Ocean County, New Jersey Explained

County:Ocean County
State:New Jersey
Type:County
Ex Image:NJ LBI Lighthouse 04.JPG
Ex Image Cap:Sunrise at Barnegat Lighthouse on Long Beach Island, facing the Atlantic Ocean
Ex Image Size:300px
Flag:Flag of Ocean County, New Jersey.gif
Seal:Ocean County Seal.png
Founded Year:1850
Seat:Toms River
Largest City:Lakewood Township (population)
Jackson Township (area)
City Type:municipality
Named For:Atlantic Ocean
Leader Title:Commissioner Director
Leader Name:Barbara Jo Crea (R, term ends December 31, 2024)
Area Total Sq Mi:914.84
Area Land Sq Mi:628.29
Area Water Sq Mi:286.55
Area Percentage:31.3
Population As Of:2020
Population Total:637229
Pop Est As Of:2023
Population Est:659197
Population Density Sq Mi:1014.2
Population Density Km2:auto
Coordinates:39.87°N -74.25°W
District:2nd
District2:4th
Web:www.co.ocean.nj.us

Ocean County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey and the southernmost county in the New York metropolitan area. The county borders the Atlantic Ocean on the east and in terms of total area is the state's largest county. Its county seat is Toms River.[1] The county is part of the Jersey Shore[2] and is considered part of the Central Jersey region of the state,[3] though it was not among the four counties explicitly listed as included in Central Jersey as part of legislation signed into law in 2023.[4]

Since 2020, Ocean County has been the fastest-growing county in New Jersey,[5] with a population of 637,229 recorded at the 2020 United States census, its highest decennial count ever and ranking the county as the state's sixth-most populous county,[6] [7] with an increase of 60,662 (+10.5%) from the 576,567 enumerated at the 2010 census, which in turn reflected an increase of 65,651 (+12.8%) from the 510,916 counted in the 2000 census. Since 2010, Ocean County's population has been growing faster than the United States as a whole.[8] The United States Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program estimated a 2023 population of 659,197, an increase of 21,968 (+3.4%) from the 2020 decennial census. Ocean County’s most populous and fastest-growing place is Lakewood Township, with an estimated 139,866 residents as of 2023,[9] while Jackson Township covers, the largest total area of any municipality in the county.

Ocean County is located 50miles east of Philadelphia, 70miles south of New York City, and 25miles north of Atlantic City, making it a prime vacation destination for residents of these cities during the summer. As with the entire Jersey Shore, summer traffic routinely clogs local roadways throughout the season. Over 31% of Ocean County's total area is water.

Ocean County is part of the New York metropolitan area.[10] The county is also home to many tourist attractions frequented by Philadelphia metropolitan area residents, including the beachfront communities of Seaside Heights, Long Beach Island, and Point Pleasant Beach, and Six Flags Great Adventure, an amusement park in Jackson Township that is the home to the world's tallest and second-fastest roller coaster, Kingda Ka.[11] Ocean County is a gateway to New Jersey's Pine Barrens, one of the largest protected land areas on the East Coast.

History

Prior to its creation, Ocean county was almost entirely within Shrewsbury township in Monmouth county, With the exception of Tuckerton, and Little Egg Harbor.[12] Ocean County was established on February 15, 1850, from portions of Monmouth County, with the addition of Little Egg Harbor Township which was annexed from Burlington County on March 30, 1891.[13] It derives its name from the Atlantic Ocean that it borders. The most populous municipality in the county is the rapidly growing Lakewood Township, with 135,158 residents in 2020, its highest decennial count ever and an increase of 42,315 (+45.6%) from its 2010 census count of 92,843;[14] while Jackson Township covers, the largest total area of any municipality in Ocean County.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of the 2020 Census, the county had a total area of, making it the largest county in New Jersey in terms of total area (ahead of Burlington County), of which was land (68.7%) and was water (31.3%).[15]

Much of the county is flat and coastal, with an extensive shoreline and many beaches along the Jersey Shore, including Barnegat Light, Beach Haven, Harvey Cedars, Lavallette, Mantoloking, Seaside Heights, Seaside Park, Ship Bottom, and Surf City. The highest point is one of three unnamed hills (one in Jackson Township, the other two in Plumsted Township) that reach at least in elevation.[16] The lowest elevation in the county is at sea level along the county's lengthy Atlantic Ocean and Barnegat Bay coastlines.

Climate

Ocean County's area comprises 31.3% water. The coastal county along the Atlantic Ocean has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa and including the coast). In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Toms River have ranged from a low of in January to a high of in July, although a record low of was recorded in January 1982 and a record high of was recorded in July 1999. Average monthly temperatures in Tuckerton near the south end range from in January to in July.[17]

The highest monthly average temperature for the county was 78.8F in July 2020; the lowest was 17.2F in February 1934.[18]

Average monthly precipitation ranged from in February to in March. Areas closer to the coast typically experience more mild winters and cooler summers due to the Atlantic Ocean's influence.

