Oceanport is a borough situated in the Jersey Shore region, within Monmouth County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, specifically Central Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 6,150, an increase of 318 (+5.5%) from the 2010 census count of 5,832, which in turn reflected an increase of 25 (+0.4%) from the 5,807 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.

Oceanport was formed as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 6, 1920, from portions of Eatontown Township (now Eatontown), based on the results of a referendum held on May 11, 1920.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 184. Accessed May 30, 2024.

New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked Oceanport as its 4th 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, borough had a total area of 3.80 square miles (9.83 km2), including 3.17 square miles (8.22 km2) of land and 0.62 square miles (1.61 km2) of water (16.39%).

The borough borders the Monmouth County municipalities of Little Silver and Shrewsbury to the northwest, Long Branch to the east, Eatontown to the southwest and West Long Branch to the southeast. It shares water borders to the northeast with Monmouth Beach and Rumson and forms a peninsula, jutting into the Shrewsbury River.Areas touching Oceanport, MapIt. Accessed March 2, 2020.Regional Location Map, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed March 2, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names within the borough include Elkwood Park, Fort Monmouth, Gooseneck Point, Port-au-peck and Sands Point.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed March 4, 2015.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Oceanport had a population of 6,150. The median age was 46.0 years. 19.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 20.6% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 99.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.2 males age 18 and over.

100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 2,346 households in Oceanport, of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 56.2% were married-couple households, 15.0% 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 24.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 2,469 housing units, of which 5.0% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.1%.

+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census Race Number Percent White 5,265 85.6% Black or African American 98 1.6% American Indian and Alaska Native 9 0.1% Asian 70 1.1% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 1 0.0% Some other race 405 6.6% Two or more races 302 4.9% Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 611 9.9%

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 5,832 people, 2,227 households, and 1,597 families in the borough. The population density was 1,833.7 per square mile (708.0/km2). There were 2,390 housing units at an average density of 751.5 per square mile (290.2/km2). The racial makeup was 93.36% (5,445) White, 3.00% (175) Black or African American, 0.05% (3) Native American, 1.59% (93) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 0.67% (39) from other races, and 1.32% (77) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.05% (236) of the population.

Of the 2,227 households, 31.8% had children under the age of 18; 59.7% were married couples living together; 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present and 28.3% were non-families. Of all households, 24.6% were made up of individuals and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.12.

23.4% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 21.0% from 25 to 44, 32.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44.4 years. For every 100 females, the population had 96.6 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 93.5 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $89,208 (with a margin of error of +/− $18,245) and the median family income was $108,958 (+/− $21,795). Males had a median income of $60,038 (+/− $12,383) versus $49,415 (+/− $5,095) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $52,252 (+/− $9,172). About 3.1% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.2% of those under age 18 and 2.5% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Oceanport borough, Monmouth County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 31, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 5,807 people, 2,043 households, and 1,554 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 2,114 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 95.71% White, 1.96% African American, 0.07% Native American, 0.79% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.55% from other races, and 0.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.07% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Oceanport borough, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 31, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Oceanport borough, Monmouth County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 31, 2012.

There were 2,043 households, out of which 35.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.0% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.9% were non-families. 21.7% of all households 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 2.71 and the average family size was 3.18.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 24.5% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 27.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.0 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $71,458, and the median income for a family was $85,038. Males had a median income of $57,955 versus $39,718 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $33,356. About 1.8% of families and 2.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.1% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over.

Economy and sports Netflix Studios Fort Monmouth is under construction.

Monmouth Park, a thoroughbred horse race track, is home to the annual Haskell Invitational Handicap. The choice to put the track in this small community in 1946 was made because of its prime location at the shore and its accessibility for New Yorkers and North Jersey folk who make up the majority of the track crowd.About Monmouth Park, Monmouth Park Racetrack. Accessed December 6, 2012. "On June 19, 1946, for the third time and after a 53-year hiatus, Monmouth Park reopened its doors." The Haskell Invitational Stakes, which next to the Triple Crown is horse racing's biggest event, takes place each year in August. In October 2007, Oceanport's Monmouth Park hosted the Breeders' Cup, attracting nearly 70,000 fans over the two days of the event.Leach, Kyle C. "Monmouth loses bid to host 2013 Breeders Cup", The Star-Ledger, July 27, 2012. Accessed December 6, 2012. "Monmouth was the site of the 2007 Breeders' Cup, which despite prolonged rain that produced a muddy track, drew 69,584 fans over two days — the first time the Breeders' Cup was expanded to a two-day event." In June 2018, the Monmouth Park Sports Book by William Hill sportsbook opened and Monmouth Park became the first location in New Jersey to offer sports betting. Monmouth Park had pushed to legalize sports betting, which was legalized by the United States Supreme Court in the case Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association.Edelson, Stephen. "NJ Sports Betting: Monmouth Park racing not 'cannibalized' on first weekend", Asbury Park Press, June 18, 2018. Accessed May 4, 2023. "There was picture perfect weather to go with a strong racing card on Sunday, including four stakes. The World Cup swung into high gear, highlighted by Mexico’s stunning win over German, and a Father’s Day crowd of 23,768 was anxious to check out the Monmouth Park Sports Book by William Hill."

Telephone service The community is served by area codes 732 and 848 for landlines, Oceanport is served by the 222, 389, 229, 544 and 542 exchanges in Area Code 732. Mobile service is through area codes 732/848 and area code 908.

Government

Local government

Oceanport 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 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.2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 63. The borough form of government used by Oceanport 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.