South Amboy, New Jersey

Template:Short description Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Main other{{#invoke:Infobox|infobox}}Template:Template other{{#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:Infobox settlement with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y | alt | anthem | anthem_link | area_blank1_acre | area_blank1_dunam | area_blank1_ha | area_blank1_km2 | area_blank1_sq_mi | area_blank1_title | area_blank2_acre | area_blank2_dunam | area_blank2_ha | area_blank2_km2 | area_blank2_sq_mi | area_blank2_title | area_code | area_code_type | area_codes | area_footnotes | area_land_acre | area_land_dunam | area_land_ha | area_land_km2 | area_land_sq_mi | area_metro_acre | area_metro_dunam | area_metro_footnotes | area_metro_ha | area_metro_km2 | area_metro_sq_mi | area_note | area_rank | area_rural_acre | area_rural_dunam | area_rural_footnotes | area_rural_ha | area_rural_km2 | area_rural_sq_mi | area_total_acre | area_total_dunam | area_total_ha | area_total_km2 | area_total_sq_mi | area_urban_acre | area_urban_dunam | area_urban_footnotes | area_urban_ha | area_urban_km2 | area_urban_sq_mi | area_water_acre | area_water_dunam | area_water_ha | area_water_km2 | area_water_percent | area_water_sq_mi | blank_emblem_alt | blank_emblem_link | blank_emblem_size | blank_emblem_type | blank_info | blank_info_sec1 | blank_info_sec2 | blank_name | blank_name_sec1 | blank_name_sec2 | blank1_info | blank1_info_sec1 | blank1_info_sec2 | blank1_name | blank1_name_sec1 | blank1_name_sec2 | blank2_info | blank2_info_sec1 | blank2_info_sec2 | blank2_name | blank2_name_sec1 | blank2_name_sec2 | blank3_info | blank3_info_sec1 | blank3_info_sec2 | blank3_name | blank3_name_sec1 | blank3_name_sec2 | blank4_info | blank4_info_sec1 | blank4_info_sec2 | blank4_name | blank4_name_sec1 | blank4_name_sec2 | blank5_info | blank5_info_sec1 | blank5_info_sec2 | blank5_name | blank5_name_sec1 | blank5_name_sec2 | blank6_info | blank6_info_sec1 | blank6_info_sec2 | blank6_name | blank6_name_sec1 | blank6_name_sec2 | blank7_info | blank7_info_sec1 | blank7_info_sec2 | blank7_name | blank7_name_sec1 | blank7_name_sec2 | caption | code1_info | code1_name | code2_info | code2_name | coor_pinpoint | coor_type | coordinates | coordinates_footnotes | demographics_type1 | demographics_type2 | demographics1_footnotes | demographics1_info1 | demographics1_info10 | demographics1_info2 | demographics1_info3 | demographics1_info4 | demographics1_info5 | demographics1_info6 | demographics1_info7 | demographics1_info8 | demographics1_info9 | demographics1_title1 | demographics1_title10 | demographics1_title2 | demographics1_title3 | demographics1_title4 | demographics1_title5 | demographics1_title6 | demographics1_title7 | demographics1_title8 | demographics1_title9 | demographics2_footnotes | demographics2_info1 | demographics2_info10 | demographics2_info2 | demographics2_info3 | demographics2_info4 | demographics2_info5 | demographics2_info6 | demographics2_info7 | demographics2_info8 | demographics2_info9 | demographics2_title1 | demographics2_title10 | demographics2_title2 | demographics2_title3 | demographics2_title4 | demographics2_title5 | demographics2_title6 | demographics2_title7 | demographics2_title8 | demographics2_title9 | dimensions_footnotes | dunam_link | elevation_footnotes | elevation_ft | elevation_link | elevation_m | elevation_max_footnotes | elevation_max_ft | elevation_max_m | elevation_max_point | elevation_max_rank | elevation_min_footnotes | elevation_min_ft | elevation_min_m | elevation_min_point | elevation_min_rank | elevation_point | embed | established_date | established_date1 | established_date2 | established_date3 | established_date4 | established_date5 | established_date6 | established_date7 | established_title | established_title1 | established_title2 | established_title3 | established_title4 | established_title5 | established_title6 | established_title7 | etymology | extinct_date | extinct_title | flag_alt | flag_border | flag_link | flag_size | footnotes | founder | geocode | governing_body | government_footnotes | government_type | government_blank1_title | government_blank1 | government_blank2_title | government_blank2 | government_blank2_title | government_blank3 | government_blank3_title | government_blank3 | government_blank4_title | government_blank4 | government_blank5_title | government_blank5 | government_blank6_title | government_blank6 | grid_name | grid_position | image_alt | image_blank_emblem | image_caption | image_flag | image_map | image_map1 | image_seal | image_shield | image_size | image_skyline | imagesize | iso_code | leader_name | leader_name1 | leader_name2 | leader_name3 | leader_name4 | leader_party | leader_title | leader_title1 | leader_title2 | leader_title3 | leader_title4 | length_km | length_mi | map_alt | map_alt1 | map_caption | map_caption1 | mapsize | mapsize1 | module | motto | motto_link | mottoes | name | named_for | native_name | native_name_lang | nickname | nickname_link | nicknames | official_name | other_name | p1 | p10 | p11 | p12 | p13 | p14 | p15 | p16 | p17 | p18 | p19 | p2 | p20 | p21 | p22 | p23 | p24 | p25 | p26 | p27 | p28 | p29 | p3 | p30 | p31 | p32 | p33 | p34 | p35 | p36 | p37 | p38 | p39 | p4 | p40 | p41 | p42 | p43 | p44 | p45 | p46 | p47 | p48 | p49 | p5 | p50 | p6 | p7 | p8 | p9 | parts | parts_style | parts_type | pop_est_as_of | pop_est_footnotes | population | population_as_of | population_blank1 | population_blank1_footnotes | population_blank1_title | population_blank2 | population_blank2_footnotes | population_blank2_title | population_demonym | population_demonyms | population_density_blank1_km2 | population_density_blank1_sq_mi | population_density_blank2_km2 | population_density_blank2_sq_mi | population_density_km2 | population_density_metro_km2 | population_density_metro_sq_mi | population_density_rank | population_density_rural_km2 | population_density_rural_sq_mi | population_density_sq_mi | population_density_urban_km2 | population_density_urban_sq_mi | population_est | population_footnotes | population_metro | population_metro_footnotes | population_note | population_rank | population_rural | population_rural_footnotes | population_total | population_urban | population_urban_footnotes | postal_code | postal_code_type | postal2_code | postal2_code_type | pushpin_image | pushpin_label | pushpin_label_position | pushpin_map | pushpin_map_alt | pushpin_map_caption | pushpin_map_caption_notsmall | pushpin_map_narrow | pushpin_mapsize | pushpin_outside | pushpin_overlay | pushpin_relief | registration_plate | registration_plate_type | seal_alt | seal_link | seal_size | seal_type | seat | seat_type | seat1 | seat1_type | seat2 | seat2_type | settlement_type | shield_alt | shield_link | shield_size | short_description | subdivision_name | subdivision_name1 | subdivision_name2 | subdivision_name3 | subdivision_name4 | subdivision_name5 | subdivision_name6 | subdivision_type | subdivision_type1 | subdivision_type2 | subdivision_type3 | subdivision_type4 | subdivision_type5 | subdivision_type6 | timezone | timezone_DST | timezone_link | timezone1 | timezone1_DST | timezone1_location | timezone2 | timezone2_DST | timezone2_location | timezone3 | timezone3_DST | timezone3_location | timezone4 | timezone4_DST | timezone4_location | timezone5 | timezone5_DST | timezone5_location | total_type | translit_lang1 | translit_lang1_info | translit_lang1_info1 | translit_lang1_info2 | translit_lang1_info3 | translit_lang1_info4 | translit_lang1_info5 | translit_lang1_info6 | translit_lang1_type | translit_lang1_type1 | translit_lang1_type2 | translit_lang1_type3 | translit_lang1_type4 | translit_lang1_type5 | translit_lang1_type6 | translit_lang2 | translit_lang2_info | translit_lang2_info1 | translit_lang2_info2 | translit_lang2_info3 | translit_lang2_info4 | translit_lang2_info5 | translit_lang2_info6 | translit_lang2_type | translit_lang2_type1 | translit_lang2_type2 | translit_lang2_type3 | translit_lang2_type4 | translit_lang2_type5 | translit_lang2_type6 | type | unit_pref | utc_offset | utc_offset_DST | utc_offset1 | utc_offset1_DST | utc_offset2 | utc_offset2_DST | utc_offset3 | utc_offset3_DST | utc_offset4 | utc_offset4_DST | utc_offset5 | utc_offset5_DST | website | width_km | width_mi | mapframe | mapframe-area_km2 | mapframe-area_mi2 | mapframe-caption | mapframe-coord | mapframe-coordinates | mapframe-custom | mapframe-frame-coord | mapframe-frame-coordinates | mapframe-frame-height | mapframe-frame-width | mapframe-geomask | mapframe-geomask-fill | mapframe-geomask-fill-opacity | mapframe-geomask-stroke-color | mapframe-geomask-stroke-colour | mapframe-geomask-stroke-width | mapframe-height | mapframe-id | mapframe-length_km | mapframe-length_mi | mapframe-marker | mapframe-marker-color | mapframe-marker-colour | mapframe-point | mapframe-shape | mapframe-shape-fill | mapframe-shape-fill-opacity | mapframe-stroke-color | mapframe-stroke-colour | mapframe-stroke-width | mapframe-switcher | mapframe-width | mapframe-wikidata | mapframe-zoom }}{{#invoke:Check for clobbered parameters|check | template = Infobox settlement | cat = Template:Main other | population; population_total | image_size; imagesize | image_alt; alt | image_caption; caption }}{{#if:

