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{{Use American English|date=March 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name = Branchburg, New Jersey
|official_name =
|settlement_type = [[Township (New Jersey)|Township]]
|nickname =
|motto =
<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline = Raritan Valley Community College, NJ - fall foliage.jpg
|imagesize = 250x200px
|image_caption = [[Raritan Valley Community College]]
|image_flag =
|image_seal = Seal of Branchburg Township, New Jersey.png
<!-- Maps -->
|image_map = Branchburg_twp_nj_035.png
|mapsize = 250x200px
|map_caption = Location of Branchburg Township in [[Somerset County, New Jersey|Somerset County]] highlighted in yellow (right). Inset map: Location of Somerset County in [[New Jersey]] highlighted in black (left).
|image_map1 = Census_Bureau_map_of_Branchburg_Township,_New_Jersey.png
|mapsize1 = 250x200px
|map_caption1 = Census Bureau map of Branchburg Township, New Jersey
|pushpin_map = USA New Jersey Somerset County#USA New Jersey#USA
|pushpin_label = Branchburg
|pushpin_map_caption = Location in [[Somerset County, New Jersey|Somerset County]]##Location in [[New Jersey]]##Location in the United States
|pushpin_relief = yes
<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name = {{nowrap|{{flag|United States}}}}
|subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1 = {{flag|New Jersey}}
|subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in New Jersey|County]]
|subdivision_name2 = {{flagicon image|}} [[Somerset County, New Jersey|Somerset]]
|government_footnotes = <ref name=DataBook/>
|government_type = [[Township (New Jersey)|Township]]
|governing_body = Township Committee
|leader_title = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name = Thomas Young ([[Republican Party (New Jersey)|R]], December 31, 2025)<ref name=ElectedOfficials/><ref>[https://www.state.nj.us/dca/home/2023mayors.pdf 2023 New Jersey Mayors Directory], [[New Jersey Department of Community Affairs]], updated February 8, 2023. Accessed February 10, 2023.</ref>
|leader_title1 = [[City manager|Administrator]]
|leader_name1 = Gregory J. Bonin<ref>[http://www.branchburg.nj.us/departments/administration.php Administration], Township of Branchburg. Accessed May 22, 2024.</ref>
|leader_title2 = [[Municipal clerk]]
|leader_name2 = Maggie Schmitt<ref>[http://branchburg.nj.us/departments/township_clerk/index.php Township Clerk], Township of Branchburg. Accessed May 22, 2024.</ref>
|established_title = [[Municipal incorporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date = April 5, 1845
|named_for = [[Raritan River]] juncture
<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref = Imperial
|area_footnotes = <ref name=CensusArea>[https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_cousubs_34.txt 2019 Census Gazetteer Files: New Jersey Places], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed July 1, 2020.</ref>
|area_magnitude =
|area_total_km2 = 52.58
|area_land_km2 = 51.98
|area_water_km2 = 0.60
|area_total_sq_mi = 20.30
|area_land_sq_mi = 20.07
|area_water_sq_mi = 0.23
|area_water_percent = 1.14
|area_rank = 141st of 565 in state<br>7th of 21 in county<ref name=CensusArea/>
<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes = <ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/>
|population_total = 14940
|population_rank = 177th of 565 in state<br>8th of 21 in county<ref name=LWD2020Density>[https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/assets/PDFs/dmograph/est/mcd/density.xlsx Population Density by County and Municipality: New Jersey, 2020 and 2021], [[New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development]]. Accessed March 1, 2023.</ref>
|population_density_km2 = auto
|population_density_sq_mi = 744.4
|population_density_rank = 414th of 565 in state<br>15th of 21 in county<ref name=LWD2020Density/>
|population_est = 15246
|pop_est_as_of = 2023
|pop_est_footnotes = <ref name=Census2020/><ref name=PopEst/>
<!-- General information -->
|timezone = [[Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
|utc_offset = −05:00
|timezone_DST = [[Eastern Daylight Time|Eastern (EDT)]]
|utc_offset_DST = −04:00
|elevation_footnotes = <ref>{{Gnis|882175|Township of Branchburg}}, [[Geographic Names Information System]]. Accessed March 4, 2013.</ref>
|elevation_m =
|elevation_ft = 161
|coordinates_footnotes = <ref name=CensusArea/><ref name="GR1">[https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed September 4, 2014.</ref>
|coordinates = {{coord|40|33|37.44|N|74|42|52.92|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type = [[ZIP Code]]
|postal_code = 08853 – [[Neshanic Station, New Jersey|Neshanic Station]]<br>08876 – [[Somerville, New Jersey|Somerville]]<ref>[http://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupResultsAction!input.action?resultMode=0&city=branchburg&state=NJ Look Up a ZIP Code for Branchburg, NJ], [[United States Postal Service]]. Accessed September 11, 2012.</ref>
|area_code = [[Area code 908|908]]<ref>[http://www.area-codes.com/search.asp?frmNPA=&frmNXX=&frmState=NJ&frmCity=Branchburg&frmCounty=Somerset Area Code Lookup - NPA NXX for Branchburg, NJ], Area-Codes.com. Accessed October 24, 2014.</ref>
|blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
|blank_info = 3403507180<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name="GR2">[https://www.census.gov U.S. Census website], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed September 4, 2014.</ref><ref>[https://mcdc.missouri.edu/applications/geocodes/?state=34 Geographic Codes Lookup for New Jersey], Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed April 1, 2022.</ref>
|blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info = 0882175<ref name="GR3">[http://geonames.usgs.gov US Board on Geographic Names], [[United States Geological Survey]]. Accessed September 4, 2014.</ref>
|website = {{URL|https://www.branchburg.nj.us/}}
|footnotes =
}}
'''Branchburg''' is a [[Township (New Jersey)|township]] in [[Somerset County, New Jersey|Somerset County]], in the [[U.S. state]] of [[New Jersey]]. As of the [[2020 United States census]], the township's population was 14,940,<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/> its highest decennial census count ever and an increase of 481 (+3.3%) from the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]] count of 14,459,<ref name=Census2010/><ref name=LWD2010/> which in turn had reflected a decline of 107 (−0.7%) from the 14,566 counted at the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]].<ref>[https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/assets/PDFs/census/2010/2010data/table7cm.xls Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010], [[New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development]], February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023.</ref>
== History ==
While the area of today's Branchburg has a history antedating the [[American Revolutionary War]], the township itself was incorporated by an act of the [[New Jersey Legislature]] on April 5, 1845, from portions of [[Bridgewater Township, New Jersey|Bridgewater Township]].<ref name=Story>Snyder, John P. [https://www.state.nj.us/dep/njgs/enviroed/oldpubs/bulletin67.pdf ''The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606–1968''], Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 222. Accessed September 119, 2012.</ref> The township is named for its ___location at a point where branches of the [[Raritan River]] merge.<ref>Hutchinson, Viola L. [http://mapmaker.rutgers.edu/356/nj_place_names_origin.pdf#page=9 ''The Origin of New Jersey Place Names''], New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed August 25, 2015.</ref>
