Keyport is a borough and near ghost-town in northern Monmouth County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. A waterfront community located on the Raritan Bay in the Raritan Valley region, the borough is a commuter town of New York City in the New York metropolitan area.Capuzzo, Jill P. "Living In; Keyport, N.J.: A ‘Hidden Gem’ on the Jersey Coast", The New York Times, Published: August 24, 2022. Accessed May 14, 2023. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 7,204, a decrease of 36 (−0.5%) from the 2010 census count of 7,240, which in turn reflected a decline of 328 (−4.3%) from the 7,568 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. Keyport's nickname is the "Pearl of the Bayshore" or the "Gateway to the Bayshore".Monmouth County at a Glance 2006 , Monmouth County, New Jersey, pg. 24, accessed December 5, 2006.

Keyport was originally formed as a town on March 17, 1870, from portions of Raritan Township (now Hazlet). On April 2, 1908, the Borough of Keyport was formed, replacing Keyport Town.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 181. Accessed May 29, 2024.

Keyport was part of the Bayshore Regional Strategic Plan, an effort by nine municipalities in northern Monmouth County to reinvigorate the area's economy by emphasizing the traditional downtowns, dense residential neighborhoods, maritime history, and the natural Raritan Bayshore coastline. The plan has since been integrated into the 2016 Monmouth County Master Plan.2016 Monmouth County Master Plan,Monmouth County, New Jersey, adopted October 17, 2016. Accessed December 5, 2025. According to the Monmouth County Master Plan, Keyport is one of eight municipalities that has been designated as an Arts, Cultural, and Entertainment (ACE) Hub, which is defined as municipalities that have a high concentration of arts and cultural activities to serve as a destination for both visitors and locals, usually including an active nightlife scene in proximity to said cultural activities.

History The Great Fire of September 21, 1877, caused significant damage to Keyport, including extensive sections of the main business district. A total of 31 buildings were destroyed, resulting in losses from the fire of $160,000 (equivalent to $ in ). Local firefighters only had access to water from a cistern and could not pump water directly from the nearby Raritan Bay."A Village Desolated.; Destructive Fire At Keyport, N.J. The Business Portion Of The Town Destroyed Thirty-One Buildings Burned The Losses Estimated At $160,000. A Curious Motive For Arson An Elevated Road For Brooklyn A Brace Of River Pirates Captured", The New York Times, September 23, 1877. Accessed December 6, 2025. Properties destroyed in the fire included the boyhood home of Garret Hobart, future Vice President of the United States.Gallo, Tom; Regan, Tim; and McTernan, Jim. Keyport Firefighting, p. 11. Arcadia Publishing, 2009. . Accessed December 6, 2025. "Great Fire, Looking East: The cellars of the West Front Street stores are all that remained by Saturday morning of September 22, 1877. In the background are the remains of Vice Pres. Garret Hobart's childhood home, which stood on Broad Street."

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 1.46 square miles (3.77 km2), including 1.38 square miles (3.58 km2) of land and 0.07 square miles (0.19 km2) of water (5.07%).

The borough borders Union Beach (which shares the same postal zip code) and the townships of Aberdeen and Hazlet to the northeast, southwest and southeast respectively.Areas touching Keyport, MapIt. Accessed February 25, 2020.Regional Location Map, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed February 25, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Keyport had a population of 7,204. The median age was 43.6 years. 17.7% of residents were under the age of 18 and 19.0% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 93.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 92.9 males age 18 and over.

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

There were 3,202 households in Keyport, of which 22.5% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 35.6% were married-couple households, 23.5% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 32.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 38.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 3,427 housing units, of which 6.6% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.9%.

+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census Race Number Percent White 5,015 69.6% Black or African American 426 5.9% American Indian and Alaska Native 30 0.4% Asian 227 3.2% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 1 0.0% Some other race 710 9.9% Two or more races 795 11.0% Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 1,572 21.8% 2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 7,240 people, 3,067 households, and 1,693 families in the borough. The population density was 5,188.4 per square mile (2,003.3/km2). There were 3,272 housing units at an average density of 2,344.8 per square mile (905.3/km2). The racial makeup was 80.00% (5,792) White, 7.20% (521) Black or African American, 0.28% (20) Native American, 2.38% (172) Asian, 0.03% (2) Pacific Islander, 7.62% (552) from other races, and 2.50% (181) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 18.26% (1,322) of the population.

Of the 3,067 households, 23.4% had children under the age of 18; 39.7% were married couples living together; 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present and 44.8% were non-families. Of all households, 37.3% were made up of individuals and 19.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 3.15.

19.8% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 27.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.5 years. For every 100 females, the population had 97.2 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 95.6 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $56,509 (with a margin of error of +/− $7,915) and the median family income was $82,714 (+/− $13,757). Males had a median income of $56,156 (+/− $6,693) versus $41,782 (+/− $4,326) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $28,545 (+/− $2,210). About 4.9% of families and 9.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.6% of those under age 18 and 8.0% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Keyport borough, Monmouth County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 10, 2012.

2000 census At the 2000 United States census, there were 7,568 people, 3,264 households and 1,798 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 3,400 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 85.2% White, 7.0% African American, 0.12% Native American, 2.22% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 2.96% from other races, and 2.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.09% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Keyport borough , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 10, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Keyport borough, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 10, 2012.

There were 3,264 households, of which 25.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.4% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.9% were non-families. 38.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 3.11.

21.8% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 33.2% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 93.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.8 males.

The median household income was $43,869 and the median family income was $58,176. Males had a median income of $40,324 compared with $34,036 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $23,288. About 4.9% of families and 7.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.7% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Keyport is known for its oyster industry, which had been one of the world's largest suppliers until overfishing and pollution led to a collapse of the industry in the early to mid 20th century.Bria, Amy. "Oysters returned to bay in Keyport", Asbury Park Press, July 9, 2001. Accessed July 10, 2012. "Eighty years ago, Keyport produced more oysters for market than almost anywhere else in the world. But pollution and overfishing led to the depletion of the oyster in Raritan Bay off the shore of Keyport." In August 2010, NY/NJ Baykeeper suspended an effort to recreate the oyster reefs in Keyport's Raritan Bay after the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection cited concerns that the oysters could be harvested and sold to the public despite the persistent heavy pollution in the water after concerns had been raised by the United States Food and Drug Administration that patrols were insufficient to ensure that the oysters in the reef were not being harvested.Perez-Pena, Richard. "New Jersey Halts Oyster Restoration Project", The New York Times, August 9, 2010. Accessed July 10, 2012. "A decade of efforts to restore marine life to the polluted Raritan Bay suffered a serious setback on Monday when, under orders from the state, an environmental group pulled up the oysters it had cultivated there.But after years of wrangling with the State Department of Environmental Protection, the group, NY/NJ Baykeeper, said it was not surrendering, just beating a tactical retreat."

It was the home of the Aeromarine Plane and Motor Company which operated from 1914 to 1930 and built seaplanes for the United States Navy during World War I. Its planes were mostly military seaplanes and flying boats, including aircraft that offered some of the first scheduled air service using seaplanes.Staff. "Keyport: A brief history", Asbury Park Press, March 16, 2000. Accessed July 10, 2012. "Aeromarine Plane and Motor Co. opens a factory in Keyport. It manufactures training planes for the Navy, so-called 'flying boats' used in the first sea-plane passenger service, and the first torpedo bomber."