Colts Neck Township is a township in Monmouth County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It is located in the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 9,957, a decrease of 185 (−1.8%) from the 2010 census count of 10,142, which in turn reflected a decline of 2,189 (−17.8%) from the 12,331 counted in the 2000 census.Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023.

The municipality of Colts Neck Township was initially established by an act of the New Jersey Legislature as Atlantic Township on February 18, 1847, carved from portions of Freehold, Middletown and Shrewsbury townships. The name was changed to "Colts Neck Township" as of November 6, 1962, based on the results of a referendum held that day.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. Accessed May 1, 2026.

The township has been ranked as one of the state's highest-income communities. Based on data from the American Community Survey for 2013–2017, Colts Neck residents had a median household income of $167,480, ranked fifth in the state among municipalities with more than 10,000 residents, more than double the statewide median of $76,475.Raychaudhuri, Disha. "The wealthiest towns in N.J., ranked", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, June 7, 2019. Accessed November 4, 2019. "The median household income in N.J. is $76,475, recent Census data shows.... A note about the data: The data comes from 2013-2017 American Community Survey conducted by U.S. Census Bureau. Smaller towns with less than 10,000 residents were excluded from the list.... 5. Colts Neck, Monmouth County Median income: $167,480"B19013 - Median Household Income in The Past 12 Months (in 2017 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars) Universe: Households from the 2013-2017 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for New Jersey municipalities , United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 4, 2019.

History Colts Neck Township was first settled in the 17th century and formally established as a township in 1847. Its history spans interactions with Native Americans, colonial settlement, wartime significance, and modern suburban development.

Early settlement The area that became Colts Neck was originally inhabited by the Lenni Lenape, part of the Unami or Turtle Clan, who used the land for hunting and crafting wampum from shells gathered near present-day Obre Road. Dutch and English settlers arrived in the late 17th century, drawn by fertile soil, abundant wildlife (including wolves, bears, and panthers), and marl deposits used for fertilizer. Early records note a 1676 sale of 205 acres called 'ColtsNeek' by two Indians, Amesse and Landsand, to Henry Leonard. The Matthews and Van Mater families were among the earliest settlers, establishing farms and mills.

Revolutionary War During the Revolutionary War, Colts Neck was a site of conflict due to its proximity to the Battle of Monmouth in 1778. British troops retreating through the township plundered farms and refreshed at the Colts Neck Tavern. Local hero Captain Joshua Huddy, captured by Loyalist Refugees in 1782, was hanged near Sandy Hook, sparking outrage and a notable incident involving General Washington. Michael Field, a Revolutionary soldier, was killed and buried in Colts Neck during a skirmish with the retreating British.

19th century Colts Neck was set off from Shrewsbury, Freehold, and Middletown as Atlantic Township on February 18, 1847, with its first town meeting held at Samuel Laird's hotel on March 9. Early officials included Moderator Thomas G. Haight and Town Clerk Tunis Statesir. The North American Phalanx, a utopian socialist community inspired by Charles Fourier, operated here from 1843 to 1856, marketing the first boxed cereal and leaving a lasting legacy. Churches, schools, and mills, like Bucks Mill, emerged as the township grew.

20th century The township retained its rural character into the 20th century, officially renaming itself Colts Neck Township in 1962. Suburbanization accelerated in the 1980s, transforming farmland into residential estates, though equestrian farms persisted. The Farmland Preservation Committee, established later, has protected nearly 1,000 acres, balancing growth with heritage.

Community Since the late 20th century, Colts Neck has been a wealthy bedroom community of New York City, located in Central New Jersey within the New York metropolitan area. Many people choose to move to Colts Neck due to its open space and proximity to the Jersey Shore, while still being within commuting distance of New York and North Jersey.Tarabour, Brooke. "New Jersey-Bound: The Staten Island Migration", The New York Times, January 10, 1993. Accessed June 10, 2022.Scancarella, Doug "If You're Thinkingh of Living In: Colts Neck; 60 Miles From Broadway, A Rural Feel - At a Price", The New York Times, September 17, 1995. Accessed June 7, 2022.Cheslow, Jerry "Living In/Colts Neck, N.J.: Wide Open Spaces, and a Place to Park Your Horse", The New York Times, September 12, 2004. Accessed June 7, 2022. The township's strict zoning ordinances have long kept out urban development and chain stores, allowing for locally owned businesses, while still being close to malls, movie theaters, and other amenities in neighboring communities.

