"Small Enough to Know You, Large Enough to Serve You."[1]
Location of Dunellen in Middlesex County highlighted in red (left). Inset map: Location of Middlesex County in New Jersey highlighted in orange (right).
Dunellen was formed as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on October 28, 1887, when it broke away from Piscataway Township, based on the results of a referendum held on March 23, 1886. Dunellen's incorporation was confirmed on April 15, 1914.[24] The borough was named for the Dunellen station of the Central Railroad of New Jersey.[25]
Historyedit
The earliest inhabitants of the area that would become Dunellen were the LenapeNative Americans; several Lenape sites in Dunellen were identified as part of a comprehensive survey in 1915.[26][27] European settlers were drawn to the area as early as 1682, attracted by the productive agricultural land.[28]
Railroad access from New York City to present-day Dunellen began in 1840.[29] Dunellen grew from its start in 1867 with the construction of a railroad station, which was originally called New Market station, serving the nearby community of the same name in Piscataway.[30] When it was originally constructed, the tracks were at grade level with North Avenue and the railroad was the Elizabethtown and Somerville Railroad, which later became part of the Central Railroad of New Jersey. The Central Railroad of New Jersey, created the residential development in the area which it owned surrounding its train station.[29] The railroad brought industry to the area.
The Art Color factory built in 1925 was Dunellen's principal industry and produced as many as 10 million magazines a month. The W. F. Hall Printing Company of Chicago bought Art Color in 1931, and ran it until 1968, when it closed the plant there.[31]
Of the 2,566 households, 33.0% had children under the age of 18; 49.4% were married couples living together; 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present and 31.3% were non-families. Of all households, 24.9% were made up of individuals and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.36.[21]
23.7% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 30.9% from 25 to 44, 26.8% from 45 to 64, and 9.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.1 years. For every 100 females, the population had 101.3 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 100.4 males.[21]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $74,375 (with a margin of error of +/− $13,504) and the median family income was $88,527 (+/− $13,868). Males had a median income of $48,542 (+/− $13,495) versus $43,920 (+/− $12,613) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $30,960 (+/− $3,015). About 5.6% of families and 8.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.8% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.[42]
2000 censusedit
As of the 2000 United States census[18] there were 6,823 people, 2,451 households, and 1,710 families residing in the borough. The population density was 6,573.9 inhabitants per square mile (2,538.2/km2). There were 2,520 housing units at an average density of 2,428.0 per square mile (937.5/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 84.07% White, 3.66% African American, 0.25% Native American, 3.56% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 6.38% from other races, and 2.07% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.80% of the population.[40][41]
There were 2,451 households, out of which 33.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.4% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.2% were non-families. 23.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.30.[40][41]
In the borough the population was spread out, with 24.9% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 36.0% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.2 males.[40][41]
The median income for a household in the borough was $59,205, and the median income for a family was $67,188. Males had a median income of $45,000 versus $34,130 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $26,529. About 1.4% of families and 3.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.0% of those under age 18 and 4.2% of those age 65 or over.[40][41]
Governmentedit
Local governmentedit
Dunellen 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.[43] The governing body is comprised of the mayor and the 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 is comprised of 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.[8] The borough form of government used by Dunellen 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.[44][45]
As of 2022[update], the mayor of Dunellen is Republican Jason F. Cilento, whose term of office ends December 31, 2023. Members of the borough council (with party and term-end year in parentheses) are Council President Trina Rios (R, 2022), Teresa Albertson (R, 2024), Jessica Dunne (D, 2023), Joseph Paltjon (R, 2024), Daniel Cole Sigmon (R, 2022) and Harold VanDermark (D, 2023; appointed to serve an unexpired term).[4][46][47][48][49]
In October 2021, the borough council selected Harold VanDermark from a list of three candidates nominated by the Democratic municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2023 that had been held by Tremayne Reid until he resigned earlier that month. VanDermark will serve on an interim basis until the November 2021 general election, when voters will choose a candidate to serve the balance of the term of office.[50]
