Location of Raritan in Somerset County highlighted in yellow (right). Inset map: Location of Somerset County in New Jersey highlighted in black (left).
The borough's name is derived from the Raritans, a Native American group of Lenape.[22] The name of the tribe is said to mean "forked river",[23] "stream overflows" or "point on a tidal river".[24][25]
History
Raritan town was originally established as a subdivision within Bridgewater Township by act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 3, 1868. Despite its size, the town has an extensive history, that encompasses local, national, and even global history.
Raritan Woolen Mills
The Rariten Woolen Mills, pictured 1918 during the tail-end of WWI
The town's location on the Raritan River, a major artery for the use of trading goods into New York City, contributed it in being a bustling mill town during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The Raritan Woolen Mills was established in 1846, as a major producer of textiles, known throughout the United States. Its name changed to the Somerset Manufacturing Company in 1882, employing as many as 400 people during its peak at the turn of the century. The mill created uniforms and blankets for the Union Army during the Civil War, along with uniforms for the United States Army during World War I.[26]
End of World War I
Memorial plaque marking Frelinghuysen estate site and signing of the Knox–Porter Resolution on July 2, 1921
After a series of bitter lawsuits between Raritan and Bridgewater in the 1930s and 1940s, the Legislature allowed Raritan to become a fully independent borough by an Act on May 12, 1948, based on the results of a referendum passed on June 12, 1948. The new borough incorporated the old town and an additional portion of Bridgewater Township.[29]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 2.03 square miles (5.27 km2), including 1.99 square miles (5.16 km2) of land and 0.04 square miles (0.11 km2) of water (2.02%).[1][2]
Of the 2,673 households, 31.2% had children under the age of 18; 48.5% were married couples living together; 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present and 34.6% were non-families. Of all households, 27.8% were made up of individuals and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.16.[19]
23.1% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 27.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.1 years. For every 100 females, the population had 96.1 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 95.1 males.[19]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $70,116 (with a margin of error of +/− $10,294) and the median family income was $79,813 (+/− $8,715). Males had a median income of $54,130 (+/− $7,617) versus $44,125 (+/− $12,260) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $34,617 (+/− $5,703). About 6.3% of families and 7.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.4% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over.[41]
2000 census
As of the 2000 United States census[16] there were 6,338 people, 2,556 households, and 1,671 families residing in the borough. The population density was 3,113.8 inhabitants per square mile (1,202.2/km2). There were 2,644 housing units at an average density of 1,299.0 per square mile (501.5/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 87.74% White, 0.93% African American, 0.08% Native American, 8.17% Asian, 0.16% Pacific Islander, 1.64% from other races, and 1.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.41% of the population.[39][40]
There were 2,556 households, out of which 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.0% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.6% were non-families. 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.08.[39][40]
In the borough, the population was spread out, with 22.3% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 35.0% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.[39][40]
The median income for a household in the borough was $51,122, and the median income for a family was $59,962. Males had a median income of $46,071 versus $35,704 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $26,420. About 5.5% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.0% of those under age 18 and 12.8% of those age 65 or over.[39][40]
Parks and recreation
Frelinghuysen Park is a public park dedicated to General John Frederick Frelinghuysen.[42] This is the only public park in Raritan, except for Basilone Park and Elizabeth Ave Park, and it includes two little league baseball fields, two full-sized outdoor basketball courts, two full sized tennis courts and a playground. During the summer months Frelinghuysen Park and Basilone Park have recreational pools open to children. The parks offers tables for picnicking. It is located at the end of Sherman Avenue before getting onto Highway 206.[43]
Government
Local government
Raritan 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.[44] The governing body is comprised of the mayor and the borough council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. The 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.[6] The borough form of government used by Raritan 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.[45][46]
As of 2024[update], the mayor of the Borough of Raritan is Republican Nicolas Carra, whose term of office expires December 31, 2027.[47] Members of the Raritan Borough Council are Council President Donald Tozzi (R, 2026),[48] Michael Patente (R, 2026),[49] Adam Armahizer (D, 2025),[50] Joyce Melitsky (R, 2024),[51] David Fritzinger (R, 2024)[52] and Umesh Agrawal (R, 2024, appointed to fill an unexpired term).[53]
In January 2024, the borough council appointed Republican Umesh Agrawal to fill the seat expiring in December 2025 that became vacant when Nicolas J. Carra took office as mayor earlier that month; Agrawal will serve on an interim basis until the November 2024 general election.[54]
Rocco Miele was Raritan's first mayor, serving from its founding in 1948 to 1953.[55]
Federal, state and county representation