The land that is now known as Branchburg Township was originally inhabited by the [[Raritan tribe|Raritan]]s, a tribe of the [[Lenape|Lenni Lenape]] [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]]. By 1686 most of the land was purchased from the Lenape by the Lords Proprietors of [[East Jersey]], who sold the land in small parcels to numerous settlers, mostly of [[Dutch people|Dutch]] or [[English people|English]] extraction.<ref>[http://www.branchburg.nj.us/historic-information/ Historic Information] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206070346/http://www.branchburg.nj.us/historic-information/ |date=February 6, 2015 }}, Township of Branchburg. Accessed February 1, 2015.</ref> With the 1688 redrawing of the boundary between East and [[West Jersey]], the Branchburg region was split between [[Essex County, New Jersey|Essex County]] to the north and the newly formed Somerset County to the south. With Somerset's acquisition of territory from Essex and [[Middlesex County, New Jersey|Middlesex Counties]] in 1741, Branchburg lay entirely within Somerset County.<ref>[http://www.branchburg.nj.us/overview-of-branchburg/ Overview of Branchburg] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130122194126/http://www.branchburg.nj.us/overview-of-branchburg/ |date=January 22, 2013 }}, Township of Branchburg. Accessed February 7, 2013.</ref>
[[Bridgewater Township, New Jersey|Bridgewater Township]] was chartered in 1749. The residents of the part of Bridgewater west of the [[Raritan River]] petitioned the New Jersey Legislature for incorporation as a separate township, which was granted by an act dated April 5, 1845.<ref name=Story/><ref name=GovernmentInformation/> The first town meeting was held April 14, 1845, in White Oak Tavern, a stagecoach stop and local meeting place along the [[Old York Road]].<ref name=GovernmentInformation/>
==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the township had a total area of 20.30 square miles (52.58 km<sup>2</sup>), including 20.07 square miles (51.98 km<sup>2</sup>) of land and 0.23 square miles (0.6 km<sup>2</sup>) of water (1.14%).<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name=GR1 />
The township is {{convert|11|mi|km}} long and approximately {{convert|2|mi|km}} across at its widest point. [[Local government in New Jersey#Unincorporated communities|Unincorporated communities]], localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Burnt Mill, Centerville, Fox Hollow, Neshanic, [[Neshanic Station, New Jersey|Neshanic Station]] (ZIP Code 08853) and [[North Branch, New Jersey|North Branch]] (ZIP Code 08876), North Branch Depot and Woodfern.<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/infobank/localnames.txt Locality Search], State of [[New Jersey]]. Accessed May 21, 2015.</ref><ref>[http://www.branchburg.nj.us/general-information/ General Information] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130122194030/http://www.branchburg.nj.us/general-information/ |date=January 22, 2013 }}, Township of Branchburg. Accessed February 11, 2013.</ref>
The township is bordered on the west by [[Readington Township, New Jersey|Readington Township]] in [[Hunterdon County, New Jersey|Hunterdon County]]; on the north by [[Bedminster, New Jersey|Bedminster Township]] and on the south by [[Bridgewater Township, New Jersey|Bridgewater Township]] and [[Hillsborough Township, New Jersey|Hillsborough Township]].<ref>[https://global.mapit.mysociety.org/area/1085140/touches.html Areas touching Branchburg Township], MapIt. Accessed March 20, 2020.</ref><ref>[https://www.co.somerset.nj.us/about/county-info/maps/municipalities Municipalities], [[Somerset County, New Jersey]]. Accessed March 20, 2020.</ref><ref>[https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/gis/maps/polnoroads.pdf New Jersey Municipal Boundaries], [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]]. Accessed November 15, 2019.</ref>
The main watercourses are the [[Lamington River]] on the north, the [[North Branch Raritan River|North Branch of the Raritan River]] on the east and the [[South Branch Raritan River|South Branch of the Raritan River]] on the east and south. These rivers along with small streams and brooks are excellent for fishermen who enjoy trout stocked streams and rivers. Branchburg is in the Raritan Valley, a line of cities in [[Central Jersey|Central New Jersey]]. Branchburg lies in the western division of the Raritan Valley along with Bridgewater and Raritan.
==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| 1850= 1143
| 1860= 1174
| 1870= 1251
| 1880= 1316
| 1890= 1152
| 1900= 1012
| 1910= 970
| 1920= 931
| 1930= 1084
| 1940= 1231
| 1950= 1958
| 1960= 3741
| 1970= 5742
| 1980= 7846
| 1990= 10888
| 2000= 14566
| 2010= 14459
| 2020= 14940
| estimate=15246
| estyear=2023
| estref=<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=PopEst>[https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/tables/2020-2023/mcds/totals/SUB-MCD-EST2023-POP-34.xlsx Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Minor Civil Divisions in New Jersey: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023], [[United States Census Bureau]], released May 2024. Accessed May 16, 2024.</ref>
| footnote=Population sources:<small><br>1850–1920<ref>[https://dspace.njstatelib.org/xmlui/handle/10929/25218?show=full ''Compendium of censuses 1726-1905: together with the tabulated returns of 1905''], [[New Jersey Department of State]], 1906. Accessed August 28, 2013.</ref> 1850–1870<ref>Raum, John O. [https://books.google.com/books?id=5qZ4AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA259 ''The History of New Jersey: From Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time, Volume 1''], p. 259, J. E. Potter and company, 1877. Accessed February 11, 2013. "The population of Branchburg township was in 1850, 1,143[;] in 1860, 1,174; and in 1870, 1,251. North Branch is a village of this township."</ref><br>1850<ref>[[J. D. B. De Bow|Debow, James Dunwoody Brownson]]. [https://books.google.com/books?id=25TicJOdU0AC&pg=PA141 ''The Seventh Census of the United States: 1850''], p. 141. R. Armstrong, 1853. Accessed February 11, 2013.</ref> 1870<ref>Staff. [https://books.google.com/books?id=gNwIAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA260 ''A compendium of the ninth census, 1870''], p. 260. [[United States Census Bureau]], 1872. Accessed February 11, 2013.</ref> 1880–1890<ref>Porter, Robert Percival. [https://books.google.com/books?id=8gUkQkJdLpsC&pg=PA99 ''Preliminary Results as Contained in the Eleventh Census Bulletins: Volume III - 51 to 75''], p. 99. [[United States Census Bureau]], 1890. Accessed February 11, 2013.</ref><br>1890–1910<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=T9HrAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA338 ''Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910: Population by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions, 1910, 1900, 1890''], [[United States Census Bureau]], p. 338. Accessed February 11, 2013.</ref> 1910–1930<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=kifRAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA718 ''Fifteenth Census of the United States : 1930 - Population Volume I''], [[United States Census Bureau]], p. 718. Accessed February 11, 2013.</ref><br>1940–2000<ref>[https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/assets/PDFs/census/2kpub/njsdcp3.pdf#page=27 Table 6: New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1940 - 2000], Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network, August 2001. Accessed May 1, 2023.</ref> 2000<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/><br>2010<ref name=Census2010>[https://archive.today/20200212101315/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0600000US3403507180 DP-1 – Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 for Branchburg township, Somerset County, New Jersey], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed September 11, 2012.</ref><ref name=LWD2010>[http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/lpa/census/2010/dp/dp1_som/branchburg1.pdf Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2010 for Branchburg township] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318120408/http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/lpa/census/2010/dp/dp1_som/branchburg1.pdf |date=March 18, 2018 }}, [[New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development]]. Accessed September 11, 2012.</ref> 2020<ref name=Census2020>[https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/branchburgtownshipsomersetcountynewjersey/ QuickFacts Branchburg township, Somerset County, New Jersey], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed April 18, 2023.</ref><ref name=LWD2020>[https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/assets/PDFs/census/2020/2020%20pl94%20Tables/2020_Mun/MCD%200_All.pdf Total Population: Census 2010 - Census 2020 New Jersey Municipalities], [[New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development]]. Accessed December 1, 2022.</ref></small>