The highest total monthly precipitation recorded for the county was 15.67inches in August 2011, the same month Hurricane Irene hit the New Jersey coast; the lowest was 0.25inches recorded in October 1963.[19]

Demographics

2020 census

The 2020 United States census counted 637,229 people and 237,729 households in the county. The population density was 1014.2sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 295,648 housing units at an average density of 470.6sp=usNaNsp=us. The racial makeup was 92.2% (587,525) White, 3.9% (24,852) Black or African American, 0.3% (1,912) Native American, 2.1% (13,382) Asian, 0.1% (637) Pacific Islander, and 1.5% (9,558) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.2% (64,997) of the population. The average household size was 2.62.

24.6% of the population were under the age of 18, 52.6% from 18 to 64, and 22.8% were 65 years of age or older. Female persons made up 51.3% of the total population.

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 576,567 people, 221,111 households, and 149,250 families in the county. The population density was 917sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 278,052 housing units at an average density of 442.2sp=usNaNsp=us. The racial makeup was 90.98% (524,577) White, 3.15% (18,164) Black or African American, 0.17% (966) Native American, 1.75% (10,081) Asian, 0.02% (129) Pacific Islander, 2.46% (14,165) from other races, and 1.47% (8,485) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.29% (47,783) of the population.

Of the 221,111 households, 26.7% had children under the age of 18; 53.9% were married couples living together; 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present and 32.5% were non-families. Of all households, 27.8% were made up of individuals and 16.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.16.

23.4% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 22.2% from 25 to 44, 25.9% from 45 to 64, and 21% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.6 years. For every 100 females, the population had 92 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 88.3 males.

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census[20] there were 510,916 people, 200,402 households, and 137,876 families residing in the county. The population density was 803sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 248,711 housing units at an average density of 151/km2. The racial makeup of the county was 93.05% White, 2.99% Black or African American, 0.14% Native American, 1.28% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.24% from other races, and 1.29% from two or more races. 5.02% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[21] [22] Among those who listed their ancestry, 25.3% were of Italian, 23.6% Irish, 18.7% German, 8.8% Polish and 8.5% English ancestry according to Census 2000.[22] [23] There were 200,402 households, out of which 28.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.40% were married couples living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.20% were non-families. 27.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.06.[21]

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.30% under the age of 18, 6.60% from 18 to 24, 26.00% from 25 to 44, 21.90% from 45 to 64, and 22.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.40 males.[21] The median income for a household in the county was $46,443, and the median income for a family was $56,420. Males had a median income of $44,822 versus $30,717 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,054. About 4.8% of families and 7.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.0% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.[22] [24]

As of the 2000 Census, Mantoloking was the wealthiest community in the state of New Jersey with a per capita money income of $114,017 as of 1999.[25]

Economy

The Bureau of Economic Analysis calculated that the county's gross domestic product was $23.8 billion in 2022, which ranked 12th of 21 in the state. This was a 4.1% increase from the prior year, the 5th largest percent change in the state. The 2022 GDP numbers reflected the second year in a row of positive growth for the county, after 2020 saw a -0.4% change from 2019.[26]

Ocean County is home to the Ocean County Mall in Toms River, featuring a gross leasable area of .[27] The now-closed Sears site will be replaced with of retail space.[28]

Government

County government

Ocean County is governed by a Board of County Commissioners comprised of five members who are elected on an at-large basis in partisan elections and serving staggered three-year terms of office, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year as part of the November general election. At an annual reorganization held in the beginning of January, the board chooses a Director and a deputy director from among its members.[29] In 2016, freeholders were paid $30,000 and the freeholder director was paid an annual salary of $31,000.[30] This remained unchanged in 2018

, Ocean County's Commissioners are (with terms for chair and vice-chair ending every December 31):[31] [32]

Commissioner Party, Residence, Term
Director Barbara Jo Crea R, Little Egg Harbor Township, 2024[33]
Deputy Director Gary Quinn R, Lacey Township, 2024[34]
R, Toms River, 2025[35]
John P. Kelly R, Eagleswood Township, 2025[36]
Frank SadeghiR, Toms River, 2026[37]

Pursuant to Article VII Section II of the New Jersey State Constitution, each county in New Jersey is required to have three elected administrative officials known as "constitutional officers." These officers are the County Clerk and County Surrogate (both elected for five-year terms of office) and the County Sheriff (elected for a three-year term).[38] Constitutional officers elected on a countywide basis are:[39] Constitutional officers elected on a countywide basis are:

OfficeParty, Residence, Term
County Clerk Scott M. Colabella R, Barnegat Light, 2025[40] [41]
Sheriff Michael G. Mastronardy R, Toms River, 2025[42] [43]
R, Beachwood, 2028[44] [45]

No Democrat has won a countywide office since 1989. The Ocean County Prosecutor is Bradley D. Billhimer, who was nominated by Governor Phil Murphy. Billhimer was sworn in by New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal on October 12, 2018.[46] [47] Ocean County constitutes Vicinage 14 of the New Jersey Superior Court and is seated at the Ocean County Courthouse Complex in Toms River; the Assignment Judge for Vicinage 14 is Marlene Lynch Ford.[48] [49] Ocean County operates the Ocean County Southern Service Center in Manahawkin.[50] This center offers access to all of the Ocean County government services without the need for residents to travel to the county seat located about to the north.

