Freehold, NJ

Located near the Jersey Shore, Freehold, NJ invites discovery. Though only home to nearly 13,000 residents, the township boasts an engaging array of attractions and rich history within its borders. 

Distinguished by rolling farmland, a quaint Victorian charm, and a rich revolutionary history, Freehold has unique character unlike typical suburban towns.

Population

As of 2023, Freehold has a population of around 12,500 residents. The population growth rate from 2010-2020 is modest at 0.5% annually. The median age of Freehold residents is 36.3 years old. 

The median household income varies slightly between the two municipalities, at around $130,685 in Freehold Township and $62,942 in Freehold Borough. The overall poverty rate sits at around 10.55% across Freehold. According to census data, about 70% of current residents were born in the United States, with the Hispanic and Asian populations growing in recent years.

Racial Distribution

Race/Ethnicity	Percentage of Population
White (Non-Hispanic)	37.7%
White (Hispanic)	22.2%
Other (Hispanic)	19.5%
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)	11.5%
Asian	1.97%
Other (Non-Hispanic)	0.83%

History

Freehold has a long and fascinating history dating back to the late 1600s. Dutch settlers arrived in the 1660s, followed by Scottish and English immigrants. Freehold Township was formally established in 1693, among the first towns chartered in Monmouth County.

In 1708, Freehold began serving as the county seat. It was known as Monmouth Courthouse during the early colonial period. In the 19th century, Freehold grew rapidly with the arrival of the railroad in 1852, allowing farmers to more easily transport goods to market. Freehold Borough separated politically from the township in 1919 but remained the county seat. Today, Freehold proudly celebrates over 325 years of rich history.

Education

Freehold has two K-8 school districts - Freehold Borough with 1,657 students, and larger Freehold Township with 3,572 students. Both districts have student-teacher ratios close to 11:1. State test proficiency rates vary slightly between the districts, with around 35-53% of students scoring as proficient in reading, and 12-35% in math.

These districts feed into the regional Freehold Regional High School District for grades 9-12. With six high schools across several municipalities, this district serves over 8,000 students with a wide array of academic, extracurricular, and sports programs to prepare them for the future. Overall, Freehold-area students rank close to the state average in terms of test scores and educational outcomes.

Freehold High School can either refer to Freehold Borough High School or Freehold Township High School. Nationally, the two are ranked 3,207 and 3,461, respectively. Test proficiency rates are fairly low compared to the rest of New Jersey. 

Healthcare

CentraState Medical Center is the flagship hospital in Freehold, a 501-bed nonprofit serving the area since 1925. As the largest provider, they offer inpatient and outpatient services at their facility.

For short or long-term rehabilitation, locals praise Manor Health and Rehabilitation Center’s cozy 120-bed setting within the CentraState system. They support patients’ healing journeys around the clock. 

While Monmouth Medical Center is about a 16-mile trip, its major hospital credentials including a children’s hospital and cancer center make them a reliable alternate option.

Transportation

Several major highways run through Freehold to provide car access around Monmouth County and beyond. These include US Route 9, Route 33, Route 79, and Route 537, connecting to Jersey Shore beaches, New York City, and Philadelphia. Freehold Township is served by Academy Bus Lines express routes into Manhattan.

Most of the highways mentioned experience heavy congestion and delays during rush hour periods on weekdays. On average, commute times for Freehold residents take over 1 hour to nearby states like NYC and Philadelphia due to traffic. 

Points of Interest

• Monmouth County Courthouse. Built in the 1950s, the Battle of Monmouth Monument stands before the courthouse.
• Historic Downtown Freehold. Characterized by its striking Victorian architecture and sites about the Revolutionary War like the Monmouth County Courthouse and Monmouth Battlefield State Park. Visitors can shop, dine, and learn about history.
• Freehold Raceway. You'll find harness racing of trotters and pacers happening live throughout the year. Folks can also catch simulcasts of top thoroughbred and harness events from tracks across the U.S. and Canada on the track's large screens.
• Turkey Swamp Park for nature lovers exploring trails.  The park features over 8 miles of trails, a 17-acre lake, and a playground.
• Freehold Raceway Mall. A large shopping center in Freehold, NJ, featuring a wide variety of popular stores, including Apple, Macy's, and Primark, as well as a food court and movie theater. 
• There are also numerous arts and cultural events being held annually, including productions by Freehold Borough Arts Council, the annual Freehold Township Day festival, and Farmers Market.