Piscataway Township, New Jersey

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Piscataway Township, New Jersey
other_name =
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mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Location of Piscataway Township highlighted in Middlesex County. Inset: Location of Middlesex County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.


mapsize1 = 250x200px
map_caption1 = Census Bureau map of Piscataway Township, New Jersey
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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = New Jersey
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Middlesex
settlement_type = Township Township
government_type = Faulkner Act Mayor-Council
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Brian C. Wahler
established_title = Formed
established_date = October 31, 1693
established_title2 = Incorporated
established_date2 = February 21, 1798
area_magnitude =
unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =
area_total_km2 = 49.1
area_land_km2 = 48.6
area_water_km2 = 0.5
area_total_sq_mi = 19.0
area_land_sq_mi = 18.8
area_water_sq_mi = 0.2
area_water_percent = 1.05
area_urban_km2 =
area_urban_sq_mi =
area_metro_km2 =
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population_as_of = 2007
population_footnotes =
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settlement_type = Township
population_total = 52565
population_density_km2 = 1037.9
population_density_sq_mi = 2688.6
population_metro =
population_density_metro_km2 =
population_density_metro_sq_mi =
population_urban =
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timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = Eastern (EDT)
utc_offset_DST = -4
latd = 40 |latm = 32 |lats = 23 |latNS = N
longd = 74 |longm = 27 |longs = 59 |longEW = W
elevation_m = 28
elevation_ft = 92
elevation_footnotes = [Gnis|882167|Township of Piscataway, Geographic Names Information System, accessed April 15, 2007.]
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 08854, 08855
area_code = 732 and 908
website = http://www.piscatawaynj.org/
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 34-59010GR|2 [ [http://mcdc2.missouri.edu/webrepts/commoncodes/ccc_nj.html A Cure for the Common Codes: New Jersey] , Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed July 14, 2008.]
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0882167GR|3
footnotes =

Piscataway Township (pronEng|pɪˈskætəweɪ) is a Township in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 50,482.

The name Piscataway derives from its original settlers who lived near the Piscataqua River (partially the boundary between the states of New Hampshire and Maine), whose name derives from Pisgeu (meaning "dark night") and awa ("Place of"), or it may come from the Lenape word meaning "Great Deer". [ [http://www.getnj.com/origname/orignamep.shtml The Origin of New Jersey Place Names: P] , GetNJ.com. Accessed June 28, 2007.] The area was first settled in 1666 by Quakers and Baptists who had left the Puritan colony in New Hampshire. [Cheslow, Jerry. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE7DE143FF93BA15755C0A964958260 " If You're Thinking of Living in: Piscataway"] , "The New York Times", June 28, 1992. Accessed June 28, 2007.]

Piscataway Township was formed on December 18, 1666, and officially incorporated on February 21, 1798."The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 172. ] The community, the fifth oldest municipality in New Jersey, [ [http://www.piscatawaynj.org/ Welcome to Piscataway, NJ] , accessed February 8, 2007.] has grown from Native American territory, through a colonial period and is one of the links in the earliest settlement of the Atlantic Ocean seacoast that ultimately led to the formation of the United States. Over the years, portions of Piscataway were taken to form Raritan Township (March 17, 1870, now Edison), Dunellen (October 28, 1887), Middlesex (April 9, 1913) and South Plainfield (March 10, 1926).

Piscataway is in Central Jersey with easy access to major highways, including Interstate 287, the Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike. Society Hill is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Piscataway Township.

Piscataway has advanced educational and research facilities due to the presence of Rutgers University and Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Rutgers Stadium is in Piscataway.

In 2008, "Money" magazine ranked Piscataway 23rd out of the top 100 places to live in America. [ [http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2008/states/NJ.html Best Places to Live 2008] , Money Magazine, accessedJuly 27, 2008]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 19.0 square miles (49.1 km²), of which, 18.8 square miles (48.6 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.5 km²) of it (1.05%) is water.

Piscataway is bordered by nine municipalities in Middlesex County, Union County, and Somerset County: Plainfield on the northeast, Dunellen on the north, Middlesex on the northwest, South Bound Brook and Franklin Township on the west across the Raritan River, New Brunswick on the south (across the river), Highland Park and Edison on the southeast, and South Plainfield on the east.

The township consists of the following historic villages and areas: New Market, known as Quibbletown in the 18th Century, Randolphville, Fieldville and North Stelton.Fact|date=December 2007 The original village settlement of Piscatawaytown is located in present day Edison Township.

