Editing Helmetta, New Jersey

{{short description|Borough in Middlesex County, New Jersey, US}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                     = Helmetta, New Jersey
|official_name            = 
|settlement_type          = [[Borough (New Jersey)|Borough]]
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    =

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = Helmetta, NJ.jpg
|imagesize                = 250x200px
|image_caption            = Looking north along Main Street ([[County Route 615 (Middlesex County, New Jersey)|CR 615]])
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               = Helmetta Seal.png

<!-- Maps -->
|image_map                = Middlesex_County_New_Jersey_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Helmetta_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250x200px
|map_caption              = Location of Helmetta in [[Middlesex County, New Jersey|Middlesex County]] highlighted in red (left). Inset map: Location of Middlesex County in [[New Jersey]] highlighted in orange (right).
|image_map1               = Census_Bureau_map_of_Helmetta,_New_Jersey.png
|mapsize1                 = 250x200px
|map_caption1             = Census Bureau map of Helmetta, New Jersey
|pushpin_map              = USA New Jersey Middlesex County#USA New Jersey#USA
|pushpin_label            = Helmetta
|pushpin_map_caption      = Location in [[Middlesex County, New Jersey|Middlesex County]]##Location in [[New Jersey]]##Location in the United States
|pushpin_relief           = yes

<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = {{flag|United States}}
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = {{flag|New Jersey}}
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in New Jersey|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Middlesex County, New Jersey|Middlesex]]
|government_footnotes     = <ref name=DataBook/>
|government_type          = [[Borough (New Jersey)|Borough]]
|governing_body           = Borough Council
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = Chris Slavicek ([[Independent politician|I]], term ends December 31, 2027)<ref name=MayorCouncil/>
|leader_title1            = [[City manager|Administrator]]
|leader_name1             = John M. Podesta<ref>[http://www.helmettaboro.com/Cit-e-Access/webpage.cfm?TID=102&TPID=10750 Administration], Borough of Helmetta. Accessed April 15, 2024.</ref>
|leader_title2            = [[Municipal clerk]]
|leader_name2             = Melissa Hallerman <ref>[http://www.helmettaboro.com/Cit-e-Access/ContactInfo/?TID=102&TPID=10562 Contact Directory], Borough of Helmetta. Accessed April 15, 2024.</ref> 
|established_title        = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date         = March 20, 1888
|named_for                = Olivia Antoinette "Etta" Helme

<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer/5/query?where=STATE='34'&outFields=NAME,STATE,PLACE,AREALAND,AREAWATER,LSADC,CENTLAT,CENTLON&orderByFields=PLACE&returnGeometry=false&returnTrueCurves=false&f=json|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 11, 2022}}</ref>
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 2.27
|area_land_km2            = 2.15
|area_water_km2           = 0.13
|area_total_sq_mi         = 0.88
|area_land_sq_mi          = 0.83
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.05
|area_water_percent       = 5.57
|area_rank                = 519th of 565 in state<br>25th of 25 in county<ref name=CensusArea>[https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_cousubs_34.txt 2019 Census Gazetteer Files: New Jersey Places], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed July 1, 2020.</ref>

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = <ref name=LWD2020/>
|population_total         = 2455
|population_rank          = 470th of 565 in state<br>25th of 25 in county<ref name=LWD2020Density>[https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/assets/PDFs/dmograph/est/mcd/density.xlsx Population Density by County and Municipality: New Jersey, 2020 and 2021], [[New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development]]. Accessed March 1, 2023.</ref>
|population_density_km2   = auto
|population_density_sq_mi = 2963.8
|population_density_rank  = 219th of 565 in state<br>17th of 25 in county<ref name=LWD2020Density/>
|population_est           = 2437
|pop_est_as_of            = 2023
|pop_est_footnotes        = <ref name=PopEst/>

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
|utc_offset               = −05:00
|timezone_DST             = [[Eastern Daylight Time|Eastern (EDT)]]
|utc_offset_DST           = −04:00
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref>{{Gnis|885250|Borough of Helmetta}}, [[Geographic Names Information System]]. Accessed March 5, 2013.</ref>
|elevation_m              = 
|elevation_ft             = 59
|coordinates_footnotes    = <ref name=CensusArea/><ref name="GR1">[https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed September 4, 2014.</ref>
|coordinates              = {{coord|40.378417|-74.423384|region:US-NJ_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]
|postal_code              = 08828<ref>[http://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupResultsAction!input.action?resultMode=0&city=helmetta&state=NJ Look Up a ZIP Code for Helmetta, NJ], [[United States Postal Service]]. Accessed November 23, 2012.</ref><ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/infobank/njzips.htm Zip Codes], State of [[New Jersey]]. Accessed August 28, 2013.</ref>
|area_code                = [[Area codes 732 and 848|732]]<ref>[http://www.area-codes.com/search.asp?frmNPA=&frmNXX=&frmState=NJ&frmCounty=Middlesex&frmCity=Helmetta Area Code Lookup - NPA NXX for Helmetta, NJ], Area-Codes.com. Accessed October 15, 2013.</ref>
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 3402330840<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name="GR2">[https://www.census.gov U.S. Census website], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed September 4, 2014.</ref><ref>[https://mcdc.missouri.edu/applications/geocodes/?state=34 Geographic Codes Lookup for New Jersey], Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed April 1, 2022.</ref>
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 885250<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name="GR3">[http://geonames.usgs.gov US Board on Geographic Names], [[United States Geological Survey]]. Accessed September 4, 2014.</ref>
|website                  = {{nowrap|{{URL|https://www.helmettaboro.com}}}}
|footnotes                = 
}}
'''Helmetta''' is a [[Borough (New Jersey)|borough]] in [[Middlesex County, New Jersey|Middlesex County]], in the [[U.S. state]] of [[New Jersey]]. The borough is located in the heart of the [[Raritan River|Raritan Valley region]], with [[Manalapan Brook]] (a Raritan River [[tributary]]) flowing through the center of the community. As of the [[2020 United States census]], the borough's population was 2,455,<ref name=LWD2020/> its highest [[United States census|decennial count]] ever and an increase of 277 (+12.7%) from the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]] count of 2,178,<ref name=Census2010/><ref name=LWD2010/> which in turn reflected an increase of 353 (+19.3%) from the 1,825 counted in the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]].<ref>[https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/assets/PDFs/census/2010/2010data/table7cm.xls 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.</ref> The community was established around a snuff mill opened in the 1820s that was acquired by [[George Washington Helme]] in the 1880s.

