South River, New Jersey

Template:Short description Template:For 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 River is a borough in Middlesex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 16,118,<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/> an increase of 110 (+0.7%) from the 2010 census count of 16,008,<ref name=Census2010/><ref name=LWD2010/> which in turn reflected an increase of 686 (+4.5%) from the 15,322 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>

What is now South River was originally formed as the town of Washington within East Brunswick Township on February 23, 1870. South River was incorporated as an independent borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 28, 1898, replacing Washington town.<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. 174. Accessed June 9, 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. 263. New Jersey Law Journal Publishing Company, 1910. Accessed October 7, 2015.</ref> It was named after the Raritan River's South River tributary, which marks the borough's eastern and northeastern boundary.<ref>Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed October 7, 2015.</ref><ref>Gannett, Henry. The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States, p. 28. United States Government Printing Office, 1905. Accessed October 7, 2015.</ref>

History

File:SouthRiverNJ1936.jpg

South River in 1936

South River was originally part of East Brunswick Township. Originally referred to as Washington, the community eventually split away as did Spotswood and Milltown.<ref name=Story/>

From 1683 to 1720, the area was commonly referred to as South River Landing. In 1720, the name Willettstown was adopted after settler Samuel Willett. In 1784, the name was changed to Washington and the area was variously referred to as Washington Village, Washington Woods, and Little Washington. The name was considered at the suggestion of Abraham Barkelew, one of the original settlers in the town. In 1870, the name was changed to South River and on February 28, 1898, South River officially became a borough.<ref name=Story/><ref>Cheslow, Jerry. "If You're Thinking of Living in: South River", The New York Times, December 24, 1989. Accessed August 10, 2013.</ref>

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 2.94 square miles (7.61 km²), including 2.79 square miles (7.21 km²) of land and 0.16 square miles (0.40 km²) of water (5.27%).<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name=GR1 />

The borough borders the Middlesex County communities of East Brunswick and Sayreville.<ref>Areas touching South River, 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>

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the borough include Newton Heights, which is situated along the border of South River and East Brunswick.<ref>Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.</ref>

Demographics

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 16,008 people, 5,652 households, and 4,019 families in the borough. The population density was 5,781.4 per square mile (2,232.2/km²). There were 5,957 housing units at an average density of 2,151.4 per square mile (830.7/km²). The racial makeup was 76.18% (12,195) White, 7.13% (1,142) Black or African American, 0.31% (50) Native American, 4.84% (775) Asian, 0.06% (9) Pacific Islander, 8.18% (1,309) from other races, and 3.30% (528) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 18.20% (2,913) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/>

Of the 5,652 households, 32.5% had children under the age of 18; 53.5% were married couples living together; 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present and 28.9% were non-families. Of all households, 22.9% were made up of individuals and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.83 and the average family size was 3.32.<ref name=Census2010/>

22.6% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 30.6% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.2 years. For every 100 females, the population had 103.3 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 101.5 males.<ref name=Census2010/>

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $62,284 (with a margin of error of +/− $9,691) and the median family income was $78,109 (+/− $8,122). Males had a median income of $51,599 (+/− $6,269) versus $46,014 (+/− $3,025) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $28,178 (+/− $1,766). About 4.4% of families and 6.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.9% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over.<ref>DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for South River borough, Middlesex County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 28, 2012.</ref>

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census<ref name="GR2" /> there were 15,322 people, 5,606 households, and 3,985 families residing in the borough. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 5,769 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the borough was 83.55% White, 9.66% Hispanic or Latino, 6.06% African American, 0.12% Native American, 3.54% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 3.83% from other races, and 2.85% from two or more races.<ref name=Census2000>Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for South River borough, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 28, 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 River borough, Middlesex County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 28, 2012.</ref>

Most common ancestries of the population are Polish (18.9%), Italian (14.6%), Irish (13.0%), German (12.5%), Portuguese (9.3%), Russian (4.5%).<ref>South River, New Jersey, City-Data. Accessed March 18, 2007.</ref>

There were 5,606 households, out of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.2% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.9% were non-families. 23.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.23.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

In the borough the population was spread out, with 23.0% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 33.4% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.7 males.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

The median income for a household in the borough was $52,324, and the median income for a family was $62,869. Males had a median income of $42,186 versus $31,098 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $23,684. About 3.7% of families and 4.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.9% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

A large Polish, Russian, and Portuguese immigrant population moved into the borough in the 1950s-1980s. Today South River's largest incoming immigrant population are Asian, Mexican and Brazilian populations.Template:Citation needed

Belarusians in South River

File:Belarusian monument in South River.jpg

Monument for "Those who fought for Freedom and Independence of Byelorussia"

South River has become a center for Belarusian Americans in the postwar-period.

