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Long Branch, New Jersey

Long Branch is a beachside city in Monmouth County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the city's population was 31,667, an increase of 948 (+3.1%) from the 2010 census count of 30,719,  which in turn reflected a decline of 621 (−2.0%) from the 31,340 counted in the 2000 census. As of the 2020 census, it was the 6th-most-populous municipality in Monmouth County and had the 74th-highest population of any municipality in New Jersey.

Long Branch was formed on April 11, 1867, as the Long Branch Commission, from portions of Ocean Township. Long Branch was incorporated as a city by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 8, 1903, based on the results of a referendum, replacing the Long Branch Commission.

History
Long Branch emerged as a beach resort town in the late 18th century, named for its location along a branch of the South Shrewsbury River. In the 19th century, theatrical performers of the day often gathered and performed there. It was visited by many Presidents during the Gilded Age, including Chester A. Arthur, James A. Garfield, Ulysses S. Grant, Benjamin Harrison, Rutherford B. Hayes, William McKinley, and Woodrow Wilson, along with President Donald Trump in the modern era. Seven Presidents Park, a park near the beach, is named in honor of the visits of the first seven of these presidents. The Church of the Presidents, where these same seven presidents worshiped, is the only structure left in Long Branch associated with them.

President Grant and his family summered at their beachfront cottage in Long Branch the first year of his presidency in 1869 and for most of the rest of Grant's life. During this time, Long Branch came to be called the "summer capital". President James A. Garfield was brought to Long Branch in the hope that the fresh air and quiet might aid his recovery after being shot on July 2, 1881, an incident that left the assassin's bullet lodged in his spine. He died here on September 19, 1881, at age 49. The Garfield Tea House, constructed from railroad ties that had been laid to carry Garfield's train, is in Elberon.

The famous Long Branch Saloon of the American Old West, located in Dodge City, Kansas, was given its name by its first owner, William Harris, who had moved west from Long Branch, New Jersey, his hometown.

Originally a resort town with a few hotels and large estates and many farms in the early 20th century, Long Branch grew in population. Italian, Irish and Jewish immigrants settled in during this period. During the 1930s, the city used government policies to enforce racial segregation against Blacks at local beaches, assigning all black applicants for beach passes to a single, segregated beach.

By the 1950s, Long Branch like many other towns had developed new residential spots and housing to make room for the growing population. Many of the former farms of Long Branch were transformed into residential suburbs. Many of the estates and a few old historic resorts (with the addition of many new ones) still remain.

In the early 20th century, Long Branch lost much of its activity as a theater spot. In addition, the opening of the Garden State Parkway in the mid-1950s allowed shore visitors to access points further south, which added to Long Branch's decline. The civil unrest of the 1960s caused riots in neighboring Asbury Park, and many fled the shore cities for the suburban towns west of the beach. Decades later, the older, more dilapidated parts of the resort town were condemned and redeveloped, in part by using eminent domain legislation.

Long Branch continues to be a popular resort area. Many people from New York City travel or settle into the area to escape the crowded city and enjoy Long Branch's beaches.

Hurricane Sandy
On October 29, 2012, Long Branch was one of many shore communities that were devastated by Hurricane Sandy. Although Sandy's winds were powerful, Long Branch's position between Long Beach Island and Sea Bright gave Long Branch a much larger wall of security because it could not be engulfed by surrounding waters. Despite this mainland advantage, there were still several instances of flooding in Long Branch during the storm. Many residents went without electricity for as long as two weeks. The boardwalk was destroyed; the city began rebuilding it in 2015, and it reopened in April 2016, making it the last boardwalk damaged by Sandy to be rebuilt.

Geography
Long Branch takes its name from the "long branch" or south branch of the Shrewsbury River.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city had a total area of 6.29 square miles (16.28 km2), including 5.12 square miles (13.27 km2) of land and 1.16 square miles (3.01 km2) of water (18.49%).

The city borders the Monmouth County communities of Deal, Monmouth Beach, Ocean Township, Oceanport and West Long Branch.

Neighborhoods
There are several distinct neighborhoods and areas in the City of Long Branch, each with its own character. Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the city include Branchport, East Long Branch, Elberon (served as ZIP Code 07740), Hollywood, Kensington Park, North Long Branch, Pleasure Bay and West End. Other areas include North End (once known as "Atlanticville"), Beachfront North and South (including Pier Village, adjacent to the site of the former Long Branch Pier at the foot of Laird Street), Downtown and Uptown. As the city's redevelopment initiatives continue to expand, the lower Broadway area (a portion of the city's Downtown) will become an Arts District.

In years past, Long Branch was a major destination for beachgoers, along with Asbury Park, and enjoyed an upscale connotation with tourists. Long Branch is home to Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park, named for the United States presidents who visited the fashionable resort town, including Ulysses S. Grant, Chester A. Arthur, Rutherford Hayes, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, Woodrow Wilson and James Garfield.

Long Branch's fame as the Nation's First Seaside Resort waned in the years following World War II. The defining moment marking the end of this era occurred on June 8, 1987, when the largest fire in the history of the city destroyed the landmark amusement pier and adjoining Haunted Mansion, "Kid's World" Amusement Park and other businesses.

Climate
According to the Köppen climate classification system, Long Branch has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa). Cfa climates are characterized by all months having an average temperature above 32.0 F, at least four months with an average temperature at or above 50.0 F, at least one month with an average temperature at or above 71.6 F and no significant precipitation difference between seasons. Although most summer days are slightly humid with a cooling afternoon sea breeze in Long Branch, episodes of heat and high humidity can occur with heat index values above 104 F. Since 1981, the highest air temperature was 100.6 F on August 9, 2001, and the highest daily average mean dew point was 77.7 F on August 13, 2016, and July 19, 2019. July is the peak in thunderstorm activity and the average wettest month is August. Since 1981, the wettest calendar day was 5.82 in on August 27, 2011. During the winter months, the average annual extreme minimum air temperature is 3.9 F. Since 1981, the coldest air temperature was -5.9 F on January 22, 1984. Episodes of extreme cold and wind can occur with wind chill values below -6 F. The average seasonal (November–April) snowfall total is 18 to 24 in and the average snowiest month is February which corresponds with the annual peak in nor'easter activity.

Ecology
According to the A. W. Kuchler U.S. potential natural vegetation types, Long Branch would have a dominant vegetation type of Appalachian oak (104) with a dominant vegetation form of Eastern Hardwood Forest (25). The plant hardiness zone is 7a with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of 3.9 F. The average date of first spring leaf-out is March 23 and fall color typically peaks in early-November.

Economy
Portions of the city are part of a joint Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) with Asbury Park, one of 32 zones covering 37 municipalities statewide. The city was selected in 1994 as one of a group of 10 zones added to participate in the program. In addition to other benefits to encourage employment and investment within the UEZ, shoppers can take advantage of a reduced 3.3125% sales tax rate (half of the $6 5/8$% rate charged statewide) at eligible merchants. Established in November 1994, the city's Urban Enterprise Zone status expires in November 2025.

