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South Toms River, New Jersey

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South Toms River is a borough in Ocean County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 3,643,<ref name=LWD2020/> a decrease of 41 (−1.1%) from the 2010 census count of 3,684,<ref name=Census2010/><ref name=LWD2010/> which in turn reflected an increase of 50 (+1.4%) from the 3,634 counted in the 2000 census.<ref>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.</ref>

South Toms River was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 28, 1927, from portions of Berkeley Township, based on the results of a referendum held on May 3, 1927.<ref name=Story>Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 205. Accessed May 30, 2024.</ref> The borough was named for the Toms River and the neighboring community of Toms River, which were named for Capt. William Tom.<ref>Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed October 7, 2015.</ref><ref>Gannett, Henry. The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States, p. 302. United States Government Printing Office, 1905. Accessed October 7, 2015.</ref><ref>South Toms River Borough is not named after Toms River Township, which adopted that name much later, in 2006.</ref>

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 1.21 square miles (3.13 km2), including 1.16 square miles (3.00 km2) of land and 0.05 square miles (0.13 km2) of water (4.21%).<ref name=CensusArea/><ref name=GR1 />

The borough borders the Ocean County municipalities of Beachwood, Berkeley Township and Toms River.<ref>Areas touching South Toms River, MapIt. Accessed March 6, 2020.</ref><ref>Ocean County Map, Coalition for a Healthy NJ. Accessed March 6, 2020.</ref><ref>New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.</ref>

South Toms River sits on the south side of the Toms River, across from Toms River Township. The borough is one of 11 municipalities in Ocean County that are part of the Toms River watershed.<ref>Toms River Watershed, Barnegat Bay Partnership. Accessed July 3, 2022.</ref>

Demographics

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Template:US Census population

2010 census

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The 2010 United States census counted 3,684 people, 1,098 households, and 907 families in the borough. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 1,160 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup was 67.59% (2,490) White, 19.33% (712) Black or African American, 0.57% (21) Native American, 0.62% (23) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 7.14% (263) from other races, and 4.75% (175) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 19.49% (718) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/>

Of the 1,098 households, 36.7% had children under the age of 18; 52.3% were married couples living together; 21.9% had a female householder with no husband present and 17.4% were non-families. Of all households, 12.8% were made up of individuals and 5.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.36 and the average family size was 3.61.<ref name=Census2010/>

28.1% of the population were under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 8.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34.0 years. For every 100 females, the population had 95.0 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 90.8 males.<ref name=Census2010/>

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $60,408 (with a margin of error of +/− $6,382) and the median family income was $62,750 (+/− $8,524). Males had a median income of $46,370 (+/− $4,313) versus $36,133 (+/− $2,994) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $19,177 (+/− $2,685). About 17.2% of families and 22.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.6% of those under age 18 and 11.5% of those age 65 or over.<ref>DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for South Toms River borough, Ocean County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 2, 2013.</ref>

2000 census

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As of the 2000 United States census<ref name="GR2" /> there were 3,634 people, 1,073 households, and 902 families residing in the borough. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 1,123 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the borough was 72.56% White, 21.16% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.69% Asian, 2.50% from other races, and 2.94% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.27% of the population.<ref name=Census2000>Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for South Toms River borough, New JerseyTemplate:Dead link, United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 2, 2013.</ref><ref name=Census2000SF1>DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for South Toms River borough, Ocean County, New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 2, 2013.</ref>

There were 1,073 households, out of which 43.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.2% were married couples living together, 22.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.9% were non-families. 12.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.39 and the average family size was 3.63.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

In the borough the population was spread out, with 32.1% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 9.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.5 males.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

The median income for a household in the borough was $43,468, and the median income for a family was $45,375. Males had a median income of $31,859 versus $24,837 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $16,292. About 11.2% of families and 12.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.4% of those under age 18 and 18.3% of those age 65 or over.<ref name=Census2000/><ref name=Census2000SF1/>

Government

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Local government

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South Toms River is governed under the borough 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.<ref>Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey, Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref> The governing body is comprised of the mayor and the borough council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. The 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.<ref name=DataBook>2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 53.</ref> The borough form of government used by South Toms River 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 an override 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.<ref>Cerra, Michael F. "Forms of Government: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know, But Were Afraid to Ask" Template:Webarchive, New Jersey State League of Municipalities. Accessed November 30, 2014.</ref><ref>"Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 6. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.</ref>

