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Middlesex, New Jersey

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Template:Short description Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement Middlesex is a borough in Middlesex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It is located within the Raritan Valley region. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 14,636,<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/> its highest decennial count and an increase of 1,001 (+7.3%) from the 2010 census count of 13,635,<ref name=Census2010/><ref name=LWD2010/> which in turn reflected a decline of 82 (−0.6%) from the 13,717 counted in the 2000 census.<ref>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>

Middlesex was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 9, 1913, from portions of Piscataway, based on the results of a referendum held on May 6, 1913.<ref name=Story>Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 170. Accessed May 30, 2024.</ref> The borough was named after Middlesex, England.<ref>Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 6, 2015.</ref><ref>Gannett, Henry. The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States, p. 207. United States Government Printing Office, 1905. Accessed September 6, 2015.</ref>

History

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The Harris Lane School was a one-room schoolhouse that was the oldest school in Middlesex County, dating back to its construction in the 1790s.<ref>Staff. "A Brief History of Middlesex Borough", Courier News, April 25, 2000. Accessed August 6, 2013.</ref> The original Pierce School was known as the East Bound Brook School House and The Parker House was also used for education until it was converted into a two-family house. As the Borough grew new schools were constructed to accommodate many more students. Our Lady of Mt. Virgin School was the first parochial school built in 1954.

In 1905, the Lincoln section of Middlesex organized a volunteer fire company and that set the organization of four other fire companies in the borough.

Middlesex was a portion of Piscataway Township, until May 6, 1913, when it was incorporated as a separate entity through the action of the state legislature and local referendum.<ref name=Story/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> George Harris was elected as the first mayor and the first borough council was elected at the same time. Two constables were the law enforcement officers and were soon assisted by five appointed marshals.

Uranium processing and aftermath

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Template:Main

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 3.51 square miles (9.09 km2), including 3.49 square miles (9.03 km2) of land and 0.02 square miles (0.06 km2) of water (0.63%).<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name=GR1 />

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the borough include East Bound Brook and Lincoln.<ref>Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.</ref>

The borough borders the Middlesex County municipalities of Dunellen and Piscataway Township in Middlesex County; and Bound Brook, Bridgewater Township, Green Brook Township and South Bound Brook in Somerset County.<ref>Areas touching Middlesex, MapIt. Accessed February 27, 2020.</ref><ref>Municipalities, Middlesex County, New Jersey. Accessed December 1, 2019.</ref><ref>New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.</ref>

Middlesex is in the central division of the Raritan Valley (a line of cities in central New Jersey), along with Dunellen, Bound Brook, and South Bound Brook.

Demographics

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Template:US Census population

2010 census

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The 2010 United States census counted 13,635 people, 4,984 households, and 3,633 families in the borough. The population density was 3,876.2 per square mile (1,496.6/km2). There were 5,148 housing units at an average density of 1,463.5 per square mile (565.1/km2). The racial makeup was 81.24% (11,077) White, 5.13% (699) Black or African American, 0.18% (24) Native American, 6.00% (818) Asian, 0.07% (10) Pacific Islander, 5.37% (732) from other races, and 2.02% (275) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 16.47% (2,246) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/>

Of the 4,984 households, 32.0% had children under the age of 18; 56.0% were married couples living together; 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present and 27.1% were non-families. Of all households, 22.2% were made up of individuals and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.22.<ref name=Census2010/>

22.5% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 29.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.7 years. For every 100 females, the population had 93.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 91.8 males.<ref name=Census2010/>

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $80,338 (with a margin of error of +/− $7,790) and the median family income was $93,817 (+/− $13,746). Males had a median income of $55,248 (+/− $7,439) versus $46,447 (+/− $5,086) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $34,607 (+/− $3,321). About 0.6% of families and 2.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.6% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.<ref>DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Middlesex borough, Middlesex County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 4, 2012.</ref>

