Manasquan (, ) is a borough in southern Monmouth County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, on the Jersey Shore. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 5,938, an increase of 41 (+0.7%) from the 2010 census count of 5,897, which in turn reflected a decline of 413 (−6.5%) from the 6,310 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.
The borough's name is of Lenape Native American origin, deriving from "Mënàskunk" meaning "Place to Gather Grass or Reeds".Rementer, Jim. Manasquan, Lenape Talking Dictionary. Accessed July 22, 2022. The borough's name has also been described as deriving from "Man-A-Squaw-Han" meaning "stream of the island of squaws",Delancey, Karen Hammerdorfer. "Time traveling Exhibit offered glimpse of 1870s life", Asbury Park Press, July 28, 2001. Accessed November 21, 2023, via Newspapers.com. "Manasquan was settled in 1685 by the Unamis branch of the Lenni Lenape Indians. It takes its name from the river, which means 'island of the squaws.'" "an island with enclosure for squans",A Brief History of Manasquan, New Jersey , Borough of Manasquan. Accessed February 20, 2006. "island door"Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 4, 2015. or "point" / "top".Gannett, Henry. The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States, p. 19. United States Government Printing Office, 1905. Accessed September 4, 2015. Manasquan, Maniquan, Mannisquan, Manasquam, Squan, and Squan Village are variations on the original pronunciation and spelling.
Manasquan was formed as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on December 30, 1887, from portions of Wall Township, based on the results of a referendum held the previous day.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 182. Accessed May 30, 2024.
New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked Manasquan as its 22nd best place to live in its 2008 rankings of the "Best Places To Live" in New Jersey."Best Places To Live - The Complete Top Towns List 1-100" , New Jersey Monthly, February 21, 2008. Accessed February 24, 2008.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 2.53 square miles (6.54 km2), including 1.38 square miles (3.57 km2) of land and 1.15 square miles (2.97 km2) of water (45.26%).
The borough borders the municipalities of Brielle, Sea Girt and Wall Township in Monmouth County; and Point Pleasant Beach in northern Ocean County.Areas touching Manasquan, MapIt. Accessed February 26, 2020.Regional Location Map, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed February 26, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.
Climate According to the Köppen climate classification system, Manasquan has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa), and average monthly temperatures range from in January to in July.Time Series Values for Individual Locations, Oregon State University. Accessed May 14, 2023.
Cfa climates in Manasquan are characterized by all months having an average mean temperature above , at least four months with an average mean temperature at or above , at least one month with an average mean temperature at or above and no significant precipitation difference between seasons. During the summer months at Manasquan, a cooling afternoon sea breeze is present on most days, but episodes of extreme heat and humidity can occur with heat index values at or above . On average, the wettest month of the year is July, which corresponds with the annual peak in thunderstorm activity. During the winter months, episodes of extreme cold and wind can occur with wind chill values below . The plant hardiness zone at Manasquan Beach is 7a with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of . The average seasonal (November–April) snowfall total is and the average snowiest month is February which corresponds with the annual peak in nor'easter activity.
Ecology According to the A. W. Kuchler U.S. potential natural vegetation types, Manasquan would have an Appalachian Oak (104) vegetation type with an Eastern Hardwood Forest (25) vegetation form.U.S. Potential Natural Vegetation, Original Kuchler Types, v2.0 (Spatially Adjusted to Correct Geometric Distortions), Data Basin. Accessed March 18, 2020.
Demographics
2020 census As of the 2020 census, Manasquan had a population of 5,938. The median age was 49.3 years. 18.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 22.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 96.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 95.3 males age 18 and over.
100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.
There were 2,462 households in Manasquan, of which 24.4% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 53.3% were married-couple households, 17.6% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 24.8% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 3,412 housing units, of which 27.8% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 12.7%.
+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census Race Number Percent White 5,381 90.6% Black or African American 18 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native 9 0.2% Asian 50 0.8% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 5 0.1% Some other race 212 3.6% Two or more races 263 4.4% Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 417 7.0%
2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 5,897 people, 2,374 households, and 1,550 families in the borough. The population density was 4,263.0 per square mile (1,646.0/km2). There were 3,500 housing units at an average density of 2,530.2 per square mile (976.9/km2). The racial makeup was 96.07% (5,665) White, 0.31% (18) Black or African American, 0.02% (1) Native American, 0.61% (36) Asian, 0.02% (1) Pacific Islander, 1.93% (114) from other races, and 1.05% (62) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.02% (414) of the population.
Of the 2,374 households, 27.3% had children under the age of 18; 52.5% were married couples living together; 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present and 34.7% were non-families. Of all households, 28.9% were made up of individuals and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.10.
23.3% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 22.6% from 25 to 44, 31.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.5 years. For every 100 females, the population had 95.3 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 91.4 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $87,525 (with a margin of error of +/− $21,227) and the median family income was $107,130 (+/− $13,653). Males had a median income of $98,408 (+/− $6,173) versus $56,250 (+/− $8,110) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $51,068 (+/− $8,350). About 3.1% of families and 5.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.2% of those under age 18 and 4.7% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Manasquan borough, Monmouth County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed June 21, 2012.
2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 6,310 people, 2,600 households, and 1,635 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 3,531 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 97.89% White, 0.41% Black, 0.11% Native American, 0.44% Asian, 0.48% from other races, and 0.67% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.48% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Manasquan 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 Manasquan borough, Monmouth County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 30, 2012.
There were 2,600 households, out of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.3% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.1% were non-families. 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.06.
In the borough the population was spread out, with 23.8% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.4 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $63,079, and the median income for a family was $73,670. Males had a median income of $52,368 versus $33,333 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $32,898. About 2.2% of families and 3.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.8% of those under age 18 and 5.3% of those age 65 or over. Government
Local Manasquan 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 a mayor and a 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 consists 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. 53. The borough form of government used by Manasquan 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.