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.[3] Its county seat is Toms River.[2] The county is part of the Jersey Shore[7] and is considered part of the Central Jersey region of the state,[8] though it was not among the four counties explicitly listed as included in Central Jersey as part of legislation signed into law in 2023.[9]
Since 2020, Ocean County has been the fastest-growing county in New Jersey,[10] with a population of 637,229 recorded at the 2020 United States census,[4][5] its highest decennial count ever and ranking the county as the state's sixth-most populous county,[11][12] with an increase of 60,662 (+10.5%) from the 576,567 enumerated at the 2010 census,[13] which in turn reflected an increase of 65,651 (+12.8%) from the 510,916 counted in the 2000 census.[14] Since 2010, Ocean County's population has been growing faster than the United States as a whole.[15] 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.[6] Ocean County’s most populous and fastest-growing place is Lakewood Township, with an estimated 139,866 residents as of 2023,[16] while Jackson Township covers 100.62 square miles (260.6 km2), the largest total area of any municipality in the county.
Ocean County is located 50 miles (80 km) east of Philadelphia, 70 miles (110 km) south of New York City, and 25 miles (40 km) 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.
Prior to its creation, Ocean County was almost entirely within Shrewsbury Township in Monmouth County, with the exception of Tuckerton and Little Egg Harbor Township.[19] Ocean County was established on February 15, 1850, from portions of Monmouth county; Little Egg Harbor Township was annexed from Burlington County on March 30, 1891.[1] 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.[5][20]Jackson Township, which covers 100.62 square miles (260.6 km2), is the largest municipality in Ocean County by area.[21]
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of the 2020 Census, the county had a total area of 914.84 square miles (2,369.4 km2), making it the largest county in New Jersey in terms of total area (ahead of Burlington County), of which 628.29 square miles (1,627.3 km2) was land (68.7%) and 286.55 square miles (742.2 km2) was water (31.3%).[3]
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 24 °F (−4 °C) in January to a high of 85 °F (29 °C) in July, although a record low of −19 °F (−28 °C) was recorded in January 1982 and a record high of 105 °F (41 °C) was recorded in July 1999. Average monthly temperatures in Tuckerton near the south end range from 33.2 °F (0.7 °C) in January to 75.7 °F (24.3 °C) in July.[26]
The highest monthly average temperature for the county was 78.8 °F (26.0 °C) in July 2020; the lowest was 17.2 °F (−8.2 °C) in February 1934.[27]
Average monthly precipitation ranged from 3.30 inches (84 mm) in February to 4.79 inches (122 mm) in March.[25] 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 15.67 in (39.8 cm) in August 2011, the same month Hurricane Irene hit the New Jersey coast; the lowest was .25 in (0.64 cm) recorded in October 1963.[28]
The 2020 United States census counted 637,229 people and 237,729 households in the county. The population density was 1,014.2 inhabitants per square mile (391.6/km2). There were 295,648 housing units at an average density of 470.6 per square mile (181.7/km2). 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 residents of any race were 10.2% (64,997) of the population. The average household size was 2.62.[4]
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. Females made up 51.3% of the total population.[4]
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 917 inhabitants per square mile (354/km2). There were 278,052 housing units at an average density of 442.2 per square mile (170.7/km2). 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 residents of any race were 8.29% (47,783) of the population.[13]
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.[13]
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.[13]
2000 census
As of the 2000 United States census[31] there were 510,916 people, 200,402 households, and 137,876 families residing in the county. The population density was 803 inhabitants per square mile (310/km2). There were 248,711 housing units at an average density of 151/km2 (390/sq mi). 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.[14][32] 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.[32][33]
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.[14]
In the county, 23.30% of the population was under the age of 18, 6.60% was from 18 to 24, 26.00% from 25 to 44, 21.90% from 45 to 64, and 22.20% was 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.[14]
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.[32][34]
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.[36]
Ocean County is home to the Ocean County Mall in Toms River, featuring a gross leasable area of 898,000 square feet (83,400 m2).[37] The now-closed Sears site will be replaced with 100,000 square feet (9,300 m2) of retail space.[38]
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.[39] In 2016, freeholders were paid $30,000 and the freeholder director was paid an annual salary of $31,000.[40] This remained unchanged in 2018
As of 2025[update], Ocean County's Commissioners are (with terms for chair and vice-chair ending every December 31):[41][42]
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).[48] Constitutional officers elected on a countywide basis are:[49] Constitutional officers elected on a countywide basis are:
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.[56][57] 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.[58][59] Ocean County operates the Ocean County Southern Service Center in Manahawkin.[60] 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 20 miles (32 km) to the north.