Helmetta was formed as a borough by an act of the [[New Jersey Legislature]] on March 20, 1888, when it was created from portions of [[East Brunswick, New Jersey|East Brunswick]], based on the results of a referendum held on March 10, 1888. Helmetta's boundary with East Brunswick Township was changed as of March 24, 1897.<ref name=Story>Snyder, John P. [https://nj.gov/dep/njgs/enviroed/oldpubs/bulletin67.pdf ''The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968''], Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 170. Accessed May 28, 2024.</ref> The borough was named for Helme's daughter, Olivia Antoinette "Etta" Helme.<ref>Hutchinson, Viola L. [http://mapmaker.rutgers.edu/356/nj_place_names_origin.pdf#page=15 ''The Origin of New Jersey Place Names''], New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 1, 2015.</ref><ref>Cheslow, Jerry. [https://www.nytimes.com/2000/03/26/realestate/if-you-re-thinking-living-helmetta-nj-middlesex-county-s-version-mayberry.html "If You're Thinking of Living In/Helmetta, N.J.; Middlesex County's Version of Mayberry"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', March 26, 2000. Accessed September 1, 2015. "Started in 1825, the snuff mill was sold to George W. Helme in 1879. In 1888, the borough split from East Brunswick in a dispute over services. It was named in honor of Mr. Helme's daughter Olivia Antoinette Helme, who was known as Etta."</ref>

==History==
[[File:St. George’s Anglican Church Helmetta New Jersey 08.jpg|thumb|left|[[St. George's Anglican Church (Helmetta, New Jersey)|St. George's Anglican Church]]]]

===G.W. Helme Snuff Mill District===

{{main|G.W. Helme Snuff Mill Historic District}}
{{Infobox NRHP
| name                           = G.W. Helme Snuff Mill District
| nrhp_type                      = hd
| image                          = HelmettaSnuffMill.jpg
| caption                        = The Helmetta Snuff Mill in Spring 2012
| location                       = Main Street<br>Helmetta, New Jersey
| nearest_city                   =
| coordinates                    = {{coord|40|22|39|N|74|25|31|W|region:US-NJ_type:landmark|display=inline}}
| locmapin                       = USA New Jersey Middlesex County#New Jersey#USA
| nocat                          = yes
| area                           =
| built                          =
| architect                      =
| architecture                   =
| added                          = August 15, 1980
| visitation_num                 =
| visitation_year                =
| refnum                         = 80002503<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2013a|refnum=80002503}}</ref>
| mpsub                          =
| designated_other1_name         = New Jersey Register of Historic Places
| designated_other1_abbr         = NJRHP
| designated_other1_link         = New Jersey Register of Historic Places
| designated_other1_date         = February 1, 1980
| designated_other1_number       = 1842<ref name="NJRHP">{{cite web |title=New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places – Middlesex County |url=https://www.nj.gov/dep/hpo/1identify/nrsr_lists/MIDDLESEX.pdf#page=3 |publisher=[[New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection]] – Historic Preservation Office |page=3 |date=March 25, 2024 |quote=listed as the [[G.W. Helme Snuff Mill Historic District]] }}</ref>
| designated_other1_num_position = bottom
| designated_other1_color        = #ffc94b
}}
Helmetta's main landmark is the large, abandoned Helme Products Inc. plant that sits adjacent to the [[Camden and Amboy Railroad]] line running through the borough.<ref>[http://mapmaker.rutgers.edu/HISTORICALMAPS/RAILROADS/RR_of_NJ.jpg Map of the Railroads in New Jersey], [[Rutgers University]]. Accessed December 4, 2019. Map shows Helmetta on a Camden and Amboy Railroad route.</ref> The mill began producing [[Snuff (tobacco)|snuff]] in the 1880s. On February 23, 1900, the mill was bought by the American-Sniff Company in a merger with Helme Products Inc., but the merger was dissolved in 1911.  In 1925, the mill became the largest of its kind in the world, and by 1934 it employed 400 people.  In 1986, the mill was bought out by [[American Maize-Products]].  Finally, in 1993, it was purchased by [[Swisher International]], and operations were moved to [[Wheeling, West Virginia]].<ref>[http://www.injersey.com/day/story/0,2379,330114,00.html History of Helmetta Timeline] accessed December 24, 2006.</ref>  In 2012, the mill was purchased by Kaplan Companies <ref> [https://www.nj.com/news/2012/07/helmetta_mill_set_to_produce_h.html "After decades of disrepair, Helmetta's old snuff mill will be transformed into housing, civic center"] Accessed August 4, 2024. </ref> and was subsequently transformed into an apartment complex. The transformation was completed in 2017. <ref> [https://patch.com/new-jersey/eastbrunswick/old-snuff-mill-helmetta-converted-luxury-rentals "Old Snuff Mill in Helmetta Converted to Luxury Rentals"] </ref>

The [[G.W. Helme Snuff Mill Historic District]] is a classic example of a late 1800s mill town. The district consists of the [[George Washington Helme]] snuff mill, housing for employees, accessory buildings, [[St. George's Anglican Church (Helmetta, New Jersey)|St. George's Episcopal Church]], Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church, and Helmetta Pond, which at one time served as a source of power for the mill.  About 109 buildings were originally in the district, which was named to the New Jersey Register of Historic Places on February 1, 1980, and to the [[National Register of Historic Places]], on August 15, 1980.<ref name=NJRHP/><ref name="nrhpdoc">{{cite web|url={{NRHP url|id=80002503}}|title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination:  G. W. Helme Snuff Mill District |publisher=[[National Park Service]]|first1=Gary |last1=Wolf |date=February 1979 }} With {{NRHP url|id=80002503|photos=y|title=accompanying 10 photos}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the borough had a total area of 0.88 square miles (2.27&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>), including 0.83 square miles (2.15&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) of land and 0.05 square miles (0.13&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) of water (5.57%).<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name=GR1 />

