Laurence Harbor, New Jersey
Map of Laurence Harbor CDP in Middlesex County
Coordinates: 40°27′3″N 74°14′44″W / 40.45083, -74.24556
Country	United States
State	New Jersey
County	Middlesex
Area
- Total	2.9 sq mi (7.5 km²)
- Land	2.8 sq mi (7.3 km²)
- Water	0.1 sq mi (0.2 km²)
Elevation	26 ft (8 m)
Population (2000)
- Total	6,227
- Density	2,210.3/sq mi (853.4/km²)
Time zone	Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP codes	08878-08879
Area code(s)	732
FIPS code	34-39360[1]
GNIS feature ID	0877695[2]

Laurence Harbor is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Old Bridge Township, in Middlesex County, New Jersey. As of the United States 2000 Census, the CDP population was 6,227.

Geography

Waterfront at Laurence Harbor, looking westward towards South Amboy

Laurence Harbor is located at 40°27′3″N, 74°14′44″W (40.450756, -74.245585)^[3].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 7.5 km² (2.9 mi²). 7.3 km² (2.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (2.08%) is water.

Laurence Harbor is named after land developer Laurence Lamb, who bought much of the town's property and subdivided it into bungalow-sized lots.^[4] In the early 1920s this was the first real beach for many North Jersey residents and was once very popular saving a further trip to Keansburg or Asbury Park. It had a beachfront unlike today with a few eating establishments much closer to the shoreline.

This area was inhabited before the 1700s though not densely; always having commerce going through the Amboys harbor and inland along the waterways. The highpoint of the cliffs allowed a great strategic viewpoint of any ship traveling from the Atlantic or New York, all very visible, even with the naked eye. All of Staten Island's southern shore is directly in the beach's northwest view; as is the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge on a clear day, and Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn can also be seen.^[4]

One mile northwest, across the Cheesequake Creek and the Morgan Bridge is Morgan. Named after the 1703 family and the cousins of the infamous Pirate Captain Henry Morgan. This family had 645 acres here.

Environment

This article or section may contain original research or unverified claims. Please improve the article by adding references. See the talk page for details. (September 2007)

This article or section's coverage of a controversial issue may be inaccurate or unbalanced in favour of certain viewpoints. Please improve the article by adding information on neglected viewpoints, or discuss the issue on the talk page.

Woman walking her dog in Old Bridge Waterfront Park

Boardwalk at Old Bridge Waterfront Park

There is hardly any old growth trees in all of the Jersey Shore, because it was used for lumber and fuel. Especially Laurence Harbor, a section of land that grows up to about 70' above sea level at its peak. Surrounded by the marshes on its other three sides. For this reason, it was an easy source of wood which fueled many nearby brick yards and the once very famous clay sources and kilns nearby in Morgan/Sayreville for the pottery market. Industry and population growth weighed very heavily on the trees in the area and it is very hard to find an old red, scarlet, pin oaks and Sycamores even reaching 70 years. Laurence Harbor may have a few reaching only 9'-11' circumference by comparison. Belvedere also has an old white oak known as The Shoe Tree, reportedly well over 200 years old. Many species die after 120 years so it is eventual that some do reach maturity. But many will never return to their multi-century potential that graced the coast a few hundred years ago.

Real estate in Laurence Harbor is inexpensive when compared to anywhere else around it in all three directions.^[4] It was often considered a bit underclass because of its high working class and retiree population. For that reason however, is why it is a bargain if you like the particular homes and area.

The railroad divided the town's land mass after the 1900s when the train route cut a gap that was about 700 yards long through the east and west halves of town. Everyone in town has called the eastern half, nearer Route 35 'The Front'. It is here that one can catch a bus; eventually to anywhere.

Fishing and hunting were very accessible right here in town before the 1950s. Deer were always still around from Cheesequake State Park area. The marsh provided for eel & crab.

Pollution began in the area early. Water quality on the nearby marshes were already being damaged before the 1940s war era. The water table and health concerns only first became an issue in the early 1970s, a little late, but a beginning nonetheless. Water during the 1950s coming out of the tap was tinted orange and had a very heavy iron taste possibly copper. The petrochemical and paint industry were just miles away. The United States Government had an armory nearby and is responsible for tons of munitions waste nearby. World War I and World War II residue was dumped at the mouth of the Raritan River in Perth/South Amboy.

Demographics

As of the census^[1] of 2000, there were 6,227 people, 2,286 households, and 1,634 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 852.6/km² (2,210.3/mi²). There were 2,362 housing units at an average density of 323.4/km² (838.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 90.65% White, 3.57% African American, 0.22% Native American, 2.20% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.64% from other races, and 1.67% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.86% of the population.

There were 2,286 households out of which 34.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.6% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.5% were non-families. 22.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.25.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 25.6% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 34.9% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 7.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 104.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.1 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $57,997, and the median income for a family was $61,470. Males had a median income of $46,439 versus $30,918 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $23,619. About 4.3% of families and 5.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.2% of those under age 18 and 10.8% of those age 65 or over.

References

External links

• Laurence Harbor, New Jersey is at coordinates 40°27′03″N 74°14′44″W / 40.450756, -74.245585 (Laurence Harbor, New Jersey)Coordinates: 40°27′03″N 74°14′44″W / 40.450756, -74.245585 (Laurence Harbor, New Jersey)

v â€¢ d â€¢ e Municipalities and communities of Middlesex County, New Jersey County seat: New Brunswick Boroughs Carteret | Dunellen | Helmetta | Highland Park | Jamesburg | Metuchen | Middlesex | Milltown | Sayreville | South Plainfield | South River | Spotswood Cities New Brunswick | Perth Amboy | South Amboy Townships Cranbury | East Brunswick | Edison | Monroe | North Brunswick | Old Bridge | Piscataway | Plainsboro | South Brunswick | Woodbridge CDPs Avenel | Brownville | Clearbrook Park | Colonia | Concordia | Cranbury | Dayton | Fords | Heathcote | Iselin | Kendall Park | Kingston | Laurence Harbor | Madison Park | Monmouth Junction | Old Bridge | Plainsboro Center | Port Reading | Princeton Meadows | Rossmoor | Sewaren | Society Hill | Whittingham | Woodbridge Communities Browntown | Deans | Hopelawn | Keasbey | Menlo Park Terrace | Parlin | Raritan Landing