Freehold Borough, New Jersey | |
|---|---|
 Downtown Freehold at the intersection ofWest Main Street andThrockmorton Street | |
 Seal | |
 Location of Freehold Borough inMonmouth County highlighted in yellow (right). Inset map: Location of Monmouth County inNew Jersey highlighted in black (left). | |
 Census Bureau map of Freehold Borough, New Jersey  Interactive map of Freehold Borough, New Jersey | |
  Freehold Borough Location in the United States Show map of the United States | |
| Coordinates:40°15′37″N74°16′33″W / 40.260219°N 74.275884°W /40.260219; -74.275884[1][2] | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  New Jersey |
| County | Monmouth |
| Incorporated | March 25, 1869 (as town) |
| Reincorporated | April 15, 1919 (as borough) |
| Named after | English legal term offreehold |
| Government | |
| • Type | Borough |
| • Body | Borough Council |
| • Mayor | Kevin A. Kane (D, term ends December 31, 2027)[3] |
| • Administrator | Stephen J. Gallo[4] |
| • Municipal clerk | Traci L. DiBenedetto[5] |
| Area | |
• Total | 1.93 sq mi (5.01 km2) |
| • Land | 1.93 sq mi (5.00 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0.00 km2) 0.10% |
| • Rank | 419th of 565 in state 32nd of 53 in county[1] |
| Elevation | 171 ft (52 m) |
| Population | |
• Total | 12,538 |
| 12,430 | |
| • Rank | 206th of 565 in state 17th of 53 in county[11] |
| • Density | 6,496.4/sq mi (2,508.3/km2) |
| • Rank | 82nd of 565 in state 7th of 53 in county[11] |
| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT)) |
| ZIP Code | |
| Area codes | 732/848[14] |
| FIPS code | 34-25200[1][15][16] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0885226[1][17] |
| Website | www |
Freehold is aborough in and thecounty seat ofMonmouth County, in theU.S. state ofNew Jersey.[18][19] Known for itsVictorian era homes and extensive colonial history, the borough is located in theRaritan Valley region within theNew York metropolitan area, located about 33 miles (53 km) fromManhattan and 17 miles (27 km) fromStaten Island.[20][21][22][23] The borough has grown to become acommuter town ofNew York City. As of the2020 United States census, the borough's population was 12,538,[8][9] its highestdecennial count ever and an increase of 486 (+4.0%) from the 12,052 recorded at the2010 census,[24][25] which in turn reflected an increase of 1,076 (+9.8%) from the 10,976 counted in the2000 census.[26]
The Freeholds region, which includes the borough andFreehold Township (which completely surrounds the borough), is a commercial hub forcentral New Jersey. The borough is located relatively close to theRaritan Bayshore communities to the north, includingThe Amboys,Old Bridge,Matawan,Keyport,Keansburg, andMiddletown, along with being relatively close to the Tri-City region ofJersey Shore municipalities (and their vicinities) to the east, includingRed Bank,Long Branch, andAsbury Park.[27]
What is now Freehold Borough was originally incorporated as atown by an act of theNew Jersey Legislature on March 25, 1869, from portions withinFreehold Township. The town became independent of the township in 1888. On April 15, 1919, Freehold was incorporated as a borough, including all of Freehold and additional portions of Freehold Township, based on the results of a referendum held on July 8, 1919. Additional portions of Freehold Township were annexed on September 7, 1926.[28]
The Hispanic and Latino population has been rapidly growing in Freehold Borough for the last 40 years. The Hispanic population making up 4.6% (0.2% Mexican) in the1980 census,[citation needed] 11.3% (2.8%Mexican) in the 1990 Census,[29] 28.0% (17.3% Mexican) in 2000,[30] 42.9% (29.6% Mexican) in 2010,[24] and recently in 2020, a majority at 53.0% Hispanic.[31] Meanwhile, the Black or African American population has decreased in recent decades: 17.1% in 1970, 19.8% in 1980, 18.2% in 1990, 15.8% in 2000, 12.6% in 2010 and 9.4% in 2020.
