Location of Middlesex in Middlesex County highlighted in red (left). Inset map: Location of Middlesex County in New Jersey highlighted in orange (right).
The Harris Lane School was a one-room schoolhouse that was the oldest school in Middlesex County, dating back to its construction in the 1790s.[26] The original Pierce School was known as the East Bound Brook School House and The Parker House was also used for education until it was converted into a two-family house. As the Borough grew new schools were constructed to accommodate many more students. Our Lady of Mt. Virgin School was the first parochial school built in 1954.
In 1905, the Lincoln section of Middlesex organized a volunteer fire company and that set the organization of four other fire companies in the borough.
Middlesex was a portion of Piscataway Township, until May 6, 1913, when it was incorporated as a separate entity through the action of the state legislature and local referendum.[23] George Harris was elected as the first mayor and the first borough council was elected at the same time. Two constables were the law enforcement officers and were soon assisted by five appointed marshals.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 3.51 square miles (9.09 km2), including 3.49 square miles (9.03 km2) of land and 0.02 square miles (0.06 km2) of water (0.63%).[1][2]
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the borough include East Bound Brook and Lincoln.[27]
The 2010 United States census counted 13,635 people, 4,984 households, and 3,633 families in the borough. The population density was 3,876.2 per square mile (1,496.6/km2). There were 5,148 housing units at an average density of 1,463.5 per square mile (565.1/km2). The racial makeup was 81.24% (11,077) White, 5.13% (699) Black or African American, 0.18% (24) Native American, 6.00% (818) Asian, 0.07% (10) Pacific Islander, 5.37% (732) from other races, and 2.02% (275) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 16.47% (2,246) of the population.[20]
Of the 4,984 households, 32.0% had children under the age of 18; 56.0% were married couples living together; 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present and 27.1% were non-families. Of all households, 22.2% were made up of individuals and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.22.[20]
22.5% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 29.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.7 years. For every 100 females, the population had 93.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 91.8 males.[20]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $80,338 (with a margin of error of +/− $7,790) and the median family income was $93,817 (+/− $13,746). Males had a median income of $55,248 (+/− $7,439) versus $46,447 (+/− $5,086) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $34,607 (+/− $3,321). About 0.6% of families and 2.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.6% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.[36]
2000 census
As of the 2000 United States census[17] there were 13,717 people, 5,048 households, and 3,740 families residing in the borough. The population density was 3,921.1 inhabitants per square mile (1,513.9/km2). There were 5,130 housing units at an average density of 1,466.5 per square mile (566.2/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 87.26% White, 3.36% African American, 0.13% Native American, 4.16% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 3.21% from other races, and 1.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.00% of the population.[34][35]
There were 5,048 households, out of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.3% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.9% were non-families. 21.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.17.[34][35]
In the borough the population was spread out, with 24.1% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 32.3% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.9 males.[34][35]
The median income for a household in the borough was $60,723, and the median income for a family was $70,343. Males had a median income of $47,446 versus $34,232 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $27,834. About 2.4% of families and 3.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.1% of those under age 18 and 2.3% of those age 65 or over.[34][35]
Government
Local government
Middlesex 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.[37] The governing body is comprised of a mayor and a borough council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. A mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council is comprised of 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.[7] The borough form of government used by Middlesex 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.[38][39]
The seven-member governing body is empowered to enact local ordinances, to levy municipal taxes and conduct the affairs of the community. In almost all cases, it can review and approve the actions of other Middlesex Borough committees and agencies. The mayor and Borough Council conduct all of their business during monthly meetings open to the public. All legislative powers of the borough are exercised by the mayor and council. These powers can take the form of a resolution, ordinance or proclamation.
As of 2022[update], the mayor of Middlesex is Republican John L. Madden, whose term of office ends December 31, 2023. Members of the Middlesex Borough Council are Council President James Eodice (R, 2022), Jeremiah A. Carnes (R, 2022), Michael Conahan (R, 2023; appointed to serve an unexpired term), John "Jack" Mikolajczyk (R, 2023), Martin Quinn (2024) and Douglas Rex (R, 2024).[3][40][41][42][43]
In July 2022, the borough council appointed Michael Conahan to fill the seat expiring in December 2023 that had been held by Amy Flood.
