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Watchung, New Jersey

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Borough in Somerset County, New Jersey, US

Borough in New Jersey, United States
Watchung, New Jersey
Borough
Cascading dam holds in Watchung LakeCascading dam holds in Watchung Lake
Official seal of Watchung, New JerseySeal
Location of Watchung in Somerset County highlighted in yellow (right). Inset map: Location of Somerset County in New Jersey highlighted in black (left). Interactive map of Watchung, New JerseyLocation of Watchung in Somerset County highlighted in yellow (right). Inset map: Location of Somerset County in New Jersey highlighted in black (left). Interactive map of Watchung, New Jersey
Census Bureau map of Watchung, New JerseyCensus Bureau map of Watchung, New Jersey
Watchung is located in Somerset County, New JerseyWatchungWatchungLocation in Somerset CountyShow map of Somerset County, New JerseyWatchung is located in New JerseyWatchungWatchungLocation in New JerseyShow map of New JerseyWatchung is located in the United StatesWatchungWatchungLocation in the United StatesShow map of the United States
Coordinates: 40°38′34″N 74°26′10″W / 40.642845°N 74.436233°W / 40.642845; -74.436233
Country United States
State New Jersey
County Somerset
IncorporatedApril 20, 1926
Government
 • TypeBorough
 • BodyBorough Council
 • MayorRonald Jubin (R, term ends December 31, 2026)
 • AdministratorJames J. Damato
 • Municipal clerkEdith G. Gil
Area
 • Total6.04 sq mi (15.65 km)
 • Land6.02 sq mi (15.58 km)
 • Water0.03 sq mi (0.07 km)  0.46%
 • Rank256th of 565 in state
10th of 21 in county
Elevation259 ft (79 m)
Population
 • Total6,449
 • Estimate 6,434
 • Rank330th of 565 in state
16th of 21 in county
 • Density1,072.0/sq mi (413.9/km)
  • Rank374th of 565 in state
12th of 21 in county
Time zoneUTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT))
ZIP Code07069
Area code908
FIPS code3403577600
GNIS feature ID0885433
Websitewww.watchungnj.gov

Watchung (/wɑːˈtʃʌŋ/) is a borough in Somerset County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, located approximately 29 miles (47 km) west of New York City. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 6,449, an increase of 648 (+11.2%) from the 2010 census count of 5,801, which in turn reflected an increase of 188 (+3.3%) from the 5,613 counted in the 2000 census. It is located within the Raritan Valley region.

Watchung was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on May 23, 1926, from portions of North Plainfield Township (now Green Brook Township) based on the results of a referendum held on April 20, 1926. The name "Watchung" comes from the Lenni Lenape Native Americans, meaning "high hills" or from "watschu," meaning "hill."

In 2012, Forbes.com listed Watchung as 384th in its listing of "America's Most Expensive ZIP Codes", with a median home price of $767,507.

The borough is one of the state's highest-income communities. Based on data from the American Community Survey (ACS) for 2014–2018, Watchung residents had a median household income of $153,341, almost double the statewide median of $79,363.

History

George Washington surveyed the British troops in Perth Amboy, 20 miles away, from the first ridge of the Watchung Mountains. The eastern edge of these ridges reaches to the Oranges in the direction of Newark. The name "Washingtonville" was used in early times, but was rejected as the name for the area by the United States Postal Service, which felt that the state already had too many places named Washington.

Watchung, in the 1900s was a semi-rural small community of about 3,200 people in comparison with the relatively larger and more urban communities of Plainfield and Somerville. The first mayor of the town was Henry Baldwin Macdonald, who served from 1926 to 1928. The 1967 Plainfield riots, caused an exodus of the large upper-middle class population from the nearby cities to the Watchung Hills area to communities such as Watchung, Warren Township and Bridgewater Township.

Watchung was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on May 23, 1926, from portions of North Plainfield Township (now Green Brook Township) based on the results of a referendum held on April 20, 1926.

Fishing is allowed at Watchung Lake on a catch-and-release basis only.

