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Brick Township, New Jersey
Township
Southward view of the Garden State Parkway in Brick Township
Southward view of the Garden State Parkway in Brick Township
Official seal of Brick Township, New Jersey
Seal
Nickname(s): 
Bricktown USA
Location of Brick Township in Ocean County highlighted in yellow (right). Inset map: Location of Ocean County in New Jersey highlighted in black (left).
Location of Brick Township in Ocean County highlighted in yellow (right). Inset map: Location of Ocean County in New Jersey highlighted in black (left).
Census Bureau map of Brick Township, New Jersey
Census Bureau map of Brick Township, New Jersey
Brick Township, New Jersey is located in Ocean County, New Jersey
Brick Township, New Jersey
Brick Township, New Jersey
Location in Ocean County, New Jersey
Brick Township, New Jersey is located in New Jersey
Brick Township, New Jersey
Brick Township, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Brick Township, New Jersey is located in the United States
Brick Township, New Jersey
Brick Township, New Jersey
Location in the United States
Country  United States
State  New Jersey
County Ocean
Incorporated February 15, 1850
Named for Joseph W. Brick
Government
 • Type Faulkner Act (mayor–council)
 • Body Township Council
Area
 • Total 32.22 sq mi (83.44 km2)
 • Land 25.61 sq mi (66.34 km2)
 • Water 6.61 sq mi (17.11 km2)  20.50%
Area rank 77th of 565 in state
11th of 33 in county
Elevation
16 ft (5 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 73,620
 • Estimate 
(2023)
76,021
 • Rank 13th of 565 in state
3rd of 33 in county
 • Density 2,877.2/sq mi (1,110.9/km2)
 • Density rank 225th of 565 in state
10th of 33 in county
Time zone UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT))
ZIP Codes
08723–08724
Area code(s) 732
FIPS code 3402907420
GNIS feature ID 0882075
Orient Baptist Church
The historic First Baptist Church of Laurelton in Brick Township, located on New Jersey State Route 88

Brick Township is a township situated on the Jersey Shore within Ocean County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the city retained its position as the state's 13th-most-populous municipality, with a population of 73,620, a decrease of 1,452 (−1.9%) from the 2010 census count of 75,072, which in turn reflected a decline of 1,047 residents (−1.4%) from its population of 76,119 at the 2000 census, when it was the state's 12th most-populous municipality.

A majority of Brick Township is located on the mainland. Ocean Beaches I, II, and III are situated on the Barnegat Peninsula, a long, narrow barrier peninsula that separates Barnegat Bay from the Atlantic Ocean. The mainland and beach area of the town are not geographically adjacent. Brick Township was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 15, 1850, from portions of both Dover Township (now Toms River Township) and Howell Township. The township was named after Joseph Brick, the owner of Bergen Iron Works located on the Metedeconk River. Portions of the township were taken to form Point Pleasant Beach (May 18, 1886), Bay Head (June 15, 1886), Lakewood Township (March 23, 1892), Mantoloking (April 10, 1911) and Point Pleasant (April 21, 1920). In 1963, voters rejected a referendum that would have changed the township's name to "Laurelton".

After hovering for years in the top five, in 2006, the township earned the title of "America's Safest City", out of 371 cities included nationwide in the 13th annual Morgan Quitno survey. Since the year 2000, Brick Township has been the safest "city" (population over 75,000) in New Jersey. In 2003 and 2004, Brick Township was ranked as the second safest city in the United States, after Newton, Massachusetts. In 2005, Brick Township had dropped down to the fifth safest "city" (population over 75,000) in the United States, before it rebounded to the top in 2006.

History

The Havens Homestead Museum is dedicated to the Havens family that originally settled in the Laurelton/Burrsville section of Brick. The museum is the original Havens home which lies on a small plot of farmland. The museum has a gift shop and runs tours of the property daily.