The first immigrants from present-day Belarus (from the areas of modern-day western Minsk Voblast and Hrodna Voblast, around the towns of Vilejka, Maladziečna and others) arrived to South River in the late 19th century.<ref name=Hardzijenka>Template:Cite book</ref> Most of the immigrants of that time identified themselves as Polish or Russian depending on their faith.<ref name=Hardzijenka/> Immigrants from Belarus established a Roman Catholic church of Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn (a prominent Catholic icon in Vilnius venerated primarily by Catholics in Western Belarus and Lithuania) and a 250 members strong Russian Orthodox parish of St. Peter and St. Paul.<ref name=Hardzijenka/>

The postwar immigrants founded the Belarusian Congress Committee of America here in 1951.<ref name=Hardzijenka/> In the 1950s they reestablished the Belarusian Orthodox parish of St. Eufrasinnia, that previously existed in Germany. A Belarusian cemetery was opened in 1953, that houses also Radasłaŭ Astroŭski.<ref>South River, A Belarus Miscellany. Accessed July 13, 2016.</ref>

Government

Local government

South River 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 the mayor and the 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. 151.</ref> The borough form of government used by South River 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>

Template:As of, the mayor of South River is Republican Peter S. Guindi, whose term of office ends December 31, 2027. Members of the Borough Council are Council President John Krenzel (R, 2024; appointed to serve an unexpired term), Donna Balazs (R, 2025), Anthony Ciulla (R, 2025), John Frost (R, 2024; appointed to serve an unexpired term), Henry Dziemian (R, 2026) and James Gurchensky (R, 2026).<ref name=MayorCouncil>Mayor and Council, Borough of South River. Accessed May 28, 2024.</ref><ref>Municipal Data Sheet, Borough of South River. Accessed May 28, 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>

John Frost was appointed in May 2024 to fill the term ending December 2024 that had been held by Jason Oliveira until he resigned from office the previous month.<ref>Loyer, Susan. "South River council fills vacancy. Meet the new member", Courier News, May 16, 2024. Accessed May 28, 2024. "John Frost was unanimously selected at Monday's Borough Council meeting to replace Jason Oliveira, a Republican, who served as council president before his resignation last month."</ref>

In January 2014, the borough council selected former councilmember Michael Trenga from among three names nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the nearly three years remaining on the vacant seat of John Trzeciak, who cited personal reasons in resigning from office just weeks after taking his seat on the council.<ref>Durett, Jacqueline. "Trenga takes over for Trzeciak on South River council" Template:Webarchive, Sentinel, January 30, 2014. Accessed March 9, 2015. "Former Borough Councilman Michael Trenga is back on the governing body after being appointed this week to fill a vacancy. The opening was created when Republican John Trzeciak resigned just 16 days into office."</ref> In the November 2014 general election, Trenga was elected to serve the balance of the term of office.<ref name=Middlesex2014>November 4, 2014 General Election Results, Middlesex County, New Jersey. Accessed July 12, 2016.</ref>

