Even thoughWaretown constitutes only one incorporated community within Ocean Township, many people use "Waretown" to refer to all of Ocean Township.[23][24] The local custom is so widespread that it surprises some new residents that the official name is Ocean Township. Non-residents have been known to confuse Ocean Township with theOcean Township ofMonmouth County. There was a petition drive in 2006 to get a name change to Township of Waretown on the ballot but it failed to obtain enough signatures.[25] The Waretown neighborhood is home to Albert Music Hall.[26]
During theAmerican Revolutionary War, British ships sailed into the nearbyBarnegat Inlet in an attempt to protect their New York-bound supply vessels from attacks by local privateers sailing schooners and whaleboats. Another British objective was to destroy Newlin's salt works, a local supplier of a crucial commodity to the Revolutionary army, needed forfood preservation and gunpowder manufacture.[28] A massacre of local patriots occurred in October, 1782, whenCaptain John Bacon, loyal to the British crown, led a surprise attack on Long Beach.[28]
During theWar of 1812, the British returned to Barnegat Inlet to blockade the Jersey coast. Local privateers were caught and their schooners burned.[28]
In the 1700s and 1800s, Waretown was a shipbuilding center. Vessels such asbarques,barkentines,sloops,schooners,whaleboats andsneakboxes were constructed of white cedar native to the area. During this period, many sea captains built stately homes on bay front lots.[28]
Around the turn of the twentieth century, Waretown fishermen soldoysters,clams andscallops to dealers such as theFulton Fish Market in New York City. Other local industries included charcoal production, cranberry farming and "mossing," or gatheringsphagnum moss for sale to florists. Local hunters supplied New York and Philadelphia with wildfowl via the railroads.[28] Waretown became known for its hunting and fishing grounds, and celebrities like Presidents Grover Cleveland and William McKinley, baseball great Babe Ruth, and Wild West entertainer Buffalo Bill Cody came to participate in these pursuits.[29]
DuringWorld War II,blimps cruised along the Jersey coast looking forGerman U-boats. Local fishermen reported periscopes of U-boats within 20 miles of the shore. As a precaution, troops were stationed in town at the Bayview Hotel on Barnegat Bay.[30] In 1960, the landmark structure burned to the ground, nearly 70 years after its opening in 1890.[31]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 32.81 square miles (84.97 km2), including 21.10 square miles (54.65 km2) of land and 11.70 square miles (30.31 km2) of water (35.67%).[1][2]
Other unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township includeBrookville, Wells Mills, Pebble Beach, Barnegat Beach, Holiday Beach, Sands Point Harbor, Skippers Cove, Bay Haven and Dogtown.[36]
The township is one of 56 South Jersey municipalities that are included within theNew Jersey Pinelands National Reserve, a protected natural area of unique ecology covering 1,100,000 acres (450,000 ha), that has been classified as a United States Biosphere Reserve and established by Congress in 1978 as the nation's first National Reserve.[40] All of the township is included in either the state-designated Pinelands Area or the Pinelands National Reserve, which includes portions ofBurlington County, along with areas inAtlantic,Camden,Cape May,Cumberland,Gloucester and Ocean counties.[41]
The2010 United States census counted 8,332 people, 3,483 households, and 2,557 families in the township. The population density was 405.3 inhabitants per square mile (156.5/km2). There were 4,291 housing units at an average density of 208.8 per square mile (80.6/km2). The racial makeup was 96.75% (8,061)White, 0.59% (49)Black or African American, 0.13% (11)Native American, 1.08% (90)Asian, 0.01% (1)Pacific Islander, 0.46% (38) fromother races, and 0.98% (82) from two or more races.Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.76% (230) of the population.[18]
Of the 3,483 households, 20.2% had children under the age of 18; 60.8% were married couples living together; 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present and 26.6% were non-families. Of all households, 20.9% were made up of individuals and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.76.[18]
