Point Pleasant is a borough situated on the Jersey Shore, in northern Ocean County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 18,941, an increase of 549 (+3.0%) from the 2010 census count of 18,392, which in turn reflected a decline of 914 (−4.7%) from the 19,306 counted at 2000 census.

The borough is a Jersey Shore community situated south of the Manasquan River and north and east of the Beaverdam Creek and its confluence with the Metedeconk River.

Point Pleasant was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 21, 1920, from portions of Brick Township, based on the results of a referendum held on May 19, 1920. The borough was reincorporated on March 12, 1928. Point Pleasant is distinct from Point Pleasant Beach, which is a separate community. The borough gets its name from Point Pleasant Beach, which gets its name from its location at the northern end of the Barnegat Peninsula, a long, narrow barrier peninsula that divides the Barnegat Bay from the Atlantic Ocean at the Manasquan Inlet.

History

Around 1500, the area that included the future Point Pleasant was the ceremonial meeting place of the Lenape Native Americans, who called it the "Land of Tall Timber". In approximately 1665, the first European settlers arrived in the area, mainly fishermen, farmers and boat builders.

On February 15, 1850, Governor Daniel Haines and the New Jersey Legislature separated Ocean County from Monmouth County, and created Brick Township, including the Point Pleasant area, which became independent of Brick Township in 1920, though the post office carried the designation "West Point Pleasant" until 1956. According to the town's official website, many longtime residents still use that name. The town's first mayor was Melville B. Parker, chosen after J.H. Harvey declined the position after being elected. The town was initially a logging town, although logging was never a significant part of the local economy.

In 1925, the Manasquan River-Bay Head Canal was completed as part of the inland waterway. The canal, which divides Point Pleasant in half, provides a passage for boats, and is the northernmost leg of the Intracoastal Waterway which traverses the East Coast of the United States along the Atlantic Ocean between New Jersey and Florida. In 1964, Senator Clifford P. Case introduced legislation that changed the canal's name to the Point Pleasant Canal. The two lift bridges over the canal, at Route 88 and Bridge Avenue, can be opened as many as 300 times per day during the summer to allow boats to pass underneath as marine traffic has the right of way.

Though often regarded as a summer resort, the borough's website emphasizes that it is a "year round community of approximately 19,000 residents".

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 4.17 square miles (10.79 km), including 3.49 square miles (9.04 km) of land and 0.67 square miles (1.75 km) of water (16.16%).

The borough is bounded on the north by the Manasquan River, on the east by Point Pleasant Beach and Bay Head, on the south by Beaver Dam Creek and on the west by Brick Township; the borough also borders Mantoloking in Ocean County and Brielle in Monmouth County.

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1930	2,058		—
1940	2,082		1.2%
1950	4,009		92.6%
1960	10,182		154.0%
1970	15,968		56.8%
1980	17,747		11.1%
1990	18,177		2.4%
2000	19,306		6.2%
2010	18,392		−4.7%
2020	18,941		3.0%
2023 (est.)	19,429		2.6%
Population sources: 1930–2000 1930 1940–2000 2000 2010 2020

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 18,392 people, 7,273 households, and 4,982 families in the borough. The population density was 5,272.1 inhabitants per square mile (2,035.6/km). There were 8,331 housing units at an average density of 2,388.1 per square mile (922.1/km). The racial makeup was 96.05% (17,666) White, 0.41% (75) Black or African American, 0.13% (24) Native American, 0.72% (133) Asian, 0.03% (6) Pacific Islander, 1.66% (305) from other races, and 0.99% (183) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.08% (935) of the population.

Of the 7,273 households, 30.0% had children under the age of 18; 52.5% were married couples living together; 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present and 31.5% were non-families. Of all households, 25.8% were made up of individuals and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.03.

