In 1905, Bernarr Macfadden, the proponent of physical culture, came to the part of Monroe near Helmetta and Spotswood, and attempted to set up a camp called 'Physical Culture City', where he could teach his beliefs in relative peace. Railroads came into Monroe from just about the very beginning, starting with the Camden and Amboy Rail Road in the 1830s and 1840s. After parts of the township grew into the more densely packed neighborhoods of Helmetta, Jamesburg, and Spotswood in the late 19th century, they seceded.

Monroe Township was founded in 1838 and named in honor of the President of the United States James Monroe.įor many decades, it was largely a farming community. The earliest settlers in what would become Monroe Township were the Lenape Native Americans.

Monroe had the third-largest increase in population of any municipality in the state between 20, growing by 3,678 to 42,810, following two more urban locations, Jersey City and Elizabeth.

Despite major senior citizen growth, the median age in Monroe has changed from 52.5 in 1990, increasing to 58.9 in 2000, before decreasing back to 53.2 in 2010, as more growth has been from single-family detached homes more recently than with senior citizen developments.

There are several age-restricted communities in the township. Portions of the township were taken to form East Brunswick (February 28, 1860), Cranbury (March 7, 1872), and Jamesburg (March 19, 1887). Monroe Township was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 9, 1838, from portions of South Amboy Township, based on the results of a referendum held that same day.

Monroe township municipal court