In 2021, Freehold Borough became one of few towns in the state (including,Bellmawr,Egg Harbor Township,Montclair andWoodbridge Township) that has authorized the sale ofcannabis through authorized dispensaries and for the allowance of cultivators, distributors, wholesalers, and manufacturers.[32][33][34]
TheLenni LenapeNative Americans were the earliest known people to live in the area that became Freehold.[35] The Lenape were ahunter-gatherer society. They were largely sedentary, changing campsites seasonally. They were prolific hunters of small game and birds. They were also skilled fisherman, and were known to harvest vast amounts of clams from the bays and inlets on theJersey Shore. They also practiced some agriculture to augment their food supply. During this time, an important crossroad of two major Lenape trails was located in the area of Freehold.[36]
By the late 17th century, the English had begun to take over the area. In 1664, theDuke of York (laterJames II & VII) granteda patent toSir George Carteret to develop the area. In 1685, ScottishPresbyterians fromScotland, along with EnglishBaptists andQuakers fromNew England fleeing religious persecution at home, became the first to settle within the area.[35][37] In 1693, along withMiddletown andShrewsbury, Freehold was established by act of legislature as one of the three original townships in Monmouth County.[38] The name of the borough comes from the wordFreehold, an English legal term describingfee simpleproperty ownership.[39]
In 1714, when the colonial government was deciding where to locate the county seat and courthouse, Freeholder John Reid, the firstSurveyor General ofEast Jersey, wanted the county seat located in Freehold Township. Reid sold land suitable for use as a courthouse to theBoard of Chosen Freeholders at a bargain price, and this may have been the deciding factor why Freehold was selected over Middletown and Shrewsbury. In return for the heavily discounted price, Reid placed arestrictive covenant in the deed that, should the property ever cease being used as a courthouse, ownership would revert to the Reid family. Direct descendants of John Reid still reside in Freehold Township.[41]
Freehold was officially designated as the seat of the Monmouth County government, and a court house was commissioned to be built on the land purchased from John Reid. The Monmouth Courthouse opened in 1715.[42] A small village quickly began to develop around the courthouse. At first, the village was called Monmouth Courthouse.[43] Over time, other government buildings opened near the courthouse, including a sheriff's office, a prison and a post office. A number of homes and commercial businesses also sprang up in the village, including a blacksmith, a general store, a bank, a hotel, and saloon.[44]
In the area surrounding Monmouth Courthouse, many successful farms began to appear. The farms in Freehold were particularly well known for the production of potatoes, beans, and rye, which were sold in the markets of nearby cities. Freehold also became known for its excellent horse farms.[36] The differences within Freehold between the growing village around the courthouse and the surrounding farmland were the seeds for the eventual division of Freehold into two separate municipalities in the early 20th century.
As of 1745, the majority of families in Freehold were still Scottish immigrants.[45] In modern Freehold today, many important streets bear the name of early colonial families, including Barkalow, Applegate, Rhea, Throckmorton, and Schanck.[45]
Freehold was deeply impacted by theAmerican Revolution. By the early 1770s, theSons of Liberty were actively recruiting local members in Freehold, and were agitating the relationship between the British government and the colonists.[46] In 1775, immediately after theBattles of Lexington and Concord, Capt. Elias Longstreet recruited the first company of Freeholders to join the Continental Army.[47] Freehold was a known center of patriot activity. The Declaration of Independence was publicly proclaimed, read aloud, from the steps of the Freehold Courthouse just a few days after being signed in Philadelphia.[45]
However, after British success at theBattle of Long Island, Freehold and all of Monmouth County fell under the control ofLoyalists.[48] The British government continued to operate the Freehold Courthouse, and several people involved in revolutionary activism were arrested and tried for treason at the courthouse.[48] The success of the Continental Army at the Battle of Trenton helped to weaken loyalist control of Freehold.[49]
In June 1778, the British Army began a major strategic evacuation ofPhiladelphia. They attempted to protect a long, slow moving column of loyalist families, equipment, and other supplies seized in Philadelphia, as they moved towards ships in New York Harbor. On June 28, 1778, the Continental Army intercepted the column in Freehold (the area is now part of Freehold & Manalapan Townships).[50] TheBattle of Monmouth was one of the largest battles of the Revolutionary War, involving over 25,000 soldiers combined in Continental, British, andHessian forces. The initial engagement was in doubt until Washington arrived because Charles Lee was retreating from the battlefield. Washington rallied the Continentals and strongly engaged the British forces and they held their ground on the battlefield. However, the British forces were successful in completing their primary goal, the evacuation of Philadelphia. Both sides claimed victory in the battle.[50]
Several notable figures during the Revolutionary War fought at the Battle of Monmouth. British forces were commanded bySir Henry Clinton andCharles Cornwallis. The Continental Army was commanded byGeorge Washington andCharles Lee. Charles Lee was court martialed by the Continental Army for his behavior at the Battle of Monmouth.Nathaniel Greene,Alexander Hamilton, theMarquis de Lafayette andFriedrich Wilhelm von Steuben also fought for the Continental Army at the Battle of Monmouth.[51] Another famous figure at the Battle of Monmouth wasMolly Pitcher, who manned a cannon during the battle after her husband was wounded.[51]
In the aftermath of the Battle of Monmouth, Loyalist control of Freehold faltered. The town ceased to have a functioning municipal government, and the courthouse was closed until the end of the war. Minor clashes between loyalists and continentals flared up in town, with the violence peaking around 1780.[52]Colonel Tye, an escaped slave and leader of a prominent loyalist guerilla force, conducted several raids in and around Freehold. One famous incident was the capture and hanging ofJoshua Huddy by BritishLoyalists under the direction of Richard Lippincott. Colonel Tye was killed during the raid on Huddy's home.[53] Patriots later cut down Huddy's body hanging from the gallows and buried it in Freehold, at Old Tennent Church.[54] At the end of the war, the community was deeply divided, and nearly 120 loyalist families left Freehold, fearing persecution from their neighbors. Most of these families re-settled in Canada.[55]
During the early 19th century, Freehold steadily grew in size. The village around the courthouse was now called Freehold, along with the surrounding farmland.[56] In 1852, when long distance railroad systems were first being developed, a railroad station, with trains making regular stops, running along what is now known as Throckmorton Street, about one block from the courthouse. Freehold soon had public sewers in the village and in some of the outlying farmland. By 1883, there was an electrical grid and a telephone switchboard, at a time when these inventions were still brand new.[56] These public advancements caused rapid economic growth in Freehold. The village of Freehold became an important commercial and industrial hub in central New Jersey. The farms in the rest of Freehold benefitted greatly by being able to sell their products more easily in New York and Philadelphia.[57] Both the village and the farms prospered together, however the public policies sought by the two different communities continued to grow further apart. The municipal government was increasingly divided between the villagers and farmers.