22.1% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 32.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.0 years. For every 100 females, the population had 94.2 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 92.3 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $78,521 (with a margin of error of ± $3,209) and the median family income was $94,399 (± $4,750). Males had a median income of $67,632 (± $4,111) versus $47,428 (± $5,097) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $36,596 (± $1,783). About 1.8% of families and 3.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.5% of those under age 18 and 6.6% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census there were 19,306 people, 7,560 households, and 5,231 families residing in the borough. The population density was 5,461.6 inhabitants per square mile (2,108.7/km). There were 8,350 housing units at an average density of 2,362.2 per square mile (912.1/km). The racial makeup of the borough was 85.83% White, 5.33% African-American, Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.41%, 0.14% Native American, 0.54% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.50% from other races, and 0.69% from two or more races.

There were 7,560 households, out of which 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.8% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no spouse, and 30.8% were non-families. 25.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 23.7% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 24.8% 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 92.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.6 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $55,987, and the median income for a family was $64,798. Males had a median income of $50,828 versus $32,886 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $25,715. About 2.0% of families and 3.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.0% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government

Point Pleasant 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. The governing body is comprised of the mayor and the six-member 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. The borough form of government used by Point Pleasant 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.

The mayor is the head of municipal government; sees that state laws and borough ordinances are faithfully executed; presides over the council. votes only to break ties; can veto ordinances subject to override by 2⁄3 majority of Council; and appoints subordinate officers with council approval. After thirty days or upon council disapproval, Council fills posts. The borough council is the legislative body of municipality. The Council overrides a mayor's veto by ⅔ majority of all members, confirms mayor's appointments. The council gains appointment power upon failure to confirm mayor's appointee or after office vacant for thirty days. The council has all executive responsibility not placed in office of mayor.

As of 2022, the mayor of Point Pleasant is Republican Robert A. Sabosik, whose term of office ends December 31, 2022. The members of the Borough Council are Borough President Charlene Archer (R, 2022), William T. Borowsky (R, 2024), Valerie Coulson (R, 2023), Antoinette "Toni" DePaola (R, 2024), Joseph Furmato Jr. (R, 2022) and John R. Wisniewski (R, 2023).

In the November 2022 election, Mayor Robert A. Sabosik defeated independent challenger William "Bill" Borowsky, securing another four-year mayoral term. Sabosik received 63.34% of votes, while Borowsky received 36.40% of votes. Republican incumbents Joseph Furmato Jr. and Charlene Archer will each serve another three-year term after running unopposed for borough council.

In February 2015, the borough council selected Michael Thulen Jr., from a list of three candidates recommended by the Republican municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2016 that had been held by Robert A. Sabosik vacant until he was sworn in as mayor the previous month. In the November 2015 general election, Thulen was elected to serve the one year remaining on the term of office.

Federal, state, and county representation

Point Pleasant is in the 4th Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 10th state legislative district.

Prior to the 2010 Census, all of Point Pleasant had been part of the 4th Congressional District, a change made by the New Jersey Redistricting Commission that took effect in January 2013, based on the results of the November 2012 general elections. As part of the 2010 redistricting, 1,802 residents in a wedge-shaped section in the western part of the borough were placed in the 3rd District, while the remaining 16,590 were placed in the 4th District.

For the 118th United States Congress, New Jersey's 4th congressional district is represented by Chris Smith (R, Manchester Township). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Democrats Cory Booker (Newark, term ends 2027) and Bob Menendez (Englewood Cliffs, term ends 2025).

For the 2024-2025 session, the 10th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by James W. Holzapfel (R, Toms River) and in the General Assembly by Paul Kanitra (R, Point Pleasant Beach) and Gregory P. McGuckin (R, Toms River).

Ocean County is governed by a Board of County Commissioners composed of five members who are elected on an at-large basis in partisan elections and serving staggered three-year terms of office, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year as part of the November general election. At an annual reorganization held in the beginning of January, the board chooses a director and a deputy director from among its members. As of 2024, Ocean County's Commissioners (with party affiliation, term-end year and residence) are:

John P. Kelly (R, 2025, Eagleswood Township), Virginia E. Haines (R, 2025, Toms River), Director Barbara Jo Crea (R, 2024, Little Egg Harbor Township) Deputy Director Gary Quinn (R, 2024, Lacey Township) and Frank Sadeghi (R, 2026, Toms River).

