Avenel /ævənɛl/ is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP)[10] located within Woodbridge Township, in Middlesex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey.[11][12] Avenel is approximately 25 miles (40 km) southwest of Midtown Manhattan along the North Jersey Coast rail line
Avenel, New Jersey | |
|---|---|
 Avenel station, serving New Jersey Transit rail passengers commuting to and from Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan, New York City | |
 Map of Avenel CDP in Middlesex County. Inset: Location of Middlesex County in New Jersey. | |
| Coordinates: 40°35′04″N 74°16′18″W / 40.584334°N 74.271626°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  New Jersey |
| County | Middlesex |
| Township | Woodbridge |
| Area | |
• Total | 3.43 sq mi (8.89 km2) |
| • Land | 3.40 sq mi (8.81 km2) |
| • Water | 0.03 sq mi (0.08 km2) 0.42% |
| Elevation | 39 ft (12 m) |
| Population | |
• Total | 16,920 |
| • Density | 4,973.5/sq mi (1,920.3/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT)) |
| ZIP Code | |
| Area codes | 732/848 |
| FIPS code | 34-02350[6][7][8] |
| GNIS feature ID | 02389160[6][9] |
As of the 2020 United States census, the CDP's population was 16,920,[3] a decrease of 91 (−0.5%) from the 17,011 recorded at the 2010 census,[13] which in turn had reflected a decline of 541 (−3.1%) from the 17,552 counted in the 2000 census.[14]
History
editThe community was established in 1901; it was named for the daughter of Captain Demarest, the founder of the village, which had formerly been known as Demarest on the Hill. Besides the Demarests, the first settlers included members of the Brown, Clark, Cooper, Crowell, Douglass, Edgar, and Thorpe families.[15]
Community
editThe Avenel Fire Company #1 celebrated its 100th anniversary on June 8, 2013, with a parade and picnic.[16] The area also has three public schools: Avenel Middle School, Avenel Street School #4&5 and Woodbine Avenue School #23.
Places of worship in Avenel include the First Presbyterian Church, St. Andrew's Roman Catholic Church, Central Baptist Church and Fellowship Bible Church.
Sports teams in Avenel include the Avenel Warriors.
In 2019, the Avenel Performing Arts Center opened near the Avenel train station.[17] The venue features a professional recording studio.[18]
Geography
editAccording to the United States Census Bureau, Avenel had a total area of 3.532 square miles (9.15 km2), including 3.517 square miles (9.11 km2) of land and 0.015 square miles (0.039 km2) of water (0.42%).[6][19]
Demographics
edit| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 15,504 | — | |
| 2000 | 17,552 | 13.2% | |
| 2010 | 17,011 | −3.1% | |
| 2020 | 16,920 | −0.5% | |
| Population sources: 1990-2010[11] 2000[14] 2010[13] 2020[3] | |||
2010 census
editThe 2010 United States census counted 17,011 people, 5,150 households, and 3,749 families in the CDP. The population density was 4,836.8 people per square mile (1,867.5 people/km2). There were 5,379 housing units at an average density of 1,529.4 units per square mile (590.5 units/km2). The racial makeup was 47.89% (8,146) White, 19.78% (3,364) Black or African American, 0.52% (88) Native American, 22.89% (3,893) Asian, 0.07% (12) Pacific Islander, 5.53% (940) from other races, and 3.34% (568) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 15.84% (2,694) of the population.[13]
Of the 5,150 households, 36.0% had children under the age of 18; 54.0% were married couples living together; 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present and 27.2% were non-families. Of all households, 22.7% were made up of individuals and 8.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.23.[13]
19.5% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 35.3% from 25 to 44, 28.8% from 45 to 64, and 9.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.5 years. For every 100 females, the population had 127.5 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 135.8 males.[13]
2000 census
editAs of the 2000 United States census[7] there were 17,552 people, 5,233 households, and 3,799 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,970.0 people/km2 (5,102 people/sq mi). There were 5,353 housing units at an average density of 600.8 units/km2 (1,556 units/sq mi). The racial makeup of the CDP was 53.52% White, 19.66% African American, 0.35% Native American, 18.90% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 3.65% from other races, and 3.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.85% of the population.[14]
There were 5,233 households, out of which 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.9% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.4% were non-families. 21.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.23.[14]
In the CDP the population was spread out, with 20.8% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 42.8% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 8.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 134.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 145.2 males.[14]
The median income for a household in the CDP was $54,929, and the median income for a family was $61,029. Males had a median income of $48,000 versus $31,804 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $19,794. About 6.1% of families and 9.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.1% of those under age 18 and 6.6% of those age 65 or over.[14]
As part of the 2000 Census, 13.65% of Avenel's residents identified themselves as being Indian American. This was the fifth highest percentage of Indian people in any place in the United States with 1,000 or more residents identifying their ancestry.[20]
Economy
editAvenel was the flagship location of Bradco Supply, founded in 1966, one of the country's leading distributors of building products. The company had grown to over 130 locations in more than 30 states.[citation needed]
Amazon.com operates a fulfillment center in Avenel. The facility, which opened in June 2013, covers 565,400 square feet (52,530 m2).[21]
East Jersey State Prison is located in Avenel, near the border of Rahway; Though located in Woodbridge Township, the prison's mailing address had led to it being called "Rahway State Prison".[22] Also located in Avenel is the Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center, which provides treatment to convicted sex offenders.[23]
Transportation
editThe Avenel station provides direct service to Midtown Manhattan, New York City on NJ Transit's North Jersey Coast Line.[24] Avenel Station is a direct 45-minute one-seat train ride to New York Penn Station. Riders can also connect with the PATH train to reach lower Manhattan.