Development
Broadway Center is a planned entertainment and commercial hub of Long Branch, as envisioned by the City Government and Thompson Design Group, who created the Master Plan for the city. This complex is planned to offer retail shops, cafes, bars, restaurants and two performing arts theaters as well as 500 new residences sitting atop a 1,500 car parking garage. It will be designed by the architectural firms of Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum (HOK).

In June 2013, the city approved designation of the area around its train station as a transit village, which can bring incentives for revitalization and denser development.

There are several mid-rise buildings lining the oceanfront. In December 2013 another 12-story residential project was approved.

2010 census
The 2010 United States census counted 30,719 people, 11,753 households, and 6,876 families in the city. The population density was 5824.4 /sqmi. There were 14,170 housing units at an average density of 2686.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup was 65.30% (20,060) White, 14.21% (4,364) Black or African American, 0.55% (170) Native American, 2.13% (655) Asian, 0.08% (24) Pacific Islander, 13.24% (4,067) from other races, and 4.49% (1,379) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 28.07% (8,624) of the population.

Of the 11,753 households, 26.3% had children under the age of 18; 36.2% were married couples living together; 15.6% had a female householder with no husband present and 41.5% were non-families. Of all households, 31.0% were made up of individuals and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.23.

21.7% of the population were under the age of 18, 12.2% from 18 to 24, 31.1% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33.8 years. For every 100 females, the population had 100.3 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 98.3 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $52,792 (with a margin of error of +/− $2,549) and the median family income was $56,778 (+/− $4,202). Males had a median income of $36,404 (+/− $3,363) versus $33,397 (+/− $4,036) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $30,381 (+/− $2,212). About 11.5% of families and 14.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.7% of those under age 18 and 9.6% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census
As of the 2000 United States census there were 31,340 people, 12,594 households, and 7,248 families residing in the city. The population density was 6,008.6 PD/sqmi. There were 13,983 housing units at an average density of 2,680.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 68.03% White, 18.66% African American, 0.36% Native American, 1.64% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 7.08% from other races, and 4.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 20.67% of the population.

There were 12,594 households, out of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.9% were married couples living together, 15.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.4% were non-families. 34.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.19.

In the city the population was spread out, with 23.8% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 32.4% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $38,651, and the median income for a family was $42,825. Males had a median income of $37,383 versus $27,026 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,532. About 13.9% of families and 16.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.3% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65 or over.

Local government
Long Branch is governed under the Mayor-Council (Plan A) form of municipal government under the Faulkner Act, enacted by direct petition as of July 1, 1966. The city is one of 71 of New Jersey's 564 municipalities that use this form of government. The governing body is comprised of the Mayor and the five-member City Council, whose members are elected at-large on a non-partisan basis in the May municipal elections to serve concurrent four-year terms of office.

, the Mayor of Long Branch is John Pallone. Members of the City Council are Mary Jane Celli, Bill Dangler, Mario Vieria, Anita Voogt and Rose Widdis. The mayor and city council members serve concurrent terms of office ending on June 30, 2026.

Federal, state, and county representation
Long Branch is located in the 6th Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 11th state legislative district.

Politics

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As of March 2011, there were a total of 13,442 registered voters in Long Branch, of which 4,293 (31.9%) were registered as Democrats, 1,783 (13.3%) were registered as Republicans and 7,358 (54.7%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 8 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.

In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 64.5% of the vote (5,421 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 34.5% (2,897 votes), and other candidates with 1.0% (81 votes), among the 8,470 ballots cast by the city's 14,289 registered voters (71 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 59.3%. In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 61.2% of the vote (6,171 cast), ahead of Republican John McCain with 35.7% (3,600 votes) and other candidates with 1.0% (98 votes), among the 10,090 ballots cast by the city's 14,433 registered voters, for a turnout of 69.9%. In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 58.0% of the vote (5,724 ballots cast), outpolling Republican George W. Bush with 40.5% (4,001 votes) and other candidates with 0.7% (99 votes), among the 9,870 ballots cast by the city's 14,563 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 67.8.

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 57.4% of the vote (2,621 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 41.1% (1,876 votes), and other candidates with 1.6% (71 votes), among the 4,677 ballots cast by the city's 14,129 registered voters (109 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 33.1%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Democrat Jon Corzine received 48.1% of the vote (2,714 ballots cast), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 44.7% (2,523 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 5.7% (320 votes) and other candidates with 0.9% (48 votes), among the 5,645 ballots cast by the city's 13,812 registered voters, yielding a 40.9% turnout.

Public safety
The Long Branch Department of Public Safety consists of the Long Branch Police Department (LBPD), the Long Branch Fire Department, and the Office of Emergency Management. The LBPD did not have a police chief between 1970 and 2017, with the Director of Public Safety being directly responsible for the department.

On November 20, 1997, LBPD Detective Sergeant Patrick A. King was killed by gunshot while ordering at a Chinese restaurant. The killer led law enforcement on a 60 mi chase which ended in his suicide.

Education
Long Branch's public schools are operated by the Long Branch Public Schools, serving children in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. The district is one of 31 former Abbott districts statewide that were established pursuant to the decision by the New Jersey Supreme Court in Abbott v. Burke which are now referred to as "SDA Districts" based on the requirement for the state to cover all costs for school building and renovation projects in these districts under the supervision of the New Jersey Schools Development Authority. All Long Branch Public Schools are free, including the district's preschool programs which are full-day and accommodate children ages 3–5 years old. Long Branch schools offer free breakfast each morning for the students. In addition, Long Branch Public Schools provide free summer programs for most of the summer.

As of the 2018–19 school year, the district, comprised of eight schools, had an enrollment of 5,786 students and 477.8 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 12.1:1. Schools in the district (with 2018–19 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics ) are Lenna W. Conrow School (with 380 students; in grades Pre-K–K), Joseph M. Ferraina Early Childhood Learning Center (314; Pre-K–K), Morris Avenue School (379; Pre-K–K), Amerigo A. Anastasia School (541; 1–5), George L. Catrambone Elementary School (876; K–5), Gregory School (552; 1–5), Long Branch Middle School (1,198; 6–8), Long Branch High School, (1,499; 9–12) and Audrey W. Clark School / The Academy of Alternative Programs, an alternative education program.

George L. Catrambone Elementary School was constructed at a total cost over $40 million for a facility that was designed to house 800 students in a facility covering 109000 sqft for which construction began in 2012. With the start of the 2014–2015 school year, a realignment of the district closed West End School, converted Morris Avenue School for early childhood use and repurposed Audrey W. Clark School for alternative education.