}}
===2010 census===
The [[2010 United States census]] counted 14,459 people, 5,271 households, and 4,032 families in the township. The [[population density]] was 721.4 per square mile (278.5/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 5,419 housing units at an average density of 270.4 per square mile (104.4/km<sup>2</sup>). The racial makeup was 86.80% (12,550) [[White (U.S. census)|White]], 2.25% (326) [[Black (U.S. census)|Black or African American]], 0.15% (22) [[Native American (U.S. census)|Native American]], 8.40% (1,215) [[Asian (U.S. census)|Asian]], 0.03% (5) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.59% (86) from [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|other races]], and 1.76% (255) from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. census)|Hispanic or Latino]] of any race were 4.45% (643) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/>
Of the 5,271 households, 38.2% had children under the age of 18; 67.6% were married couples living together; 6.5% had a female householder with no husband present and 23.5% were non-families. Of all households, 18.8% were made up of individuals and 6.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.17.<ref name=Census2010/>
26.1% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 33.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.3 years. For every 100 females, the population had 95.6 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 92.4 males.<ref name=Census2010/>
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 [[American Community Survey]] showed that (in 2010 [[inflation adjustment|inflation-adjusted]] dollars) [[median household income]] was $119,092 (with a margin of error of +/− $7,934) and the median family income was $136,310 (+/− $12,919). Males had a median income of $97,359 (+/− $7,041) versus $61,192 (+/− $8,826) for females. The [[per capita income]] for the borough was $51,387 (+/− $2,945). About 1.5% of families and 1.3% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 0.5% of those under age 18 and 5.3% of those age 65 or over.<ref>[https://archive.today/20200212084353/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0600000US3403507180 DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Branchburg township, Somerset County, New Jersey], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed September 11, 2012.</ref>
===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States census]]<ref name="GR2" /> there were 14,566 people, 5,272 households, and 4,064 families residing in the township. The population density was {{convert|719.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 5,405 housing units with an average density of {{convert|266.8|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the township was 90.44% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.95% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.10% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 6.17% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.03% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.39% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.92% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.69% of the population.<ref name=Census2000>[http://censtats.census.gov/data/NJ/0603403507180.pdf Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Branchburg township, Somerset County, New Jersey] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040507132320/http://censtats.census.gov/data/NJ/0603403507180.pdf |date=May 7, 2004 }}, [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed September 11, 2012.</ref><ref name=Census2000SF1>[https://archive.today/20200212094752/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/00_SF1/DP1/0600000US3403507180 DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 – Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Branchburg township, Somerset County, New Jersey], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed September 11, 2012.</ref>
There were 5,272 households, out of which 39.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 5.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.9% were non-families. 18.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.19.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>
In the township the population was spread out, with 27.3% under the age of 18, 4.5% from 18 to 24, 34.6% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64 and 8.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.2 males.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>
The median income for a household in the township was $96,864, and the median income for a family was $110,268. Males had a median income of $70,726 versus $47,786 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the township was $41,241. About 1.1% of families and 1.9% of the population were living below the [[poverty line]], including 1.4% of those under age 18 and 5.0% of those age 65 or over.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>
==Economy==
Branchburg Township is the home to the [[31 Tannery Project]] which serves as the corporate headquarters for Ferreira Construction, the Ferreira Group, and Noveda Technologies. The {{convert|42000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} office and shop building was constructed in 2006. It was the first building in the state of New Jersey to meet New Jersey's Executive Order 54 and the first [[Zero-energy building|net zero]] electric commercial building in the United States.<ref>Staff. [http://www.automatedbuildings.com/news/dec08/articles/noveda/081125031404noveda.htm "31 Tannery Project – Year 2+"], ''Automated Buildings'', December 2008. Accessed September 11, 2012. "As discussed in last year's article(1) the '31 Tannery Project' is the first commercial building in the US to produce all of its own electricity through a renewable power source."</ref>
==Sports==
Branchburg is home to the 2012 14U Babe Ruth World Series Championship baseball team, the first from the state since 1989. The underdog Bulldogs, consisting of players drawn from a tryout pool totaling 16 players, competed and won against teams drawn from tryout pools as large as 500 players.<ref>Cooper, Warren. [http://www.nj.com/messenger-gazette/index.ssf/2012/08/branchburg_bulldogs_are_2012_babe_ruth_national_champions.html "Branchburg Bulldogs are 2012 Babe Ruth national champions"], ''Messenger Gazette'', August 29, 2012. Accessed August 4, 2014. "With a score of 7-5 over Jacksonville, Fla., the Branchburg Bulldogs under-14-year-old baseball team became the first New Jersey team to win the Babe Ruth World Series since 1989.... What made the win more impressive, Sokol said, is that just 16 kids tried out for the Branchburg team compared with teams they beat, which had 300-500 kids try out."</ref>
== Government ==
=== Local government ===