In 1824, the American Hotel opened on Main Street in Freehold; It is still standing today, and is one of the oldest buildings in Freehold. In 1853, the Freehold Raceway opened. Though the original grandstand burned down in a fire, the racetrack is still open today, and is one of the oldest harness racetracks in America. The Great Fire of Freehold happened on October 30, 1873. The fire reportedly began in a commercial building on Main Street. It soon spread to engulf a large section of the village, and many wooden buildings, including Monmouth Courthouse, were burned down.[58]
Freehold also has an important place in the history of thebicycle. Cycling championArthur Augustus Zimmerman resided in the borough during his racing career in the 1880s and 1890s, and from 1896 to 1899 operated the Zimmerman Bicycle Co.; the company's bicycles were known as the "Zimmy." Today, Freehold Borough is home to the Metz Bicycle Museum, where the only extant "Zimmy" can be seen.[59]
At the beginning of the 20th century, Freehold was an increasingly divided community. The issue of local tax dollars, used as funding for public works and infrastructure projects, was the primary point of contention.[61] The Freeholders living in the downtown area, around the courthouse had very different ideas about how to spend public money compared to the Freeholders living in the surrounding farmland. Tension within the community increased greatly in 1916 when a severepolio epidemic swept through Freehold.[62]
After contentious public debate, a referendum was held to on the future of Freehold, and voters overwhelmingly decided to split the town into two separate municipalities.
On April 15, 1919, Freehold Borough formally separated from Freehold Township. Freehold residents generally refer to the different municipalities simply as the Borough and the Township. The borough, the downtown area around the courthouse, retained all the existing government buildings around Court Street and Main Street. The borough also kept the designation as county seat.[63] Freehold Township, the farming communities that surrounded the courthouse, set up a new city hall complex on Schanck Road. The township completely encircles the borough. On September 7, 1926, Freehold Borough annexed additional territory from the township.[63]
Freehold Borough initially prospered in the early 20th century. However, by mid-century, the Borough began to decline as downtown areas across the country shrank, and suburban areas began growing. In 1961, theA & M Karagheusian rug factory closed.[64] This factory had long been the largest employer in the area, and its closure had a devastating effect on the economic stability of the borough. The borough managed to turn around its economic decline by establishing the downtown area as a center for restaurants and nightlife.[65] Several well-known local restaurants on Main Street are now crowded every night of the week.
Freehold Borough was an important center of African American civil rights activity in New Jersey during the years leading up to theBrown v. Board of Education decision in 1954.[66] In 2007, Jaye Sims became the first African American official to be elected to office.[67]
Bruce Springsteen grew up in the borough. His family lived in various homes on Randolph St, Institute St and finally South St. In 1963, he graduated eighth grade from St. Rose of Lima School, and graduated fromFreehold Borough High School in 1967.[68] In 1973, he released his first album, and rocketed to international fame. Springsteen has always remained loyal to Freehold and makes reference to it in several of his famous songs, including "My Hometown". In 1996, he conducted a small benefit concert in Freehold for St. Rose of Lima.[68]
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 1.93 square miles (5.01 km2), including 1.93 square miles (5.00 km2) of land and <0.01 square miles (<0.01 km2) of water (0.10%).[1][2] It is situated in the heart of Monmouth County and is located approximately 35 miles (56 km) south of New York City and 50 miles (80 km) northeast ofPhiladelphia.[69] Freehold is also about 16 miles (26 km) west ofAsbury Park on theJersey Shore.[70]
Freehold has an elevation of 174 feet (53 m) above sea level at its center.[7]
The borough is completely surrounded byFreehold Township,[71][72][73] making it part of 21 pairs of "doughnut towns" in the state, where one municipality entirely surrounds another.[74]
According to theKöppen climate classification system, Freehold Borough sits on the northern border between thehumid subtropical climate (Cfa) zone and thehumid continental climate (Dfa) zone, with the borough being one of the most northern localities in North America that has a humid subtropical climate.Cfa climates are characterized by all months having an average temperature above 32.0 °F (0.0 °C), at least four months with an average temperature at or above 50.0 °F (10.0 °C), at least one month with an average temperature at or above 71.6 °F (22.0 °C) and no significant precipitation difference between seasons.