In the wake of public fear that ensued after the 1938 radio broadcast of Orson Welles' The War of the Worlds, National Guard troops were stationed around the hills in Watchung, as told on the vinyl record recording of news reports of the day.

Notable figures who have lived in Watchung include Bobby Thomson, Billy Ard and Carl Banks.

Historic places

Eaton House is a Watchung historic site that was owned by congressman Charles Aubrey Eaton and has been the residence of other notables over the years. Known also as the Sunbright Farm farmhouse, the home was damaged in April 2014 when it was hit by trees that fell as a result of a likely microburst in a severe storm that rolled through the area.

The borough is home to Watchung Valley Golf Club, which moved from its original nine-hole course in North Plainfield to its current location on Mountain Boulevard in 1927. The club was known as the Twin Brooks Country Club from 1933 to 2017, when it re-adopted its name as Watchung Valley Country Club, which was in use from 1928 to 1933.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 6.04 square miles (15.6 km), including 6.02 square miles (15.6 km) of land and 0.03 square miles (0.078 km) of water (0.46%).

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the borough include Washingtonville.

The borough borders Green Brook Township, North Plainfield and Warren Township in Somerset County; and Berkeley Heights, Plainfield, and Scotch Plains in Union County.

The Stony Brook flows through Watchung borough, making its way from Warren Township to the Watchung Lake, then through the gorge in the first Watchung mountain and over the Wetumpka Falls, on its way to the Green Brook.

The borough is roughly a 40-minute drive from New York City and a 20-minute drive from Newark.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1930906
19401,15827.8%
19501,81857.0%
19603,31282.2%
19704,75043.4%
19805,29011.4%
19905,110−3.4%
20005,6139.8%
20105,8013.3%
20206,44911.2%
2023 (est.)6,434−0.2%
Population sources: 1930
1940–2000 2000
2010 2020

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 5,801 people, 2,114 households, and 1,613 families in the borough. The population density was 962.7 people per square mile (371.7 people/km). There were 2,234 housing units at an average density of 370.7 units per square mile (143.1 units/km). The racial makeup was 80.52% (4,671) White, 3.45% (200) Black or African American, 0.12% (7) Native American, 12.69% (736) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 0.81% (47) from other races, and 2.41% (140) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.29% (307) of the population.

Of the 2,114 households, 32.3% had children under the age of 18; 66.2% were married couples living together; 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present and 23.7% were non-families. Of all households, 20.1% were made up of individuals and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.12.

23.2% of the population were under the age of 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 18.8% from 25 to 44, 32.1% from 45 to 64, and 21.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46.9 years. For every 100 females, the population had 92.1 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 87.3 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $112,917 (with a margin of error of +/− $21,189) and the median family income was $144,883 (+/− $38,172). Males had a median income of $92,667 (+/− $15,969) versus $63,811 (+/− $15,306) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $59,177 (+/− $6,617). About 3.2% of families and 2.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.2% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census there were 5,613 people, 2,098 households, and 1,617 families residing in the borough. The population density was 933.0 inhabitants per square mile (360.2/km). There were 2,155 housing units at an average density of 358.2 units per square mile (138.3 units/km). The racial makeup of the borough was 84.30% White, 3.37% African American, 0.09% Native American, 9.85% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.71% from other races, and 1.59% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.99% of the population.

There were 2,098 households, out of which 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.4% were married couples living together, 4.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.9% were non-families. 19.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 21.9% under the age of 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 30.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.3 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $101,944, and the median income for a family was $120,764. Males had a median income of $80,658 versus $54,167 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $58,653. About 0.5% of families and 2.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.6% of those under age 18 and 1.6% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Watchung Municipal Building.
WWI and WWII Memorial.
Texier House Museum.
Park below the dam.
Sign post.
View of Watchung Lake.

Local government

Watchung 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. The governing body is comprised of a mayor and a borough council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. A mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council includes six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle. The borough form of government used by Watchung 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.

As of 2024, the mayor of Watchung Borough is Republican Ronald Jubin, whose term of office ends December 31, 2026. Members of the Watchung Borough Council are Sonia Abi-Habib (R, 2026), Curt S. Dahl (R, 2024), Christine B. Ead (R, 2024), Paul Fischer (R, 2025), Robert L. Gibbs (R, 2026) and Paolo Marano (R, 2025).