16.1% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 20.0% from 25 to 44, 32.3% from 45 to 64, and 24.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49.6 years. For every 100 females, the population had 98.7 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 96.7 males.[18]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010American Community Survey showed that (in 2010inflation-adjusted dollars)median household income was $74,736 (with a margin of error of +/− $6,360) and the median family income was $75,815 (+/− $7,572). Males had a median income of $49,189 (+/− $9,450) versus $33,250 (+/− $10,524) for females. Theper capita income for the borough was $36,895 (+/− $4,315). About 0.9% of families and 4.0% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 4.2% of those under age 18 and 2.2% of those age 65 or over.[50]
As of the2000 United States census[15] there were 6,450 people, 2,446 households, and 1,743 families residing in the township. The population density was 310.1 inhabitants per square mile (119.7/km2). There were 2,981 housing units at an average density of 143.3 per square mile (55.3/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 97.33%White, 0.74%African American, 0.16%Native American, 0.42%Asian, 0.03%Pacific Islander, 0.36% fromother races, and 0.96% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 3.10% of the population.[48][49]
There were 2,446 households, out of which 33.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.5% weremarried couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.7% were non-families. 23.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.08.[48][49]
In the township the population was spread out, with 25.5% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.3 males.[48][49]
The median income for a household in the township was $46,461, and the median income for a family was $55,379. Males had a median income of $39,149 versus $32,188 for females. Theper capita income for the township was $22,830. About 5.6% of families and 7.8% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 10.1% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.[48][49]
Waretown Lake and Recreation Area includes a swimming lake, tennis courts, children's playset, picnic tables and a covered pavilion.
Tuomey Park includes a baseball field, basketball courts, horseshoe pits, children's playset and picnic tables.
Crystal Bay Peninsula Park includes benches and picnic tables.
Waretown Municipal Dock, end of Bryant Road, includes a fishing pier.
Sands Point Park/Boat Ramp includes a fishing pier, fish cleaning facility, boat launch, trailer parking, tennis courts, children's playset and picnic tables.
Wells Mills County Park is the largest county park, covering more than 900 acres (360 ha) of Pinelands forest managed by the Ocean County Department of Parks and Recreation. Included are 16 miles (26 km) of marked trails for hiking and biking, a freshwater lake for fishing and boating, rental canoes in season, a picnic area, playground, and the Wells Mills Nature Center with the Elizabeth Meirs Morgan Observation Deck. In the late 1800s, the Estlow family built two adjacent sawmills on the property, giving the name of the park its plural nature. The first person to dam the Oyster Creek and build a sawmill in this locale was James Wells in the late 1700s.[52]
Barnegat Branch Trail is an Ocean County rail trail that runs through Ocean Township along an abandoned rail corridor of the Barnegat Branch Division of theCentral Railroad of New Jersey. When completed, the trail will extend 15.6 miles (25.1 km) from Barnegat to Toms River. Seven continuous miles of the trail are open from Barnegat to Lacey Township, plus several shorter segments.[53]
Ocean Township is governed under theTownship 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.[54] The Township Committee is comprised of three members, who are elected directly by the votersat-large in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with one seat coming up for election each year as part of the November general election in a three-year cycle.[7][55] At an annual reorganization meeting, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor.[3][56]
As of 2022[update], Township Committee members are Mayor Ben LoParo (R, term on committee and as mayor ends December 31, 2022), Deputy Mayor Kenneth Baulderstone (R, term on committee ends 2023; term as deputy mayor ends 2022) and Lydia Dodd (R, 2024).[3][57][58][59][60][61][62][63]
In July 2009, local Republican party member and former MayorDaniel Van Pelt was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation as part of a statewide money laundering investigation. In May 2010, Van Pelt was convicted on federal corruption charges, and had been scheduled to be sentenced to federal prison on November 4, 2010.[64]