| Climate data for Freehold Borough, New Jersey, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 73 (23) | 79 (26) | 87 (31) | 95 (35) | 96 (36) | 100 (38) | 106 (41) | 102 (39) | 99 (37) | 95 (35) | 83 (28) | 76 (24) | 106 (41) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 41.7 (5.4) | 44.4 (6.9) | 51.4 (10.8) | 63.0 (17.2) | 72.0 (22.2) | 81.1 (27.3) | 86.5 (30.3) | 84.6 (29.2) | 78.1 (25.6) | 66.6 (19.2) | 56.2 (13.4) | 46.7 (8.2) | 64.4 (18.0) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 32.3 (0.2) | 34.7 (1.5) | 41.4 (5.2) | 52.1 (11.2) | 61.3 (16.3) | 70.6 (21.4) | 76.0 (24.4) | 74.0 (23.3) | 67.1 (19.5) | 55.5 (13.1) | 45.9 (7.7) | 37.4 (3.0) | 54.0 (12.2) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 22.9 (−5.1) | 25.0 (−3.9) | 31.3 (−0.4) | 41.2 (5.1) | 50.6 (10.3) | 60.1 (15.6) | 65.5 (18.6) | 63.4 (17.4) | 56.1 (13.4) | 44.3 (6.8) | 35.7 (2.1) | 28.0 (−2.2) | 43.7 (6.5) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −14 (−26) | −20 (−29) | −2 (−19) | 17 (−8) | 28 (−2) | 35 (2) | 42 (6) | 41 (5) | 32 (0) | 20 (−7) | 7 (−14) | −5 (−21) | −20 (−29) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 3.87 (98) | 3.10 (79) | 4.20 (107) | 3.83 (97) | 3.81 (97) | 4.44 (113) | 4.65 (118) | 4.13 (105) | 4.19 (106) | 4.13 (105) | 3.54 (90) | 4.68 (119) | 48.57 (1,234) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) | 10.7 | 9.2 | 9.9 | 11.6 | 12.5 | 11.8 | 9.8 | 10.7 | 9.1 | 10.2 | 9.4 | 10.1 | 125.0 |
| Source:NOAA[75][76] | |||||||||||||
According to theA. W. Kuchler U.S.potential natural vegetation types, Freehold Borough would have an AppalachianOak (104) vegetation type with an EasternHardwood Forest (25) vegetation form.[77]
The2010 United States census counted 12,052 people, 4,006 households, and 2,660 families in the borough. Thepopulation density was 6,180.8 per square mile (2,386.4/km2). There were 4,249 housing units at an average density of 2,179.1 per square mile (841.4/km2). The racial makeup was 65.72% (7,920)White, 12.57% (1,515)Black or African American, 0.52% (63)Native American, 2.89% (348)Asian, 0.07% (8)Pacific Islander, 15.35% (1,850) fromother races, and 2.89% (348) from two or more races.Hispanic or Latino of any race were 42.87% (5,167) of the population.[24]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | 2,432 | — | |
| 1890 | 2,932 | 20.6% | |
| 1900 | 2,934 | 0.1% | |
| 1910 | 3,233 | 10.2% | |
| 1920 | 4,768 | 47.5% | |
| 1930 | 6,894 | 44.6% | |
| 1940 | 6,952 | 0.8% | |
| 1950 | 7,550 | 8.6% | |
| 1960 | 9,140 | 21.1% | |
| 1970 | 10,545 | 15.4% | |
| 1980 | 10,020 | −5.0% | |
| 1990 | 10,742 | 7.2% | |
| 2000 | 10,976 | 2.2% | |
| 2010 | 12,052 | 9.8% | |
| 2020 | 12,538 | 4.0% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 12,430 | [8][10] | −0.9% |
| Population sources: 1880–1920[78] 1880–1890[79] 1890–1910[80] 1910–1930[81] 1940–2000[82] 2000[30][83] 2010[24][25] 2020[8][9] | |||
Of the 4,006 households, 33.6% had children under the age of 18; 44.3% were married couples living together; 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present and 33.6% were non-families. Of all households, 26.2% were made up of individuals and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.98 and the average family size was 3.48.[24]
24.5% of the population were under the age of 18, 10.4% from 18 to 24, 32.4% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33.3 years. For every 100 females, the population had 111.7 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 112.0 males.[24]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010American Community Survey showed that (in 2010inflation-adjusted dollars)median household income was $52,000 (with a margin of error of +/− $3,634) and the median family income was $60,471 (+/− $3,989). Males had a median income of $29,752 (+/− $8,068) versus $34,976 (+/− $8,305) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $23,331 (+/− $1,602). About 13.1% of families and 16.01% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.5% of those under age 18 and 14.2% of those age 65 or over.[84]
As of the2000 United States census[15] there were 10,976 people, 3,695 households, and 2,571 families residing in the borough. The population density was 5,501.1 inhabitants per square mile (2,124.0/km2). There were 3,821 housing units at an average density of 1,915.1 per square mile (739.4/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 71.02%White, 15.83%Black, .55%Native American, 2.45%Asian, .02%Pacific Islander, 6.64% fromother races, and 3.49% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 28.07% of the population.[30][83]
There were 3,695 households, out of which 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.4% were non-families. 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.6% 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 3.39.[30][83]
In the borough the population was spread out, with 24.8% under the age of 18, 10.9% from 18 to 24, 34.4% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.7 males.[30][83]
The median income for a household in the borough was $48,654, and the median income for a family was $53,374. Males had a median income of $35,855 versus $30,377 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $19,910. About 7.7% of families and 12% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.8% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.[30][83]
Suburbanization within the vicinity of the Freeholds region has been due to its convenient location near theJersey Shore, and proximity to cities such asNew York,Newark,Trenton, andPhiladelphia. The region has, thus, been a longtime premier shopping destination inCentral New Jersey.
