Shrewsbury Township, New Jersey
Covering nearly 1,000 square miles (2,600 km) when it was first formed in 1693, the originally large Shrewsbury Township steadily diminished in size as 74 new municipalities were created from its former boundaries, leaving the township as it currently exists, covering 0.097 square miles (0.25 km), ranked as New Jersey's smallest municipality by area. The combined population of the municipalities that been part of Shrewsbury Township was 935,232 in 2020, which would have made it the 13th largest city in the country, slightly more than that of Fort Worth, Texas.
History
Shrewsbury was part of the Navesink Patent or Monmouth Tract granted soon after the creation of East Jersey in 1665.
When it was formed in 1693, Shrewsbury Township covered an area of almost 1,000 square miles (2,600 km), extending to the north to the Navesink River, south to include all of present-day Ocean County, east to the Atlantic Ocean and west to the present-day border of Monmouth County. It retained its size and scope until 1750, when Stafford Township was formed, taking away most of present-day Ocean County. The Parker Homestead, one of the oldest buildings in state, was built by early settlers to the region.
What is now Shrewsbury Township was originally formed on October 31, 1693, and was created as a township by the Township Act of 1798 of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798.
Creation of new municipalities
Over the centuries, portions of the township have been taken to form Stafford Township (March 3, 1750), Dover Township (March 1, 1768, now Toms River Township), Howell Township (February 23, 1801), Ocean Township (February 24, 1849), Atlantic Township (February 18, 1847, now Colts Neck), Red Bank (March 17, 1870), Eatontown (April 4, 1873), Rumson (May 15, 1907), Fair Haven (March 28, 1912), Little Silver (March 19, 1923), Shrewsbury borough (March 22, 1926) and New Shrewsbury (April 15, 1950, now Tinton Falls). The township was named for Shrewsbury, England.
The remaining land was formerly owned by the Government and called Camp Vail, a housing complex for families of Fort Monmouth employees. After World War II the government planned to close the site but the established families, with no where else to go, purchased the land from the Army with the help of Ann Switek who arranged to maintain the Original Township Charter which had been abandoned. Ann Switek was then elected Town Clerk of Shrewsbury Township and maintained that post for close to 50 years. Camp Vail became Alfred Vail Mutual Association, one of New Jersey's first cooperative housing entities. Following the end of Federal subsidies to Shrewsbury Township schools and services residents of the community outside the Vail Homes felt that the residents in the homes received undue benefits. They attempted to force the Vail Homes out of Shrewsbury Township but were unable to. They instead seceded from Shrewsbury to form New Shrewsbury which was later renamed Tinton Falls.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 0.1 square miles (0.26 km), all of which was land.
Covering about 1,000 square miles (2,600 km) when it was established in 1693, a total of 74 municipalities have been established from its original territory, leaving Shrewsbury Township as the state's smallest municipality.
The borough borders the Monmouth County municipalities of Shrewsbury and Tinton Falls.
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1790 | 4,673 | — | |
| 1810 | 3,773 | * | — |
| 1820 | 4,824 | 27.9% | |
| 1830 | 4,700 | −2.6% | |
| 1840 | 5,917 | 25.9% | |
| 1850 | 3,182 | * | −46.2% |
| 1860 | 4,132 | 29.9% | |
| 1870 | 3,354 | * | −18.8% |
| 1880 | 3,842 | * | 14.5% |
| 1890 | 4,222 | 9.9% | |
| 1900 | 3,842 | * | −9.0% |
| 1910 | 3,238 | * | −15.7% |
| 1920 | 1,944 | −40.0% | |
| 1930 | 1,052 | * | −45.9% |
| 1940 | 1,347 | 28.0% | |
| 1950 | 1,388 | 3.0% | |
| 1960 | 1,204 | * | −13.3% |
| 1970 | 1,164 | −3.3% | |
| 1980 | 995 | −14.5% | |
| 1990 | 1,098 | 10.4% | |
| 2000 | 1,098 | 0.0% | |
| 2010 | 1,141 | 3.9% | |
| 2020 | 1,076 | −5.7% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 1,071 | −0.5% | |
| Population sources: 1790–1920 1840 1850–1870 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 1,141 people, 583 households, and 266 families in the township. The population density was 10,877.7 per square mile (4,199.9/km). There were 648 housing units at an average density of 6,177.7 per square mile (2,385.2/km). The racial makeup was 72.13% (823) White, 14.29% (163) Black or African American, 0.09% (1) Native American, 6.57% (75) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 2.98% (34) from other races, and 3.94% (45) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.11% (161) of the population.
