Colonia, New Jersey

Colonia is a census-designated place and unincorporated community within Woodbridge Township, in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the CDP's population was 17,795.

In 1919, the New Jersey State Highway Commission built a new road that became part of the Lincoln Highway, an early plan to create a transcontinental highway. The stretch was constructed on the west side of the Pennsylvania Railroad (now the Northeast Corridor) from near the northeast of Dow Avenue between Colonia and Iselin to Cedar Street in Menlo Park, to avoid two railroad crossings. The old road is now Middlesex-Essex Turnpike and Thornall Street, on the east side of the tracks.

Geography
Colonia is located at 40.59413°N, -74.31377°W (40.594133,-74.31377). According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP had a total area of 3.914 square miles (10.137 km2), of which, 3.910 square miles (10.126 km2) of it is land and 0.004 square miles (0.011 km2) of it (0.11%) is water.

Census 2000
As of the 2000 United States Census there were 17,811 people, 6,184 households, and 5,077 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,772.4/km2 (4,594.1/mi2). There were 6,254 housing units at an average density of 622.3/km2 (1,613.1/mi2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 86.00% White, 4.76% African American, 0.10% Native American, 6.31% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.27% from other races, and 1.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.97% of the population.

There were 6,184 households out of which 35.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.7% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.9% were non-families. 15.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.88 and the average family size was 3.21.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.4 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $67,372, and the median income for a family was $76,090. Males had a median income of $50,260 versus $36,657 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $27,732. About 1.5% of families and 2.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.0% of those under age 18 and 4.0% of those age 65 or over.

Schools

 * Public schools

Schools in Colonia operated as part of the Woodbridge Township School District are:

Elementary schools (K-5)
 * Claremont Avenue Elementary School #20 - Claremont Avenue, Colonia
 * Lynn Crest Elementary School #22 - New Dover Road, Colonia
 * Oak Ridge Heights Elementary School #21 - Inman Avenue
 * Pennsylvania Avenue Elementary School #27 - Pennsylvania Avenue

Middle school (6-8)
 * Colonia Middle School - Delaware Avenue

High school (9-12)
 * Colonia High School - East Street


 * Private/religious school (K-8)
 * St. John Vianney Grammar School - 420 Inman Avenue

Noted residents
Noted current and former residents of Colonia include:
 * John Gorka (born 1958), contemporary folk singer/songwriter.
 * Tom Higgins (born 1964), former American and Canadian football player.
 * Stewart Krentzman - CEO of Oki Data Americas, Inc..
 * Eric LeGrand (born 1990), defensive tackle the Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team who was paralyzed during a game.
 * Glen Mason (born 1950), NCAA football coach.
 * Bret Schundler (born 1959), New Jersey Republican politician.
 * Tico Torres (born 1953), drummer for Bon Jovi.