Colonia, New Jersey, United States

🇺🇸 Colonia is an unincorporated community and place (CDP) located within Woodbridge Township, in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States.

In 1919, the New Jersey State Highway Commission built a new road that became part of the Lincoln Highway, an early plan to create a transcontinental highway. The stretch was constructed on the west side of the Pennsylvania Railroad (now the Northeast Corridor) from near the north-east of Dow Avenue between Colonia and Iselin to Cedar Street in Menlo Park, to avoid two railroad crossings. The old road is now Middlesex-Essex Turnpike and Thornall Street, on the east side of the tracks.

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP had a total area of 3.914 square miles (10.137 km²), including 3.910 square miles (10.126 km²) of land and 0.004 square miles (0.011 km²) of water (0.11%).

The Garden State Parkway passes through the western portion of the CDP but does not interchange there. For northbound Garden State Parkway traffic only there is a service plaza in Colonia, that is the parkway's only area located on private property.

In 2018 the president of the Historical Association of Woodbridge, Daniel D’Arcy, stated that "Colonia is to Woodbridge like the Bronx is to NYC. People like the identity".

Demographics The 2010 United States census counted 17,795 people, 6,160 households, and 4,977 families in the CDP. The population density was 4,551.4 per square mile (1,757.3/km²). There were 6,321 housing units at an average density of 1,616.7 per square mile (624.2/km²). The racial makeup was 80.37% (14,302) White, 5.26% (936) Black or African American, 0.12% (21) Native American, 10.70% (1,904) Asian, 0.04% (8) Pacific Islander, 1.54% (274) from other races, and 1.97% (350) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.27% (1,649) of the population.

Of the 6,160 households, 34.8% had children under the age of 18; 65.6% were married couples living together; 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present and 19.2% were non-families. Of all households, 16.4% were made up of individuals and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.89 and the average family size was 3.25.

22.8% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 30.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.3 years. For every 100 females, the population had 93.2 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 90.6 males.

Parks and recreation Merrill Park is a Middlesex County park located on the south branch of the Rahway River. The park was created as a "Progressive Playground" and spans 179 acres (72 ha). The park's maintenance is handled by funding from the municipality, local schools, community groups and local businesses. Merrill Park includes 4 tennis courts, 3 baseball fields, a soccer field, 7 picnic groves that can be reserved in advance, the progressive playground, a football field, 2 basketball courts, 2 softball fields, 2 open picnic groves, and 3 other playgrounds. The football field and soccer field are surrounded by a walkway for joggers as well. There are numerous small trails around the park.

Education Public schools: Schools in Colonia operated as part of the Woodbridge Township School District are: Elementary schools (K-5) • Claremont Avenue Elementary School #20 - Claremont Avenue, Colonia • Lynn Crest Elementary School #22 - New Dover Road, Colonia • Oak Ridge Heights Elementary School #21 - Inman Avenue • Pennsylvania Avenue Elementary School #27 - Pennsylvania Avenue; Middle school (6th-8th): • Colonia Middle School - Delaware Avenue; High school (9th-12th): • Colonia High School - East Street; Private/religious school (K-8th): • St. John Vianney Grammar School - 420 Inman Avenue.