Monmouth County, New Jersey
Seal
Location in the state of New Jersey
New Jersey's location in the U.S.
Founded	1675
Seat	Freehold Borough[1]
Largest city	Middletown
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	665.32 sq mi (1,723 km²) 468.79 sq mi (1,214 km²) 196.53 sq mi (509 km²), 29.54%
Population  - (2010)  - Density	630,380[2] 1,336/sq mi (515.8/km²)
Website	www.visitmonmouth.com

Monmouth County (pron.: /ˈmɒnməθ/) is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey, within the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 630,380,^[2] up from 615,301 at the 2000 Census,^[3] making it the fifth-most populous county in the state.^[4] Its county seat is Freehold Borough.^[5][1] The most populous municipality was Middletown Township with 66,522 residents at the time of the 2010 Census.

Monmouth County ranked 38th among the highest-income counties in the United States as of 2011, placing it among the top 2% of counties by wealth.^[6] As of 2009, it was ranked 56th in the United States by personal per-capita income.^[7] On October 29, 2012 Hurricane Sandy caused catastrophic damage to coastal areas of Monmouth County. As Sandy's surge arrived in Monmouth County flood levels of 13.31 feet above normal were measured at Sandy Hook shortly before the destruction of the tidal station, breaking all previous local records. The surge caused waves as high as 32.5 feet measured where the Sandy Hook Bay meets the New York Bay.^[8]

History [edit]

"It was Hendrik Hudson and his crew aboard the Dutch vessel 'Half Moon" who, in 1609, first spotted land in what is now Monmouth County, most likely off Sandy Hook. Among the first European settlers in the area were a group of Scots settled in Freehold Township in about 1682-85, followed several years later by Dutch settlers. As they arrived in this area, they were greeted by Lenape Native Americans, who lived in scattered small family bands and developed a largely amicable relationship with the new arrivals.^[9] Enslaved Africans were present in the area from at least 1680, and by 1726 made up 9% of the total population of the county.^[10]

Monmouth County was established in 1675. Its name may come from the Rhode Island Monmouth Society^[11] or from a suggestion from Colonel Lewis Morris that the county should be named after Monmouthshire in Wales, Great Britain. Other suggestions include that it was named for James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth (1649–1685), who had many allies among the East Jersey leadership.^[12] In 1714, the first county government was established.

At the June 28, 1778, Battle of Monmouth, near Freehold, General George Washington's soldiers battled the British under Sir Henry Clinton, in the longest land battle of the American Revolutionary War. It was at Monmouth that the tactics and training from Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben developed at Valley Forge during the winter encampment were first implemented on a large scale.^[13]

At independence, Monmouth's population included 1,640 slaves, as well as an undetermined number of free African Americans. The number of enslaved persons fell steeply after 1820, though a small number remained until at least 1850. Monmouth's free African American population climbed from 353 in 1790 to 2,658 in 1860.^[14]

Geography [edit]

According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 665.32 square miles (1,723.2 km²), of which 468.79 square miles (1,214.2 km²) (or 70.46%) is land and 196.53 square miles (509.0 km²) (or 29.54%) is water.^[15]

Much of Monmouth County remains flat and low-lying even far inland. However, there are some low hills in and around Holmdel Township, and one of them, Crawford Hill, the former site of a radar facility, is the county's highest point at least 380 feet (120 m) above sea level. The top portion of the hill is owned by Alcatel-Lucent and houses a research laboratory of Bell Laboratories.

The northeastern portion of the county, in the Locust neighborhood of Middletown Township and the boroughs of Highlands and Atlantic Highlands, are also very hilly. The lowest point is sea level. Along with adjacent Ocean County, Monmouth County is a mecca of boating and fishing. Its waterways include several rivers and bays that flow from the Raritan Bayshore into Raritan Bay and Lower New York Bay and into the Atlantic Ocean. The Manasquan Inlet is located in the county, which connects the Atlantic Ocean with the estuary of the Manasquan River, a bay-like body of saltwater that serves as the starting point of the Intracoastal Waterway.

