According to a 1677 bill of sale now in the New Jersey State Museum in Trenton, New Jersey, Thomas Lawrence, a New York baker, purchased thousands of acres of land from local Native Americans named Querameck, Kesyacs, Isarick, Metapis, Peckawan, and Turantecas.

Around the late 17th century, settlers began arriving in the northern part of East Brunswick, and by the mid-19th century, a small settlement had formed in the southeastern part, known as the Old Bridge section of the town, an area that was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977, the Old Bridge Historic District.

Large scale housing and road construction, especially after World War II, transformed East Brunswick into a more suburban community.

The citizens group effectively won the case, gaining concessions in turnpike design, scale and mitigation measures for noise and air quality.

[29] East Brunswick was also the site of the gunfight at Turnpike exit 9 shortly after midnight on May 2, 1973, in which a car being driven by Zayd Malik Shakur (born James F. Costan), with Assata Shakur (formerly JoAnne Chesimard) and Sundiata Acoli (born Clark Squire) as passengers, was stopped on the New Jersey Turnpike State Trooper James Harper, backed up by Trooper Werner Foerster in a second patrol vehicle.

East Brunswick's pristine suburbs and its convenience to major highways for leisure and for work, have contributed to it being a popular place for New York City commuters.

The Lawrence Brook, a major tributary of the Raritan River, runs along the western border of the township.

Farrington Lake[32] and Westons Mill Pond are sections of the Lawrence Brook that have been widened by the presence of man-made dames.

[49] With easy access to major highways like Route 18 and the New Jersey Turnpike, East Brunswick's proximity to cities, such as New Brunswick, New York City, Newark and Philadelphia has contributed in the township being a longtime premier economic center in the Central New Jersey region.

The mall is currently anchored by Macy's and JCPenney and it has a gross leasable area (GLA) of 769,041 sq ft (71,446.2 m2).

[56] In March 2023, Bengaluru-based technology services and consulting company Wipro opened its American international headquarters in the Tower Center.

It is a popular seasonal attraction for East Brunswick residents, located on Fresh Ponds Road in the southern section of the township.

[60] Harvest Fest is an annual outdoor festival hosted by the East Brunswick Arts Coalition and located in the township's beautiful historic district.

[65] While there are no major county or state parks within East Brunswick's borders, there is an assortment of recreational activities in the township.

Crystal Springs Family Waterpark is an aquatic center that hosts five various size pools, a splash park, water slides, a lazy river, and more recreational activities.

The council has the authority to initiate hearings for the purposes of gathering information for ordinance making, airing public problems and supervising the spending of its appropriations.

[75] As of 2024[update], the mayor of East Brunswick is Democrat Brad J. Cohen, whose term of office ends December 31, 2024.

[76][77][78][79][80] Dana Zimbicki was appointed in February 2022 to fill the seat expiring in December 2024 that was vacated the previous month by Michael Spadafino.

[78] In February 2021, the Township Council appointed Dinesh Behal from a list of three candidates submitted by the Democratic municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2024 that had been held by Sterley Stanley until he resigned from office the previous month to take office in the New Jersey General Assembly; Behal served on an interim basis until the November 2021 general election, when he was elected to serve the balance of the term of office.

[82][79] Elected as a Republican, James Wendell announced in July 2017 that he was switching parties, giving Democrats control of the Township Council.

[83] In February 2014, the Township Council appointed Michael Spadafino to fill the seat expiring in December 2016 that had been held by Nancy Pinkin, until she stepped down the previous month to take office in the New Jersey General Assembly.

[85] David Stahl served as mayor from his election in 2012 until his resignation on January 14, 2016, when he left office to take on a judge position in nearby Woodbridge Township.

[86] The Township Council appointed Kevin McEvoy, a former history teacher at East Brunswick High School and trustee of the East Brunswick Public Schools, to serve the balance of Stahl's term as mayor that expired in December 2016; McEvoy stated that he would not run to serve a full term as mayor.

[87] Republicans took control of the Township Council for the first time in 14 years in 2010, as Camille Ferraro, Mike Hughes and James Wendell swept the three seats that were up for election, with voter sentiment focused on controversy over a redevelopment plan for a parcel of land known as the "Golden Triangle".

[88] Hughes, the youngest council member ever elected, said the stalled project was keeping property taxes disproportionately high on residents and called for revitalization of business.

[91][92][93] For the 119th United States Congress, New Jersey's 12th congressional district is represented by Bonnie Watson Coleman (D, Ewing Township).

[96] For the 2024-2025 session, the 18th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Patrick J. Diegnan (D, South Plainfield) and in the General Assembly by Robert Karabinchak (D, Edison) and Sterley Stanley (D, East Brunswick).

A lottery is held each year, with separate draws for residents of East Brunswick Township and non-residents, to allocate the limited number of positions available for each class.

It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 29, 1977 for its significance in art, education, and industry.

[179] John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens is roughly 36 miles (58 km) away, traveling via the Belt Parkway after crossing through Staten Island.