Spring Lake Heights is a borough located in the southern coastal portion of Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 4,890, an increase of 177 (+3.8%) from the 2010 census count of 4,713, which in turn reflected a decline of 514 (−9.8%) from the 5,227 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 of Spring Lake Heights was formed by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 19, 1927, from portions of Wall Township, based on the results of a referendum held on May 3, 1927.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 186. Accessed May 30, 2024. The borough was named for Spring Lake, which was named for a clear spring-fed lake.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed October 7, 2015.Gannett, Henry. The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States, p. 288. United States Government Printing Office, 1905. Accessed October 7, 2015.Brief History, Borough of Spring Lake. Accessed October 8, 2015. "In the early 1900s, the town boasted fine hotels, lavish estates, and pretentious private homes (known as "cottages"), surrounded by the beautiful clear pond renamed 'Spring Lake.'"

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 1.5 square miles (3.43 km2), including 1.30 square miles (3.35 km2) of land and 0.03 square miles (0.08 km2) of water (2.26%).

Wreck Pond is a tidal pond located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by Wall Township and the boroughs of Spring Lake, Spring Lake Heights, and Sea Girt. The Wreck Pond watershed covers about in eastern Monmouth County.Wreck Pond, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Accessed June 12, 2012.

The borough borders the Monmouth County municipalities of Lake Como, Sea Girt, Spring Lake and Wall Township.Areas touching Spring Lake Heights, MapIt. Accessed March 11, 2020.Regional Location Map, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed March 11, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the borough include Villa Park.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.

Demographics

2020 census As of the 2020 census, Spring Lake Heights had a population of 4,890. The median age was 53.0 years. 14.7% of residents were under the age of 18 and 29.8% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 81.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 78.7 males age 18 and over.

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

There were 2,428 households in Spring Lake Heights, of which 16.4% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 38.8% were married-couple households, 18.3% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 37.7% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 42.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 23.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 2,998 housing units, of which 19.0% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 4.7%.

+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census Race Number Percent White 4,537 92.8% Black or African American 23 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native 10 0.2% Asian 54 1.1% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 2 0.0% Some other race 59 1.2% Two or more races 205 4.2% Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 221 4.5%

2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 4,713 people, 2,316 households, and 1,202 families in the borough. The population density was 3,671.3 per square mile (1,417.5/km2). There were 2,972 housing units at an average density of 2,315.1 per square mile (893.9/km2). The racial makeup was 96.61% (4,553) White, 0.64% (30) Black or African American, 0.15% (7) Native American, 1.08% (51) Asian, 0.02% (1) Pacific Islander, 0.47% (22) from other races, and 1.04% (49) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.29% (155) of the population.

Of the 2,316 households, 17.1% had children under the age of 18; 40.3% were married couples living together; 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present and 48.1% were non-families. Of all households, 41.7% were made up of individuals and 21.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.03 and the average family size was 2.82.

16.5% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 20.2% from 25 to 44, 32.0% from 45 to 64, and 25.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49.6 years. For every 100 females, the population had 83.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 81.2 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $72,083 (with a margin of error of +/− $10,741) and the median family income was $102,173 (+/− $13,664). Males had a median income of $80,819 (+/− $9,463) versus $56,615 (+/− $7,658) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $43,370 (+/− $4,154). About 1.1% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.0% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Spring Lake Heights borough, Monmouth County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed June 12, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census, there were 5,227 people, 2,511 households, and 1,358 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 2,950 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 97.28% White, 1.11% African American, 0.02% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.67% from other races, and 0.54% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.12% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Spring Lake Heights borough, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 11, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Spring Lake Heights borough, Monmouth County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 11, 2012.

As of the 2000 Census, 32.7% of Spring Lake Heights residents were of Irish ancestry, the 16th-highest percentage of any municipality in the United States, and fifth-highest in New Jersey, among all places with more than 1,000 residents identifying their ancestry.Irish Communities, EPodunk. Accessed June 9, 2007.

There were 2,511 households, out of which 17.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.6% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.9% were non-families. 41.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 22.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.04 and the average family size was 2.82.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 16.8% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 23.7% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 29.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females, there were 81.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.6 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $51,330, and the median income for a family was $64,345. Males had a median income of $48,640 versus $40,363 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $35,093. About 4.2% of families and 7.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.9% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over. Government

Local government Spring Lake Heights 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. 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.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 Spring Lake Heights 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. 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.

, the mayor of Spring Lake Heights is Republican Christopher M. Campion Jr., whose term of office ends December 31, 2027. Members of the borough council are Council President William K. Graetz (R, 2025), Leonard Capristo (R, 2027), John C. Casagrande (R, 2026), Michele Degnan-Spang (R, 2026), Sara King (R, 2027) and Christopher C. Willms (R, 2025).Mayor & Borough Council, Borough of Spring Lake Heights. Accessed February 6, 2025.2024 Municipal Data Sheet, Borough of Spring Lake Heights. Accessed February 6, 2025.November 5, 2024 General Election Official Results, Monmouth County, New Jersey, updated December 16, 2024. Accessed January 1, 2025.November 8, 2023 General Election Official Results, Monmouth County, New Jersey, updated January 18, 2024. Accessed January 22, 2024.General Election November 8, 2022 Official Results, Monmouth County, New Jersey Clerk, updated December 27, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.

In October 2022, the borough council appointed Michele Degnan-Spang to fill the seat expiring in December 2023 that had been held by Peter A. Gallo Jr.Borough Council Meeting Minutes for October 17, 2022, Borough of Spring Lake Heights. Accessed May 2, 2023. "A motion was made by Mrs. King to nominated Michele Degnan-Spang as council member, motion seconded by Mr. Willms, no other nominations made. Roll Call All Ayes. Resolution R2022-172, Appointing a member to the Borough Council Michele Degnan-Spang. On a motion by Mrs. King, seconded by Mr. Willms, Resolution No 2022-172 was approved by the following vote: Ayes: Mr. Capristo, Mr. Casagrande, Mr. Graetz, Mrs. King, Mr. Willms Nays: None Abstain: None Absent: None Councilwoman Degnan-Spang was sworn in by Council President Graetz"