Seashore School is a private K–8 school, with class size limited to 16 students.

Declining attendance led the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton to close the K–8 Holy Trinity School in June 2006.

Media
WRLB "Radio Long Branch" signed-on June 1, 1960, at 107.1 FM. Since December 1996 the call letters have been WWZY.

Roads and highways
As of 2010, the city had a total of 89.49 mi of roadways, of which 80.10 mi were maintained by the municipality, 6.26 mi by Monmouth County and 3.13 mi by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

Route 36 and Route 71 are the most significant highways that pass through the city.

Public transportation
Long Branch is connected to New York City and Northern New Jersey via NJ Transit commuter train service running on the North Jersey Coast Line. The Long Branch station located three blocks away from the beach, marks the end of electrified trackage, where passengers continuing south must change to diesel-powered trains. A second station is located at Elberon, just north of the borough of Deal. In the past there were stops in the West End neighborhood and on Broadway, but they were closed to reduce travel time to New York City.

Local bus transportation is provided by NJ Transit on the 831 and 837 routes. Transportation to New York City is provided by Academy Bus on its Route 36 and Shore Points routes.

Notable people

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Long Branch include:

 * M. H. Abrams (1912–2015), literary critic, known for works on romanticism
 * Aida de Acosta (1884–1962), socialite and the first woman to fly a powered aircraft solo
 * Richard Anderson (1926–2017), best known for his role as Oscar Goldman, in both The Six Million Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman TV series and subsequent TV movies
 * Paul Baerwald (1871–1961), banker and philanthropist
 * John Beake (born 1938), retired American football executive who served as general manager of the Denver Broncos of the National Football League from 1985 to 1998.
 * Arthur Hornbui Bell (1891–1973), attorney who was the Grand Dragon of the Ku Klux Klan in New Jersey
 * Joe Benning (born 1956), member of the Vermont Senate who has represented the Caledonia District since 2011
 * Clint Black (born 1962), country music performer
 * Jeff Blumenkrantz (born 1965), actor, composer and lyricist
 * Clara Bloodgood (1870–1907), stage actress
 * Dorothy Borg (1902–1993), historian specializing in American-East Asian relations
 * Joe Bravo (born 1971), thoroughbred racing jockey
 * MarShon Brooks (born 1989), basketball player for the Brooklyn Nets
 * Frank Budd (1939–2014), wide receiver in the NFL for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Washington Redskins who once held the world record in the 100-yard dash
 * John Cannon (born 1960), former defensive end who played nine seasons for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
 * Rick Cerone (born 1954), former Yankee catcher who played for eight major league baseball teams, and was part of the New York Yankees for seven years
 * Jo Champa (born 1968), actress, producer and model
 * June Clark (born 1900), jazz trumpeter who later managed boxer Sugar Ray Robinson
 * Connor Clifton (born 1995), ice hockey defenseman for the Boston Bruins of the NHL
 * Paul Cohen (1934–2007), awarded the Fields Medal for developing forcing to show the independence of the continuum hypothesis and the axiom of choice in axiomatic set theory
 * James M. Coleman (1924–2014), politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly and as a judge in New Jersey Superior Court
 * Tom Constanten (born 1944), musician, former keyboardist for the Grateful Dead
 * Ken Croken (born 1950), member of the Iowa House of Representatives
 * John D'Amico Jr. (born 1941), who served on the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders and served in the New Jersey Senate in 1988 and 1989
 * Herbert Dardik (1935–2020), vascular surgeon who served as the chief of vascular surgery at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center
 * Bob Davis (born 1945), former NFL quarterback whose career included three seasons with the New York Jets
 * Sean Davis (born 1993), professional soccer player for the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer
 * David Doubilet (born 1946), underwater photographer
 * Frederick Douglass (1818–1895), lived in Long Branch for a short period of time until his home burnt down
 * Barnett A. Elzas (1867–1936), rabbi and historian who served as rabbi at Beth Miriam Congregation in Long Branch
 * Samuel Feltman (1899–1951), computer scientist and weaponry expert
 * Mel Ferrer (1917–2008), actor, director and producer
 * Joan Field (1915–1988), concert violinist
 * Tom Fleming (1951–2017), distance runner who won the 1973 and 1975 New York City Marathon
 * Ryan Fournier (born 1995), conservative activist and political commentator best known as the co-founder of Students for Trump
 * Waldo Frank (1889–1967), novelist, historian, political activist and literary critic
 * James A. Garfield (1831–1881), 20th President of the United States, died in Long Branch
 * David Garrison (born 1952), actor most noted for playing Steve Rhoades on Married... with Children
 * Richard T. Gill (1927–2010), Harvard University economist who became an opera singer at midlife
 * Vin Gopal (born 1985), politician who represents the 11th Legislative District in the New Jersey Senate
 * Elizabeth Gorcey (born 1962), filmmaker, actor and writer, best known for her leading role in the 1984 film Footloose
 * Sonny Greer (1895–1982), jazz drummer, best known for his work with Duke Ellington
 * John Faucheraud Grimké (1752–1819), father of abolitionists Sarah Grimké and Angelina Grimké
 * Sarah Moore Grimké (1792–1873), abolitionist and women's rights activist, briefly lived in Long Branch while caring for her father
 * Harry Frank Guggenheim (1890–1971), businessman, diplomat, publisher, philanthropist, aviator and horseman
 * Lahav Harkov, journalist who serves as the senior contributing editor and diplomatic correspondent of The Jerusalem Post
 * Garret Hobart (1844–1899), 24th Vice President of the United States, under William McKinley
 * Winslow Homer (1836–1910), stayed in Long Branch in 1869, while he produced paintings of Victorian women strolling the boardwalks
 * Deborah Lee James (born 1958), 23rd Secretary of the United States Air Force
 * Jim Jeffcoat (born 1961), professional football player for the Dallas Cowboys and the Buffalo Bills from 1983 to 1997
 * Mamie Johnson (1935–2017), professional baseball player who was one of three women, and the first female pitcher, to play in the Negro leagues