Federal, state and county representation

South River 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 18th 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 March 2011, there were a total of 7,901 registered voters in South River, of which 2,520 (31.9%) were registered as Democrats, 1,186 (15.0%) were registered as Republicans and 4,193 (53.1%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 2 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 58.5% of the vote (3,033 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 40.5% (2,101 votes), and other candidates with 1.0% (52 votes), among the 5,233 ballots cast by the borough's 8,095 registered voters (47 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 64.6%.<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 54.9% of the vote (3,148 cast), ahead of Republican John McCain with 42.5% (2,434 votes) and other candidates with 1.7% (95 votes), among the 5,729 ballots cast by the borough's 8,078 registered voters, for a turnout of 70.9%.<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 51.8% of the vote (2,763 ballots cast), outpolling Republican George W. Bush with 46.1% (2,460 votes) and other candidates with 0.8% (63 votes), among the 5,331 ballots cast by the borough's 7,591 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 70.2.<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|55.1% 3,316	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|42.7% 2,573	2.2% 116
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|2020<ref name="2020Elections">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|48.6% 3,019	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|49.8% 3,094	1.6% 80
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|48.7% 2,681	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|47.2% 2,596	3.3% 180
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|40.5% 2,101	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|58.5% 3,033	1.0% 52
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|42.5% 2,434	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|54.9% 3,148	1.7% 95
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|46.1% 2,460	style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|51.8% 2,763	0.8% 63

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 63.8% of the vote (1,997 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 35.0% (1,094 votes), and other candidates with 1.2% (39 votes), among the 3,163 ballots cast by the borough's 8,146 registered voters (33 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 38.8%.<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 53.2% of the vote (1,916 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 38.2% (1,378 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 6.5% (235 votes) and other candidates with 0.9% (32 votes), among the 3,604 ballots cast by the borough's 7,787 registered voters, yielding a 46.3% 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 River Public Schools serve students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. As of the 2020–21 school year, the district, comprised of four schools, had an enrollment of 2,325 students and 203.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 11.5:1.<ref name=NCES>District information for South River Public School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 15, 2022.</ref> Schools in the district (with 2020–21 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics<ref>School Data for the South River Public Schools, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 15, 2022.</ref>) are South River Primary School<ref>South River Primary School, South River Public Schools. Accessed July 17, 2022.</ref> with 399 students in grades PreK-1, South River Elementary School<ref>South River Elementary School, South River Public Schools. Accessed July 17, 2022.</ref> with 655 students in grades 2-5, South River Middle School<ref>South River Middle School, South River Public Schools. Accessed July 17, 2022.</ref> with 511 students in grades 6-8 and South River High School<ref>South River High School, South River Public Schools. Accessed July 17, 2022.</ref> with 722 students in grades 9-12.<ref>School Performance Reports for the South River Public School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed April 1, 2024.</ref><ref>New Jersey School Directory for the South River Public Schools, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref>

Eighth grade students from all of Middlesex County are eligible to apply to attend the high school programs offered by the Middlesex County Magnet Schools, a county-wide vocational school district that offers full-time career and technical education at its schools in East Brunswick, 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>

Transportation

Roads and highways

File:2018-05-18 11 48 00 View south along Middlesex County Route 535 (Main Street) at Middlesex County Route 677 (Ferry Street) in South River, Middlesex County, New Jersey.jpg

County Route 535 in South River

Template:As of, the borough had a total of Template:Convert of roadways, of which Template:Convert were maintained by the municipality and Template:Convert by Middlesex County.<ref>Middlesex County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2010. Accessed July 24, 2014.</ref>

The mains roads that travel through are CR 527<ref>County Route 527 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, updated November 2012. Accessed July 17, 2012.</ref> and CR 535.<ref>County Route 535 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, updated October 2012. Accessed July 17, 2012.</ref> Route 18 passes just west of the borough, which provides access to the New Jersey Turnpike (Interstate 95).

Public transportation

NJ Transit bus service is provided on the 811 and 815 routes.<ref>Middlesex County Bus / Rail Connections, NJ Transit, backed up by the Internet Archive as of May 22, 2009. Accessed August 28, 2012.</ref>

