Edison And New Brunswick: A Tale Of Two Cities

Edison and New Brunswick are two neighbouring townships in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. They are separated by a distance of about 3-4 miles and can be travelled between via train, bus, taxi, or foot. The train and bus journeys between the two townships are reported to take between 4 and 8 minutes, with the train being the fastest option.

Travel between the two cities

Travel between New Brunswick and Edison is straightforward, with a distance of around 3 to 6 kilometres or 4 to 5 miles between the two cities. There are several ways to make the journey, including bus, train, taxi, car, bicycle, or on foot.

By Bus

The Line 810 bus is a direct route between the two cities, departing hourly and taking around 4 to 12 minutes. The bus fare is affordable, with tickets costing between $1 to $4. The bus departs from Rt-27 in Edison and arrives at George St At Albany St in New Brunswick.

By Train

There is also a direct train service between Edison Station and New Brunswick Station, with trains departing every 30 minutes and taking approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Train tickets are reasonably priced, ranging from $2 to $4.

By Taxi, Car, Bicycle, or On Foot

Other options for travelling between New Brunswick and Edison include taking a taxi, driving, cycling, or walking. The distance is manageable for those who wish to walk or cycle, and taxis provide a convenient door-to-door option.

Population and demographics

New Brunswick and Edison are two distinct places with their own unique population and demographic characteristics. Here is an overview:

New Brunswick, New Jersey, US:

New Brunswick, located in Middlesex County, New Jersey, has a population of approximately 56,707 people as of 2024. The city's population has been steadily increasing, with a growth rate of 0.63% annually. The median age in New Brunswick is quite low at 24 years, and the median household income is $57,138 as of 2022. The city is known for its ethnic diversity, with a significant Hispanic population, making up about 45.46% of the total. Other large ethnic groups include White (Non-Hispanic), White (Hispanic), Black or African American, and Asian. The city also has a notable foreign-born population, with 33.7% of residents born outside the United States. New Brunswick is home to Rutgers University and is a hub for healthcare and pharmaceutical companies.

Edison, New Jersey, US:

Edison, also located in Middlesex County, New Jersey, is a township with a larger population than New Brunswick. As of the 2010 Census, Edison had a population of 99,967, making it the fifth-most populous municipality in New Jersey. The population has continued to grow, surpassing the 100,000 mark and reaching an estimated 100,693 in 2018. Edison is situated within the New York City metropolitan area and is known for its racial and ethnic diversity. The township has a substantial Asian population, with the number of Asian residents climbing by more than 50% in Middlesex County. Edison offers easy access to nearby cities like New Brunswick via bus or train, with commute times under 10 minutes.

Both New Brunswick and Edison showcase a diverse range of population and demographic characteristics, contributing to the overall vibrancy of the region within New Jersey.

History of New Brunswick

New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces, alongside Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia. It is the only constitutionally bilingual (English-French) province in the country. The province is named after the city of Braunschweig, in modern-day Lower Saxony, northern Germany, and was formerly part of the eponymous duchy.

New Brunswick was first inhabited by the Mi'kmaq and Maliseet First Nations. In 1604, Acadia, the first New France colony, was founded with the creation of Port-Royal. For 150 years afterwards, Acadia changed hands multiple times due to numerous conflicts between France and the United Kingdom. In 1755, the British deported Acadians en masse, an event known as the Great Upheaval. This, along with the Treaty of Paris, solidified Acadia as British property. In 1784, following the arrival of many loyalists fleeing the American Revolution, the colony of New Brunswick was officially created, separating it from what is now Nova Scotia.

In the early 1800s, New Brunswick prospered and the population grew rapidly. In 1867, New Brunswick decided to join with Nova Scotia and the Province of Canada (now Quebec and Ontario) to form Canada.

New Brunswick is about 83% forested and its northern half is occupied by the Appalachians. The province's climate is continental with snowy winters and temperate summers.

History of Edison

Edison, New Jersey, was officially founded in 1870 as Raritan Township, named after the Raritan band of the indigenous Lenape people. The Raritan people were the first to populate the region, and it was not until the mid-17th century that European settlers arrived. The township was formed from parts of Woodbridge and Piscataway townships.

In 1876, Thomas Edison set up his home and research laboratory in Raritan Township on the site of an unsuccessful real estate development called "Menlo Park". Edison earned the nickname "the Wizard of Menlo Park" during his time there. He developed several inventions that led to more than 400 patents, including the phonograph, the electric railway, and the incandescent lamp. Christie Street, on which the Edison Memorial Tower now stands, was the first street in the world to be illuminated by incandescent lamps.

In 1937, the Edison Memorial Tower was erected to commemorate Thomas Edison's time at Menlo Park. In 1954, the township's name was changed from Raritan Township to Edison Township to honour the inventor.

Edison grew in the second half of the 19th century as the area became more accessible with the opening of the Pennsylvania Railroad and the Easton and Amboy lines. By the late 1800s, many residents commuted to jobs in New York and other parts of New Jersey.

Edison has continued to grow and thrive, and as of the 2020 census, it was the sixth-most-populous municipality in the state, with a population of 107,588. The township is known for its cultural diversity, with a significant Asian and Indian population, and it offers a range of recreational and cultural attractions, including the Menlo Park Mall and the Rutgers Ecological Preserve.

Points of interest

New Brunswick

• The Bay of Fundy and Fundy National Park: Home to the world's highest tides, the Bay of Fundy offers dramatic coastal scenery, with sea caves, arches, and rock formations. Fundy National Park provides hiking trails, waterfalls, and lookouts over the bay.
• Hopewell Rocks: One of Eastern Canada's most famous attractions, these flowerpot rock formations on the Bay of Fundy allow visitors to walk on the ocean floor during low tide.
• Saint John: A hip city with a vibrant culinary scene, microbreweries, chic bistros, and artisan workshops. It also boasts Victorian architecture and attractions like the Reversing Falls, where the St. John River collides with the Bay of Fundy, creating a unique natural phenomenon.
• St. Martins Sea Caves: Explore these impressive sea caves at low tide or take a kayak tour to experience them from the water.
• Fredericton: The provincial capital offers attractions such as the historic Garrison District, Boyce Farmers Market, and Kingsbrae Garden, a premier botanical garden.
• Grand Manan Island: Accessible by ferry, this tiny fishing community near the mouth of the Bay of Fundy is a popular spot for birdwatching, whale watching, and enjoying rugged coastal scenery.
• Magnetic Hill: A unique optical illusion makes cars appear to roll uphill.
• Kouchibouguac National Park: This park showcases the beauty of the Acadian Coast, with vast marshlands, sand dunes, beaches, and a variety of ecosystems.

Edison

• Thomas Edison Museum: A small but engaging museum dedicated to the life and inventions of Thomas Edison, located in Menlo Park.
• Roosevelt Park: A spacious park with grassy fields, sports courts, walking trails, and a picturesque artificial lake.
• Rebounderz Edison: A 41,000-square-foot indoor trampoline park with rebounding floors and walls, offering a fun and unique experience.
• Cypress Brewing Co: A nano brewery offering tours and tastings of their craft beers.
• Rutgers Ecological Preserve: A small forest area just outside Edison, featuring picturesque hiking trails suitable for all skill levels.
• Menlo Park Mall: A popular shopping destination with a range of stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues, including a cinema.
• Thomas Alva Edison Memorial Tower: A memorial tower built on the site of Edison's former laboratory, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
• Dismal Swamp: A 650-acre marshland area known for its diverse wildlife and plant life, as well as its historical artefacts.

Frequently asked questions