Hazlet is a township in Monmouth County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The township is located near the Raritan Bay within the Raritan Valley region. It is located in the New York Metropolitan Area and is a bedroom community of New York City. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 20,125, a decrease of 209 (−1.0%) from the 2010 census count of 20,334, which in turn reflected a decline of 1,044 (−4.9%) from the 21,378 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.

History What is now Hazlet was originally incorporated as Raritan Township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 25, 1848, from portions of Middletown Township. Portions of the township were taken to form Holmdel Township (February 23, 1857), Matawan Township (also February 23, 1857, now Aberdeen Township), Keyport (March 17, 1870), Keansburg (March 26, 1917) and Union Beach (March 16, 1925). The township was renamed "Hazlet Township" as of November 28, 1967, based on the results of a referendum held on November 7, 1967.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 179 re Hazlet Township, p. 184 re Raritan Township. Accessed May 28, 2024. Hazlet derives its name from Dr. John Hazlett, who had an estate in Raritan Township near the Keyport-Holmdel Turnpike, now Holmdel Road.History of Hazlet, Hazlet Township. Accessed January 27, 2025.Staff. "Hazlet: A brief history", Asbury Park Press, August 30, 2007. Accessed August 22, 2020. "The name Hazlet is taken from an early resident, Dr. John Hazlett, who came from New York City to purchase land and settle here more than 100 years ago....1967 Raritan Township's name is changed to Hazlet to give it a clearer identity. Before the change, it was one of three towns known as Raritan in the state."

Hazlet was the site of the last drive-in movie theater in New Jersey, the Route 35 Drive-In, which closed in 1991,New Jersey Drive-In Theaters, State of New Jersey. Accessed July 5, 2007. "New Jersey's last drive-in theater, Hazlet's Route 35 Drive-In, closed in 1991." until the Delsea Drive-In in Vineland reopened in 2004.Strauss, Robert. "The Drive-In Theater Tries a Comeback; Looking for a Few Hundred Adventurous Moviegoers", The New York Times, July 23, 2004. Accessed August 26, 2018. "He will be back in his old place, the Delsea Drive-In projection booth, rolling a double feature, as the theater reopens with The Bourne Supremacy and Anchorman. It will be the first drive-in movie showing in New Jersey -- the state that spawned the craze in the 1930s -- since the Route 35 Drive-In in Hazlet closed in 1991."

Hazlet was part of the Bayshore Regional Strategic Plan, an effort by nine municipalities in northern Monmouth County to reinvigorate the area's economy by emphasizing the traditional downtowns, dense residential neighborhoods, maritime history, and the natural environment of the Raritan Bayshore coastline. The plan has since been integrated into the 2016 Monmouth County Master Plan.

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 5.67 square miles (14.68 km2), including 5.57 square miles (14.42 km2) of land and 0.10 square miles (0.26 km2) of water (1.76%). Hazlet is roughly south of New York City and northeast of Philadelphia.

Unincorporated communities located partially or completely within Hazlet include Centerville, Mechanicsville, North Centerville, South Keyport, Tiltons Corner, Van Marters Corner and West Keansburg.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.

The township borders Aberdeen Township, Holmdel Township, Keansburg, Keyport, Middletown Township and Union Beach.Areas touching Hazlet Township, MapIt. Accessed May 17, 2015.Regional Location Map, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed February 24, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Demographics

2024 Census Estimates from the 2024 United States census counted 20,641 people and 7,659 households, with the estimated persons per household 2.63. With an owner-occupied housing unit rate of 88.5%, the median value of owner-occupied housing units was an estimated $441,300. Persons under 5 years old made up 5.3% of the population, persons under 18 years old made up 19.1 percent of the population, and persons 65 years and older made up 20.1% of the population. The last reported population density was 3613.8 people per square mile. 52.4% of Hazlet's population was estimated to be female. The racial makeup in Hazlet was listed as 85.1% White (solely white), .7% Black or African American, 1.9% Asian and 13.5% Hispanic or Latino.

In terms of education, 92.7% of the population in Hazlet has a high school education or higher, and 30.4% of the population has a bachelor's degree or higher.

2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 20,334 people, 7,140 households, and 5,526 families in the township. The population density was 3,659.4 per square mile (1,412.9/km2). There were 7,417 housing units at an average density of 1,334.8 per square mile (515.4/km2). The racial makeup was 91.93% (18,694) White, 1.48% (301) Black or African American, 0.07% (15) Native American, 3.40% (691) Asian, 0.01% (3) Pacific Islander, 1.58% (322) from other races, and 1.51% (308) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.87% (1,601) of the population.

Of the 7,140 households, 33.4% had children under the age of 18; 63.0% were married couples living together; 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present and 22.6% were non-families. Of all households, 19.3% were made up of individuals and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.26.

22.7% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 23.9% from 25 to 44, 31.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.3 years. For every 100 females, the population had 92.4 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 89.3 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $89,415 (with a margin of error of +/− $5,891) and the median family income was $102,743 (+/− $5,511). Males had a median income of $71,710 (+/− $5,920) versus $53,371 (+/− $2,532) for females. The per capita income for the township was $33,051 (+/− $1,340). About 1.2% of families and 2.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.3% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Hazlet township, Monmouth County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 24, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 21,378 people, 7,244 households, and 5,802 families residing in the township. The population density was . There were 7,406 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the township was 93.17% White, 1.10% African American, 0.06% Native American, 3.39% Asian, 1.13% from other races, and 1.15% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.87% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Hazlet township, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 5, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Hazlet township, Monmouth County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 5, 2012.

There were 7,244 households, out of which 37.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.2% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.9% were non-families. 17.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.92 and the average family size was 3.32.

In the township the population was spread out, with 25.5% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.1 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $65,697, and the median income for a family was $71,361. Males had a median income of $51,776 versus $32,439 for females. The per capita income for the township was $25,262. About 2.3% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.6% of those under age 18 and 6.6% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government Hazlet is governed under the Township form of New Jersey municipal government, one of 141 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form, the second-most commonly used form of government in the state.Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey , Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023. The Township Committee is comprised of five members, who are elected directly by the voters at-large in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year as part of the November general election in a three-year cycle.2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 67."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey" , p. 7. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.Cerra, Michael F. "Forms of Government: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know, But Were Afraid to Ask", New Jersey State League of Municipalities, March 2007. Accessed January 1, 2025. The Mayor and Deputy Mayor are elected annually by the Committee from among its five members at a reorganization meeting held each January.

, members of the Hazlet Township Committee are Mayor Michael C. Sachs (R, term on committee ends December 31, 2027; term as mayor ends 2025), Deputy Mayor Peter Terranova (R, term on committee ends 2027; term as deputy mayor ends 2027), James A. Cavuto (R, 2025), Robert Preston Jr. (R, 2025) and Alice Campos Zanghi (R, 2027).Township Committee, Township of Hazlet. Accessed January 27, 2025. "The governing body is comprised of five members, elected to three-year, staggered terms. There is an election of at least one member every year. The members appoint a mayor and a deputy mayor for one-year terms."2024 Municipal Data Sheet, Township of Hazlet. Accessed January 27, 2025.November 5, 2024 General Election Official Results, Monmouth County, New Jersey, updated December 16, 2024. Accessed January 1, 2025.November 8, 2023 General Election Official Results, Monmouth County, New Jersey, updated January 18, 2024. Accessed January 22, 2024.General Election November 8, 2022 Official Results, Monmouth County, New Jersey Clerk, updated December 27, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.