 * Ed Jones (born 1952), former defensive back for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League from 1976 to 1984, who won five Grey Cups for the Eskimos and was a CFL All-Star from 1979 to 1981
 * Julius Katchen (1926–1969), concert pianist, best known for his recordings of Johannes Brahms's solo piano works
 * Raja Feather Kelly (born 1986/87), choreographer best known for his work on Off-Broadway shows which combine "pop and queer culture"
 * Jim Kerwin (1941–2021), retired basketball player and college coach
 * Tom Kerwin (born 1944), professional basketball forward who played in the American Basketball Association for the Pittsburgh Pipers
 * Thomas G. Labrecque (1938–2000), business executive who served as president, CEO, and COO of Chase Manhattan Bank
 * Connie Lawn (1944–2018), independent broadcast journalist who, at the time of her death, was the longest-serving White House correspondent
 * Sigurd Lucassen (1927–2001), carpenter and labor leader who served as president of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America.
 * Norman Mailer (1923–2007), novelist
 * Jonathan Maslow (1948–2008), author who wrote extensively about nature, with a focus on obscure and little understood animals
 * Karen McCloskey (born 1951), rower who competed in the women's quadruple sculls event at the 1976 Summer Olympics
 * Walter Mebane (born 1958), University of Michigan professor of political science and statistics and an expert on detecting electoral fraud
 * Sam Mills (1959–2005), linebacker who played 12 seasons in the NFL for the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers
 * Julian Mitchell (1854–1926), director of the Ziegfeld Follies
 * John Montefusco (born 1950), Major League Baseball pitcher 1974 to 1986 for the San Francisco Giants, Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres and New York Yankees
 * Denise Morrison (born 1954), business executive who served as president and chief executive officer of Campbell Soup Company from 2011 through 2018
 * Frank Pallone (born 1951), member of the United States House of Representatives since 1988, who served on the Long Branch city council from 1982 to 1988
 * Dorothy Parker (1893–1967), writer and storied member of the Algonquin Round Table, whose birthplace at 792 Ocean Avenue has been designated as a National Literary Landmark
 * Luanne Peterpaul, politician, lawyer, and former judge serving as a member of the New Jersey General Assembly for the 11th legislative district since January 2024
 * George R. Pettit (1929–2021), chemist and researcher in the field of natural anticancer compounds
 * Robert Pinsky (born 1940), Poet Laureate of the United States from 1997 to 2000
 * Anthony Portantino (born 1961), politician who serves in the California State Senate, where he represents the 25th Senate District
 * Elizabeth Clare Prophet (1939–2009), spiritual leader, author, orator and writer.
 * Brian Pulido (born 1961), founder of Chaos! Comics and writer of comics books such as Lady Death, Evil Ernie and Purgatori
 * Paris Qualles (born 1951), screenwriter and television producer
 * Jim Quirk (born c. 1940), NFL on-field official from 1988 to 2008
 * Priscilla Ransohoff (1912–1992), military education specialist and advocate for women in science and federal employment.
 * Harry Ray (born 1946), R&B vocalist who was a member of the groups "The Moments" and "Ray, Goodman, & Brown"
 * Charles Rembar (1915–2000), attorney best known as a First Amendment rights lawyer
 * Richie Rosenberg, trombonist who performed with Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes
 * Jason Ryan (born 1976), pitcher who played two seasons for Minnesota Twins
 * Melanie Safka (1947–2024), singer-songwriter
 * Adam Sarafian (born 1986), geologist who has advanced theories about the origin of water on Earth and pole vaulter who won the national championship in 2004
 * Fred Schneider (born 1951), singer, songwriter, arranger and musician, best known as the frontman of the rock band the B-52's, of which he is a founding member
 * Scott Schoeneweis (born 1973), a relief pitcher who played for the New York Mets, among other teams
 * Rubby Sherr (1913–2013), nuclear physicist who co-invented a key component of the first nuclear weapon while participating in the Manhattan Project
 * John W. Slocum (1867–1938), lawyer, county judge, President of the New Jersey Senate
 * Bruce Springsteen (born 1949), born in Long Branch and raised in Freehold Borough, New Jersey, wrote "Born to Run", "Thunder Road" and "Backstreets" in a cottage at $7 1/2$ West End Court
 * John Strollo (born 1954), college football coach
 * Danny Stubbs (born 1965), who won multiple National Championships with University of Miami and two Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers as a defensive tackle
 * Norman Tanzman (1918–2004), politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1962 to 1968 and in the New Jersey Senate from 1968 to 1974
 * Yvonne Thornton (born 1947), obstetrician-gynecologist, musician and author, best known for her memoir, The Ditchdigger's Daughters
 * Meghan Tierney (born 1997), snowboarder who represented the United States at the 2018 Olympics and at the 2022 Olympics
 * Army Tomaini (1918–2005), American football tackle who played for the New York Giants in 1945
 * Johnny Tomaini (1902–1985), professional football player who played in the NFL for the Orange Tornadoes, Newark Tornadoes and Brooklyn Dodgers
 * Ivy Troutman (1884–1979), Broadway actress
 * John Henry Turpin (1876–1962), one of the first African-American Chief Petty Officers in the United States Navy; also notable for surviving the catastrophic explosions of the USS Maine in 1898 and USS Bennington in 1905
 * Chase Untermeyer (born 1946), United States Ambassador to Qatar
 * Anthony M. Villane (1929–2022), dentist and politician who was elected to serve seven terms in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1976 to 1988
 * John Villapiano (born 1951), former professional football player who played in the World Football League and politician who served on the Monmouth County, New Jersey Board of Chosen Freeholders and the New Jersey General Assembly from 1988 to 1992
 * Phil Villapiano (born 1949), former NFL linebacker who played in four Pro Bowls and was a part of the Oakland Raiders Super Bowl XI winning team
 * Maggie Wilderotter (born 1955), former chief executive officer of Frontier Communications
 * Constance H. Williams (born 1944), politician who served from 2001 to 2009 in the Pennsylvania State Senate
 * Earl Wilson (born 1958), NFL and CFL player
 * Morris Wood (1882–1967), champion speed skater during the early 1900s
 * Bernie Worrell (1944–2016), keyboardist and founding member of Parliament-Funkadelic
 * Mike Zapcic, podcaster and cast member of the AMC reality TV show Comic Book Men with Kevin Smith