Brick Township has also been in the news for a claimed autism epidemic, in which 40 children out of over 6,000 surveyed were found to be autistic, though Brick's autism rate is statistically near the national average. Many of the children found to be autistic were born in Northern New Jersey and other parts of the country. There is no evidence that the levels of autism are linked to any specific environmental factor in Brick. Parents of children diagnosed with autism have moved to the township in order to make use of the special education programs offered by the school district.

.....

On July 11, 2004, Brick Memorial High School student, Brittney Gregory went missing. The news of her disappearance went on national news. Her body was found in a shallow grave, after a woman led the police to the area, just off. Suspect Jack Fuller Jr., a ... and acquaintance to Gregory’s father admitted to killing Gregory. Fuller stated that he was giving her a ride to her boyfriend’s house. Fuller began smoking crack in the car and Gregory became upset. Fuller punched Gregory several times and when she died, he buried her.

During the December 2010 North American blizzard, Brick Township received 30 inches (760 mm) of snow, the highest accumulation recorded in the state. In October 2012, parts of Brick were devastated by Hurricane Sandy. Barrier island and other waterfront properties were particularly hard hit. Homes and such buildings as the Shore Acres Yacht Club sustained major damage; some buildings had to be demolished.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 32.315 square miles (83.697 km2), including 25.715 square miles (66.602 km2) of land and 6.600 square miles (17.095 km2) of water (20.42%).

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Adamston, Arrowhead Village, Breton Woods, Burrsville, Cedar Bridge, Cedarwood Park, Cherry Quay, Greenbriar, Havens Cove, Havens Point, Herbertsville, Herring Island, Lanes Mills, Laurelton, Mandalay Park, Mardells Neck, Metedeconk, Metedeconk Neck, Osbornville, Playground Beach, Riviera Beach, Seaweed Point, Shore Acres, Sloop Point, Swan Point, West Mantoloking and West Osbornville.

The communities of Herbertsville and Parkway Pines are located close to exit 91 of the Garden State Parkway, near the Monmouth County border, and are geographically distant from the rest of the township.

The township borders Bay Head, Lakewood Township, Mantoloking, Point Pleasant and Toms River Township in Ocean County; and the Monmouth County municipalities of Brielle, Howell Township and Wall Township.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1850 1,558
1860 1,835 17.8%
1870 2,724 48.4%
1880 2,990 9.8%
1890 4,065 * 36.0%
1900 2,130 * −47.6%
1910 2,177 2.2%
1920 2,084 * −4.3%
1930 1,172 * −43.8%
1940 1,376 17.4%
1950 4,319 213.9%
1960 16,299 277.4%
1970 35,057 115.1%
1980 53,629 53.0%
1990 66,473 23.9%
2000 76,119 14.5%
2010 75,072 −1.4%
2020 73,620 −1.9%
2023 (est.) 76,021 1.3%
Population sources: 1850–2000
1850–1920 1850–1870
1850 1870 1880–1890
1890–1910 1910–1930
1940–2000 2000
2010 2020
* = Lost territory in previous decade.

2010 Census

As of the census of 2010, there were 75,072 people, 29,842 households, and 20,173 families residing in the township. The population density was 2,919.4 per square mile (1,127.2/km2). There were 33,677 housing units at an average density of 1,309.6 per square mile (505.6/km2)*. The racial makeup of the township was 93.05% (69,856) White, 2.00% (1,502) Black or African American, 0.14% (104) Native American, 1.56% (1,173) Asian, 0.04% (27) Pacific Islander, 1.80% (1,350) from other races, and 1.41% (1,060) from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.06% (5,301) of the population.

There were 29,842 households out of which 27.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.4% were non-families. 27.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the township, the population was spread out with 20.7% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 29.9% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.6 years. For every 100 females there were 91.0 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and old there were 87.6 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $65,129 (with a margin of error of +/− $2,969) and the median family income was $81,868 (+/− $2,081). Males had a median income of $60,769 (+/− $1,755) versus $41,361 (+/− $1,655) for females. The per capita income for the township was $33,258 (+/− $891). About 4.1% of families and 5.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.1% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.