Federal, state and county representationedit
Dunellen is located in the 12th Congressional District[51] and is part of New Jersey's 21st state legislative district.[52]
Middlesex County is governed by a Board of County Commissioners, whose seven members are elected at-large on a partisan basis to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either two or three seats coming up for election each year as part of the November general election. At an annual reorganization meeting held in January, the board selects from among its members a commissioner director and deputy director.[59] As of 2024[update], Middlesex County's Commissioners (with party affiliation, term-end year, and residence listed in parentheses) are:
As of March 2011, there were a total of 3,775 registered voters in Dunellen, of which 1,063 (28.2%) were registered as Democrats, 726 (19.2%) were registered as Republicans and 1,983 (52.5%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 3 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.[75]
In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 56.1% of the vote (1,387 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 42.3% (1,047 votes), and other candidates with 1.6% (39 votes), among the 2,488 ballots cast by the borough's 3,842 registered voters (15 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 64.8%.[76][77] In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 52.9% of the vote (1,478 cast), ahead of Republican John McCain with 44.5% (1,244 votes) and other candidates with 1.8% (50 votes), among the 2,794 ballots cast by the borough's 3,883 registered voters, for a turnout of 72.0%.[78] In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 50.0% of the vote (1,260 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 48.0% (1,211 votes) and other candidates with 1.2% (44 votes), among the 2,521 ballots cast by the borough's 3,666 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 68.8.[79]
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 64.7% of the vote (982 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 33.2% (503 votes), and other candidates with 2.1% (32 votes), among the 1,540 ballots cast by the borough's 3,894 registered voters (23 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 39.5%.[80][81] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 54.6% of the vote (944 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 34.1% (589 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 8.9% (153 votes) and other candidates with 1.9% (33 votes), among the 1,728 ballots cast by the borough's 3,744 registered voters, yielding a 46.2% turnout.[82]
As of May 2010[update], the borough had a total of 17.82 miles (28.68 km) of roadways, of which 14.29 miles (23.00 km) were maintained by the municipality, 2.48 miles (3.99 km) by Middlesex County and 1.05 miles (1.69 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.[94]
The Dunellen station offers NJ Transit service on the Raritan Valley Line.[98] There is a ticket office open only during morning rush hour and a small waiting area at this stop. There are now automated ticket machines located next to the office. A simple station, there are two tracks with two small side platforms. The station is located on a high embankment.[99]
Juggling Life is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to inspire and emotionally heal ill and/or disadvantaged children through juggling and the arts.[103]
Notable peopleedit
People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Dunellen include:
Tom Brislin (born 1973), keyboardist/songwriter/vocalist for the band Kansas since 2018[104]
Bob Fitzsimmons (1863–1917), boxer who was the sport's first three-division world champion[105]
^ abKuperinsky, Amy. "'The Jewel of the Meadowlands'?: N.J.'s best, worst and weirdest town slogans", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, January 22, 2015. Accessed July 12, 2016. "Dunellen, in Middlesex County, is 'Small Enough to Know You, Large Enough to Serve You.' Councilman Jason Cilento says the slogan is 'a bit of a mystery,' and that it's easier to explain the nickname 'Railroad Town,' for its reputation as a bedroom community for New York commuters."
^ abAnnual Estimates of the Resident Population for Minor Civil Divisions in New Jersey: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022, United States Census Bureau, released May 2023. Accessed May 18, 2023.
^ abcdeDP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data for Dunellen borough, Middlesex County, New Jersey Archived 2020-02-12 at archive.today, United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 30, 2012.
^Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 170. Accessed May 30, 2012.
^Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed August 29, 2015.
^Heleniak, Heidi. "Local Lenni-Lenape Sites Mentioned in 1915 Survey Article", Dunellen411, July 25, 2015. Accessed December 3, 2019.
^Spier, Leslie. "Indian Remains near Plainfield, Union County, and along the Lower Delaware Valley", Geological Survey of New Jersey. Accessed December 3, 2019.
^Triolo, John; and Marren-Licht, Liz. Dunellen, p. 7. Arcadia Publishing, 2012. ISBN 9780738591612. Accessed December 3, 2019. "The Dunellen area was verdant farmland settled by early colonialists, such as David Coriell in 1682, Reune Runyon in 1736, Cornelius Boice in 1768, and Peter Marcellas and Zacharaiah Pound in 1780."