2000 census

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As of the 2000 United States census<ref name="GR2" /> there were 13,717 people, 5,048 households, and 3,740 families residing in the borough. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 5,130 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the borough was 87.26% White, 3.36% African American, 0.13% Native American, 4.16% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 3.21% from other races, and 1.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.00% of the population.<ref name=Census2000>Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Middlesex borough, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 4, 2012.</ref><ref name=Census2000SF1>DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Middlesex borough, Middlesex County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 4, 2012.</ref>

There were 5,048 households, out of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.3% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.9% were non-families. 21.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.17.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

In the borough the population was spread out, with 24.1% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 32.3% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.9 males.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

The median income for a household in the borough was $60,723, and the median income for a family was $70,343. Males had a median income of $47,446 versus $34,232 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $27,834. About 2.4% of families and 3.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.1% of those under age 18 and 2.3% of those age 65 or over.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

Government

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Local government

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File:Middlesex, NJ Firemen's Memorial, Jan. 2025.jpg
Middlesex Municipal Building and Firemen's Memorial

Middlesex is governed under the 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>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 a mayor and a borough council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. A 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. 98.</ref> The borough form of government used by Middlesex 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 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. "Forms of Government: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know, But Were Afraid to Ask" Template:Webarchive, New Jersey State League of Municipalities. Accessed November 30, 2014.</ref><ref>"Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 6. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref>

The seven-member governing body is empowered to enact local ordinances, to levy municipal taxes and conduct the affairs of the community. In almost all cases, it can review and approve the actions of other Middlesex Borough committees and agencies. The mayor and Borough Council conduct all of their business during monthly meetings open to the public. All legislative powers of the borough are exercised by the mayor and council. These powers can take the form of a resolution, ordinance or proclamation.

Template:As of, the mayor of Middlesex is Republican John "Jack" Mikolajczyk, whose term of office ends December 31, 2023. Members of the Middlesex Borough Council are Council President Michael Conahan (R, 2026), Jeremiah A. Carnes (R, 2025), Robert Dessino (R, 2025), Kevin Dotey (R, 2026), Martin Quinn (R, 2024) and Douglas Rex (R, 2024).<ref name=MayorCouncil>Mayor and Council, Borough of Middlesex. Accessed May 27, 2024.</ref><ref>2024 Municipal Data Sheet, Borough of Middlesex. Accessed May 27, 2024.</ref><ref name=Middlesex2023>November 7, 2023 General Election Official Results, Middlesex County, New Jersey, December 7, 2023. Accessed January 1, 2024.</ref><ref name=Middlesex2022>November 8, 2022 General Election Official Results, Middlesex County, New Jersey, updated November 22, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.</ref><ref name=Middlesex2021>General Election November 2, 2021 Official Results, Middlesex County, New Jersey, updated November 19, 2021. Accessed April 13, 2022.</ref>

In July 2022, the borough council appointed Michael Conahan to fill the seat expiring in December 2023 that had been held by Amy Flood. Conahan served on an interim basis until the November 2022 election when he was elected to serve the balance of the term.<ref name=Middlesex2022/>

In January 2020, the borough council appointed Amy Flood to fill the seat expiring in December 2020 that was vacated by John L. Madden when he took office as mayor.<ref>Councilwoman Amy Flood, Borough of Middlesex. Accessed May 10, 2020.</ref><ref>Meeting Minutes for January 28, 2020, Borough of Middlesex. Accessed May 10, 2020. "Mayor Madden made a motion to approve Ms. Amy Flood to fill the vacancy on Council seconded by Councilman Mikolajczyk and carried by a unanimous vote of Council."</ref>

