Monmouth Beach is a borough in Monmouth County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, situated on the Jersey Shore in Central Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 3,174, a decrease of 105 (−3.2%) from the 2010 census count of 3,279, which in turn had reflected a decline of 316 (−8.8%) from the 3,595 counted at 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 area was first settled in 1668 and grew into a community with the arrival of the Long Branch and Sea Shore Railroad.Cheslow, Jerry. "If You're Thinking of Living In/Monmouth Beach; A Town Where Water Lovers Abound", The New York Times, October 6, 2002. Accessed September 7, 2015. "Monmouth Beach started in 1668 as a farm developed by a Quaker named Eliakim Wardell, who eventually became the first sheriff of Monmouth County. Two centuries later, the area was made accessible to wealthy New Yorkers with the arrival of the Long Branch and Sea Shore Railroad that connected to the steamboat terminal at Sandy Hook to the south.... Among those who constructed mansions, which they called 'cottages,' were the wireless pioneer Guglielmo Marconi; the apple juice magnate Samuel Mott; a United States vice president, Garret A. Hobart; a founder of Wells Fargo, William G. Fargo; a candy manufacturer, William H. Heide, whose company made Jujyfruits; and the robber baron Jay Gould." Many early residents were professional fishermen with Norwegian backgrounds.

Monmouth Beach was incorporated from portions of Ocean Township as a borough on March 9, 1906, by an act of the New Jersey Legislature.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 182. Accessed May 30, 2024.

In 2023, the average home price according to Zillow was $974,409, which was up by 1.4% from the previous year.

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 2.07 square miles (5.37 km2), including 1.04 square miles (2.70 km2) of land and 1.03 square miles (2.67 km2) of water (49.81%).

The borough is a small beach community located on the Jersey Shore, known for its Victorian houses and the new multimillion-dollar homes located throughout the neighborhood. It was recently affected by Hurricane Sandy, damaging multiple homes. Monmouth Beach is one square mile, with the ocean to the east and the Shrewsbury River to the northwest.Cheslow, Jerry. "If You're Thinking of Living In / Monmouth Beach; A Town Where Water Lovers Abound", The New York Times, October 6, 2002. Accessed July 30, 2012.

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the borough include Galilee.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015. The Sea Bright–Monmouth Beach Seawall parallel to the ocean.

The borough is bordered by the Monmouth County communities of Little Silver, Long Branch, Oceanport, Rumson and Sea Bright.Areas touching Monmouth Beach, MapIt. Accessed February 27, 2020.Regional Location Map, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed February 27, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Within Monmouth Beach are two beach clubs. These are Monmouth Beach Bathing Pavilion, known to locals as "Little Monmouth", and Monmouth Beach Bath and Tennis Club, also known as "Big Monmouth". These spacious beach clubs equipped with pool and beach access. They have lockers, activities, swim teams, and more. Many locals and area residents attend these beach clubs.

Monmouth Beach offers fishing, as well as surfable waves. The Shrewsbury River, which borders the borough, offers sailing, kayaking, and fishing. The great majority of the borough of Monmouth Beach is residential. Places to go within the area include the many restaurants, lounges, and bars in West End, and Pier Village in Long Branch. Other notable locations include Red Bank, and the numerous beaches all along the shore towns to the north and south such as Asbury Park.

Demographics

2020 census As of the 2020 census, Monmouth Beach had a population of 3,174. The median age was 54.3 years. 15.3% of residents were under the age of 18 and 28.3% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 90.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 88.7 males age 18 and over.

100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 1,452 households in Monmouth Beach, of which 18.9% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 51.3% were married-couple households, 17.3% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 27.6% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 35.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 2,006 housing units, of which 27.6% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.4%.

+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census Race Number Percent White 2,934 92.4% Black or African American 9 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native 5 0.2% Asian 37 1.2% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 0 0.0% Some other race 44 1.4% Two or more races 145 4.6% Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 122 3.8%

2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 3,279 people, 1,494 households, and 855 families in the borough. The population density was 3,049.5 per square mile (1,177.4/km2). There were 1,981 housing units at an average density of 1,842.4 per square mile (711.4/km2). The racial makeup was 97.50% (3,197) White, 0.34% (11) Black or African American, 0.09% (3) Native American, 0.73% (24) Asian, 0.03% (1) Pacific Islander, 0.27% (9) from other races, and 1.04% (34) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.89% (62) of the population.

Of the 1,494 households, 21.7% had children under the age of 18; 48.9% were married couples living together; 5.8% had a female householder with no husband present and 42.8% were non-families. Of all households, 37.5% were made up of individuals and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.96.

20.1% of the population were under the age of 18, 4.2% from 18 to 24, 18.6% from 25 to 44, 35.5% from 45 to 64, and 21.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48.7 years. For every 100 females, the population had 89.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 86.9 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $94,583 (with a margin of error of +/− $29,606) and the median family income was $129,886 (+/− $7,489). Males had a median income of $108,369 (+/− $6,617) versus $76,813 (+/− $5,948) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $61,385 (+/− $8,902). About 2.1% of families and 2.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.8% of those under age 18 and 3.0% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Monmouth Beach borough, Monmouth County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 30, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 3,595 people, 1,633 households, and 976 families residing in the borough. The population density was 1, 297.2/km2 (3,354.4/sq mi). There were 1,969 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 97.66% White, 0.53% African American, 0.86% Asian, 0.33% from other races, and 0.61% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.89% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Monmouth Beach borough, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 30, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Monmouth Beach borough, Monmouth County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 30, 2012.

There were 1,633 households, out of which 23.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.7% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.2% were non-families. 35.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 20.3% under the age of 18, 3.5% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 28.9% from 45 to 64, and 20.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.8 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $80,484, and the median income for a family was $93,401. Males had a median income of $65,060 versus $45,208 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $52,862. About 1.4% of families and 1.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.4% of those under age 18 and 2.3% of those age 65 or over. Government

Local government The Borough of Monmouth Beach has been governed under the Walsh Act, by a three-member commission, since 1929."The Commission Form of Municipal Government" , p. 53. Accessed June 3, 2015."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 8. 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 borough is one of 30 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use the commission form of government.Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey, Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023. The governing body is comprised of a three-member commission, whose members are elected at-large in non-partisan elections to serve four-year terms of office on a concurrent basis in elections held every four years as part of the May municipal election.2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 58.

, members of the Borough Commission are Mayor David F. Stickle (Commissioner of Public Affairs and Public Safety), Lawrence M. Bolsch (Commissioner of Revenue and Finance) and