Adjacent counties [edit]

National protected area [edit]

• Gateway National Recreation Area (part)

Demographics [edit]

Census 2010 [edit]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 630,380 people, 233,983 households, and 163,320 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,344.7 inhabitants per square mile (519.2 /km²). There were 258,410 housing units at an average density of 551.2 per square mile (212.8 /km²). The racial makeup of the county was 82.60% (520,716) White, 7.37% (46,443) Black or African American, 0.19% (1,211) Native American, 4.96% (31,258) Asian, 0.03% (211) Pacific Islander, 2.89% (18,187) from other races, and 1.96% (12,354) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.67% (60,939) of the population.^[2]

There were 233,983 households out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.5% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.2% were non-families. 25% of all households 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 2.66 and the average family size was 3.22.^[2]

In the county the population was spread out with 23.8% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 24% from 25 to 44, 30.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.3 years. For every 100 females there were 94.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.9 males.^[2]

Census 2000 [edit]

As of the 2000 United States Census^[21] there were 615,301 people, 224,236 households, and 160,328 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,304 people per square mile (503/km²). There were 240,884 housing units at an average density of 510 per square mile (197/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 84.39% White, 8.06% Black or African American, 0.14% Native American, 3.97% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.74% from other races, and 1.68% from two or more races. 6.20% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.^[3] Based on the first ancestries reported by Monmouth County residents in the 2000 Census, 23% of residents were of Italian ancestry, 18% Irish, 9% German and 5% Polish ancestry.^[22]

There were 224,236 households out of which 35.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.20% were married couples living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.50% were non-families. 23.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.24.^[3]

In the county the population was spread out with 26.10% under the age of 18, 6.90% from 18 to 24, 30.40% from 25 to 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 12.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 94.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.90 males.^[3]

The median income for a household in the county was $64,271, and the median income for a family was $76,823. Males had a median income of $55,030 versus $35,415 for females. The per capita income for the county was $31,149. About 4.50% of families and 6.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.50% of those under age 18 and 7.00% of those age 65 or over.^[3]

Monmouth County is home to a large Irish-American population, with 141,515 residents (23% of the county's population) having listed themselves as being of Irish ancestry in the 2000 Census.^[23]

Government [edit]

Monmouth County is governed by a sheriff, Shaun Golden, a county clerk, Maureen Claire French, a surrogate, Rosemarie D. Peters, and a five-member Board of Chosen Freeholders, who are elected at-large for three year terms. Each January, the freeholders select one of their members to serve as the director of the board for the year to preside over the meetings and activities of the board. Monmouth County's Freeholders have both administrative and policy making powers.

The Freeholders oversee the five mandatory functions of county government delegated to it by the state. Each freeholder is assigned responsibility for one of the five functional areas: Administration and Special Services; Public Works and Engineering; Human Services, Health and Transportation; Finance and Administration of Justice. In total, the Board is responsible for supervising more than 70 county departments. A county administrator,^[24] an appointed position, serves as the Chief Executive Officer. The county administrator is responsible for carrying out the policies and directives of the Board of Chosen Freeholders. In this position, the administrator also manages the daily operations of a workforce exceeding 3,000 employees.

As of 2012^[update], Monmouth County's Freeholders are:^[25][26]

• Freeholder Director John P. Curley (R, Middletown; term ends December 31, 2012),
• Freeholder Deputy Director Thomas A. Arnone (R, Neptune City; 2013),
• Lillian G. Burry (R, Colts Neck Township; 2015),
• Gary J. Rich, Sr. (R, Spring Lake; 2015), and
• Serena DiMaso (R, Holmdel Township; 2013)

The 4th and 6th Congressional Districts cover the county. New Jersey's Fourth Congressional District is represented by Christopher Smith (R).^[27] New Jersey's Sixth Congressional District is represented by Frank Pallone (D, Long Branch).^[28]

Politics [edit]

