Situated within Central New Jersey and crisscrossed by several major highways, the township is known for being both the regional commercial hub for Somerset County (home to Bridgewater Commons and different corporate headquarters) and as a suburban bedroom community of New York City within the New York metropolitan area.

The area of the present Township of Bridgewater was originally purchased from a local Lenape Native American tribe.

Bridgewater was chartered by George II of Great Britain in 1749 and incorporated on February 21, 1798, as one of New Jersey's 104 original townships.

By special order of Congress, a Thirteen Star Flag is flown 24 hours a day at the Washington Camp Ground, part of the former Middlebrook encampment, in Bridgewater.

Bridgewater is now a fairly developed suburban community, with only a few traces of its rural past still evident in the town (particularly in its northwestern section).

The North Branch and South Branch of the Raritan River meet at the extreme southwestern corner of Bridgewater at the border with both Branchburg Township and Hillsborough Township; this point, known as the Raritan River Confluence, was once intended to be a major reservoir.

[33][34][35] Other unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Chimney Rock, Hobbstown, Middle Brook Heights, Milltown, and Sunset Lake.

[37][38][39] Bridgewater Township's ZIP Code is 08807, with 08836 used in the community of Martinsville, and 08805 used in the Thomae Park section (mailing address of Bound Brook).

They include: According to National Geographic magazine, Bridgewater has an unusually high number of twins and triplets.

Bridgewater Commons is a large regional shopping mall anchored by Bloomingdale's and Macy's, with a gross leasable area of 994,000 square feet (92,300 m2).

All members of the governing body are chosen at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election in odd-numbered years.

[7][66] As of 2024[update], the mayor of Bridgewater Township is Republican Matthew C. Moench, whose term of office ends December 31, 2027.

[74] For the 119th United States Congress, New Jersey's 7th congressional district is represented by Thomas Kean Jr. (R, Westfield).

[75] For the 119th United States Congress, New Jersey's 12th congressional district is represented by Bonnie Watson Coleman (D, Ewing Township).

[96] Among the township's 2010 Census population, 63.1% (vs. 60.4% in Somerset County) were registered to vote, including 84.7% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 80.4% countywide).

[130] Little Friends of Jesus Nursery School (preschool, non-parochial) operates under the supervision of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen.

During daytime hours, RWJ – Somerset also provides Basic Life Support coverage for a portion of the township.

The Raritan Valley Line of NJ Transit provides service at the Bridgewater station, located on the old American Cyanamid property.

Scheduled commercial passenger service is provided by Morristown Airport, located approximately 15 miles (24 km) away (about 25 minutes drive) in Morristown, and Newark Liberty International Airport, located approximately 25 miles (40 km) away (about 38 minutes drive) in Newark.

[158][159] Located in neighboring Somerville, the township is served by Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset.

[160] Since June 1, 2014, the 355-bed facility has been affiliated with Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, the largest healthcare network in the state.

[161] The Van Horne House was built c. 1750 and served as the headquarters for General Benjamin Lincoln in the spring of 1777, during the American Revolutionary War, in particular the Battle of Bound Brook.

It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002 for its locally significant Colonial Revival architecture from 1937 to 1944.

[162] The Van Veghten House was built c. 1725 and served as the headquarters for Quartermaster General Nathanael Greene during the second Middlebrook encampment.

The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, and noted as representing "one of the few remaining Raritan River mansions".

[166] In August 2011, Hurricane Irene submerged the former American Cyanamid Superfund site, causing chemicals to leak into the nearby Raritan River.

[171] The township council passed an ordinance that required houses of worship, country clubs, and other such businesses only be built on locations with access to major roads, which would directly impact the application by the mosque.

[172] The planning board immediately dismissed the application, averting state statute that would become effective on May 5 that would have made rejection much more difficult.

[173] In December 2014, the case was settled out of court, with the township agreeing to purchase a 15-acre (6.1 ha) lot between Routes 202–206 and Route 287 for $2.75 million and give it to the organization to build a mosque, as well as provide $5 million paid by its insurer for reimbursement for legal fees and alleged damages.

In return, the case was dropped and the township was given ownership of the original Mountaintop Road property, with the zoning ordinance law left intact.