Upper Freehold Township is a township in Monmouth County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 7,273, an increase of 371 (+5.4%) from the 2010 census count of 6,902, which in turn reflected an increase of 2,620 (+61.2%) from the 4,282 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

Upper Freehold Township dates back to 1731, when it was formed from portions of Freehold Township. It was formally incorporated as a township by the Township Act of 1798 of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798. Over the years, portions of the township have been taken to form Millstone Township (February 28, 1844), Jackson Township (March 6, 1844) and Allentown (January 20, 1889).Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 186. Accessed May 30, 2024. The name of the township derives from Freehold Township, which in turn is derived from the word freehold, an English legal term describing fee simple property ownership.Gannett, Henry. The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States, p. 198. United States Government Printing Office, 1905. Accessed August 31, 2015.

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 47.37 square miles (122.68 km2), including 46.48 square miles (120.37 km2) of land and 0.89 square miles (2.31 km2) of water (1.88%).

Unincorporated communities within the township include Arneytown, Cooleys Corner, Coxs Corner, Cream Ridge, Davis, Ellisdale, Emleys Hill, Fillmore, Hayti, Homes Mills, Hornerstown, Imlaystown, Kirbys Mills, Nelsonville, New Canton, New Sharon, Polhemustown, Prospertown, Pullentown, Red Valley, Robinsville, Sharon, Shrewsbury, Spring Mill, Walnford and Wrightsville.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed November 7, 2013.

The township borders Allentown, Millstone Township and Roosevelt in Monmouth County; North Hanover Township in Burlington County; East Windsor Township, Hamilton Township and Robbinsville Township in Mercer County; and Jackson Township and Plumsted Township in Ocean County.Areas touching Upper Freehold Township, MapIt. Accessed March 11, 2020.Regional Location Map, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed March 11, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Farming and other agricultural uses have been primary uses of land in the area since the time that the township was first formed. The township has of land protected from development as part of a Farmland Preservation Program. Voters were the first in the county to approve a dedicated portion of property taxes to fund farmland preservation, which was increased by a 2001 referendum to four cents per $100 of assessed value, split between farmland preservation and the costs associated with purchasing and developing land for recreational uses.

The Assunpink Wildlife Preservation Area, of which more than of the preserve's are located in the township, as well as in portions of Millstone Township, Roosevelt and Robbinsville Township, offers wetlands and lakes for viewing migratory birds, in addition to mountain biking trails, bridle paths and hiking trails, operated under the supervision of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Division of Fish and Wildlife.Assunpink Wildlife Management Area, New York-New Jersey Trail Conference. Accessed October 28, 2013.Assunpink Wildlife Management Area, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Division of Fish and Wildlife. Accessed October 28, 2013.

Demographics

2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 6,902 people, 2,363 households, and 1,978 families in the township. The population density was 148.7 per square mile (57.4/km2). There were 2,458 housing units at an average density of 53.0 per square mile (20.5/km2). The racial makeup was 91.50% (6,315) White, 2.01% (139) Black or African American, 0.14% (10) Native American, 4.35% (300) Asian, 0.01% (1) Pacific Islander, 0.67% (46) from other races, and 1.32% (91) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.68% (254) of the population.

Of the 2,363 households, 38.1% had children under the age of 18; 76.5% were married couples living together; 4.9% had a female householder with no husband present and 16.3% were non-families. Of all households, 12.6% were made up of individuals and 6.1% 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 3.19.

26.6% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 20.4% from 25 to 44, 33.7% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.7 years. For every 100 females, the population had 98.6 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 97.3 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $122,525 (with a margin of error of +/− $16,693) and the median family income was $126,849 (+/− $10,754). Males had a median income of $100,583 (+/− $18,963) versus $65,183 (+/− $5,414) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $48,665 (+/− $3,717). About 2.3% of families and 2.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.8% of those under age 18 and 2.9% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Upper Freehold township, Monmouth County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed June 21, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 4,282 people, 1,437 households, and 1,198 families residing in the township. The population density was . There were 1,501 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the township was 94.70% White, 1.05% African American, 0.14% Native American, 1.40% Asian, 0.84% from other races, and 1.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.53% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Upper Freehold township, Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 2, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Upper Freehold township, Monmouth County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 2, 2012.

There were 1,437 households, out of which 42.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 74.7% were married couples living together, 5.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.6% were non-families. 11.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.96 and the average family size was 3.24.

In the township the population was spread out, with 27.8% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 32.1% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 9.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.7 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $71,250, and the median income for a family was $78,334. Males had a median income of $55,987 versus $35,221 for females. The per capita income for the township was $29,387. About 4.3% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.3% of those under age 18 and 11.6% of those age 65 or over.

Parks and recreation

The Horse Park of New Jersey was conceived by equestrian enthusiasts concerned about the dwindling amount of land dedicated to their interests and activities. The Horse Park opened in 1987 on land initially purchased by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection with Green Acres funds, based on the input of the state's Equine Advisory Board, and is centrally located in Monmouth County's equine-oriented countryside.About Our Community , Upper Freehold Township. Accessed October 28, 2013.Collins, Helen Lippman; Reardon, Patricia. "For Equestrians, Every Day is a Day for Riding or Practicing", The New York Times, November 1, 1987. Accessed October 28, 2013. "Horse Park, in Upper Freehold Township, is a project of the state's Equine Advisory Board. When completed, it will be a first-class facility for competitive horsemanship, complete with outdoor show rings, seats for a large group of spectators, a polo field and jumping and steeplechase courses."Horse Park of New Jersey, Get Outside NJ. Accessed October 28, 2013.

Monmouth County parks in the township include Clayton Park, a passive recreation area with woodlands and hiking trails covering a total of of land that dates back to a purchase of land in 1978 from an area farmer who sold the land to the county below market value to ensure that the land would be preserved.Clayton Park brochure and map, Monmouth County Park System. Accessed October 28, 2013.Clayton Park, Monmouth County Park System. Accessed October 28, 2013.

Historic Walnford includes a restored Georgian style house, working mill, carriage house and cow barn that were all part of an industrial community dating back almost 200 years that was developed by the Waln family on a site that covers .Historic Walnford, Monmouth County Park System. Accessed October 28, 2013.Historic Walnford brochure and map, Monmouth County Park System. Accessed October 28, 2013. The Crosswicks Creek Greenbelt includes of land in the township, as part of a corridor running along the Crosswicks Creek from Fort Dix in Burlington County towards the Delaware River along the border between Burlington and Mercer County, traveling through Upper Freehold Township and including Historic Walnford.Crosswicks Creek Greenway, Monmouth County Park System. Accessed October 28, 2013.Crosswicks Creek Greenway & Union Transportation Trail brochure and map, Monmouth County Park System. Accessed October 28, 2013.

A bond ordinance passed in 2000 provides for the development of soccer fields, baseball fields and basketball courts at the Byron Johnson Recreation Area and other township parks. The Byron Johnson site adjoins Allentown High School near the Allentown border, and is owned by Monmouth County and administered by the township, developed using municipal funds and monies contributed by developers.Hahn, Keith. "Upper Freehold approves funds for park development " , Examiner, December 20, 2000. Accessed October 28, 2013."The bond will provide $1 million for the construction of the Byron Johnson park as well as other parks scheduled for the future.... The 28-acre Byron Johnson site will feature soccer fields, youth baseball fields and basketball courts. The park will be developed next to Allentown High School, High Street, near the border of Allentown and Upper Freehold. While the land is owned by Monmouth County, Upper Freehold will maintain control over scheduling of recreation events on the site.

Government

Local government