In January 2020, the borough council appointed Amy Flood to fill the seat expiring in December 2020 that was vacated by John L. Madden when he took office as mayor.[44][45]
Until his selection in early 2006 to serve as borough administrator, Ron Dobies had been one of the longest-tenured mayors in New Jersey, with 26 years of service to Middlesex. Dobies left his position as mayor in 2006 and took a position as the borough's administrator. After being fired in 2008, he was successful in his suit against the borough and was restored to his position. In 2011 he ran for mayor again and won a four-year term that ended in 2015.[46]
Federal, state and county representation
Middlesex is located in the 12th Congressional District[47] and is part of New Jersey's 21st state legislative district.[48]
Middlesex County is governed by a Board of County Commissioners, whose seven members are elected at-large on a partisan basis to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either two or three seats coming up for election each year as part of the November general election. At an annual reorganization meeting held in January, the board selects from among its members a commissioner director and deputy director.[55] As of 2024[update], Middlesex County's Commissioners (with party affiliation, term-end year, and residence listed in parentheses) are:
As of March 2011, there were a total of 8,366 registered voters in Middlesex, of which 2,094 (25.0%) were registered as Democrats, 1,605 (19.2%) were registered as Republicans and 4,662 (55.7%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 5 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.[71]
In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 50.8% of the vote (2,819 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 47.7% (2,645 votes), and other candidates with 1.4% (80 votes), among the 5,587 ballots cast by the borough's 8,481 registered voters (43 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 65.9%.[72][73] In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 51.6% of the vote (3,185 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 45.9% (2,837 votes) and other candidates with 1.4% (84 votes), among the 6,177 ballots cast by the borough's 8,612 registered voters, for a turnout of 71.7%.[74] In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 53.0% of the vote (3,202 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 45.6% (2,755 votes) and other candidates with 0.7% (58 votes), among the 6,040 ballots cast by the borough's 8,376 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 72.1.[75]
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 69.4% of the vote (2,478 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 29.3% (1,045 votes), and other candidates with 1.3% (46 votes), among the 3,617 ballots cast by the borough's 8,552 registered voters (48 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 42.3%.[76][77] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 58.2% of the vote (2,410 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 31.6% (1,307 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 8.1% (336 votes) and other candidates with 1.1% (46 votes), among the 4,142 ballots cast by the borough's 8,374 registered voters, yielding a 49.5% turnout.[78]
Education
The Middlesex Board of Education serves public school students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade.[79] As of the 2020–21 school year, the district, comprised of five schools, had an enrollment of 2,018 students and 182.2 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 11.1:1.[80] Schools in the district (with 2020–21 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[81]) are
Hazelwood Elementary School[82] with 189 students in grades Pre-K–3,
Parker Elementary School[83] with 178 students in grades K–3,
Watchung Elementary School[84] with 256 students in grades K–3,
Woodland Intermediate School[85] was split off of the middle school starting in 2020–2021,
Von E. Mauger Middle School[86] with 759 students in grades 4–8 and
Middlesex High School[87] with 619 students in grades 9–12.[88][89] The district's superintendent is Roberta Freeman.[90]
Evening at Victor Crowell Park, commonly referred to as Duck Pond
There are many parks scattered throughout Middlesex Borough.
Victor Crowell Park, commonly known as Duck Pond, is a park in the borough that offers park equipment for kids, a walking trail, and small docks with benches to view the water. In August 2023, there was an alligator that was reported to be in the pond, with police discharging their weapon and failing to stop the alligator. As of 08/31/23 the alligator has yet to be caught.[93][94]
Mountain View Park is a large open space in the center of the borough. It has many amenities and offers a beautiful view of the first range of the Watchung Mountains.
