Middletown, New Jersey
Middletown is a bedroom community of New York City, located alongside of the Raritan Bay within the Raritan Valley region in the New York metropolitan area. Due to its affluence, low crime, access to cultural activities, public school system, location at the Jersey Shore and Raritan Bayshore, and central commuting location, Middletown was ranked in 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2014 in the Top 100 in CNNMoney.com's Best Places to Live. Time magazine listed Middletown on its list of "Best Places to Live 2014".
In 2016, SafeWise named Middletown Township as the fifth-safest city in America to raise a child; the township was the highest ranked of the 12 communities in New Jersey included on the list.
History
Small communities of the Lenape Navesink tribe were common throughout the area when the first known European landing in what would become Middletown Township occurred in 1609. Sea captain and explorer Henry Hudson, in search of the mythical Northwest Passage in the service of the Dutch West India Company, anchored along the shores of Sandy Hook Bay in 1609, describing the area "a very good land to fall in with and a pleasant land to see." While a patroonship was granted by the company in 1651 the land wasn't officially settled. Today's Shoal Harbor Museum and Old Spy House includes portions of a house constructed by Thomas Whitlock, one of the area's first European settlers (and a Reformed Baptist at Middletown) who arrived here as early as 1664, around the time of the English takeover of New Netherland as a prelude of the Second Anglo-Dutch War. Long-standing tradition had Penelope Stout, one of the first settlers, hiding in a tree from hostile Native Americans.
Shortly after the Dutch surrender of the New Netherland to the English in 1664 a large tract of land known as the Navesink Patent or Monmouth Tract was granted to Baptist and Quaker settlers from Long Island, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. In 1693 the triangular tract became three townships – Middletown Township, Shrewsbury Township and Freehold Township.
During the American Revolutionary War, Middletown and much of the rest of Eastern Monmouth County was held by the British. After the Battle of Monmouth, the British retreat from Freehold Township carried them down King's Highway through Middletown to their embarkation points at Sandy Hook in the bay, heading back to New York City.
Middletown Township was originally formed on October 31, 1693, and was incorporated as a township by the Township Act of 1798 of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798. Portions of the township were taken to form Atlantic Township (February 8, 1847, now Colts Neck Township), Raritan Township (February 25, 1848, now Hazlet), Atlantic Highlands (February 28, 1887), Highlands (March 22, 1900) and Keansburg (March 22, 1917).
Upon the completion of a railroad junction in 1875, the town grew more rapidly, eventually changing from a group of small and loosely connected fishing and agricultural villages into a fast-growing suburb at the turn of the 20th century. If Middletown ever had a recognizable town center or town square, it was lost in that rapid growth soon after World War II.
In May 1958, several Nike Ajax missiles exploded at Battery NY-53 in Chapel Hill, killing ten Army and civilian personnel. The accident was one of the worst missile-related disasters of the Cold War.
During the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001, Middletown lost 37 of its residents at the World Trade Center, which was the second-most 9/11 deaths of any municipality, behind New York City itself. The World Trade Center Memorial Gardens were opened to the public on September 11, 2003, the second anniversary of the attacks.
The Waterfront site of Naval Weapons Station Earle is located in Leonardo on Sandy Hook Bay, and is used to load ammunition onto ships on a finger pier that stretches for 2.9 miles (4.7 km), making it the world's second-longest such pier.
The "Evil Clown of Middletown" is a towering sign along Route 35 painted to resemble a circus clown, that currently advertises a liquor store. The sign is a remnant of an old supermarket that used to be at that location called "Food Circus". The clown and recent successful attempts from residents to save it from demolition have been featured in the pages of Weird NJ magazine, on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and in the Kevin Smith-directed film Clerks II.
The Indian Trails 15K road race is held each year in April to benefit the Monmouth Conservation Foundation and includes a 5K walk/run event for fun. The race, run on a combination on paved and dirt roads, includes many relatively steep hills and has been described as "the most challenging race in the state".
The Middletown Township Historical Society is a non-profit formed in 1968 to preserve and promote the history of Middletown.
Gallery
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The Seabrook-Wilson House was built in 1663 and is one of the oldest surviving structures in New Jersey
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Marlpit Hall was built in 1686 and is an example of New England-influenced saltbox architecture.
