South River is a compact Middlesex County borough located along the river of the same name, directly east of East Brunswick and north of Sayreville. The community developed as an industrial and manufacturing center supported by waterfront access, rail connections, and proximity to the Raritan River corridor. Its street grid includes older residential neighborhoods, multifamily buildings, schools, parks, houses of worship, local shops, and industrial properties. Main Street and nearby Route 18 connect the borough with New Brunswick, East Brunswick, Old Bridge, and the larger central New Jersey highway network. South River has long been shaped by immigration, with several cultural and religious institutions reflecting the backgrounds of families who settled there. Although the borough is densely developed, the waterfront and local parks provide open areas within the community. South River's traditional downtown, industrial history, and close relationship with neighboring East Brunswick give it a distinct identity within Middlesex County.