Monmouth County has trended in favor of the Republican Party. The Republican Party had held all five Freeholder seats until 2006, but after the 2006 and 2008 elections, Democrats controlled the Board by a 3–2 Margin. The Board swung back in favor of the Republicans after the 2009 election when Republican John Curley beat Democrat Sean Byrnes. Both were running to succeed former Freeholder Director Barbara McMorrow, a Democrat, who had chosen not to seek re-election. In 2010, former mayor of Neptune City, NJ, Thomas Arnone (R) and incumbent Freeholder Robert Clifton (R) won seats giving Republicans control of the Board of Chosen Freeholders by a 4–1 margin.^[29]

In the 2004 U.S. Presidential election, George W. Bush carried the county by a 10% margin over John Kerry, with Kerry carrying the state by 6.7% over Bush.^[30] In 2008, John McCain carried Monmouth by an unexpectedly close margin of only 3.7% margin over Barack Obama, with Obama winning New Jersey by 15.5% over McCain. In the state's U.S. Senatorial election that same year, Dick Zimmer also won here, by a 6.2% margin over incumbent Frank Lautenberg, with Lautenberg winning reelection by 14.1% over Zimmer.^[31] In the 2009 Gubernatorial Election, Republican Chris Christie received 62% of the vote, defeating Democrat Jon Corzine, who received around 31%.

Transportation [edit]

Monmouth County has numerous important roads that pass through. The state routes include Route 18, Route 33, Route 34, Route 35, Route 36, Route 66, Route 70, Route 71, Route 79, and Route 138. US Route 9 also passes through and practically bisects Monmouth.

Using these and other thoroughfares, numerous New Jersey Transit buses crisscross and deliver many hundreds of passengers each day to northern New Jersey and New York's Port Authority bus terminal as well as the 317 bus line going into Philadelphia. Many hundreds more each day travel on New Jersey Transit's North Jersey Coast Line railway line, which serves Penn Station in New York, and passes through Middlesex County, entering Monmouth County at the Raritan River and extending the length of the county, connecting the New York region to Atlantic Ocean shore towns.

Limited access roads include the Garden State Parkway and Interstate 195 (the only interstate to pass through the county).

The New Jersey Turnpike (Interstate 95) just misses the county border by a fifth of a mile near Upper Freehold Township.

Municipalities [edit]

Index map of Monmouth County Municipalities (click to see index key)

In alphabetical order:

• Aberdeen Township (50)
  • Cliffwood Beach
  • Strathmore
• Allenhurst (14)
• Allentown (38)
• Asbury Park (11)
• Atlantic Highlands (29)
• Avon-by-the-Sea (8)
• Belmar (7)
• Bradley Beach (10)
• Brielle (1)
• Colts Neck Township (47)
• Deal (15)
• Eatontown (24)
• Englishtown (36)
• Fair Haven (20)
• Farmingdale (34)
• Freehold Borough (35)

Fire departments [edit]

With the exception of the fully paid Asbury Park Fire Department, the remainder of the municipalities in the county have volunteer or combination fire departments.^[32] The largest volunteer department is in Middletown Township with 11 stations and 350 active members, special services, air and fire police units, in addition to operating its own training facility.^[33] However, in terms of HazMat emergencies, very few towns, notably Middletown Township which has a special services unit, have special units to respond to these and so the HazMat unit from Fort Monmouth responded to most HazMat cases prior to the closing of the base.^{[citation needed]}

Education [edit]

Brookdale Community College is the two-year community college for Monmouth County, one of a network of 19 county colleges statewide. The school is in Lincroft and was founded in 1967. Rutgers University has a partnership with Brookdale which offers Bachelor degree completion programs at Brookdale's Freehold campus.^[34]

Monmouth University is a four-year private university located in West Long Branch.

In addition to multiple public high schools, there are many parochial schools in Monmouth County such as St. Rose High School, Red Bank Catholic High School, Christian Brothers Academy, St. John Vianney High School, and Mater Dei High School, which operate under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton.^[35] One secular private school, Ranney School, is also located here.