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Sandy Hook Light was built in 1764. It is the oldest operating lighthouse in the United States.
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Middletown was settled as a place of refuge for Baptists from Long Island and New England. Pictured is the New Monmouth Baptist Church, established in 1855.
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The Thomas Lloyd House at Brookdale Farm
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The Holland Activity Center at Tatum Park, the former homestead of the prestigious Tatum family
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The Union Schoolhouse was built in 1842 and was used for education until 1909. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 23, 1976, for its significance in education.
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The rose parterre at Deep Cut Gardens, a public botanical gardens in Middletown which was formerly the estate of mobster Vito Genovese.
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World Trade Center Memorial Gardens in Middletown, which had the second-highest number of residents killed during the September 11th attacks, behind New York City
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 58.72 square miles (152.09 km), including 40.95 square miles (106.06 km) of land and 17.78 square miles (46.04 km) of water (30.27%).
Belford (2010 Census population of 1,768), Fairview (3,806), Leonardo (2,757), Lincroft (6,135), Navesink (2,020), North Middletown (3,295) and Port Monmouth (3,818) are all census-designated places and unincorporated communities located within Middletown Township.
Other unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Browns Dock, Chapel Hill, East Keansburg, Everett, Fort Hancock, Harmony, Headdons Corner, Hendrickson Corners, Highland Park, Highlands Beach, Highlands of Navesink, Holland, Leonardville, Locust, Locust Point, Monmouth Hills, New Monmouth, Normandie, Oak Hill, Philips Mills, Red Hill, River Plaza, Stone Church, Tiltons Corner, Town Brook, Waterwitch Park and Wilmont Park.
The Sandy Hook peninsula is also within Middletown Township, though it is not connected to the rest of the township by land. However, one could sail along Raritan Bay from the mainland to Sandy Hook and remain within Middletown Township.
The township borders the Monmouth County communities of Atlantic Highlands, Colts Neck, Fair Haven, Hazlet, Highlands, Holmdel, Keansburg, Red Bank, Rumson, Sea Bright and Tinton Falls.
Poricy Creek (Poricy Park, Oak Hill Road) is locally well known for its deposits of Cretaceous marine fossils, including belemnites. Deep Cut Gardens, a public botanical garden and the former estate of mobster Vito Genovese is located in Middletown, as is Huber Woods Park, the former estate of the Huber family, Tatum Park, Thompson Park and parts of Hartshorne Woods Park.
Climate data for Middletown Township, NJ | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 38 (3) |
41 (5) |
48 (9) |
59 (15) |
69 (21) |
79 (26) |
83 (28) |
83 (28) |
77 (25) |
65 (18) |
54 (12) |
44 (7) |
62 (16) |
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 27 (−3) |
27 (−3) |
34 (1) |
42 (6) |
52 (11) |
62 (17) |
68 (20) |
68 (20) |
61 (16) |
50 (10) |
41 (5) |
32 (0) |
47 (8) |
Average precipitation inches (mm) | 3.50 (89) |
2.98 (76) |
3.90 (99) |
3.85 (98) |
4.02 (102) |
4.40 (112) |
4.91 (125) |
4.19 (106) |
3.84 (98) |
4.00 (102) |
3.46 (88) |
3.70 (94) |
46.75 (1,189) |
Source: |
Demographics
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1790 | 3,225 | — | |
1810 | 3,849 | — | |
1820 | 4,369 | 13.5% | |
1830 | 5,128 | 17.4% | |
1840 | 6,063 | 18.2% | |
1850 | 3,251 | * | −46.4% |
1860 | 4,112 | 26.5% | |
1870 | 4,639 | 12.8% | |
1880 | 5,059 | 9.1% | |
1890 | 5,650 | * | 11.7% |
1900 | 5,479 | * | −3.0% |
1910 | 6,653 | 21.4% | |
1920 | 5,917 | * | −11.1% |
1930 | 9,209 | 55.6% | |
1940 | 11,018 | 19.6% | |
1950 | 16,203 | 47.1% | |
1960 | 39,675 | 144.9% | |
1970 | 54,623 | 37.7% | |
1980 | 62,574 | 14.6% | |
1990 | 68,183 | 9.0% | |
2000 | 66,327 | −2.7% | |
2010 | 66,522 | 0.3% | |
2020 | 67,106 | 0.9% | |
2023 (est.) | 66,478 | −0.9% | |
Population sources: 1800–1920 1840 1850 1870 1880–1890 1890–1910 1910–1930 1940–2000 2000 2010 2020 * = Lost territory in previous decade |
2010 census
The 2010 United States census counted 66,522 people, 23,962 households, and 18,235 families in the township. The population density was 1,622.9 per square mile (626.6/km). There were 24,959 housing units at an average density of 608.9 per square mile (235.1/km). The racial makeup was 93.89% (62,456) White, 1.31% (869) Black or African American, 0.10% (67) Native American, 2.60% (1,730) Asian, 0.01% (8) Pacific Islander, 0.81% (537) from other races, and 1.29% (855) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 5.37% (3,569) of the population.