Ocean County is governed by aBoard of County Commissioners composed of five members who are elected on anat-large basis in partisan elections and serving staggered three-year terms of office, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year as part of the November general election. At an annual reorganization held in the beginning of January, the board chooses a director and a deputy director from among its members.[72] As of 2025[update], Ocean County's Commissioners (with party affiliation, term-end year and residence) are:
Constitutional officers elected on a countywide basis are: Clerk Scott M. Colabella (R, 2025, Barnegat Light),[80][81]Sheriff Michael G. Mastronardy (R, 2025; Toms River)[82][83] andSurrogateJeffrey Moran (R, 2028,Beachwood).[84][85][86]
As of March 2011, there were a total of 6,245 registered voters in Ocean Township, of which 1,017 (16.3%) were registered asDemocrats, 2,095 (33.5%) were registered asRepublicans and 3,128 (50.1%) were registered asUnaffiliated. There were 5 voters registered asLibertarians orGreens.[93] Among the township's 2010 Census population, 75.0% (vs. 63.2% in Ocean County) were registered to vote, including 89.4% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 82.6% countywide).[93][94]
United States Gubernatorial election results for Ocean Township[95]
In the2013 gubernatorial election, RepublicanChris Christie received 79.2% of the vote (2,577 cast), ahead of DemocratBarbara Buono with 19.4% (631 votes), and other candidates with 1.4% (45 votes), among the 3,307 ballots cast by the township's 6,555 registered voters (54 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 50.5%.[96][97] In the2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 67.5% of the vote (2,274 ballots cast), ahead of DemocratJon Corzine with 25.0% (841 votes), IndependentChris Daggett with 5.3% (178 votes) and other candidates with 1.1% (38 votes), among the 3,370 ballots cast by the township's 6,082 registered voters, yielding a 55.4% turnout.[98]
United States Senate election results for Ocean Township1[99]
As of May 2010[update], the township had a total of 58.12 miles (93.54 km) of roadways, of which 36.64 miles (58.97 km) were maintained by the municipality, 16.35 miles (26.31 km) by Ocean County and 2.95 miles (4.75 km) by theNew Jersey Department of Transportation and 2.18 miles (3.51 km) by theNew Jersey Turnpike Authority.[114]
Albert Music Hall is located in the Waretown neighborhood.[26] Sometimes called the "Grand Ol' Opry of the Pinelands", Albert Music Hall offers Saturday night concerts of country, bluegrass and folk music by bands from the tri-state area.[121] The venue had its origins in the 1950s when Joseph and George Albert began hosting musical gatherings at the "Home Place," their deer lodge cabin in the Brookville section of Waretown. In 1975, the Pinelands Cultural Society was incorporated to construct a building for the preservation and promotion of the cultural history and activities of the Pinelands, including the music. Since its dedication in 1997, Albert Music Hall has hosted over 330,000 visitors. In 2000, Albert Music Hall was inducted into the American Folklore Center, Local Legacies Collection Archive in theLibrary of Congress, Washington, D.C.[122]
Lighthouse Center for Natural Resource Education, 7th Street and Navaho Drive. Located on 194 acres (79 ha) of coastal habitats adjacent to Barnegat Bay, the Lighthouse Center for Natural Resource Education has a mission of ecological leadership through education, research and interpretation. Facilities include the "Experience Barnegat Bay" trail with eight learning stations, a 250-foot (76 m) pier into Barnegat Bay, a marine station, boat house, cabins, dormitories, a lodge, dining hall, computer lab and other recreational facilities. The site is largely handicapped accessible. A foundation operates the501(c)(3) facility under a license agreement with the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife.[123][124]
The Little Red School House and Museum, which was in use between 1875 and 1958, was replicated near Waretown Lake and established as a museum.[125] The site serves as the meeting place for the Waretown Historical Society and is open to the public 1–3 p.m. on Fridays in July and August.[126]
Daniel Van Pelt (born 1964), politician who served as Ocean Township's mayor and in theNew Jersey General Assembly from 2008 to 2009, when he resigned after being arrested in connection withOperation Bid Rig on federal corruption charges for allegedly accepting a $10,000 bribe[129]
^abcTownship Committee, Township of Ocean. Accessed August 11, 2022. "Voters elect the township committee's three members. The elections are partisan and the committee members serve three-year staggered terms. The Township Committee elects the mayor for a one-year term."
