Colonia, New Jersey

Colonia, New Jersey
Census-designated place
Location in Middlesex County (left) and the state of New Jersey (right)
Colonia Show map of Middlesex County, New Jersey Colonia Show map of New Jersey Colonia Show map of the United States
Coordinates: 40.594133°N 74.31377°W / 40.594133; -74.31377
Country	United States
State	New Jersey
County	Middlesex
Township	Woodbridge
Area [1]
• Total	4.03 sq mi (10.45 km^2)
• Land	4.03 sq mi (10.44 km^2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.01 km^2)  0.11%
Elevation [2]	69 ft (21 m)
Population  (2020)[3]
• Total	18,609
• Density	4,617.62/sq mi (1,782.99/km^2)
Time zone	UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT))
ZIP Code	07067[4]
Area code(s)	732/848
FIPS code	34-14380[5][6][7]
GNIS feature ID	02389346[5][8]

Colonia is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP)^[9] in Woodbridge Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States.^[10][11] As of the 2020 United States census, the CDP's population was 18,609.^[3]

History

In 1919, the New Jersey State Highway Commission built a new road that became part of the Lincoln Highway, an early plan to create a transcontinental highway. The stretch was constructed on the west side of the Pennsylvania Railroad (now the Northeast Corridor) from near the northeast of Dow Avenue between Colonia and Iselin to Cedar Street in Menlo Park, to avoid two railroad crossings. The old road is now Middlesex-Essex Turnpike and Thornall Street, on the east side of the tracks.

Geography

Colonia is in northeastern Middlesex County, in the northwest corner of Woodbridge Township. It is bordered to the north by Clark, to the northeast by Rahway, to the east by Avenel, to the south by Iselin, and to the west by Edison. Union County borders the community to the north and northeast. Newark is 13 miles (21 km) to the northeast, and New Brunswick, the Middlesex county seat, is 11 miles (18 km) to the southwest.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Colonia CDP has a total area of 4.034 square miles (10.45 km²), including 0.004 square miles (0.010 km²) of water (0.10%).^[1] The community is drained to the northeast by the South Branch of the Rahway River, part of the watershed of the Arthur Kill. Colonia has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa) and average monthly temperatures range from 33 °F (1 °C) in January to 78.1 °F (25.6 °C) in July.^[12]

The Garden State Parkway passes through the western portion of the CDP but does not interchange there. For northbound Garden State Parkway traffic only there is a service plaza in Colonia; it is the parkway's only area located on private property.^[13]

In 2018 the president of the Historical Association of Woodbridge, Daniel D'Arcy, stated that "Colonia is to Woodbridge like the Bronx is to NYC. People like the identity."^[14]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1990	18,238		—
2000	17,811		−2.3%
2010	17,795		−0.1%
2020	18,609		4.6%
Population sources: 1990-2010[10] 2000[15] 2010[16] 2020[3]

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 17,795 people, 6,160 households, and 4,977 families in the CDP. The population density was 4,551.4 people per square mile (1,757.3 people/km²). There were 6,321 housing units at an average density of 1,616.7 units per square mile (624.2 units/km²). The racial makeup was 80.37% (14,302) White, 5.26% (936) Black or African American, 0.12% (21) Native American, 10.70% (1,904) Asian, 0.04% (8) Pacific Islander, 1.54% (274) from other races, and 1.97% (350) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.27% (1,649) of the population.^[16]

Of the 6,160 households, 34.8% had children under the age of 18; 65.6% were married couples living together; 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present and 19.2% were non-families. Of all households, 16.4% were made up of individuals and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.89 and the average family size was 3.25.^[16]

22.8% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 30.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.3 years. For every 100 females, the population had 93.2 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 90.6 males.^[16]

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States Census^[6] there were 17,811 people, 6,184 households, and 5,077 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,772.4 people/km² (4,590 people/sq mi). There were 6,254 housing units at an average density of 622.3 units/km² (1,612 units/sq mi). The racial makeup of the CDP was 86.00% White, 4.76% African American, 0.10% Native American, 6.31% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.27% from other races, and 1.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.97% of the population.^[15]

There were 6,184 households, out of which 35.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.7% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.9% were non-families. 15.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.88 and the average family size was 3.21.^[15]