The county has an extensive vocational high school program, known as the Monmouth County Vocational School District including 5 magnet schools:

• Academy of Allied Health & Science (Allied) in Neptune Township
• Biotechnology High School (BioTech) in Freehold
• Communications High School (Communications, CHS) in Wall Township
• High Technology High School (High Tech) in Lincroft (located on the Brookdale Community College campus)
• Marine Academy of Science and Technology (MAST) in Sandy Hook

Climate and weather [edit]

Monmouth County has a humid subtropical climate. In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Freehold Borough have ranged from a low of 22 °F (−6 °C) in January to a high of 86 °F (30 °C) in July, although a record low of −13 °F (−25 °C) was recorded in January 1984 and a record high of 106 °F (41 °C) was recorded in July 2011. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.98 inches (76 mm) in February to 5.08 inches (129 mm) in July.^[36]

Wineries, breweries and distilleries [edit]

• Basil T's Brewery
• Carton Brewing
• Cream Ridge Winery
• Four JG's Orchards & Vineyards
• Kane Brewing
• Laird & Company
• Peppadew Fresh Vineyards

See also [edit]

• USS Monmouth County (LST-1032)
• Monmouth County Historical Association
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Monmouth County, New Jersey
• List of Monmouth County Freeholder directors

Footnotes [edit]

Further reading [edit]

• Graham Russell Hodges, Slavery and Freedom in the Rural North: African Americans in Monmouth County, New Jersey, 1665-1865 Madison, WI: Madison House, 1997
• Charles A. Philhower, Indians of Monmouth County, New Jersey. (1924) Morristown, NJ: Digital Antiquaria, 2006.
• Edwin Salter, A History of Monmouth and Ocean Counties Embracing a Genealogical Record of Earliest Settlers of Monmouth and Ocean Counties and Their Descendants; The Indians: Their Language, Manners, and Customs; Important Historical Events: The Revolutionary War, Battle of Monmouth, The War of the Rebellion: Names of Officers and Men of Monmouth and Ocean Counties Engaged in It, etc., etc. Bayonne, NJ: E. Gardner and Son, 1890.

External links [edit]

• Monmouth County official website
• Rutgers at Brookdale Community College

	Middlesex County	Richmond County, New York	Queens County, New York
	Mercer County		Atlantic Ocean
		Monmouth County, New Jersey
	Burlington County	Ocean County

v t e Municipalities and communities of Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States County seat: Freehold Borough Cities Asbury Park Long Branch Boroughs Allenhurst Allentown Atlantic Highlands Avon-by-the-Sea Belmar Bradley Beach Brielle Deal Eatontown Englishtown Fair Haven Farmingdale Freehold Borough Highlands Interlaken Keansburg Keyport Lake Como Little Silver Manasquan Matawan Monmouth Beach Neptune City Oceanport Red Bank Roosevelt Rumson Sea Bright Sea Girt Shrewsbury Spring Lake Spring Lake Heights Tinton Falls Union Beach West Long Branch Townships Aberdeen Colts Neck Freehold Hazlet Holmdel Howell Manalapan Marlboro Middletown Millstone Neptune Ocean Shrewsbury Upper Freehold Wall Village Loch Arbour CDPs Allenwood Belford Cliffwood Beach East Freehold Fairview Leonardo Lincroft Morganville Navesink North Middletown Oakhurst Ocean Grove Port Monmouth Ramtown Robertsville Shark River Hills Strathmore Wanamassa West Belmar West Freehold Yorketown Communities Adelphia Beacon Hill Bradevelt Bucks Mill Carrs Corner Chapel Hill Clarksburg Cliffwood Colonial Terrace Cream Ridge East Long Branch Elberon Elton Elys Corner Georgia Gordons Corner Hockhockson Holmeson Hornerstown Imlaystown Jerseyville Locust Millhurst Montrose New Monmouth Perrineville Phalanx Pleasant Valley Crossroads Polhemustown Port-au-peck River Plaza Sandy Hook Scobeyville Siloam Smithburg Spring Valley Squankum Sweetman Taylors Mills Tennent Vanderburg Wayside West Allenhurst Wickatunk

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Coordinates: 40°17′N 74°09′W / 40.29°N 74.15°W / 40.29; -74.15