Of the 23,962 households, 34.5% had children under the age of 18; 63.5% were married couples living together; 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present and 23.9% were non-families. Of all households, 20.3% were made up of individuals and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.22.
24.4% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 22.7% from 25 to 44, 31.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.5 years. For every 100 females, the population had 93.7 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 91.1 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $96,190 (with a margin of error of +/− $2,818) and the median family income was $110,944 (+/− $3,794). Males had a median income of $78,739 (+/− $3,585) versus $52,752 (+/− $2,573) for females. The per capita income for the township was $42,792 (+/− $1,706). About 1.7% of families and 3.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.9% of those under age 18 and 5.1% of those age 65 or over.
2000 census
As of the 2000 United States census there were 66,327 people, 23,236 households, and 18,100 families residing in the township. The population density was 1,613.0 inhabitants per square mile (622.8/km). There were 23,841 housing units at an average density of 579.8 per square mile (223.9/km). The racial makeup of the township was 94.71% White, 1.21% African American, 0.07% Native American, 2.59% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.53% from other races, and 0.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 3.41% of the population.
There were 23,236 households, out of which 37.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.3% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.1% were non-families. 18.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.1% 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 3.27.
In the township the population was spread out, with 26.3% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 25.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.0 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $75,566, and the median income for a family was $86,124. Males had a median income of $60,755 versus $36,229 for females. The per capita income for the township was $34,196. About 1.9% of families and 3.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.2% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 105 or over.
Government
Local government
The Township Committee operates under a special charter approved on June 23, 1971, by the New Jersey Legislature; The charter preserves many aspects of the township form of government. The township is one of 11 (of the 564) municipalities statewide governed under a special charter. The township's governing body is comprised of the five-member Township Committee, whose members are elected at-large in partisan elections to three-year terms on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle as part of the November general election. At an annual reorganization meeting, the Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and another as Deputy Mayor, each for a one-year term. The Township Committee establishes municipal policies and programs and appropriates funds.
As of 2024, members of the Middletown Township Committee are Mayor Anthony S. Perry Jr. (R, term as mayor and on committee ends December 31, 2024), Deputy Mayor Rick W. Hibell (R, term on committee ends 2025; term as deputy mayor ends 2024), Ryan M. Clarke (R, 2026), Kimberly Kratz (R, 2026) and Kevin M. Settembrino (R, 2025).
In September 2021, the Township Committee selected Kimberly Kratz from a list of three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2023 that had been held by Patricia A. Snell until she resigned from office the previous month. Kratz served on an interim basis until the November 2021 general election, when she was chosen by the voters to serve the balance of the term of office.
In February 2018, the Township Committee selected Rick Hibell to fill the seat expiring in December 2019 that was vacated by Gerard Scharfenberger after he resigned and took office on the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders; Hibell served on an interim basis until the November 2018 general election, when voters elected him to fill the balance of the term of office.
In November 2017, the committee chose Anthony Perry, the son-in-law of then-Mayor Gerry Scharfenberger, from three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2018 that had been vacated by Stephen G. Massell the previous month when he resigned from office to accept a position on the Monmouth County Tax Board.
In October 2006, Middletown councilman and former four-term mayor Raymond J. O'Grady (R) was sentenced to 43 months in federal prison on bribery and extortion charges arising from his involvement in a federal sting operation known as Operation Bid Rig targeting political corruption in New Jersey. O'Grady committed to obtain no-bid contracts after he had accepted bribes from contractors in exchange for the work.