Sports

The Brick Pop Warner Little Scholars Mustangs finished the 2006 season with a perfect 9–0 record and won the Jersey Shore B Division.

In 2003, and from 2006 to 2009, the Pop Warner Brick Mustang cheerleaders competed against other teams from across the nation in Disney World. In 2003, the junior peewee Mustang cheer squad won the national title.

Brick is home of the Ocean Ice Palace, built in 1960, which hosts the Brick Hockey Club. The ice rink is also home to the Brick Stars, a special needs hockey team who has home games and practices.

Parks and recreation

Brick Township Reservoir, with parts located in both Brick and Wall Township, covers 80 acres (32 ha) and is encircled by a 1.7-mile (2.7 km) trail. Fishing is permitted on the reservoir. The reservoir can hold up to 1,000,000,000 US gallons (3.8×109 L; 830,000,000 imp gal) of water, which is pumped in from the Metedeconk River. The township also maintains nearly a dozen community parks, a multi-sports facility at the Drum Point Sports Complex and three oceanfront beaches as well as Windward Beach Park on the Metedeconk River.

Education

The Brick Public Schools serve students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. As of the 2020–21 school year, the district, comprised of 12 schools, had an enrollment of 8,414 students and 689.1 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 12.2:1. Schools in the district (with 2020–21 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics) are Herbertsville Preschool (147; PreK), Warren H. Wolf Preschool (277; PreK; created for 2014-15 school year from Primary Learning Center), Drum Point Elementary School (479; K-5), Lanes Mill Elementary School (560; K-5), Midstreams Elementary School (548; K-5), Osborneville Elementary School (402; K-5), Veterans Memorial Elementary School (647; K-5), Emma Havens Young Elementary School (732; K-5), Lake Riviera Middle School (861; 6-8), Veterans Memorial Middle School (965; 6-8), Brick Memorial High School (1,410; 9-12) and Brick Township High School (1,314; 9-12).

Nonsectarian private schools include Cuddle Care Early Childhood Center and Ocean Early Childhood Center.

St. Dominic Elementary School is a Roman Catholic private school overseen by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton, and St. Paul's Christian School, a Methodist private school, serve students in nursery through eighth grade.

Transportation

2018-09-19 15 37 40 View east along New Jersey State Route 88 (Post Road) at B Trail in Brick Township, Ocean County, New Jersey
The view eastward along Route 88 in Brick Township

Roads and highways

As of May 2010, the township had a total of 318.77 miles (513.01 km) of roadways, of which 256.23 miles (412.36 km) were maintained by the municipality, 46.64 miles (75.06 km) by Ocean County and 12.61 miles (20.29 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and 3.29 miles (5.29 km) by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.

The Garden State Parkway is the most prominent highway passing through Brick. It traverses the western part of the municipality with three interchanges: Exits 91, 90, and 89. Three state routes also pass through: Route 70 Route 88, and Route 35. The major county routes that pass through are CR 528, and CR 549 (as well as its spur).

The Laurelton Circle was located near the center of Brick Township. The traffic circle was at the junction of Route 70, Route 88 and Princeton Avenue. It was converted to a traffic light regulated intersection in 1986, due to an increase in traffic and accidents. To reduce the need for left turns, a short portion of eastbound Route 88 was re-routed onto Princeton Avenue. Some other movements are controlled by jughandles and a two-way connection in the northwest corner.

Public transportation

NJ Transit offers bus service between the township and the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan on the 137 route, to Camden on the 317 and to Newark on the 67. Bus service is available from the Garden State Parkway to the Financial District in Lower Manhattan via the Academy Bus Line. Brick Township Park & Ride is located in the township off of the Garden State Parkway at exit 91. It is an express route to New York City during peak rush-hour. Ocean Ride service is provided on route 3, 3A and 4.