In the wake of the creation of a 500-unit development transit village near the station and requests from passengers, NJ Transit began new weekday stops at the station starting in September 2019 and that weekend service would resume for the first time since 1985.[25][26][27]
NJ Transit provides service on the 115 route between Avenel and the Port Authority Bus Terminal.[28]
Notable people
editPeople who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Avenel include:
- Antonio Alfano, American football defensive tackle for the Colorado Buffaloes.[29]
- Eric LeGrand (born 1990), football player, writer, speaker.[30]
- Jazlyn Moya (born 1997), footballer who plays as a forward for United Women's Soccer club New Jersey Copa FC and the Dominican Republic women's national team.[31]
- Dagmara Wozniak (born 1988), Polish-American U.S. Olympic sabre fencer.[32]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Avenel Census Designated Place, Geographic Names Information System. Accessed November 29, 2012.
- ^ a b c "QuickFacts Avenel CDP, New Jersey". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
- ^ Look Up a ZIP Code for Avenel, NJ, United States Postal Service. Accessed November 29, 2012.
- ^ Zip Codes, State of New Jersey. Accessed August 27, 2013.
- ^ a b c Gazetteer of New Jersey Places, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 21, 2016.
- ^ a b U.S. Census website, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 4, 2014.
- ^ Geographic Codes Lookup for New Jersey, Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed June 9, 2023.
- ^ US Board on Geographic Names, United States Geological Survey. Accessed September 4, 2014.
- ^ State of New Jersey Census Designated Places - BVP20 - Data as of January 1, 2020, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 1, 2022.
- ^ a b New Jersey: 2010 - Population and Housing Unit Counts - 2010 Census of Population and Housing (CPH-2-32), United States Census Bureau, August 2012. Accessed November 29, 2012.
- ^ GCT-PH1 - Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County – County Subdivision and Place from the 2010 Census Summary File 1 for Middlesex County, New Jersey Archived 2020-02-12 at archive.today, United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 29, 2012.
- ^ a b c d e DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for Avenel CDP, New Jersey Archived 2020-02-12 at archive.today, United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 29, 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f DP-1 - Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 from the Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Avenel CDP, New Jersey Archived 2020-02-12 at archive.today, United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 29, 2012.
- ^ Virginia B. Troeger and Robert James McEwen, Woodbridge: New Jersey's Oldest Township (Arcadia Publishing, 2002; ISBN 0738523941), p. 103.
- ^ History Archived 2013-07-26 at the Wayback Machine, Avenel Fire Company. Accessed June 19, 2013.
- ^ Baldwin, Carly (April 11, 2019). "Woodbridge's Avenel Performing Arts Center Opens to Fanfare". Patch.com.
- ^ About, Avenel Performing Arts Center. Accessed September 3, 2022.
- ^ US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 4, 2014.
- ^ Asian Indian Communities Archived June 15, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, EPodunk. Accessed June 28, 2006.
- ^ Amazon Distribution Network Strategy, MWPVL International. Accessed May 8, 2015.
- ^ Hopkins, Kathleen. "Union County opposes plan for third correctional facility", Asbury Park Press, August 25, 1999. Accessed June 19, 2013. "East Jersey State Prison, formerly known as Rahway State Prison, also is located in Woodbridge's Avenel section, just over the Rahway border."
- ^ Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center, New Jersey Department of Corrections. Accessed June 19, 2013.
- ^ Avenel station, NJ Transit. Accessed June 19, 2013.
- ^ "NJ Transit to offer weekend service at Avenel for first time in 34 years". NJBIZ. September 6, 2019.
- ^ Baldwin, Carly. "Woodbridge: Weekend Service, More Trains Coming To Avenel Station Great news: More weekday trains will be added and the Avenel train station will get weekend service for the first time since April 1985.", Woodbridge, NJ Patch, September 5, 2019. Accessed September 9, 2019. "Great news for the Woodbridge community: NJ Transit just announced they are expanding weekday service at the Avenel train station by more than 40 percent. More weekday trains will be added and the Avenel train station will get weekend service for the first time since April 1985. The service enhancements will begin this Sunday, September 8. The new weekend service will include 21 stops each day on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Weekday service will be increased from 27 to 38 stops, primarily during midday and late evening hours."
- ^ "Nj Transit".
- ^ Route 115 Bus Schedule, NJ Transit, issued January 15, 2022. Accessed February 8, 2022.
- ^ Hunt, Todderick. "Breaking: N.J.'s top defender Antonio Alfano transferring from Rahway to Colonia for senior year", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, February 23, 2018. Accessed November 13, 2019. "Top defensive end Antonio Alfano will transfer once again after moving to Rahway from Bergen Catholic last fall. This time, he'll go to Colonia (N.J.) following a change of residence from Rahway to Avenel – a move that gains him no athletic advantage."
- ^ Attrino, Anthony G. "Eric LeGrand to appear for Q&A at King memorial breakfast in Edison", The Star-Ledger, December 11, 2012. Accessed December 26, 2012."LeGrand, who is from Avenel, is the former Rutgers football player whose inspiring battle to walk again after being paralyzed during an October 2010 game has captured the nation."
- ^ Jazlyn Moya, Monmouth Hawks. Accessed July 8, 2021. "High School: Colonia; Hometown: Avenel, NJ"
- ^ Orr, Conor "Olympics 2012: Fencer Dagmara Wozniak, an Avenel native, flourished with work ethic learned from immigrant parents", The Star-Ledger, July 25, 2012. Accessed June 19, 2013."Her inclusion on the Olympic team — in 2008 as an alternate and in London as a full-fledged member — is a testament to the way she can parse through the chaos during a bout and forge a precision attack."