In the CDP the population was spread out, with 23.7% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.4 males.^[15]

The median income for a household in the CDP was $67,372, and the median income for a family was $76,090. Males had a median income of $50,260 versus $36,657 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $27,732. About 1.5% of families and 2.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.0% of those under age 18 and 4.0% of those age 65 or over.^[15]

Parks and recreation

Merrill Park is a Middlesex County park located on the South Branch of the Rahway River. The park was created as a "Progressive Playground" and spans 179 acres (72 ha). The park's maintenance is handled by funding from the municipality, local schools, community groups and local businesses. Merrill Park includes four tennis courts, three baseball fields, a soccer field, seven picnic groves that can be reserved in advance, the progressive playground, a football field, two basketball courts, two softball fields, two open picnic groves, and three other playgrounds. The football field and soccer field are surrounded by a walkway for joggers as well. There are numerous small trails around the park.^[17]

Education

Public schools

Schools in Colonia operated as part of the Woodbridge Township School District are:

Elementary schools (K-5)

• Claremont Avenue Elementary School #20 - Claremont Avenue, Colonia
• Lynn Crest Elementary School #22 - New Dover Road, Colonia
• Oak Ridge Heights Elementary School #21 - Inman Avenue
• Pennsylvania Avenue Elementary School #27 - Pennsylvania Avenue

Middle school (6th-8th)

• Colonia Middle School - Delaware Avenue

High school (9th-12th)

• Colonia High School - East Street

Private/religious school (K-8th)

• St. John Vianney Grammar School - 420 Inman Avenue^[18]

Notable people

See also: Category:People from Woodbridge Township, New Jersey

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Colonia include:

• John Carlson (born 1990), defenseman and Stanley Cup champion (2018) with the Washington Capitals^[19]
• John Gorka (born 1958), contemporary folk singer/songwriter^[20]
• Kelsey Grammer (born 1955), actor who appeared in Frasier and Cheers^[21]
• Tom Higgins (born 1954), former American and Canadian football player^[22]
• Stewart Krentzman (born 1951), CEO of Oki Data Americas, Inc.^[23]
• Eric LeGrand (born 1990), defensive tackle with the Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team who was paralyzed during a game^[24]
• Glen Mason (born 1950), NCAA football coach^[25]
• Laura McCullough (born 1960), poet^[26]
• Zack Rosen (born 1989), All-American basketball player at Penn; plays for Maccabi Ashdod in Israel^[27]
• Bret Schundler (born 1959), New Jersey Republican politician^[28]
• Tico Torres (born 1953), drummer for Bon Jovi^[29]

See also

• List of neighborhoods in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey
• List of neighborhoods in Edison, New Jersey

