| Plainsboro Township, New Jersey | |
|---|---|
| — Township — | |
| Location of Plainsboro Township in Middlesex County. Inset: Location of Middlesex County highlighted in the State of New Jersey. | |
| Census Bureau map of Plainsboro Township, New Jersey | |
| Coordinates: | |
| Country | United States |
| State | New Jersey |
| County | Middlesex |
| Incorporated | May 6, 1919 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Township |
| • Mayor | Peter Cantu (term ends 2011)[1] |
| Area[2] | |
| • Total | 12.207 sq mi (31.614 km2) |
| • Land | 11.785 sq mi (30.522 km2) |
| • Water | 0.422 sq mi (1.092 km2) 3.45% |
| Elevation[3] | 79 ft (24 m) |
| Population (2010 Census)[4][5] | |
| • Total | 22,999 |
| • Density | 1,951.6/sq mi (753.5/km2) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 08536[6] |
| Area code(s) | 609 |
| FIPS code | 34-59280[7][8] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0882161[9] |
| Website | http://www.plainsboronj.com/ |
Plainsboro Township is a township in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 22,999.[4]
Plainsboro was incorporated as a township on May 6, 1919.[10] Prior to that date, all lands north of Plainsboro Road and Dey Road were part of South Brunswick Township and all lands south of Plainsboro Road and Dey Road were part of Cranbury Township. Inadequate school facilities were the catalyst for creating the township.[11]
Plainsboro Center (2010 Census population of 2,712) and Princeton Meadows (13,834)[12] are census-designated places and unincorporated areas located within Plainsboro Township.
Contents |
The original residents of Plainsboro were the Unami Native Americans. In the 17th century, the Dutch settled the area for its agricultural properties.
The oldest developed section of Plainsboro is at the intersection of Dey and Plainsboro Roads. It is thought that the road was named after a Dutch built tavern that sat at the intersection, called "The Planes Tavern," in the early 18th century or earlier. The building still stands and was featured on HGTV's "If These Walls Could Talk" along with the historic Plainsboro Inn building (circa 1790) which was built adjacent to "Planes Tavern" at Plainsboro Road and Dey Road.
In 1897, the Walker-Gordon Dairy Farm opened up, which, among many other things, contributed Elsie the Cow, possibly the most famous cow ever, and The Walker Gordon Diner, which has since been closed.[13]
Other family farms arrived during the first three quarters of the 20th Century, notably the Parker, Simonson, Stults, and Groendyke farms. The Parker Farm was eventually integrated into the Groendyke farm, and both became part of Walker-Gordon's Dairy Farm, which is now a housing development. The Simonson and Stults Farms still stand and thrive in Plainsboro.
Plainsboro was officially founded on May 6, 1919, and was formed from sections of Cranbury and South Brunswick townships. Plainsboro Township was created in response to Cranbury and South Brunswick refusing to build a new fireproof and larger school in Plainsboro Village.[14] Every year, the date is celebrated with a parade, festival, and a concert.
In 1971, Princeton University (which owned most of the town) and Lincoln Properties, Inc., together developed the area into what it is now, a large suburban town still holding on to its rural past. In response to the development, West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South was opened in nearby Princeton Junction, then just called WWP High. To accommodate the additional growth, West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North was opened in Plainsboro in September 2000, beginning a North-South rivalry between the Pirates and the Knights.
The latest addition to Plainsboro is the Village Center, which is adjacent to the historic village area. Located at the intersection of Schalks Crossing and Scudder Mills Roads, Plainsboro Village Center currently features eight buildings totaling almost 75,000 square feet (7,000 m2) of retail, commercial and office space, as well as 11 single-family homes and 12 townhomes.[15] The Village Center contains wide landscaped sidewalks and outdoor, cafe'-style seating. The Village center's downtown atmosphere is the location of many shopping and dining destinations. The Village Center features a large village green with a tranquil fountain and walking paths in a park-like setting. The Village Center also houses a new $12.4 million Plainsboro Library, which opened on April 10, 2010.[16] The township broke ground on July 27, for two new buildings that will host medical offices, additional retail space and 8 residential condominium units.