Media

WBGD 91.9FM (Brick Green Dragons) went on the air in 1974, originally located at Brick Township High School. The station was later moved to Brick Memorial High School. The radio station was the brainchild of a teacher named Robert Boesch who taught electronics at Brick Township High School in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. The station was a student-run operation and received its FCC license from the FCC for Educational Broadcasting.

One of the most notable broadcasts was the first ever state high school football championship game played between Brick Township High School and Camden High School in December 1974. The Brick Green Dragons defeated Camden by a score of 21–20 on the last play of the game to win the title.

In 2007, during routine roof maintenance and repair work, the broadcast tower was cut off the roof, and was never replaced or repaired. In 2010 WBGD's license was retired.

The Asbury Park Press provides daily news coverage of the township, as does WOBM-FM radio. The government of the township provides material and commentary to The Brick Times, which is one of seven weekly papers from Micromedia Publications.

Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification system, Brick Township has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa). Cfa climates are characterized by all months having an average mean temperature above 32.0 °F (0.0 °C), at least four months with an average mean temperature at or above 50.0 °F (10.0 °C), at least one month with an average mean temperature at or above 71.6 °F (22.0 °C) and no significant precipitation difference between seasons. During the summer months in Brick Township, a cooling afternoon sea breeze is present on most days, but episodes of extreme heat and humidity can occur with heat index values at or above 95.0 °F (35.0 °C). On average, the wettest month of the year is July which corresponds with the annual peak in thunderstorm activity. During the winter months, episodes of extreme cold and wind can occur with wind chill values below 0.0 °F (−17.8 °C). The plant hardiness zone at Brick Township Beach is 7a with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of 3.4 °F (−15.9 °C). The average seasonal (November–April) snowfall total is between 18 and 24 inches (46 and 61 cm) and the average snowiest month is February which corresponds with the annual peak in nor'easter activity.

Climate data for Brick Twp Beach, NJ (1981–2010 Averages)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 40.2
(4.6)
42.7
(5.9)
49.6
(9.8)
59.1
(15.1)
68.9
(20.5)
78.1
(25.6)
83.3
(28.5)
82.2
(27.9)
76.0
(24.4)
65.5
(18.6)
55.2
(12.9)
45.1
(7.3)
62.3
(16.8)
Daily mean °F (°C) 32.6
(0.3)
34.7
(1.5)
41.2
(5.1)
50.4
(10.2)
60.1
(15.6)
69.6
(20.9)
75.0
(23.9)
74.0
(23.3)
67.4
(19.7)
56.2
(13.4)
47.0
(8.3)
37.4
(3.0)
53.9
(12.2)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 25.1
(−3.8)
26.7
(−2.9)
32.8
(0.4)
41.6
(5.3)
51.3
(10.7)
61.0
(16.1)
66.7
(19.3)
65.8
(18.8)
58.7
(14.8)
47.0
(8.3)
38.8
(3.8)
29.6
(−1.3)
45.5
(7.5)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 3.66
(93)
3.07
(78)
4.22
(107)
3.94
(100)
3.53
(90)
3.68
(93)
4.61
(117)
4.47
(114)
3.51
(89)
3.74
(95)
3.90
(99)
3.97
(101)
46.30
(1,176)
Average relative humidity (%) 65.2 62.8 60.6 62.3 66.0 70.3 69.6 71.2 71.3 69.9 68.3 66.3 67.0
Average dew point °F (°C) 22.2
(−5.4)
23.3
(−4.8)
28.6
(−1.9)
38.0
(3.3)
48.7
(9.3)
59.5
(15.3)
64.4
(18.0)
64.1
(17.8)
57.8
(14.3)
46.5
(8.1)
37.1
(2.8)
27.2
(−2.7)
43.2
(6.2)
Source: PRISM
Climate data for Sandy Hook, NJ Ocean Water Temperature (30 N Brick Township)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Daily mean °F (°C) 37
(3)
36
(2)
40
(4)
46
(8)
55
(13)
62
(17)
69
(21)
72
(22)
68
(20)
59
(15)
51
(11)
43
(6)
53
(12)
Source: NOAA

Ecology

According to the A. W. Kuchler U.S. potential natural vegetation types, Brick Township would have two classifications; both a dominant vegetation type of Northeastern Oak/Pine (110) with a dominant vegetation form of Southern Mixed Forest (26) just inland from the bays and rivers, and a dominant vegetation type of Northern Cordgrass (73) with a dominant vegetation form of Coastal Prairie (20) on the barrier island and near the bays and rivers.