Federal representatives

The 2nd and 4th Congressional Districts cover the county.[51]

State representatives

The 33 municipalities of Ocean County are covered by four legislative districts.

!District!Senate[52] !Assembly!Municipalities
9thCarmen Amato (R)Brian E. Rumpf (R)Greg Myhre (R)Barnegat Township, Barnegat Light, Beach Haven, Beachwood, Berkeley Township, Eagleswood Township, Harvey Cedars, Lacey Township, Lakehurst, Little Egg Harbor Township, Long Beach Township, Manchester Township, Ocean Township, Ocean Gate, Pine Beach, Ship Bottom, Stafford Township, Surf City and Tuckerton.
10thJames W. Holzapfel (R)Gregory P. McGuckin (R)Paul Kanitra (R)Bay Head, Brick Township, Island Heights, Lavallette, Mantoloking, Point Pleasant, Point Pleasant Beach, Seaside Park, Seaside Heights, South Toms River, and Toms River Township. The remainder of this district includes portions of Monmouth County.
12thOwen Henry (R)Alex Sauickie (R)Robert D. Clifton (R)Jackson Township and Plumsted Township. The remainder of this district includes portions of Burlington County, Middlesex County & Monmouth County.
30thRobert Singer (R)Sean T. Kean (R)Avi Schnall (D)Lakewood Township. The remainder of this district includes portions of Monmouth County.

Politics

Ocean County is the most Republican county in New Jersey, a state that characteristically votes Democratic. In its history, it has failed to support a Republican for president only three times. As of 2024, all of its state legislators, County commissioners, and countywide constitutional officers are Republicans. The last Democratic presidential candidate to win Ocean County was Bill Clinton in 1996, who carried the county with a 46% plurality of the vote. The last Democrat to win a majority in the county was Lyndon Johnson in 1964. As of October 1, 2021, there were a total of 458,230 registered voters in Ocean County, of whom 171,085 (37.3%) were registered as Republicans, 102,005 (22.3%) were registered as Democrats and 179,085 (39.1%) were registered as unaffiliated. There were 6,055 voters (1.3%) registered to other parties.[53] Among the county's 2010 Census population, 63.2% were registered to vote, including 82.6% of those ages 18 and over.[54] [55]

In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 58.4% of the vote here (160,677 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 40.1% (110,189 votes) among the 276,544 ballots cast by the county's 380,712 registered voters, for a turnout of 72.6%.[56] The Republican vote totals and overall turnout were significantly down in 2012 due to damage and displacement caused by Hurricane Sandy just days before the election. In 2016 and 2020, it was New Jersey's most Republican county, and in 2020, it was the only one to give Donald Trump more than 60% of the vote; in fact, Trump won all but one municipality in Ocean County in 2020 (Joe Biden won South Toms River).[57]

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In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 65.6% of the vote here (124,238 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 28.4% (53,761 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 4.8% (9,068 votes) and other candidates with 1.2% (1,955 votes), among the 193,186 ballots cast by the county's 371,066 registered voters, yielding a 52.1% turnout.[58] In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 75.7% of the vote here (125,781 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 22.8% (37,930 votes), In the 2017 gubernatorial election, Republican Kim Guadagno received 98,135 (62.1%) of the vote, and Democrat Phil Murphy received 56,682 (35.8%) of the vote. In the 2021 gubernatorial election, Republican Jack Ciattarelli received 67.5% of the vote (145,756 ballots cast) to Democrat Phil Murphy's 31.8% (68,615 votes). Ocean County has been the most Republican in the last three gubernatorial elections.

Gubernatorial elections results[59]
YearRepublicanDemocraticThird parties
202167.6% 143,14831.7% 67,1760.3% 649
201762.1% 98,13535.8% 56,5822.2% 3,446
201375.7% 125,78122.8% 37,9300.1% 2,536
200965.6% 124,23828.4% 53,7616.0% 11,317
200554.2% 93,69341.6% 71,9534.2% 7,242
200147.1% 77,72651.3% 84,5381.6% 2,690
199753.8% 84,89736.7% 57,9449.6% 15,076
199351.4% 87,94345.7% 78,1322.9% 4,879
198942.1% 62,70056.1% 83,5871.8% 2,669
198573.7% 90,67025.2% 30,9481.2% 1,455
198159.5% 78,75739.3% 52,0361.2% 1,610
197741.2% 45,51353.8% 59,3075.0% 5,391
197336.5% 32,50260.3% 53,6883.2% 2,751

Education

Tertiary education

Ocean County College is the two-year community college for Ocean County, one of a network of 19 county colleges statewide. The school is in Toms River and was founded in 1964.[60]

Georgian Court University in Lakewood Township is a private Roman Catholic Sisters of Mercy college, which opened in 1908 on the former winter estate of millionaire George Jay Gould I, son of railroad tycoon Jay Gould. Lakewood is also home to Beth Medrash Govoha, a Haredi yeshiva with 5,000 students, making it one of the largest yeshivas in the world[61] and the largest outside the State of Israel.