In popular culture

 * The AXS TV reality series, Bikini Barbershop, is set in Long Branch, at Bikini Barbers located on Ocean Boulevard.
 * In the HBO series, The Sopranos, Long Branch is the setting for Adriana La Cerva's nightclub, the Crazy Horse (see "The Telltale Moozadell"). In the episode "The Blue Comet", the house in which Tony Soprano hides out towards the end of the series is near the beach in North Long Branch.

title: Long Branch, New Jersey


text:
Manalapan Township, New Jersey

Manalapan Township is a township in western Monmouth County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The township is centrally located within the Raritan Valley region and is a part of the New York Metropolitan Area. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 40,905, its highest decennial count ever and an increase of 2,033 (+5.2%) from the 2010 census count of 38,872,  which in turn reflected an increase of 5,449 (+16.3%) from the 33,423 counted in the 2000 census.

The name "Manalapan" is derived from a word in the Lenape language that would mean either "land of good bread", "good land to settle upon", "good bread" or "covered swamp with edible roots".

History
The Battle of Monmouth was fought in 1778 on land that is now part of Manalapan and Freehold townships. Monmouth Battlefield State Park occupies 2928 acres in the two townships.

Manalapan Township was formed by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 9, 1848, from portions of Freehold Township. Englishtown was formed as a borough from portions of Manalapan on January 4, 1888, based on the results of a referendum held the previous day.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 30.88 square miles (79.99 km2), including 30.65 square miles (79.39 km2) of land and 0.23 square miles (0.60 km2) of water (0.75%). The township has an elevation of 82 ft.

The township completely surrounds Englishtown, making it part of 21 pairs of "doughnut towns" in the state, where one municipality entirely surrounds another. The township borders the municipalities of Freehold Township, Marlboro Township and Millstone Township in Monmouth County; and Monroe Township and Old Bridge Township in Middlesex County.

Yorketown (with a 2010 Census population of 6,535 ) is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located within Manalapan Township.

Other unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Cahills Corners, Clarks Mills, Elton, Gordons Corner, Lafayette Mills, Millhurst, Monmouth Heights, Oakland Mills, Smithburg, Taylors Mills, Tennent, Tracey, Whittier Oaks and Woodville.

Ecology
According to the A. W. Kuchler U.S. potential natural vegetation types, Manalapan Township would have an Appalachian Oak (104) vegetation type with an Eastern Hardwood Forest (25) vegetation form.

2010 census
The 2010 United States census counted 38,872 people, 13,263 households, and 10,663 families in the township. The population density was 1,270.0 per square mile (490.3/km2). There were 13,735 housing units at an average density of 448.8 per square mile (173.3/km2). The racial makeup was 88.55% (34,423) White, 2.38% (925) Black or African American, 0.05% (18) Native American, 6.90% (2,682) Asian, 0.02% (7) Pacific Islander, 0.94% (364) from other races, and 1.17% (453) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.66% (2,202) of the population.

Of the 13,263 households, 39.6% had children under the age of 18; 70.2% were married couples living together; 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present and 19.6% were non-families. Of all households, 17.3% were made up of individuals and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.92 and the average family size was 3.32.

25.8% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 21.8% from 25 to 44, 32.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.7 years. For every 100 females, the population had 93.2 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 89.9 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $103,970 (with a margin of error of +/− $4,322) and the median family income was $115,292 (+/− $5,344). Males had a median income of $85,086 (+/− $5,699) versus $51,695 (+/− $3,038) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $41,049 (+/− $1,717). About 2.5% of families and 2.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.7% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census
As the 2000 United States census there were 33,423 people, 10,781 households, and 9,002 families residing in the township. The population density was 1,084.6 PD/sqmi. There were 11,066 housing units at an average density of 359.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 91.81% White, 1.99% African American, 0.03% Native American, 4.53% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.53% from other races, and 1.10% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.54% of the population. Manalapan has large Italian and Jewish communities.

There were 10,781 households, out of which 47.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 75.9% were married couples living together, 5.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.5% were non-families. 14.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.09 and the average family size was 3.45.

In the township the population was spread out, with 30.3% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.5 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $83,575, and the median income for a family was $94,112. Males had a median income of $72,198 versus $39,921 for females. The per capita income for the township was $32,142. About 3.2% of families and 3.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.1% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over.

Crime
Manalapan's crime rate per 1,000 residents had reached a low of 8.4 in 2003 (in data since 1996). After reaching a peak of 12.1 in 2007, the rate dropped each subsequent year, reaching 10.4 in 2010 before an uptick to 10.8 in 2011. The violent crime rate per 1,000 had reached a low of 0.3 in 2005, before climbing to 0.8 in 2007, then declining or remaining level in each succeeding year, reaching a rate of 0.4 in 2011.

In 2008, seven residents of Manalapan were arrested on money laundering and drug trafficking charges for their involvement in an international drug ring bringing in a net of $1 million per month.

Parks and recreation
Manalapan's Recreation Center covers 162 acres, offering two handball courts, nine softball/baseball fields, five batting cages, a fitness trail, two football fields (one turf), nine football/soccer fields (one turf), two street hockey courts, three tot lots, six basketball courts, six tennis courts, two bocce courts, two sand volleyball courts, a nine-hole disc golf course, a small water park, concession stand, two picnic areas, two maintenance buildings, two shelter buildings and a headquarters building.

Local government
Manalapan Township is governed under the Township form of New Jersey municipal government, one of 141 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form, the second-most commonly used form of government in the state. The Township Committee is comprised of five members, who are elected directly by the voters at-large in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year as part of the November general election in a three-year cycle. At an annual reorganization meeting, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and another as Deputy Mayor for one year.

members of the Manalapan Township Committee are Mayor Mary Ann Musich (R, term as committee ends December 31, 2025; term as mayor ends 2024), Deputy Mayor John P. "Jack" McNaboe (R, term on committee ends 2026; term as deputy mayor ends 2024), Susan Cohen (R, 2026), Barry Jacobson (R, 2024) and Eric Nelson (R, 2025).

Federal, state, and county representation
Manalapan Township is located in the 3rd Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 12th state legislative district.

Prior to the 2010 Census, Manalapan Township had been split between the NJ's 6th congressional district and the NJ's 12th congressional district, a change made by the New Jersey Redistricting Commission that took effect in January 2013, based on the results of the November 2012 general elections.

Politics
As of March 2011, there were a total of 26,256 registered voters in Manalapan Township, of which 6,925 (26.4%) were registered as Democrats, 4,439 (16.9%) were registered as Republicans and 14,875 (56.7%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 17 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.
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In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 54.2% of the vote (9,949 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 44.8% (8,224 votes), and other candidates with 0.9% (169 votes), among the 18,449 ballots cast by the township's 27,734 registered voters (107 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 66.5%. In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 51.9% of the vote (10,150 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 45.9% (8,984 votes) and other candidates with 0.8% (160 votes), among the 19,553 ballots cast by the township's 26,582 registered voters, for a turnout of 73.6%. In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 52.2% of the vote (9,254 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 46.2% (8,185 votes) and other candidates with 0.4% (96 votes), among the 17,730 ballots cast by the township's 23,926 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 74.1.

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 73.0% of the vote (7,640 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 25.7% (2,688 votes), and other candidates with 1.3% (132 votes), among the 10,583 ballots cast by the township's 28,056 registered voters (123 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 37.7%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 61.9% of the vote (7,581 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 32.6% (3,995 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 4.4% (536 votes) and other candidates with 0.6% (69 votes), among the 12,251 ballots cast by the township's 26,168 registered voters, yielding a 46.8% turnout.