Notable people

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

• Radasłaŭ Astroŭski (1887–1976), Belarusian political leader and Nazi Collaborator<ref>Piotrowski, Thaddeus M. Poland's Holocaust: Ethnic Strife, Collaboration With Occupying Forces and Genocide in the Second Republic, 1918-1947, p. 157. McFarland & Company, 1998. Template:ISBN. Accessed November 27, 2012. "Astrouski, who emigrated to Argentina, was the last to arrive in South River."</ref>
• George Brasno (1911–1982), vaudevillian performer known for his appearances alongside his sister Olive in the Our Gang comedies and Charlie Chan movie series<ref name=trio>Template:Cite news</ref>
• Olive Brasno (1917–1998), vaudevillian performer known for her appearances in the Our Gang comedies and Charlie Chan movie series<ref name=trio/>
• Joseph Csatari (born 1929), painter<ref>Granieri, Laurie. "Portrait Of The Artist", Asbury Park Press, January 6, 2002. Accessed February 5, 2011. "Joe Csatari is in a reflective mood today. He relaxes in his home art studio in South River, a sunlit perch set among bare tree branches..."</ref>
• Janet Evanovich (born 1943), author<ref>Nussbaum, Debra. "In Person; Imagine Trenton. One Author Did.", The New York Times, November 3, 2002. Accessed August 28, 2012. "If there is a typical career path for novelists, Mrs. Evanovich is certain that she has not followed it. After growing up in South River, she followed her husband, who was in the Navy, as he moved around the country, stayed at home and raised their two children and then, when she was in her 30s, decided that she wanted to write."</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>
• Angelica Generosa, ballet dancer who is a principal dancer with the Pacific Northwest Ballet<ref name=BWW>Template:Cite news</ref>
• Lyle Goodhue (1903–1981), scientist<ref>Lyle D Goodhur, "United States Census, 1930", FamilySearch. Accessed June 16, 2013. Dr. Goodhue lived in South River with his new bride, Helen, while working for Du Pont, according to the 1930 Census.</ref>
• Kenny Jackson (born 1962), former professional football player<ref>Staff. "These Nittany Lions Get His Vote; Kenny Jackson Says The Coach And Offense Look Better Than They Did In The National Title Year Of 1982.", The Philadelphia Inquirer, October 11, 1994. Accessed March 20, 2011. "Jackson, from South River, NJ, was State's first all-America receiver and remains the university's career leader in receiving yards (2006) and TDs (25)."</ref>
• Jonathan Janson (born 1950), painter<ref>Staff. "Genova Galleria D'arte Il Basilisco: Jonathan Janson, Daily Life Acquerelli E Olii", Genova Press, October 16, 2006. Accessed February 6, 2011. "Jonathan Janson nasce nel 1950 a South River, New Jersey, USA."</ref>
• Stanley Kamel (1943–2008), actor who performed in the USA Network series Monk as Dr. Charles Kroger<ref>Beale, Lewis. "Big Bounce From Murder Shrink Role"Template:Dead link, New York Daily News, January 22, 1996. Accessed March 20, 2011. "Kamel is one of those looks-familiar-but-what's-his-name actors who work all the time but seem to miss stardom. The South River, N.J., native has had recurring roles in many TV series, but his best work has been in Hill Street Blues, L.A. Law and Murder One, all created by Stephen Bochco."</ref>
• Barys Kit (1910–2018), Belarusian-American rocket scientist<ref>Barys Kit Biography, Archives of Belarus. Accessed August 27, 2018. "In late 1948, Kit moved to the small town of South River in the USA, where he worked in the pharmaceutical industry."</ref>
• Evan Louro (born 1996), soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer<ref>"New York Red Bulls Sign Evan Louro as Homegrown Player", New York Red Bulls, January 23, 2017. Accessed January 25, 2017. "Louro, a native of South River, N.J., finished his college career with 46 appearances, 4,248 minutes played and a 1.17 Goals Against Average."</ref>
• Melbourne MacDowell (1856–1941), stage and silent screen actor, when the borough was still known as Little Washington<ref>Strang, Lewis Clinton. Famous Actors of the Day: In America, p. 239. L.C. Page, 1899. Accessed August 27, 2018. "Mr. MacDowell was born in Little Washington, New Jersey, and the late E. A. MacDowell was his older brother. Melbourne MacDowell began life by running away to sea."</ref>