The University Medical Center at Princeton is constructing a new $447 million facility in Plainsboro, slated for a 2012 opening. The hospital will be renamed University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro. The new hospital and 171-acre medical campus will include a modern medical office building attached to the hospital, a world-class education center, a health and fitness center, a skilled nursing facility, a pediatric services facility and a 32-acre public park.[17] Officials at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) have also confirmed they will be opening a facility in Plainsboro on 13 acres of the new hospital campus.[18]
Plainsboro is located at (40.338251,-74.581908). According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 12.207 square miles (31.614 km2), of which, 11.785 square miles (30.522 km2) of it is land and 0.422 square miles (1.092 km2) of it (3.45%) is water.[19][2]
| South Brunswick Twp | ||||
| Princeton Twp | ||||
| Plainsboro | ||||
| West Windsor Twp | East Windsor Township | Cranbury Twp |
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1920 | 460 |
|
|
| 1930 | 1,018 | 121.3% | |
| 1940 | 925 | −9.1% | |
| 1950 | 1,112 | 20.2% | |
| 1960 | 1,171 | 5.3% | |
| 1970 | 1,648 | 40.7% | |
| 1980 | 5,605 | 240.1% | |
| 1990 | 14,213 | 153.6% | |
| 2000 | 20,215 | 42.2% | |
| 2010 | 22,999 | 13.8% | |
| Population sources:1920-1930[20] 1930-1990[21] 2000[22][23] 2010[4][24][5] |
|||
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 22,999 people, 9,402 households, and 5,886 families residing in the township. The population density was 1,951.6 inhabitants per square mile (753.5 /km2). There were 10,089 housing units at an average density of 856.1 per square mile (330.5 /km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 41.07% (9,445) White, 8.03% (1,847) African American, 0.30% (69) Native American, 46.22% (10,630) Asian, 0.02% (4) Pacific Islander, 1.76% (404) from other races, and 2.61% (600) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.21% (1,429) of the population.[4]
There were 9,402 households out of which 36.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.4% were non-families. 31.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.14.[4]
In the township the population was spread out with 24.7% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 35.7% from 25 to 44, 26.2% from 45 to 64, and 7.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35.5 years. For every 100 females there were 98.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.4 males.[4]
The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $86,986 (with a margin of error of +/- $5,536) and the median family income was $114,457 (+/- $6.162). Males had a median income of $76,846 (+/- $6,185) versus $58,515 (+/- $5,722) for females. The per capita income for the township was $46,222 (+/- $2,054. About 1.9% of families and 3.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.6% of those under age 18 and 4.0% of those age 65 or over.[25]
As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 20,215 people, 8,742 households, and 5,122 families residing in the township. The population density was 1,707.7 people per square mile (659.2/km²). There were 9,133 housing units at an average density of 771.5 per square mile (297.8/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 58.20% White, 7.58% African American, 0.10% Native American, 30.51% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.36% from other races, and 2.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.64% of the population.[22][23]
As part of the 2000 Census, 16.97% of Plainsboro Township residents identified themselves as being Indian American. This was the second-highest percentage (behind Edison) of Indian American people in any municipality in the United States with 1,000 or more residents identifying their ancestry.[26] In the 2000 census, 8.55% of Plainsboro Township's residents identified themselves as being of Chinese ancestry. This was the second-highest percentage (behind Holmdel Township) of people with Chinese ancestry in any municipality in New Jersey with 1,000 or more residents identifying their ancestry.[27]
There were 8,742 households out of which 33.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.4% were married couples living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.4% were non-families. 33.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 3.06.[22][23]
In the township the population was spread out with 24.6% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 45.2% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 4.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 102.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.8 males.[22][23]
The median income for a household in the township was $72,097, and the median income for a family was $88,783 (these figures had risen to $82,609 and $102,586 respectively as of the 2007 American Community Survey estimate[28]). Males had a median income of $62,327 versus $44,671 for females. The per capita income for the township was $38,982. About 1.4% of families and 3.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.7% of those under age 18 and 2.3% of those age 65 or over.[22][23]
Plainsboro Township is governed by a Township Committee form of New Jersey municipal government.[29] The governing body is composed of five members elected at large for staggered three-year terms. Every January 1, the Township Committee re-organizes and selects a mayor and deputy mayor from among its membership. Township Committee meetings are open to the public and held on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. A Township Administrator appointed by the Township Committee oversees Plainsboro's professional employees. Major departments are Administration, Township Clerk, Finance, Recreation/Cultural Affairs, Municipal Court, Public Safety, Public Works, Planning/Zoning, and Building Inspections, each overseen by a department head.[11]
As of 2011[update], members of the Plainsboro Township Committee are Mayor Peter Cantu, Deputy Mayor Neil J. Lewis, Nuran Nabi, Michael Weaver and Edward Yates.[30]
Plainsboro Township is in the 12th Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 14th state legislative district.[31]
New Jersey's Twelfth Congressional District is represented by Rush D. Holt, Jr. (D, Hopewell Township).[32] New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).