References

1. "2023 U.S. Gazetteer Files: New Jersey". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Colonia Census Designated Place, Geographic Names Information System. Accessed November 30, 2012.
3. QuickFacts Colonia CDP, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed June 18, 2023.
4. Look Up a ZIP Code for Colonia, NJ, United States Postal Service. Accessed November 30, 2012.
5. Gazetteer of New Jersey Places, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 21, 2016.
6. U.S. Census website, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 4, 2014.
7. Geographic Codes Lookup for New Jersey, Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed June 9, 2023.
8. US Board on Geographic Names, United States Geological Survey. Accessed September 4, 2014.
9. State of New Jersey Census Designated Places - BVP20 - Data as of January 1, 2020, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 1, 2022.
10. New Jersey: 2010 - Population and Housing Unit Counts - 2010 Census of Population and Housing (CPH-2-32), United States Census Bureau, August 2012. Accessed November 30, 2012.
11. GCT-PH1 - Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County – County Subdivision and Place from the 2010 Census Summary File 1 for Middlesex County, New Jersey Archived 2020-02-12 at archive.today, United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 30, 2012.
12. "PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State University".
13. Higgs, Larry. "The oddity of the twin Parkway service areas that are on private property", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, October 31, 2017, updated January 16, 2019. Accessed February 6, 2022. "A Dunkin' Donuts and new convenience store are under construction at the Colonia service area in Woodbridge, while one has been open at the Exxon next door since the early 2000's. The Colonia Service area is the only area on the Garden State Parkway on private property."
14. Zimmer, David M.; Sheingold, Dave; Shkolnikova, Svetlana; Fagan, Matt (June 14, 2018). "Sorry, your New Jersey hometown may not be a town at all". northjersey.com. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
15. DP-1 - Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 from the Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Colonia CDP, New Jersey Archived 2020-02-12 at archive.today, United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 30, 2012.
16. DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for Colonia CDP, New Jersey Archived 2020-02-12 at archive.today, United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 30, 2012.
17. Merrill Park , Middlesex County, New Jersey. Accessed June 29, 2016.
18. St. John Vianney School, Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen. Accessed May 13, 2013.
19. Hageny, John Christian. "Hockey: Where are they now? St. Joseph's John Carlson a Capital Investment", The Star-Ledger, February 10, 2013. Accessed May 4, 2015. "Playing alongside defensive partner, Karl Alzner, Carlson, whose family made their home in Colonia while living in New Jersey, appeared in his 198th-career NHL game last night when Washington hosted the Florida Panthers."
20. Gluck, Robert. "Home AgainFolksinger John Gorka has never stopped being a Jersey boy.", New Jersey Monthly, March 15, 2010. Accessed November 20, 2012. "Jennie Esposito remembers her first encounter with John Gorka. He was a shy eighth-grader in Colonia who had been invited to join her church folk group."
21. Martel, Jay. weekly_new/925B-000-015.html "TEARS OF A CLOWN; After years of grappling with his demons Kelsey Grammer says he's finally putting his past behind him. Can Frasier's gifted alter ego TV's most popular funnyman live happily ever after?"^{[permanent dead link‍]}, US Weekly, May 1997. Accessed January 12, 2014. "When Grammer was 18 months old, his parents separated and his mother, Sally, was flat broke and had nowhere to go but back home. Grammer and his younger sister, Karen, were brought up by Sally and her parents in a middle-class household in Colonia, N.J."
22. Ralph, Dan. "Accolades await Esks' Higgins", The Hamilton Spectator, February 26, 2004. Accessed November 30, 2012. "The native of Colonia, N.J., has made Alberta his home, retiring as a player in 1981 to become a high school coach in Calgary."
23. "Oki Data Americas Promotes Stewart Krentzman to President and Chief Executive Officer.", Business Wire, October 2, 2003. Accessed June 24, 2007.
24. Stanmyre, Matthew. "Colonia honors paralyzed Rutgers player Eric LeGrand as 'town hero'", The Star-Ledger, October 23, 2010. Accessed November 30, 2010.
25. Glen Mason Archived 2011-05-14 at the Wayback Machine, University of Minnesota. Accessed April 22, 2007. "Mason is a 33-year coaching veteran who coached more games (102) than anyone in Kansas' school history. Succeeding with programs that had previously suffered through hard times is nothing new for the Colonia, N.J. native."
26. Cannella, Wendy. "Wendy Cannella: This Fierce Life: An Interview with Laura McCullough", Painted Bride Quarterly, Issue 94. Accessed November 4, 2016. "LM: I was born in Jersey City, in the Margaret Hague, the women’s hospital that the infamous Irish Mayor Hague built, grew up in suburbia, a little town called Colonia, not too far from Perth Amboy, and my family would drive to the wooded parts north many weekends when I was a child."
27. "Zack Rosen athletic biography". University of Pennsylvania athletics. Archived from the original on November 14, 2011. Retrieved April 6, 2012.
28. Sullivan, Joseph F. "Jersey City Mayor Warns of Possible Bankruptcy", The New York Times, November 10, 1992. Accessed November 30, 2012. "Mr. Schundler, who was born in Colonia, graduated from Harvard University with honors in 1981 and then worked as a Congressional aide and a campaign coordinator for Gary Hart's 1984 presidential run."
29. Jordan, Chris. "Ten Wild Nights", Asbury Park Press, November 9, 2007. Accessed November 30, 2012. "But there they are, Sayreville's Jon Bon Jovi, now of Middletown, and his bandmates - including Richie Sambora, guitar, from Woodbridge; David Bryan, keyboards, from Edison and Tico Torres, drums, from the Colonia section of Woodbridge - giving the sound of Newark a new, and decidedly loud, wrinkle."