Branchburg Township operates under the [[Township (New Jersey)|Township]] form of New Jersey municipal government, one of 141 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form, the second-most commonly used form of government in the state.<ref>[https://njdatabook.rutgers.edu/sites/njdatabook.rutgers.edu/files/documents/inventory_of_municipal_forms_of_government_in_new_jersey.pdf ''Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey''], [[Rutgers University]] Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> The Township Committee is comprised of five members, who are elected directly by the voters [[at-large]] in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year as part of the November general election 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. 77.</ref><ref>[https://njdatabook.rutgers.edu/sites/njdatabook.rutgers.edu/files/documents/forms_of_municipal_government_in_new_jersey_9220.pdf#page=7 "Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey"], p. 7. [[Rutgers University]] Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> The township has been governed by a five-member Township Council since the 1971 elections, when the population surpassed 4,000 in the [[1970 United States census]], mandating an expansion from the three-member committee that had been in place until then. A mayor and deputy mayor are selected from among the council from among its members at an annual reorganization meeting.<ref name=GovernmentInformation>[https://branchburg.nj.us/government/index.php Government Information], Township of Branchburg. Accessed May 15, 2022. "In the 1971 General Election, Branchburg voters elected a five member Township Committee.... All five members of the Township Committee are elected at large for staggered three-year terms (unless an unexpired term is open).... The Mayor is elected by the Township Committee from among its members for a one-year term."</ref>
{{As of|2024}}, members of the Township Committee are [[Mayor]] Thomas L. Young ([[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]], term on committee and as mayor ends December 31, 2025), [[Deputy Mayor]] Brendon Beatrice (R, term on committee ends 2027; term as deputy mayor ends 2025), Anna P. Columbus (R, 2027), David Owens (R, 2025) and James G. Schworn (R, 2026).<ref name=ElectedOfficials>[http://www.branchburg.nj.us/government/committee/index.php Township Committee 2022], Township of Branchburg. Accessed May 22, 2024.</ref><ref>[https://cms1files.revize.com/branchburgnj/2024%20Budget_Adopted%20copy.pdf#page=13 2024 Municipal Data Sheet], Township of Branchburg. Accessed May 22, 2024.</ref><ref name=SomersetDirectory>[https://www.co.somerset.nj.us/home/showpublisheddocument/46227/638203671214730000#page=56 ''2023 Directory of County & Municipal Offices''], [[Somerset County, New Jersey]]. Accessed April 10, 2024.</ref><ref name=Somerset2023>[https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/NJ/Somerset/119024/web.317647/#/summary 2023 General Election November 7, 2023 Certified Official Results RESULTS], [[Somerset County, New Jersey]], November 29, 2023. Accessed January 1, 2024.</ref><ref name=Somerset2022>[https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/NJ/Somerset/116175/web.307039/#/summary General Election November 8, 2022 Final Certified Results], [[Somerset County, New Jersey]], updated November 23, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.</ref><ref name=Somerset2021>[https://www.co.somerset.nj.us/home/showpublisheddocument/43891/637725959984900000 2021 General Election Winning Candidates], [[Somerset County, New Jersey]]. Accessed January 1, 2022.</ref>
In January 2020, the Township Committee chose David Owens from a list of three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the vacant seat expiring in December 2022 that had been held by Robert Petrelli until he resigned immediately after his new three-year term started.<ref>[https://branchburgtwpnj.documents-on-demand.com/Document/1a2e02f0-0a42-ea11-a2e4-000c29a59557/01-13-2020%20Regular.pdf Meeting Minutes for January 13, 2020], Borough of Branchburg. Accessed March 20, 2020. "Mayor Young announced that as many people know, Bob Petrelli, who was a member of the Township Committee, resigned effective noon on January 1st. Therefore, as required, the Republican District Committee has forwarded the names of those to be considered to fill the vacancay pursuant to regulations....Mr. Owens was sworn into office as a member of the Township Committee by Ms. Schmitt as Township Administrator Bonin held the bible."</ref>
In July 2015, Patricia Rees resigned from office, citing her employment by the nonpartisan New Jersey School Board Association.<ref>[http://branchburgtwpnj.minutesondemand.com/Document/9e8ab9e2-3935-e511-9795-001fbc00ed84/Minutes 07-13-2015.pdf Regular Meeting July 13, 2015 Official Minutes], Township of Branchburg. Accessed August 18, 2015. "Township Committee member Patricia Rees resigned from the Committee effective July 6, 2015, due to a prohibition from holding political office in her new job."</ref>
=== Federal, state and county representation ===
Branchburg Township is located in the 7th Congressional District<ref name=PCR2012>[https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/2012-congressional-districts/njcd-2011-plan-components-county-mcd.pdf Plan Components Report], [[New Jersey Redistricting Commission]], December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref> and is part of New Jersey's 16th state legislative district.<ref name=Districts2011>[https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/2011-legislative-districts/towns-districts.pdf Municipalities Sorted by 2011-2020 Legislative District], [[New Jersey Department of State]]. Accessed February 1, 2020.</ref><ref name=LWV2019>[https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5bae63366fd2b2e5b9f87e5e/5d30f0a94a82c66427e564d2_2019_CitizensGuide.pdf ''2019 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government''], New Jersey [[League of Women Voters]]. Accessed October 30, 2019.</ref><ref>[https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/districts/districtnumbers.asp#16 Districts by Number for 2011-2020], [[New Jersey Legislature]]. Accessed January 6, 2013.</ref>
{{NJ Congress 07}} {{NJ Senate}}
{{NJ Legislative 16}}
{{NJ Somerset County Commissioners}}
===Politics===
As of March 2011, there were a total of 9,970 registered voters in Branchburg Township, of which 1,832 (18.4% vs. 26.0% countywide) were registered as [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrats]], 3,650 (36.6% vs. 25.7%) were registered as [[Republican Party (United States)|Republicans]] and 4,484 (45.0% vs. 48.2%) were registered as [[Unaffiliated (New Jersey)|Unaffiliated]]. There were 4 voters registered as [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarians]] or [[Green Party (United States)|Greens]].<ref name=VoterRegistration>[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2011-somerset-co-summary-report.pdf Voter Registration Summary - Somerset], [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed February 11, 2013.</ref> Among the township's 2010 Census population, 69.0% (vs. 60.4% in Somerset County) were registered to vote, including 93.2% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 80.4% countywide).<ref name=VoterRegistration/><ref>[https://www.census.gov GCT-P7: Selected Age Groups: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision; 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey], [[United States Census Bureau]]. Accessed February 11, 2013.</ref>