Education
Public school students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade attend the Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District, which also serves children from Englishtown. Manalapan and Englishtown formally joined as a regional elementary school district in 1963, with an initial enrollment of 1,140 students; The student body is primarily from Manalapan Township, which accounts for about 95% of enrollment, with Englishtown students accounting for the remaining 5%. As of the 2019–20 school year, the district, comprised of eight schools, had an enrollment of 4,910 students and 408.4 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 12.0:1. Schools in the district (with 2019–20 enrollment from the National Center for Education Statistics ) are John I. Dawes Early Learning Center with 365 students in Pre-K and K, Clark Mills School with 491 students in grades 1–5, Lafayette Mills School with 489 students in grades 1–5, Milford Brook School with 523 students in grades K–5, Taylor Mills School with 600 students in grades K–5, Wemrock Brook School with 626 students in grades 1–5, Pine Brook School with 563 students in sixth grade and Manalapan-Englishtown Middle School with 1,227 students in grades 7 and 8. The district is overseen by a nine-member board of education, which sets policy and oversees the fiscal and educational operation of the district; Seats on the board are allocated based on population, with eight seats assigned to Manalapan Township.

Students from Manalapan Township in public school for ninth through twelfth grades attend either Freehold Township High School or Manalapan High School as part of the Freehold Regional High School District (FRHSD), with the school attended based on the student's address. The Freehold Regional High School District also serves students from Colts Neck Township, Englishtown, Farmingdale, Freehold Borough, Freehold Township, Howell Township and Marlboro Township. of the 2019–2020 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 1,879 students and 122.8 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 15.3:1 and As of the 2019–2020 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 2,029 students and 133.2 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 15.2:1. The FRHSD board of education has nine members, who are elected to three-year terms from each of the constituent districts. Each member is allocated a fraction of a vote that totals to nine points, with Manalapan Township allocated one member, who has 1.4 votes.

Public high school students in Manalapan and all of Monmouth County also have the option of attending one of the Monmouth County Vocational School District's five career academies. Manalapan's academy is the Science and Engineering Program.

Historic district
The Monmouth Battlefield Historic District is a 1819 acre historic district within the much larger Monmouth Battlefield State Park, located on both sides of County Route 522 (Freehold-Englishtown Road) and west of U.S. Route 9 on the border of Manalapan Township and Freehold Township.

The site of the battlefield originally contained many colonial-era farmhouses though many did not survive the rapid development of the area in the 20th century. Three of the original seven farmhouses that were present during the battle are still standing in the park. These include the Sutfin Farmhouse (1731); the Rhea-Applegate House (1745); and the Craig House (1746).

Three other homes were built on the battlefield. The Conover-Perrine House (1832) is to the north of the park, erected on the site of the original 18th-century Perrine House, an important example of late Federal Architecture. The Italianate Cobb House was later constructed in 1872 near the Conover-Perrine House. The Combs' Farmhouse (mid-18th Century) was demolished sometime in the 1960s and was located near the park's playground and ice pond.

The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966, for its significance in military history and for the remaining settlement of colonial architecture and agriculture akin to the fated events of the Battle of Monmouth.

Community
Manalapan landmarks include the headquarters facility of the Monmouth County Library, the Manalapan Recreation Center, and the battlefield for the Battle of Monmouth. Manalapan Under the Stars, the township's community celebration featuring rides, concerts, fireworks, and other activities, is held annually at the Recreation Center. Performers featured in the series have included Herman's Hermits Starring Peter Noone and Tommy James and the Shondells.

In 2004, Manalapan was rated the second-hottest town on the East Coast by Money magazine.

On May 27, 2001, Manalapan was struck by a tornado rated F2 on the Fujita scale, causing over $1 million in damage. The 200 ft tornado had winds of up to 120 mph over a path of 1.5 mi.

Emergency services
The Township of Manalapan has multiple emergency service departments.

Police
The Manalapan Township police department has 55 officers. The force has two major divisions; operations and administration. The Operations Division is headed by Deputy Chief Leonard Maltese, and the Administration Division is headed by Deputy Chief Thomas Mantle. On February 8, 2021, Edward Niesz was promoted as Chief of Manalapan Township Police Department, succeeding former Chief Michael Fountain; Fountain had served with the department for 27 years, the final four-plus years as Police Chief.

Fire squads
Manalapan Township has three volunteer fire companies:

 * Manalapan Township Fire Company #1, founded in 1949, is located on Sweetmans Lane and serves the southern portion of the township
 * Manalapan Township Fire Company #2: Gordons Corner Fire Company (founded 1962) is located in the heavily suburbanized community of Yorketown in the northern portion of the township. It has two branches that serves the community, one located on Tennent Road, and another on Pease Road
 * Englishtown Fire Department is located in neighboring Englishtown and serves central portions the township.

First aid squads
Englishtown-Manalapan First Aid Squad (EMFAS) is a regional pre-hospital emergency care service for Englishtown and Manalapan residents. The organization was founded in 1941, and is located in Englishtown.

Roads and highways
, the township had a total of 192.19 mi of roadways, of which 164.98 mi were maintained by the municipality, 19.15 mi by Monmouth County and 8.06 mi by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

Manalapan hosts U.S. Route 9 in the northeast, and State Route 33 passes through near the southern part of the township. Major county routes, such as 522 and 527 traverse through the municipality, while 524 and 537 goes along the southeast border of the township.

Other major roads that are accessible outside the township are the Garden State Parkway in bordering Old Bridge, Interstate 195 in bordering Millstone Township, and the New Jersey Turnpike (Interstate 95) in East Windsor (Exit 8) and bordering Monroe Township (Exit 8A).

Rail
In the 19th & 20th centuries, Englishtown Borough and Manalapan Township had a major railway in the area, which was the Freehold and Jamesburg Agricultural Railroad. This railway was owned and operated by the Camden & Amboy Railroad Company (C&A), in which surveying for the line began on September 8, 1851, grading began on October 19, 1852, and the first track was laid on April 4, 1853. The first section of line was opened on July 18, 1853. The establishment of the Freehold & Jamesburg Agricultural Railroad allowed this region to become a transportation hub. The Freehold and Jamesburg Railroad was abandoned by the early 1930s. A 2.8 mi portion of the former railroad's right-of-way was later approved to be sold by the New Jersey Board of Public Utility Commissioners (PUC) to Jersey Central Power & Light Company in 1966, with occasional freight service still being utilized through the Freehold Industrial Track.

The Monmouth Ocean Middlesex Line is a proposal by New Jersey Transit to restore passenger railway service to the region. The township would be a potential stop for the 'MOM' Line.

As of now, the nearest train stations to the township are Metropark in Iselin, Metuchen, New Brunswick, and Princeton Junction on the Northeast Corridor Line.

Busing
NJ Transit currently provides bus service on the 139 route to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan and to Newark on the 64 and 67 routes.

Aviation
Following the closure of the Marlboro Airport, Old Bridge Airport supplies short-distance flights to surrounding areas and is the closest air transportation services. The nearest major commercial airports are Trenton-Mercer Airport, which serves several domestic destinations via Frontier Airlines and located 21 mi west (about 35 minutes drive); and Newark Liberty International Airport, which serves as a major hub for United Airlines and located 32 mi north (about 48 minutes drive) from the center of Manalapan Township.