The borough borders the Middlesex County municipalities of [[East Brunswick, New Jersey|East Brunswick]], [[Monroe Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey|Monroe Township]] and [[Spotswood, New Jersey|Spotswood]].<ref>[http://global.mapit.mysociety.org/area/82925/touches.html Areas touching Helmetta], MapIt. Accessed July 13, 2016.</ref><ref>[http://www.middlesexcountynj.gov/Government/Pages/Municipalities.aspx Municipalities] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200201181824/http://www.middlesexcountynj.gov/Government/Pages/Municipalities.aspx |date=February 1, 2020 }}, [[Middlesex County, New Jersey]]. Accessed December 1, 2019.</ref><ref>[https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/gis/maps/polnoroads.pdf New Jersey Municipal Boundaries], [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]]. Accessed November 15, 2019.</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1900=  447
|1910=  661
|1920=  687
|1930=  801
|1940=  667
|1950=  580
|1960=  779
|1970=  955
|1980=  955
|1990= 1211
|2000= 1825
|2010= 2178
|2020= 2455
| estimate=2437
| estyear=2023
| estref=<ref name=PopEst>[https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/tables/2020-2023/mcds/totals/SUB-MCD-EST2023-POP-34.xlsx Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Minor Civil Divisions in New Jersey: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023], [[United States Census Bureau]], released May 2024. Accessed May 16, 2024.</ref>
|footnote=Population sources:<small> 1900–1920<ref>[https://dspace.njstatelib.org/xmlui/handle/10929/25218?show=full ''Compendium of censuses 1726-1905: together with the tabulated returns of 1905''], [[New Jersey Department of State]], 1906. Accessed October 15, 2013.</ref><br>1900–1910<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=T9HrAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA337 ''Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910: Population by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions, 1910, 1900, 1890''], [[United States Census Bureau]], p. 337. Accessed November 23, 2012.</ref> 1910–1930<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=kifRAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA716 ''Fifteenth Census of the United States : 1930 - Population Volume I''], [[United States Census Bureau]], p. 716. Accessed November 23, 2012.</ref> 1940–2000<ref>[https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/assets/PDFs/census/2kpub/njsdcp3.pdf#page=27 Table 6: New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1940 - 2000], Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network, August 2001. Accessed May 1, 2023.</ref><br>2000<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/> 2010<ref name=Census2010>[http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0600000US3402330840 DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 for Helmetta borough, Middlesex County, New Jersey] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20200212102820/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0600000US3402330840 |date=2020-02-12 }}, [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed November 23, 2012.</ref><ref name=LWD2010>[http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/lpa/census/2010/dp/dp1_mid/helmetta1.pdf Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2010 for Helmetta borough] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140905043141/http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/lpa/census/2010/dp/dp1_mid/helmetta1.pdf |date=2014-09-05 }}, [[New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development]]. Accessed November 23, 2012.</ref> 2020<ref name=LWD2020>[https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/assets/PDFs/census/2020/2020%20pl94%20Tables/2020_Mun/MCD%200_All.pdf Total Population: Census 2010 - Census 2020 New Jersey Municipalities], [[New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development]]. Accessed December 1, 2022.</ref></small>
}}

===2010 census===
The [[2010 United States census]] counted 2,178 people, 891 households, and 596 families in the borough. The [[population density]] was 2,562.9 per square mile (989.5/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 920 housing units at an average density of 1,082.6 per square mile (418.0/km<sup>2</sup>). The racial makeup was 88.61% (1,930) [[White (U.S. census)|White]], 3.95% (86) [[Black (U.S. census)|Black or African American]], 0.09% (2) [[Native American (U.S. census)|Native American]], 4.87% (106) [[Asian (U.S. census)|Asian]], 0.00% (0) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.15% (25) from [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census#Race|other races]], and 1.33% (29) from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. census)|Hispanic or Latino]] of any race were 7.53% (164) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/>

Of the 891 households, 27.8% had children under the age of 18; 52.5% were married couples living together; 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present and 33.1% were non-families. Of all households, 26.0% were made up of individuals and 5.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.97.<ref name=Census2010/>

20.8% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 31.7% from 25 to 44, 30.8% from 45 to 64, and 9.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.3 years. For every 100 females, the population had 93.6 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 90.2 males.<ref name=Census2010/>

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 [[American Community Survey]] showed that (in 2010 [[inflation adjustment|inflation-adjusted]] dollars) [[median household income]] was $80,690 (with a margin of error of +/− $4,944) and the median family income was $96,875 (+/− $8,073). Males had a median income of $63,625 (+/− $7,838) versus $48,333 (+/− $6,040) for females. The [[per capita income]] for the borough was $36,941 (+/− $2,537). About 3.4% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 5.8% of those under age 18 and 3.2% of those age 65 or over.<ref>[http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0600000US3402330840 DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Helmetta borough, Middlesex County, New Jersey] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20200212082850/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0600000US3402330840 |date=2020-02-12 }}, [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed November 23, 2012.</ref>

===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States census]]<ref name="GR2" /> there were 1,825 people, 746 households, and 495 families residing in the borough. The population density was {{convert|2,153.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 769 housing units at an average density of {{convert|907.5|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the borough was 93.15% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 2.41% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.22% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 2.41% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.05% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.88% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.88% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 5.32% of the population.<ref name=Census2000>[http://censtats.census.gov/data/NJ/1603430840.pdf Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Helmetta borough, New Jersey] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140820173526/http://censtats.census.gov/data/NJ/1603430840.pdf |date=2014-08-20 }}, [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed November 23, 2012.</ref><ref name=Census2000SF1>[http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/00_SF1/DP1/0600000US3402330840 DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Helmetta borough, Middlesex County, New Jersey] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20200212095820/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/00_SF1/DP1/0600000US3402330840 |date=2020-02-12 }}, [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed November 23, 2012.</ref>

