Neptune City is a borough in Monmouth County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 4,626, a decrease of 244 (−5.0%) from the 2010 census count of 4,869, which in turn reflected a decline of 349 (−6.7%) from the 5,218 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.

The Borough of Neptune City was incorporated on October 4, 1881, based on a referendum held on March 19, 1881. The boundaries included all of present-day Neptune City, along with what is now Avon-by-the-Sea and the southern portion of Bradley Beach. On March 23, 1900, a bill approved in the New Jersey Legislature created the Borough of Avon-by-the-Sea. On March 13, 1907, the eastern portion of Neptune City was annexed to the Borough of Bradley Beach.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 183. Accessed May 30, 2024. The borough was named for Neptune, the Roman water deity, and its location on the Atlantic Ocean.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 9, 2015.Gannett, Henry. The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States, p. 222. United States Government Printing Office, 1905. Accessed September 9, 2015.

The earliest borough hall was erected in 1902 at the northwest corner of Evergreen Avenue and Railroad Avenue (now Memorial Drive).

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 0.90 square miles (2.32 km2), all of which was land.

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Neptune Heights and Ocean Grove Heights.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.

The borough borders the Monmouth County municipalities of Avon-by-the-Sea, Bradley Beach and Neptune Township.Areas touching Neptune City, MapIt. Accessed March 1, 2020.Regional Location Map, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed March 1, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Demographics

2020 census As of the 2020 census, Neptune City had a population of 4,626. The median age was 46.3 years. 14.8% of residents were under the age of 18 and 19.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 93.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 91.4 males age 18 and over.

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

There were 2,109 households in Neptune City, of which 19.4% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 35.4% were married-couple households, 23.5% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 33.0% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 36.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 2,251 housing units, of which 6.3% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 4.4%.

+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census Race Number Percent White 3,132 67.7% Black or African American 657 14.2% American Indian and Alaska Native 17 0.4% Asian 95 2.1% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 0 0.0% Some other race 319 6.9% Two or more races 406 8.8% Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 644 13.9%

2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 4,869 people, 2,133 households, and 1,220 families in the borough. The population density was 5,105.0 per square mile (1,971.1/km2). There were 2,312 housing units at an average density of 2,424.0 per square mile (935.9/km2). The racial makeup was 78.00% (3,798) White, 10.62% (517) Black or African American, 0.23% (11) Native American, 4.46% (217) Asian, 0.02% (1) Pacific Islander, 3.88% (189) from other races, and 2.79% (136) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.08% (491) of the population.

Of the 2,133 households, 22.4% had children under the age of 18; 38.8% were married couples living together; 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present and 42.8% were non-families. Of all households, 35.8% were made up of individuals and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.95.

18.4% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 31.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.1 years. For every 100 females, the population had 89.5 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 86.9 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $50,154 (with a margin of error of +/− $14,050) and the median family income was $72,313 (+/− $16,796). Males had a median income of $48,257 (+/− $3,972) versus $43,365 (+/− $7,250) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $31,172 (+/− $2,830). About 3.0% of families and 5.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.7% of those under age 18 and 5.5% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Neptune City borough, Monmouth County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 31, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 5,218 people, 2,221 households, and 1,330 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 2,342 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 83.38% White, 9.52% African American, 0.23% Native American, 2.72% Asian, 2.11% from other races, and 2.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.31% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Neptune City borough, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 31, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Neptune City borough, Monmouth County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 31, 2012.

There were 2,221 households, out of which 25.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.0% were married couples living together, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.1% were non-families. 33.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 21.5% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 31.7% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.2 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $43,451, and the median income for a family was $46,393. Males had a median income of $39,578 versus $34,044 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $22,191. About 5.0% of families and 5.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.8% of those under age 18 and 8.3% of those age 65 or over. Parks and recreation The Neptune City Community Center offers a recreation center with a gym, game room, exercise room, computer room, TV room and a special occasion room.Home page, Neptune City Community Center. Accessed July 31, 2012.

Neptune City has four parks: Memorial Park, located along the Shark River; Laird Avenue Park, the first playground built in Neptune City; Joe Freda Park, located on Third Avenue; and Adams Field, located on West Sylvania Avenue.Parks and Playgrounds, Borough of Neptune City. Accessed January 30, 2025.

Government

Local government Neptune City 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. 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.2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 58. The borough form of government used by Neptune City 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, March 2007. Accessed January 1, 2025."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey" , p. 6. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.

, the mayor of the Borough of Neptune City is Democrat Rachel McGreevy, whose term of office ends December 31, 2027. Members of the Neptune City Borough Council are Council President Glen Kocsis (D, 2026), Kimberly Karalovich (D, 2027), Gail L. Oliver (D, 2027), Danielle Pappas (R, 2025), Pamela Renee (D, 2026) and Brian J. Thomas (R, 2025).Mayor and Council, Borough of Neptune City. Accessed January 30, 2025.2024 Municipal Data Sheet, Borough of Neptune City. Accessed January 30, 2025.November 5, 2024 General Election Official Results, Monmouth County, New Jersey, updated December 16, 2024. Accessed January 1, 2025.November 8, 2023 General Election Official Results, Monmouth County, New Jersey, updated January 18, 2024. Accessed January 22, 2024.General Election November 8, 2022 Official Results, Monmouth County, New Jersey Clerk, updated December 27, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.

With Republican Richard Pryor and Democrat Michael Skudera tied at 602 votes after the November 2015 general election for the second of two seats,November 3, 2015 General Election Official Results, Monmouth County, New Jersey, updated January 27, 2016. Accessed July 14, 2016. the two candidates faced off in a March 2016 special election, won by Pryor by a 511–478 margin.Neptune City Special Municipal Election March 22, 2016, Monmouth County, New Jersey, updated March 24, 2016. Accessed July 18, 2016.

Federal, state, and county representation Neptune City is located in the 6th Congressional District2022 Redistricting Plan, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 8, 2022. and is part of New Jersey's 11th state legislative district.Municipalities Sorted by 2011-2020 Legislative District, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed February 1, 2020.2019 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed October 30, 2019.Districts by Number for 2011-2020, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 6, 2013.

Politics