Constitutional officers elected on a countywide basis are: Clerk Scott M. Colabella (R, 2025, Barnegat Light), Sheriff Michael G. Mastronardy (R, 2025; Toms River) and Surrogate Jeffrey Moran (R, 2028, Beachwood).

Politics

As of March 2011, there were a total of 12,681 registered voters in Point Pleasant, of which 2,336 (18.4%) were registered as Democrats, 4,026 (31.7%) were registered as Republicans and 6,311 (49.8%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 8 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens. Among the borough's 2010 Census population, 68.9% (vs. 63.2% in Ocean County) were registered to vote, including 88.5% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 82.6% countywide).

In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 56.7% of the vote (5,141 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 42.4% (3,843 votes), and other candidates with 1.0% (89 votes), among the 9,161 ballots cast by the borough's 13,245 registered voters (88 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 69.2%. In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 56.5% of the vote (5,599 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 41.4% (4,103 votes) and other candidates with 1.4% (138 votes), among the 9,904 ballots cast by the borough's 13,154 registered voters, for a turnout of 75.3%. In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 60.5% of the vote (5,857 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 38.2% (3,700 votes) and other candidates with 0.7% (85 votes), among the 9,683 ballots cast by the borough's 12,795 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 75.7.

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 71.6% of the vote (4,352 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 26.6% (1,619 votes), and other candidates with 1.7% (105 votes), among the 6,179 ballots cast by the borough's 13,118 registered voters (103 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 47.1%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 64.4% of the vote (4,606 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 27.6% (1,977 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 5.9% (421 votes) and other candidates with 1.0% (69 votes), among the 7,152 ballots cast by the borough's 12,905 registered voters, yielding a 55.4% turnout.

Education

The Point Pleasant School District serves students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. As of the 2019–20 school year, the district, comprised of four schools, had an enrollment of 2,842 students and 236.2 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 12.0:1. Schools in the district (with 2019–20 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics) are Nellie F. Bennett Elementary School with 764 students in grades Pre-K–5, Ocean Road School with 502 students in K–5, Memorial Middle School with 675 students in 6–8 and Point Pleasant Borough High School with 871 students in grades 9–12

Saint Peter School, founded in 1923, serves students in grades K–8 and operates under the supervision of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton. In 2016, the school was one of ten schools in New Jersey, and one of four private schools in the state, recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School by the United States Department of Education, a recognition celebrating excellence in academics.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Roads and highways

As of May 2010, the borough had a total of 78.04 miles (125.59 km) of roadways, of which 64.28 miles (103.45 km) were maintained by the municipality, 7.86 miles (12.65 km) by Ocean County and 3.30 miles (5.31 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

State highways include Route 13, which extends a total of .56 miles (0.90 km), most of which is in the borough with a small portion in Bay Head. Route 88 traverses the borough to its eastern terminus at Route 35, just across the border with Point Pleasant Beach.

Public transportation

NJ Transit provides bus service to Philadelphia on the 317 route.

Ocean Ride local service is provided on the OC3A Brick—Point Pleasant and the OC4 Lakewood—Brick Link routes.

Health care

Point Pleasant Hospital was founded in 1918 and became part of Ocean Medical Center in 1982. The hospital closed permanently in 2001.

In media

• A fictionalized version of the town was the setting of a short-lived 2005 television show, Point Pleasant.
• On The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, there is a recurring spoof set in the borough called "Point Pleasant Police Department", in which the host and a guest (Alec Baldwin, Bill Hader, Jake Gyllenhaal and Kevin James) play local police officers who repeatedly spit food on each other.

Notable people

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Point Pleasant include: ((B) denotes that the person was born there)

See also