|

}}Template:Main other South Amboy is a city in Middlesex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, located on Raritan Bay. As of the 2020 United States census, the city's population was 9,411,<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/> an increase of 780 (+9.0%) from the 2010 census count of 8,631,<ref name=Census2010/><ref name=LWD2010/> which in turn reflected an increase of 718 (+9.1%) from the 7,913 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>

South Amboy and Perth Amboy, across the Raritan River, are collectively referred to as The Amboys. Signage for exit 11 on the New Jersey Turnpike refers to "The Amboys" as a destination.<ref>Ingraham, Joseph C. "Jersey Pike to Be Widened; Carrying 1981's Load Now; Jersey Turnpike Will Be Widened", The New York Times December 21, 1954. Accessed October 30, 2016. "A twenty-two mile stretch of the route--between Secaucus, the connection for the Lincoln Tunnel, and Woodbridge-The Amboys, the interchange for Jersey Shore points--originally was designed for six lanes."</ref><ref>EZ Pass Codes, State of New Jersey. Accessed October 30, 2016. "11 - GSP/Woodbridge/The Amboys"</ref>

History

First settled by the Lenape Native Americans, who called the area around Perth Amboy by the name "Ompoge" (meaning "level ground"), the settlement ultimately became a key port for commerce between Lower New York Bay and Philadelphia, connected first by stagecoach and eventually by railroad.<ref>City History, City of South Amboy. Accessed June 1, 2014.</ref><ref>Cheslow, Jerry. "If You're Thinking of Living In: Perth Amboy; A Waterfront City Planning a Comeback", The New York Times, December 2, 2001. Accessed July 31, 2011. "The name Perth Amboy comes from the Earl of Perth, one of the proprietors of New Jersey under the royal grant, and the Leni Lenape Indian word ompage, meaning level ground."</ref> The city was initially founded as a village by Dutch fishermen known as Radford's Ferry, but later become a key city to safeguard New Amsterdam from the British.<ref name="Historical Archives">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> When settled by Europeans in 1684, the city was named New Perth in honor of James Drummond, Earl of Perth, one of the associates of a company of Scottish proprietaries. The Algonquian language name was corrupted to Ambo, or Point Amboy, and eventually a combination of the native and colonial names was used.<ref>Compiled by the Federal Writers' Project of the Works Project Administration Project for the State of New Jersey New Jersey A Guide to Its Past and Present, p. 362. Works Project Administration, reprinted by US History Publishers, 2007. Template:ISBN. Accessed October 6, 2015.</ref><ref>Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed October 6, 2015.</ref><ref>Gannett, Henry. The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States, p. 243. United States Government Printing Office, 1905. Accessed October 6, 2015.</ref> South Amboy is mentioned during the Revolutionary War in letters to and from George Washington referring to an "officer stationed on the South Amboy shore" and by General Washington himself writing that he was "now in Jersey" and suggesting the enemy "may proceed to South Amboy". Once known as Radford's Ferry, as well as the South Ward of Perth Amboy, South Amboy became one of the earliest townships around 1685 as well as one of the largest at 18 miles long and six miles wide.<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 1808, the first store was opened by Samuel Gordon. In 1831, Robert L. Stevens brought the steam engine "John Bull" to the Camden & Amboy Railroad. In 1832, Charles Moore became the town's first lawyer. In 1844, the first post office was established in the town. In 1852, the Swan Hill Pottery was established. Most of the town's churches were established between the 1850s-1880s. In 1880, the Great Beds Lighthouse is built offshore. In 1882, local newspaper "The Citizen" was established. In 1888, Amboy National Bank was established. In 1889, the oldest active fraternal organization, the Knights of Pythias Lodge was established. In 1890, a huge fire destroyed an entire city block of wooden houses on the east side of Broadway, which led to the establishment of the city's first fire station that same year. In 1912, the Woman's Club was formed. In 1912, New Jersey's first air mail flight was made between South Amboy and Perth Amboy. In 1914, the South Amboy Public Library was established. In 1919, the first public high school was established. In 1924, the South Amboy Hospital was built. In 1927, the Victory Bridge was built, connecting South Amboy to Perth Amboy. In 1931, the South Amboy First Aid Squad was established. In 1972, the library was rededicated as Sadie Pope Dowdell Public Library. In 1984, scenes for The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985) were filmed in South Amboy at the Raritan Diner.<ref name=SAST2022>Burkard, Tom. "Movies/Films In South Amboy/Sayreville", South Amboy-Sayreville Times, January 26, 2022. Accessed May 27, 2024. "In 1985, Director/Actor Woody Allen brought his movie Purple Rose of Cairo to South Amboy, and shooting took place at the legendary Raritan Diner on Bordentown Ave.... Back in September 1999, Coyote Ugly had scenes shot in South Amboy, and on July 12, 2000, the movie crew returned to town to shoot final scenes for the movie, at the South Amboy Knights of Columbus Council #426 on Fourth St. and North Stevens Ave."</ref> In 1991, the South Amboy-Sayreville Times newspaper was established. In 1993, the Amboy Beacon newspaper was established. Raritan Bay Waterfront Park opened in 1998. In 1999, filming for Coyote Ugly (2000) took place in South Amboy, where the film partially is set.<ref name=SAST2022/> In 2002, the South Amboy Neighborhood Preservation Program started. In 2002, the Seastreak Ferry service began. In 2004, South Amboy joined the New Jersey Main Street Program. In 2010, the YMCA and senior center opened.<ref name="Historical Archives"/>