The borough is home to Downtown Freehold, located onEast and West Main Street (County Route 537). This downtown section has various eateries, bars, boutiques, historical sites, and other excursions. Within this section of town, there have been plans to revitalize the downtown area, as outlined in the Freehold Center Core Revitalization Plan (2008),[85][86] in whichNJ Transit has sponsored a project in transforming the Freehold Center Bus Station into a Transit Village.[87] This new designation would foster in the creation of atransit-oriented development zoning district around the bus station.
Established in 1853, making it the nation's oldest half-mile harness racing track,Freehold Raceway offers horse lovers and bettors an opportunity to seeharness racing.[88] The raceway announced in September 2024 that they will close, with the final racing date being December 28.[89]
Completed in August 1990, theFreehold Raceway Mall is a super-regional mall located in neighboringFreehold Township. The mall was constructed at a cost of $125 million on a site covering more than 175 acres (71 ha)[citation needed] across from the Freehold Raceway overU.S. 9, and it has agross leasable area of 1,600,000 square feet (150,000 m2).[90]
There are many other shopping destinations outside of the borough, including theManalapan EpiCentre (formerly, the Manalapan Mall) in nearbyManalapan Township, theJackson Premium Outlets in nearbyJackson Township, and The Shoppes in nearbyOld Bridge Township.
In 2021, the Freehold Borough council approved an ordinance to opt-in for cannabis businesses to operate within the borough. In a 4–1 vote, the ordinance established the parameters and zoning regulations to where cannabis businesses could operate, including commercial manufacturing and limited professional office zoning categories.[33] This would make Freehold one of the few municipalities in the state (including,Bellmawr,Egg Harbor Township,Montclair, andWoodbridge Township) that has authorized the sale ofcannabis in New Jersey, especially within the greatercentral New Jersey region.[32] NJ Leaf, a medical cannabis dispensary located onPark Avenue, opened in March 2023 and is expected to also expand to recreational sales in the near future.[91]
Freehold Borough and Township began to grow in commercial and industrial manufacturing of goods during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
A & M Karagheusian, Inc. was a rug manufacturer headquartered at 295Fifth Avenue inManhattan. Manufacturing was located in Freehold Borough, New Jersey and operated for 60 years before closing in 1964. It employed 1,700 people at its peak operation in the 1930s. There was another factory inRoselle Park, New Jersey, that operated from May 19, 1923, to 1962.[93]
Bruce Springsteen wrote about the Karagheusian Rug Mill’s closing in his 1984 song "My Hometown".[94]
Brockway Glass Company built a facility on Center Street in 1955. Brockway Glass then proceeded to build additional facilities in the region in 1956, 1967, 1969 and 1976. The company ceased operations in the township in 1991,[95][96] in which the site is now operated by the Freehold campus location forIron Mountain, anenterprise information management services company.
Nestle opened a production plant in 1948, which closed in 2023.[97]
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The Freeholds region is home to a wide array of nature spaces, includingMonmouth Battlefield State Park,Turkey Swamp Park, andLake Topanemus, providing assorted recreational opportunities. Smaller parks in the borough are operated by the Borough Recreation Commission, and they include Liberty Park, Veterans Park, and Vinyard Park.[98]
The southernmost segment of theHenry Hudson Trail starts in the borough and runs northeast to theRaritan Bayshore area along an abandoned rail line toMatawan. There is a parking lot located at 119 Dutch Lane Road in Freehold Township. The trail is used by walkers, runners and bicyclists.[99]
Lake Topanemus is a 71-acre (29 ha) suburban park located in Freehold Township, but is owned and operated by the borough.[100] The pond's attractions, includefreshwater fishing, paddle boating, and canoeing. The park is also known for its picturesque nature trails, playgrounds, outdoor calisthenics, and open fields.
Freehold is governed under theborough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey.[101] The governing body is comprised of the mayor and the borough council, with all positions electedat-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. A mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council includes six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle.[6] The borough form of government used by Freehold is a "weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances subject to anoverride by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.[102][103][104]
As of 2025[update], the mayor of Freehold Borough isDemocrat Kevin A. Kane, whose term of office ends December 31, 2027. Members of the Freehold Borough Council are Council President Sharon C. Shutzer (D, 2027), Michael DiBenedetto (D, 2026), Jeffrey J. Friedman (D, 2026), Annette Jordan (D, 2027), Adam Reich (D, 2025) and Margaret Rogers (D, 2025).[3][105][106][107][108]
Michael Wilson had been elected in 1985 and served in office until January 2012, making him the longest-serving mayor in Freehold Borough history, with 26 years of service.[109][110]