Piscataway is often segmented into unofficial sections by local residents which include Bound Brook Heights "the Heights"), New Brunswick Highlands, Lake Nelson, Randolphville, Arbor, New Market, North Stelton (Fellowship Farm) and Possumtown.

Significant portions of Piscataway make up part of historic Camp Kilmer and the Livingston and Busch Campuses of Rutgers University.

The Arbor and New Brunswick Highland sections of Piscataway were historically African American neighborhoods.

The New Market section historically comprised the Quaker village of Quibbletown. The name of the village originates from the fact that settlers of different religious denominations quibbled about whether the Sabbath should be observed on Saturday or on Sunday in the village.

Demographics

USCensusPop
1930=5865
1940=7243
1950=10180
1960=19890
1970=36418
1980=42223
1990=47089
2000=50482
estimate= 52565
estyear=2007
estref= [http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFPopulation?_event=Search&geo_id=16000US3458200&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US34%7C16000US3458200&_street=&_county=piscataway&_cityTown=piscataway&_state=04000US34&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=160&_submenuId=population_0&ds_name=null&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null&reg=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry= Census data for Piscataway township] , United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 4, 2008.]
footnote=Population 1930 - 1990. [ [http://www.wnjpin.net/OneStopCareerCenter/LaborMarketInformation/lmi01/poptrd6.htm New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990] , Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed March 1, 2007.] As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 50,482 people, 16,500 households, and 12,325 families residing in the township. The population density was 2,688.6 people per square mile (1,037.9/km²). There were 16,946 housing units at an average density of 902.5/sq mi (348.4/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 48.81% White, 20.31% African American, 0.21% Native American, 24.80% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 3.08% from other races, and 2.77% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.93% of the population.

As of the 2000 census, 12.49% of Piscataway's residents identified themselves as being of Indian American ancestry, which was the fourth highest of any municipality in the United States and the third highest in New Jersey — behind Edison (17.75%) and Plainsboro Township (16.97%) — of all places with 1,000 or more residents identifying their ancestry. [ [http://www.epodunk.com/ancestry/Asian-Indian.html Asian-Indian Communities] , Epodunk. Accessed February 18, 2007.]

There were 16,500 households out of which 34.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.6% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.3% were non-families. 19.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.29.

In the township the population was spread out with 21.9% under the age of 18, 14.1% from 18 to 24, 33.3% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 8.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 97.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.2 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $68,721, and the median income for a family was $75,218. Males had a median income of $47,188 versus $36,271 for females. The per capita income for the township was $26,321. About 2.7% of families and 3.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.3% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government

In November, 1966, Piscataway voters, under the Faulkner Act, approved a Charter Study and elected a Charter Study Commission to recommend the form of Government best suited to Piscataway's needs. The Commission recommended Mayor-Council Plan F, and in November 1967, the voters approved, and the new form of government was inaugurated on January 1, 1969. Under Plan F the Mayor is the administrator and the Council is the legislative body. A full time business administrator, appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Council, and responsible to the Mayor, supervises the day-by-day operation of municipal government. Terms of office for the Mayor and Council members are four years, on a staggered schedule. There are seven Council members, one representing each of four wards, and three At-Large members. [ [http://www.piscatawaynj.org/government Piscataway Township Government] , Township of Piscataway. Accessed December 14, 2006.] ["2005 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book", Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, April 2005, p. 81.]

The Mayor of Piscataway is [http://www.piscatawaynj.org/mayorsmessage Brian C. Wahler] . Members of the Township Council are: [ [http://www.piscatawaynj.org/township-council Piscataway Mayor and Council] , Township of Piscataway. Accessed March 18, 2007.]
*Council President Mark Hardenburg (Ward 1)
*Council Vice President Loretta Keimel (Ward 2)
*Kenneth Armwood (At Large)
*Millie Scott (At Large)
*James Huben (At Large)
*Steven D. Cahn (Ward 3)
*Michelle Lombardi (Ward 4)

Federal, state and county representation

Piscataway is in the Sixth Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 17th Legislative District. [ [http://www.lwvnj.org/pubs/CG06.pdf 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government] , New Jersey League of Women Voters, p. 62. Accessed August 30, 2006.]

Emergency services

Piscataway is divided into four fire districts which are served by a total of six volunteer fire companies.