Healthcare
Manalapan Township is served by CentraState Medical Center, which is affiliated with Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, located in neighboring Freehold Township. The regional hospital is a 287-bed medical facility. CentraState Healthcare system also provides healthcare through its various family practices in communities across western Monmouth and southern Middlesex counties in central New Jersey. Two family practices that are accessible to Manalapan include, one in Marlboro Township and one in Monroe Township.

The next closest hospitals to the township are the Old Bridge Division of Raritan Bay Medical Center in nearby Old Bridge Township, Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center in nearby Plainsboro Township, and Saint Peter's University Hospital and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in nearby New Brunswick.

Notable people
People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Manalapan Township include:

 * Robby Andrews (born 1991), 2016 American Olympic 1500m runner and NCAA mid-distance running champion
 * Jim Babjak (born 1957), guitarist for the Smithereens
 * Danny Basavich (born 1978), professional pool player
 * Jason Bergmann (born 1981), pitcher for the Washington Nationals
 * Rachel Breton (born 1990), soccer striker and defender who played for Sky Blue FC and New Jersey Wildcats
 * Lou Brutus (born 1962), radio host, musician and photographer
 * Alyssa Campanella (born 1990), Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2007, Miss California USA 2011, and Miss USA 2011
 * Frank Conover (born 1968), football player for the NFL's Cleveland Browns in 1991 who was drafted out of Syracuse University
 * Frank Coppa (born 1941), gangster in the Bonanno crime family
 * David DeJesus (born 1979), former right fielder for the Tampa Bay Rays
 * Louie DeVito, DJ and producer
 * Michael DeVito (born 1961), competitive eater and three-time winner of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest
 * Vic DiBitetto (born 1961), comedian and actor
 * Dylan Dreyer (born 1981), meteorologist on Weekend Today
 * Val Emmich (born 1979), singer, songwriter and actor
 * Anthony Firkser (born 1995), tight end for the New England Patriots
 * Jay Glazer (born 1969), sportswriter and National Football League insider for Fox Sports
 * Ishmael Hyman (born 1995), American football wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL
 * Nick Mara (born 1997), singer, dancer
 * Kyle Mullen (died 2022, class of 2015) former captain of the Yale Bulldogs football team who enlisted in the United States Navy after college and died following the "Hell Week" portion of Navy SEAL training
 * Jack Perri (born 1975), head men's basketball coach at Southern New Hampshire University
 * Johnny Petraglia (born 1947), former professional ten-pin bowler who won 14 PBA titles and the PBA Triple Crown
 * Daniel Rosenthal (born 1991), politician who has since 2017 represented the 27th District in the New York State Assembly and was the Assembly's youngest member when he took office
 * Dan Smith (born 1989), professional poker player whose poker tournament championships include a World Poker Tour title
 * Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino (born 1981), cast member of MTV's Jersey Shore
 * Carl R. Woodward (1890–1974), educator and college administrator who served from 1951 to 1958 as the first president of the University of Rhode Island

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Manalapan Township, New Jersey


text:
Manasquan, New Jersey

Manasquan is a borough in Monmouth County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, on the Jersey Shore. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 5,938, an increase of 41 (+0.7%) from the 2010 census count of 5,897,  which in turn reflected a decline of 413 (−6.5%) from the 6,310 counted in the 2000 census.

The borough's name is of Lenape Native American origin, deriving from "Mënàskunk" meaning "Place to Gather Grass or Reeds". The borough's name has also been described as deriving from "Man-A-Squaw-Han" meaning "stream of the island of squaws", "an island with enclosure for squans", "island door" or "point" / "top". Manasquan, Maniquan, Mannisquan, Manasquam, Squan, and Squan Village are variations on the original pronunciation and spelling.

Manasquan was formed as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on December 30, 1887, from portions of Wall Township, based on the results of a referendum held the previous day.

New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked Manasquan as its 22nd best place to live in its 2008 rankings of the "Best Places To Live" in New Jersey.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 2.53 square miles (6.54 km2), including 1.38 square miles (3.57 km2) of land and 1.15 square miles (2.97 km2) of water (45.26%).

The borough borders the municipalities of Brielle, Sea Girt and Wall Township in Monmouth County; and Point Pleasant Beach in Ocean County.

Climate
According to the Köppen climate classification system, Manasquan has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa), and average monthly temperatures range from 32.3 F in January to 75.2 F in July.

Cfa climates are characterized by all months having an average mean temperature above 32.0 F, at least four months with an average mean temperature at or above 50.0 F, at least one month with an average mean temperature at or above 71.6 F and no significant precipitation difference between seasons. During the summer months at Manasquan, a cooling afternoon sea breeze is present on most days, but episodes of extreme heat and humidity can occur with heat index values at or above 95.0 F. On average, the wettest month of the year is July which corresponds with the annual peak in thunderstorm activity. During the winter months, episodes of extreme cold and wind can occur with wind chill values below 0.0 F. The plant hardiness zone at Manasquan Beach is 7a with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of 3.5 F. The average seasonal (November–April) snowfall total is 18 to 24 in and the average snowiest month is February which corresponds with the annual peak in nor'easter activity.

Ecology
According to the A. W. Kuchler U.S. potential natural vegetation types, Manasquan would have an Appalachian Oak (104) vegetation type with an Eastern Hardwood Forest (25) vegetation form.

2010 census
The 2010 United States census counted 5,897 people, 2,374 households, and 1,550 families in the borough. The population density was 4,263.0 per square mile (1,646.0/km2). There were 3,500 housing units at an average density of 2,530.2 per square mile (976.9/km2). The racial makeup was 96.07% (5,665) White, 0.31% (18) Black or African American, 0.02% (1) Native American, 0.61% (36) Asian, 0.02% (1) Pacific Islander, 1.93% (114) from other races, and 1.05% (62) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.02% (414) of the population.

Of the 2,374 households, 27.3% had children under the age of 18; 52.5% were married couples living together; 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present and 34.7% were non-families. Of all households, 28.9% were made up of individuals and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.10.

23.3% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 22.6% from 25 to 44, 31.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.5 years. For every 100 females, the population had 95.3 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 91.4 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $87,525 (with a margin of error of +/− $21,227) and the median family income was $107,130 (+/− $13,653). Males had a median income of $98,408 (+/− $6,173) versus $56,250 (+/− $8,110) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $51,068 (+/− $8,350). About 3.1% of families and 5.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.2% of those under age 18 and 4.7% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census
As of the 2000 United States census there were 6,310 people, 2,600 households, and 1,635 families residing in the borough. The population density was 4,579.6 PD/sqmi. There were 3,531 housing units at an average density of 2,562.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the borough was 97.89% White, 0.41% Black, 0.11% Native American, 0.44% Asian, 0.48% from other races, and 0.67% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.48% of the population.