Stockton University has a campus located in Manahawkin offering undergraduate and graduate colleges of the arts, sciences and professional studies of the New Jersey state system of higher education.[62]

Primary and secondary schools

School districts in the county include:[63] [64] [65]

K-12:
Secondary:
Elementary (K-6, except as noted):

New Jersey's largest suburban school district, Toms River Regional Schools, is located in Ocean County.[66] Toms River is also home to the county's only Roman Catholic high school, Monsignor Donovan High School, operated by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton, which also has six elementary schools located in the county.[67]

In addition to multiple public high schools, the county has an extensive vocational high school program, known as the Ocean County Vocational Technical School district. In addition to its campuses in Brick, Toms River, Waretown, and Jackson, it contains three magnet schools:[68]

Attractions

Ocean County has an extensive shoreline stretching along the Atlantic Ocean, including the Jersey Shore communities and oceanfront boardwalk resorts of Seaside Heights and Point Pleasant Beach.

Six Flags Great Adventure, America's largest Six Flags theme park, is home to the world's tallest and formerly fastest roller coaster, Kingda Ka. The park also contains Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, New Jersey's largest water park, and the 2200acres Safari Off Road Adventure, the largest drive-thru animal safari outside of Africa.[70]

Approximately 40miles of barrier beaches form the Barnegat and Little Egg Harbor Bays, offering ample watersports. It also is home of the Tuckerton Seaport, a 40acres maritime history village in Tuckerton. In addition to being the northeast gateway to New Jersey's Pine Barrens, Ocean County is also home to several state parks:

ShoreTown Ballpark located in Lakewood, opened in 2001 with 6,588 reserved seats and is home of the Jersey Shore BlueClaws, the High-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies.[76]

National protected area

Media

The Asbury Park Press and The Press of Atlantic City are daily newspapers that cover Ocean County.[78] Micromedia Publications publishes six weekly local newspapers in the county; their seventh covers Howell Township, New Jersey in Monmouth County, New Jersey.[79]

92.7 WOBM provides news, traffic and weather updates. WOBM-FM radio started broadcasting from the Bayville section of Berkeley Township in March 1968. The station relocated to studios in Toms River in 2013.[80]

91.9 WBNJ provides local news, PSAs and events; as well as weather updates.

Transportation

Roads and highways

The county had a total of of roadways, of which are maintained by the municipality, by Ocean County and by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.[81]

Ocean County has various major roads that pass through. Those routes are listed below:[82]

Several prominent 500 series county highways make up an important portion of the automobile corridors in Ocean County. These include County Road 526, County Road 527, County Road 528, County Road 530, County Road 532, County Road 539, County Road 547, County Road 549, County Road 554, and County Road 571.

Public transportation

Train

NJ Transit's (NJT) North Jersey Coast Line, which serves New York Penn Station and passes through Middlesex and Monmouth counties, offers service at the Bay Head and Point Pleasant Beach stations, located at the northernmost corner of the county.[83] The Monmouth Ocean Middlesex Line is a passenger rail project proposed by NJT to serve the northern central part of the county. Southern Ocean County is also located about 25 miles from the Atlantic City Line, which provides service to Philadelphia.

Bus

NJ Transit

Bus service is provided on NJ Transit bus routes 130, 132, 136, and 139 to and from Lakewood Bus Terminal on the U.S. Route 9 corridor. Expanded use Route 9 BBS (bus bypass shoulder lanes) is under study. Bus route 559 provides service along Route 9 between Lakewood and Pleasantville before continuing to Atlantic City.

Bus route 137 provides service in three variants. One is a nonstop express between Toms River and New York City that operates seven days a week. The other two are rush hour only services, one operating along County Route 549 between Toms River and Brick Township before continuing onto New York City. The Other begins and ends in Lakewood, operating via County Line Road to the Brick park and ride before continuing to New York.

Bus route 67 operates between Toms River and Newark, providing service along County Route 549 between Toms River and Brick before continuing onto Lakewood and points north. Bus Route 317 crosses the county in an east–west fashion on its route between Philadelphia and Asbury Park. This route also provides service to Fort Dix, Camden, and other destinations. Bus route 319 makes a single stop in Toms River on its route between Atlantic City and New York.

Ocean Ride

Ocean Ride is a county wide system with 12 regular routes, many serving Ocean County Mall, which acts as transfer hub.[84] [85] Of these routes, only the OC 10 (Lavallette to Toms River) operates Monday-Saturday, with the OC 4 (Point Pleasant to Lakewood) operating Monday-Friday. All other routes run 2–3 days a week. Ocean Ride also provides paratransit service throughout the county.

Other services

Academy Bus provides service between various areas in the northern part of the county and New York City. Many of the retirement communities contract for the operation of shuttle buses to connect the communities with various shopping centers in the county.

Municipalities

The 33 municipalities in Ocean County with 2010 census data for population, housing units, and area in square miles are:[86] Other, unincorporated communities in the county are listed alongside their parent municipality (or municipalities).[87] Most of these areas are census-designated places that have been created by the United States Census Bureau for enumeration purposes within a Township. The numbers in parentheses stand for the numbers on the map.

