South Toms River, New Jersey
South Toms River is a borough in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 3,684, reflecting an increase of 50 from the 3,634 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn declined by 235 from the 3,869 counted in the 1990 Census.
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. The borough was named for the neighboring Toms River Township and the Toms River, which were named for Capt. William Tom.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 1.226 square miles, including 1.171 square miles of land and 0.055 square miles of water.The borough borders the Ocean County municipalities of Beachwood, Berkeley Township and Toms River Township.
South Toms River sits on the south side of the Toms River, across from Toms River Township.
Demographics
Census 2010
The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that median household income was $60,408 and the median family income was $62,750. Males had a median income of $46,370 versus $36,133 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $19,177. 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.Census 2000
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 3,131.9 people per square mile. There were 1,123 housing units at an average density of 967.8 per square mile. 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.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 of 565 municipalities statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey. The governing body is comprised of a Mayor and a 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 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. 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., the Mayor of South Toms River Borough is Democrat Gregory Handshy, whose term of office ends December 31, 2022. Members of the Borough Council are Council President Edward F. Murray, Samuel S. Fennell, Tanya M. Mosley, Thomas Rolzhausen, Sandford Ross and Robert Taylor.
Federal, state and county representation
South Toms River is located in the 3rd Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 9th state legislative district. Prior to the 2011 reapportionment following the 2010 Census, South Toms River had been in the 10th state legislative district.Politics
As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 2,065 registered voters in South Toms River, of which 562 were registered as Democrats, 345 were registered as Republicans and 1,157 were registered as Unaffiliated. There was one voter registered to another party. Among the borough's 2010 Census population, 56.1% were registered to vote, including 77.9% of those ages 18 and over.In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 64.6% of the vote, ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 33.1%, and other candidates with 2.3%, among the 1,257 ballots cast by the borough's 2,149 registered voters, for a turnout of 58.5%. In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 60.9% of the vote, ahead of Republican John McCain with 36.9% and other candidates with 1.4%, among the 1,443 ballots cast by the borough's 2,233 registered voters, for a turnout of 64.6%. In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 49.1% of the vote, outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 48.6% and other candidates with 1.1%, among the 1,277 ballots cast by the borough's 2,073 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 61.6.
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 66.3% of the vote, ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 31.8%, and other candidates with 1.8%, among the 736 ballots cast by the borough's 2,072 registered voters, for a turnout of 35.5%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 52.8% of the vote, ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 37.0%, Independent Chris Daggett with 6.1% and other candidates with 1.8%, among the 816 ballots cast by the borough's 2,157 registered voters, yielding a 37.8% turnout.
Education
Public school students in kindergarten through twelfth grade attend the Toms River Regional Schools, a regional public school district based primarily in Toms River Township that also serves students from Beachwood, Pine Beach and South Toms River. The district's board of education has nine members; seats are allocated based on population, with one seat allocated to South Toms River.Transportation
Roads and highways
, the borough had a total of of roadways, of which were maintained by the municipality, by Ocean County and by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.The Garden State Parkway bisects the borough, connecting Beachwood to the south and Berkeley Township to the north, and includes Interchange 80.
U.S. Route 9 heads from Beachwood to the east and begins a concurrency with the Garden State Parkway at exit 80. County Route 530 traverses the borough from Berkeley Township to the southwest to its eastern terminus just over the border with Toms River Township. Route 166 clips the northeastern corner of the borough, running from Beachwood in the south to Toms River in the north.