Monthly Archives: October 2022

The Freeholds region, which includes the borough and Freehold Township (which completely surrounds the borough), is a commercial hub for central New Jersey. The borough is located relatively close to the Raritan Bayshore communities to the north, such as The Amboys, Old Bridge, Matawan, Keyport, Keansburg, and Middletown, along with being relatively close to the Tri-City region of Jersey Shore municipalities (and their vicinities) to the east, including Red Bank, Long Branch, and Asbury Park.[26]

New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked Upper Township as its 2nd best place to live in its 2008 rankings of the “Best Places To Live” in New Jersey.[19]

Haddonfield was incorporated by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 6, 1875, within portions of Haddon Township following a referendum on the same day. The borough became an independent municipality in 1894.[22] The borough was named for Elizabeth Haddon, an early settler of the area.[23][24]

Woolwich was formed by royal charter on March 7, 1767 from portions of Greenwich Township and was incorporated as one of New Jersey’s initial 104 townships by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798. Portions of the township were taken to form Franklin Township (January 27, 1820), Spicer Township (March 13, 1844, now known as Harrison Township), West Woolwich Township (March 7, 1877, now known as Logan Township) and Swedesboro (April 9, 1902).[19][20] The township was named for Woolwich, England.[21]

Florham Park was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 9, 1899, from portions of Chatham Township.[21][22] In 2012, Forbes.com listed Florham Park as 440th in its listing of “America’s Most Expensive ZIP Codes”, with a median home price of $675,107.[23] According to usa.com, from 2010–2014, the median home price was $612,400.

The township had the 24th-highest property tax rate in New Jersey, with an equalized rate of 4.285% in 2020, compared to 3.476% in the county as a whole and a statewide average of 2.279%.[23]

Oakland was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 8, 1902, from portions of Franklin Township (now Wyckoff).[21][22] The name comes from the white oak trees in the area.[23]

Lumberton was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 14, 1860, from portions of Medford Township, Southampton Township and Eastampton Township. Portions of the township were taken on March 12, 1924, to form Hainesport.[20] The township was named for its early lumber industry, with pine trees cut down to supply wood used in Philadelphia.[21][22]

Florence was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 7, 1872, from portions of Mansfield Township.[22] The township was named for Florence, Italy.[23]

Red Bank was formed as a town on March 17, 1870, from parts of Shrewsbury Township. On February 14, 1879, Red Bank became Shrewsbury City, part of Shrewsbury Township; this lasted until May 15, 1879, when Red Bank regained its independence. On March 10, 1908, Red Bank was formed as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature and was set off from Shrewsbury Township.[19][20] The borough was named for the red soil along the Navesink River.[21][22]