Woodbridge

Woodbridge, township, Middlesex county, eastern New Jersey, U.S. It lies across the Arthur Kill (a narrow channel) that separates New Jersey from Staten Island, New York City, and is 4 miles (6 km) north of Perth Amboy, New Jersey. The community was settled in 1665 by Puritans from Massachusetts Bay and New Hampshire and incorporated in 1669. One of New Jersey’s earliest townships, it once encompassed a much larger area. The township now includes the communities of Avenel, Colonia, Fords, Hopelawn, Keasbey, Menlo Park Terrace, Port Reading, Sewaren, and Woodbridge.

Long a farming community, it now has heavy industries, including oil refining and plastic and chemical production. Woodbridge is world renowned for its ceramic products, including bricks, tile, and scouring pipe. The township has the first cloverleaf highway interchange constructed (1929) in the United States. Woodbridge Developmental Center for mentally retarded children was established there in 1965. Area 23 square miles (60 square km). Pop. (2000) 97,203; (2010) 99,585.