In December 2019, the borough council selected Ronald Jubin to complete the term expiring in December 2020 that had been held by Robert L. Gibbs until he resigned from office the previous month.

Federal, state and county representation

Watchung is located in the 7th Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 21st state legislative district.

For the 118th United States Congress, New Jersey's 7th congressional district is represented by Thomas Kean Jr. (R, Westfield). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Democrats Cory Booker (Newark, term ends 2027) and Andy Kim (Moorestown, term ends 2031).

For the 2024-2025 session, the 21st legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Jon Bramnick (R, Westfield) and in the General Assembly by Michele Matsikoudis (R, New Providence) and Nancy Munoz (R, Summit).

Somerset County is governed by a five-member Board of County Commissioners, whose members are elected at-large to three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with one or two seats coming up for election each year. At an annual reorganization meeting held on the first Friday of January, the board selects a Director and deputy director from among its members. As of 2025, Somerset County's County Commissioners are:

Director Shanel Robinson (D, Franklin Township, 2027), Melonie Marano (D, Green Brook Township, 2025), Paul Drake (D, Hillsborough Township, 2026), Douglas Singleterry (D, North Plainfield, 2026) and Deputy Director Sara Sooy (D, Bernards Township, 2027).

Constitutional officers, elected on a countywide basis are: Clerk Steve Peter (D, Somerville, 2027), Sheriff Darrin Russo (D, Franklin Township, 2025) and Surrogate Bernice "Tina" Jalloh (D, Franklin Township, 2025)

Politics

Watchung vote by party
in presidential elections
Year Democratic Republican Third Parties
2024 48.8% 1,819 48.4% 1,803 2.8% 104
2020 51.8% 2,044 46.2% 1,823 1.4% 53
2016 48.6% 1,551 47.7% 1,523 3.7% 117
2012 41.1% 1,198 57.9% 1,687 0.9% 27
2008 43.2% 1,415 55.0% 1,803 0.9% 29
2004 44.3% 1,516 54.5% 1,865 0.9% 30

As of March 2011, there were a total of 4,154 registered voters in Watchung, of which 845 (20.3% vs. 26.0% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 1,483 (35.7% vs. 25.7%) were registered as Republicans and 1,823 (43.9% vs. 48.2%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 3 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens. Among the borough's 2010 Census population, 71.6% (vs. 60.4% in Somerset County) were registered to vote, including 93.3% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 80.4% countywide).

In the 2016 presidential election, Democrat Hillary Clinton received 48.6% of the vote (1,551 cast), ahead of Republican Donald Trump who received 47.7% of the vote (1,523 votes), and other candidates with 3.7% (117 votes). 3,191 votes were cast in total. In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 57.9% of the vote (1,687 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 41.1% (1,198 votes), and other candidates with 0.9% (27 votes), among the 2,931 ballots cast by the borough's 4,396 registered voters (19 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 66.7%. In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 1,803 votes (55.0% vs. 46.1% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 1,415 votes (43.2% vs. 52.1%) and other candidates with 29 votes (0.9% vs. 1.1%), among the 3,277 ballots cast by the borough's 4,070 registered voters, for a turnout of 80.5% (vs. 78.7% in Somerset County). In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 1,865 votes (54.5% vs. 51.5% countywide), ahead of Democrat John Kerry with 1,516 votes (44.3% vs. 47.2%) and other candidates with 30 votes (0.9% vs. 0.9%), among the 3,424 ballots cast by the borough's 3,795 registered voters, for a turnout of 90.2% (vs. 81.7% in the whole county).

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 72.8% of the vote (1,335 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 25.4% (466 votes), and other candidates with 1.7% (32 votes), among the 1,861 ballots cast by the borough's 4,396 registered voters (28 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 42.3%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 1,428 votes (60.6% vs. 55.8% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 720 votes (30.5% vs. 34.1%), Independent Chris Daggett with 178 votes (7.6% vs. 8.7%) and other candidates with 15 votes (0.6% vs. 0.7%), among the 2,357 ballots cast by the borough's 4,155 registered voters, yielding a 56.7% turnout (vs. 52.5% in the county).

