Interlaken is a borough situated in the Jersey Shore region, within Monmouth County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 828, an increase of 8 (+1.0%) from the 2010 census count of 820, which in turn had reflected a decline of 80 (−8.9%) from the 900 counted in the 2000 census.Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023.
Interlaken was authorized for prospective incorporation as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 11, 1922, from portions of Ocean Township, subject to approval by a majority of voters in the affected area. Voters approved the incorporation of Interlaken in a referendum held on May 3, 1922.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 180. Accessed May 29, 2024.Staff. Acts of the One Hundred and Forty-Sixth Legislature of the State of New Jersey, pp. 118-121. New Jersey Secretary of State, 1922. Accessed October 17, 2015. "An Act to incorporate the borough of Interlaken, in the county of Monmouth"
Interlaken is a dry town where alcohol is not permitted to be sold by law.New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control. New Jersey ABC list of dry towns (May 1, 2013)Giordano, Rita. "More towns catching liquor-license buzz; Moorestown considers ending its dry spell", The Philadelphia Inquirer, June 24, 2007. Accessed February 16, 2014.
History The area that is now Interlaken was purchased in 1667 by Gavin Drummond from the Lenape Native Americans. It was later part of Ocean Township, which had seceded from Shrewsbury Township in 1849 and included at the time present-day Eatontown, Neptune Township, Neptune City, Avon-by-the-Sea, Bradley Beach, Asbury Park, Allenhurst, Deal, Long Branch, West Long Branch, Loch Arbour, Monmouth Beach, Sea Bright, and Oceanport, along with Interlaken itself.History of Interlaken, Borough of Interlaken. Accessed January 28, 2025. "The history of the Borough of Interlaken, starts in 1667 when Gavin Drummond purchased a tract of land from the Lenape Indians. The land was originally included in Ocean Township which seceded from the vast Shrewsbury Township in 1849. Ocean Township, at that time, included what is today Eatontown, Neptune Township, Neptune City, Avon, Bradley Beach, Ocean Grove, Asbury Park, Allenhurst, Deal, Long Branch, West Long Branch, Loch Ar bor, Interlaken, Monmouth Beach, Sea Bright, and Oceanport. In 1888, a Boston Physician, Dr. Francis Weld and his wife Fannie, fell in love with the area and purchased the 364-acre tract. They established Interlaken Farm, named after a similar peninsula in Switzerland (Interlochen – between the lakes) that they had just visited."
Dr. Francis Weld, a Boston physician, bought a tract and named it Interlaken Farm, after Interlaken, a peninsula in Switzerland situated between two lakes, that they had just visited, which was similar to the borough's location between two sections of Deal Lake.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 2, 2015. Weld established the Interlaken Land Company in 1890 to turn his farm into a residential community with avenues named after English lakes and cross streets named after the islands in the Hebrides in the Irish Sea. While the initial effort did not succeed, the Stormfelz-Lovely-Neville Company was hired in 1905 to continue the building project, and the community began its growth.
Interlaken was formed as a borough on March 11, 1922, based on the results of a referendum held on May 3, 1922. The first mayor and council of Interlaken were seated on June 26, 1922.
Interlaken remains entirely residential, as was originally intended by its developers. The borough had been the only municipality in the state without any businesses, until a day-care center opened in 1992 under the terms of a state law that required approval of child care establishments serving five children or fewer.Liberman, Si. "Interlaken Journal; Gateway to a 'Camelot' Has No Welcome Mat for Businesses", The New York Times, August 9, 1992. Accessed January 24, 2023. "In fact, Interlaken is the only one among New Jersey's 567 municipalities that is strictly residential.... Through the years, the Monmouth County borough has prided itself on this ban, but a measure signed into law last September by Gov. Jim Florio has punched a hole in the community's vigilant antibusiness stance. The law declared that municipalities may no longer bar child day-care centers with fewer than six youngsters from operating in residential areas."
Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 0.39 square miles (1.01 km2), including 0.33 square miles (0.86 km2) of land and 0.06 square miles (0.15 km2) of water (14.62%).
The borough borders the Monmouth County community of Allenhurst, Asbury Park, Loch Arbour and Ocean Township.Areas touching Interlaken, MapIt. Accessed July 13, 2015.Regional Location Map, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed February 24, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.
Deal Lake covers and is overseen by the Deal Lake Commission, which was established in 1974. Seven municipalities border the lake, accounting for of shoreline, also including Allenhurst, Asbury Park, Deal, Loch Arbour, Neptune Township and Ocean Township.Home Page, Deal Lake Commission. Accessed July 8, 2015. "The Deal Lake Commission was created by the seven Monmouth County, NJ towns that surround Deal Lake. The Commission was chartered in 1974 by the Borough of Allenhurst, City of Asbury Park, Borough of Deal, Borough of Interlaken, Village of Loch Arbour, Neptune Township, and Ocean Township."
Demographics
2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 820 people, 361 households, and 237 families in the borough. The population density was 2,482.3 per square mile (958.4/km2). There were 393 housing units at an average density of 1,189.7 per square mile (459.3/km2). The racial makeup was 98.41% (807) White, 0.00% (0) Black or African American, 0.00% (0) Native American, 0.49% (4) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 0.37% (3) from other races, and 0.73% (6) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.71% (14) of the population.
Of the 361 households, 18.3% had children under the age of 18; 58.7% were married couples living together; 5.5% had a female householder with no husband present and 34.3% were non-families. Of all households, 26.3% were made up of individuals and 16.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.76.
14.5% of the population were under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 14.5% from 25 to 44, 39.6% from 45 to 64, and 26.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 54.3 years. For every 100 females, the population had 90.3 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 90.0 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $116,000 (with a margin of error of +/− $16,207) and the median family income was $137,500 (+/− $17,077). Males had a median income of $116,250 (+/− $10,733) versus $60,833 (+/− $21,986) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $72,484 (+/− $11,388). About 2.7% of families and 2.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 4.2% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Interlaken borough, Monmouth County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 30, 2012.
2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 900 people, 386 households, and 260 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 397 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 98.67% White, 0.22% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, and 1.00% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.11% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Interlaken borough, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 30, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Interlaken borough, Monmouth County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 30, 2012.
There were 386 households, out of which 21.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.1% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.4% were non-families. 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.86.
In the borough the population was spread out, with 17.9% under the age of 18, 4.0% from 18 to 24, 21.9% from 25 to 44, 33.4% from 45 to 64, and 22.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.0 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $82,842, and the median income for a family was $104,618. Males had a median income of $81,203 versus $59,063 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $47,307. About 1.5% of families and 3.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.7% of those under age 18 and 2.0% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Local government Interlaken 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.Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey, Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023. 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. A mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council is comprised of 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.2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 58. The borough form of government used by Interlaken 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.Cerra, Michael F. "Forms of Government: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know, But Were Afraid to Ask", New Jersey State League of Municipalities, March 2007. Accessed January 1, 2025."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 6. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.