^ abDunellen Transit Hub Strategic Plan, Borough of Dunellen, June 2019. Accessed December 3, 2019. "The railroad from New York was extended to the area now known as Dunellen in 1840. The Borough of Dunellen, incorporated in 1887 when it separated from Piscataway, was built by the Central Railroad of New Jersey. The railroad company owned the land, built the railroad and subdivided the surrounding farmland into a residential community."
^Loyer, Susan. "Dunellen: Tremendous effort by parents, tremendous fun for kids", Home News Tribune, June 5, 2005. Accessed February 16, 2024, via Newspapers.com. "Originally part of Piscataway, Dunellen was established in 1867 and grew up around the New Jersey Central Railroad station, which was known as New Market station."
^Arnold A. Schwartz Archived 2008-04-16 at the Wayback Machine, Dunellen Public Library. Accessed April 1, 2008.
^Areas touching Dunellen, MapIt. Accessed July 12, 2016.
^Compendium of censuses 1726-1905: together with the tabulated returns of 1905, New Jersey Department of State, 1906. Accessed October 9, 2013.
^Porter, Robert Percival. Preliminary Results as Contained in the Eleventh Census Bulletins: Volume III - 51 to 75, p. 98. United States Census Bureau, 1890. Accessed November 22, 2012.
^Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910: Population by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions, 1910, 1900, 1890, United States Census Bureau, p. 337. Accessed May 30, 2012.
^Fifteenth Census of the United States : 1930 - Population Volume I, United States Census Bureau, p. 717. Accessed May 30, 2012.
^Table 6: New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1940 - 2000, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network, August 2001. Accessed May 1, 2023.
^ abcdeCensus 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Dunellen borough, New Jersey Archived 2014-07-12 at the Wayback Machine, United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 30, 2012.
^ abcdeDP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Dunellen borough, Middlesex County, New Jersey Archived 2020-02-12 at archive.today, United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 22, 2012.
^DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Dunellen borough, Middlesex County, New Jersey Archived 2020-02-12 at archive.today, United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 30, 2012.
^Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey, Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023.
^Borough Council Meeting Minutes for October 18, 2021, Borough of Dunellen. Accessed May 23, 2022. "WHEREAS, Tremayne Reid resigned his position as Councilperson for the Borough of Dunellen on October 4, 2021; and WHEREAS, the Democratic Municipal Committee has presented to the Dunellen Borough Council the names of three eligible persons to fill the vacancy; and... NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Dunellen, that Harold Vandermark be selected to fill the vacancy of the Council seat held by Tremayne Reid, said term to expire on December 31, 2022, with the intervening General Election to be held on November 8, 2022 to select a candidate to fill the remaining term of Tremayne Reid that would have expired on December 31, 2023."
^Biography, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman. Accessed January 3, 2019. "Watson Coleman and her husband William reside in Ewing Township and are blessed to have three sons; William, Troy, and Jared and three grandchildren; William, Kamryn and Ashanee."
^U.S. Sen. Cory Booker cruises past Republican challenger Rik Mehta in New Jersey, PhillyVoice. Accessed April 30, 2021. "He now owns a home and lives in Newark's Central Ward community."
^Biography of Bob Menendez, United States Senate, January 26, 2015. "Menendez, who started his political career in Union City, moved in September from Paramus to one of Harrison's new apartment buildings near the town's PATH station.."
^Home, sweet home: Bob Menendez back in Hudson County. nj.com. Accessed April 30, 2021. "Booker, Cory A. - (D - NJ) Class II; Menendez, Robert - (D - NJ) Class I"
^Board of County Commissioners, Middlesex County, New Jersey. Accessed May 1, 2022. "The residents of Middlesex County's 25 municipalities elect seven persons to serve as members of the Board of County Commissioners. The Commissioners are elected at large to staggered three-year terms in the November general election. In January of each year, the Board reorganizes, selecting one Commissioner to be County Commissioner Director and another to be County Commissioner Deputy Director."