Freehold Borough is located in the 3rd Congressional District[111] and is part of New Jersey's 11th state legislative district.[112][113][114]
For the119th United States Congress,New Jersey's 3rd congressional district is currently representedHerb Conaway (D,Delran Township).[115] New Jersey is represented in theUnited States Senate byDemocratsCory Booker (Newark, term ends 2027) andAndy Kim (Moorestown, term ends 2031).[116]
For the2024-2025 session, the11th legislative district of theNew Jersey Legislature is represented in theNew Jersey Senate byVin Gopal (D,Long Branch) and in theGeneral Assembly byMargie Donlon (D,Ocean Township) andLuanne Peterpaul (D,Long Branch).[117]
Monmouth County is governed by aBoard of County Commissioners composed of five members who are electedat-large to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats up for election each year as part of the November general election. At an annual reorganization meeting held in the beginning of January, the board selects one of its members to serve as director and another as deputy director.[118]
As of 2025[update], Monmouth County's Commissioners areDirector Thomas A. Arnone (R,Neptune City, 2025),[119] Susan M. Kiley (R,Hazlet Township, 2027),[120]Erik Anderson (R,Shrewsbury, 2026),[121]Nick DiRocco (R,Wall Township, 2025),[122] and Deputy Director Ross F. Licitra (R,Marlboro Township, 2026).[123][124][125]
Constitutional officers elected on a countywide basis areClerk Christine Giordano Hanlon (R, 2025;Ocean Township),[126][127] Sheriff Shaun Golden (R, 2025;Howell Township)[128][129] and Surrogate Rosemarie D. Peters (R, 2026;Middletown Township).[130][131]
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 1,644 | 42.78% | 2,106 | 54.80% | 93 | 2.42% |
| 2020 | 1,585 | 38.07% | 2,521 | 60.56% | 57 | 1.37% |
| 2016 | 1,501 | 41.78% | 1,958 | 54.49% | 134 | 3.73% |
| 2012 | 1,326 | 37.29% | 2,182 | 61.36% | 48 | 1.35% |
| 2008 | 1,500 | 39.74% | 2,222 | 58.86% | 53 | 1.40% |
| 2004 | 1,705 | 45.96% | 1,955 | 52.70% | 50 | 1.35% |
| 2000 | 1,435 | 39.55% | 2,025 | 55.82% | 168 | 4.63% |
| 1996 | 1,133 | 30.70% | 2,227 | 60.34% | 331 | 8.97% |
| 1992 | 1,413 | 37.11% | 1,684 | 44.22% | 711 | 18.67% |
As of March 2011, there were a total of 5,108 registered voters in Freehold, of which 1,459 (28.6%) were registered asDemocrats, 820 (16.1%) were registered asRepublicans and 2,827 (55.3%) were registered asUnaffiliated. There were 2 voters registered asLibertarians orGreens.[133]
In the2016 presidential election, DemocratHillary Clinton received 54.5% of the vote (1,958 cast), ahead of RepublicanDonald Trump with 41.8% (1,501 votes), and other candidates with 3.7% (134 votes), among the 3,593 cast by the borough's voters. In the2012 presidential election, DemocratBarack Obama received 61.4% of the vote (2,182 cast), ahead of RepublicanMitt Romney with 37.3% (1,326 votes), and other candidates with 1.3% (48 votes), among the 3,591 ballots cast by the borough's 5,270 registered voters (35 ballots werespoiled), for a turnout of 68.1%.[134][135] In the2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 57.7% of the vote (2,222 cast), ahead of RepublicanJohn McCain with 39.0% (1,500 votes) and other candidates with 1.4% (53 votes), among the 3,849 ballots cast by the borough's 5,390 registered voters, for a turnout of 71.4%.[136] In the2004 presidential election, DemocratJohn Kerry received 52.3% of the vote (1,955 ballots cast), outpolling RepublicanGeorge W. Bush with 45.6% (1,705 votes) and other candidates with 0.9% (50 votes), among the 3,737 ballots cast by the borough's 5,316 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 70.3.[137]
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2021 | 1,119 | 48.15% | 1,182 | 50.86% | 23 | 0.99% |
| 2017 | 969 | 46.21% | 1,064 | 50.74% | 64 | 3.05% |
| 2013 | 1,264 | 61.75% | 750 | 36.64% | 33 | 1.61% |
| 2009 | 1,360 | 55.24% | 906 | 36.80% | 196 | 7.96% |
| 2005 | 1,044 | 43.68% | 1,195 | 50.00% | 151 | 6.32% |
In the2017 gubernatorial election, DemocratPhil Murphy received 50.7% of the vote (1,064 cast), ahead of RepublicanKim Guadagno with 46.2% of the vote (969 votes), and other candidates with 3.1% (64 votes), among the 2,097 cast by the borough's voters. In the2013 gubernatorial election, RepublicanChris Christie received 61.7% of the vote (1,264 cast), ahead of DemocratBarbara Buono with 36.6% (750 votes), and other candidates with 1.6% (33 votes), among the 2,093 ballots cast by the borough's 5,279 registered voters (46 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 39.6%.[139][140] In the2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 55.0% of the vote (1,360 ballots cast), ahead of DemocratJon Corzine with 36.6% (906 votes), IndependentChris Daggett with 6.9% (170 votes) and other candidates with 1.1% (26 votes), among the 2,474 ballots cast by the borough's 5,178 registered voters, yielding a 47.8% turnout.[141]
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 1,478 | 40.08% | 2,109 | 57.19% | 101 | 2.74% |
| 2018 | 1,177 | 41.81% | 1,533 | 54.46% | 105 | 3.73% |
| 2012 | 1,291 | 38.75% | 1,987 | 59.63% | 54 | 1.62% |
| 2006 | 962 | 44.87% | 1,101 | 51.35% | 81 | 3.78% |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2020 | 1,527 | 37.23% | 2,452 | 59.79% | 122 | 2.97% |
| 2014 | 762 | 43.87% | 953 | 54.86% | 22 | 1.27% |
| 2013 | 621 | 45.20% | 731 | 53.20% | 22 | 1.60% |
| 2008 | 1,576 | 43.97% | 1,907 | 53.21% | 101 | 2.82% |
