South Toms River is a borough in Ocean County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 3,643, a decrease of 41 (−1.1%) from the 2010 census count of 3,684, which in turn reflected an increase of 50 (+1.4%) from the 3,634 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.

South Toms River was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 28, 1927, from portions of Berkeley 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. 205. Accessed May 30, 2024. The borough was named for the Toms River and the neighboring community of Toms River, which were named for Capt. William Tom.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. 302. United States Government Printing Office, 1905. Accessed October 7, 2015.South Toms River Borough is not named after Toms River Township, which adopted that name much later, in 2006.

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 1.21 square miles (3.13 km2), including 1.16 square miles (3.00 km2) of land and 0.05 square miles (0.13 km2) of water (4.21%).

The borough borders the Ocean County municipalities of Beachwood, Berkeley Township and Toms River.Areas touching South Toms River, MapIt. Accessed March 6, 2020.Ocean County Map, Coalition for a Healthy NJ. Accessed March 6, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

South Toms River sits on the south side of the Toms River, across from Toms River Township. The borough is one of 11 municipalities in Ocean County that are part of the Toms River watershed.Toms River Watershed, Barnegat Bay Partnership. Accessed July 3, 2022.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, South Toms River had a population of 3,643. The median age was 33.3 years. 27.2% of residents were under the age of 18 and 10.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 93.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 90.2 males age 18 and over.

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

There were 1,081 households in South Toms River, of which 45.5% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 49.1% were married-couple households, 14.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 28.6% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 12.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 1,141 housing units, of which 5.3% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.9%.

+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census Race Number Percent White 1,987 54.5% Black or African American 598 16.4% American Indian and Alaska Native 42 1.2% Asian 75 2.1% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 0 0.0% Some other race 496 13.6% Two or more races 445 12.2% Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 1,040 28.5%

2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 3,684 people, 1,098 households, and 907 families in the borough. The population density was . There were 1,160 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 67.59% (2,490) White, 19.33% (712) Black or African American, 0.57% (21) Native American, 0.62% (23) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 7.14% (263) from other races, and 4.75% (175) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 19.49% (718) of the population.

Of the 1,098 households, 36.7% had children under the age of 18; 52.3% were married couples living together; 21.9% had a female householder with no husband present and 17.4% were non-families. Of all households, 12.8% were made up of individuals and 5.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.36 and the average family size was 3.61.

28.1% of the population were under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 8.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34.0 years. For every 100 females, the population had 95.0 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 90.8 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $60,408 (with a margin of error of +/− $6,382) and the median family income was $62,750 (+/− $8,524). Males had a median income of $46,370 (+/− $4,313) versus $36,133 (+/− $2,994) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $19,177 (+/− $2,685). About 17.2% of families and 22.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.6% of those under age 18 and 11.5% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for South Toms River borough, Ocean County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 2, 2013.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 3,634 people, 1,073 households, and 902 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 1,123 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 72.56% White, 21.16% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.69% Asian, 2.50% from other races, and 2.94% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.27% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for South Toms River borough, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 2, 2013.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for South Toms River borough, Ocean County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 2, 2013.

There were 1,073 households, out of which 43.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.2% were married couples living together, 22.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.9% were non-families. 12.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.39 and the average family size was 3.63.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 32.1% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 9.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.5 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $43,468, and the median income for a family was $45,375. Males had a median income of $31,859 versus $24,837 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $16,292. About 11.2% of families and 12.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.4% of those under age 18 and 18.3% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government South Toms River 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. 53. The borough form of government used by South Toms River 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. Accessed November 30, 2014."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 6. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.

, the mayor of South Toms River Borough is Republican Oscar Cradle, whose term of office ends December 31, 2026.Office of the Mayor, Borough of South Toms River. Accessed May 9, 2023. Members of the Borough Council are Council President Sandford Ross Jr. (R, 2026), Samuel S. Fennell (R, 2027), William Kosh(R, 2028), Edward F. Murray (R, 2026), Kayla Rolzhausen (R, 2027; appointed to serve an unexpired term) and Thomas R Rolzhausen (R, 2028).Borough Council, Borough of South Toms River. Accessed May 9, 2023. As of date accessed, term-end dates were incorrect for Fennell, Mosley, Rolzhausen and Ross.2022 Municipal Data Sheet, Borough of South Toms River. Accessed May 14, 2022.Borough of South Toms River, Ocean County, New Jersey. Accessed May 9, 2023.2023 Ocean County & Municipal Elected Officials, Ocean County, New Jersey Clerk, updated April 10, 2023. Accessed April 23, 2023.2022 General Election Official Results November 8, 2022, Ocean County, New Jersey Clerk, updated November 21, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.2021 General Election Official Results, Ocean County, New Jersey. Accessed January 1, 2022.2020 General Election November 3, 2020 Official results, Ocean County, New Jersey, updated December 2, 2020. Accessed January 1, 2021.

In January 2023, Kayla Rolzhausen was appointed to fill the borough council seat expiring in December 2024 that had been held by Oscar Cradle and became vacant when he took office as mayor.

Federal, state, and county representation South Toms River is located in the 4th Congressional District2022 Redistricting Plan, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 8, 2022. and is part of New Jersey's 10th state legislative district.Municipalities Sorted by 2023-2031 Legislative District, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed September 1, 2023.

Politics