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Woodbridge is a township in Middlesex County, New Jersey, in the central part of the state, roughly 25 miles southwest of Manhattan. With about 106,000 residents, it is one of New Jersey's largest and most populous municipalities, a dense, well-established suburb within the New York metropolitan area. Its location at the heart of the state's transportation network, between the Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike and along NJ Transit's North Jersey Coast Line, has made it a commuter community for generations. The township's history runs deep. Settled beginning in 1664 and granted its charter by King Charles II on June 1, 1669, Woodbridge is recognized as the oldest original township chartered in New Jersey. It was named for Reverend John Woodbridge of Newbury, Massachusetts, and its colonial roots still show in its oldest streets and institutions, even as the township has grown into a thoroughly modern suburban municipality. That long history means Woodbridge has accumulated layer upon layer of development, giving it a density and institutional depth unusual among New Jersey's suburbs. Woodbridge is best understood as a collection of distinct communities. Iselin, Colonia, Avenel, Fords, and Woodbridge Proper are the largest sections, each with its own character, while Port Reading and Sewaren hold the waterfront's maritime heritage. Woodbridge Center, a regional mall opened in 1971 with some 200 stores, anchors the township's retail and economic life. Students attend the Woodbridge Township School District, which serves the township from pre-kindergarten through high school. For residents, Woodbridge offers a rare combination of colonial history, suburban amenities, and direct access to New York City and the wider region, all within one of the state's oldest and most established communities.

Population 106,128

County Middlesex County

Active Listings 120

Frequently Asked Questions

What county is Woodbridge in?

Woodbridge is in Middlesex County, New Jersey, in the central part of the state. It is a dense suburb of New York City, bordered by the Arthur Kill and the Raritan Bay waterfront.

How old is Woodbridge?

Woodbridge was granted its charter on June 1, 1669, by King Charles II of England, making it the oldest original township chartered in New Jersey. It was settled beginning in 1664 and named for Reverend John Woodbridge of Newbury, Massachusetts.

What are Woodbridge's neighborhoods?

Woodbridge Township is made up of several distinct communities, including Avenel, Colonia, Fords, Iselin, and Woodbridge Proper, along with Port Reading, Sewaren, Keasbey, and Hopelawn, each with its own character within the township.

What school district serves Woodbridge?

Woodbridge is served by the Woodbridge Township School District, a comprehensive public school district that educates students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade across the township's elementary, middle, and high schools.

How far is Woodbridge from New York City?

Woodbridge sits roughly 25 miles southwest of Manhattan, with NJ Transit rail service on the North Jersey Coast Line and road access via the Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike, making it a long-established commuter community.

City Guide

About Woodbridge

Real Estate & Housing

Woodbridge's housing reflects its status as a long-established, densely developed township. The market is made up largely of single-family homes, townhouses, and apartment complexes spread across its distinct sections, with housing eras ranging from older colonial-adjacent streets to mid-century suburbs and newer multi-family construction near transit. The township offers more density and variety than many New Jersey suburbs, and its size supports a broad range of housing types. Buyers are drawn by the combination of relative value, commuting convenience, and community amenities, accepting the density and bustle of a large, populated township in exchange for access and convenience.

Neighborhoods

Woodbridge Township is a collection of distinct communities. Iselin is a diverse, transit-adjacent section with a notable commercial and dining scene, while Colonia and Avenel offer established residential neighborhoods with strong local identities. Fords provides quieter, family-oriented streets, and Woodbridge Proper, the township's namesake center, holds its historic core and civic institutions. Along the waterfront, Port Reading and Sewaren retain a more industrial and maritime character, with Keasbey and Hopelawn rounding out the smaller sections. This structure gives Woodbridge the feel of several towns within one large, cohesive township, each neighborhood contributing to the whole.

Lifestyle in Woodbridge

Woodbridge's lifestyle is dense suburban and deeply commuter-oriented, shaped by its position in the center of New Jersey and its proximity to New York City. The township's neighborhoods each carry their own identity, from the retail energy around Woodbridge Center to the quieter residential streets of Colonia and Fords and the diverse, established community of Iselin. Residents benefit from abundant shopping, a wide range of dining, and strong public transit and highway links, all within a community with genuine colonial history. It is a practical, convenient place to live for those who work in New York or elsewhere in the region and want the services and density of a large, established township.

Schools & Education

Woodbridge is served by the Woodbridge Township School District, a comprehensive public district educating students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade across the township. The district operates multiple elementary, middle, and high schools to serve its large student population, with schools distributed through the township's sections. Education is a central part of community life in a township of this size, with strong athletics and activities. For families, the district offers a full K-12 pathway within the community, backed by the broader educational resources of Middlesex County and the New York metropolitan region.

Getting Around

Woodbridge sits at the center of New Jersey's transportation network. NJ Transit's North Jersey Coast Line provides rail service through the township to Newark and New York, while the Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike both pass nearby, offering fast road access throughout the region. The township is also close to Staten Island via the Outerbridge Crossing and to Newark Liberty International Airport. This layered network makes Woodbridge one of the region's most connected suburbs, supporting long-established commuting patterns and easy travel across New Jersey and into New York.

Parks & Recreation

Woodbridge's recreation spans parks, retail, and waterfront. The township operates a network of neighborhood parks, sports fields, and recreation programs, and its position along the Arthur Kill and Raritan Bay offers waterfront views and access in sections such as Sewaren and Port Reading. Woodbridge Center provides a major regional shopping and dining destination within the township, and the community's many sections each host local events and gathering places. With New York City and the Jersey Shore both reachable, residents combine convenient local recreation with the larger cultural, entertainment, and coastal offerings of the broader region.

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