Raritan is a borough in Somerset County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 7,835, its highest decennial census count ever and an increase of 954 (+13.9%) from the 2010 census count of 6,881, which in turn had reflected an increase of 543 (+8.6%) from the 6,338 counted at the 2000 census.Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023.

The borough's name is derived from the Raritans, a Native American group of Lenape.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 21, 2015. The name of the tribe is said to mean "forked river",Gannett, Henry. The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States, p. 25. United States Government Printing Office, 1905. Accessed September 21, 2015. "stream overflows", or "point on a tidal river".Nestor, Sandy. Indian Placenames in America, Volume 1, p. 114. Accessed September 21, 2015. "Raritan is Lenape for 'stream overflows,' or 'a point on a tidal river.'"The History of Raritan , Borough of Raritan. Accessed September 21, 2015. "The Dutch shortened and altered the name of the Naraticongs and named the area Raritan, or 'forked river'. Other versions of history state that Raritan translates to 'where the stream overflows'."

History Raritan was originally established as a subdivision within Bridgewater Township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 3, 1868. Despite its size, the town has an extensive history, that encompasses local, national, and even global history.

Raritan Woolen Mills

The town's location on the Raritan River, a major artery for the use of trading goods into New York City, contributed it in being a bustling mill town during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The Raritan Woolen Mills was established in 1846, as a major producer of textiles, known throughout the United States. Its name changed to the Somerset Manufacturing Company in 1882, employing as many as 400 people during its peak at the turn of the century. The mill created uniforms and blankets for the Union Army during the Civil War, along with uniforms for the United States Army during World War I.History, Borough of Raritan. Accessed August 12, 2023.

End of World War I

The Knox–Porter Resolution ending United States involvement in World War I was signed by President Harding at the estate of New Jersey Senator Joseph S. Frelinghuysen Sr. on July 2, 1921.Staff. "Raritan marks the 90th anniversary of the official end of WW1", The Messenger-Gazette, September 12, 2011. Accessed January 10, 2012. "President Warren G. Harding signed the Knox-Porter Resolution on July 2, 1921 on the estate of Joseph Sherman Frelinghuysen, officially ending America's involvement in World War 1. A ceremony marking the event was held on Sept. 10 at the Raritan library."Staff. "HARDING CONSULTS OVER PROCLAIMING STATUS OF PEACE; Confers With Hughes at White House on Need of a Presidential Declaration. NEW TREATY CONSIDERED Belief Persists in Some Quarters That Part of Versailles Agreement Will Be Used. WILL STAND BY THE ALLIES But No Decision Is Announced as to the Form of the Administration's Action.", The New York Times, July 6, 1921. Accessed January 10, 2012. "Secretary of State Hughes went to the white House this afternoon shortly after the return of President Harding from his weekend visit to the home of Senator Frelinghuysen, at Raritan, N.J., and conferred with the President..." That Memorial plaque marking of the Frelinghuysen estate is located in the borough.

Creation of the borough

After a series of bitter lawsuits between Raritan and Bridgewater in the 1930s and 1940s, the Legislature allowed Raritan to become a fully independent borough by an Act on May 12, 1948, based on the results of a referendum passed on June 12, 1948. The new borough incorporated the old town and an additional portion of Bridgewater Township.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 224. Accessed May 30, 2024.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 2.03 square miles (5.27 km2), including 1.99 square miles (5.16 km2) of land and 0.04 square miles (0.11 km2) of water (2.02%).

The borough borders the Somerset County municipalities of Bridgewater Township, Hillsborough Township, and Somerville.Areas touching Raritan, MapIt. Accessed March 3, 2020.Municipalities, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed March 3, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019. Raritan is in the western division of the Raritan Valley region (a line of municipalities in central New Jersey), along with Branchburg and Bridgewater.

Demographics

2020 census As of the 2020 census, Raritan had a population of 7,835. The median age was 39.3 years. 20.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 14.3% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 100.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.5 males age 18 and over.

100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 2,993 households in Raritan, of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 50.2% were married-couple households, 19.3% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 24.7% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 25.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 3,167 housing units, of which 5.5% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.3% and the rental vacancy rate was 4.6%.

+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census Race Number Percent White 4,502 57.5% Black or African American 267 3.4% American Indian and Alaska Native 24 0.3% Asian 1,563 19.9% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 1 0.0% Some other race 687 8.8% Two or more races 791 10.1% Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 1,672 21.3%

2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 6,881 people, 2,673 households, and 1,748 families in the borough. The population density was 3,452.2 per square mile (1,332.9/km2). There were 2,847 housing units at an average density of 1,428.3 per square mile (551.5/km2). The racial makeup was 76.40% (5,257) White, 2.09% (144) Black or African American, 0.16% (11) Native American, 14.29% (983) Asian, 0.01% (1) Pacific Islander, 4.59% (316) from other races, and 2.46% (169) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 16.39% (1,128) of the population.

Of the 2,673 households, 31.2% had children under the age of 18; 48.5% were married couples living together; 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present and 34.6% were non-families. Of all households, 27.8% were made up of individuals and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.16.

23.1% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 27.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.1 years. For every 100 females, the population had 96.1 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 95.1 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $70,116 (with a margin of error of +/− $10,294) and the median family income was $79,813 (+/− $8,715). Males had a median income of $54,130 (+/− $7,617) versus $44,125 (+/− $12,260) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $34,617 (+/− $5,703). About 6.3% of families and 7.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.4% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Raritan borough, Somerset County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 17, 2013.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 6,338 people, 2,556 households, and 1,671 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 2,644 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 87.74% White, 0.93% African American, 0.08% Native American, 8.17% Asian, 0.16% Pacific Islander, 1.64% from other races, and 1.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.41% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Raritan borough, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 13, 2013.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Raritan borough, Somerset County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 13, 2013.

There were 2,556 households, out of which 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.0% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.6% were non-families. 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the borough, the population was spread out, with 22.3% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 35.0% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $51,122, and the median income for a family was $59,962. Males had a median income of $46,071 versus $35,704 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $26,420. About 5.5% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.0% of those under age 18 and 12.8% of those age 65 or over. Parks and recreation Frelinghuysen Park is a public park dedicated to General John Frederick Frelinghuysen. This is one of the public parks in Raritan, along with Basilone Park and Elizabeth Avenue Park, and it includes two little league baseball fields, two full-sized outdoor basketball courts, two full sized tennis courts and a playground. During the summer months Frelinghuysen Park and Basilone Park have recreational pools open to children. The parks offers tables for picnicking. It is located at the end of Sherman Avenue before getting onto Highway 206.Frelinghuysen Park, Somerset County Tourism. Accessed August 31, 2020.

Government Local government