The population in South Brunswick has increased 43 percent, to 36,963, since the 1990 U.S. Census.
By: Matthew Armstrong
Census 2000 results were released last week and revealed what many may already know: Population in central New Jersey and the township is on the rise and getting more racially diverse.
South Brunswick’s population increased 43 percent since the 1990 U.S. Census, more than virtually any other municipality in Middlesex County.
Helmetta nearly doubled in size with 598 new residents.
Census figures for 2000 show the population was 36,963, up 11,165 from the 1990 census which reported 25,798 residents. The 1980 census reported the township’s population at 17,127 and the 1970 census reported 14,058.
Of the total 36,963 South Brunswick residents, 27,005 are over 18 years old.
Census figures are used to calculate a variety of state and federal aid allocations. They also guide the redistricting of Congressional and Legislative voting districts to balance each district.
The census also shows that the township is getting more racially diverse. The largest jump was in the number of Asians who have moved into the township. According to the census, there are 6,808 Asians, up from 2,282 in 1990 and 906 in 1980.
There are 2,975 black residents compared with 1,595 in 1990 and 680 in 1980.
There are 1,918 people reporting to be of Hispanic or Latino descent, compared with 953 in 1990 and 418 in 1980. Hispanic may be of any race.
In addition there are 48 American Indian or Alaskan Natives, 14 Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders, 518 people of some other race and 771 people marking two or more races.
The township has tried to adapt to both the growth in population and the diversification of the community.
This growth has left the state, the county and the township dealing with the transportation challenges resulting from this growth. New schools have been constructed to handle the increasing number of students.
"The problem we’ve had is just the amount of kids that keep coming into the school system," said Patrick Leary supervisor of student personnel. "In six years we went from 1,000 students to 2,000 students. A new high school was built four years ago and already it’s too small. There’s really no time to settle down and evaluate because the township is always growing and we’re constantly trying to keep up with the growth."
Educational programs themselves have been altered to reflect the growing number of minorities.
"In before and after school programs, it gives us two things we try to focus on," said Susan Davis. "One is having a very diverse staff. The other is with the curriculum for children, trying to make sure that it reflects different cultures and includes activities from different cultural backgrounds."
Staff Writer Amanda Bok contributed to this story.