In the [[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2012|2012 presidential election]], Republican [[Mitt Romney]] received 60.2% of the vote (4,537 cast), ahead of Democrat [[Barack Obama]] with 38.5% (2,902 votes), and other candidates with 1.2% (92 votes), among the 7,568 ballots cast by the township's 10,499 registered voters (37 ballots were [[Spoilt vote|spoiled]]), for a turnout of 72.1%.<ref name=2012Elections>{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2012-results/2012-presidential-somerset.pdf |title=Presidential General Election Results - November 6, 2012 - Somerset County |date=March 15, 2013 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections |access-date=December 24, 2014}}</ref><ref name=2012VoterReg>{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2012-results/2012-ballotscast-somerset.pdf |title=Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast - November 6, 2012 - General Election Results - Somerset County|date=March 15, 2013 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections |access-date=December 24, 2014}}</ref> In the [[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2008|2008 presidential election]], Republican [[John McCain]] received 4,651 votes (58.5% vs. 46.1% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 3,172 votes (39.9% vs. 52.1%) and other candidates with 92 votes (1.2% vs. 1.1%), among the 7,956 ballots cast by the township's 9,643 registered voters, for a turnout of 82.5% (vs. 78.7% in Somerset County).<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2008-gen-elect-presidential-results-somerset.pdf 2008 Presidential General Election Results: Somerset County], [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed February 11, 2013.</ref> In the [[United States presidential election in New Jersey, 2004|2004 presidential election]], Republican [[George W. Bush]] received 4,706 votes (61.6% vs. 51.5% countywide), ahead of Democrat [[John Kerry]] with 2,835 votes (37.1% vs. 47.2%) and other candidates with 79 votes (1.0% vs. 0.9%), among the 7,639 ballots cast by the township's 9,087 registered voters, for a turnout of 84.1% (vs. 81.7% in the whole county).<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2004-presidential_somerset_co_2004.pdf 2004 Presidential Election: Somerset County], [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed February 11, 2013.</ref>
In the [[New Jersey gubernatorial election, 2013|2013 gubernatorial election]], Republican [[Chris Christie]] received 77.1% of the vote (3,651 cast), ahead of Democrat [[Barbara Buono]] with 21.3% (1,010 votes), and other candidates with 1.6% (77 votes), among the 4,804 ballots cast by the township's 10,612 registered voters (66 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 45.3%.<ref name=2013Elections>{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2013-results/2013-general-election-results-governor-somerset.pdf |title=Governor - Somerset County |date=January 29, 2014 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections |access-date=December 24, 2014}}</ref><ref name=2013VoterReg>{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/2013-results/2013-general-election-ballotscast-somerset.pdf |title=Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast - November 5, 2013 - General Election Results - Somerset County|date=January 29, 2014 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections |access-date=December 24, 2014}}</ref> In the [[New Jersey gubernatorial election, 2009|2009 gubernatorial election]], Republican Chris Christie received 3,945 votes (69.1% vs. 55.8% countywide), ahead of Democrat [[Jon Corzine]] with 1,266 votes (22.2% vs. 34.1%), Independent [[Chris Daggett]] with 445 votes (7.8% vs. 8.7%) and other candidates with 27 votes (0.5% vs. 0.7%), among the 5,706 ballots cast by the township's 9,777 registered voters, yielding a 58.4% turnout (vs. 52.5% in the county).<ref>[http://www.njelections.org/election-results/2009-governor_results-somerset.pdf 2009 Governor: Somerset County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150202005801/http://www.njelections.org/election-results/2009-governor_results-somerset.pdf |date=February 2, 2015 }}, [[New Jersey Department of State]] Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed February 11, 2013.</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin:1em; font-size:95%;"
|+ Branchburg vote by party <br/> in presidential elections<ref>{{Cite web |title=NJ DOS - Division of Elections - Election Results Archive |url=https://nj.gov/state/elections/election-information-results.shtml |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=nj.gov}}</ref>
|- style="background:lightgrey;"
! Year
! [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
! [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
! [[Third party (United States)|Third Parties]]
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[2024 United States presidential election|2024]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|46.2% ''4,390''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''51.4%''' ''4,888''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|2.4% ''188''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[2020 United States presidential election|2020]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|47.8% ''4,665''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''49.8%''' ''4,865''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.9% ''174''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[2016 United States presidential election|2016]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|40.7% ''3,285''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''55.4%''' ''4,466''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|3.9% ''317''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[2012 United States presidential election|2012]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|38.5% ''2,902''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''60.2%''' ''4,537''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.2% ''92''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[2008 United States presidential election|2008]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|39.9% ''3,172''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''58.5%''' ''4,651''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.2% ''92''
|-
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|[[2004 United States presidential election|2004]]
|align="center" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|37.1% ''2,835''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''61.6%''' ''4,706''
|align="center" {{Party shading/Independent}}|1.0% ''79''
|-
|}
==Emergency services==
Branchburg Township is served by three major Emergency Services; a full-time Police Department, an all-volunteer Emergency Medical & Rescue Services Squad, and four all-volunteer Fire Departments.
=== Police ===
The Branchburg Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Young, was established on June 16, 1980. The Department currently has 26 full-time sworn officers, two civilian employees, seven crossing guards, and 13 Emergency Management volunteers. The Department has specialized units of officers who have taken on duties in addition to their patrol or detective work. These include the Detective Bureau, Juvenile Officer, School Resources, Traffic Safety, Community Policing, Services, Bike Patrol, First-Aid, Explorers program and Emergency Management.<ref>[http://branchburg.nj.us/emergency_services/police/index.php Police Department], Township of Branchburg. Accessed September 2, 2020.</ref><ref>Deak, Mike. [http://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/somerset-county/2015/03/25/new-police-chief-branchburg/70437878/ ''Young named Branchburg police chief''], ''[[Courier News]]'', March 25, 2015. Accessed July 24, 2017.</ref>
On January 26, 2010, a clerk at the [[Quick Chek]] store at 1296 Easton Turnpike in Branchburg called officers about a suspicious person in the store.<ref>Mulvihill, Geoff. [http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/va-man-arrested-with-arsenal-map-of-ny-army-base/article/17759 "Va. man arrested with arsenal, map of NY Army base"], ''[[Washington Examiner]]'', January 26, 2010. Accessed July 24, 2017.</ref> Officers arrested [[Lloyd Woodson]], and found in his possession and in his motel room a large weapons cache that included illegal weapons and ammunition, a detailed map of [[Fort Drum]], and a traditional red-and-white Middle Eastern headdress. He was charged on multiple state and federal weapons charges.<ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/01/26/new.jersey.weapons.arrest/ "Man with weapons, map of military base arrested"], ''[[CNN]]'', January 26, 2010. Accessed January 26, 2010</ref> The three officers who responded to the call received an Exceptional Duty Award for their actions.<ref>Garlic, Tiffani N. [http://www.nj.com/news/local/index.ssf/2010/03/branchburg_honors_cops_who_nab.html "Three police officers are honored for quick response to Virginia man with arsenal in Branchburg motel room"], ''[[The Star-Ledger]]'', March 9, 2010. Accessed February 1, 2015.</ref>