Until his selection in early 2006 to serve as borough administrator, Ron Dobies had been one of the longest-tenured mayors in New Jersey, with 26 years of service to Middlesex. Dobies left his position as mayor in 2006 and took a position as the borough's administrator. After being fired in 2008, he was successful in his suit against the borough and was restored to his position. In 2011 he ran for mayor again and won a four-year term that ended in 2015.<ref>Cooke, Jay Jefferson. "Middlesex Mayor Dobies retires after life of service", Courier News, January 2, 2016. Accessed December 5, 2019. "After serving the public for nearly four decades and more than half of his life, Ronald S. Dobies, who this week ended his most recent term as mayor of Middlesex Borough, may at last take a break.... Becoming mayor in 1980, Dobies' first tour in the borough's top chair lasted more than a quarter-century. After being mayor for 26 years, Dobies became administrator in 2006. He was terminated in April 2008 but sued the municipality, claiming the council acted improperly by failing to pass a resolution formally removing him from the job. A judge sided with Dobies, and ordered the borough to pay him through April 8, 2008, plus 90 days' pay, plus pay for vacation and sick days that Dobies would have earned. He was then given the job back after offering to return at the nominal $1 annual salary.... But Dobies weathered that storm and in 2011 made another run for mayor, defeating the GOP and regaining the mayor's post."</ref>

Federal, state and county representation

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Middlesex is located in the 12th Congressional District<ref name=PCR2012>Plan Components Report, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref> and is part of New Jersey's 21st state legislative district.<ref>Districts by Number for 2023-2031, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed September 18, 2023.</ref>

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Template:NJ Middlesex County Commissioners

Politics

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As of March 2011, there were a total of 8,366 registered voters in Middlesex, of which 2,094 (25.0%) were registered as Democrats, 1,605 (19.2%) were registered as Republicans and 4,662 (55.7%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 5 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.<ref>Voter Registration Summary - Middlesex, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed November 25, 2012.</ref>

In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 50.8% of the vote (2,819 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 47.7% (2,645 votes), and other candidates with 1.4% (80 votes), among the 5,587 ballots cast by the borough's 8,481 registered voters (43 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 65.9%.<ref name=2012Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2012VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 51.6% of the vote (3,185 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 45.9% (2,837 votes) and other candidates with 1.4% (84 votes), among the 6,177 ballots cast by the borough's 8,612 registered voters, for a turnout of 71.7%.<ref>2008 Presidential General Election Results: Middlesex County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed November 25, 2012.</ref> In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 53.0% of the vote (3,202 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 45.6% (2,755 votes) and other candidates with 0.7% (58 votes), among the 6,040 ballots cast by the borough's 8,376 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 72.1.<ref>2004 Presidential Election: Middlesex County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed November 25, 2012.</ref>

Presidential Elections Results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2024<ref name="2024Elections">Template:Cite web</ref> style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|53.5% 3,709 style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|44.0% 3,050 2.5% 156
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2020<ref name="2020Elections">Template:Cite web</ref> style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|50.0% 3,608 style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|47.9% 3,460 2.1% 120
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2016<ref name="2016Elections">Template:Cite web</ref> style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|52.4% 3,257 style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|43.4% 2,696 3.4% 211
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|2012<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|47.7% 2,645 style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|50.8% 2,819 1.4% 80
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2008<ref>2008 Presidential General Election Results: Middlesex County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed January 9, 2025.</ref> style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|51.6% 3,185 style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|45.9% 2,837 1.4% 84
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2004<ref>2004 Presidential Election: Middlesex County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed January 9, 2025.</ref> style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|53.0% 3,202 style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|45.6% 2,755 0.7% 58

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 69.4% of the vote (2,478 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 29.3% (1,045 votes), and other candidates with 1.3% (46 votes), among the 3,617 ballots cast by the borough's 8,552 registered voters (48 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 42.3%.<ref name=2013Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2013VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 58.2% of the vote (2,410 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 31.6% (1,307 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 8.1% (336 votes) and other candidates with 1.1% (46 votes), among the 4,142 ballots cast by the borough's 8,374 registered voters, yielding a 49.5% turnout.<ref>2009 Governor: Middlesex County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed November 25, 2012.</ref>