Lincoln Park is located at the site of the Central Railroad of New Jersey train station that served the community, originally known as Lincoln, for many years. The statue of Abraham Lincoln by Alfonso Pelzer, his original work which was copied after his death, was installed in the park in 1898.
As of May 2010[update], the borough had a total of 54.86 miles (88.29 km) of roadways, of which 48.23 miles (77.62 km) were maintained by the municipality, 3.49 miles (5.62 km) by Middlesex County and 3.14 miles (5.05 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation[95]
^Meeting Minutes for January 28, 2020, Borough of Middlesex. Accessed May 10, 2020. "Mayor Madden made a motion to approve Ms. Amy Flood to fill the vacancy on Council seconded by Councilman Mikolajczyk and carried by a unanimous vote of Council."
^Cooke, Jay Jefferson. "Middlesex Mayor Dobies retires after life of service", Courier News, January 2, 2016. Accessed December 5, 2019. "After serving the public for nearly four decades and more than half of his life, Ronald S. Dobies, who this week ended his most recent term as mayor of Middlesex Borough, may at last take a break.... Becoming mayor in 1980, Dobies' first tour in the borough's top chair lasted more than a quarter-century. After being mayor for 26 years, Dobies became administrator in 2006. He was terminated in April 2008 but sued the municipality, claiming the council acted improperly by failing to pass a resolution formally removing him from the job. A judge sided with Dobies, and ordered the borough to pay him through April 8, 2008, plus 90 days' pay, plus pay for vacation and sick days that Dobies would have earned. He was then given the job back after offering to return at the nominal $1 annual salary.... But Dobies weathered that storm and in 2011 made another run for mayor, defeating the GOP and regaining the mayor's post."
^Biography, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman. Accessed January 3, 2019. "Watson Coleman and her husband William reside in Ewing Township and are blessed to have three sons; William, Troy, and Jared and three grandchildren; William, Kamryn and Ashanee."
^Biography of Bob Menendez, United States Senate, January 26, 2015. "Menendez, who started his political career in Union City, moved in September from Paramus to one of Harrison's new apartment buildings near the town's PATH station.."
^Board of County Commissioners, Middlesex County, New Jersey. Accessed May 1, 2022. "The residents of Middlesex County's 25 municipalities elect seven persons to serve as members of the Board of County Commissioners. The Commissioners are elected at large to staggered three-year terms in the November general election. In January of each year, the Board reorganizes, selecting one Commissioner to be County Commissioner Director and another to be County Commissioner Deputy Director."
^District Policy 0110 - Identification, Middlesex Borough Board of Education. Accessed May 4, 2022. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Kindergarten through twelve in the Middlesex School District. Composition: The Middlesex School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Middlesex Borough."
^Administrators, Middlesex Board of Education. Accessed December 4, 2019.
^Heyboer, Kelly. "How to get your kid a seat in one of N.J.'s hardest-to-get-into high schools", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, May 2017. Accessed November 18, 2019. "Middlesex County has two stand-alone career academies for high-achieving students: the Academy for Science, Math and Engineering Technology, located on the campus of Middlesex County College in Edison, and the Academy for Allied Health and Biomedical Sciences in Woodbridge. How to apply: Students must attend a mandatory information session and submit an application by November of their 8th grade year."
^MacKenzie, Pamela. "White house revisited", Courier News, March 18, 2005. Accessed June 28, 2011. "Owned by three families - the Whites (the home was designed by Bourke-White's father after the Arts and Crafts style of Gustav Stickley), the Lincolns and the McCrearys - the home is now being sold by the McCreary heirs through Jack Gulla of Century 21 Golden Post Realty for $549,900."
^Manahan, Kevin. "Plainsboro swimmer snags spot in Olympic trials final", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, July 1, 2008. Accessed November 27, 2017. "Descenza, born in Middlesex, learned to swim at the local YMCA and competed with the Middlesex Water Rats until her family moved to Chicago when she was 8."
^"Charlie Hustle", copy of article from New York Post, January 23, 2005. Accessed January 31, 2013. "Weis' approach to coaching began on Princeton Drive in Middlesex."
United States
New Jersey
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