Welcome to New Brunswick, New Jersey
New Brunswick is the county seat of Middlesex County and a regional economic and cultural hub for Central New Jersey. Located 27 miles southwest of New York City on the Northeast Corridor rail line, the city is ideally positioned for both commuters and travelers. Set along the southern banks of the Raritan River, New Brunswick sits at the heart of the Raritan Valley Region.
A City of Education and Innovation
New Brunswick is home to the main campus of Rutgers University, the state’s largest and oldest university. The presence of Rutgers—along with major medical and research institutions such as Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School—helps anchor the city as a center of education, healthcare, and innovation.
Rich Cultural Diversity
The city has long been known for its vibrant ethnic heritage. In the early 20th century, New Brunswick was a major center of Hungarian American life, with one-third of residents identifying as Hungarian in the 1930s. Today, growing Asian and Hispanic communities contribute to the cultural richness of neighborhoods such as French Street and the surrounding area.
Deep Historical Roots
The region was originally inhabited by the Lenape Native Americans, whose Minisink Trail crossed the Raritan River at the site of present-day New Brunswick. European settlement began in 1681 under names such as Prigmore’s Swamp and Inian’s Ferry. The name “New Brunswick” was adopted in 1714, honoring the German city of Braunschweig (Brunswick), homeland of British monarchs George I and George II.
Colonial and Revolutionary Importance
Thanks to its position along the King’s Highway and the Raritan River, New Brunswick became an important stop for colonial travelers and traders.
Key historical milestones include:
Rutgers University Origins
In 1766, the Trustees of Queen’s College—now Rutgers University—selected New Brunswick as the college’s home. Classes began in 1771 at the “Sign of the Red Lion,” a tavern formerly located at Albany and Neilson Streets. Matthew Leydt, the college’s first graduate, completed his studies in 1774.
During the American Revolution, classes were held in taverns, boarding houses, and College Hall on George Street until the completion of Old Queens in 1811, the university’s oldest surviving building.
Rutgers Preparatory School, founded in 1766 alongside the college, shared facilities until 1830 and later relocated to Franklin Township in 1957.
New Brunswick Theological Seminary
Founded in 1784, the New Brunswick Theological Seminary moved to the city in 1810 and initially shared space with Queen’s College. It later relocated to a seven-acre tract less than half a mile away—a property it still occupies, now surrounded by Rutgers University’s College Avenue Campus.
City Incorporation and Early Government
New Brunswick was first established by royal charter on December 30, 1730, and reaffirmed with the same boundaries in 1763, dividing the community into north and south wards. The city was formally incorporated by the New Jersey Legislature on September 1, 1784.
Arts and Culture
The New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), opened in 2019, anchors the city’s thriving theater district.
Key cultural institutions include:
Civic Square
New Brunswick City Hall, the New Brunswick Free Public Library, and the New Brunswick Main Post Office are located in the Civic Square district, along with numerous city, county, state, and federal offices.
City Government
New Brunswick operates under the Faulkner Act’s Mayor–Council form of government—one of 71 municipalities in New Jersey to use this structure.
New Brunswick is the county seat of Middlesex County and a regional economic and cultural hub for Central New Jersey. Located 27 miles southwest of New York City on the Northeast Corridor rail line, the city is ideally positioned for both commuters and travelers. Set along the southern banks of the Raritan River, New Brunswick sits at the heart of the Raritan Valley Region.
A City of Education and Innovation
New Brunswick is home to the main campus of Rutgers University, the state’s largest and oldest university. The presence of Rutgers—along with major medical and research institutions such as Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School—helps anchor the city as a center of education, healthcare, and innovation.
Rich Cultural Diversity
The city has long been known for its vibrant ethnic heritage. In the early 20th century, New Brunswick was a major center of Hungarian American life, with one-third of residents identifying as Hungarian in the 1930s. Today, growing Asian and Hispanic communities contribute to the cultural richness of neighborhoods such as French Street and the surrounding area.
Deep Historical Roots
The region was originally inhabited by the Lenape Native Americans, whose Minisink Trail crossed the Raritan River at the site of present-day New Brunswick. European settlement began in 1681 under names such as Prigmore’s Swamp and Inian’s Ferry. The name “New Brunswick” was adopted in 1714, honoring the German city of Braunschweig (Brunswick), homeland of British monarchs George I and George II.
Colonial and Revolutionary Importance
Thanks to its position along the King’s Highway and the Raritan River, New Brunswick became an important stop for colonial travelers and traders.
Key historical milestones include:
- 1736: Incorporated as a town
- 1776–1777: Occupied by British forces during the Revolutionary War
- 1784: Chartered as a city
Rutgers University Origins
In 1766, the Trustees of Queen’s College—now Rutgers University—selected New Brunswick as the college’s home. Classes began in 1771 at the “Sign of the Red Lion,” a tavern formerly located at Albany and Neilson Streets. Matthew Leydt, the college’s first graduate, completed his studies in 1774.
During the American Revolution, classes were held in taverns, boarding houses, and College Hall on George Street until the completion of Old Queens in 1811, the university’s oldest surviving building.
Rutgers Preparatory School, founded in 1766 alongside the college, shared facilities until 1830 and later relocated to Franklin Township in 1957.
New Brunswick Theological Seminary
Founded in 1784, the New Brunswick Theological Seminary moved to the city in 1810 and initially shared space with Queen’s College. It later relocated to a seven-acre tract less than half a mile away—a property it still occupies, now surrounded by Rutgers University’s College Avenue Campus.
City Incorporation and Early Government
New Brunswick was first established by royal charter on December 30, 1730, and reaffirmed with the same boundaries in 1763, dividing the community into north and south wards. The city was formally incorporated by the New Jersey Legislature on September 1, 1784.
Arts and Culture
The New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), opened in 2019, anchors the city’s thriving theater district.
Key cultural institutions include:
- Crossroads Theatre, winner of the 1999 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre
- George Street Playhouse (est. 1974)
- State Theatre (built in 1921 for vaudeville and silent films)
Civic Square
New Brunswick City Hall, the New Brunswick Free Public Library, and the New Brunswick Main Post Office are located in the Civic Square district, along with numerous city, county, state, and federal offices.
City Government
New Brunswick operates under the Faulkner Act’s Mayor–Council form of government—one of 71 municipalities in New Jersey to use this structure.
- The Mayor and five City Council members are elected at large to four-year terms.
- Elections occur in even-numbered years.
- Council terms are staggered, with two or three seats contested every two years. The City Council is responsible for approving the municipal budget, ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and board appointments. The Council President, elected to a two-year term, presides over all meetings.