Green Brook Township is a township in Somerset County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It is centrally located within the Raritan Valley region. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 7,281, an increase of 78 (+1.1%) from the 2010 census count of 7,203, which in turn reflected an increase of 1,549 (+27.4%) from the 5,654 counted in the 2000 census.Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023.

What is now Green Brook was originally created as North Plainfield Township on April 2, 1872, from portions of Warren Township. Portions of the township were taken to form North Plainfield (June 9, 1885) and Watchung (March 23, 1926). Green Brook was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on November 8, 1932, replacing North Plainfield Township, based on the results of a referendum held that same day.About our town, Green Brook Township. Accessed February 17, 2013. Lists 1932 as the date when the township's name was changed to Green Brook.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 223. Accessed August 3, 2012.

Green Brook describes itself as "Small Enough to Know You, Large Enough to Get Things Done". Most of Green Brook shares ZIP Code 08812 with Dunellen.

History In 1872, a tract of land was subdivided off from Warren Township. Thirteen years later, in 1885, the Borough of North Plainfield was created from a section of the subdivided land. The land at that time was designated as North Plainfield. In 1926, the Borough of Watchung was carved out of North Plainfield Township. The municipality's name was changed to Green Brook Township in 1932.

Green Brook Township takes its name from the waterway that passes through the township called the Green Brook that rises in the Watchung Mountains several miles away, feeding from many smaller brooks and ponds along the way, as it flows in a southwesterly direction for a distance of . It then continues southwestward and flows into the Raritan River at Bound Brook, which provides access to the New York City area and the Atlantic Ocean.History, Green Brook Township. Accessed October 29, 2024. The brook was named for the color of its water.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed August 19, 2015.

Also contained within the township is Washington Rock State Park, which commemorates the spot where George Washington and Marquis de Lafayette watched the movement of the British soldiers during the American Revolutionary War, mainly the months of May and June 1777. The park was established on March 17, 1913, and is about in size.Washington Rock State Park, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Division of Parks and Forestry. Accessed September 9, 2013. "One of the oldest state parks in New Jersey, Washington Rock was originally purchased in 1913 to commemorate the historical events of 1777. Situated on top of Watchung Mountain in Green Brook Township, the park is best known for its scenic vista and historical significance. The park is a popular site for picnicking and relaxing."

Raritan Valley Hospital in Green Brook was the first teaching hospital of Rutgers Medical School when in 1972 the school expanded to become a full four-year medical school. The hospital had opened in 1966 and was closed in 1981, with the subsequent conversion to the Green Brook Regional Center, a facility caring for the elderly with disabilities.

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 4.42 square miles (11.43 km2), including 4.41 square miles (11.42 km2) of land and 0.01 square miles (0.02 km2) of water (0.18%).

The township is in the Raritan Valley, a line of places in central New Jersey. Green Brook lies in the northern division of Raritan Valley along with the borough of North Plainfield.Raritan River , Sierra Club, New Jersey Chapter - Raritan Valley Group. Accessed September 9, 2013.

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Seeley Mills and Washington Rock.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.

The township borders the municipalities of Bridgewater Township, North Plainfield, Warren Township and Watchung in Somerset County; Middlesex and Dunellen in Middlesex County; and Plainfield in Union County.Areas touching Green Brook Township, MapIt. Accessed March 3, 2020.Municipalities, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed March 3, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Demographics

2020 census +Green Brook Township, Somerset County, New Jersey – Racial and ethnic composition (NH = Non-Hispanic)Race / EthnicityPop 2010% 2010White alone (NH)4,9174,13468.26%56.78%Black or African American alone (NH)2383133.30%4.30%Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)150.01%0.07%Asian alone (NH)1,4531,74320.17%23.94%Pacific Islander alone (NH)100.01%0.00%Some Other Race alone (NH)7340.10%0.47%Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH)922091.28%2.87%Hispanic or Latino (any race)4948436.86%11.58%Total7,2037,281100.00%100.00%

2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 7,203 people, 2,375 households, and 1,945 families in the township. The population density was 1,610.5 per square mile (621.8/km2). There were 2,448 housing units at an average density of 547.3 per square mile (211.3/km2). The racial makeup was 73.54% (5,297) White, 3.37% (243) Black or African American, 0.04% (3) Native American, 20.21% (1,456) Asian, 0.04% (3) Pacific Islander, 1.12% (81) from other races, and 1.67% (120) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.86% (494) of the population.

Of the 2,375 households, 42.1% had children under the age of 18; 69.6% were married couples living together; 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present and 18.1% were non-families. Of all households, 14.6% were made up of individuals and 5.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.96 and the average family size was 3.30.

26.4% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 23.0% from 25 to 44, 31.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.1 years. For every 100 females, the population had 93.3 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 90.3 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $115,268 (with a margin of error of +/− $15,162) and the median family income was $123,796 (+/− $10,668). Males had a median income of $74,231 (+/− $16,708) versus $75,703 (+/− $8,965) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $49,068 (+/− $5,197). About 0.9% of families and 1.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.8% of those under age 18 and 1.7% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Green Brook township, Somerset County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 3, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 5,654 people, 1,893 households, and 1,508 families residing in the township. The population density was . There were 1,916 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the township was 88.43% White, 1.68% African American, 0.07% Native American, 7.99% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.71% from other races, and 1.08% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.09% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Green Brook township, Somerset County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 3, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Green Brook township, Somerset County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 3, 2012.

There were 1,893 households, out of which 37.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.0% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.3% were non-families. 15.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.2% 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 3.20.

In the township the population was spread out, with 24.3% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.0 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $80,644, and the median income for a family was $87,744. Males had a median income of $52,147 versus $46,434 for females. The per capita income for the township was $37,290. About 1.7% of families and 2.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.9% of those under age 18 and 5.5% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government Green Brook 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.Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey, Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023. The Township Committee is comprised of five members, who are elected directly by the voters at-large in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year as part of the November general election in a three-year cycle.2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 98."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 7. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023. At a reorganization meeting, held each year within the first week of January, the Committee elects a Mayor and a Deputy Mayor for that year from among its members.

, members of the Green Brook Township Committee are Mayor James Van Arsdale (R, term on committee ends December 31, 2024; term as mayor ends 2023), Deputy Mayor James Benscoter (R, term on committee ends and as deputy mayor ends 2023), Brian Conway (R, 2023), Gerard "Jerry" Searfoss (R, 2025) and Nancy Stoll (R, 2024).Township Committee, Green Brook Township. Accessed January 30, 2023.2021 Municipal Data Sheet, Green Brook Township. Accessed June 22, 2022.2023 Directory of County & Municipal Offices, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed April 10, 2024.General Election November 8, 2022 Final Certified Results, Somerset County, New Jersey, updated November 23, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.2021 General Election Winning Candidates, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed January 1, 2022.Somerset County General Election November 3, 2020 Final Certified Results, Somerset County, New Jersey, dated December 3, 2020. Accessed January 19, 2021.

Federal, state and county representation Green Brook Township is located in the 7th Congressional DistrictPlan Components Report, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020. and is part of New Jersey's 21st state legislative district.Municipalities Sorted by 2023-2031 Legislative District, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed September 1, 2023.

Politics