South Amboy has passed through three of the five types of New Jersey municipalities. It was first mentioned on May 28, 1782, in minutes of the Board of Chosen Freeholders as having been formed from Perth Amboy Township. It was formally incorporated as a township by the Township Act of 1798 on February 21, 1798. Over the next 90 years, portions split off to form Monroe Township (April 9, 1838), Madison Township (March 2, 1869; later renamed as Old Bridge Township) and Sayreville Township (April 6, 1876; later Borough of Sayreville). Other modern municipalities included in these splits are Jamesburg, South Brunswick, and Cranbury.<ref name=":0" /> As of February 25, 1888, South Amboy borough was formed, replacing South Amboy Township. On April 11, 1908, South Amboy was incorporated as a city, replacing South Amboy borough, confirmed by a referendum held on July 21, 1908.<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. 173. Accessed May 30, 2024.</ref><ref>Honeyman, Abraham Van Doren. Index-analysis of the Statutes of New Jersey, 1896-1909: Together with References to All Acts, and Parts of Acts, in the 'General Statutes' and Pamphlet Laws Expressly Repealed: and the Statutory Crimes of New Jersey During the Same Period, p. 262. New Jersey Law Journal Publishing Company, 1910. Accessed October 6, 2015.</ref>

Ammunition explosions

As a result of South Amboy's strategic location as a transportation hub, the city has been heavily damaged by military explosives in two major incidents. The 1918 explosions occurred during World War I at the Gillespie Shell Loading Plant, just south of the town. The 1950 explosion struck as Healing Lighterage Company dockworkers were transferring ammunition from a freight train onto barges. Both disasters killed dozens and injured hundreds of local victims, damaged hundreds of South Amboy buildings, required emergency declarations of martial law, and scattered wide areas of ammunition remnants that continue to surface occasionally.<ref>"Great Munition Plant Blown Up; 100 May Be Dead", The New York Times, October 5, 1918. Accessed June 1, 2014.</ref><ref>"Day of Explosions and Fire Finishes Shell Plant Ruin", The New York Times, October 6, 1918. Accessed June 1, 2014.</ref><ref>Template:Cite AV media</ref><ref>"Martial Law Set; Scene of the Explosion in New Jersey", The New York Times, May 20, 1950. Accessed June 1, 2014.</ref><ref>"Jersey Blast Toll 4 Dead, 22 Missing; Loss Is in Millions", The New York Times, May 21, 1950. Accessed June 1, 2014.</ref><ref>Template:Cite AV media</ref>

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city had a total area of 2.68 square miles (6.95 km²), including 1.54 square miles (3.98 km²) of land and 1.15 square miles (2.97 km²) of water (42.76%).<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name="GR1">US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 4, 2014.</ref> South Amboy is bordered by land with Sayreville to the south and west, by Perth Amboy to the north (across the Raritan River), and Staten Island to the east (across the Raritan Bay in New York City).<ref>Areas touching South Amboy, MapIt. Accessed March 8, 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>

Area codes 732 and 848 are used in South Amboy.<ref name=AreaCodes/> The city had been in area code 908, until January 1, 1997, when 908 was split forming area code 732. South Amboy has an enclave of apartments near Kohl's in Sayreville, whose residents use a South Amboy mailing address. The Melrose and Morgan sections of Sayreville and the Laurence Harbor section of Old Bridge also use the South Amboy Zip Code of 08879. Template:Citation needed Mechanicsville, White's Dock, and Thomas J. Dohany Homes are neighborhoods in the city.

Demographics

As The New York Times said of South Amboy in 2000: "The population mix has not changed much since the beginning of the 20th century, when Irish and Polish immigrants came to work on the three railroads that crisscrossed the city."<ref>Cheslow, Jerry. "If You're Thinking of Living In: South Amboy, N.J.; A Blue-Collar Town Making a Comeback", The New York Times, November 12, 2000. Accessed January 3, 2016.</ref> South Amboy remains a strong enclave of Polish ethnicity, including 21% of its population in the 2000 census,<ref>"Polish Ancestry Maps" Template:Webarchive, ePodunk. Accessed January 3, 2016</ref> and the historic Sacred Heart Church and School.<ref>"A Brief History of the Sacred Heart Parish", Polish-American Liturgical Center, 1957. Accessed January 3, 2016.</ref>

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 8,631 people, 3,372 households, and 2,256 families in the city. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 3,576 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup was 86.42% (7,459) White, 4.43% (382) Black or African American, 0.10% (9) Native American, 4.03% (348) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 2.99% (258) from other races, and 2.03% (175) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.42% (1,158) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/>

Of the 3,372 households, 28.0% had children under the age of 18; 46.8% were married couples living together; 14.1% had a female householder with no husband present and 33.1% were non-families. Of all households, 26.7% were made up of individuals and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.11.<ref name=Census2010/>

20.8% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 29.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.3 years. For every 100 females, the population had 96.8 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 93.2 males.<ref name=Census2010/>

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $61,566 (with a margin of error of +/− $6,388) and the median family income was $80,815 (+/− $4,285). Males had a median income of $54,000 (+/− $5,767) versus $49,303 (+/− $4,574) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $31,590 (+/− $2,232). About 10.2% of families and 9.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.7% of those under age 18 and 5.5% of those age 65 or over.<ref>DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for South Amboy city, Middlesex County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 9, 2012.</ref>

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census<ref name="GR2" /> there were 7,913 people, 2,967 households, and 2,041 families residing in the city. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 3,110 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the city was 94.22% White, 0.86% African American, 0.19% Native American, 1.38% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.71% from other races, and 1.62% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.75% of the population.<ref name=Census2000>Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for South Amboy city, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 27, 2012.</ref><ref name=Census2000SF1>DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for South Amboy city, Middlesex County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 27, 2012.</ref>

There were 2,967 households, out of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.8% were married couples living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.2% were non-families. 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.22.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

In the city the population was spread out, with 24.3% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 32.9% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.0 males.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

