West Long Branch is a borough situated within the Jersey Shore region, in Monmouth County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 8,587, its highest decennial count ever and an increase of 490 (+6.1%) from the 2010 census count of 8,097, which in turn reflected a decline of 161 (−1.9%) from the 8,258 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. West Long Branch is the home of Monmouth University.

History Prior to being called West Long Branch, the area had been called Mechanicsville from the 18th century through the Civil War, and then Branchburg in the 1870s. The name West Long Branch appears in the 1889 Wolverton Atlas of Monmouth County, and seems to have derived its name from its proximity to a section of the Shrewsbury River.History, West Long Branch. Accessed December 13, 2012. "In the past, our community has been known by various names; Hoppersville, from the Hopper family; Mechanicsville, 1851 map; Branchburg, 1873 map, likely due to its proximity to the long branch of the Shrewsbury River."

In 1908, the residents of what was the West Long Branch section of Eatontown thought that they were not getting a fair return on their taxes. A request was made that the West Long Branch section be separated from Eatontown. The Township of Eatontown strongly resisted as there were several large estates in the West Long Branch section that were a source of considerable tax revenues. An act of the New Jersey Legislature was passed on April 7, 1908, and the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders authorized an election. On May 5, 1908, a referendum was held in West Long Branch, with voters approving the separation.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 187. Accessed May 30, 2024.Honeyman, Abraham Van Doren. Index-analysis of the Statutes of New Jersey, 1896-1909: Together with References to All Acts, and Parts of Acts, in the 'General Statutes' and Pamphlet Laws Expressly Repealed: and the Statutory Crimes of New Jersey During the Same Period, p. 313. New Jersey Law Journal Publishing Company, 1910. Accessed October 25, 2015. The borough takes its name from Long Branch, which in turn takes its name from the "long branch" or south branch of the Shrewsbury River.Martin, George Castor. History of Asbury Park and Long Branch: Together with the Traditions of the Indians & Settlers of Monmouth & Ocean Counties, N.J., p. 2. Privately published, 1903. Accessed October 25, 2015. "Long Branch takes its name from a brook, a branch of the South Shrewsbury River which runs in a direct line northward along the coast.", Emporis. Accessed October 25, 2015.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed October 25, 2015.Gannett, Henry. The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States, p. 138. United States Government Printing Office, 1905. Accessed October 25, 2015.

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 2.89 square miles (7.49 km2), including 2.86 square miles (7.40 km2) of land and 0.04 square miles (0.09 km2) of water (1.25%).

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

The borough borders the Monmouth County municipalities of Eatontown, Long Branch, Ocean Township and Oceanport.Areas touching West Long Branch, 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.

Climate

Demographics

2020 census As of the 2020 census, West Long Branch had a population of 8,587. The median age was 31.8 years. 18.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 15.3% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 87.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 84.1 males age 18 and over.

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

There were 2,551 households in West Long Branch, of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 57.0% were married-couple households, 13.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 24.5% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 22.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 2,755 housing units, of which 7.4% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.3% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.0%.

+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census Race Number Percent White 6,993 81.4% Black or African American 302 3.5% American Indian and Alaska Native 12 0.1% Asian 145 1.7% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 2 0.0% Some other race 388 4.5% Two or more races 745 8.7% Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 774 9.0%

2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 8,097 people, 2,384 households, and 1,757 families in the borough. The population density was 2,832.9 per square mile (1,093.8/km2). There were 2,528 housing units at an average density of 884.5 per square mile (341.5/km2). The racial makeup was 94.45% (7,648) White, 2.21% (179) Black or African American, 0.06% (5) Native American, 1.19% (96) Asian, 0.01% (1) Pacific Islander, 0.95% (77) from other races, and 1.12% (91) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.03% (407) of the population.

Of the 2,384 households, 32.3% had children under the age of 18; 60.0% were married couples living together; 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present and 26.3% were non-families. Of all households, 21.7% were made up of individuals and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.23.

19.6% of the population were under the age of 18, 25.4% from 18 to 24, 16.7% from 25 to 44, 24.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32.4 years. For every 100 females, the population had 91.2 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 88.1 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $96,369 (with a margin of error of +/− $15,449) and the median family income was $114,250 (+/− $13,662). Males had a median income of $75,634 (+/− $8,441) versus $49,483 (+/− $5,714) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $32,822 (+/− $3,260). About 5.0% of families and 8.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.0% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for West Long Branch borough, Monmouth County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 4, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 8,258 people, 2,448 households, and 1,860 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 2,535 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 94.22% White, 2.23% African American, 0.07% Native American, 1.21% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.50% from other races, and 1.73% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.92% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for West Long Branch borough, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 4, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for West Long Branch borough, Monmouth County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 4, 2012.

There were 2,448 households, out of which 35.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.9% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.0% were non-families. 21.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.25.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 21.8% under the age of 18, 22.1% from 18 to 24, 21.1% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.7 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $71,852, and the median income for a family was $80,127. Males had a median income of $59,638 versus $34,000 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $27,651. About 3.1% of families and 4.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.0% of those under age 18 and 3.2% of those age 65 or over. Government

Local government

West Long Branch 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 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 West Long Branch 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.