^Riley, Michael."Waretown: It's all in the name",Asbury Park Press, May 6, 2005. Accessed November 16, 2023. "Officially, the name of this community of 7,400 residents is Ocean Township.... People who arrive there from Exit 69 of the Garden State Parkway know the place as Waretown, which is what the original settlers called the village when they named it after their leader, whose name, incidentally, was Abraham Waier, not Abraham Ware."
^Fischer, William H. (1899).Biographical Cyclopaedia of Ocean County, New Jersey. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: A. D. Smith & Company. pp. 31–32.
^abcde"Welcome to Ocean Township".Barnegat Branch Rail Trail Signs. Ocean County Cultural and Heritage Commission.{{cite web}}:Missing or empty|url= (help)
^Township of Ocean 2017 Calendar. Waretown, New Jersey: Township of Ocean in cooperation with Waretown Historical Society. 2017.
^Township of Ocean 2016 Calendar. Waretown, New Jersey: Township of Ocean in cooperation with Waretown Historical Society. 2016.
^Township of Ocean 2017 Calendar. Waretown, New Jersey: Township of Ocean in cooperation with Waretown Historical Society. 2017.
^Form of Government, Township of Ocean. Accessed August 11, 2022. "Voters Elect: Township Committee 3 or 5 members, elected at-large. Staggered, 3 year terms. Partisan; Organization Of Governing Bod: First week in January MAYOR Elected by Township Committee for 1 year term. Chairs Committee with voice and vote. Head of municipal government."
^Southern Regional High School 2015 Report Card Narrative,New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed June 2, 2016. "Located in Manahawkin, the Southern Regional School District draws from the constituent districts of Long Beach Township, Beach Haven, Surf City, Ship Bottom, Barnegat Light, Harvey Cedars and Stafford Township, as well as the tuition sending district of Ocean Township (Waretown).
^About Us, Southern Regional School District. Accessed May 31, 2024. "Our school is a 7-12 comprehensive regional high school district. Our middle school covers grades 7-8 and our high school covers grades 9-12. The district is comprised of the constituent members of Stafford Township, Beach Haven, Long Beach Township, (which includes the municipalities of Loveladies, North Beach, High Bar Harbor and Brant Beach and Long Beach Township) Barnegat Light, Harvey Cedars, Ship Bottom, and Surf City. Waretown is our sending district."
^About UsArchived July 12, 2018, at theWayback Machine, Lighthouse Center for Natural Resource Education. Accessed March 2, 2020.
^Reddington, Linda (May 2017). "Places of Interest".Welcome to Our Neck of the Woods: Your Guide to Barnegat, Lacey, Stafford and Waretown, the Times-Beacon Newspapers: 35.
^Reddington, Linda (May 2017). "Places of Interest".Welcome to Our Neck of the Woods: Your Guide to Barnegat, Lacey, Stafford and Waretown, the Times-Beacon Newspapers: 38.
^Historical Society, Township of Ocean, Ocean County, New Jersey. Accessed March 2, 2020.
^Kenneth G. MillerArchived 2013-12-02 at theWayback Machine,Rutgers University Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences. Accessed November 27, 2013. "A resident of Pennington, NJ, Ken grew up in Medford, NJ in the heart of the pine barrens and still owns a house in Waretown, NJ, the home of the sounds of the NJ pines, where he watches the inexorable rise in sea level from his deck 16 ft above Barnegat Bay."
^Staff."NJ man's discovery lands Nobel Prize",WPVI-TV, October 6, 2009. Accessed November 27, 2013. "George E. Smith, 79, holds a display with a photograph of the first video telephone and some early CCD chips at his home in Waretown, N.J., Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009, after it was announced that he had won the Nobel Prize in physics."
^Spoto, MaryAnn."Corruption trial opens for former N.J. Assemblyman Daniel Van Pelt", NJ Advance Media forNJ.com, May 5, 2010. Accessed September 13, 2015. "Van Pelt, a former mayor and committeeman of Ocean Township in Ocean County, is accused of accepting a $10,000 bribe from Dwek, who was posing as fictitious developer David Esenbach, to speed along the permitting process for a development project in Van Pelt's Shore community."
United States
New Jersey
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