There were 746 households, out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.7% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.6% were non-families. 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.01.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

In the borough the population was spread out, with 22.1% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 44.1% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 6.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.2 males.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

The median income for a household in the borough was $60,125, and the median income for a family was $64,659. Males had a median income of $47,604 versus $33,929 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the borough was $26,668. About 3.2% of families and 3.3% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 5.2% of those under age 18 and 1.8% of those age 65 or over.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

==Government==

===Local government===
Helmetta is governed under the [[Borough (New Jersey)|borough]] form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey.<ref>[https://njdatabook.rutgers.edu/sites/njdatabook.rutgers.edu/files/documents/inventory_of_municipal_forms_of_government_in_new_jersey.pdf ''Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey''], [[Rutgers University]] Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> The governing body is comprised of the mayor and the borough council, with all positions elected [[at-large]] on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. The mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council includes six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle.<ref name=DataBook>''2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book'', [[Rutgers University]] [[Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy]], March 2013, p. 84.</ref> The borough form of government used by Helmetta is a "[[weak mayor]] / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can [[veto]] ordinances subject to an [[veto override|override]] by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.<ref>Cerra, Michael F. [http://www.njslom.org/magart0307_p14.html "Forms of Government: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know, But Were Afraid to Ask"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924045019/http://www.njslom.org/magart0307_p14.html |date=2014-09-24 }}, [[New Jersey State League of Municipalities]]. Accessed November 30, 2014.</ref><ref>[https://njdatabook.rutgers.edu/sites/njdatabook.rutgers.edu/files/documents/forms_of_municipal_government_in_new_jersey_9220.pdf#page=6 "Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey"], p. 6. [[Rutgers University]] Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref>

{{As of|2024}}, the mayor of Helmetta Borough is [[Independent politician|Independent]] Christopher Slavicek, whose term of office ends December 31, 2027. Members of the Helmetta Borough Council are Council President Peter J. Karczewski ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]], 2024), Sandra Bohinski (I, 2026), Michael R. Duffy (R, 2024), Ronald Dzingleski (I, 2025), Joseph Reid (I, 2025) and Nicholas Stasi (I, 2026).<ref name=MayorCouncil>[https://www.helmettaboro.com/cn/TownCouncil/?tpid=10557 Mayor & Council], Borough of Helmetta. Accessed April 15, 2024.</ref><ref>[https://www.helmettaboro.com/documents/2024%20Introduced%20Budget.pdf 2024 Municipal Data Sheet], Borough of Helmetta. Accessed May 27, 2024.</ref><ref name=Middlesex2023>[https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/NJ/Middlesex/119048/web.317647/#/summary November 7, 2023 General Election Official Results], [[Middlesex County, New Jersey]], December 7, 2023. Accessed January 1, 2024.</ref><ref name=Middlesex2022>[https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/NJ/Middlesex/116148/web.307039/#/summary November 8, 2022 General Election Official Results], [[Middlesex County, New Jersey]], updated November 22, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.</ref><ref name=Middlesex2021>[https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/NJ/Middlesex/110780/web.278093/#/summary General Election November 2, 2021 Official Results], [[Middlesex County, New Jersey]], updated November 19, 2021. Accessed April 13, 2022.</ref>

Samuel Mena was appointed in September 2021 to fill the seat expiring in December 2023 that had been held by Noreen Carolan-Genthe and Nicholas Stasi was appointed in October 2021  to fill the seat formerly held by Joseph Perez and also expiring in December 2021. Both Mena and Stasi will serve on an interim basis until the November 2021 general election when voters will select candidates to serve the balance of the terms of office.<ref>Chang, Kathy. [https://centraljersey.com/2021/10/05/flooding-main-focus-as-incumbents-run-unopposed-for-helmetta-borough-council-in-upcoming-election/ "Flooding is main focus of incumbents running unopposed for Helmetta Borough Council"], CentralJersey.com, October 5, 2021. Accessed June 10, 2022. "The ballot will also feature Councilmen Samuel Mena and Nicholas Stasi, who were appointed to the council to fill the vacancy seats of Councilwoman Noreen Carolan-Genthe and Councilman Joseph Perez, respectively."</ref>

In January 2016, Ronald Dzingleski and Joseph Reid were appointed to fill two of the three vacant council seats.<ref>[http://www.helmettaboro.com/uppages/Minutes%20Jan.%2026%202016.pdf Minutes of the January 26, 2016 Meeting of Mayor and Council], Borough of Helmetta. Accessed July 12, 2016.</ref>

In April 2016, the borough council selected Noreen Carolan to fill the term expiring in December 2016 that had been held temporarily by Brian Hackett who had in turn been appointed to fill the seat held by Yvette Bruno.<ref>Chang, Kathy. [http://www.gmnews.com/2016/05/03/helmetta-new-councilwoman/ "Helmetta appoints new councilwoman"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816222808/http://www.gmnews.com/2016/05/03/helmetta-new-councilwoman/ |date=2016-08-16 }}, ''EB Sentinel News'', May 3, 2016. Accessed July 12, 2016. "Noreen Carolan was appointed at a meeting on April 28 to serve out the rest of Brian Hackett's term ending on Dec. 31. He sent in his resignation notice on April 11. Hackett, who was appointed to fill Councilwoman Yvette Bruno's seat in December 2015, said he began a new job as the New Jersey state director for the Humane Society of the United States and due to his federal status, he is technically prohibited from continuing to serve as a council member."</ref>