There were 2,600 households, out of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.3% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.1% were non-families. 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 23.8% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.4 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $63,079, and the median income for a family was $73,670. Males had a median income of $52,368 versus $33,333 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $32,898. About 2.2% of families and 3.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.8% of those under age 18 and 5.3% of those age 65 or over.

Government
Manasquan is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey. The governing body is comprised of a mayor and a borough council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. A mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council consists of six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle. The borough form of government used by Manasquan is a "weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.

, the mayor of the Borough of Manasquan is Democrat Edward G. Donovan, whose term of office ends December 31, 2023. Members of the Borough Council are Bruce D. Bresnahan (R, 2025), Brian Holly (R, 2024), Jeffrey K. Lee (D, 2023), Michael W. Mangan (D, 2023), Gregg Olivera (R, 2025) and Lori Triggiano (R, 2024)

At the January 2017 reorganization meeting, Joseph Bossone was chosen on an interim basis to fill the three-year seat expiring in December 2019 that Owen McCarthy had been elected to in November 2016 until he resigned from office after being confirmed by the state senate to take a position as a Monmouth County judge; Bossone served on an interim basis until the November 2017 general election, when he was elected to serve the balance of the term of office.

In January 2016, the borough council appointed Richard Read to fill the council seat expiring in December 2016 that became vacant when Edward Donovan was sworn in as mayor.

Federal, state, and county representation
Manasquan is located in the 4th Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 10th state legislative district.

Politics
As of March 2011, there were a total of 4,277 registered voters in Manasquan, of which 956 (22.4%) were registered as Democrats, 1,271 (29.7%) were registered as Republicans and 2,047 (47.9%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were three voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.
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In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 59.7% of the vote (1,826 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 39.3% (1,201 votes), and other candidates with 1.0% (32 votes), among the 3,080 ballots cast by the borough's 4,350 registered voters (21 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 70.8%. In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 56.8% of the vote (1,943 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 41.1% (1,406 votes) and other candidates with 1.0% (33 votes), among the 3,420 ballots cast by the borough's 4,384 registered voters, for a turnout of 78.0%. In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 62.2% of the vote (2,136 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 36.0% (1,237 votes) and other candidates with 1.0% (46 votes), among the 3,434 ballots cast by the borough's 4,452 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 77.1.

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 76.2% of the vote (1,872 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 22.3% (549 votes), and other candidates with 1.5% (36 votes), among the 2,504 ballots cast by the borough's 4,378 registered voters (47 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 57.2%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 65.6% of the vote (1,695 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 26.1% (674 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 6.8% (175 votes) and other candidates with 0.9% (23 votes), among the 2,584 ballots cast by the borough's 4,269 registered voters, yielding a 60.5% turnout.

Community
Due to its location bordering the Atlantic Ocean, the population of Manasquan increases dramatically in the summer months as tourists flock to the beach.

The Manasquan Inlet provides surfers with waves that are corralled, refracted and enlarged by the jetty protruding out into the Atlantic Ocean. The Manasquan Inlet, reopened in 1931, is the northern terminus of the inland portion of the Intracoastal Waterway.

Manasquan has a downtown area with many small businesses. Algonquin Arts Theatre has shows and movies that play throughout the year. It is a historic 540-seat theatre, built in 1938 as a movie house but converted to a professional live performance space in May 1994.

The demolition of traditional beach bungalows and their replacement with much larger single-family dwellings has helped turn Manasquan into a year-round community. The decrease in tourism and rise in residency can be attributed to the decline of once popular tourist destinations. Manasquan no longer has a 24-hour diner or a miniature golf course, and has lost many of the bars once located in its borders. During the summer months, the local bar and party scene overwhelm the area between Brielle Road and Main Street from the bridges to the ocean.

The Firemans' Fair occurs every July/August. The fair is the largest source of funds for Manasquan Volunteer Engine Company #2 and dates back to 1974. Though it was on a decade-long hiatus until the late 1990s, the five day-long festivities in 2011 were expected to draw 30,000 attendees.

Until 2010, Manasquan was home to the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA), the largest registry of pedigreed cats in the world.

Roads and highways
, the borough had a total of 27.22 mi of roadways, of which 24.56 mi were maintained by the municipality, 1.56 mi by Monmouth County and 1.10 mi by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

Route 71 is the most significant highway running directly through the borough. The Garden State Parkway is the nearest major highway. The Monmouth County Route 524 Spur is also an important thoroughfare in Manasquan.

Public transportation
NJ Transit offers rail service at the Manasquan station. Commuter service is available on the North Jersey Coast Line south to Point Pleasant Beach and Bay Head or north to points such as Belmar, Long Branch, Newark, Hoboken Terminal and Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan.

NJ Transit provides bus transportation between Manasquan and Philadelphia on the 317 route and local service on the 830 route.

Education
The Manasquan Public Schools serves students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. As of the 2022–23 school year, the district, comprised of two schools, had an enrollment of 1,470 students and 146.4 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 10.0:1. Schools in the district (with 2022–23 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics ) are Manasquan Elementary School with 499 students in grades K-8 and Manasquan High School with 948 students in grades 9-12. In addition to students from Manasquan, the district's high school also serves public school students from Avon-by-the-Sea, Belmar, Brielle, Lake Como, Sea Girt, Spring Lake, and Spring Lake Heights, who attend Manasquan High School as part of sending/receiving relationships with their respective districts. The two Manasquan public school buildings are across from each other on Broad Street, with board of education offices next door to the high school.

The Roman Catholic-affiliated St. Denis School served youth from pre-school through 8th grade under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton. In 2014, the diocese announced that the school was closing at the end of the 2014–2015 school year, as fewer students were attending, with enrollment having fallen from a peak of nearly 400 in the 1970s to 107 in 2014.

Notable people
People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Manasquan include:

 * Lewis Benson (1906–1986), expert on the writings of George Fox
 * Doris Burke (born 1965), ESPN basketball analyst
 * Frank J. Dodd (1938–2010), businessman and politician who served as President of the New Jersey Senate from 1974 to 1975
 * Glenn Hedden (born 1950), former head football coach and athletic director at Kean University
 * Alexis Krauss (born 1985), singer, songwriter, and front-woman of the noise pop duo Sleigh Bells
 * Jack Nicholson (born 1937), actor, director and writer
 * Beth Peters (1932–2024), actress who appeared on General Hospital
 * Shayne Pospisil (born 1985), snowboarder
 * Christie Rampone (born 1975), captain of the United States women's national soccer team
 * Alex Skuby (born 1972), actor best known for appearing on King of Queens
 * Joseph Steinberg (1883–1932), lawyer and politician who served in the New York State Assembly
 * Hal Thompson (1922–2006), football player who played for two seasons in the NFL for the Brooklyn Dodgers

title: Manasquan, New Jersey