Ocean County · New Jersey
Barnegat Township
Barnegat is a mainland Ocean County community where historic village streets, Barnegat Bay access, Pinelands landscapes, wildlife habitat and established residential neighborhoods meet.
The township combines a long maritime and boat-building history with the Municipal Dock, historic East Bay Avenue, Cloverdale Farm County Park, the Barnegat Branch Trail, recreation and convenient access to Long Beach Island and southern Ocean County.
Barnegat at a Glance
24,296population recorded in the 2020 U.S. Census
26,151U.S. Census Bureau estimate for July 1, 2025
31.1%of residents age 65 or older in current Census QuickFacts
Bay to Pineshistoric village, bayfront recreation, neighborhoods and protected inland landscapes
Signature Barnegat Experiences
Barnegat Municipal DockAt 427 East Bay Avenue, the township bayfront offers a boat launch, fishing, crabbing, picnic space, restrooms and seasonal dock concerts.
Historic Barnegat VillageMain Street and Bay Avenue preserve the community's seafaring, commercial and residential history, including significant eighteenth- and nineteenth-century buildings.
Cloverdale Farm County ParkA 90-acre historic cranberry farm with a visitors center, 1.4-mile self-guided nature trail, birding, fishing, photography and environmental education.
Barnegat Branch TrailThe Ocean County rail-to-trail begins in Barnegat and provides a bicycle and pedestrian connection northward along the former railroad corridor.
Understanding Barnegat
Barnegat Township is the mainland municipality in southern Ocean County centered around Route 9, West Bay Avenue and East Bay Avenue. It should not be confused with Barnegat Light, the separate borough on the northern end of Long Beach Island.
Historic CoreBarnegat VillageThe Main Street/Route 9 and Bay Avenue area contains many of the township's older homes, churches, shops and historic resources.
BayfrontEast Bay Avenue & Municipal DockThe road continues from the village toward Barnegat Bay, the public dock, boating, fishing, crabbing and waterfront recreation.
ResidentialBarnegat Boulevard & NeighborhoodsSchools, parks and residential developments extend north and south of West Bay Avenue and Route 9.
Western TownshipPinelands & Open SpaceLarge areas west of the developed core retain forest, wetlands, cranberry-farming history and protected wildlife habitat.
History & Maritime Heritage
The Barnegat name is tied to early Dutch exploration of the New Jersey coast. Township history traces the name to “Barende-gat,” referring to an inlet with breakers, which gradually evolved into the modern spelling of Barnegat.
Lenape PresenceLong before European settlement, Lenape people used the shore and inland areas seasonally for fishing, shellfish gathering and other resources.
Early SettlementEuropean settlement developed during the eighteenth century, with homes and farms established near local creeks and Barnegat Bay.
Quaker Meeting HouseThe Barnegat Friends Meeting House on East Bay Avenue dates to the eighteenth century and is among the township's most important surviving historic buildings.
Seaport & ShipbuildingFishing, maritime commerce, glassmaking and boat building played major roles in the development of Barnegat Village.
Barnegat SneakboxLocal boat builder J.H. Perrine became associated with the Barnegat sneakbox, a low-profile hunting and sailing boat whose reputation extended far beyond the township.
Historic DistrictThe core around Main Street and Bay Avenue contains a large concentration of eighteenth-, nineteenth- and early twentieth-century residential, commercial and religious buildings.
Explore local history: The Barnegat Historical Society's Heritage Village on East Bay Avenue preserves artifacts, photographs and stories connected with the township's seafaring and community history.
Barnegat Bay, Municipal Dock & Bathing Beach
Barnegat's eastern edge reaches Barnegat Bay and remains closely connected with boating, crabbing, fishing and waterfront recreation.
Municipal Dock427 East Bay Avenue offers a public boat launch, fishing and crabbing access, picnic space, bathrooms and seasonal concert programming.
Seasonal PermitsThe Township Recreation Department provides current municipal launch and seasonal fishing/crabbing permit information.
Barnegat Bathing BeachThe township maintains a bay bathing beach and currently states that beach badges are not required.
Meadowedge ParkA passive park with marsh views, a gazebo, wildlife observation and kayak access.
Waterfront conditions change: Check current Township recreation information for permits, seasonal facilities, concerts and any weather- or water-related advisories.
Parks, Trails & Open Space
Cloverdale Farm County ParkOcean County preserves this 90-acre historic cranberry farm at 34 Cloverdale Road. The park includes a visitors center, self-guided nature trail, fishing, birding, photography and environmental programs.
Barnegat Branch TrailThe rail-trail's southern end is in Barnegat Township and connects bicyclists and pedestrians northward through Ocean County along the former railroad corridor.
Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife RefugeThe Barnegat Division protects marshes and wildlife habitat associated with the Barnegat Bay ecosystem.
Township PlaygroundsBeverly Drive, Bowline/Bilge, Village Drive, Georgetown Boulevard, First Street and other recreation areas provide playgrounds, basketball courts and picnic space.
Project PlaygroundA larger township recreation area with multiple playgrounds, swings, picnic space and a reservable gazebo pavilion.
Skate Park & Recreation CenterTownship facilities include a skate park plus playground, fitness equipment and picnic space at the municipal complex.
Recreation & Community Events
Barnegat Recreation offers programs, events and activities for residents of different ages throughout the year.
Summer ConcertsSeasonal concerts are part of the Township's waterfront and community recreation calendar.
Pirates DayA signature community event celebrating Barnegat's maritime identity and downtown history.