Raritan is located in the 7th Congressional District[56] and is part of New Jersey's 23rd state legislative district.[57][58][59]
Somerset County is governed by a five-member Board of County Commissioners, whose members are elected at-large to three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with one or two seats coming up for election each year. At an annual reorganization meeting held on the first Friday of January, the board selects a Director and deputy director from among its members.[65] As of 2024[update], Somerset County's County Commissioners are:
Constitutional officers, elected on a countywide basis are:
Clerk Steve Peter (D, Somerville, 2027),[75][76]
Sheriff Darrin Russo (D, Franklin Township, 2025)[77][78] and
Surrogate Bernice "Tina" Jalloh (D, Franklin Township, 2025)[79][80][73]
Politics
As of March 2011, there were a total of 3,926 registered voters in Raritan, of which 1,122 (28.6% vs. 26.0% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 882 (22.5% vs. 25.7%) were registered as Republicans and 1,917 (48.8% vs. 48.2%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 5 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.[81] Among the borough's 2010 Census population, 57.1% (vs. 60.4% in Somerset County) were registered to vote, including 74.2% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 80.4% countywide).[81][82]
In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 50.0% of the vote (1,360 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 48.7% (1,323 votes), and other candidates with 1.3% (35 votes), among the 2,759 ballots cast by the borough's 4,159 registered voters (41 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 66.3%.[83][84] In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 1,514 votes (52.6% vs. 46.1% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 1,287 votes (44.7% vs. 52.1%) and other candidates with 42 votes (1.5% vs. 1.1%), among the 2,879 ballots cast by the borough's 3,830 registered voters, for a turnout of 75.2% (vs. 78.7% in Somerset County).[85] In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 1,497 votes (53.4% vs. 51.5% countywide), ahead of Democrat John Kerry with 1,239 votes (44.2% vs. 47.2%) and other candidates with 33 votes (1.2% vs. 0.9%), among the 2,802 ballots cast by the borough's 3,606 registered voters, for a turnout of 77.7% (vs. 81.7% in the whole county).[86]
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 72.0% of the vote (1,249 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 26.0% (451 votes), and other candidates with 2.0% (34 votes), among the 1,759 ballots cast by the borough's 4,253 registered voters (25 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 41.4%.[87][88] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 1,292 votes (60.9% vs. 55.8% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 562 votes (26.5% vs. 34.1%), Independent Chris Daggett with 202 votes (9.5% vs. 8.7%) and other candidates with 22 votes (1.0% vs. 0.7%), among the 2,120 ballots cast by the borough's 3,948 registered voters, yielding a 53.7% turnout (vs. 52.5% in the county).[89]
Students from Raritan attend the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District, together with students from Bridgewater Township.[90][91] As of the 2020–21 school year, the district, comprised of 11 schools, had an enrollment of 8,254 students and 754.4 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 10.9:1.[92] One of the largest suburban districts statewide, the district is the largest in Somerset County.[93] Schools in the district (with 2020–21 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[94]) are
Adamsville Primary School[95] (532 students; in grades PreK–4),
Bradley Gardens Primary School[96] (263; PreK–4),
Crim Primary School[97] (342; K–4),
Hamilton Primary School[98] (477; K–4),
John F. Kennedy Primary School[99] (427; K–4),
Milltown Primary School[100] (402; PreK–4),
Van Holten Primary School[101] (334; K–4),
Eisenhower Intermediate School[102] (704; 5–6),
Hillside Intermediate School[103] (574; 5–6),
Bridgewater–Raritan Middle School[104] (1,384; 7–8) and
Bridgewater–Raritan High School[105] (2,747; 9–12).[106][107][108][109] The overwhelming majority of students in the district are from Bridgewater, with approximately 1,000 students from Raritan. All schools in the district are in Bridgewater except for Kennedy, which is in Raritan.
As of May 2010[update], the borough had a total of 24.34 miles (39.17 km) of roadways, of which 18.26 miles (29.39 km) were maintained by the municipality, 2.85 miles (4.59 km) by Somerset County and 3.23 miles (5.20 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.[116]
U.S. Routes 202 and 206 intersect with NJ Route 28 at the Somerville Circle on the borders with Bridgewater Township and Somerville, with the eastern half of the circle located in Raritan.[121] As part of an ongoing effort to improve traffic safety at the circle, the New Jersey Department of Transportation has made a series of changes to the structure of the traffic circle, originally constructed during the 1930s. With the suburbanization of the area, the circle was handling an average of 70,000 vehicles each day. In 1994, an overpass was completed to allow traffic on Route 202 between Flemington and Interstate 78 and Interstate 287 to avoid the circle, though the rate of accidents grew from 195 in 1991 before the project started to 302 for the year after the overpass was open to traffic. After yield signs were added in February 1995, the accident rate increased again, to an annualized rate above 400 per year.[122]
Public transportation
The Raritan train station[123] offers NJ Transit service on the Raritan Valley Line to Newark Penn Station.[124][125] The station is north of the town center on Thompson Street. The station building is south of the tracks in the main parking lot and was built in the early 1890s. There are also three other small lots for this station. Raritan is usually the most frequent terminus of the Raritan Valley Line. There is limited service farther west to High Bridge.