• Frank Mula (1950–2021), writer for The Simpsons<ref>Hart, Jolene. "Doh! TV writer one of two grads honored: Co-producer of ABC shows, TV writer returns to South River" Template:Webarchive, Old Bridge Suburban, November 13, 2003. Accessed February 6, 2011. "The entrance to South River may not yet post signs heralding, Birthplace of Frank Mula, but there are more than a few ways Mula has earned recognition as a local celebrity."</ref>
• Alfred Nisonoff (1923–2001), immunology researcher<ref>Piehler, G. Kurt. An Interview with Alfred Nisonoff, for the Rutgers Oral History Archives of World War II. Template:Webarchive, Rutgers University, August 1, 1994. Accessed February 6, 2011. "AN: His first stores were butcher shops. He had the kosher butcher shop in South River, and that goes all the way back to when I was five or so. Yeah, I was born in Corona, Long Island, but, then, when I was a couple of years old, they moved to South River and he opened that kosher butcher shop there."</ref>
• Drew Pearson (born 1951), former professional football player<ref>Zipay, Steve. "Pearson to Lend Area X-Men / Ex-Cowboys great named NY / NJ general manager", Newsday, August 4, 2000. Accessed March 20, 2011. "[Drew Pearson], who was named vice president and general manager of the yet-unnamed New York/New Jersey XFL franchise that will play five home games in East Rutherford next winter, grew up in South River, a half-hour ride down the Jersey Turnpike."</ref>
• Brian Sicknick (1978–2021), officer of the United States Capitol Police who died following the January 6 United States Capitol attack<ref>Brian David Sicknick, Demaine Funeral Home. Accessed January 31, 2021. "Brian David Sicknick was born on July 30, 1978, in New Brunswick, NJ, the youngest of three sons to Gladys and Charles Sicknick. He spent his formative years in South River, New Jersey and lived there until he became part of the Capitol Police family."</ref>
• Pete Sivess (1913–2003), pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies<ref>Kieran, John. "Sports of the Times. A Winter Haven of Refuge", The New York Times, March 22, 1937. Accessed February 6, 2011. "They also had Pete Sivess, the big gent from South River, N.J., who hinted out loud last year that he was going to outpitch the whole Dean family."</ref>
• Elmer Stout (1929–2013), football player<ref>"Elmer Stout Obituary", Asbury Park Press, September 24, 2013. Accessed October 9, 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>
• Joe Susan (born 1955), former head coach of the Bucknell Bison football team and current Special Assistant to The Head Football Coach at Rutgers University<ref>Joe Susan Template:Webarchive, Bucknell Bison. Accessed October 7, 2015. "A native of South River, New Jersey, Susan — who was inducted into his high school's Hall of Fame in 2014 — returned to Bucknell from Rutgers, where he spent the previous nine years as an assistant coach on Greg Schiano's staff."</ref>
• Joe Theismann (born 1949), former professional football player<ref>Amdur, Neil. "Theismann Pleases Irish Coach In Every Statistic Except One; Quarterback From Jersey Is Intercepted 16 Times -- Awaits Biggest Chance", The New York Times, December 27, 1969. Accessed March 20, 2011. "The snow was stacked as high and tight as a goal-line defense near Joe Theismann's house at 3 Arlington Avenue in South River, N. J., yesterday."</ref>
• Alex Wojciechowicz (1915–1992), professional football player<ref>Staff. "OSU's Spellman Inks 4-Year Deal With Bears", Dayton Daily News, July 14, 1992. Accessed March 20, 2011. "Alex Wojciechowicz, the All-America center on Fordham's famed 'Seven Blocks of Granite' line in the 1930s, died at his home in South River, NJ. He was 76."</ref>
• Russell Zavistovich (1928–2000), leader of the Belarusian American community<ref>Staff. "Russell Zavistovich", The Washington Post, December 22, 2000. Accessed August 27, 2018. "Mr. Zavistovich, a Fort Washington resident, was a born in Wilno, Poland. He spent World War II interned with his family at a displaced persons camp in Germany. After the war, they immigrated to the United States, settling in South River, N.J."</ref>

In popular culture

Rescue 911 (Season 3, Episode 25) features a segment about a Good Samaritan who assisted in the rescue of an occupant from an apartment fire on January 8, 1991, at the Emess Apartments (now known as Deer Creek Village).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

External links

• South River Borough