Education

Students in public school for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade are educated in the Watchung Borough Schools. As of the 2022–23 school year, the district, comprised of two schools, had an enrollment of 671 students and 62.5 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 10.7:1. Schools in the district (with 2022–23 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics) are Bayberry Elementary School with 410 students in grades PreK – 4 and Valley View School with 254 students in grades 5 – 8.

Watchung's students in public school for ninth through twelfth grades attend Watchung Hills Regional High School in Warren Township together with students from the neighboring communities of Green Brook Township and Warren Township (in Somerset County) and Long Hill Township (in Morris County). As of the 2022–23 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 1,741 students and 150.8 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 11.5:1. The district's board of education is comprised of nine members, who are elected directly by the voters to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with three seats up for each year. Of the nine elected seats, two are allocated to Watchung.

Christian denomination Mount St. Mary Academy (9–12), which opened in 1908, is operated by the Sisters of Mercy under the supervision of Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen.

Transportation

Interstate 78 westbound in Watchung

Roads and highways

As of May 2010, the borough had a total of 44.63 miles (71.83 km) of roadways, of which 33.24 miles (53.49 km) were maintained by the municipality, 9.07 miles (14.60 km) by Somerset County and 2.32 miles (3.73 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and 1.09 miles (1.75 km) by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.

Interstate 78 runs through the northwestern portion of the borough, including interchange 41, entering in the east from Warren Township and continuing for 1.4 miles (2.3 km) to Berkeley Heights Township in Union County. U.S. Route 22 passes briefly through the borough's southeast corner, entering from North Plainfield in the west and continuing into Scotch Plains Township in Union County.

County Route 527 (Mountain Boulevard / Valley Road) stretches 5.2 miles (8.4 km) across the length of the borough from Warren Township in the southwest to Berkeley Heights in the northeast. County Route 531 (Somerset Road / Hillcrest Road) runs for 1.4 miles (2.3 km) across the borough from North Plainfield in the south to the Interstate 78 interchange in Warren Township in the north.

