Brielle is a borough located in southern Monmouth County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, along the Manasquan River. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 4,982, its highest decennial count ever and an increase of 208 (+4.4%) from the 2010 census count of 4,774, which in turn reflected a decline of 119 (−2.4%) from the 4,893 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.

Brielle was formed as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 10, 1919, from portions of Wall Township, based on the results of a referendum passed on June 3, 1919.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. Accessed May 1, 2026. The borough was named after Brielle, Netherlands.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed August 27, 2015.

History Archaeological excavations along what is now Birch Drive reveal temporary Lenape Native American settlements. The Lenape practiced farming in other parts of Monmouth County much of the year, and they visited the wooded areas in what is now Brielle for hunting and fishing.

The area was originally part of Shrewsbury Township and the first settlers were primarily farmers, and the area became known as Union Landing. In colonial times, salt was an important preservative, and before the American Revolutionary War, most of it was imported from Great Britain. The Union Salt Works opened around the outbreak of the war, and on April 5, 1778, several British Loyalists attacked and burned the salt works and other buildings. A year later, the salt works reopened and continued to operate through the duration of the war.History, Borough of Brielle. Accessed January 23, 2025.Delancey, Karen Hammerdorfer. "This day's invasion of Brielle welcome", Asbury Park Press, September 8, 2002. Accessed October 16, 2013. "During the Revolutionary War, Brielle was attacked by some 200 British soldiers who burned down the Union Salt Works and many other buildings."

Early in the 19th century, Shrewsbury Township was divided, and the area became part of Howell Township which was further divided in 1851, when the area became part of Wall Township. On July 7, 1881, a group of businessmen purchased several acres of land and formed the Brielle Land Association with the intention of building vacation homes. The quaint riverside charm of the area reminded one of the developers of another pastoral town on a river which he had visited, Brielle, in the Netherlands.Martin, Patti. "Brielle: Community spirit shines through", Asbury Park Press, November 28, 2003. Accessed January 23, 2025, via Newspapers.com. "On July 7, 1881 a group of businessman formed the Brielle Land Association and purchased 150 acres of farm land. They named the parcel 'Brielle' because a businessman had visited Brielle, Holland, a year before and thought the new Brielle resembled the countryside and coastal towns that dot Europe's lowlands on the North Sea and English Channel."

Author Robert Louis Stevenson vacationed in Brielle for most of May 1888. During his stay he wrote a portion of his book The Master of Ballantrae and gave Osborn Island the nickname "Treasure Island" which was the title of one of his previous books.Staff. "Jersey Resort Rich In Memories Of Robert Louis Stevenson; Famous Author Spent a Month at Brielle 25 Years Ago and the Souvenirs He Left There Are Carefully Treasured -- News from Other Popular Summer Centres.", The New York Times, July 27, 1913. Accessed October 12, 2015.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 2.37 square miles (6.14 km2), including 1.76 square miles (4.55 km2) of land and 0.61 square miles (1.59 km2) of water (25.86%).

Located at the southeastern corner of Monmouth County, Brielle is bordered to the north and east by the Manasquan, to the west by Brick Township (in Ocean County) and Wall Township and to the south by Point Pleasant and Point Pleasant Beach across the Manasquan River.Areas touching Brielle, MapIt. Accessed March 20, 2020.Regional Location Map, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed March 20, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019. Route 35 runs through the middle of the town and Route 70 runs along its western edge.

The borough is primarily a residential community of single homes, with a few condominiums; there are almost no undeveloped lots of land left. There are several businesses located along Union Avenue and Higgins Avenue and some marinas along the Manasquan River. Ripley's Believe It or Not! once stated that Brielle has "16 bars and no churches".Biese, Alex. , Asbury Park Press, April 26, 2007. Accessed July 29, 2012. "Fifty years ago, the borough of Brielle held a dubious distinction. 'There were 17 bars and no churches in Brielle,' said the Rev. Paul Walther, 57, of Brielle." It currently has one church, The Church in Brielle (formerly the Dutch Reformed Church) and several restaurants that have liquor licenses, but no full bars. There is also a 18 hole golf course called the Manasquan River Golf Club.

The town has approximately of waterfront along the Manasquan River, Glimmerglass, and Debbie's Creek, all of which are salt water and tidal. Brielle's borders extend to an island in the Manasquan River.

Manasquan Park is an unincorporated community located within Brielle.

Demographics

2020 census As of the 2020 census, Brielle had a population of 4,982. The median age was 48.9 years. 19.8% of residents were under the age of 18 and 22.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and older there were 93.5 males age 18 and over.

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

There were 1,949 households in Brielle, of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 60.4% were married-couple households, 12.2% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 23.8% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 23.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 2,176 housing units, of which 10.4% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 4.7%.

+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census Race Number Percent White 4,550 91.3% Black or African American 73 1.5% American Indian and Alaska Native 6 0.1% Asian 34 0.7% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 2 0.0% Some other race 82 1.6% Two or more races 235 4.7% Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 226 4.5%

2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 4,774 people, 1,805 households, and 1,336 families in the borough. The population density was 2,717.5 per square mile (1,049.2/km2). There were 2,034 housing units at an average density of 1,157.8 per square mile (447.0/km2). The racial makeup was 94.64% (4,518) White, 2.53% (121) Black or African American, 0.10% (5) Native American, 0.94% (45) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 0.46% (22) from other races, and 1.32% (63) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.18% (152) of the population.

Of the 1,805 households, 33.4% had children under the age of 18; 60.4% were married couples living together; 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present and 26.0% were non-families. Of all households, 22.0% 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 2.64 and the average family size was 3.13.

26.1% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 18.7% from 25 to 44, 32.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44.9 years. For every 100 females, the population had 97.3 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 91.3 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $98,419 (with a margin of error of +/− $10,635) and the median family income was $108,818 (+/− $11,831). Males had a median income of $84,568 (+/− $8,259) versus $53,041 (+/− $4,411) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $45,445 (+/− $5,694). About none of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 2.9% of those age 65 or over., United States Census Bureau. Accessed June 21, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 4,893 people, 1,938 households, and 1,414 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 2,123 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 93.05% White, 3.52% African American, 0.06% Native American, 0.67% Asian, 1.61% from other races, and 1.08% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.31% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Brielle borough, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 29, 2012., United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 29, 2012.

There were 1,938 households, out of which 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.0% were married couples living together, 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.0% were non-families. 23.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.0% 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 3.00.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 23.7% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 29.0% from 45 to 64, and 17.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.8 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $178,368, and the median income for a family was $172,867. Males had a median income of $98,828 versus $72,156 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $105,785. About 2.6% of families and 3.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.9% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over. Government

Local government