Education

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The Middlesex Board of Education serves public school students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade.<ref>District Policy 0110 - Identification, Middlesex Borough Board of Education. Accessed May 4, 2022. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Kindergarten through twelve in the Middlesex School District. Composition: The Middlesex School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Middlesex Borough."</ref> As of the 2020–21 school year, the district, comprised of five schools, had an enrollment of 2,018 students and 182.2 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 11.1:1.<ref name=NCES>District information for Middlesex Borough 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>School Data for the Middlesex Board of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 15, 2022.</ref>) are Hazelwood Elementary School<ref>Hazelwood Elementary School, Middlesex Board of Education. Accessed May 4, 2022.</ref> with 189 students in grades Pre-K–3, Parker Elementary School<ref>Parker Elementary School, Middlesex Board of Education. Accessed May 4, 2022.</ref> with 178 students in grades K–3, Watchung Elementary School<ref>Watchung Elementary School, Middlesex Board of Education. Accessed May 4, 2022.</ref> with 256 students in grades K–3, Woodland Intermediate School<ref>Woodland Intermediate School, Middlesex Board of Education. Accessed May 4, 2022.</ref> was split off of the middle school starting in 2020–2021, Von E. Mauger Middle School<ref>Von E. Mauger Middle School, Middlesex Board of Education. Accessed May 4, 2022.</ref> with 759 students in grades 4–8 and Middlesex High School<ref>Middlesex High School, Middlesex Board of Education. Accessed May 4, 2022.</ref> with 619 students in grades 9–12.<ref>School Performance Reports for the Middlesex Borough School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed April 1, 2024.</ref><ref>New Jersey School Directory for the Middlesex Board of Education, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref> The district's superintendent is Roberta Freeman.<ref>Administrators, Middlesex Board of Education. Accessed December 4, 2019.</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, Edison, Perth Amboy, Piscataway and Woodbridge Township, with no tuition charged to students for attendance.<ref>Heyboer, Kelly. "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>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>


Parks

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There are many parks scattered throughout Middlesex Borough.

Victor Crowell Park, commonly known as Duck Pond, offers park equipment for kids, a walking trail, and small docks with benches to view the water. In August 2023, there was an alligator that was reported to be in the pond, with police discharging their weapon and failing to stop the alligator. By August 2023, the alligator had yet to be caught.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Mountain View Park is a large open space in the center of the borough. It has many amenities and offers a view of the first range of the Watchung Mountains.

Lincoln Park is located at the site of the Central Railroad of New Jersey train station that served the community, originally known as Lincoln, for many years. The statue of Abraham Lincoln by Alfonso Pelzer, his original work which was copied after his death, was installed in the park in 1898.

Transportation

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Roads and highways

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File:2018-05-20 16 39 52 View east along New Jersey State Route 28 (Union Avenue) at Harris Avenue, Shepherd Avenue and Grant Avenue in Middlesex, Middlesex County, New Jersey.jpg
Route 28, the most prominent highway in Middlesex

Template:As of, the borough had a total of Template:Convert of roadways, of which Template:Convert were maintained by the municipality, Template:Convert by Middlesex County and Template:Convert by the New Jersey Department of Transportation<ref>Middlesex County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2010. Accessed July 18, 2014.</ref>

New Jersey Route 28 is the main highway passing through Middlesex.<ref>Route 28 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, updated March 2017. Accessed December 5, 2019.</ref> Route 28 provides access to Interstate 287; U.S. Route 22 lies just north of the borough.<ref>Middlesex County Road Map, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed December 1, 2019.</ref>

Public transportation

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NJ Transit provides service to and from the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan on the 114 route and to Newark on the 65 and 66 routes.<ref>Middlesex County Bus / Rail Connections, NJ Transit, backed up by the Internet Archive as of May 22, 2009. Accessed November 25, 2012.</ref> Historically there was a railroad station in the Lincoln neighborhood, whose is marked by a public park with a statue of Abraham Lincoln at its center.Template:Citation needed

Notable people

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Template:Category see also People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Middlesex include:

References

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Template:Middlesex County, New Jersey Template:Raritan River Template:Authority control