In 2014, a recording of a police officer telling a cameraperson stating that he has the constitutional right to take video that he doesn't "give a damn" about constitutional rights was made public. In response, the city government proposed an ordinance banning video and photography inside public buildings without a permit.<ref>Loyer, Susan. [http://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/middlesex-county/2014/08/29/helmetta-ban-photos-ordinance/14823051/ "After cop's viral Obama rant, town seeks ban on videos"], [[MyCentralJersey.com]], August 29, 2014. Accessed September 7, 2014.</ref>

In April 2018, Helmetta disbanded its three-officer police force and entered into a six-year shared services agreement with [[Spotswood, New Jersey|Spotswood]] to provide police, dispatch and EMS services to Helmetta residents.<ref>Loyer, Susan. [https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/middlesex-county/2018/04/19/helmetta-police-disbanded-agreement-spotswood/528106002/ "Helmetta disbands police force, enters into shared services agreement with Spotswood"], ''[[Courier News]]'', April 19, 2018. Accessed August 7, 2018. "Helmetta's police force will be disbanded at the end month and replaced by a shared services agreement that will have Spotswood providing police services to the borough, while saving the borough hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. Borough Council members approved on second reading Wednesday evening an ordinance to eliminate its police department in its entirety. The termination date for borough police officers is April 30."</ref> The Spotswood Police Department is a 24/7 law enforcement agency that serves both Spotswood and Helmetta. The department has 22 officers, 3 full-time dispatchers, and 4 part-time dispatchers, led by Chief Michael Zarro.<ref>[http://www.spotswoodpd.net Home Page], Spotswood Police Department. Accessed August 7, 2018.</ref> In July 2022, Helmetta and Jamesburg entered into a six-year shared service contract in which Jamesburg would provide police and dispatch services to Helmetta. This decision came about after the Borough of Spotswood decided that providing dispatch services to Helmetta was not economically viable. <ref> [https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/middlesex-county/2022/06/30/jamesburg-police-department-is-taking-over-helmetta-police-services/65364940007/ "Jamesburg Police Department taking over Helmetta police and dispatch services"] Accessed August 4, 2024. </ref>

In 2018, the borough had an average property tax bill of $6,270, the lowest in the county, compared to an average bill of $8,092 in Middlesex County and $8,767 statewide.<ref>[https://www.state.nj.us/dca/divisions/dlgs/resources/property_docs/18_data/18taxes.xls 2018 Property Tax Information], [[New Jersey Department of Community Affairs]], updated January 16, 2019. Accessed November 7, 2019.</ref><ref>Marcus, Samantha. [https://www.nj.com/politics/2019/04/these-are-the-towns-with-the-lowest-property-taxes-in-each-of-njs-21-counties.html "These are the towns with the lowest property taxes in each of N.J.’s 21 counties"], NJ Advance Media for [[NJ.com]], April 30, 2019. Accessed November 7, 2019. "New Jersey’s average property tax bill may have hit $8,767 last year — a new record — but taxpayers in some parts of the state pay just a fraction of that.... The average property tax bill in Helmetta Borough was $6,270 in 2018, the lowest in Middlesex County."</ref>

===Federal, state and county representation===
Helmetta is located in the 12th Congressional District<ref name=PCR2012>[https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/2012-congressional-districts/njcd-2011-plan-components-county-mcd.pdf Plan Components Report], [[New Jersey Redistricting Commission]], December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref> and is part of New Jersey's 12th state legislative district.<ref>[https://nj1015.com/whats-your-new-nj-legislative-district-20-moved-on-new-map/ Districts by Number for 2023-2031], [[New Jersey Legislature]]. Accessed September 18, 2023.</ref>

{{NJ Congress 12}} {{NJ Senate}}

{{NJ Legislative 12}}

{{NJ Middlesex County Commissioners}}

===Politics===
As of March 2011, there were a total of 1,399 registered voters in Helmetta, of which 403 (28.8%) were registered as [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrats]], 264 (18.9%) were registered as [[Republican Party (United States)|Republicans]] and 731 (52.3%) were registered as [[Unaffiliated (New Jersey)|Unaffiliated]]. There was one voter registered to another party.<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2011-middlesex-co-summary-report.pdf Voter Registration Summary - Middlesex], [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed November 23, 2012.</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; font-size:95%;"
|+ Presidential Elections Results
|- bgcolor=lightgrey
! Year
![[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
![[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
![[Third Party (United States)|Third Parties]]
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[2024 United States presidential election in New Jersey|2024]]<ref name="2024Elections">{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/2024/2024-official-general-results-president-middlesex.pdf|title=Presidential General Election Results - November 5, 2024 - Middlesex County|publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections|access-date=January 9, 2025}}</ref>'''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''60.8%''' ''798''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|34.3%  ''476''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |4.9% ''35''
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2020|2020]]<ref name="2020Elections">{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/2020/2020-official-general-results-president-middlesex.pdf|title=Presidential General Election Results - November 3, 2020 - Middlesex County|publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections|access-date=December 31, 2022}}</ref>'''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''54.7%''' ''709''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|43.2%  ''560''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |2.1% ''27''
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2016|2016]]<ref name="2016Elections">{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.gov/state/elections/2016-results/2016-gen-elect-presidential-results-middlesex.pdf|title=Presidential General Election Results - November 8, 2016 - Middlesex County|publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections|access-date=December 31, 2017}}</ref>'''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''57.7%''' ''619''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|39.2%  ''420''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |3.1% ''33''
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2012|2012]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.gov/state/elections/2016-results/2016-gen-elect-presidential-results-middlesex.pdf|title=Presidential General Election Results - November 6, 2012 - Middlesex County|date=March 15, 2013|publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections|access-date=December 23, 2014}}</ref>'''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|48.1% ''442''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''50.4%'''  ''463''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |1.4% ''13''
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2008|2008]]'''<ref name="state.nj.us">[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2008-gen-elect-presidential-results-middlesex.pdf 2008 Presidential General Election Results: Middlesex County], [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed November 22, 2012.</ref>
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''52.6%''' ''557''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|45.4%  ''480''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |2.0% ''21''
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2004|2004]]'''<ref name="Presidential Election 2004">[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2004-presidential_middlesex_co_2004.pdf 2004 Presidential Election: Middlesex County], [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed November 22, 2012.</ref>
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''56.6%''' ''587''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|42.6%  ''442''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |0.8% ''8''
|-
|}