14th district of the New Jersey Legislature, which is represented in the Senate by Linda R. Greenstein (D, Plainsboro Township and in the New Jersey General Assembly by Daniel R. Benson (D, Hamilton Township) and Wayne DeAngelo (D, Hamilton Township).[33] The New Jersey Senate seat, which was vacant after the resignation of Bill Baroni, was filled by Tom Goodwin (R, Hamilton Township) on March 15, 2010. In a special election held to fill the remainder of Baroni's term, Goodwin lost re-election to then Assemblywoman Greenstein.[34] Benson was chosen to fill Greenstein's vacancy in the Assembly.[35][24] The Governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie (R, Mendham).[36] The Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is Kim Guadagno (R, Monmouth Beach).[37]
Middlesex County is governed by a Board of Chosen Freeholders, whose seven members are elected at-large to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with two or three seats coming up for election each year. As of 2010 , Middlesex County's Freeholders are Freeholder Director Christopher D. Rafano (South River), Freeholder Deputy Director Ronald G. Rios (Carteret), Carol Barrett Ballante (Monmouth Junction), Stephen J. "Pete" Dalina (Fords), H. James Polos (Highland Park), Mildred Scott (Piscataway) and Blanquita B. Valenti (New Brunswick). Constitutional officers are County Clerk Elaine M. Flynn (Old Bridge Township), Sheriff Mildred S. Scott (Piscataway) and Surrogate Kevin J. Hoagland (New Brunswick).[38]
Plainsboro and West Windsor are part of a combined school district, the West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District. Schools in the district (with 2009-10 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[39]) are four K-3 elementary schools — Dutch Neck Elementary School (763 students), Maurice Hawk Elementary School (827), Town Center Elementary School (706) and J.V.B. Wicoff Elementary School (433) — Millstone River Elementary School (869) and Village Elementary School (651) for grades 4&5, Community Middle School (1,256) and Thomas Grover Middle School (1,296) for grades 6-8, along with West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North (1,608) and West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South (1,613) students for grades 9-12.[40]
In 2005, Community Middle School received first place at the national "Science Olympiad" competition. The Community Middle School "Science Olympiad" team took first place for a second time in 2007. West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South was the 16th ranked public high school, and North was 19th-ranked, in New Jersey out of 322 schools statewide, in New Jersey Monthly magazine's September 2010 cover story on the state's Top Public High Schools.[41]
Three of the district's schools have been recognized by the Blue Ribbon Schools Program. West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South was recognized during the 1992-93 school year and Maurice Hawk Elementary School was recognized in 1993-94,[42] while West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North was recognized in the 2006-07 school year.[43]
U.S. Route 1 is a major transportation route that passes through the northwestern part of township. County Route 614 has its western terminus at U.S. Route 1 and passes through the center of Plainsboro.
The closest limited access road is the New Jersey Turnpike which is accessible from Interchange 8 in neighboring East Windsor and Interchange 8A in Monroe.
New Jersey Transit bus service includes the 600, which provides service to Trenton. New Jersey Transit Northeast Corridor rail line runs through the township. New Jersey Transit, and Amtrak trains service the township at the nearby Princeton Junction.[44]
Suburban Transit buses to New York. The Park and Ride in Route 130 provides buses directly to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan.
Notable current and former residents of Plainsboro Township include:
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||