Toms River, New Jersey
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Toms River is a census-designated place (CDP) and unincorporated area located within Dover Township and is the county seat of Ocean County, New Jersey. The area is named for the Toms River, whose estuary flows through the community and empties into Barnegat Bay. "Toms River" can refer to a neighborhood, a town, a Post Office address, or to the census-designated place; it is not an incorporated municipality.
Dover Township and Toms River are not co-extensive but are centered on the county seat of Ocean County[Geographic references#6GR6]. In addition to Toms River, Dover Township includes two small CDPs: Dover Beaches North (2000 Census population of 1,785) and Dover Beaches South (1,594). Thus, as defined by the Census Bureau based on 2000 Census data, over 96% of Dover Township's population is located in the Toms River CDP.
As of the United States 2000 Census, the CDP had a total population of 86,327. The Census Bureau further estimates that as of July 2005 the Dover Township / Toms River area had grown to over 97,000 residents, making it one of the most populous municipalities in the state of New Jersey. With an average growth of over 2,000 new residents per year, the population will likely top 100,000 by the end of 2006.
Toms River is currently the highest populated municipality in Ocean County.
Legally, the municipality is named Dover Township. Toms River is frequently used as a local name, and there is some effort to make Toms River the legal name. The current 2006 effort is being coordinated by the Dover Township Name Change Committee. It was formed by Democratic Mayor Paul C. Brush and is cochaired by Republican Councilwoman Maria Maruca. Signatures are being gathered to put the question on the ballot in November 2006. A public question to change the name appeared on the ballot in 1987 and was defeated 8,969 to 7,749. A website, (www.TomsRiverNow.com), has also been set up.
Toms River is also known for its Little League Baseball team that won the Little League World Series in 1998 and was managed by Mike Gaynor and coached by Ken Kondek and Joe Francheschini. The team's nickname was the "Beast from the East," and they chose to be the road team in every game. The team returned to the Little League World Series a year later but was unable to defend their title.
In 2005, Dover Township was ranked by Morgan Quitno as the fifteenth safest "city " in the United States, out of 369 cities nationwide[Morgan Quitno 12th Annual Safest (and Most Dangerous) Cities: Top and Bottom 25 Cities Overall], accessed June 4, 2006.
Geography
Toms River is located at (39.979270, -74.167512)[Geographic references#1GR1].According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 105.2 km² (40.6 mi²). 102.0 km² (39.4 mi²) of it is land and 3.2 km² (1.2 mi²) of it (3.05%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census[Geographic references#2GR2] of 2000, there were 86,327 people, 31,674 households, and 23,470 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 846.6/km² (2,192.7/mi²). There were 34,375 housing units at an average density of 337.1/km² (873.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 93.36% White, 1.81% African American, 0.13% Native American, 2.54% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.98% from other races, and 1.15% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.65% of the population.There were 31,674 households out of which 32.3% had children under the living with them, 60.1% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.9% were non-families. 21.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 23.8% under the , 7.3% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.0 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $55,659, and the median income for a family was $62,971. Males had a median income of $47,448 versus $30,763 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $24,831. 5.6% of the population and 4.0% of families were below the poverty line. 6.6% of those under the and 6.2% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Education
Toms River is the home of the largest suburban school district in New Jersey, Toms River Regional Schools, which has a total student enrollment of about 19,000 students in 18 district schools. There are twelve elementary schools, three intermediate schools which are among the largest in the state, and three high schools, which are Toms River High School South, Toms River High School North, and Toms River High School East.In addition, Ocean County's only Catholic High School, Monsignor Donovan High School, is located in Toms River.
Toms River is home to Ocean County College, mainly a two-year college with four-year options in cooperation with other NJ colleges and universities.
Transportation
One of New Jersey's major highways, the Garden State Parkway (6 lane) runs through Toms River from mile marker 85 to 81.Like the rest of the Jersey Shore, Toms River attracts many tourists throughout the peak summer months, mostly from Northern New Jersey, New York City, and Philadelphia. Most local residents refer to these tourists as "Bennys" or "Shoebies." The number of visitors in the summer often causes traffic congestion on the Garden State Parkway, Interstate 195 and local highways such as Route 37 in Toms River, Route 70 across Central Jersey, Route 88 in Brick Township, or Route 35 along the barrier islands into Monmouth County. Friday nights on the Parkway between 3 and 6pm during summer months can be absolute gridlock. Governor Richard Codey announced a plan to widen the GSP from 4 to 6 lanes from Exit 80 in Beachwood (just south of Toms River) to Exit 63 (interchange with Route 72 in Manahawkin) to relieve increasing weekend and commuter traffic.
Community
- Toms River is home to the largest suburban school district in New Jersey, Toms River Regional Schools, which hosts over 19,000 students. It is renowned by many to be one of the most successful and influential school districts in New Jersey. In the district, there are aproxiametely 6,200 student enrolled in high school (Grades 9-12), 4,400 students enrolled in intermediate school (Grades 6-8), and 8,500 students enrolled in elementary school (Grades K-5).
- The only enclosed mall in Ocean County, Ocean County Mall, is located in Toms River.
- The Ocean County Seat is located in Toms River.
- One of the Top 100 events in North America for Group Travel 2006, Toms River Fest, is held every summer in Toms River, bringing over 100,000 people from the area. Last year, Maroon 5, Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken, Jesse McCartney, Keith Urban, and others performed at this major carnival event.
- The Poland Spring Arena at the Ritacco Center, a public arena connected to Toms River High School North, is used for major concert events and small local events throughout the year to raise money for the school district.
- New Jersey's largest non-teaching hospital, Community Medical Center, is located in Toms River.
- The 1979 movie, The Amityville Horror, was filmed in Toms River, rather than Amityville on Long Island. Local police and ambulance workers played extras. The Toms River Volunteer Fire Company Number One was used to provide the "rain" during one of the exterior scenes. If you look closely, you can see that it is sunny and not "raining" in the background, the next street over.
- Several neighborhoods and municipalities together have Toms River mailing addresses, including Silverton, South Toms River, Green Island, Money Island, and Manchester.
Noted residents
- Piper Perabo: Star of the movies Coyote Ugly and Cheaper by the Dozen
- Darian Barnes: Player for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League.
- Mike Bucci: Professional wrestler employed by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)
References
External links
- [Toms River as settlement and Post Office address]
- [Ocean County College]
- [Toms River Online - Community Information Portal]
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