In the [[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2012|2012 presidential election]], Democrat [[Barack Obama]] received 50.4% of the vote (463 cast), ahead of Republican [[Mitt Romney]] with 48.1% (442 votes), and other candidates with 1.4% (13 votes), among the 925 ballots cast by the borough's 1,372 registered voters (7 ballots were [[Spoilt vote|spoiled]]), for a turnout of 67.4%.<ref name=2012Elections>{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2012-results/2012-presidential-middlesex.pdf |title=Presidential General Election Results - November 6, 2012 - Middlesex County |date=March 15, 2013 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections |access-date=December 24, 2014}}</ref><ref name=2012VoterReg>{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2012-results/2012-ballotscast-middlesex.pdf |title=Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast - November 6, 2012 - General Election Results - Middlesex County|date=March 15, 2013 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections |access-date=December 24, 2014}}</ref> In the [[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2008|2008 presidential election]], Republican [[John McCain]] received 52.1% of the vote (557 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 44.9% (480 votes) and other candidates with 2.0% (21 votes), among the 1,069 ballots cast by the borough's 1,438 registered voters, for a turnout of 74.3%.<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2008-gen-elect-presidential-results-middlesex.pdf 2008 Presidential General Election Results: Middlesex County], [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed November 23, 2012.</ref> In the [[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2004|2004 presidential election]], Republican [[George W. Bush]] received 56.2% of the vote (587 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat [[John Kerry]] with 42.3% (442 votes) and other candidates with 0.6% (8 votes), among the 1,044 ballots cast by the borough's 1,382 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 75.5.<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2004-presidential_middlesex_co_2004.pdf 2004 Presidential Election: Middlesex County], [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed November 23, 2012.</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; font-size:95%;"
|+ Gubernatorial Elections Results
|- bgcolor=lightgrey
! Year
![[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
![[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
![[Third Party (United States)|Third Parties]]
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[New Jersey gubernatorial election, 2021|2021]]<ref name="2021Elections">{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/2021/2021-general-election-results-governor-middlesex.pdf|title=Governor - Middlesex County|publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections|access-date=December 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220523133229/https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/2021/2021-general-election-results-governor-middlesex.pdf|archive-date=May 23, 2022|url-status=dead}}</ref>'''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''61.8%''' ''484''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|36.3%  ''284''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |1.9% ''15''
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[New Jersey gubernatorial election, 2017|2017]]<ref name="2017Elections">{{cite web|url=http://www.njelections.org/2017-results/2017-general-election-results-governor-middlesex.pdf|title=Governor - Middlesex County|publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections|access-date=December 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180101082423/http://www.njelections.org/2017-results/2017-general-election-results-governor-middlesex.pdf|archive-date=January 1, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>'''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''57.9%''' ''334''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|37.4%  ''216''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |4.7% ''27''
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[New Jersey gubernatorial election, 2013|2013]]<ref name="2013Elections">{{cite web|url=http://nj.gov/state/elections/2013-results/2013-general-election-results-governor-middlesex.pdf|title=Governor - Middlesex County|date=January 29, 2014|publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections|access-date=December 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910072807/http://www.nj.gov/state/elections/2013-results/2013-general-election-results-governor-middlesex.pdf|archive-date=September 10, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>'''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''71.7%''' ''503''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|26.1%  ''183''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |2.3% ''16''
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[New Jersey gubernatorial election, 2009|2009]]'''<ref name="2009Elections">{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.gov/state/elections/election-results/2009-governor_results-middlesex.pdf|title=Governor - Middlesex County|publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections|access-date=January 2, 2018}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''68.0%''' ''476''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|25.5%  ''179''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |6.5% ''45''
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[New Jersey gubernatorial election, 2005|2005]]'''<ref name="2005Elections">{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.gov/state/elections/election-results/2005governor's_results-middlesex.pdf|title=Governor - Middlesex County|publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections|access-date=January 2, 2018}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''49.8%''' ''375''
| style="text-align:center; {{Party shading/Democratic}}|40.1%  ''302''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;" |10.1% ''76''
|}

In the [[New Jersey gubernatorial election, 2013|2013 gubernatorial election]], Republican [[Chris Christie]] received 71.7% of the vote (503 cast), ahead of Democrat [[Barbara Buono]] with 26.1% (183 votes), and other candidates with 2.3% (16 votes), among the 718 ballots cast by the borough's 1,374 registered voters (16 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 52.3%.<ref name="2013Elections" /><ref name=2013VoterReg>{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2013-results/2013-general-election-ballotscast-middlesex.pdf |title=Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast - November 5, 2013 - General Election Results - Middlesex County|date=January 29, 2014 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections |access-date=December 24, 2014}}</ref> In the [[New Jersey gubernatorial election, 2009|2009 gubernatorial election]], Republican Chris Christie received 67.5% of the vote (476 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat [[Jon Corzine]] with 25.4% (179 votes), Independent [[Chris Daggett]] with 4.4% (31 votes) and other candidates with 2.0% (14 votes), among the 705 ballots cast by the borough's 1,402 registered voters, yielding a 50.3% turnout.<ref>[http://www.njelections.org/election-results/2009-governor_results-middlesex.pdf 2009 Governor: Middlesex County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017230558/http://www.njelections.org/election-results/2009-governor_results-middlesex.pdf |date=2012-10-17 }}, [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed November 23, 2012.</ref>