^Surrogates, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed June 19, 2022.
^Voter Registration Summary - Middlesex, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed November 22, 2012.
^"Presidential General Election Results - November 6, 2012 - Middlesex County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. March 15, 2013. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
^"Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast - November 6, 2012 - General Election Results - Middlesex County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. March 15, 2013. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
^2008 Presidential General Election Results: Middlesex County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed November 22, 2012.
^2004 Presidential Election: Middlesex County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed November 22, 2012.
^"Governor - Middlesex County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. January 29, 2014. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
^"Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast - November 5, 2013 - General Election Results - Middlesex County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. January 29, 2014. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
^Dunellen Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, Dunellen Public Schools. Accessed August 28, 2022. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades kindergarten through twelve in the Dunellen School District.. Composition: The Dunellen School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Dunellen."
^Heyboer, Kelly. "How to get your kid a seat in one of N.J.'s hardest-to-get-into high schools", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, May 2017. Accessed November 18, 2019. "Middlesex County has two stand-alone career academies for high-achieving students: the Academy for Science, Math and Engineering Technology, located on the campus of Middlesex County College in Edison, and the Academy for Allied Health and Biomedical Sciences in Woodbridge. How to apply: Students must attend a mandatory information session and submit an application by November of their 8th grade year."
^Schedule Details: Dunellen, NJ to Atlantic City, NJ, Suburban Transit. Accessed December 3, 2019.
^A Brief History, Juggling Life. Accessed April 20, 2015.
^Hicks, Robert. "Spiraling gets its music to the masses with technology", Daily Record, March 16, 2005. Accessed December 10, 2022, via Newspapers.com. "Brislin hails from Dunellen but now lives in Piscataway."
^Staff. "'Bob' Fitzsimmons Robbed.", The New York Times, March 19, 1913. Accessed May 30, 2012. "The home of 'Bob' Fitzsimmons, the ex-champion prizefighter, at Dunellen, was robbed of $1500 worth of silverware some time within the last few days, while the family was away."
^Burling, Stacey. "Catholic Health East names a new leader", The Philadelphia Inquirer, December 16, 2009. Accessed July 18, 2019. "Persichilli, who grew up in Dunellen, N.J., began her career in health care as a staff nurse after graduating from the St. Francis School of Nursing, Trenton, in 1968."
^Staff. "W.M. Rice's Sudden Death; Detectives at Work on Lines Which They Do Not Disclose. A.T. Patrick's Statement Charles F. Jones Says He Was Instructed to Withhold the News that His Employer Was Dead.", The New York Times, September 27, 1900. Accessed May 30, 2012. "During his visits to the North he lived part of the time at Dunellen, N. J., and later at the Grenoble, Seventh Avenue and Fifty-sixth Street."
^LaGorce, Tammy. "In Person; Gotcha! Stay Tuned", The New York Times, January 1, 2006. Accessed July 18, 2019. "'It's great when people you admire like what you're doing,' Mr. Scharpling, who grew up in Dunellen, writes for Monk in Summit and lives with his wife in Woodbridge, said before a recent Best Show."
^Triolo, John; and Marren-Licht, Liz. Dunellen, p. 124. Arcadia Publishing, 2012. ISBN 9780738591612. Accessed April 10, 2016. "Walter Stone, chief writer for the Honeymooners television series, was born in Dunellen in 1920."
^Staff. "J.J. Awaits Draft; New Jersey Sports Canada Interested", The New York Times, January 26, 1974. Accessed May 30, 2012. "Frank Umont of Dunellen, the former major league umpire who also played for the New York Football Giants in the 1940s also will be on the dais..."
^ abSister City: Val Tidone, Italy, Boroug hof Dunellen. Accessed May 23, 2022. "On July 2, 2018, the Mayor and Borough Council approved a resolution establishing the sister relationship with Val Tidone, Italy.... In order to promote exchanges in educational, cultural, recreational and economic fields, the Borough of Dunellen agreed to the Sister City relationship with the towns of Borgonovo V.T. and Castel San Giovanni."
External linksedit
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