=== EMS and rescue squad ===
Emergency Medical Services and Rescue Services are provided throughout the Township by the Branchburg Rescue Squad, which was formed in October 1955 and continues to serve the residents and businesses on an all-volunteer basis. As of 2013, officers include President Carol Waechter and Chief Matt Hoffman. The Branchburg volunteers rely solely on donations received from the community. Services provided include Basic Life Support, [[Emergency Medical Services]] (BLS/EMS), NFPA Technician Level: Vehicle Extrication, Water Rescue, Confined Space, Rope Rescue, High Angle Rescue NFPA Operations Level: Ice Rescue NFPA Awareness Level: Trench Collapse, Building & Structural Collapse. Operating out of Station 74 Rescue at 113 River Road are three BLS [[Ambulances]], a Heavy Rescue Services Unit, one Rescue Services Unit, one First Responder/Command Unit and two inflatable rescue boats.<ref>[http://www.branchburgrescue.org/about.html About Us], Branchburg Rescue Squad. Accessed September 11, 2012.</ref>
=== Fire departments ===
The Township of Branchburg is covered by four volunteer fire departments:
North Branch Volunteer Fire Company in the north,<ref>[http://nbvfc.org/about.html About Us], North Branch Volunteer Fire Company. Accessed March 20, 2020.</ref>
Readington Volunteer Fire Company to the west,<ref>[http://rvfc32.org/about.html About Us], Readington Volunteer Fire Company. Accessed August 28, 2013.</ref>
Neshanic Volunteer Fire Department on the south<ref>[http://www.neshanicfire.com/ Home page], Neshanic Volunteer Fire Department. Accessed August 28, 2013.</ref> and
Country Hills Volunteer Fire Company covering the central portion of the township.<ref>[http://countryhillsfd.org/about.html About Us], Country Hills Volunteer Fire Company. Accessed August 28, 2013.</ref><ref>[http://www.branchburg.nj.us/emergency_services/ Emergency Services], Township of Branchburg. Accessed March 20, 2020.</ref>
== Education ==
The [[Branchburg Township School District]] serves public school students in [[pre-kindergarten]] through [[eighth grade]].<ref>[https://www.straussesmay.com/seportal/Public/DistrictPolicy.aspx?policyid=0110&id=8878decfc3e54a2580134ab73d347702 Branchburg Township Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification], Branchburg Township School District. Accessed February 9, 2020. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades K through eight in the Branchburg School District. Composition: The Branchburg School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Branchburg."</ref> As of the 2020–21 school year, the district, comprised of three schools, had an enrollment of 1,325 students and 152.7 classroom teachers (on an [[full-time equivalent|FTE]] basis), for a [[student–teacher ratio]] of 8.7:1.<ref name=NCES>[https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/district_detail.asp?Search=2&details=1&ID2=3402160&DistrictID=3402160 District information for Branchburg Township School District], [[National Center for Education Statistics]]. Accessed February 15, 2022.</ref> Schools in the district (with 2020–21 enrollment data from the [[National Center for Education Statistics]]<ref>[https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3402160 School Data for the Branchburg Township School District], [[National Center for Education Statistics]]. Accessed February 15, 2022.</ref>) are
Whiton Elementary School<ref>[https://wes.branchburg.k12.nj.us/ Whiton Elementary School], Branchburg Township School District. Accessed July 10, 2022.</ref> with 544 students in grades Pre-K–3,
Stony Brook School<ref>[https://cms.branchburg.k12.nj.us/ Stony Brook School], Branchburg Township School District. Accessed July 10, 2022.</ref> with 287 students in grades 4–5 and
Branchburg Central Middle School<ref>[https://cms.branchburg.k12.nj.us/ Branchburg Central Middle School], Branchburg Township School District. Accessed July 10, 2022.</ref> with 486 students in grades 6–8.<ref>[https://www.branchburg.k12.nj.us/information/school_addresses Schools], Branchburg Township School District. Accessed February 8, 2020.</ref><ref>[https://www.co.somerset.nj.us/home/showpublisheddocument/43585/637716261277570000#page=11 ''2021-2022 Somerset County Public School Directory''], [[Somerset County, New Jersey]]. Accessed July 1, 2022.</ref><ref>[https://rc.doe.state.nj.us/selectreport/2022-2023/35/0510 School Performance Reports for the Branchburg Township School District], [[New Jersey Department of Education]]. Accessed March 31, 2024.</ref><ref>[https://homeroom6.doe.state.nj.us/directory/school/districtid/0510 New Jersey School Directory for the Branchburg Township School District], [[New Jersey Department of Education]]. Accessed February 1, 2024.</ref>
The public secondary school serving Branchburg for [[ninth grade|ninth]] through [[twelfth grade]]s is [[Somerville High School (New Jersey)|Somerville High School]], which students attend as part of a [[sending/receiving relationship]] with the [[Somerville Public Schools]].<ref>[http://www.co.somerset.nj.us/home/showdocument?id=12598 Somerset County School Districts-Sending/Receiving/Regional], [[Somerset County, New Jersey|Somerset County]] Superintendent of Schools. Accessed August 4, 2017. "Branchburg K-8 Grades 9-12 Sent To Somerville"</ref><ref>[https://rc.doe.state.nj.us/1516/35/4820/000.html Somerville Public School District 2016 Report Card Narrative], [[New Jersey Department of Education]]. Accessed August 4, 2017. "Somerville Public Schools provides a full range of educational services for students in preschool through grade 12 residing in Somerville Borough, and grades 9 through 12 for students residing in Branchburg Township."</ref> As of the 2020–2021 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 1,155 students and 92.0 classroom teachers (on an [[full-time equivalent|FTE]] basis), for a [[student–teacher ratio]] of 12.6:1.<ref>[https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=3415090&ID=341509005284 School data for Somerville High School], [[National Center for Education Statistics]]. Accessed February 15, 2022.</ref>
[[Midland School, North Branch, New Jersey|Midland School]] is a non-profit special education school serving the individual social, emotional, academic and career needs of children with developmental disabilities. The school serves 245 students, ranging in age from 5 to 21 years old, from central and northern New Jersey.<ref>[https://midlandschool.org/midland-history-photo-gallery/ Midland History], Midland School. Accessed July 24, 2017.</ref>
Branchburg Township is the home of the main campus of [[Raritan Valley Community College]].<ref>[http://www.raritanval.edu/about/directions.html Directions to RVCC, RVCC @ Bridgewater & Other Off-Campus Locations], [[Raritan Valley Community College]]. Accessed September 11, 2012.</ref>
== Transportation ==
[[File:2018-05-29 16 36 42 View east along U.S. Route 22 just east of County Line Road in Branchburg Township, Somerset County, New Jersey.jpg|thumb|right|[[U.S. Route 22]] in Branchburg]]
===Roads and highways===
{{As of|2010|5}}, the township had a total of {{convert|113.08|mi}} of roadways, of which {{convert|87.96|mi}} were maintained by the municipality, {{convert|18.74|mi}} by Somerset County and {{convert|6.38|mi}} by the [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]].<ref>[http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/mileage_Somerset.pdf Somerset County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction], [[New Jersey Department of Transportation]], May 2010. Accessed July 24, 2014.</ref>
Branchburg Township is centrally located with access to major roadways and highways. [[U.S. Route 202]] and [[U.S. Route 22]] travel through the township with easy passage to [[Interstate 78]], [[Interstate 287]], [[Garden State Parkway]], and [[U.S. Route 206|Route 206]], enabling residents to travel to New York City and [[Philadelphia]] within one hour.