Municipality (map index)Map keyMun.
type
Pop.Housing
units
Total
area
Water
area
Land
area
Pop.
density
Housing
density
School
district
Unincorporated
communities/notes
6borough 574 1,282 0.85 0.12 0.73 785.1 1,753.6 Southern Regional (7–12)
Long Beach Island (PK-6)
29township 20,936 9,085 40.78 6.41 34.38 609.0 264.35 Barnegat CDP (2,817), Howardsville,
Ocean Acres (part; 925 of 16,142),
Warren Grove
16borough 968 1,023 0.70 0.12 0.58 1,662.8 1,757.3 Point Pleasant Beach (9–12) (S/R)
Bay Head (K-8)
2borough 1,170 2,667 2.32 1.34 0.98 1,196.0 2,726.2 Southern Regional (7–12)
Beach Haven (PK-6)
12borough 11,045 3,826 2.85 0.00 2.85 3,878.4 1,343.5
26township 41,255 23,818 56.00 13.13 42.86 962.5 555.7 Central Regional (7–12)
Berkeley Township (PK-6)
Bayville (20,512), Cedar Beach,
Crossley, Glen Cove, Holiday
City-Berkeley
(13,884), Holiday
City South
(3,689), Holiday
Heights
(2,099), Holly Park,
Pelican Island, Silver Ridge (1,133)
23township 75,072 33,677 32.32 6.60 25.72 2,919.4 1,309.6 Adamston, Breton Woods, Burrsville, Cedarcroft, Herbertsville, Laurelton, Osbornsville, Parkway Pines
31township 1,603 760 18.86 2.80 16.06 99.8 47.3 Pinelands Regional (7–12)
Eagleswood (PK-6)
West Creek
5borough 337 1,214 1.19 0.63 0.56 604.6 2,178.0 Southern Regional (7–12)
Long Beach Island (PK-6)
10borough 1,673 831 0.91 0.30 0.61 2,738.3 1,360.2 Central Regional (7–12)
Islands Heights (K-6)
21township 54,856 20,342 100.62 1.38 99.24 552.7 205.0 Bennetts Mills, Cassville, Harmony,
Holmeson (part; 5,231), Jackson Mills,
Prospertown, Vista Center (3,689),
Whitesville
27township 27,644 11,573 98.53 15.27 83.26 332.0 139.0 Aserdaten, Barnegat Pines, Forked
River
(5,244), Lanoka Harbor
19borough 2,654 943 1.01 0.09 0.91 2,900.8 1,030.7 Manchester (9–12) (S/R)
Lakehurst (PK-8)
22township 92,843 26,337 24.98 0.41 24.58 3,777.7 1,071.6 Lakewood CDP (53,805), Leisure
Village
(4,400), Leisure Village
East
(4,217)
14borough 1,875 3,207 0.95 0.15 0.81 2,319.2 3,966.8 Point Pleasant Beach (9–12) (S/R)
Lavallette (K-8)
33township 20,065 10,324 73.05 25.69 47.37 423.6 218.0 Pinelands Regional (7–12)
Little Egg Harbor (PK-6)
Mystic Island (8,493), Nugentown,
Parkertown Warren Grove, West
Tuckerton
32township 3,051 9,216 22.04 16.59 5.44 560.5 1,693.0 Southern Regional (7–12)
Long Beach Island (PK-6)
High Bar Harbor, Loveladies, North
Beach Haven
(2,235)
25township 43,070 25,886 82.69 1.07 81.62 527.7 317.2 Bullock, Cedar Glen Lakes (1,421),
Cedar Glen West (1,267), Crestwood
Village
(7,907), Leisure Knoll (2,490),
Leisure Village West (3,493), Pine Lake
Park
(8,707), Pine Ridge at Crestwood
(2,369), Ridgeway, Roosevelt City,
Wheatland, Whiting
15borough 296 535 0.64 0.26 0.39 767.9 1,387.9 Point Pleasant Beach (9–12) (S/R)
9borough 2,011 1,203 0.45 0.01 0.45 4,490.3 2,686.1 Central Regional (7–12)
Ocean Gate (PK-6)
28township 8,332 4,291 32.04 11.49 20.56 405.3 208.8 Southern Regional (7–12) (S/R) (9–12)
Ocean Township (PK-6)
Brookville, Waretown (1,569)
11borough 2,127 903 0.62 0.00 0.61 3,465.4 1,471.2
20township 8,421 3,067 40.15 0.44 39.71 212.1 77.2 Archertown, Brindletown, New
Egypt
(2,512)
18borough 18,392 8,331 4.17 0.68 3.49 5,272.1 2,388.1
17borough 4,665 3,373 1.74 0.32 1.43 3,270.1 2,364.4 Clark's Landing
8borough 2,887 3,003 0.75 0.13 0.62 4,662.9 4,850.2 Central Regional (7–12)
Seaside Heights (PK-6)
7borough 1,579 2,703 0.77 0.12 0.65 2,429.4 4,158.7 Central Regional (7–12)
Lavallette (K-6) (Opt. 1)
Toms River (K-6) (Opt. 2)
3borough 1,156 2,066 1.00 0.29 0.71 1,620.6 2,896.3 Southern Regional (7–12)
Long Beach Island (PK-6)
13borough 3,684 1,160 1.23 0.06 1.17 3,146.7 990.8
30township 26,535 13,604 54.88 9.03 45.85 578.8 296.7 Southern Regional (7–12)
Stafford Township (PK-6)
Beach Haven West (3,896), Cedar
Run
, Manahawkin (2,303), Mayetta,
Ocean Acres (part; 15,217 of
16,142), Warren Grove
4borough 1,205 2,566 0.92 0.17 0.75 1,616.5 3,442.4 Southern Regional (7–12)
Long Beach Island (PK-6)
24township 91,239 43,334 52.88 12.40 40.49 2,253.5 1,070.3 Cattus Island, Chadwick Beach Island,
Dover Beaches North (1,239), Dover
Beaches South
(1,209), Gilford Park,
Pelican Island, Silverton
1borough 3,347 1,902 3.80 0.44 3.36 995.1 565.5 Pinelands Regional (7–12)
Tuckerton (PK-6)
Ocean County county 576,567 278,052 915.40 286.62 628.78 917.0 442.2

