Monmouth County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey, within the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2000 Census, the population is 615,301. Its county seat is Freehold Borough. Monmouth County ranks 42nd among the highest-income counties in the United States with a per capita income of $31,149. The most populous municipality is Middletown Township, with 66,327 residents at the time of the 2000 Census. It is the northernmost county on the Jersey Shore.

In recent years, thanks in large part to the county's position on the Jersey Shore and its location within commuting distance of New York City, the population and cost of living have been skyrocketing. In its 2006 ranking of the Most Expensive ZIP Codes in the United States, Monmouth County was represented by Deal (96), Allenhurst (131), Avon-by-the-Sea (138), Sea Girt (157), Rumson (309) and Colts Neck Township (316).

Towns such as Rumson (#7), Sea Girt (#14) and Spring Lake (#19) are among the wealthiest areas in the state of New Jersey.

Money magazine has frequently named the Monmouth-Ocean County area one of the 10 best areas to live in the country.

The county only contains two incorporated cities, Long Branch and Asbury Park. Long Branch is more populated, but Asbury Park possesses a population density nearly twice that of Long Branch, and as such is decidedly more urban. Despite its name, Neptune City is incorporated as a borough, as are Red Bank and Freehold Borough, despite a fairly urban character.

History

Monmouth County was established in 1675. Its name came from a suggestion from Colonel Lewis Morris. He suggested it be named after Monmouthshire, Wales. In 1714 the first county government was established. At the June 28, 1778 Battle of Monmouth, near Freehold, General George Washington's soldiers defeated the British under Sir Henry Clinton, in the largest battle of the American Revolutionary War.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,723 km² (665 mi²). 1,222 km² (472 mi²) of it is land and 500 km² (193 mi²) of it (29.04%) is water.

Much of Monmouth County remains flat and low-lying even far inland. However, there are some low hills in and around Holmdel Township, and one of them, Crawford Hill, the former site of a radar facility, is the county's highest point at at least 380 feet (116 m) above sea level. The top portion of the hill is owned by Alcatel-Lucent and houses a research laboratory of Bell Laboratories.

The northeastern portion of the county, in the Locust neighborhood of Middletown Township and the boroughs of Highlands and Atlantic Highlands, are also very hilly. The lowest point is sea level.

Along with adjacent Ocean County, Monmouth County is a mecca of boating and fishing. Its waterways include several rivers and bays that flow into New York Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean. The Manasquan Inlet is located in the county, which connects the Atlantic Ocean with the estuary of the Manasquan River, a bay-like body of saltwater that serves as the starting point of the Intracoastal Waterway.

Adjacent Counties

• Middlesex County, New Jersey - north
• Ocean County, New Jersey - south
• Burlington County, New Jersey - southwest
• Mercer County, New Jersey - west

Monmouth County also shares borders with the New York City boroughs of Staten Island and Brooklyn. These borders are shared through the Raritan Bay, which is the area of the Atlantic Ocean which turns into Lower New York Bay west of Sandy Hook.

Though considered by some to be part of South Jersey, most locals consider this county to be located in Central Jersey, together with parts of Mercer, Middlesex, Ocean and Burlington counties.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 615,301 people, 224,236 households, and 160,328 families residing in the county. The population density was 503/km² (1,304/mi²). There were 240,884 housing units at an average density of 197/km² (510/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 84.39% White, 8.06% Black or African American, 0.14% Native American, 3.97% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.74% from other races, and 1.68% from two or more races. 6.20% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 224,236 households out of which 35.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.20% were married couples living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.50% were non-families. 23.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.24.

In the county the population was spread out with 26.10% under the age of 18, 6.90% from 18 to 24, 30.40% from 25 to 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 12.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 94.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $64,271, and the median income for a family was $76,823. Males had a median income of $55,030 versus $35,415 for females. The per capita income for the county was $31,149. About 4.50% of families and 6.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.50% of those under age 18 and 7.00% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Monmouth County is governed by a five-member Board of Chosen Freeholders, who are elected at-large for three year terms. Each January, the freeholders select one of their members to serve as the director of the board for the year to preside over the meetings and activities of the board. Monmouth County's Freeholders have both administrative and policy making powers.

The Freeholders oversee the five mandatory functions of county government delegated to it by the state. Each freeholder is assigned responsibility for one of the five functional areas: Administration and Special Services; Public Works and Engineering; Human Services, Health and Transportation; Finance and Administration of Justice. In total, the Board is responsible for supervising more than 70 county departments.