Freehold Borough's public school students inpre-kindergarten througheighth grade attend theFreehold Borough Schools.[144] As of the 2022–23 school year, the district, comprised of three schools, had an enrollment of 1,641 students and 162.0 classroom teachers (on anFTE basis), for astudent–teacher ratio of 10.1:1.[145] Schools in the district (with 2022–23 school enrollment data from theNational Center for Education Statistics[146]) are Freehold Learning Center[147] with 566 students in grades PreK–2, Park Avenue Elementary School[148] with 470 students in grades 3–5 and Freehold Intermediate School[149] with 519 students in grades 6–8.[150][151][152]
Students in public school forninth throughtwelfth grades attendFreehold High School, as part of theFreehold Regional High School District (FRHSD).[153][154] The Freehold Regional High School District also serves students fromColts Neck Township,Englishtown,Farmingdale,Freehold Township (which also has some students at Freehold Borough High School),Howell Township,Manalapan Township andMarlboro Township.[155][156] As of the 2022–23 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 1,409 students and 97.8 classroom teachers (on anFTE basis), for astudent–teacher ratio of 14.4:1.[157] Students may apply to attend one of the district's six specialized learning centers, including the Medical Sciences Learning Center hosted at Freehold High School.[158] The FRHSD board of education has nine members, who are elected to three-year terms from each of the constituent districts.[159] Each member is allocated a fraction of a vote that totals to nine points, with Freehold Borough allocated one member, who has 1.0 votes.[160]
The independentFreehold Public Library is one of the remainingCarnegie-funded libraries in the state and is believed to be the only one with the name "Carnegie Library" engraved on its front.[161] It is not part of theMonmouth County Library system.
_at_the_exit_for_Monmouth_County_Route_537_EAST_in_Freehold%2c_Monmouth_County%2c_New_Jersey.jpg)
As of May 2010[update], the borough had a total of 31.31 miles (50.39 km) of roadways, of which 26.60 miles (42.81 km) were maintained by the municipality, 1.30 miles (2.09 km) by Monmouth County and 3.41 miles (5.49 km) by theNew Jersey Department of Transportation.[162]
U.S. Route 9,[163]Route 33 Business,[164]Route 79,[165]County Route 522[166] andCounty Route 537[167] all pass through Freehold Borough.[168]
Freehold Circle was located near the western boundary of Freehold Borough nearFreehold Raceway. The circle carried traffic betweenU.S. Route 9,Route 33 Business and Manalapan Avenue (CR 24); it was eliminated in the 1980s due to the increased traffic load caused by a boom in commercial and residential development. Most notable of the commercial development is theFreehold Raceway Mall, in Freehold Township just south of the old circle on US 9, whose development in the late 1980s was a major impetus to redesign the circle. The former circle now features severaljughandles, and most Manalapan Avenue traffic must use a connector road to Business Route 33 to reach the main intersection, but it is still known by locals as Freehold Circle.[169][170] In the early 1940s, the Freehold Circle was the planned terminus of highway that would funnel traffic fromSouth Amboy to theJersey Shore by way ofMatawan andMarlboro Township.[171]
In the 19th and 20th centuries, Freehold Borough and Freehold Township had two major railways. One major railway in the area was theFreehold and Jamesburg Agricultural Railroad, which was owned and operated by theCamden & Amboy Railroad Company (C&A). Surveying for the line began on September 8, 1851, grading began on October 19, 1852, and the first track was laid on April 4, 1853.[172] The first section of line was opened on July 18, 1853.[173] The establishment of the Freehold & Jamesburg Agricultural Railroad causedthe Freeholds region to become a transportation hub.[174] The other major railway in the area was theCentral Railroad of New Jersey, which had a branch that connected the still-active formerPenn Central line fromJamesburg to CNJ's Seashore Branch and the New York and Long Branch line (now owned by NJ Transit) atMatawan.
The Freehold and Jamesburg Railroad was abandoned by the early 1930s. A 2.8-mile-long (4.5 km) portion of the former railroad's right-of-way was later approved to be sold by theNew Jersey Board of Public Utility Commissioners (PUC) toJersey Central Power & Light Company in 1966, with occasional freight service still being used through theFreehold Industrial Track. Meanwhile, The Central Railroad of New Jersey went into bankruptcy in the early 1970s and entered into Conrail on April 1, 1976, with its freight service on the rails from Freehold to Matawan being terminated in 1979 (the rails were removed in 1980). Today, it is mostly arail-trail, converting into theHenry Hudson Trail. Freehold's former train station for both of these important railway routes now serves as the central bus station for town.
TheMonmouth Ocean Middlesex Line is a proposal by New Jersey Transit to restore passenger railway service to the region, by using the same tracks as the Freehold Industrial Track. The borough and itsneighboring township would be potential stops for the 'MOM' Line.[175][176][177][178]
As of now, the nearest train stations to the borough are located inAberdeen-Matawan,Asbury Park,Long Branch, andSouth Amboy on theNorth Jersey Coast Line, andMetropark inIselin,Metuchen,New Brunswick, andPrinceton Junction on theNortheast Corridor Line.
