Avenel, New Jersey

Avenel is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located within Woodbridge Township, in Middlesex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Avenel is approximately southwest of Midtown Manhattan along the North Jersey Coast rail line

As of the 2020 United States census, the CDP's population was 16,920, which in turn had reflected a decline of 541 (−3.1%) from the 17,552 counted in the 2000 census.

Community

The Avenel Fire Company #1 celebrated its 100th anniversary on June 8, 2013, with a parade and picnic. The area also has three public schools: Avenel Middle School, Avenel Street School #4&5 and Woodbine Avenue School #23.

Places of worship in Avenel include the First Presbyterian Church, St. Andrew's Roman Catholic Church, Central Baptist Church and Fellowship Bible Church.

Sports teams in Avenel include the Avenel Warriors.

In 2019, the Avenel Performing Arts Center opened near the Avenel train station. The venue features a professional recording studio. Caroline's Tavern opened at the venue in 2025.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, Avenel had a total area of , including of land and of water (0.42%).

Demographics

Avenal first appeared as a census designated place in the 1990 U.S. census.

!Pop 2010

!style="background-color: #ffffb3;" |Pop 2020

!% 2000

!% 2010

!style="background-color: #ffffb3;" |% 2020

|White alone (NH)

|8,596

|6,831

|style='background: #ffffe6; |5,350

|48.97%

|40.16%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |31.62%

|Black or African American alone (NH)

|3,296

|3,129

|style='background: #ffffe6; |3,125

|18.78%

|18.39%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |18.47%

|Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)

|35

|65

|style='background: #ffffe6; |41

|0.20%

|0.38%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.24%

|Asian alone (NH)

|3,312

|3,869

|style='background: #ffffe6; |4,408

|18.87%

|22.74%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |26.05%

|Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)

|style='background: #ffffe6; |8

|0.01%

|0.04%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.05%

|Other race alone (NH)

|64

|50

|style='background: #ffffe6; |125

|0.36%

|0.29%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.74%

|Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)

|518

|366

|style='background: #ffffe6; |439

|2.95%

|2.15%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |2.59%

|Hispanic or Latino (any race)

|1,729

|2,694

|style='background: #ffffe6; |3,424

|9.85%

|15.84%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |20.24%

|Total

|17,552

|17,011

|style='background: #ffffe6; |16,920

|100.00%

|style='background: #ffffe6; |100.00%

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Avenel had a population of 16,920. The median age was 35.8 years. 20.3% of residents were under the age of 18 and 11.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 114.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 117.1 males age 18 and over.

100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 5,738 households in Avenel, of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 49.7% were married-couple households, 19.3% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 25.8% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 24.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 5,233 households, out of which 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.9% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.4% were non-families. 21.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.23.

Economy

Avenel was the flagship location of Bradco Supply, founded in 1966, one of the country's leading distributors of building products. The company had grown to over 130 locations in more than 30 states.

Amazon.com operates a fulfillment center in Avenel. The facility, which opened in June 2013, covers .

East Jersey State Prison is located in Avenel, near the border of Rahway; Though located in Woodbridge Township, the prison's mailing address had led to it being called "Rahway State Prison". Also located in Avenel is the Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center, which provides treatment to convicted sex offenders.

Transportation

The Avenel station provides direct service to Midtown Manhattan, New York City on NJ Transit's North Jersey Coast Line. Avenel Station is a direct 45-minute one-seat train ride to New York Penn Station. Riders can also connect with the PATH train to reach lower Manhattan.

In the wake of the creation of a 500-unit development transit village near the station and requests from passengers, NJ Transit began new weekday stops at the station starting in September 2019 and that weekend service would resume for the first time since 1985.

NJ Transit provides service on the 115 route between Avenel and the Port Authority Bus Terminal.

Notable people

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Avenel include:

Antonio Alfano, American football defensive tackle for the Colorado Buffaloes.
Eric LeGrand (born 1990), football player, writer, speaker.
Jazlyn Moya (born 1997), footballer who plays as a forward for United Women's Soccer club New Jersey Copa FC and the Dominican Republic women's national team.
Dagmara Wozniak (born 1988), Polish-American U.S. Olympic sabre fencer.

References

External links

Avenel Fire Company No. 1
Avenel-Colonia First Aid Squad
Woodbridge Township School District