Living in Middletown, NJ: A Local’s Guide
Middletown is one of the largest towns in Monmouth County, with about 67,000 residents spread across more than a dozen distinct sections, from the Bayshore waterfront in Belford and Leonardo to the wooded roads of Navesink and Locust. It offers a train station and ferry service to New York City, its own public school district, and some of the county’s best parks.
Christina grew up here, and we help buyers and sellers in every corner of the township. Here is what to know.
Middletown at a glance
| Population | 67,106 (2020 U.S. Census) |
| Size | About 41 square miles of land, plus nearly 18 square miles of water |
| County | Monmouth County, New Jersey |
| Public schools | Middletown Township Public Schools (pre-K to 12), including Middletown High School North and Middletown High School South |
| Train | Middletown station on NJ Transit’s North Jersey Coast Line, with service to New York Penn Station |
| Ferry | NY Waterway from Belford to Midtown Manhattan; SeaStreak from nearby Highlands to Lower Manhattan and East 35th Street |
| Highways | Garden State Parkway (Exits 109 and 114), Route 35 and Route 36 |
| Established | 1693, one of New Jersey’s oldest townships |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau and Middletown Township. Ferry schedules and routes change, so check with the operator before you plan a commute.
Middletown neighborhoods
Middletown is not one neighborhood but many. Each section has its own feel, housing styles and price range.
- Lincroft: an inland section near Thompson Park and Brookdale Community College, with many single-family homes on larger lots.
- Navesink and Locust: wooded, hilly roads near the Navesink River, Huber Woods Park and Hartshorne Woods Park, with some of the township’s larger properties.
- River Plaza: close to the Red Bank border and the Navesink River, with easy access to Red Bank’s downtown and train station.
- Belford, Leonardo and Port Monmouth: Bayshore communities along Sandy Hook Bay, with water views, marinas, the Belford ferry and a wide range of home styles and prices.
- New Monmouth, Chapel Hill, North Middletown, Fairview and Oak Hill: established residential sections close to shopping, schools and the Route 35 and Route 36 corridors.
Neighborhood-by-neighborhood guides are coming soon. In the meantime, ask us about any section of town.
Commuting to New York City
Middletown is one of the more commuter-friendly towns at the Jersey Shore. Rail commuters use Middletown station on the North Jersey Coast Line. Ferry commuters can take NY Waterway from Belford to Midtown Manhattan, a trip of roughly 50 minutes, or SeaStreak from neighboring Highlands to Lower Manhattan. Drivers have quick access to the Garden State Parkway.
If commute time matters, tell us where you work and we will help you compare neighborhoods by drive time, train and ferry access.
Schools
Middletown Township Public Schools serve students from pre-K through 12th grade across 16 schools, with two high schools: Middletown High School North and Middletown High School South. Monmouth County’s High Technology High School, a public magnet school, is located in Lincroft on the Brookdale Community College campus. Private options include Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft.
School assignments depend on the address, so always confirm with the district for a specific home.
Parks and things to do
- Thompson Park in Lincroft: trails, playing fields, a lake and the county’s visitor center.
- Hartshorne Woods Park and Huber Woods Park: miles of wooded hiking and mountain biking trails near the Navesink River.
- Poricy Park: nature trails and a well-known fossil bed.
- Deep Cut Gardens: a public horticultural garden.
- Bayshore waterfront: marinas, fishing and views of Sandy Hook Bay and the New York skyline.
Property taxes in Middletown
Like most of New Jersey, property taxes are a real part of the monthly cost of owning a home here. Taxes vary widely by assessed value, so we pull the actual tax bill for every home you are considering, and help sellers explain taxes clearly to buyers.
Questions people ask about Middletown
Is Middletown, NJ a good place to live for NYC commuters?
Many commuters choose Middletown because it has both a NJ Transit train station and ferry options from Belford and nearby Highlands, plus direct Garden State Parkway access.
How big is Middletown, NJ?
Middletown covers about 41 square miles of land and had 67,106 residents in the 2020 Census, making it one of the largest towns in Monmouth County.
What school district serves Middletown?
Middletown Township Public Schools, which runs 16 schools from pre-K through 12th grade, including Middletown High School North and South.
Thinking about buying or selling in Middletown?
Call or text Christina at (732) 546-4676, or send us a message. We would love to help you find your place in Middletown.