Ocean County is a county in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The county, which is New Jersey's largest county by area, has its county seat in Toms River.New Jersey County Map , New Jersey Department of State. Accessed December 22, 2022.
Part of the Jersey Shore,"Regions: North, Central, South, Shore - Best of NJ", Best of NJ, Accessed May 30, 2024. "We know that the Shore is a completely different universe than South Jersey and deserves its own region. South Jersey is a farming and commuting region, while the shore is a vacation, retirement, and fishing region; Atlantic, Cape May, Monmouth, and Ocean County make up the Jersey Shore region." Ocean County borders the Atlantic Ocean on the east. More specifically, Ocean County is located east of Philadelphia, south of New York City, and north of Atlantic City. While Ocean County is part of the New York metropolitan areaNew Jersey: 2020 Core Based Statistical Areas and Counties , United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 22, 2021.—and is, in fact, the southernmost county in the New York metropolitan area—it is also home to many tourist attractions frequented by Philadelphia metropolitan area residents, including: the beachfront communities of Seaside Heights, Long Beach Island, and Point Pleasant Beach; and Six Flags Great Adventure, an amusement park in Jackson Township that was once the home of the world's tallest and second-fastest roller coaster, Kingda Ka. Ocean County is also a gateway to New Jersey's Pine Barrens, one of the largest protected land areas on the East Coast.
Since 2010, Ocean County's population has been growing faster than the United States as a whole. Additionally, since 2020, Ocean County has been the fastest-growing county in New Jersey: At the time of the 2000 United States census, Ocean County had a population of 510,916. Ten years later, at the time of the 2010 United States census, the county's population had increased by 65,651 (12.8 percent) to 576,567. More recently, at the time of the 2020 United States census, Ocean County's population was recorded as 637,229—an increase of 36,517 (5.7 percent) from 2010. Ocean County's 2020 population count is its highest decennial count ever and makes the county New Jersey's sixth-most populous county.Table1. New Jersey Counties and Most Populous Cities and Townships: 2020 and 2010 Censuses , New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed December 1, 2022."New Jersey: 2020 Census - New Jersey Population Topped 9 Million in Last Decade" , United States Census Bureau, August 25, 2021. Accessed December 25, 2022. As for 2025, the United States Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program estimated a population of 673,746, an increase of 36,517 (5.7 percent) from the 2020 decennial census. On a more granular level, Ocean County's most populous and fastest-growing place is Lakewood Township, with an estimated 139,866 residents as of 2023.Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Minor Civil Divisions in New Jersey: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023, United States Census Bureau, released May 2024. Accessed June 4, 2024. Jackson Township, however, covers the largest total area of any municipality in the county: .
History Paleo-Indians migrated to what is now Ocean County around 11,500 BC. They were a skilled tribe that utilized the natural elements of the area, and they set the “foundation for the area’s rich cultural heritage”.
The Dutch were the first Europeans to settle in the area in the early 17th century, but the British took it over and started exploiting the natural resources of the area.
Toms River, one of the county's oldest communities, was established in 1768.
In 1782, under the command of British Captain Joshua Huddy, Toms River was burned.
Prior to its creation, Ocean County was almost entirely within Shrewsbury Township in Monmouth County, with the exception of Tuckerton and Little Egg Harbor Township. Ocean County was established on February 15, 1850, from portions of Monmouth county; Little Egg Harbor Township was annexed from Burlington County on March 30, 1891.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968 , Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 201. Accessed January 21, 2013. It derives its name from the Atlantic Ocean that it borders.
In the mid 19th century, railroads were built, boosting the economy and tourism to the area.
In 1937, at the Lakehurst military base, the Hindenburg crashed.
Growth in Ocean County accelerated following the opening of the Garden State Parkway in 1954, with many new residents being among those who worked in Northern New Jersey and wanted to live further away from the congestion of the big cities, while still being in commuting distance to their jobs.Miller Sr., David T. History of Jackson Township, Jackson Township, New Jersey. Accessed July 6, 2026. "As the 1950’s came to a close, the Garden State Parkway had reached Ocean County, opening up the opportunity, for many with North Jersey employment to move out of the congested and depressed cities, and relocate their families in a more congenial style of life, while they conveniently commuted to work in the city." The Parkway brought increased tourism to the county.
In 1964, Ocean County College opened.
On July 1, 1974, Great Adventure, located in Jackson, opened its doors for the first time.