==Education==
All public school students from Helmetta attend the [[Spotswood Public Schools]], with the districts having been consolidated after a July 2009 decision by the [[New Jersey Department of Education]] that merged Helmetta into the Spotswood district.<ref>Donahue, Brian. [http://www1.gmnews.com/2009/07/09/state-forces-school-districts-to-merge/ "State forces school districts to merge; Helmetta district folded into Spotswood school system"], ''Sentinel'', July 9, 2009. Accessed February 2, 2017. "State officials last week ordered the consolidation of the Helmetta and Spotswood school districts, a move that some local officials described as abrupt and worrisome.... There will be no change in school attendance as a result of the merger, since Helmetta's 291 K-12 students will continue to be educated in Spotswood's schools."</ref> Students from [[Milltown, New Jersey|Milltown]] attend the high school as part of a [[sending/receiving relationship]] with the [[Milltown Public Schools]].<ref>[https://www.milltownps.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1649302&type=d&pREC_ID=1792804 Fact Sheet 2021-2022], Milltown Public Schools. Accessed June 27, 2022. "Through a formal send–receive contract, approved by the Department of Education, our high school students are sent on a tuition basis to Spotswood High School. Our operating budget supports Parkview School and Joyce Kilmer School, as well as the tuition for students attending Spotswood High School."</ref><ref>[http://www.nj.gov/education/pr/1415/narrative/23/4970/040.html Spotswood High School 2015 Report Card Narrative], [[New Jersey Department of Education]]. Accessed July 11, 2016. "I want to welcome you to Spotswood High School, a comprehensive institution that focuses on excellence in academics, the arts, athletics, and community service. Spotswood High School has served the residents in Spotswood, Helmetta, and Milltown since 1976."</ref><ref>[https://www.spsd.us/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=988933&type=d&pREC_ID=1305367 About Us], Spotswood Public Schools. Accessed June 27, 2022. "Located in Spotswood, New Jersey, we are a small pre-kindergarten through 12th grade district that educates approximately 1,600 children from the three communities of Spotswood, Helmetta, and Milltown."</ref>

The Spotswood Public Schools serve students in [[pre-kindergarten]] through [[twelfth grade]].<ref>[https://www.straussesmay.com/seportal/Public/DistrictPolicy.aspx?policyid=0110&id=99f577db834a42f0aed4b7b7a7a4dbc1 Spotswood Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification], Spotswood Public Schools. Accessed June 27, 2022. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Pre-Kindergarten through twelve in the Spotswood School District. Composition: The Spotswood School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Spotswood."</ref> As of the 2020–21 school year, the district, comprised of four schools, had an enrollment of 1,610 students and 136.5 classroom teachers (on an [[full-time equivalent|FTE]] basis), for a [[student–teacher ratio]] of 11.8:1.<ref name=NCES>[https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/district_detail.asp?Search=2&details=1&ID2=3415540&DistrictID=3415540 District information for Spotswood Public School District], [[National Center for Education Statistics]]. Accessed February 15, 2022.</ref> Schools in the district (with 2020–21 enrollment data from the [[National Center for Education Statistics]]<ref>[https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3415540 School Data for the Spotswood Public Schools], [[National Center for Education Statistics]]. Accessed February 15, 2022.</ref>) are 
G. Austin Schoenly Elementary School<ref>[https://schoenly.spsd.us/ G. Austin Schoenly Elementary School], Spotswood Public Schools. Accessed June 27, 2022.</ref> with 207 students in grades PreK–1, 
E. Raymond Appleby Elementary School<ref>[https://appleby.spsd.us/ E. Raymond Appleby Elementary School], Spotswood Public Schools. Accessed June 27, 2022.</ref> with 334 students in grades 2–5, 
Spotswood Memorial Middle School<ref>[https://memorial.spsd.us/ Spotswood Memorial Middle School], Spotswood Public Schools. Accessed June 27, 2022.</ref> with 349 students in grades 6–8 and 
[[Spotswood High School (New Jersey)|Spotswood High School]]<ref>[https://shs.spsd.us/ Spotswood High School], Spotswood Public Schools. Accessed June 27, 2022.</ref> with 692 students in grades 9–12.<ref>[https://www.spsd.us/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=988933&type=d&pREC_ID=1305368 Schools], Spotswood Public Schools. Accessed June 27, 2022.</ref><ref>[https://rc.doe.state.nj.us/selectreport/2022-2023/23/4970 School Performance Reports for the Spotswood Public School District], [[New Jersey Department of Education]]. Accessed April 1, 2024.</ref><ref>[https://homeroom6.doe.state.nj.us/directory/school/districtid/4970 New Jersey School Directory for the Spotswood Public Schools], [[New Jersey Department of Education]]. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref>

Eighth grade students from all of Middlesex County are eligible to apply to attend the high school programs offered by the [[Middlesex County Magnet Schools]], a county-wide vocational school district that offers full-time career and technical education at its schools in [[East Brunswick Magnet School|East Brunswick]], [[Edison Academy Magnet School|Edison]], [[Perth Amboy Magnet School|Perth Amboy]], [[Piscataway Magnet School|Piscataway]] and [[Woodbridge Academy Magnet School|Woodbridge Township]], with no tuition charged to students for attendance.<ref>Heyboer, Kelly. [https://www.nj.com/news/g66l-2019/02/1b0ab48c995308/how-to-get-your-kid-a-seat-in-one-of-njs-hardesttogetinto-high-schools.html "How to get your kid a seat in one of N.J.'s hardest-to-get-into high schools"], NJ Advance Media for [[NJ.com]], February 23, 2019. Accessed February 8, 2025. "Middlesex County has two stand-alone career academies for high-achieving students: the Academy for Science, Math and Engineering Technology, located on the campus of Middlesex County College in Edison, and the Academy for Allied Health and Biomedical Sciences in Woodbridge. How to apply: Students must attend a mandatory information session and submit an application by November of their 8th grade year."</ref><ref>[https://www.mcmsnj.net/about About Our Schools], [[Middlesex County Magnet Schools]]. Accessed February 8, 2025. "These high schools are free public schools that offer hands-on, integrated learning opportunities for students in grades 9-12 interested in all types of careers as well as higher education. Any student who resides anywhere in Middlesex County's 25 municipalities student may apply to the school district. If accepted, the home school district will permit the student to attend and will organize daily transportation at no cost to the student's family."</ref>