The median income for a household in the city was $50,529, and the median income for a family was $62,029. Males had a median income of $42,365 versus $29,737 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,598. About 6.7% of families and 7.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.6% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or over.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

Government

Local government

South Amboy is governed within the Faulkner Act, formally known as the Optional Municipal Charter Law, under the Mayor-Council system of municipal government. The city is one of 71 municipalities (of the 564) statewide governed under this form.<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 the Mayor and the five-member City Council. The mayor is elected directly by the voters. The City Council includes five members, two of whom are elected on an at-large basis while three are elected from wards. All members of the governing body are elected in partisan elections to serve four-year terms of office on a staggered basis in even-numbered years as part of the November general election, with the three ward seats up for election together and the two at-large seats and the mayoral seat up for vote together two years later.<ref name=DataBook>2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 87.</ref><ref>"Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 10. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref>

Template:As of, the Mayor of South Amboy is Democrat Fred Henry, whose term of office ends December 31, 2026.<ref name=Mayor>Mayor Fred Henry, City of South Amboy. Accessed May 27, 2024.</ref> Members of the City Council are Council President Michael "Mickey" Gross (D, 2026; at-large), Anthony Conrad (D, 2026; at-large), Zusette Dato (D, 2028; Third Ward), Lawrence “Larry” Lenahan (D, 2028; First Ward) and Thomas B. Reilly (D, 2028; Second Ward).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Directory, City of South Amboy. Accessed May 27, 2024.</ref><ref>2024 Municipal Data Sheet, City of South Amboy. Accessed May 27, 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=Middlesex2020>Official Results of the 2020 General Election, Middlesex County, New Jersey. Accessed January 1, 2021.</ref>

In February 2015, the City Council appointed Thomas Reilly to fill the Second Ward expiring in December 2016 that became vacant when Christine Noble took office in an at-large seat.<ref>Staff. "The Big Hurdle: Congratulations All Around", The Amboy Guardian, February 27, 2015. Accessed July 13, 2016.</ref> In the 2015 November general election, Reilly was elected to serve the balance of the term of office.<ref name=Middlesex2015>November 3, 2015 General Election Results, Middlesex County, New Jersey. Accessed July 12, 2016.</ref>

Following the death of Russell Stillwagon in June 2010, after serving nearly two decades on the City Council, Donald Applegate was chosen the following month by council members from among three names proposed to fill the vacancy representing the First Ward.<ref>Durett, Jacqueline. "Applegate takes place on South Amboy council: Residents raise concerns about beach, other issues", Sayreville Suburban, July 29, 2010. Accessed May 26, 2011. "There is a new face on the South Amboy City Council. Donald Applegate, a First Ward resident, was joined by his family as he took the oath at the start of the July 21 council meeting. Mayor John O'Leary conducted the swearing-in. Applegate replaces Councilman Russell Stillwagon, who died at age 78 on June 29."</ref>

Federal, state and county representation

South Amboy is located in the 6th 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 19th state legislative district.<ref name=Districts2011>Municipalities Sorted by 2011-2020 Legislative District, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref><ref name=LWV2019>2019 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed October 30, 2019.</ref><ref>Districts by Number for 2011-2020, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 6, 2013.</ref>

Politics

As of November 2018, there were a total of 5,876 registered voters in South Amboy, of which 2,948 (50.%) submitted ballots in the last General Election. Incumbent Mayor Fred Henry (1,490) secured his third term by defeating Republican candidate Peter Pisar (923) and independent amateur Brandon Russell (403).<ref name="mcgisweb.co.middlesex.nj.us">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> <ref name="state.nj.us">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Of the 5,876 registered voters: 2,410 (41.0%) were registered as Democrats, 658 (11.2%) were registered as Republicans and 2,803 (47.7%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 3 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.<ref>Voter Registration Summary - Middlesex, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed November 27, 2012.</ref>

In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 55.6% of the vote (1,790 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 42.7% (1,373 votes), and other candidates with 1.7% (54 votes), among the 3,269 ballots cast by the city's 5,491 registered voters (52 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 59.5%.<ref name=2012Elections>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=2012VoterReg>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 50.8% of the vote (1,875 cast), ahead of Republican John McCain with 46.6% (1,722 votes) and other candidates with 1.7% (64 votes), among the 3,693 ballots cast by the city's 5,382 registered voters, for a turnout of 68.6%.<ref>2008 Presidential General Election Results: Middlesex County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed November 27, 2012.</ref> In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 52.4% of the vote (1,784 ballots cast), outpolling Republican George W. Bush with 46.0% (1,566 votes) and other candidates with 0.7% (37 votes), among the 3,405 ballots cast by the city's 4,971 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 68.5.<ref>2004 Presidential Election: Middlesex County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed November 27, 2012.</ref>

Presidential Elections Results

Year	Republican	Democratic	Third Parties
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2024<ref name="2024Elections">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|54.3% 2,399	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|42.9% 1,893	2.8% 105
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2020<ref name="2020Elections">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|51.0% 2,155	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|47.6% 2,014	1.2% 60
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2016<ref name="2016Elections">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|53.0% 1,870	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|42.7% 1,506	3.6% 126
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|2012<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|42.7% 1,373	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|55.6% 1,790	1.7% 54
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|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|46.6% 1,722	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|50.8% 1,875	1.7% 64
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|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|46.0% 1,566	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|52.4% 1,784	0.7% 37

