Growing South Brunswick town with an agricultural history
Within South Brunswick Township in Middlesex County, Monmouth Junction is home to almost 9,000 residents, a big leap from its population of just under 3,000 residents in 2010. The village was established as an agricultural community in the 1800s and was named for its status as a railroad junction for three different rail branches across the tri-state area. The railway helped the town grow, even though the tracks have since been retired. “It started as a farm community, and it’s a very historic area,” says Ginger Boyle, Associate Broker with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate. “George Washington walked through here on his way to the Battle of Monmouth.”
Monmouth Junction’s history may abound with the once-lucrative farming and railroad industries, but today, the town has pivoted to one that is home to a workforce primarily focused on medicine and higher education. Nods to the village’s agricultural past can be seen through popular modern-day farms like Von Thun’s Country Farm Market, but Princeton University’s proximity and interstate access to nearby big cities have allowed residents to pursue more office positions. Trenton is 15 miles in one direction, and New York City is 45 miles in the other.
Monmouth Junction is a quaint residential area with quiet streets and plenty of space to spread out.
Monmouth Junction was once a hub for rail activities.
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Colonial-style homes priced around the state median
Most of the residential subdivisions throughout Monmouth Junction have sidewalks that are shaded by mature hornbeam and dogwood trees. Some townhouse communities, built between the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, feature amenities like pools, athletic courts and clubhouses. Single-family housing variety includes Colonial-inspired homes, spacious ranch-styles, custom designs and estate-like properties. Lot sizes typically range from a quarter-acre to a few acres, and many houses have attached garages and driveways. The median price for a home in Monmouth Junction is $556,000, which is on par with the New Jersey median and higher than the national median. Homes typically stay on the market for an average of four weeks.
Ranch homes can be found located throughout Monmouth Junction.
Colonial style homes are the predominant home style in the Monmouth Junction area.
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South Brunswick public schools and Princeton University
Students living in Monmouth Junction are part of South Brunswick School District, which receives an A-plus rating and is ranked the No. 1 school district in Middlesex County by Niche. The district consists of seven elementary schools, including Monmouth Junction Elementary, and two middle schools, all of which have an A rating. South Brunswick High receives an A-plus.
Princeton University, an Ivy League School founded in 1746, is located about 5 miles west of town. One of the major employers of the area, the 600-acre campus features a variety of Gothic Revival architecture. The university enrolls almost 6,000 undergraduate students and about 3,000 graduate students.
South Brunswick High School serves 7,950 students across grades PK-12.
Princeton University is filled with Gothic architecture.
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Local eateries on Ridge Road and retail along U.S. Route 1
A selection of local eateries, fitness studios, banks and storefronts sit at the intersection of New Road and Ridge Road. Monmouth Junction Kitchen serves breakfast in a ‘50s-style diner, Pizza Delizia is the go-to for a slice and Los Tres Carnales dishes up Mexican cuisine. There are more shopping and dining options on the west side of Monmouth Junction along U.S. Route 1, including the retail areas of South Brunswick Square and Heritage Square, the latter featuring ShopRite and Target. About 5 miles south down Route 1, Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center is a teaching hospital and major employer for the area.
The Monmouth Junction Kitchen is a local favorite for home cooked meals in a retro 1950's setting.
Rt 1 has many dining options for residents of Monmouth Junction.
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Fresh produce at Von Thun's Country Farm Market
The area’s establishment as a farming community is still visible today in the locally-adored farmsteads. Von Thun’s Country Farm Market, which closes for the winter, is popular for grass-fed Angus beef cuts, fruit picking, pumpkin picking and other fall activities. “There are a few other farms, but Von Thun’s is always busy,” Boyle says. “It really speaks to the town’s rural past.”
Residents can cheer on a few different Minor League Baseball teams, all with home fields in the North Jersey area. The Somerset Patriots, an affiliate of the New York Yankees, play about 15 miles north in Bridgewater. The Trenton Thunder play their home games 20 miles away in Trenton, and the Jersey Shore BlueClaws play 30 miles away in Lakewood.
Von Thun Farms in Monmouth Junction, New Jersey is a family-run farm that offers a variety of activities, including pick-your-own fruits and vegetables, a corn maze, and hayrides.
South Trenton sits less than one mile south of downtown Trenton.
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Play spaces and athletic facilities at Reichler Park
One of the more well-attended park spaces in the township, Reichler Park has a playground, a skate park, athletic courts and fields. Nearby, South Brunswick Public Library recently received an $11 million budget for a transformation, projected for completion in the spring of 2025. The town is also working on a continuous renovation of the Freedom Trail, a paved biking and walking trail with a small parking lot for its Monmouth Junction access point on Ridge Road. The trail features road-marking paint and pedestrian crossing signals.
The South Brunswick Library has a nice collection of books, a friendly staff and great atmosphere.
If basketball is your thing you can play in Reichler Park.
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Access to U.S. Route 1 and the New Jersey Turnpike
The town of Monmouth Junction is car-dependent, as there are no public bus or train transportation options. U.S. Route 1 helps to make the 15-mile commute to Trenton more manageable. Interstate 95, or the New Jersey Turnpike, allows residents a 45-mile drive into New York City. “Monmouth Junction used to be a bedroom community for New York commuters,” Boyle says. “People still commute into the city, but not as much anymore.” Boyle mentions a park-and-ride just outside of town on Route 1, popular for these longer commutes. Trenton-Mercer Airport, which offers flights through Frontier Airlines, is about 20 miles southwest, and Newark Liberty International Airport is 30 miles in the other direction.
Monmouth Junction's weather patterns and crime data
Monmouth Junction experiences all four seasons, with average highs of 75 degrees in the summer and 50 degrees in the winter. In the peak of July, temperatures can reach 85 degrees, and in the dead of winter, they can drop to 25 degrees. Rain falls throughout the year, and January sees the most snow, at an average of 6.5 inches.
While crime data for Monmouth Junction is not readily available, according to data provided to the FBI, South Brunswick Township has a lower crime rate than the national average. However, there was an uptick in crimes related to robbery and larceny at the end of 2024.
Written By
Mary Beth Greene
Video By
Dan Mack
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GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Monmouth Junction, NJ sell after 26 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Monmouth Junction, NJ over the last 12 months is $559,900, up 15% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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