==Transportation==
===Roads and highways===
{{As of|2010|5}}, the borough had a total of {{convert|8.79|mi}} of roadways, of which {{convert|7.28|mi}} were maintained by the municipality and {{convert|1.51|mi}} by Middlesex County.<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/mileage_Middlesex.pdf Middlesex County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction], [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]], May 2010. Accessed July 24, 2014.</ref>

The major thoroughfare in the borough is [[County Route 615 (Middlesex County, New Jersey)|Main Street (County Route 615)]] which connects with Monroe to the southwest and Spotswood to the northeast.<ref>[https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/12000615__-.pdf#page=7 Middlesex County Route 615 Straight Line Diagram], [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]], updated May 2011. Accessed December 4, 2019.</ref> Main Street is largely known as Bordentown-Amboy Turnpike between Jamesburg and South Amboy.

The [[New Jersey Turnpike]] ([[Interstate 95 in New Jersey|Interstate 95]]) is accessible at Exit 8A in neighboring Monroe Township.<ref>[https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/gis/maps/middlesex.pdf Middlesex County Road Map], [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]]. Accessed December 1, 2019.</ref>

An analysis of speeding tickets issued over an 18-month period between 2011 and 2013 showed that 222 tickets were issued in that timeframe, of which two had been given to borough residents, which was cited as supporting claims that the borough's police department was unfairly targeting non-residents.<ref>Amaral, Brian. [http://www.nj.com/middlesex/index.ssf/2013/10/speed_trap_out-of-town_drivers_targeted_by_small_nj_towns_cops.html "Speed trap: Records show out-of-town drivers targeted by small N.J. town's cops"], ''[[NJ.com]]'', October 23, 2013. Accessed September 17, 2014. "Between September of 2011 and March of 2013, Helmetta police gave 222 speeding tickets in this square-mile borough in southern Middlesex County, according to police department records. Of those, only two lived in Helmetta."</ref>

===Public transportation===
Middlesex County Area Transit (MCAT) shuttles provide service to and from Helmetta on routes operating across the county.<ref>[http://www.middlesexcountynj.gov/Government/Departments/IM/Pages/MCAT/Middlesex%20County%20Area%20Transit%20(MCAT).aspx Middlesex County Area Transit (MCAT)], [[Middlesex County, New Jersey]]. Accessed December 5, 2019.</ref> The M2 Route connects [[Jamesburg, New Jersey|Jamesburg]], Helmetta and [[Spotswood, New Jersey|Spotswood]] with [[East Brunswick, New Jersey|East Brunswick]] including the [[Brunswick Square (East Brunswick, New Jersey)|Brunswick Square Mall]].<ref>[http://www.middlesexcountynj.gov/Government/Departments/IM/Documents/MCAT/Shuttle%20Schedules/M2%20Shuttle%20Schedule%202017.pdf M2 Brunswick Square Mall - Monroe - Jamesburg Shuttle Schedule] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929210512/http://www.middlesexcountynj.gov/Government/Departments/IM/Documents/MCAT/Shuttle%20Schedules/M2%20Shuttle%20Schedule%202017.pdf |date=September 29, 2020 }}, [[Middlesex County, New Jersey]]. Accessed December 5, 2019.</ref>

==Notable people==
{{Category see also|People from Middlesex County, New Jersey}}
People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Helmetta include:
* [[George Washington Helme]] (1822–1893), founder of Helmetta<ref>Hagan, Joanna. [https://www.preservationnj.org/post/helmetta-s-heart "Helmetta’s Heart"], Preservation New Jersey, October 26, 2024. Accessed April 28, 2025. "But time is short for the former home of Olivia Antoinette 'Etta' Helme Herbert, daughter of Helmetta borough founder George W. Helme."</ref>
* [[John Warne Herbert, Jr.]] (1853-1934), lawyer who served as mayor of Helmetta and was a member of the [[1869 Rutgers Queensmen football team|Rutgers]] team in the [[1869 college football season#First football game ever played|first-ever college football game]]<ref>Hagan, Joanna. [https://www.quovadisnewspaper.com/news/historic-helme-s-mansion-faces-demolition/article_346939aa-6a23-11ef-9752-471e8fbf4a8d.html "Historic Helme’s Mansion Faces Demolition"], Quo Vadis, September 3, 2024. Accessed April 28, 2025. "The Helme-Herbert House started life in the 1880s as home to Olivia Antoinette Helme, born in 1862, and her husband, John Warne Herbert Jr., born in 1853.... Herbert, a successful New York lawyer, gave up his practice when he married to become a director at the snuff mill and served as mayor of Helmetta from 1890 to 1902."</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [https://www.helmettaboro.com/ Official Website]
* [https://www.spsd.us/ Spotswood Public Schools]
* {{NJReportCard|23|4970|0|Spotswood Public Schools}}
* [https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3415540 School Data for the Spotswood Public Schools], [[National Center for Education Statistics]]
* [http://www.helmetta.info/ Helmetta Historical Society]

{{Middlesex County, New Jersey}}

{{Geographic Location
 | Centre    = Helmetta
 | North     = [[East Brunswick, New Jersey|East Brunswick Township]]
 | Northeast = 
 | East      = [[Spotswood, New Jersey|Spotswood]]
 | Southeast = 
 | South     = [[Monroe Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey|Monroe Township]]
 | Southwest = 
 | West      = 
 | Northwest = 
}}
{{Raritan River}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Helmetta, New Jersey| ]]
[[Category:1888 establishments in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Borough form of New Jersey government]]
[[Category:Boroughs in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Boroughs in Middlesex County, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places in New Jersey]]
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Middlesex County, New Jersey]]
[[Category:New Jersey District Factor Group none]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1888]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Middlesex County, New Jersey]]
[[Category:New Jersey Register of Historic Places]]