Housing

East Brunswick has a multitude of housing choices on the eastern side of town, with single family homes, townhouses, condominium and apartment complexes. The western side is the sparsely developed 6.7 square mile Rural Preservation Zone. Most homes in East Brunswick are single family residences. Current real estate values for single family homes range from $150,000 to over $1,000,000 for a custom home with tennis court and pool. Almost all the homes are within walking distance of one of the several synagogues.  Visit our Real Estate listings which contain Jewish Homes for sale by owner as well as those listed by brokers.

Recreation

Recreational offerings are diverse and include one of the township's star attractions,  Crystal Springs a blue water swimming area with a lazy river, Olympic size lap pool, several wading pools, and a water slide. In addition, the Township boasts two private swim clubs, many tennis courts, five private health clubs and fourteen public parks on 600 acres. Tamarack Golf Club, which includes two 18-hole courses and is owned by Middlesex County, is also located in the Township. A community theater group, Playhouse 22  performs major Broadway shows and children's shows.

Demographics

East Brunswick Median household income is 35% higher than the New Jersey median and 78% higher than the US Median.

Based on the 2000 census East Brunswick's homogeneous population of 47,000 include, 16,372 households, 40.5% included children under the age of 18. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.23.The township the population was spread out with 26.0% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 26.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 94.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.1 males.

Although its hard to estimate the Jewish Population, there are approximately 1200 families  directly affiliated with one of the three synagogues. Based on known affiliation rates and family sizes, it is estimated that there are about 10,000 Jews both secular and affiliated residing in East Brunswick.

Kosher Connection

There is a strong and growing Kosher infrastructure in and around East Brunswick including kosher restaurants (including 2 kosher Chinese restaurants that deliver!). And, both the Acme and Shoprite supermarkets have Glatt kosher meat and deli counters. East Brunswick is also home to the famous Lox, Stock and Deli, known for its kosher restaurant, catering and take out.

A Brief History

The general area of central New Jersey was once occupied by the Lenape Native Americans. Around the late 1600s, settlers began arriving in the northern part of East Brunswick, and by the mid-1800s, a small village had formed in the southeastern part, known as the Old Bridge section of the town. After decades as a quiet farming area, East Brunswick began to change in the 1930s. Large scale housing due to  its close  proximity to New York City  transformed the sleepy community into a large suburban town. But yet today, the town still contains numerous  farms and open land reminiscent of its past.

Local Government

The Township of East Brunswick was established in 1860. The Mayor is the chief executive of the community who is chosen for a four year term at the regular Presidential election in November and serves part-time. While the Mayor does not preside over, nor have a vote on the Council, he or she may vote in the case of a tie on the question of filling a Council vacancy. The Mayor also has veto power over ordinances, but vetoes can be overridden by a two-thirds vote of the Council.

The Mayor of East Brunswick is William P. Neary; he was first elected in 1996.

The Township Council is the legislative body. There are five members elected at large for staggered four-year terms at the general election held in even-numbered years. The Council's powers consist of: adopting all ordinances; reviewing, revising and adopting the budget; making appropriations; levying taxes; authorizing bond issues; providing for the internal structure of the local government; providing by ordinance for the creation and abolition of jobs; fixing salaries; and establishing general municipal policy. The Council has the authority to initiate hearings for the purposes of gathering information for ordinance making, airing public problems and supervising the spending of its appropriations.

Transportation

East Brunswick is located 30 miles from New York City and only 25 miles from Newark Liberty International Airport. There are numerous options for commuting to New York City and elsewhere via New Jersey transit bus service or via train at the New Brunswick Station. The Commute is under one hour.  Several Park and Ride facilities are available.

There is local bus service providing transportation to shopping, the Train Station, etc.

Route 18 is the main artery and connects East Brunswick to the New Jersey Turnpike ( Exit 9) and also directly to the Jersey Shore.

Additional Township Facts

Population in July 2007: 48,972.

Estimated median household income in 2007: $93,200 (it was $75,956 in 2000)

Estimated median house/condo value in 2007: $479,800 (it was $212,800 in 2000)

For population 25 years and over in East Brunswick

• High school or higher: 92.1%

• Bachelor's degree or higher: 47.1%

• Graduate or professional degree: 19.5%

• Unemployed: 3.5%

• Mean travel time to work: 37.2 minutes