Town guide · Somerset County
Living in Branchburg, NJ
Branchburg is a long, narrow township named for the spot where the branches of the Raritan River come together. It runs about 11 miles from end to end, with the Lamington River to the north and the South Branch along its southern side.
- County
- Somerset
- Population
- About 14,900 (2020 census)
- Size
- About 20 square miles
- Setting
- Suburban neighborhoods and river valleys, with a historic village
- Main roads
- U.S. Route 22 and U.S. Route 202, with Interstate 78 and Interstate 287 nearby
Neighborhoods
North Branch, Neshanic Station and more
Branchburg was formed from part of Bridgewater Township in 1845. Many Branchburg homes carry a North Branch or Somerville mailing address with the 08876 ZIP code, and the Neshanic Station area has its own 08853 ZIP, even though both are inside Branchburg.
- North Branch: A community inside the township with its own NJ Transit station.
- Neshanic Station: A historic village on the South Branch of the Raritan, partly extending into Readington Township in Hunterdon County. Its National Register historic district includes 94 contributing buildings.
- Other place names: Burnt Mill, Centerville, Fox Hollow, Neshanic, North Branch Depot and Woodfern.
Homes
What you will find
- Single family homes in neighborhoods across the township, many with a North Branch or Somerville mailing address.
- Historic village homes in Neshanic Station, part of a district recognized for its growth between 1857 and 1940.
- Homes near the rivers along the North Branch, South Branch and Lamington River corridors.
Worth knowing: Branchburg homes can carry Somerville, North Branch or Neshanic Station addresses, so the envelope does not tell you the town. We pull the block and lot for every property. Homes along the Lamington and the two branches of the Raritan should be checked against current flood maps, and we find out early whether a home has public water and sewer or a private well and septic system.
Property taxes
What taxes look like in Branchburg
- 1.737%2025 effective tax rate, as a share of market value
- $10,6542025 average residential tax bill
A home worth $600,000 on today's market would pay roughly $10,422 a year at Branchburg's 2025 effective rate. Your actual bill depends on your assessment, so we pull the real tax record for any home you are considering.
Source: New Jersey Division of Taxation, 2025 general and effective tax rates. Rates are set each year.
Getting around
Roads and commuting
U.S. Route 22 and U.S. Route 202 cross the township, and Interstate 78 and Interstate 287 are close by. North Branch station, on Station Road, is on NJ Transit's Raritan Valley Line, with weekday rush hour trains between High Bridge and Newark Penn Station. Most weekday trains and all weekend trains end one stop east at Raritan station.
Places worth knowing
Parks, landmarks and open space
- South Branch River Walk Trail: A 1.2 mile township trail along the South Branch of the Raritan, with parking at the Elm Street lot and Black Point Road.
- Neshanic Station Lenticular Truss Bridge: An 1896 iron bridge by the Berlin Iron Bridge Company over the South Branch, part of the Neshanic Station Historic District.
- River Lea Farm Trail: A walking trail at the township's John Sanford Preserve on South Branch Road.
- Irene Leslie Preserve: A township preserve with a walking trail on Leslie Lane.
- South Branch Schoolhouse: A one room schoolhouse built in 1873 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Common questions
Questions people ask us about Branchburg
What are property taxes in Branchburg, NJ?
Branchburg Township's 2025 effective tax rate is 1.737 percent of market value, and the average residential tax bill is $10,654, according to the New Jersey Division of Taxation. Actual bills depend on each home's assessment.
Is North Branch a separate town from Branchburg?
No. North Branch is a community inside Branchburg Township. Homes with a North Branch or Somerville 08876 address may be in Branchburg, so we always confirm the municipality.
Is there a train station in Branchburg?
Yes. North Branch station is on NJ Transit's Raritan Valley Line, but service is limited to weekday rush hours. Most weekday trains and all weekend trains end at Raritan station, one stop east.
Why is it called Branchburg?
The township is named for its location where branches of the Raritan River come together. The Lamington River runs along the north, and the North and South Branches of the Raritan run along the east and south.
What is Neshanic Station?
Neshanic Station is a historic village in Branchburg on the South Branch of the Raritan, extending slightly into Readington Township. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places as a district in 2016, including its 1896 lenticular truss bridge.
Nearby towns
Towns that border Branchburg
Buying or selling in Branchburg?
Know the river, the road and the address
From the river walk near Neshanic Station to the streets around North Branch, the distance to the water and the mailing address both matter here. We sort those out first, then lay out your choices.
Call or text either of us directly.