Template:As of, the mayor of South Toms River Borough is Republican Oscar Cradle, whose term of office ends December 31, 2026.<ref name=Mayor>Office of the Mayor, Borough of South Toms River. Accessed May 9, 2023.</ref> Members of the Borough Council are Council President Sandford Ross Jr. (R, 2023), Samuel S. Fennell (R, 2024), Tanya M. Mosley (R, 2025), Edward F. Murray (R, 2023), Kayla Rolzhausen (R, 2024; appointed to serve an unexpired term) and Thomas Rolzhausen (R, 2025).<ref name=BoroughCouncil>Borough Council, Borough of South Toms River. Accessed May 9, 2023. As of date accessed, term-end dates were incorrect for Fennell, Mosley, Rolzhausen and Ross.</ref><ref>2022 Municipal Data Sheet, Borough of South Toms River. Accessed May 14, 2022.</ref><ref name=OceanProfile>Borough of South Toms River, Ocean County, New Jersey. Accessed May 9, 2023.</ref><ref name=OceanOfficials>2023 Ocean County & Municipal Elected Officials, Ocean County, New Jersey Clerk, updated April 10, 2023. Accessed April 23, 2023.</ref><ref name=Ocean2022>2022 General Election Official Results November 8, 2022, Ocean County, New Jersey Clerk, updated November 21, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.</ref><ref name=Ocean2021>2021 General Election Official Results, Ocean County, New Jersey. Accessed January 1, 2022.</ref><ref name=Ocean2020>2020 General Election November 3, 2020 Official results, Ocean County, New Jersey, updated December 2, 2020. Accessed January 1, 2021.</ref>

In January 2023, Kayla Rolzhausen was appointed to fill the borough council seat expiring in December 2024 that had been held by Oscar Cradle and became vacant when he took office as mayor. Rolzhausen will serve on an interim basis until the November 2023 general election, when voters will select a candidate to serve the balance of the term of office.

Federal, state, and county representation

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South Toms River is located in the 4th Congressional District<ref name=PCR2022>2022 Redistricting Plan, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 8, 2022.</ref> and is part of New Jersey's 10th state legislative district.<ref name=Districts2023>Municipalities Sorted by 2023-2031 Legislative District, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed September 1, 2023.</ref>

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Politics

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South Toms River voted for Democrat Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election and was one of only two municipalities in Ocean County that incumbent Republican President Donald Trump didn’t win that year.<ref>Presidential November 3, 2020 General Election Results Ocean County, New Jersey Department of State, December 18, 2020. Accessed May 27, 2023.</ref> As of March 2011, there were a total of 2,065 registered voters in South Toms River, of which 562 (27.2%) were registered as Democrats, 345 (16.7%) were registered as Republicans and 1,157 (56.0%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There was one voter registered to another party.<ref name="VoterRegistration">Voter Registration Summary - Ocean, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed January 1, 2013.</ref> Among the borough's 2010 Census population, 56.1% (vs. 63.2% in Ocean County) were registered to vote, including 77.9% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 82.6% countywide).<ref name="VoterRegistration" /><ref>GCT-P7: Selected Age Groups: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision; 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 1, 2013.</ref>

In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 64.6% of the vote (802 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 33.1% (411 votes), and other candidates with 2.3% (28 votes), among the 1,257 ballots cast by the borough's 2,149 registered voters (16 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 58.5%.<ref name=2012Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2012VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 60.9% of the vote (879 cast), ahead of Republican John McCain with 36.9% (533 votes) and other candidates with 1.4% (20 votes), among the 1,443 ballots cast by the borough's 2,233 registered voters, for a turnout of 64.6%.<ref>2008 Presidential General Election Results: Ocean County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed January 1, 2013.</ref> In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 49.1% of the vote (627 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 48.6% (621 votes) and other candidates with 1.1% (22 votes), among the 1,277 ballots cast by the borough's 2,073 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 61.6.<ref>2004 Presidential Election: Ocean County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed January 1, 2013.</ref>