===Rail and Public transportation===
[[NJ Transit]] train service between Branchburg and New York City is available on the [[Raritan Valley Line]] at the [[North Branch (NJT station)|North Branch]] station (located on Station Road), which offers limited daily service and no weekend trains.<ref>[http://www.njtransit.com/rg/rg_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=TrainStationLookupFrom&selStation=108 North Branch station], [[NJ Transit]]. Accessed August 4, 2014.</ref> The [[Raritan Valley Line]] has weekly service from North Branch Station to [[Pennsylvania Station (Newark)|Newark Penn Station]], where connections can be made to [[Pennsylvania Station (New York City)|Pennsylvania Station]] in [[Midtown Manhattan]].<ref>[http://www.njtransit.com/rg/rg_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=LineDetailsTo&selLine=RARV Raritan Valley Line] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015103641/http://www.njtransit.com/rg/rg_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=LineDetailsTo&selLine=RARV |date=October 15, 2013 }}, [[NJ Transit]]. Accessed August 4, 2014.</ref>
The [[Norfolk Southern Railway]]'s [[Lehigh Line (Norfolk Southern)|Lehigh Line]] (formerly the mainline of the [[Lehigh Valley Railroad]]), runs through Branchburg.{{citation needed|date=November 2016}}
NJ Transit offers bus service to and from [[Newark, New Jersey|Newark]] on the [[65 (New Jersey bus)|65]] line with local service on the [[884 (New Jersey bus)|884]] route.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100128140226/http://www.njtransit.com/sf/sf_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=BusRoutesSomersetCountyTo Somerset County Bus / Rail Connections], [[NJ Transit]], backed up by the [[Internet Archive]] as of January 28, 2010. Accessed February 11, 2013.</ref>
Trans-Bridge Lines offers bus service between [[New Hope, Pennsylvania|New Hope]], [[Pennsylvania]], and New York City, with a stop at the Municipal Park-and-Ride facility on Route 202 North on a daily basis, with westbound service on the Doylestown route to [[Bethlehem, Pennsylvania]], and eastbound to [[Newark Liberty International Airport]] and the [[Port Authority Bus Terminal]] in [[Midtown Manhattan]].<ref>[http://www.transbridgelines.com/schedules/DOYLESBranchEast.pdf Branchburg to New York] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220101426/http://www.transbridgelines.com/schedules/DOYLESBranchEast.pdf |date=December 20, 2016 }}, Trans-Bridge Lines. Accessed November 6, 2016.</ref>
Transport of New Jersey bus service between New York City and [[Allentown, Pennsylvania]], is available on a daily basis.{{citation needed|date=November 2016}}
[[Newark Liberty International Airport]] is located approximately {{convert|35|mi|km}} northeast of Branchburg. Also within driving distance are [[Lehigh Valley International Airport]] (ABE, formerly Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton International Airport) near [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]], [[Pennsylvania]], [[John F. Kennedy International Airport]] and [[La Guardia Airport]] in New York, as well as the [[Trenton-Mercer Airport]] near [[Trenton, New Jersey|Trenton]] and [[Princeton, New Jersey|Princeton]] in [[Mercer County, New Jersey|Mercer County]].
== Points of interest ==
The [[South Branch Schoolhouse]], located on South Branch Road, is a one-room schoolhouse built in 1873, the last one-room school house in use in the county.<ref>[http://www.co.somerset.nj.us/kids/historypages/sbslilred.htm South Branch School (Little Red School House)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405231229/http://www.co.somerset.nj.us/kids/historypages/sbslilred.htm |date=April 5, 2012 }}, Somerset County Kids' Clubhouse. Accessed August 4, 2014.</ref><ref name=Obst/> Its purpose was to educate children in grades 1–8 from Branchburg and Hillsborough townships. It was closed in 1965. In 2007 the schoolhouse was renovated to add the bell tower back onto the top of the building. Also known as the Little Red Schoolhouse, it is now owned by the township of Branchburg. Notable students at the Little Red Schoolhouse include opera star and Edison protégé [[Anna Case]] and Marion Van Fleet, the mother of actor Lee Van Cleef.<ref name=Obst>Obst, Greg. [http://www.greggobst.com/2011/01/04/south-branch-schoolhouse-somerset-county-nj/ South Branch Schoolhouse (Somerset County, NJ) Personal Photography page] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425091529/http://www.greggobst.com/2011/01/04/south-branch-schoolhouse-somerset-county-nj/ |date=April 25, 2012 }}, NetRivet. Inc. Accessed October 25, 2011.</ref> It was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 2005 for its significance in architecture and education.<ref name="nrhpdoc">{{cite web|url={{NRHP url|id=05000221}}|title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: South Branch Schoolhouse |publisher=[[National Park Service]]|first1=Dennis |last1=Bertland |first2=Janice |last2=Armstrong |date=April 2003 }} With {{NRHP url|id=05000221|photos=y|title=accompanying 18 photos}}</ref>
The [[Neshanic Station Historic District]] was added to the NRHP in 2016 for its significance in community development. It includes the [[Neshanic Station Lenticular Truss Bridge]] crossing the [[South Branch Raritan River]].<ref name="nrhpdoc2">{{cite web|url=https://www.nps.gov/nr/feature/places/pdfs/15001051.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203090449/https://www.nps.gov/nr/feature/places/pdfs/15001051.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 3, 2017|title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Neshanic Station Historic District |publisher=[[National Park Service]]|first1=Ann |last1=Parsekian |first2=Janice |last2=Armstrong |first3=Dennis |last3=Bertland |date=February 2015 }} With accompanying 37 photos</ref>
<gallery heights="180px" widths="240px" mode="nolines">
File:South Branch Schoolhouse, Branchburg, NJ.jpg|[[South Branch Schoolhouse]]
File:305 Maple Avenue, Neshanic Station, NJ.jpg|Colonial Revival style house in Neshanic Station
File:Lenticular Truss Bridge, Neshanic Station , NJ - area view.jpg|[[Neshanic Station Lenticular Truss Bridge]]
</gallery>
==Notable people==
{{Category see also|People from Branchburg, New Jersey}}
People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Branchburg include:
* [[Christopher Bateman]] (born 1957), member of the [[New Jersey Senate]] representing the [[New Jersey's 16th legislative district|16th Legislative District]], who served as mayor of Branchburg in 1986<ref>[http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/bio.asp?Leg=304 Senator Christopher "Kip" Bateman (R)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227213813/http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/BIO.asp?Leg=304 |date=February 27, 2015 }}, [[New Jersey Legislature]]. Accessed February 1, 2015. "Township of Branchburg Committee 1983-88, Mayor 1986"</ref>