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. 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. The only other time it did not back a Republican was in 1912 when it voted for Theodore Roosevelt's Progressive Party with a plurality of the vote. As of 2024, all of its state legislators, County commissioners, and countywide constitutional officers are Republicans. 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.[66] Among the county's 2010 Census population, 63.2% were registered to vote, including 82.6% of those ages 18 and over.[67][68]
United States presidential election results for Ocean County, New Jersey[69]
Approximately 40 miles (64 km) of barrier beaches form the Barnegat and Little Egg Harbor Bays, offering ample watersports. It also is home of the Tuckerton Seaport, a 40-acre (160,000 m2) 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:
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.[93]
91.9 WBNJ provides local news, PSAs and events; as well as weather updates.
The county had a total of 2,958.5 miles (4,761.2 km) of roadways, of which 2,164.2 miles (3,482.9 km) are maintained by the municipality, 615.5 miles (990.6 km) by Ocean County and 140.19 miles (225.61 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and 38.59 miles (62.10 km) by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.[94]
Ocean County has various major roads that pass through. Those routes are listed below:[95]
U.S. Route 9 (The only U.S. Highway in the county)
The Garden State Parkway extends 38.5 miles (62.0 km) from Bass River Township in Burlington County in the south to Wall Township in Monmouth County to the north.
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.[97][98] 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:[99] Other, unincorporated communities in the county are listed alongside their parent municipality (or municipalities).[100] Most of these areas are census-designated places that have been created by the United States Census Bureau for enumeration purposes within a Township.[21] The numbers in parentheses stand for the numbers on the map.
Index map of Ocean County municipalities (see index key in table below)
Interactive map of municipalities in Ocean County.
^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."
^"Governor Murphy Settles Central Jersey Debate"Archived February 13, 2024, at the Wayback Machine, Governor of New JerseyPhil Murphy, August 24, 2023. Accessed April 15, 2024. "Governor Phil Murphy today signed S3206 to promote Central Jersey tourism. The bill requires the Division of Travel and Tourism, within the Department of State, to re-draw the State tourism map to create a 'Central Jersey' region and to incorporate it in all regional marketing campaigns, including publications and on VisitNJ.org. The 'Central Jersey' region will be comprised of, at minimum, the counties of Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, and Somerset."
^Ryan Forgosh, Asbury Park Press (May 25, 2023). "State of growing: 14 New Jersey towns where population is growing the fastest". USA TODAY Network. Archived from the original on June 4, 2023. Retrieved May 27, 2023. 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 [[Brick Township, New Jersey|]], Toms River, and [[Jackson Township, New Jersey|]], also bucked state trends and experienced significant population growth.
^"How has the population changed in Ocean County?". USAFacts. Archived from the original on April 22, 2023. Retrieved April 22, 2023. 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%
^Hopkins, Kathleen. "New Ocean County prosecutor once proposed at the courthouse"Archived May 13, 2024, at the Wayback Machine, 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."
^Fahim, Kareem. "As Orthodox Population Grows, So Do Tensions"Archived October 30, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, 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."
^ abSteve Strunsky (April 16, 2019). "Lakewood yeshiva looks to use old golf course for new campus". New Jersey On-Line LLC. Archived from the original on April 16, 2019. Retrieved April 19, 2019. Beth Medrash Gohova is said to be the world's largest Jewish-affiliated university outside of Israel.
^ abStephen Stirling (August 3, 2017). "10 ways Lakewood is unlike anywhere else in N.J." NJ Advance Media. Archived from the original on April 16, 2019. Retrieved April 19, 2019. The sea change can be pinned to one event: The founding of the Beth Medrash Govoha yeshiva in the mid-20th century. The Orthodox Jewish community has set down roots en masse around the religious school, which is now the largest yeshiva in North America.
^Economic DevelopmentArchived March 29, 2018, at the Wayback Machine, Ocean County Department of Planning. Accessed August 23, 2014. "Toms River Regional School District in the largest suburban district in New Jersey, fourth largest overall with 18,000 students."
^Frassinelli, Mike. "Exit 7A: A perfect spot for Adventure on the N.J. Turnpike"Archived August 26, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, 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."
^About UsArchived April 5, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, Micromedia Publications. Accessed June 27, 2016. "Micromedia Publications, Inc. was founded in 1995 by Stewart Swann and Robyn Weber for the purpose of publishing high quality local weekly newspapers within New Jersey. Following the successful launch of The Manchester Times in April of that year, the company has since introduced The Berkeley Times (1996), The Jackson Times (2000), The Brick Times (2002), The Howell Times (2004), The Toms River Times (2005) and The Lacey Barnegat Times (2010), now The Southern Ocean Times (2013)."
^Michaels, Shawn. "WOBM Is Moving – Join Us For A Look Back At Nearly 45 Years"Archived March 21, 2023, at the Wayback Machine, 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!"
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