NJ OCEAN COUNTY

OCEAN COUNTY-SOMEPLACE SPECIAL OFFICIAL SITE http://www.oceancountygov.com/

OCEAN COUNTY GOVERNMENT http://www.co.ocean.nj.us/

Ocean County New Jersey is a county located along the Jersey Shore in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Its county seat is Toms River, which, like the county itself, has been one of the fastest growing areas of the state since the 1990s. As of the United States 2000 Census, the population was 510,916. The 2007 Census estimate for the county was 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 50 miles (80 km) east of Philadelphia, PA, 70 miles (110 km) south of New York, NY, and 25 miles (40 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.

It is part of the New York metropolitan area. Ocean County, while theoretically in the New York Metro Area, is actually in the southern part of New Jersey and is home to many tourist attractions frequently visited by Delaware Valley residents. These attractions include a myriad of beaches such as Long Beach Island and Seaside Heights, along with resorts such as Island Beach State Park and Six Flags Great Adventure. It should also be noted that the Jersey Shore, of which Ocean County is a central part, is a major destination for beach tourism for Delaware Valley residents, as there are no other beaches closer than those of the Jersey Shore. By contrast, New York area residents, especially those who do not live in New Jersey, have alternative options on Long Island or in Connecticut. Therefore, the Delaware Valley residents visiting these attractions in Ocean County influences the complexion of the county in a decisive way.

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 and formerly 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 possesses many beaches. 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

National protected area
Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge (part)

DEMOGRAPHICS

As of the census of 2000, there were 510,916 people, 200,402 households, and 137,876 families residing in the county. The population density was 803 people per square mile (310/km²). 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. Ocean County also elects people to the constitutional office positions of county clerk and surrogate. The clerk is Carl W. Block (R), also former mayor of Stafford Township and the surrogate is Jeffrey Moran (R).

As of 2009, Ocean County's Freeholders are:

Freeholder Director John C. Bartlett, Jr. (R) (Pine Beach, term ends December 31, 2009)
Freeholder Deputy Director Gerry P. Little (R) (Surf City, 2009)
John P. Kelly (R) (Eagleswood Township, 2010)
James F. Lacey (R) (Brick Township, 2010)
Joseph H. Vicari (R) (Toms River Township, 2011)

POLITICS

Ocean County is a Republican stronghold in New Jersey. The county's particularly heavy Republican lean is widely attributed to the presence of many large senior citizen communities.

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, and 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.

Index map of Ocean County municipalities (click to see index key)

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
Cassville
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

OCEAN COUNTY CLERK OFFICE COPYRIGHTED http://www.clerk.co.ocean.nj.us/

OCEAN COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT http://www.ochd.org/

The Ocean County Health Department provides a wealth of important information and services to the residents of Ocean County, New Jersey, including health clinics, educational opportunities, and community health services.

Assistance Programs http://www.ochd.org/countyresource.aspx?cat=AssistanceProgram

Food Inspections http://www.ochd.org/restaurants.aspx

Satellite Programs http://www.ochd.org/LMN/current.htm

Water Programs/Beach Closings http://www.ochd.org/waterSamples.aspx

Request for Public Records http://www.ochd.org/content.aspx?cat=Records PDF document to request records http://www.ochd.org/PDF/recordsPublic.pdf

OCEAN COUNTY BID PORTAL http://webhost.co.ocean.nj.us/ocbidportal.nsf

OCEAN COUNTY LIBRARY http://theoceancountylibrary.org/ COPYRIGHTED

OCEAN COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION http://www.ocean.nj.us/Parks/Default.htm FOLLOWING INFO TAKEN FROM THIS PAGE

PARK FACILITIES from http://www.ocean.nj.us/Parks/parklist.htm

Berkeley Island County Park

Mill Creek County Park

Robert J. Miller Airpark

Cattus Island County Park

Riverfront Landing County Park

Patriots' County Field Sports Complex

Eno's Pond County Park (photo)

Lake Shenandoah County Park

Ocean County Park

Shenandoah County Field Sports Complex

Freedom Fields County Park

Wells Mills County Park

Beaver Dam Creek County Park

Gull Island County Park/conservation Area

A. Paul King County Park

"Tip" Seaman County Park

Jake's Branch County Park (photo) 400 Acres

Cloverdale County Park

GOLF COURSES

Ocean County, New Jersey Golf Course Holes Access Address Phone
Cedar Creek Golf Course 18 Public Tilton Blvd. & Forest Hills Parkway
Bayville, NJ 08721 908-269-4460

Ocean County At Forge Pond 18 (Executive) Public Chambers Bridge Road
Brick, NJ 08723 908-920-8899

Lion's Head Country Club 9 (Executive) Private 251 Lions Head Blvd. S.
Brick, NJ 08723 908-477-7277

Metedeconk National Golf Club 18 Private Hannah Hill Road
Jackson, NJ 08527 908-928-0111

Leisure Village West Golf Course 18(Executive) Private 1 Buckingham Drive
Lakehurst, NJ 08733 908-657-9109

Navy Golf Course 9 Military Lakehurst Naval Base
Lakehurst, NJ 08733 908-323-7223

Leisure Village Golf Course Private 19 Buckingham Drive
Lakewood, NJ 08701 908-364-1820

Leisure Village East Golf Course Private #1 Dumbarton Drive (Shorrock Rd.)
Lakewood, NJ 08701 908-477-7900

Four Seasons Spa & Country Club 9 (Executive) Private 1600 Spring Meadow Drive
Lakewood, NJ 08701 908-477-8222

Woodlake Golf & Country Club 18 Public 25 New Hampshire Ave.
Lakewood, NJ 08701 908-367-4500

Lakewood Country Club 18 Public 145 Country Club Drive
Lakewood, NJ 08701 732-364-8899

Ocean Acres Country Club 18 Public Buccaneer Lane
Manahawkin, NJ 08050 609-597-9393

Greenbriar Woodlands Golf Club 18 Private 1 Kensington Circle
Tom's River, NJ 08755 908-286-6889

Bey Lea Golf Course 18 Public 1536 Bay Ave.
Tom's River, NJ 08753 908-349-0566

Toms River Country Club 9 Private 419 Washington Street
Toms River, NJ 08753 908-349-8867

Ocean County At Atlantis 18 Public Country Club Boulevard
Tuckerton, NJ 08087 609-296-2444

HOSPITALS

Bayview Convalescent Center
Community Medical Center
Ocean Residential Group Center
Paul Kimball Hospital
Point Pleasant Hospital
Southern Ocean County Hospital

RENTALS.COM LINK TO RENTAL PROPERTIES http://www.rentals.com/New-Jersey/Ocean-County/

OCEAN COUNTY YMCA http://www.ocymca.org/