* [[Raymond Bateman]] (1927–2016), politician, who represented Somerset County in the [[New Jersey Senate]] in the 1960s and 1970s and was the Republican candidate for Governor of New Jersey in 1977<ref>Deak, Mike; Grzella, Paul. [http://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/somerset-county/2016/06/25/raymond-bateman-somerset-countys-public-servant-has-died/86376222/ "Raymond Bateman, Somerset County's public servant, has died"], ''[[Courier News]]'', June 25, 2016. Accessed June 26, 2016. "After retiring from political life, Bateman devoted himself to Raritan Valley Community, which was literally in the backyard of his home in the North Branch section of Branchburg."</ref>
* [[Sean Baker (filmmaker)|Sean Baker]] (born 1971), [[Palme d'Or]] winning, [[97th Academy Awards|Oscar nominated]] film director<ref>Murphy, J. J. [https://books.google.com/books?id=40XHEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA13 ''The Florida Project''], p. 13. [[University of Texas Press]], 2021. {{ISBN|9781477324042}}. Accessed January 23, 2025. "Born on February 26, 1971, Sean Baker grew up in Short Hills and Branchburg, New Jersey."</ref>
* [[Frank Chapot]] (1932–2016), Olympic silver medalist equestrian<ref>Jaffer, Nancy. [http://www.nj.com/hunterdon/index.ssf/2016/06/6-time_olympic_rider_frank_chapot_of_nj_dead_at_84.html#incart_river_home "6-time Olympic rider Frank Chapot of N.J. dead at 84"], ''[[Hunterdon County Democrat]]'', June 20, 2016. Accessed June 26, 2016. "The six-time Olympian from Neshanic Station, who died Monday at age 84 after being in declining health, was a fierce patriot and competitor for national pride on behalf of the U.S. Equestrian Team."</ref>
* [[Jeffrey Chiesa]] (born 1965), [[New Jersey Attorney General]] who was named to the [[United States Senate]] to fill [[Frank Lautenberg]]'s vacant seat on an interim basis from June 2013 until the [[United States Senate special election in New Jersey, 2013|October 2013 special election]], when [[Cory Booker]] took office<ref>Santora, Marc; and Zernike, Kate. [https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/07/nyregion/in-new-jersey-scrambling-to-vie-for-a-senate-seat.html "Attorney General of New Jersey Named as Interim Senator"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', June 6, 2013. Accessed June 6, 2013. "Mr. Chiesa, 47, lives in Branchburg, N.J., with his wife and two children."</ref>
* [[Robert Cox (Michigan politician)|Robert Cox]] (1813–1890), politician who served in the [[Michigan House of Representatives]]<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Q2jhAAAAMAAJ&q=%22north+branch%22 ''Michigan Biographies: Including Members of Congress, Elective State Officers, Justices of the Supreme Court, Members of the Michigan Legislature, Board of Regents of the University of Michigan, State Board of Agriculture and State Board of Education, Volume 1''], p. 205. Michigan Historical Commission, 1924. Accessed October 29, 2020. "Robert Cox - Representative from Hillsdale County 1861-2. Was born in North Branch, N. J., Apr. 30 1813."</ref>
* [[Denise Coyle]] (born 1953), member of the [[New Jersey General Assembly]] from 2008 to 2012 who served as mayor of Branchburg in 1993<ref>Lechiski, Kevin. [http://www.nj.com/independentpress/index.ssf/2012/04/former_assemblywoman_denise_co.html "Former Assemblywoman Denise Coyle visits Oak Knoll School in Summit"], ''Warren Reporter'', April 24, 2012. Accessed February 1, 2015. "Denise Coyle, a former state assemblywoman, visited Oak Knoll School on April 12 to discuss what she says is the underrepresentation of women in politics. Coyle, the former mayor of Branchburg, a former Somerset County freeholder, and a former assemblywoman (NJ-16), spoke to the juniors and seniors during guidance class about the need for more women to pursue careers in politics."</ref>
* [[Mary Eccles, Viscountess Eccles]] (1912–2003), book collector and author, who established one of the largest private collections of 18th century literature<ref>[https://www.newjerseyhills.com/mary-eccles-91-collector-of-rare-books/article_807fb49e-a2f2-5e36-8496-3d6325b10131.html "Mary Eccles, 91, collector of rare books"], New Jersey Hills, September 4, 2003. Accessed October 14, 2024. "Mary Viscountess Eccles, 91, died on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2003, at her home, Four Oaks Farm, in Branchburg Township."</ref>
* [[Anthony Gargiulo]] (born 1984), [[defensive end]] who played in the [[Canadian Football League]] for the [[Calgary Stampeders]]<ref>[https://www.nmnathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=1600533&DB_OEM_ID=11600&Q_SEASON=2003 Anthony Gargiulo]{{Dead link|date=October 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, [[Dartmouth Big Green football]]. Accessed August 6, 2020. "Hometown: Neshanic Station, N.J.; High School: Immaculata"</ref>
* [[Bob Masterson]] (1915–1994), [[American football]] [[End (gridiron football)|end]] who played in the [[National Football League]] for the [[Washington Redskins]]<ref>[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MastBo21.htm Bob Masterson], [[Pro-Football-Reference.com]]. Accessed May 15, 2022. "Born: January 6, 1915 in North Branch, NJ"</ref>
* [[Brendan O'Hare (writer)|Brendan O'Hare]], comedian known for his absurdist humor and podcast, ''This Is Branchburg''<ref>Kuperinsky, Amy. [https://www.nj.com/somerset/2019/07/meet-brendan-and-cory-the-absurdist-comedy-heroes-behind-the-this-is-branchburg-podcast.html "Meet Brendan and Cory, the absurdist comedy heroes behind the ''This is Branchburg'' podcast"], NJ Advance Media for [[NJ.com]], July 10, 2019. Accessed December 3, 2020. "That’s just the way it goes when it comes to the comedy stylings of Brendan O’Hare and Cory Snearowski. Their often darkly absurd take on the trivial aspects of life is on display this summer in their first podcast, ''This is Branchburg,'' which is part parody and part homage to the suburban routine and greenery of their shared hometown in Somerset County."</ref>
==See also==
* [[2024 New Jersey drone sightings]]
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
== External links ==
{{commons category}}
*[https://www.branchburg.nj.us/ Branchburg Township official web site]
{{Somerset County, New Jersey}}
{{Geographic Location (8-way)
|Northwest =
|North = [[Bedminster, New Jersey|Bedminster Township]]
|Northeast = [[Bernards Township, New Jersey|Bernards Township]]
|East = [[Bridgewater Township, New Jersey|Bridgewater Township]]
|West = [[Readington Township, New Jersey|Readington Township]]
|Center = Branchburg Township
|South = [[Hillsborough Township, New Jersey|Hillsborough Township]]
|Southeast =
|Southwest =
|}}
{{Raritan Valley navigation}}
{{Raritan River}}
[[Category:Branchburg, New Jersey| ]]
[[Category:1845 establishments in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1845]]
[[Category:Township form of New Jersey government]]
[[Category:Townships in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Townships in Somerset County, New Jersey]]
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