Former municipalities

See also

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://www.nj.gov/state/archives/catctytable.html New Jersey County Map
  2. https://bestofnj.com/nj-regions-page/ "Regions: North, Central, South, Shore - Best of NJ"
  3. Willis, David P. "'This is how wars start': Does Central Jersey include both Ocean and Union counties?", Asbury Park Press, February 20, 2023. Accessed March 31, 2024. "North Jersey is defined as Sussex, Warren, Morris, Passaic, Bergen, Essex and Hudson counties; South Jersey would be Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Atlantic, Salem, Cumberland and Cape May counties. But for Central, things get a little tricky. It would include Hunterdon, Somerset, Union, Middlesex, Mercer, Monmouth, and Ocean counties."
  4. https://www.nj.gov/governor/news/news/562023/20230824a.shtml "Governor Murphy Settles Central Jersey Debate"
  5. Web site: State of growing: 14 New Jersey towns where population is growing the fastest. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, nowhere in New Jersey has been growing as fast as Ocean County..Ocean County grew by nearly 3 percent — the largest increase in the state. Four of the five fastest growing towns in New Jersey are in Ocean..Lakewood, which has been the fastest growing town in New Jersey for decades, retained its title. But seven other Ocean County towns, like , Toms River, and , also bucked state trends and experienced significant population growth.. Ryan Forgosh, Asbury Park Press. USA TODAY Network. May 25, 2023. May 27, 2023. June 4, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230604195827/https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/2023/05/25/ocean-county-towns-see-significant-population-growth-see-the-top-14/70248592007/. live.
  6. https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/assets/PDFs/census/2020/2020%20pl94%20Tables/2020_PL94_Summary/Table_1_2020.xlsx Table1. New Jersey Counties and Most Populous Cities and Townships: 2020 and 2010 Censuses
  7. https://www.census.gov/library/stories/state-by-state/new-jersey-population-change-between-census-decade.html "New Jersey: 2020 Census - New Jersey Population Topped 9 Million in Last Decade"
  8. Web site: How has the population changed in Ocean County?. The population of Ocean County, New Jersey in 2021 was 648,998, 12.4% up from the 577,574 who lived there in 2010. For comparison, the US population grew 7.3%. USAFacts. April 22, 2023. April 22, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230422194419/https://usafacts.org/data/topics/people-society/population-and-demographics/our-changing-population/state/new-jersey/county/ocean-county/. live.
  9. https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/tables/2020-2023/mcds/totals/SUB-MCD-EST2023-POP-34.xlsx Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Minor Civil Divisions in New Jersey: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023
  10. https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/metro-micro/reference-maps/2020/state-maps/34_NewJersey_2020.pdf New Jersey: 2020 Core Based Statistical Areas and Counties
  11. Web site: Yikes! The World's 10 Tallest Roller Coasters will Freak You Out . February 5, 2024 . TripSavvy . en . August 13, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230813154540/https://www.tripsavvy.com/tallest-roller-coasters-in-the-world-3226411 . live .
  12. Web site: history of NJ .
  13. Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 201. Accessed January 21, 2013.
  14. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/lakewoodtownshipoceancountynewjersey QuickFacts Lakewood township, Ocean County, New Jersey
  15. https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_counties_34.txt 2020 Census Gazetteer File for Counties in New Jersey
  16. http://www.peakbagger.com/list.aspx?lid=13320 New Jersey County High Points
  17. http://prism.oregonstate.edu/explorer/ Time Series Values for Individual Locations
  18. Web site: ONJSC :: Historical Monthly Summary Tables . 2024-05-03 . climate.rutgers.edu . May 3, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240503170946/https://climate.rutgers.edu/stateclim_v1/nclimdiv/index.php?stn=NJ00&elem=avgt . live .
  19. Web site: ONJSC :: Historical Monthly Summary Tables . 2024-05-03 . climate.rutgers.edu . May 3, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240503170945/https://climate.rutgers.edu/stateclim_v1/nclimdiv/index.php?stn=NJ00&elem=pcpn . live .
  20. https://www.census.gov U.S. Census website
  21. https://archive.today/20200212085756/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/00_SF1/DP1/0500000US34029 DP-1 - Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000; Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Ocean County, New Jersey
  22. https://web.archive.org/web/20080706205336/http://censtats.census.gov/data/NJ/05034029.pdf Tables DP-1 to DP-4 from Census 2000 for Ocean County, New Jersey