With the Borough of Freehold's determination to revitalize its downtown area, as outlined in the Freehold Center Core Revitalization Plan (2008),[85][86]NJ Transit has sponsored a project in transforming the Freehold Center Bus Station into a "Transit Village".[87] This new designation would foster in the creation of aTransit-oriented development (TOD) zoning district around by the Freehold Center Bus Station betweenWest Main Street (County Route 537) andThrockmorton Street (County Route 522).
In 2019, Freehold Borough Council members began to authorize Planning Board members "to investigate if properties in the downtown district constitute an area in need of redevelopment. If board members determine redevelopment is warranted, they will prepare a redevelopment plan for the designated area."[179] On April 20, 2020, borough council members had reached an agreement in adopting an ordinance that would purchase a new building to house as the municipal complex.[180] The hopes of relocating the current municipal complex on West Main Street to this new location on Mechanic street would be in opening up more space for potential developers that could bid for the NJ 'Transit Village'.
NJ Transit bus service connects Freehold with communities alongU.S. Route 9, toNewark Liberty International Airport, toNew York City, and toSix Flags Great Adventure located inJackson Township. The131,135 and139 provide service to thePort Authority Bus Terminal inMidtown Manhattan, on the67 toNewark, on the64 and67 toJersey City and local service on the836 and838 routes.[181] Bus service is available from Route 9 toWall Street in New York'sFinancial District via the Academy Bus Line.[182]
There are also several bus stops to the points listed above located along Route 9 in the borough and in neighboring Freehold Township.
Following the closure of theMarlboro Airport,Old Bridge Airport inOld Bridge supply short-distance flights to surrounding areas and is the closest air transportation services. The nearest major commercial airports areTrenton-Mercer Airport, which serves several domestic destinations viaFrontier Airlines and located 25 miles (40 km) west (about 38 minutes drive); andNewark Liberty International Airport, which serves as a major hub forUnited Airlines and located 32 miles (51 km) north (about 44 minutes drive) from Freehold Borough.[183][184]
Freehold Borough is served byCentraState Healthcare System, which is affiliated withRutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, located in neighboringFreehold Township. The regional hospital is a 287-bed medical facility. CentraState Healthcare system also provides healthcare through its various family practices in communities across westernMonmouth and southernMiddlesex counties incentral New Jersey. CentraState Family Medicine Residency Program is one of Robert Wood Johnson Medical School's residency halls, which is located in Freehold Borough onPark Avenue.[185] CentraState Healthcare System is the county's fourth-largest employer.[186]
The next closest hospitals to the borough areBayshore Community Hospital, located in nearbyHolmdel Township, and the Old Bridge Division ofRaritan Bay Medical Center, located in nearbyOld Bridge Township. The closest major university hospitals to the borough areJersey Shore University Medical Center inNeptune Township,Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center inPlainsboro Township,Saint Peter's University Hospital andRobert Wood Johnson University Hospital inNew Brunswick.
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Bruce Springsteen often incorporated Freehold into his music, including the entire song "My Hometown". His connection to Freehold was documented by the Monmouth County Historical Association in a 2019 exhibition titled "Bruce Springsteen: His Hometown".[195] In the filmBlinded by the Light, Javed, the protagonist of the film who falls in love with Springsteen's music, visits Freehold. Many local sights such as Randolph Street (one of the streets on which Springsteen lived), Springsteen's childhood home, and a Downtown Freehold sign (which Javed is photographed next to) are briefly featured.[196]
People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Freehold Borough include:
History of old Karagheusian Rug Mill inFreehold Township, New Jersey, recalled by Bernadette Rogoff, curator at Monmouth County Historical Association; long-empty mill is being converted to housing, office and retail space. For more than half of the 20th century, life in Freehold, the county seat for Monmouth County, revolved around the Karagheusian Rug Mill, which employed 1,700 people at its peak operation in the 1930s. The mill was referred to in the Bruce Springsteen songMy Hometown; Mr. Springsteen's father worked there for a time. The 15-ton looms have been removed, and the sole remaining building is being converted to apartments, office and retail space after sitting empty for several years. The Monmouth County Historical Association will mount an exhibition on the mill at the association headquarters in Freehold starting next fall. Bernadette Rogoff, the historical association curator, talked recently about why the association is doing the exhibition. ...
In 1996, routes in the Monmouth, Ocean, and Middlesex (MOM) corridor were evaluated for potential feasibility for passenger service. The feasibility study considered eleven possible future alternatives. Nine of the alternatives were build alternatives for commuter rail service to New York Pennsylvania Station, on three different alignments utilizing either the North Jersey Coast Line (NJCL) or Northeast Corridor (NEC), and routing to New York Pennsylvania Station26.In 2001, NJ TRANSIT initiated a DEIS for the development of a rail option using State and Federal funds. The DEIS is examining three alignments: Lakehurst to Monmouth Junction, Lakehurst to Red Bank and Lakehurst to Matawan. In 2006, the alternatives were refined to incorporate direct, one-seat ride, service to New York Penn Station. Ridership, cost and environmental work were adjusted accordingly. Updating demographics and ridership analyses continued during calendar 2009. Lower-cost versions of the three main build alternatives were analyzed and a draft alternatives analysis report was completed in 2010.
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