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 65.0% of the vote (1,341 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 33.4% (689 votes), and other candidates with 1.6% (33 votes), among the 2,104 ballots cast by the city's 5,486 registered voters (41 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 38.4%.<ref name=2013Elections>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=2013VoterReg>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 52.7% of the vote (1,288 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 35.4% (865 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 9.2% (226 votes) and other candidates with 1.7% (41 votes), among the 2,445 ballots cast by the city's 5,298 registered voters, yielding a 46.1% turnout.<ref>2009 Governor: Middlesex County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed November 27, 2012.</ref>

Education

The South Amboy Public Schools serve students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. As of the 2020–21 school year, the district, comprised of two schools, had an enrollment of 1,100 students and 81.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 13.6:1.<ref name=NCES>District information for South Amboy 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 South Amboy Public Schools, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 15, 2022.</ref>) are South Amboy Elementary School<ref>South Amboy Elementary School, South Amboy Public Schools. Accessed November 25, 2022.</ref> with 514 students in grades PreK-5 and South Amboy Middle High School<ref>South Amboy Middle High School, South Amboy Public Schools. Accessed November 25, 2022.</ref> with 559 students in grades 6-12.<ref>Schools, South Amboy Public Schools. Accessed November 25, 2022.</ref><ref>School Performance Reports for the South Amboy School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed April 1, 2024.</ref><ref>New Jersey School Directory for the South Amboy School District, 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, 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>

Raritan Bay Catholic Preparatory—Sacred Heart School was a parochial elementary school opened in 1895 and serving Pre-K–3 to eighth grade that operated under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen, until it was closed in June 2016 due to insufficient enrollment.<ref>Loyer, Susan. "Sacred Heart School in South Amboy is closing", Courier News, April 15, 2016. Accessed December 25, 2019. "Sacred Heart Elementary School, a staple in the community for more than 100 years, is the latest school in the Diocese of Metuchen to be closing its doors.... The Pre-K to Grade 8 school has 191 registered students this academic year but only 80 registered for the 2016-2017 academic year, according to the diocese.... The decision to close McCarrick followed a 2013 decision to create the Raritan Bay Catholic Preparatory School, an umbrella organization for the high school and Sacred Heart Elementary School."</ref> Cardinal McCarrick High School closed at the end of the 2014–2015 school year, in the wake of an increasing financial deficit.<ref>Milo, Paul. "McCarrick High School in South Amboy closing in June, report says", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, May 19, 2015. Accessed September 23, 2015. "The Diocese of Metuchen announced that Cardinal McCarrick St. Mary's High School will close due to a cash shortfall, News 12 New Jersey reported Tuesday.... Parents interviewed by the station expressed surprise when they learned the school had been grappling with financial problems for 5 years and now faces a $1.8 million deficit."</ref>

Transportation

Roads and highways

File:2020-08-22 13 09 45 View north along U.S. Route 9 at the exit for Main Street (South Amboy) in South Amboy, Middlesex County, New Jersey.jpg

View north along US 9 at Route 35 in South Amboy

Template:As of, the city 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>

Several major roads and highways traverse the city.<ref>Middlesex County Road Map, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed December 1, 2019.</ref> These include portions of U.S. Route 9,<ref>U.S Route 9 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, updated July 2013. Accessed December 25, 2019.</ref> Route 35<ref>Route 35 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, updated March 2016. Accessed December 25, 2019.</ref> and CR 615, 621, 670, 684, 686, 688.<ref>Middlesex County Route Route 615 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, updated May 2011. Accessed December 25, 2019.</ref><ref>Middlesex County Route Route 621 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, updated June 2011. Accessed December 25, 2019.</ref><ref>Middlesex County Route Route 670 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, updated June 2011. Accessed December 25, 2019.</ref><ref>Middlesex County Route Route 684 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, updated June 2011. Accessed December 25, 2019.</ref><ref>Middlesex County Route Route 686 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, updated February 2014. Accessed December 25, 2019.</ref><ref>Middlesex County Route Route 688 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, updated June 2011. Accessed December 25, 2019.</ref> Three Garden State Parkway exits (123–125) are just beyond the city's western border.

Public transportation

The South Amboy station<ref>South Amboy station, NJ Transit. Accessed October 26, 2014.</ref> provides frequent service on NJ Transit's North Jersey Coast Line, with most northbound trains heading to Newark Penn Station, Secaucus Junction and Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan and some heading to Hoboken Terminal, while southbound trains all head to Bay Head.<ref>North Jersey Coast Line Template:Webarchive, NJ Transit. Accessed October 26, 2014.</ref>

