Ocean County, New Jersey

Ocean County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It the southernmost county in the New York metropolitan area, with the Southern part of the county falling in the Philadelphia metro area. It is home to Island Beach State Park and the resort of Seaside Heights. It is also home to Six Flags Great Adventure, and the New Jersey Pine Barrens. The state's largest suburban school district, Toms River Regional Schools, is located in this county. As of the United States 2000 Census, the population was 510,916. Its county seat is Toms River.⁶ 2005 estimates show the county's population growing to around 555,000, making it the fastest growing county in New Jersey.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,372 km² (916 mi²). 1,648 km² (636 mi²) of it is land and 724 km² (280 mi²) 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 has some of the most beautiful beaches in New Jersey. 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.

Demographics

As of the census ² of 2000, there were 510,916 people, 200,402 households, and 137,876 families residing in the county. The population density was 310/km² (803/mi²). There were 248,711 housing units at an average density of 151/km² (391/mi²). 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.

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. Freeholders are elected at large by the voters of Ocean County in partisan elections and serve staggered 3-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's Freeholders are:Meet the Freeholders, accessed June 6, 2006

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. Other communities and enclaves that exist within a municipality are marked as non-CDP next to the name. *Barnegat Light

References

External links

Ocean County website

Ocean County, New Jersey | New York metropolitan area | New Jersey counties