Ocean County, New Jersey

Infobox U.S. County
county = Ocean County
state = New Jersey

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Ocean County is a county located along the famous Jersey Shore in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It is the southernmost county in the New York metropolitan area; . Its county seat is Toms RiverGR|6, which, like the county itself, has been one of the fastest growing areas of the state since the 1990. As of the United States 2000 Census, the population was 510,916. The 2007 Census estimate for the county is approximately 558,531, making Ocean County the fastest growing in the state of New Jersey. Ocean County was established in 1850 from portions of Monmouth County except for Little Egg Harbor Township which seceded from Burlington County in 1891.

Ocean County is located convert|50|mi|km east of Philadelphia, PA, convert|70|mi|km south of New York, NY and convert|25|mi|km north of Atlantic City, NJ, making it a prime destination for residents of these cities during the summer. As with the entire Jersey Shore, summer traffic routinely clogs local roadways throughout the season.

Ocean County is home to many tourist attractions including the Barnegat Lighthouse, Island Beach State Park, Long Beach Island, Six Flags Great Adventure, which is the home of the world's tallest, fastest roller coaster, Kingda Ka. Ocean County is also a gateway to New Jersey's Pine Barrens, one of the largest protected pieces of land on the East Coast.

The state's largest suburban school district, Toms River Regional Schools, is located in the county.

It is also home to Mantoloking (population 423), the wealthiest community in the state of New Jersey.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,372 km² (916 sq mi). 1,648 km² (636 sq mi) of it is land and 724 km² (280 sq mi) 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.

It is also home to many popular beaches such as Beach Haven, Ship Bottom, Surf City, Harvey Cedars and Barnegat Light.

Adjacent counties

*Monmouth County, New Jersey - north
*Atlantic County, New Jersey - south
*Burlington County, New Jersey - west

Demographics

USCensusPop
1850=10032
1860=11176
1870=13628
1880=14455
1890=15974
1900=19747
1910=21318
1920=22155
1930=33069
1940=37706
1950=56622
1960=108241
1970=208470
1980=346038
1990=433203
2000=510916
estimate=562335
estyear=2006
estref= [cite web
url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/34/34029.html
title=QuickFacts: Ocean County, New Jersey
publisher=U.S. Census Bureau
accessdate=2007-07-24]
footnote=historical census data source: [cite web
url=http://www.wnjpin.net/OneStopCareerCenter/LaborMarketInformation/lmi01/poptrd5.htm
title=New Jersey Resident Population by County: 1880 - 1930] [cite web
url=http://fisher.lib.virginia.edu/collections/stats/histcensus/
title=Geostat Center: Historical Census Browser
publisher=University of Virginia Library
accessdate=2007-03-02] As of the censusGR|2 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/sq mi). There were 248,711 housing units at an average density of 151/km² (391/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. 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, elected at large by the voters of Ocean County in partisan elections and serving staggered three-year terms. Ocean County's Freeholders have both administrative and policy making powers, and are paid some $50,000 in salary and additional benefits.

As of 2008, Ocean County's Freeholders are: [ [http://www.ocean.nj.us/FreeholderMainPage.aspx Board of Chosen Freeholders] , Ocean County, New Jersey. Accessed March 27, 2008.]
*Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari (Toms River Township, term ends December 31, 2008)
*Freeholder Deputy Director John C. Bartlett, Jr. (Pine Beach, 2009)
*John P. Kelly (Eagleswood Township, 2010)
*James F. Lacey (Brick Township, 2010)
*Gerry P. Little (Surf City, 2009)

Politics

Ocean County is one of the rare Republican strongholds in New Jersey, which is typically a blue state. Many attribute this to the large percentage of elderly voters who reside in the county's many large adult-restricted subdivisions, such as Lake Ridge. 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. In the 2004 U.S. Presidential election, George W. Bush carried the county by a 21.2% margin over John Kerry, with Kerry carrying the state by 6.7% over Bush. [ [http://www.njvoterinfo.org/2004presNJ.htm New Jersey Presidential Election Returns by County 2004] , Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University. Accessed August 31, 2008.] The last Democratic presidential candidate to win Ocean County was Bill Clinton in 1996.

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

External links

* [http://www.co.ocean.nj.us Ocean County website]
* [http://www.planning.co.ocean.nj.us/databooktoc.htm Ocean County Planning Board's Databook]
* [http://www.ocean.nj.us/museums/history.htm Ocean County Historical Museum: History of Ocean County]
* [http://www.clerk.co.ocean.nj.us/courthou/default.htm History of the County Courthouse from County Clerk's website]
* [http://www.theoceancountylibrary.org/ Ocean County Library]