bus service from the township's park and ride lot to New York City, while Coach USA's Line 350 runs to Jersey City on weekdays. 

Monroe Township prioritizes accessibility and convenience for all residents through its user-friendly transportation options. The community is served by a fleet of 12 spacious buses administered by the Transportation Department. These vehicles provide invaluable service on a daily basis, shuttling senior citizens (aged 55 years old and above) and those with disabilities to important medical appointments and essential shopping destinations.

Points of Interest

Most of Monroe’s other notable landmarks can be found within Thompson Park; although, there’s always the crowd-favorite tavern. 

• Docks Corner Tavern – a popular local bar known for its friendly atmosphere, selection of great local foods and drinks, and reasonable prices. 
• Thompson Park Disc Golf Course – an 18-hole championship course open to the public. Designed by experts David Wolverton and Adam Harris, the course was established in 2014 and features two tees per hole catered to both beginner and experienced players.
• Thompson Park Zoo – located conveniently within Thompson Park, the zoo offers walking trails among enclosures housing a variety of native and exotic animals that can be viewed and fed along the way. The zoo serves as a relaxing spot to observe wildlife in a natural setting.