District 1
* [http://www.newmarketfd.com New Market Fire Co.] , 801 South Washington Ave.

District 2
* [http://www.station650.com River Road Fire Co.] , 102 Netherwood Ave.
* Holmes Marshall Fire Co., 5300 Deborah Dr.
* [http://www.possumtownfire.com Possumtown Fire Co.] , 85 Stratton St. South

District 3
* Arbor Hose Co., 1780 West Seventh St.

District 4
* [http://www.northsteltonfire.org North Stelton Fire Co.] , 70 Haines Ave.

Fire Prevention
*Fire Marshall's Office, 555 Sidney Rd.

Fire District Map
* [http://www.piscatawaynj.org/documents/maps-to-download/PiscFireDisctrictMap.pdf/view Piscataway's Fire Districts]

Education

The Piscataway Township Schools serves almost 7,000 students in grades kindergarten through 12 under the leadership of Superintendent of Schools, Robert L. Copeland. [ [http://www.piscatawayschools.org/11821062091337543/site/default.asp Who’s Who in the Piscataway School District] , Piscataway School District. Accessed September 23, 2007.] In addition to its high school, there are four schools that educate students in kindergarten through third grade, two intermediate schools serving grades 4-5, and three middle schools for students in grades six, seven, and eight.

Schools in the district (with 2005-06 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics [ [http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3413050 Data for the Piscataway Township Schools] , National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed September 23, 2007.] ) are:

Elementary schools (Grades K-3)
* [http://www.myschoolonline.com/site/0,1876,34749-36928-38-2954,00.html Eisenhower Elementary School] , 360 Stelton Road - 518 students
* [http://www.myschoolonline.com/site/0,1876,34749-36926-38-3273,00.html Grandview Elementary School] , 130 North Randolphville Road - 539 students
* [http://www.myschoolonline.com/site/0,1876,34749-36932-38-3700,00.html Knollwood Elementary School] , 333 Willow Avenue - 509 students
* [http://www.myschoolonline.com/site/0,1876,34749-36931-38-4140,00.html Randolphville Elementary School] , One Suttie Avenue - 494 studentsIntermediate Schools (Grades 4-5)
* [http://www.myschoolonline.com/site/0,1876,34749-36924-38-2326,00.html Arbor Intermediate School] , 1717 Lester Place - 505 students
* [http://www.myschoolonline.com/site/0,1876,34749-36933-38-3642,00.html Martin Luther King Intermediate School] , 5205 Ludlow Street - 486 studentsMiddle Schools (Grades 6-8)
* [http://www.myschoolonline.com/site/0,1876,34749-36934-38-2683,00.html Conackamack Middle School] , 5205 Witherspoon Street - 552 students
* [http://www.myschoolonline.com/site/0,1876,34749-36925-38-4132,00.html Quibbletown Middle School] , 99 Academy Street - 543 students
* [http://www.myschoolonline.com/site/0,1876,34749-36927-38-4241,00.html Theodore Schor Middle School] , 243 North Randolphville Road - 520 studentsHigh School (Grades 9-12)
* Piscataway Township High School, 100 Behmer Road - 2,227 students

Middlesex County schools:
* [http://www.mcesc.k12.nj.us/special/NuViewtext.htm Nu-View Academy Piscataway Campus] , 1 Park Ave. - Programs for students with symptoms of; Depression, ADHD, Conduct Disorder, Thought Disorder, or Anxiety Disorder.
* [http://www.mcesc.k12.nj.us/special/bright.htm Bright Beginnings Learning Center] , 1660 Stelton Rd. - Programs for students with Autism.
* [http://www.mcesc.k12.nj.us/special/piscat.htm Piscataway Regional Day School] , 1670 Stelton Rd. - Programs for students with Autism.
* [http://www.mcesc.k12.nj.us/special/right.htm Raritan Valley Academy] , 1690 Stelton Rd. - Programs for students with behavioral disabilities, learning and/or language disabilities.
* [http://www.mc-votech.org/mcvts-piscataway.aspx?id=967 Middlesex County Vo-Tech High School Piscataway] , 21 Suttons Ln. - Vocational and Technical High School.