Notable people

See also (related category): People from Brick Township, New Jersey

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

  • Joe Acanfora (born 1950), educator and activist who fought to teach earth science in public schools in the early 1970s but was dismissed based upon his acknowledged homosexuality
  • Jay Alders (born 1973), fine artist, photographer and graphic designer, who is best known for his original surf art paintings
  • Harry Bernstein (1910–2011), author of The Invisible Wall
  • Hank Borowy (1916–2004), Major League Baseball All-Star pitcher who played for the New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates and Detroit Tigers. He lived the majority of his life in Brick Township and died there at age 88
  • John Catalano (born 1949), politician who represented the 10th Legislative District in the New Jersey General Assembly from 2020 to 2024
  • Nick Catone (born 1981), mixed martial artist who participates in the Ultimate Fighting Championships
  • Andrew R. Ciesla (born 1953), politician who served in the New Jersey Senate from 1992 to 2012, where he represented the 10th Legislative District
  • Jim Dowd, (born 1968), former player in the National Hockey League (NHL), won a Stanley Cup with the 1994-95 New Jersey Devils and last played for the Philadelphia Flyers
  • John Paul Doyle (born 1942), politician who served as majority leader of the New Jersey General Assembly
  • Kirsten Dunst (born 1982), actress, grew up in the township before relocating to California
  • Dana Eskelson, actress who has performed on television, film and theater
  • Garrett Graham (born 1986), NFL tight end who plays for the Houston Texans
  • Jack Martin (1887–1980), Major League Baseball infielder who played for the 1912 New York Yankees (Highlanders), 1914 Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Braves, who lived out his twilight years in Brick Township and is the namesake of Jack Martin Boulevard
  • Tom McCarthy (born 1968), television announcer for the Philadelphia Phillies
  • Gregory P. McGuckin (born 1961), politician who has represented the 10th Legislative District in the New Jersey General Assembly since 2012
  • Eli Mintz (1904–1988), actor
  • Daniel F. Newman (1935–2009), politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly and as Mayor of Brick Township
  • Nick Piantanida (1932–1966), amateur parachute jumper who reached 123,500 feet (37,600 m) with his Strato Jump II balloon on February 2, 1966
  • John Sadak (born 1979, class of 1996), television announcer for the Cincinnati Reds, radio/TV sports announcer with Westwood One radio, CBS Sports Network, the ESPN family of networks, Fox Sports 1 and the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
  • Craig Scarpelli (born 1961), retired American soccer goalkeeper who played professionally in the North American Soccer League, United Soccer League and American Soccer League
  • Leah Scarpelli (born 2001), soccer player who plays as a defender or midfielder for Brisbane Roar
  • Betsy Sholl (born 1945), poet who was poet laureate of Maine from 2006 to 2011
  • George Tardiff (1936–2012), football head coach at Benedictine College and Washburn University
  • Ja'Sir Taylor (born 1999), American football cornerback for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League
  • Art Thoms (born 1947), NFL defensive tackle for the Oakland Raiders (1969–1975) and Philadelphia Eagles (1977)
  • Scott Thomsen (born 1993), soccer player who plays as a defender for the Richmond Kickers in the United Soccer League
  • George Wirth, singer-songwriter
  • Warren Wolf (1927–2019), long-time football coach for Brick Township High School who served on the Brick council as freeholder and in the state assembly
  • David W. Wolfe (born 1942), politician who represented the 10th Legislative District in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1992 until 2020
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