The most populous municipality in the county is the rapidly growing Lakewood Township with 135,158 residents in 2020, its highest decennial count ever and an increase of 42,315 (+45.6%) from its 2010 census count of 92,843.QuickFacts Lakewood township, Ocean County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 25, 2022. Jackson Township, which covers , is the largest municipality in Ocean County by area.
Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of the 2020 Census, the county had a total area of , making it the largest county in New Jersey in terms of total area (ahead of Burlington County), of which was land (68.7%) and was water (31.3%).2020 Census Gazetteer File for Counties in New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed April 1, 2023.
Much of the county is flat and coastal, with an extensive shoreline and many beaches along the Jersey Shore, including Barnegat Light, Beach Haven, Harvey Cedars, Lavallette, Mantoloking, Seaside Heights, Seaside Park, Ship Bottom, and Surf City. The highest point is one of three unnamed hills (one in Jackson Township, the other two in Plumsted Township) that reach at least in elevation.New Jersey County High Points , Peakbagger.com. Accessed October 5, 2013. The lowest elevation in the county is at sea level along the county's lengthy Atlantic Ocean and Barnegat Bay coastlines.
Climate
Ocean County's area comprises 31.3% water. The coastal county along the Atlantic Ocean has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa and including the coast). In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Toms River have ranged from a low of in January to a high of in July, although a record low of was recorded in January 1982 and a record high of was recorded in July 1999. Average monthly temperatures in Tuckerton near the south end range from in January to in July.Time Series Values for Individual Locations , Oregon State University PRISM. Accessed March 31, 2023.
The highest monthly average temperature for the county was in July 2020; the lowest was in February 1934.
Average monthly precipitation ranged from in February to in March. Areas closer to the coast typically experience more mild winters and cooler summers due to the Atlantic Ocean's influence.
The highest total monthly precipitation recorded for the county was in August 2011, the same month Hurricane Irene hit the New Jersey coast; the lowest was recorded in October 2024.
Demographics
2020 census As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 637,229 and 238,812 households, with an average household size of 2.62. The census also reported a population density of and a housing unit density of .
The median age was 41.5 years; 24.3% of residents were under the age of 18 and 22.7% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 93.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 90.4 males.
The racial makeup of the county was 83.8% White, 3.0% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.8% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 4.4% from some other race, and 6.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 10.4% of the population.
96.3% of residents lived in urban areas, while 3.7% lived in rural areas.
Of the 238,812 households, 27.8% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 51.9% were married-couple households, 15.2% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 27.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 28.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 294,429 housing units, of which 18.9% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 77.6% were owner-occupied and 22.4% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.7%.
Racial and ethnic composition
+Ocean County, New Jersey – Racial and ethnic compositionRace / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)Pop 1980Pop 1990Pop 2000Pop 2010 Pop 2020% 1980% 1990% 2000% 2010% 2020White alone (NH)325,934403,371459,174495,534520,57894.19%93.11%89.87%85.95%81.69%Black or African American alone (NH)9,16611,40514,43116,58317,6492.65%2.63%2.82%2.88%2.77%Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)3915715004545230.11%0.13%0.10%0.08%0.08%Asian alone (NH)1,7083,7076,4269,92411,3390.49%0.86%1.26%1.72%1.78%Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)x included in the Asian category in the 1980 Censusx included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census7592111xx0.01%0.02%0.02%Other race alone (NH)3951993925583,8990.11%0.05%0.08%0.10%0.61%Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)x not an option in the 1980 Censusx not an option in the 1990 Census4,2805,63916,801xx0.84%0.98%2.64%Hispanic or Latino (any race)8,44413,95025,63847,78366,3292.44%3.22%5.02%8.29%10.41%Total346,038433,203510,916576,567637,229 100.00%100.00%100.00%100.00%100.00%
2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 576,567 people, 221,111 households, and 149,250 families in the county. The population density was . There were 278,052 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 90.98% (524,577) White, 3.15% (18,164) Black or African American, 0.17% (966) Native American, 1.75% (10,081) Asian, 0.02% (129) Pacific Islander, 2.46% (14,165) from other races, and 1.47% (8,485) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 8.29% (47,783) of the population.
Of the 221,111 households, 26.7% had children under the age of 18; 53.9% were married couples living together; 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present and 32.5% were non-families. Of all households, 27.8% were made up of individuals and 16.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.16.
23.4% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 22.2% from 25 to 44, 25.9% from 45 to 64, and 21% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.6 years. For every 100 females, the population had 92 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 88.3 males.
2000 census