The township has a Farmland Preservation Committee which to date has preserved nearly of land, providing one way in which Colts Neck has been able to prevent large-scale development. The township has strict zoning regulations, and because there is no public water or sewage service, most homes must be built on lots covering a minimum of 2, 5 and .

Originally a farming community, Colts Neck has long been known for its large number of equestrian farms. From the 1950s into the 1970s many of Colts Neck's heavily wooded areas were developed with large colonial and ranch-style houses on acre-sized lots. In the 1980s and continuing into the 2000s much of the town's farm land has been replaced with large houses, mansions and sprawling estates, although a large number of equestrian farms remain. During this time period increasing home prices in northern New Jersey and New York City resulted in large numbers of people moving to central New Jersey, causing real estate prices in Colts Neck and surrounding towns to rise considerably over the course of the two decades. Colts Neck real estate prices remain high despite the economic downturn: as of November 2012, the average listing price of a house was $1,433,112 and the number of home sales is down 41.4% from the previous year.Colts Neck, 07722 Real Estate Overview, Trulia. Accessed December 3, 2012.

Many of Colts Neck's residents are professional business people who commute into New York City's financial district, as could be seen in the unusual proportion of the small community who were lost in the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. A memorial garden dedicated to the five members of the community who were lost was created at the municipal center by sculptor Jim Gary, a member of the community who was raised in Colts Neck. The central feature of the memorial garden is his sculpture of metal and stained glass.Via Associated Press. "Jim Gary; Created Art From Castoff Auto Parts", The Washington Post, January 19, 2006. Accessed September 15, 2011. "Mr. Gary's work also included more serious pieces, such as a bouquet of six roses he completed last year for a Jewish temple to commemorate the Holocaust, and a Sept. 11 memorial he created for the community of Colts Neck, N.J. "Erminio, Vinessa. "Faces of the New Jersey victims of Sept. 11: A tribute in photos to 734 victims with ties to the Garden State", nj.com, September 11, 2021. Accessed July 2, 2023.

In 2018, Colts Neck made national headlines for a 2018 incident in which a man was charged with setting a mansion on fire, which resulted in the death of his brother, sister in law and their two children.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 31.79 square miles (82.34 km2), including 31.72 square miles (79.55 km2) of land and 1.08 square miles (2.79 km2) of water (3.38%). Colts Neck's geography, with its fertile soil, abundant wildlife, and extensive marl beds along streams like Hop Brook, attracted early settlers. The township's rolling uplands and waterways, including the Yellow Brook and Mine Brook, supported farming and milling, shaping its early development. These natural resources remain evident today, preserved in part through efforts like the Farmland Preservation Committee.

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Bucks Mill, Cooks Mills, Hominy Hill, Lippincott, Montrose, Phalanx, Scobeyville, Swimming River and Vanderburg.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed April 20, 2015.

The township borders the Monmouth County communities of Freehold Township, Holmdel, Howell, Marlboro, Middletown, Tinton Falls and Wall Township.Areas touching Colts Neck Township, MapIt. Accessed March 26, 2020.Regional Location Map, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed March 26, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Economy

Colts Neck's economy historically centered on agriculture, with farming and milling dominant in the 18th and 19th centuries. Bucks Mill, built in 1854, exemplifies this era's grist mills. Snyder's Mill (pre-1806), and Heyer's Mill (c. 1800) were also large milling sites in the township, the latter site of a 1902 flood that killed four workers. The North American Phalanx (1843–1856) introduced innovative industries, including the production of the first boxed cereal.

Laird & Company produces Laird's Applejack at its facility in the Scobeyville section of the township. The only remaining producer of Applejack in the United States, the company received the first U.S. distillery license in 1780 after providing George Washington with its applejack recipe. The distillery operated in Colts Neck until 1850, then moved to Scobeyville after a fire. Since the end of distilling in Colts Neck in 1972, the company has had its apples picked and distilled in Virginia, and then brought north to be aged, blended and bottled at its facility in the township. the company received the first license granted by the United States Department of the Treasury, which was granted in 1780.Harrison, Karen Tina. "Jersey LightningThe Laird family of Scobeyville has been distilling applejack a long time. How long? They once gave George Washington the recipe.", New Jersey Monthly, July 13, 2009. Accessed October 16, 2013. "Robert incorporated Laird's Distillery in 1780 as the new nation's first licensed commercial distillery.... Today, Laird & Company is America's sole remaining applejack producer. Never mind that the family obtains all its apples from orchards in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, where Laird & Company owns a distillery."

The town has been noted for horse breeding since the 1700s; an ad for the stallion "Liberty" appeared in 1780 newspapers. By 1877, township real estate was valued at $1,112,900.