Sayreville is a borough in Middlesex County, New Jersey, in the New York metropolitan area, situated on the south bank of the Raritan River where it broadens toward Raritan Bay. With a population of roughly 45,000, it is one of the larger municipalities in central New Jersey's Raritan Valley. The borough's name and much of its early identity trace to the Sayre & Fisher Brick Company, which made Sayreville a national leader in brick and clay production in the late 19th and early 20th centuries; the region's clay pits supplied building material for projects across the New York area. As industry declined through the mid-20th century, Sayreville transitioned into a suburban community, with housing developments such as Presidents Park, Sayre Woods, Oak Tree, and Woodside filling former farmland and industrial tracts. Today the borough is best known as the home of the Starland Ballroom, a mid-size concert venue that draws touring acts from across the country. Sayreville Public Schools serve the borough, anchored by Sayreville War Memorial High School in the Parlin section. Sayreville's appeal lies in its central location and transportation links. The Garden State Parkway, U.S. Route 9, and State Routes 35 and 18 run through or beside the borough, placing Manhattan about 35 miles to the north and the Jersey Shore and Cheesequake State Park within a short drive. Residents span long-established families and newer arrivals drawn by the borough's place within Middlesex County. Neighborhoods range from 1950s colonials in Presidents Park to prewar homes near the old industrial core and larger new-traditional single-family homes in later subdivisions. The Raritan Bay waterfront, marinas, and local parks complete a community that balances commuter convenience with bayside character.