NJ Transit local bus service is available on two routes. The 815 runs between New Brunswick and the Woodbridge Center, with stops in Woodbridge, Perth Amboy, Sayreville, South River. The 817 runs between Middletown and Perth Amboy, with stops in Keansburg, Hazlet, Union Beach, Keyport, Aberdeen, and Old Bridge.<ref>Middlesex County Transit Guide, Middlesex County. Accessed April 1, 2023.</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Plans for the ferry service to Lower and Midtown Manhattan were announced in November 2018.<ref>Ursillo, Jen. "South Amboy passenger ferry soon to become a reality, WKXW. November 19, 2018. Accessed July 21, 2020. "The ferry will start at the Radford Ferry Overpass and it's expected the transit from South Amboy to Manhattan will be 40 minutes, with stops at Wall Street and Midtown. Eight hundred parking spaces will be available to start, Skarzynski said. If the ferry proves to be successful and more spaces are needed, then there will be plans for expansion."</ref> In June 2020, the project received $5.3 million in federal funding for construction of a terminal near the train station.<ref>Warren, Michael Sol. "N.J. city aims for new NYC ferry as project gets $5M boost from feds", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, July 21, 2020. Accessed July 21, 2020. "On Monday, U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, D-6th Dist., announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation will grant $5.3 million to South Amboy for a ferry service between the Raritan Bay city and downtown Manhattan. The money, which comes from the DOT’s Passenger Ferry Grant program, will be used to help build a new ferry terminal in South Amboy."</ref> On October 30, 2023, the NY Waterway began service between South Amboy and Manhattan, with stops at Downtown (Brookfield Place/Battery Park City) and Midtown (W39th Street) at 100 Radford Ferry Road. Free local shuttles run between Sayreville and South Amboy with various current bus stops, as well as one at South Amboy Station. As of now, the ferry schedule is limited to Monday-Friday during mornings and evenings, each with four departures. Morning departures from South Amboy begin at 5:45AM and end at 8:45AM, with all trips arrive about 55 minutes to Brookfield Place, and only the last two going to Midtown, which arrives about 10 minutes later. There are no trips to South Amboy in the mornings. Evening departures from Manhattan only leave Midtown at 3:15PM and 4:15PM, while departures are at every hour from 3:30PM to 6:30PM at Brookfield Place. There are two return trips from South Amboy to Manhattan at 4:25PM and 5:25PM. The ferry includes free transfers to Weehawken, Hoboken, and Jersey City. The ferry offers tea, coffee, and refreshments on board. There is free parking by the ferry terminal. There is currently only a temporary terminal at the end of an abandoned industrial pier, but a $30 million dollar permanent facility is in the process of being built nearby with a planned opening in 2025.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The Raritan River Railroad provided passenger service to the city from 1888 to 1938.<ref>Stations of the Raritan River Railroad, Tom's Raritan River Railroad Page. Accessed December 25, 2019. "The line ran from South Amboy to New Brunswick, via Sayreville, Parlin, South River, East Brunswick, and North Brunswick."</ref> The railroad is now defunct along this part of the line. Proposals have been made to use the line as a light rail route.<ref>Preserving Rail Rights of Way in Middlesex County Template:Webarchive, Middlesex County, New Jersey. Accessed December 3, 2019. "On this basis the following rail lines may merit future investigation on their feasibility for accommodating a light rail and/or busway type of passenger service. Raritan River Railroad. South Amboy, Sayreville, South River, East Brunswick, Milltown, North Brunswick, New Brunswick - This corridor could address some of the east-west travel needs in the central area of the County providing a transit way that would link the City of South Amboy and the City of New Brunswick. This could also provide a viable commuter travel alternative to the heavily used Route 18 Corridor."</ref>