^Nestor, Sandy. Indian Placenames in America, Volume 1, p. 114. Accessed September 21, 2015. "Raritan is Lenape for 'stream overflows,' or 'a point on a tidal river.'"
^The History of Raritan, Borough of Raritan. Accessed September 21, 2015. "The Dutch shortened and altered the name of the Naraticongs and named the area Raritan, or 'forked river'. Other versions of history state that Raritan translates to 'where the stream overflows'."
^History, Borough of Raritan. Accessed August 12, 2023.
^Staff. "Raritan marks the 90th anniversary of the official end of WW1", The Messenger-Gazette, September 12, 2011. Accessed January 10, 2012. "President Warren G. Harding signed the Knox-Porter Resolution on July 2, 1921 on the estate of Joseph Sherman Frelinghuysen, officially ending America's involvement in World War 1. A ceremony marking the event was held on Sept. 10 at the Raritan library."
^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.."
^Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District 2014-15 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed March 3, 2020. "The Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District is a suburban school district located in Somerset County. We serve students from the Township of Bridgewater and the Borough of Raritan. The district is comprised of eleven schools and 3 ancillary buildings, with 1200 staff members serving 9000 students in grades pre-kindergarten through 12."
^About Us, Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District. Accessed June 26, 2022. "The Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District is the largest district in Somerset County and one of the largest suburban school districts in the State. We have approximately 8,800 students attending seven primary (K-4) schools, two intermediate (5-6) schools, one middle school, and one high school."
^"CIBA cited as one of the best by Education Department", Journal Inquirer, November 16, 2006. "The Blue Ribbon award is given only to schools that reach the top 10 percent of their state's testing scores over several years or show significant gains in student achievement. It is considered the highest honor a school can achieve."
^"Viers Mill School Wins Blue Ribbon; School Scored High on Statewide Test" The Washington Post, September 29, 2005. "For their accomplishments, all three schools this month earned the status of Blue Ribbon School, the highest honor the U.S. Education Department can bestow upon a school."
^Peterson, Iver. "Squaring Traffic Circles With Lights and Bridges", The New York Times, November 12, 1991. Accessed November 3, 2013. "As head of the Bridgewater Police traffic division, he has counted 76 accidents on the half of the Somerville Circle in his township through October this year, as traffic from U.S. Highways 202 and 206 intersects with traffic from State Route 28 coming out of Somerville. The eastern half of the circle, in Raritan Borough, has a similar accident rate."
^Hochron, Adam. "Brother returns first time to Raritan's Basilone Parade", The Reporter, September 9, 2004. Accessed September 8, 2007. "Basilone, born in 1916, grew up in Raritan until joining the Army in 1934. After serving for three years in the Philippines, he returned home for a few years before enlisting in the Marine Corps."
^Biography, Tony Bongiovi. Accessed November 3, 2013. "At the age of seventeen, while conducting experiments with equipment in his Raritan, New Jersey home, Tony Bongiovi discovered the secret to duplicating the well-guarded audio formula for the Motown sound."
^Van Hoesen, Walter Hamilton. Crafts and Craftsmen of New Jersey, p. 70. Fairleigh Dickinson University Press, 1973. ISBN9780838610800. Accessed September 21, 2015. "Brokaw was born in Raritan, Somerset County, in 1746, and died in 1826.... Isaac began his trade in Elizabeth around 1770 and remained there until 1790, when he removed to Bridge Town, on the south side of the Rahway River, which is now known as Rahway."
^Frezza Jr., Harry. "Raritan man attends Final Four for 57th time", Courier News, April 1, 2001. Accessed August 2, 2007. "Ben Carnevale, who turns 86 on Oct. 30, has had the kind of life some people might call legendary. In fact, when you look at his life, which began in a house just off the last trolley stop on Gaston Avenue in Raritan Borough, you might agree. The 1934 Somerville High School graduate is a member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. He is also the winningest coach in United States Naval Academy history, a survivor of a ship that was torpedoed during World War II, and somebody who had a lot to do with building the NCAA basketball tournament."
^Mathias, Madeleine. "Writers' workshop will benefit Easton library", The Morning Call, April 11, 2004. Accessed October 5, 2014. "When children's book author Elvira Woodruff was growing up in Raritan, N.J., the library was like a second home. Her mother and father would take her there every week to gather the books she wanted to read."
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