Federal, state, and county representation
Middletown Township is split between the 4th and 6th Congressional Districts and is part of New Jersey's 13th state legislative district.
Prior to the 2010 Census, Middletown Township had been split between the 6th Congressional District and the 12th Congressional District, a change made by the New Jersey Redistricting Commission that took effect in January 2013, based on the results of the November 2012 general elections. The split that took effect in 2013 placed 30,866 residents living in the township's southeast in the 4th District, while 35,656 residents in the northern and eastern portions of the township were placed in the 6th District.
For the 118th United States Congress, New Jersey's 4th congressional district is represented by Chris Smith (R, Manchester Township). For the 118th United States Congress, New Jersey's 6th congressional district is represented by Frank Pallone (D, Long Branch). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Democrats Cory Booker (Newark, term ends 2027) and George Helmy (Mountain Lakes, term ends 2024).
For the 2024-2025 session, the 13th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the New Jersey Senate by Declan O'Scanlon (R, Little Silver) and in the General Assembly by Vicky Flynn (R, Holmdel Township) and Gerard Scharfenberger (R, Middletown Township).
Monmouth County is governed by a Board of County Commissioners composed of five members who are elected at-large to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats up for election each year as part of the November general election. At an annual reorganization meeting held in the beginning of January, the board selects one of its members to serve as director and another as deputy director. As of 2024, Monmouth County's Commissioners are Director Thomas A. Arnone (R, Neptune City, 2025), Susan M. Kiley (R, Hazlet Township, 2024), Erik Anderson (R, Shrewsbury, 2026), Nick DiRocco (R, Wall Township, 2025), and Deputy Director Ross F. Licitra (R, Marlboro Township, 2026).
Constitutional officers elected on a countywide basis are Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon (R, 2025; Ocean Township), Sheriff Shaun Golden (R, 2025; Howell Township) and Surrogate Rosemarie D. Peters (R, 2026; Middletown Township).
Politics
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
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No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 24,219 | 55.76% | 18,582 | 42.78% | 631 | 1.45% |
2016 | 21,267 | 59.91% | 12,979 | 36.56% | 1,253 | 3.53% |
2012 | 18,426 | 58.17% | 12,801 | 40.41% | 448 | 1.41% |
2008 | 20,997 | 57.59% | 15,058 | 41.30% | 404 | 1.11% |
2004 | 21,317 | 60.44% | 13,651 | 38.71% | 301 | 0.85% |
2000 | 16,134 | 51.35% | 13,738 | 43.73% | 1,545 | 4.92% |
1996 | 13,158 | 46.81% | 12,175 | 43.31% | 2,776 | 9.88% |
1992 | 15,736 | 49.76% | 10,002 | 31.63% | 5,886 | 18.61% |
As of March 2011, there were a total of 46,628 registered voters in Middletown Township, of which 10,222 (21.9%) were registered as Democrats, 11,674 (25.0%) were registered as Republicans and 24,701 (53.0%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 31 voters registered to other parties.
In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 58.2% of the vote (18,426 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 40.4% (12,801 votes), and other candidates with 1.4% (448 votes), among the 37,742 ballots cast by the township's 48,011 registered voters (6,067 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 78.6%. In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 57.6% of the vote (20,997 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 41.3% (15,058 votes) and other candidates with 1.1% (404 votes), among the 36,887 ballots cast by the township's 48,174 registered voters, for a turnout of 76.6%. In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 60.2% of the vote (21,317 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 38.6% (13,651 votes) and other candidates with 0.7% (301 votes), among the 35,403 ballots cast by the township's 46,022 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 76.9.
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 74.5% of the vote (15,145 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 23.8% (4,834 votes), and other candidates with 1.7% (337 votes), among the 20,555 ballots cast by the township's 47,933 registered voters (239 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 42.9%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 67.3% of the vote (16,351 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 25.8% (6,265 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 5.7% (1,382 votes) and other candidates with 0.8% (188 votes), among the 24,298 ballots cast by the township's 47,422 registered voters, yielding a 51.2% turnout.