Of the 583 households, 22.1% had children under the age of 18; 25.4% were married couples living together; 15.6% had a female householder with no husband present and 54.4% were non-families. Of all households, 47.5% were made up of individuals and 22.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.96 and the average family size was 2.79.
18.8% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 26.8% from 45 to 64, and 18.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.9 years. For every 100 females, the population had 82.6 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 76.2 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $51,548 (with a margin of error of +/− $8,211) and the median family income was $55,625 (+/− $11,553). Males had a median income of $44,844 (+/− $7,203) versus $36,136 (+/− $6,032) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $28,891 (+/− $3,658). About 3.1% of families and 7.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.7% of those under age 18 and 11.0% of those age 65 or over.
2000 census
As of the 2000 United States census there were 1,098 people, 521 households, and 254 families residing in the township. The population density was 11,624.7 inhabitants per square mile (4,488.3/km). There were 546 housing units at an average density of 5,780.6 per square mile (2,231.9/km). The racial makeup of the township was 66.76% White, 16.67% African American, 10.02% Asian, 2.82% from other races, and 3.73% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.65% of the population.
There were 521 households, out of which 24.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 28.6% were married couples living together, 16.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 51.1% were non-families. 39.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the township the population was spread out, with 20.6% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 37.8% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.0 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $36,875, and the median income for a family was $42,500. Males had a median income of $32,813 versus $30,598 for females. The per capita income for the township was $23,574. About 6.9% of families and 8.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.7% of those under age 18 and 11.8% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Local government
Shrewsbury Township is governed under the Township form of New Jersey municipal government, one of 141 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form, the second-most commonly used form of government in the state. The governing body is comprised of the three-member Township Committee, whose members are elected directly by the voters in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with one seat coming up for election each year as part of the November general election in a three-year cycle. At an annual reorganization meeting, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor.
As of 2023, members of the Shrewsbury Township Committee are Mayor Lester J. Jennings (D, term on committee and as mayor ends December 31, 2023); Deputy Mayor Lynda Lettice (D, term on committee ends 2024; term as deputy mayor ends 2023) and Glenwood J. Puhak (D, 2025).
With Maryellen McNama-Bailly taking office in January 2015, control of the council shifted to the Republican Party. Control of the Township Committee shifted back to the Democratic Party on January 1, 2017, with the election of Glen Puhak in the November 2016 General Election. With Lester J. Jennings defeating incumbent Republican Maryellen McNama-Bailly in the 2017 General Election, Democrats had full control of the council.
In 2018, the township had an average property tax bill of $4,169, the lowest in the county, compared to an average bill of $9,227 in Monmouth County and $8,767 statewide.
Federal, state and county representation
Shrewsbury Township is located in the 4th Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 11th state legislative district.
For the 118th United States Congress, New Jersey's 4th congressional district is represented by Chris Smith (R, Manchester Township). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Democrats Cory Booker (Newark, term ends 2027) and Bob Menendez (Englewood Cliffs, term ends 2025).
For the 2024-2025 session, the 11th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the New Jersey Senate by Vin Gopal (D, Long Branch) and in the General Assembly by Margie Donlon (D, Ocean Township) and Luanne Peterpaul (D, Long Branch).
