1683History
From 1683 to 1720, the area was commonly referred to as South River Landing.
1720History
In 1720, the name Willettstown was adopted after settler Samuel Willett.
1784History
In 1784, the name was changed to Washington and the area was variously referred to as Washington Village, Washington Woods, and Little Washington.
1870History
What is now South River was originally formed as the town of Washington within East Brunswick Township on February 23, 1870.
1898Government
South River was incorporated as an independent borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 28, 1898, replacing Washington town.
1951Military
The postwar immigrants founded the Belarusian Congress Committee of America here in 1951.
1953Architecture
A Belarusian cemetery was opened in 1953, that houses also Radasłaŭ Astroŭski.
2000History
=== 2000 census ===
As of the 2000 United States census there were 15,322 people, 5,606 households, and 3,985 families residing in the borough.
2004Government
In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 51.8% of the vote (2,763 ballots cast), outpolling Republican George W.
2006History
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $62,284 (with a margin of error of +/− $9,69...
2010History
== Demographics ==
=== 2010 census ===
The 2010 United States census counted 16,008 people, 5,652 households, and 4,019 families in the borough.
2011Civil Rights
=== Politics ===
As of March 2011, there were a total of 7,901 registered voters in South River, of which 2,520 (31.9%) were registered as Democrats, 1,186 (15.0%) were register...
2014Government
In the November 2014 general election, Trenga was elected to serve the balance of the term of office.
2020Education
As of the 2020–21 school year, the district, comprised of four schools, had an enrollment of 2,325 students and 203.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher...
2024Government
As of 2024, the mayor of South River is Republican Peter S.
2025Culture
As of 2025, Middlesex County's Commissioners (with party affiliation, term-end year, and residence listed in parentheses) are:
Director Ronald G.
2026Government
For the 2026–2027 session, the 18th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Patrick J.
2027History
Guindi, whose term of office ends December 31, 2027.