Notable people

See also: Category:People from Watchung, New Jersey

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

References

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  2. ^ US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 4, 2014.
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  83. 2004 Presidential Election: Somerset County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed February 14, 2013.
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  87. Watchung Borough Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, Watchung Borough Schools. Accessed July 30, 2024. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Pre-Kindergarten through eight in the Watchung Borough School District. Composition: The Watchung Borough School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of the Borough of Watchung."
  88. District information for Watchung Borough School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 1, 2024.
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  96. Watchung Hills Regional High School 2015 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed March 8, 2020. "Close to 2150 students from Green Brook, Long Hill, Warren, and Watchung meet high academic standards and broaden their worldviews as they explore and take risks, discover their passions, and find individual pathways to success."
  97. Somerset County School Districts-Sending/Receiving/Regional, Somerset County Superintendent of Schools. Accessed March 8, 2020. "Watchung Hills ** 9-12 Receives 9-12 From Green Brook, Warren, Watchung, Longhill"
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  108. Considine, Bob. "At memorial service, Bobby Thomson remembered for much more than just his 'Shot heard 'round the world'", The Star-Ledger, August 31, 2010. Accessed April 30, 2012. "Former New York Giants guard Billy Ard grew up in Watchung and said he was thrilled that the star hitter was so approachable."
  109. Sturken, Barbara. "Off the Field, Giants Call New Jersey Home", The New York Times, March 31, 1991. Accessed September 9, 2015. "And Carl Banks, linebacker, who lives in Watchung, has taken graduate courses in real estate and finance."
  110. "Anne Lovi Casale, 72, noted gourmet cook and author; former Watchung resident", New Jersey Hills Media Group, December 19, 2002. Accessed January 18, 2020. "Anne Lovi Casale, 72, of Glendale, Ariz., and formerly of Watchung, died Monday, Dec. 2, 2002 at her home. Born in Perth Amboy, Mrs. Casale resided there before moving to North Plainfield in 1945. She lived in Watchung for more than 45 years and then moved to Glendale, Ariz."
  111. Staff. "James M. DuPont, Manufacturer, 79", The New York Times, July 4, 1991. Accessed September 9, 2015. "James Maxime DuPont, founder and chairman of Thermoplastics Inc., a producer of plastic materials for automotive, textile and other products, died on Monday at his home in Watchung, N.J. He was 79 years old."
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  113. Tarrazi, Alexis. "NJ Fencing Coach Accused Of Sex Assault On 2 Girls Dies In Jail Stephen Kovacs, 49, of Watchung owned Kaprica United Fencing Academy in Bridgewater and formerly served as a coach in Ridge High School.", Bridgewater, NJ Patch, January 19, 2022. Accessed January 23, 2022. "A New Jersey fencing coach who was charged in connection with sexual assaults of two girls in Bridgewater has died in jail, his attorney confirmed. Stephen Kovacs, 49, of Ridge Road in Watchung, died over the weekend at Somerset County Jail, said James Wronko, who has a firm in Somerville."
  114. Archives and Manuscript Collections: Harold N. Moldenke Papers (1927–1990), New York Botanical Garden. Accessed November 11, 2013. "Harold Norman Moldenke (1909–1996) was born in Watchung, New Jersey."
  115. DiCorcia, Bob. "David Palmer: Q & A", The Steely Dan Reader, January 1, 1997. Accessed October 14, 2015. "Bob DiCorcia: Where were you born and raised? David Palmer: Born and raised in Warren township, Watchung, New Jersey which, despite being 45 minutes-an hour outside of Manhattan, was rural territory back then."
  116. Dransfeldt, Jeffrey. "On the 'Road' again", Oregon Daily Emerald, January 31, 2008. Accessed February 5, 2008. "Prepon grew up in a small town herself in Watchung, N.J. She finds enthusiasm with low-key activities in horseback riding and fly fishing. She also has an understanding of the intimate nature of small-town life."
  117. Tolliver, Judy, ed. "A conversation with Bjarne Stroustrup, Gillies lecturer and inventor of C++", Stroustrup.com. Accessed August 30, 2016. "Stroustrup currently heads AT&T Bell Labs Large-scale Programming Research department and is a Bell Laboratories Fellow. In 1993, he received the ACM Grace Hopper award and is a Fellow of ACM as well. He lives in Watchung, New Jersey, with his wife and two children."
  118. "Baseball; 40 Years Later, Here's the Pitch", The New York Times, October 3, 1991. Accessed February 14, 2013. "Bobby Thomson and Ralph Branca will celebrate the 40th anniversary of their historic showdown at the Polo Grounds by spending today together and earning more money than if they had won the World Series. They will have an early wake-up call, Thomson at his home in Watchung, N.J...."
  119. Hoch, Bryan. "Yankees sign first-round Draft pick Volpe", Major League Baseball, June 10, 2019. Accessed August 9, 2019. "A native of Watchung, N.J., Volpe led the USA Baseball 18U National Team to a gold medal at the Pan-American Championships this past December, earning all-tournament honors by hitting .459 (17-for-37) with 17 runs, 14 RBIs and six stolen bases in nine games."
  120. Roberts, Sam. "H. Boyd Woodruff, Microbiologist Who Paved Way for Antibiotics, Dies at 99", The New York Times, February 3, 2017. Accessed February 4, 2017. "H. Boyd Woodruff, a farmer's son whose groundbreaking research enabled fellow scientists to harvest an arsenal of lifesaving antibiotics from ordinary dirt, died on Jan. 19 at his home in Watchung, N.J."
  121. Martin, Douglas. "Adella Wotherspoon, Last Survivor of General Slocum Disaster, Is Dead at 100", The New York Times, February 4, 2004. Accessed April 30, 2012. "After his death, Mrs. Liebenow and her daughter moved to Watchung, N.J., where Mrs. Wotherspoon made her home for the rest of her life."

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Municipalities and communities of Somerset County, New Jersey, United States
County seat: Somerville
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Footnotes‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties
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