Notable people

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

• Don Campbell (1916–1991), tackle who played for two NFL seasons<ref>Don Campbell Template:Webarchive, The Pro Football Archives. Accessed October 6, 2015.</ref>
• Allie Clark (1923–2012), champion of the 1947 & 1948 World Series<ref>Cardinal McCarrick High School Hall of Fame, accessed April 29, 2007. "He resides in South Ambov with his wife, Fran."</ref>
• Richard Field Conover (1858–1930), tennis player, lawyer and real estate manager<ref>Richard Field Conover, Tennis Archives. Accessed October 6, 2015.</ref>
• Craig Coughlin (born 1958), New Jersey General Assembly member who has represented the 19th Legislative District since 2010<ref>Assemblyman Craig J. Coughlin, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed October 6, 2015.</ref>
• Greg Evigan (born 1953), actor best known for appearing on the TV series B. J. and the Bear and My Two Dads<ref>Derek Jacobi Has Role in British Thriller 'Dead Again', Lexington Herald-Leader, November 22, 1991. Accessed January 1, 2016. "Evigan was born in South Amboy, N.J."</ref>
• John H. Froude (born 1930), politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1972 to 1980<ref>Fitzgerald's Legislative Manual, 1979, p. 236. Accessed April 20, 2020. "John H. Froude. Dem.. South River - Assemblyman Froude was born in South Amboy Feb. 1, 1930."</ref>
• Monroe Green (Template:Circa–1996), businessman and long-time advertising director of The New York Times<ref>Thomas Jr., Robert McG. "Monroe Green, 92, Times Advertising Director", The New York Times, December 8, 1986. Accessed September 12, 2019. "The only child of the operator of a small clothing store in South Amboy, N.J., Mr. Green, whose father died when he was 10, worked his way through the University of Pennsylvania, went to work for Macy's after his graduation in 1927, and five years later, at the age of 27, was the store's advertising manager."</ref>
• Harold G. Hoffman (1896–1954), mayor, congressman for New Jersey's 3rd congressional district between 1927-1931, and 41st governor of New Jersey between1935-1938, for whom South Amboy Elementary School is named<ref>Harold Giles Hoffman, Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed April 29, 2007.</ref>
• Benjamin Franklin Howell (1844–1933), Founder of Amboy Bank, Republican congressman for New Jersey's 3rd congressional district between 1895-1911 , buried in Christ Church Cemetery
• Jack McKeon (born 1930), manager of the 2003 World Series Champion Florida Marlins<ref>Reusse, Patrick. "McKeon, young Marlins work magic.", Star Tribune, October 18, 2003. Accessed March 31, 2008. "Tom Kelly and Jack McKeon share the hometown of South Amboy, N.J."</ref>
• Johnny O'Brien (born 1930) and Eddie O'Brien (1930–2014), twin baseball players for the Pittsburgh Pirates<ref>Raley, Dan. "Déjà two: A half-century apart, twins light up Seattle courts", Seattle Post-Intelligencer, March 8, 2003. Accessed June 19, 2007. "The O'Briens grew up in South Amboy, N.J., mainly as baseball players. They were cut from the basketball team as sophomores and juniors at St. Mary's High School for one reason: Too darn short.... The O'Briens never made it to the NBA. They were drafted by the old Milwaukee Hawks, but turned to pro baseball instead, as infielders and part-time pitchers. Each accepted a $25,000 signing bonus from the Pittsburgh Pirates and went straight to the majors, becoming the first set of twins to play together on the same big-league team, if not appear together on the same trading card."</ref>
• Charles Pettit (1736–1806), lawyer, merchant, and delegate to the Congress of the Confederation<ref>Charles Willson Peale - Charles Pettit, 1792, Worcester Art Museum. Accessed October 6, 2015. "Pettit moved from Burlington to South Amboy with Franklin, but their relationship was severed when the governor decided to maintain his support of British authority and Pettit sided with the Whigs."</ref>
• Thomas J. Scully (1864–1921), South Amboy mayor (1910-1911) and Democratic congressman for New Jersey's 3rd congressional district between 1911-1921<ref>Thomas Joseph Scully, Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed July 25, 2007.</ref>
• Elmer Stout (1929–2013), football player<ref>"Elmer Stout Obituary", Asbury Park Press, September 24, 2013. Accessed October 6, 2015. "Born in South Amboy, he had resided in South River until his retirement from the former Goodkind & O'Dea Consulting Engineers for whom he worked his entire career."</ref>
• Marques Townes (born 1995), basketball player for the Loyola Ramblers men's basketball team, who transferred out of Cardinal McCarrick after his sophomore year<ref>Haley, John. "Q and A session with Marques Townes of St. Joseph (Met.), what sport will he play in college?", The Star-Ledger, January 28, 2014. Accessed March 26, 2018. "So that was the first thing I addressed with Townes, who grew up in Rahway, moved to South Amboy in the fifth grade and who now lives in Edison."</ref>
• Ted Weiss (1927–1992), politician who served in the United States House of Representatives for New York from 1977 until his death in 1992<ref>"Weiss, Theodore S. (1927-1992)", Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed September 21, 2020. "Weiss, Theodore S., a Representative from New York; born in Gava, Hungary, September 17, 1927; attended the primary schools of Hungary until 1938 when he emigrated to the United States and settled in South Amboy, N.J.; continued his education in the public schools of South Amboy; graduated from Hoffman High School, 1946"</ref>
• Timothy Wiltsey (1985–1991), child murder victim whose mother was convicted 25 years later,<ref>Sherman, Ted; Epstein, Sue. "Michelle Lodzinski guilty of murdering son Timmy Wiltsey", The Star-Ledger, May 18, 2016. Accessed May 18, 2016. "The former South Amboy resident had long denied she had anything to do with her son's death."</ref> a conviction vacated on appeal in 2021 by the New Jersey Supreme Court

In popular culture

Scenes from the 1985 Woody Allen movie The Purple Rose of Cairo were filmed in the former Raritan Diner.<ref name=SAST2022/><ref>Nutt, Amy Ellis. "Sandy causes N.J. supermarket to close up shop after 84 years", The Star-Ledger, November 25, 2012, updated March 30, 2019. Accessed July 24, 2020. "They include the white Colonial house he grew up in; a miniature Frank’s Meat Market, complete with a nearly microscopic potato-weighing scale; even the old Raritan Diner where Woody Allen’s 1985 movie Purple Rose of Cairo was shot."</ref>

Scenes from the 2000 film Coyote Ugly starring Piper Perabo were filmed in South Amboy and the main character is from the city.<ref name=SAST2022/><ref>Foreman, Jonathan. "It’s No Joke, Ugly Is Not A Pretty Picture", New York Post, August 4, 2000. Accessed July 24, 2020. "Violet hails from South Amboy, N.J., which the filmmakers conceive of as a desert island without TV, movies, libraries or magazines."</ref><ref>Coyote Ugly Template:Webarchive, Cinema Review. Accessed July 24, 2020. "Filming commenced in New Jersey and in the meat district on Manhattan's lower West Side. The cast and crew spent the first month on location in Manhattan and in several other small towns in New Jersey including South Amboy and Sea Bright."</ref>

A punishment for the TV show Impractical Jokers was filmed at the Rollermagic Rollerrink, featuring a local roller-derby team.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

External links

• South Amboy official website
• Middlesex County webpage for South Amboy
• Sadie Pope Dowdell Library
• South Amboy Police Department
• South Amboy Public Schools
• Template:NJReportCard
• Data for the South Amboy Public Schools, National Center for Education Statistics
• South Amboy First Aid & Safety Squad