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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2020 | 192 | 35.29% | 338 | 62.13% | 14 | 2.57% |
| 2016 | 169 | 35.73% | 278 | 58.77% | 26 | 5.50% |
| 2012 | 129 | 29.79% | 286 | 66.05% | 18 | 4.16% |
| 2008 | 168 | 35.00% | 300 | 62.50% | 12 | 2.50% |
| 2004 | 185 | 40.84% | 263 | 58.06% | 5 | 1.10% |
| 2000 | 115 | 31.59% | 232 | 63.74% | 17 | 4.67% |
| 1996 | 106 | 31.45% | 221 | 65.58% | 10 | 2.97% |
| 1992 | 132 | 30.14% | 196 | 44.75% | 110 | 25.11% |
As of March 2011, there were a total of 638 registered voters in Shrewsbury Township, of which 229 (35.9%) were registered as Democrats, 114 (17.9%) were registered as Republicans and 294 (46.1%) were registered as Unaffiliated. One voter was registered to another party.
In the 2016 presidential election, Democrat Hillary Clinton received 57.9% of the vote (260 cast), ahead of Republican Donald Trump with 36.1% (162 votes) and other candidates with 6.0% (27 votes), among the 449 ballots cast by the township's 679 registered voters, for a turnout of 66.13%.In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 66.1% of the vote (286 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 29.8% (129 votes), and other candidates with 4.2% (18 votes), among the 438 ballots cast by the township's 655 registered voters (5 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 66.9%. In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 62.1% of the vote (300 cast), ahead of Republican John McCain with 34.8% (168 votes) and other candidates with 2.5% (12 votes), among the 483 ballots cast by the township's 679 registered voters, for a turnout of 71.1%. In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 57.8% of the vote (263 ballots cast), outpolling Republican George W. Bush with 40.7% (185 votes) and other candidates with 0.8% (5 votes), among the 455 ballots cast by the borough's 640 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 71.1.
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 62.2% of the vote (166 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 35.2% (94 votes), and other candidates with 2.6% (7 votes), among the 271 ballots cast by the township's 651 registered voters (4 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 41.6%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Democrat Jon Corzine received 44.1% of the vote (135 ballots cast), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 44.1% (135 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 7.5% (23 votes) and other candidates with 2.6% (8 votes), among the 306 ballots cast by the township's 643 registered voters, yielding a 47.6% turnout.
Education
Public school students in kindergarten through eighth grade attend the three schools in the Tinton Falls School District, a regional district that also serves students from the neighboring community of Tinton Falls and the dependent children of military families based at Naval Weapons Station Earle. All three of the district's schools are located in Tinton Falls. Shrewsbury Township is represented with one seat out of nine on the district's board of education. As of the 2020–21 school year, the district, comprised of three schools, had an enrollment of 1,331 students and 153.4 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 8.7:1. Schools in the district (with 2020–21 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics) are Mahala F. Atchison Elementary School with 438 students in grades K–3, Swimming River Elementary School with 440 students in grades 4–5 and Tinton Falls Middle School with 446 students in grades 6–8.
Students in public school for ninth through twelfth grades attend Monmouth Regional High School, located in Tinton Falls. The school also serves students from Eatontown, Tinton Falls and Naval Weapons Station Earle. As of the 2020–2021 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 953 students and 90.2 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 10.6:1. Seats on the high school district's nine-member board of education are allocated based on the populations of the constituent municipalities, with one seat assigned to Shrewsbury Township.
Students may also apply to attend one of the magnet schools in the Monmouth County Vocational School District—Marine Academy of Science and Technology, Academy of Allied Health & Science, High Technology High School, Biotechnology High School, and Communications High School.
Transportation
As of May 2010, the township had a total of 1.49 miles (2.40 km) of roadways all of which were maintained by the municipality.
No Interstate, U.S., state or county highways serve Shrewsbury Township directly. The only access to the township via vehicle is from Shrewsbury Avenue (County Route 13). Only municipally maintained streets cross the township, the longest of which is Crawford Street. Nearby major roads that are accessible in neighboring municipalities include CR 520, CR 537, Route 18, Route 35, Route 36, Route 71, and the Garden State Parkway.
Notable people
People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Shrewsbury Township include:
- John M. Corlies (1868–1926), politician who served on the Monmouth County, New Jersey Board of Chosen Freeholders, the Shrewsbury Township Committee, and as mayor of Rumson