Presidential Elections Results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2024<ref name="2024Elections">Template:Cite web</ref> style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|52.2% 713 style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|45.4% 620 2.4% 29
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|2020<ref name="2020Elections">Template:Cite web</ref> style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|46.1% 730 style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|51.1% 810 2.8% 36
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2016<ref name="2016Elections">Template:Cite web</ref> style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|48.9% 623 style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|48.0% 611 3.1% 40
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|2012<ref name=2012Election>Template:Cite web</ref> style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|33.1% 411 style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|64.6% 802 2.3% 28
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|2008<ref>2008 Presidential General Election Results: Ocean County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed December 24, 2012.</ref> style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|36.9% 533 style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|60.9% 879 1.4% 20
style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2004<ref>2004 Presidential Election: Ocean County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed December 24, 2012.</ref> style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|49.1% 627 style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|48.6% 621 1.1% 22

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 66.3% of the vote (473 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 31.8% (227 votes), and other candidates with 1.8% (13 votes), among the 736 ballots cast by the borough's 2,072 registered voters (23 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 35.5%.<ref name=2013Elections>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=2013VoterReg>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 52.8% of the vote (431 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 37.0% (302 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 6.1% (50 votes) and other candidates with 1.8% (15 votes), among the 816 ballots cast by the borough's 2,157 registered voters, yielding a 37.8% turnout.<ref>2009 Governor: Ocean County Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed January 1, 2013.</ref>

Education

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Public school students in kindergarten through twelfth grade attend the Toms River Regional Schools, a regional public school district based primarily in Toms River Township that also serves students from Beachwood, Pine Beach and South Toms River.<ref>Toms River Regional School District 2015 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed July 11, 2016. "Toms River Regional is the largest suburban school district in the state, with a population of approximately 16,000 students learning in a pre-kindergarten early learning center, twelve elementary schools, three intermediate schools and three high schools. Despite its size, the district takes enormous pride in providing a neighborhood school concept with high-quality educational programs, facilities, and services for students from our four sending towns of Beachwood, Pine Beach, South Toms River, and Toms River."</ref> The district's board of education has nine members; seats are allocated based on population, with one seat allocated to South Toms River.<ref>Board of Education, Toms River Regional Schools. Accessed March 6, 2020. "The Toms River Board of Education is comprised of nine members. Six are elected from Toms River Township, and one each from the Boroughs of Pine Beach, Beachwood and South Toms River."</ref> As of the 2018–19 school year, the district, comprised of 18 schools, had an enrollment of 15,472 students and 1,171.6 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 13.2:1.<ref name=NCES>District information for Toms River Regional School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed April 1, 2020.</ref>

Transportation

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File:2020-07-16 12 44 15 View south along U.S. Route 9 and New Jersey State Route 444 (Garden State Parkway) at Exit 80 (Ocean County Route 619 SOUTH, Ocean County Route 530, U.S. Route 9 SOUTH, South Toms River, Beachwood) in South Toms River, New Jersey.jpg
The southbound Garden State Parkway at Exit 80 in South Toms River

Roads and highways

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Template:As of, the borough had a total of Template:Convert of roadways, of which Template:Convert were maintained by the municipality, Template:Convert by Ocean County and Template:Convert by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and Template:Convert by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.<ref>Cumberland County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2010. Accessed November 6, 2013.</ref>

The Garden State Parkway bisects the borough, connecting Beachwood to the south and Berkeley Township to the north, and includes Interchange 80.<ref>Garden State Parkway Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, January 1997. Accessed November 6, 2013.</ref><ref>Travel Resources: Interchanges, Service Areas & Commuter Lots, New Jersey Turnpike Authority. Accessed November 6, 2013.</ref> U.S. Route 9 heads from Beachwood to the east and begins a concurrency with the Garden State Parkway at exit 80.<ref>U.S. Route 9 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2008. Accessed November 6, 2013.</ref> County Route 530 (Dover Road / South Main Street) traverses the borough from Berkeley Township to the southwest to its eastern terminus just over the border with Toms River Township.<ref>County Route 530 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, August 2006. Accessed November 6, 2013.</ref> Route 166 (Main Street) clips the northeastern corner of the borough, running from Beachwood in the south to Toms River in the north. <ref>Route 166 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2008. Accessed November 6, 2013.</ref>

Public transportation

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NJ Transit provides bus service between the borough and Atlantic City on the 559 bus route.<ref>Ocean County Bus / Rail Connections, NJ Transit, backed up by the Internet Archive as of July 26, 2010. Accessed January 2, 2013.</ref>

References

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Template:Ocean County, New Jersey Template:Jersey Shore region Template:Authority control