  23. https://archive.today/20200212093435/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/00_SF3/DP2/0500000US34029 DP-2 - Profile of Selected Social Characteristics: 2000 from the Census 2000 Summary File 3 (SF 3) - Sample Data for Ocean County, New Jersey
  24. https://archive.today/20200212102431/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/00_SF3/DP3/0500000US34029 DP-3 - Profile of Selected Economic Characteristics: 2000 from Census 2000 Summary File 3 (SF 3) - Sample Data for Ocean County, New Jersey
  25. https://web.archive.org/web/20031215005613/http://www.wnjpin.net/OneStopCareerCenter/LaborMarketInformation/lmi25/pub/NJSDC-P4.pdf#page=66 Money Income (1989 and 1999) and Poverty (1999) New Jersey, Counties and Municipalities
  26. https://www.bea.gov/sites/default/files/2023-12/lagdp1223.pdf Gross Domestic Product by County and Metropolitan Area, 2022
  27. http://business.simon.com/leasing/ocean-county-mall Ocean County Mall
  28. Willis, David P. "Ocean County Mall's big changes will include LA Fitness, Homesense", Asbury Park Press, May 7, 2019. Accessed April 12, 2020. "The 104,000-square-foot Sears store is being replaced with 97,679-square-feet of retail space, along with a new mall entrance on the north side of the building and new landscaping."
  29. https://www.co.ocean.nj.us/frmGovDirPage.aspx?ID=266 Freeholder to Commissioner History
  30. Gallo Jr., Bill. "Which N.J. county freeholders are paid the most?", NJ.com, March 11, 2016. Accessed October 25, 2017. "Freeholder director: $31,000; Other freeholders: $30,000"
  31. https://www.co.ocean.nj.us/frmMeetCommissioners.aspx Meet our Commissioners
  32. https://www.co.ocean.nj.us/frmGovDirPage.aspx County Directory
  33. https://www.co.ocean.nj.us/frmGovDirPage.aspx?ID=177 Commissioner Barbara Jo Crea
  34. https://www.co.ocean.nj.us/frmGovDirPage.aspx?ID=5578 Commissioner Gary Quinn
  35. https://www.co.ocean.nj.us/frmGovDirPage.aspx?ID=2671 Commissioner Director Virginia E. Haines
  36. https://www.co.ocean.nj.us/frmGovDirPage.aspx?ID=175 Commissioner John P. Kelly
  37. https://www.co.ocean.nj.us/frmGovDirPage.aspx?ID=173 Commissioner Joseph H. Vicari
  38. http://www.nj.gov/state/archives/docconst47.html#page16 New Jersey State Constitution (1947), Article VII, Section II, Paragraph 2
  39. https://www.co.ocean.nj.us/WebContentFiles/70fc90f8-5e4e-4454-a3c1-8ca3d0911f87.pdf 2022 Ocean County and Municipal Elected Officials
  40. https://www.co.ocean.nj.us/frmGovDirPage.aspx?ID=179 County Clerk
  41. http://coanj.com/member-list/clerks/ Clerks
  42. https://www.co.ocean.nj.us/frmGovDirPage.aspx?ID=180 County Sheriff Michael G. Mastronardy
  43. https://coanj.com/member-list/sheriffs/ Sheriffs
  44. https://www.co.ocean.nj.us/frmGovDirPage.aspx?ID=181 County Surrogate Jeffrey W. Moran
  45. https://coanj.com/member-list/surrogates/ Surrogates
  46. https://ocponj.gov/staff/bradley-d-billhimer/ Bradley D. Billhimer
  47. Hopkins, Kathleen. "New Ocean County prosecutor once proposed at the courthouse", Asbury Park Press, October 12, 2018. Accessed October 13, 2018. "Flanked by Alyn and their two daughters, Mackenzie, 14, and Riley, 11, Billhimer was sworn in by state Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal as Ocean County prosecutor.... Billhimer, a 48-year-old Democrat who was a criminal defense attorney for almost two decades, was sworn in privately Tuesday by Gov. Phil Murphy as the county's chief law-enforcement officer, succeeding former Prosecutor Joseph Coronato."
  48. http://www.judiciary.state.nj.us/njcourts-10.html Local Courthouse Addresses
  49. https://www.judiciary.state.nj.us/courts/vicinages/ocean.html Ocean Vicinage
  50. http://twp.stafford.nj.us/DocumentCenter/View/243 Ocean County Southern Service Center
  51. https://www.njredistrictingcommission.org/documents/2021/Data2021/Plan%20Components.pdf Plan Components Report
  52. Web site: New Jersey Legislature - Legislative Roster. June 17, 2021. www.njleg.state.nj.us. February 18, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190218054229/https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/roster.asp. live.
  53. https://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/assets/pdf/svrs-reports/2021/2021-10-voter-registration-by-county.pdf Statewide Voter Registration Summary as of October 1, 2021
  54. http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2011-ocean-co-summary-report.pdf Voter Registration Summary - Ocean
  55. https://www.census.gov GCT-P7: Selected Age Groups: 2010 - State  - County Subdivision; 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey
  56. http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/election-results/2008-gen-elect-presidential-results-ocean.pdf 2008 Presidential General Election Results: Ocean County
  57. https://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/2020/2020-official-general-results-president-ocean.pdf Presidential November 3, 2020 General Election Results Ocean County
  58. http://www.njelections.org/election-results/2009-governor_results-ocean.pdf 2009 Governor: Ocean County