Private schools:
* [http://www.cabrini.com/ St. Frances Cabrini School] (PreK-8)
* [http://olfatima.net/ Our Lady of Fatima School] (PreK-8)
* Lake Nelson Seventh-day Adventist School (PreK-8)
* [http://www.timothychristian.org/ Timothy Christian School] (K-12)

Colleges & continuing education
* Rutgers University Busch and Livingston Campuses
* University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey Piscataway Campus
* [http://www.cortiva.com/new-jersey-massage-schools/new-jersey-massage-schools.html Cortiva Institute - Somerset School of Massage Therapy]
* [http://www.gogibbs.com/katharine-gibbs-piscataway.aspx Gibbs College] Piscataway Campus

Points of interest

*WVPH is the community radio station of Piscataway High School and Rutgers University.
*Yurcak Field is a multi-purpose soccer and lacrosse stadium, built in 1994, and holds 5,000 people. The stadium is officially named "The Soccer/Lacrosse Stadium at Yurcak Field" in honor of Ronald N. Yurcak, a 1965 All-American Rutgers Lacrosse player. Rutgers University and Major League Lacrosse's New Jersey Pride both host their home games at this stadium.

Corporate residents

*Siemens Hearing Instruments, is the world’s largest manufacturer of hearing aids. [ [http://goliath.ecnext.com/premium/0199/0199-3312982.html "Instant manufacturing: from jet parts to hearing aids, the manufacture of finished goods directly from digital files and piles of powder is a growing trend. Someday, retail stores might even print out a product just for you."] , "Technology Review", November 1, 2003. Accessed September 30, 2007. "It works so well that Siemens, the world's largest maker of hearing aids, is completely switching to the technology at several factories."]
*Telcordia Technologies, World Headquarters
*American Standard, World Headquarters
*Hapag-Lloyd America, An international shipping company. [ [http://www.hapag-lloyd.com/en/offices/northamerica_HAPAGL_2.html Hapag-Lloyd America Inc.] , Hapag-Lloyd. Accessed February 22, 2008.]
* [http://www.pbg.com Pepsi Cola Bottling Group] A Pepsi Cola bottling plant.
*Colgate-Palmolive, Research and Development

Notable residents

Notable current and former residents of Piscataway Township include:
*Mike Alexander (born 1965), former NFL wide receiver. [ [http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=ALEXAMIK01 Mike Alexander] , database Football. Accessed November 24, 2007.]
*John Celestand (born 1977), 30th Pick of 1999 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. [Mallozzi, Vincent M. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9906E7DA1139F934A25752C0A960958260&scp=2&sq=%22John+Celestand%22+piscataway&st=nyt "BIG EAST REPORT"] , "The New York Times", January 17, 1996. Accessed April 15, 2008. "One of the players who played well in Kittles's absence against West Virginia was the freshman John Celestand, a 6-3 guard from Piscataway N.J., who scored 14 points against the Mountaineers."]
*Malcolm Jenkins (born 1987), cornerback for the Ohio State Buckeyes, considered a top cornerback prospect for the 2009 NFL Draft. [ [http://ohiostate.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=1&pr_key=24003 Malcolm Jenkins] , Rivals.com. Accessed December 2, 2007.]
*Asjha Jones (born 1980), WNBA basket player for the Connecticut Sun. [ [http://www.wnba.com/playerfile/asjha_jones/bio.html Asjha Jones profile] , Women's National Basketball Association. Accessed September 6, 2007. "A Parade, USA Today and Street & Smith First Team All-American at Piscataway High School, averaging 22.2 points, 11.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.5 blocks and 2.9 steals…Scored a school career-record 2,266 points and had 1,256 rebounds."]
*Lisa Marie (born 1968), Actress in "Planet of the Apes", and "Sleepy Hollow". [Lee, Linda. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A0CE2D7153DF93AA15754C0A9679C8B63 "A NIGHT OUT WITH: Lisa Marie; A Vargas Girl in the City"] , "The New York Times", July 29, 2001. Accessed October 1, 2007. "She was raised in Piscataway, N.J., and came to the city in her teens to study dance."]
* Brandon Renkart (born 1984), practice squad player for the New York Jets. [ [http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/brandon-renkart?id=4435 Brandon Renkart profile] , NFL. Accessed October 4, 2008.]
*Mike Fisher (born 1986), Famous Racecar Driver

References

External links

* [http://www.piscatawaynj.org/ Piscataway Township website]
* [http://www.piscatawayschools.org Piscataway Township Schools]
*NJReportCard|23|4130|0|Piscataway Township Schools
* [http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3413050 Data for the Piscataway Township Schools] , National Center for Education Statistics