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'Ocean County' is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It is the southernmost county in the New York metropolitan area; however the southern part of the county borders the Philadelphia metro area. Its county seat is Toms River⁶. As of the United States 2000 Census, the population was 510,916. 2006 Census Bureau estimates show the county's population growing to around 553,251 making it the fastest growing county in the state and one of the fastest growing in America. Ocean County was established in 1850 from portions of Monmouth County.
Ocean County is home to many attractions including Island Beach State Park, Long Beach Island, Six Flags Great Adventure, home of the world's tallest, fastest roller coaster, Kingda Ka. Ocean County is also the northeast gateway to New Jersey's Pine Barrens.
The state's largest suburban school district, Toms River Regional Schools, is located in the county.
It is also home to Mantoloking, the wealthiest community in the state of New Jersey and Brick Township, America's safest city.^[1]

Contents

Geography

Adjacent Counties

Demographics

Government

Politics

Attractions

Municipalities

References

External links

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,372 km² (916 mi²). 1,648 km² (636 mi²) of it is land and 724 km² (280 mi²) of it (30.53%) is water. It is the second largest county by area in New Jersey.
Much of the county is flat and coastal, and boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the nation. The highest point is one of three unnamed hills (one in Jackson Township, the other two in Plumsted Township) that reach at least 230 feet (70 m) in elevation. The lowest elevation in the county is sea level.

Adjacent Counties

★ Monmouth County, New Jersey - north

★ Atlantic County, New Jersey - south

★ Burlington County, New Jersey - west

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 510,916 people, 200,402 households, and 137,876 families residing in the county. The population density was 310/km² (803/mi²). There were 248,711 housing units at an average density of 151/km² (391/mi²). 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. 24.9% were of Italian, 18.2% Irish, 12.5% German, 7.0% Polish and 5.4% English ancestry according to Census 2000.
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.
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.
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 4.80% of families and 7.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.00% of those under age 18 and 5.60% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Ocean County is governed by a Board of Chosen Freeholders consisting of five members. Freeholders are elected at large by the voters of Ocean County in partisan elections and serve staggered 3-year terms. Ocean County's Freeholders have both administrative and policy making powers, and are paid some $50,000 in salary and additional benefits.
Ocean County's Freeholders are:^[2]

★ John C. Bartlett Jr.

★ John P. Kelly

★ James F. Lacey

★ Gerry P. Little

★ Joseph H. Vicari

Politics

Ocean County is a Republican stronghold in New Jersey. All parts of the county are represented by Republicans at the federal, state and county level.
Doug Forrester carried Ocean County by 12 points in the 2005 New Jersey gubernatorial election, winning every municipality but Lakewood Township and South Toms River Boro. A year before, George W. Bush won the county by 21 points, carrying every municipality in the county.

Attractions

Ocean County is home to many attractions including Island Beach State Park, Long Beach Island, Six Flags Great Adventure, America's largest Six Flags theme park, home of the world's tallest, fastest roller coaster, Kingda Ka. Ocean County is also the northeast gateway to New Jersey's Pine Barrens, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, New Jersey's largest water park, Six Flags Wild Safari, the largest drive-thru animal safari outside of Africa. Ocean County has an extensive stretch along the Atlantic Ocean, including the Jersey Shore communities and oceanfront boardwalk resorts of Seaside Heights and Point Pleasant Beach. Forty miles 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 maritime history village and the Lakewood BlueClaws, the Class A-affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Municipalities

The following is a list of the municipalities in Ocean County. Other, unincorporated areas in the county are listed below their parent municipality (or municipalities, as the case may be). Most of these areas are census-designated places that have been created by the United States Census Bureau for enumeration purposes within a Township.


★ Barnegat Light

★ Barnegat Township

★
★ Barnegat CDP

★
★ Ocean Acres (part)

★ Bay Head

★ Beach Haven

★ Beachwood

★ Berkeley Township

★
★ Holiday City-Berkeley

★
★ Holiday City South

★
★ Holiday Heights

★
★ Silver Ridge

★ Brick Township

★ Eagleswood Township

★ Harvey Cedars

★ Island Heights

★ Jackson Township

★
★ Vista Center

★ Lacey Township

★
★ Forked River

★
★ Lanoka Harbor

★ Lakehurst

★ Lakewood Township

★
★ Lakewood CDP

★
★ Leisure Village

★
★ Leisure Village East

★ Lavallette

★ Little Egg Harbor Township

★
★ Mystic Island

★ Long Beach Township

★
★ North Beach Haven

★ Manchester Township

★
★ Cedar Glen Lakes

★
★ Cedar Glen West

★
★ Crestwood Village

★
★ Leisure Knoll

★
★ Leisure Village West-Pine Lake Park

★
★ Pine Ridge at Crestwood

★ Mantoloking

★ Ocean Gate

★ Ocean Township

★
★ Waretown

★ Pine Beach

★ Plumsted Township

★
★ New Egypt

★ Point Pleasant

★ Point Pleasant Beach

★ Seaside Heights

★ Seaside Park

★ Ship Bottom

★ South Toms River

★ Stafford Township

★
★ Beach Haven West

★
★ Manahawkin

★
★ Ocean Acres (part)

★ Surf City

★ Toms River Township (County Seat)

★
★ Dover Beaches North

★
★ Dover Beaches South

★ Tuckerton

References

1. 13th Annual Safest (and Most Dangerous) Cities: Top and Bottom 25 Cities Overall, Morgan Quitno. Accessed October 30, 2006.
2. Board of Chosen Freeholders, accessed August 12, 2007

External links

★ Ocean County website

★ Ocean County Planning Board's Databook

★ Ocean County Historical Museum: History of Ocean County

★ History of the County Courthouse from County Clerk's website

★ Ocean County Library