  59. Web site: Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections. Leip. David. uselectionatlas.org. October 9, 2018. March 23, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180323225526/https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/. live.
  60. http://www.ocean.edu/advancement/Heritage_Society.htm Heritage Society
  61. Fahim, Kareem. "As Orthodox Population Grows, So Do Tensions", The New York Times, December 10, 2007. Accessed August 23, 2014. "Many Orthodox Jews have been drawn to Lakewood by the prestige of the town's yeshiva, Beth Medrash Govoha, one of the largest rabbinical colleges in the world. The yeshiva was founded in 1943 by a Polish-born rabbi, Aaron Kotler. In 1962, when Rabbi Kotler died, the school had 250 students. It now has about 5,000."
  62. https://stockton.edu/manahawkin/ Manahawkin
  63. https://homeroom5.doe.state.nj.us/directory/district.php?source=01&county=ocean New Jersey School Directory for Ocean County
  64. https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/district_list.asp?Search=1&details=1&State=34&County=Ocean+County Search for Public School Districts in Ocean County, New Jersey
  65. Web site: 2020 census - school district reference map: Ocean County, NJ. https://web.archive.org/web/20220807025430/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st34_nj/schooldistrict_maps/c34029_ocean/DC20SD_C34029.pdf. August 7, 2022. live. U.S. Census Bureau. August 6, 2022. - Text list
  66. http://www.planning.co.ocean.nj.us/econdev.htm Economic Development
  67. http://www.dioceseoftrenton.org/ocean-county-schools/ Ocean County Catholic Schools
  68. http://www.ocvts.org/htm/academies.html Full Time Academies
  69. Web site: OCVTS Academy of Law and Public Safety (ALPS) . September 24, 2023 . OCVTS . en . November 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231116171023/https://www.ocvts.org/alps . live .
  70. Frassinelli, Mike. "Exit 7A: A perfect spot for Adventure on the N.J. Turnpike", The Star-Ledger, October 9, 2011. Accessed October 6, 2013. "What remained was still pretty grand: the largest drive-thru safari outside of Africa — providing generations of New Jerseyans with stories about how a baboon jumped on their car — and the larger-than-life Enchanted Forest. The 2,200-acre amusement park and safari, which has more than 1,200 animals, opened in July 1974.... The purchase by Six Flags in 1977 brought larger roller coasters, a trend that has continued with the arrival of Kingda Ka, which at 45 stories is the world's tallest. An acceleration of 0 to 128 mph in 3.5 seconds also makes it North America's fastest coaster."
  71. http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/barnlig.html Barnegat Lighthouse State Park
  72. http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/island.html Island Beach State Park
  73. http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/double.html Double Trouble State Park
  74. http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/byrne.html Brendan T. Byrne State Forest
  75. http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/marinas.html Forked River State Marina
  76. http://www.milb.com/content/page.jsp?ymd=20100218&content_id=8089998&sid=t427&vkey=team1 Stadium Guide: FirstEnergy Park
  77. https://www.fws.gov/refuge/edwin-b-forsythe Edwin P. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge
  78. Web site: Ocean County News . March 19, 2017 . April 1, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170401175903/http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/press/ocean/ . dead .
  79. http://micromediapubs.com/about-us/ About Us
  80. Michaels, Shawn. "WOBM Is Moving – Join Us For A Look Back At Nearly 45 Years", WOBM-FM, January 20, 2013. Accessed March 21, 2023. "Townsquare Media has designed and constructed a new state of the art facility in Downtown Toms River (8 Robbins Street) and we are very excited to begin the new chapter for your 'Hometown' Station 92.7 WOBM. WOBM went on the air March 1, 1968 in these Bayville studios ....in the middle of a snowstorm!"
  81. http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/refdata/sldiag/mileage_Ocean.pdf Ocean County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction
  82. Web site: NJDOT SLD Sheet Viewer . November 1, 2023 . njsld.org . October 31, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231031233709/https://njsld.org/NJDOT/SLD/SheetViewer . live .
  83. http://www.njtransit.com/rg/rg_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=LineDetailsTo&selLine=NJCL North Jersey Coast Line
  84. http://www.co.ocean.nj.us/transportation/ Ocean Ride Transportation Services
  85. http://www.co.ocean.nj.us/transportation//pdfs//transportation//TransitMap.pdf Ocean County Transit Map
  86. https://archive.today/20150419174657/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY10/0500000US34029 GCT-PH1: Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County  - County Subdivision and Place from the 2010 Census Summary File 1 for Ocean County, New Jersey
  87. http://www.state.nj.us/infobank/localnames.txt Locality Search