Farmers MarketSeasonal market programming brings local vendors and community activity to the township.
Family ProgramsFamily Fun Nights, dances, holiday programming and other recreation events are scheduled through the Recreation Department.
Special Needs ProgramsThe Recreation Department provides dedicated special-needs programming and maintains a Recreation Disability Advisory Board.
Youth & Community SportsLocal sports organizations and recreation facilities support baseball, soccer, basketball and other activities.
Education
The Barnegat Township School District currently serves the community through six public schools.
Barnegat High School180 Bengal Boulevard
Russell O. Brackman Middle School600 Barnegat Boulevard North
Robert L. Horbelt School104 Burr Street
Joseph T. Donahue School200 Bengal Boulevard
Cecil S. Collins School570 Barnegat Boulevard North
Lillian M. Dunfee School128 Barnegat Boulevard South
School information changes: Confirm registration, grade configuration, transportation, calendars and school assignment directly with the Barnegat Township School District.
Ocean County Library — Barnegat Branch
The Barnegat Branch is located at 112 Burr Street and serves as an important resource for books, digital collections, programs, research, technology and lifelong learning.
Current Branch HoursMonday 9–5; Tuesday through Thursday 9–9; Friday and Saturday 9–5; Sunday closed.
Children & TeensStorytimes, crafts, reading programs, educational events and teen activities are offered throughout the year.
Adult LearningPrograms can include book discussions, technology help and educational workshops.
Countywide ResourcesPatrons can use the broader Ocean County Library system, including digital materials and museum-pass programs.
Government & Municipal Services
Barnegat operates under New Jersey's Township Committee form of government. A five-member Township Committee provides governing-body oversight while municipal departments handle day-to-day services.
Barnegat Municipal Complex900 West Bay Avenue
Barnegat, NJ 08005
609-698-0080
Barnegat, NJ 08005
609-698-0080
Municipal Office HoursCurrent Township office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Township DepartmentsAdministration, Clerk, Construction, Code Enforcement, Emergency Management, Municipal Court, Planning/Zoning, Police, Public Works, Recreation, Tax offices and Water/Sewer Utility.
Boards & CommissionsPlanning, zoning, environmental, historic preservation, economic development, shade tree and other local boards support municipal planning and community life.
Shopping, Dining & Local Business
Route 9 / Main StreetThe principal north-south commercial corridor combines neighborhood businesses, services, restaurants and historic properties.
West Bay AvenueRetail, professional services, schools and municipal facilities extend west from Route 9 toward the Garden State Parkway and inland neighborhoods.
East Bay AvenueThe historic corridor links Barnegat Village with the bayfront and includes local businesses, churches, historic resources and waterfront access.
Nearby Stafford & ManahawkinLarger shopping centers, Route 72 businesses and additional regional services are a short drive south of Barnegat.
Looking for individual businesses? Use NJTGO's dedicated Barnegat Business & Shopping and Food & Drink pages. Basic listings do not include direct external business website links; website links and enhanced visibility are paid features.
Transportation & Regional Access
Garden State ParkwayThe Parkway provides the main north-south highway connection through southern Ocean County.
U.S. Route 9Route 9 serves as Barnegat's historic Main Street and remains a major local commercial and regional travel corridor.
Route 72Just south in Stafford, Route 72 provides the principal road connection to Long Beach Island and west toward Burlington County.
Barnegat Branch TrailThe county trail provides a non-motorized north-south route for bicycling and walking from Barnegat toward communities farther north.
Official & Community Resources
Barnegat TownshipDepartments, meetings, forms, services, notices and community information.
History of BarnegatEarly settlement, maritime activity, historic buildings and the Barnegat sneakbox.
Barnegat RecreationPrograms, events, permits, sports contacts and special-needs programs.
Barnegat Parks & PlaygroundsMunicipal Dock, bathing beach, Meadowedge Park, playgrounds and park amenities.
Barnegat Township School DistrictSchools, calendars, Board of Education and district services.
Ocean County Library — Barnegat BranchCurrent branch hours, address and library information.
Cloverdale Farm County ParkPark hours, visitors center, nature trail and Ocean County information.
Ocean County Parks & TrailsBarnegat Branch Trail, Cloverdale Farm and county park brochures and maps.
Barnegat Township CommitteeGoverning body information and meeting dates.
Nearby Communities
Waretown North of Barnegat in Ocean Township, with Wells Mills County Park, Route 9 businesses and additional Barnegat Bay access.
Manahawkin South of Barnegat and the commercial center of Stafford Township, with Route 72 shopping and the mainland gateway to Long Beach Island.
Stafford Township Immediately south of Barnegat with major retail, healthcare, recreation and transportation connections.
Long Beach Island Barrier-island beaches, communities and attractions are reached via Route 72 through Manahawkin.
Explore More of Barnegat on NJTGO
Business & ShoppingLocal shops, services and commercial corridors.
Food & DrinkRestaurants, cafés, bakeries, markets and local dining.
Real EstateNeighborhoods, buying, selling, rentals, taxes, zoning and property resources.
Visiting & LodgingHistoric Barnegat, bayfront, parks, trails, itineraries and accommodations.
ClassifiedsCommunity notices, local postings and items for sale.
Jobs & EmploymentLocal employment sectors and job-search resources.
Promote Your Barnegat Business or Organization
Reach residents and visitors through NJTGO's Barnegat page set. Basic directory listings may include a business or organization name, category, address and phone number. Website links, expanded descriptions, logos, photos, featured placement and broader promotional visibility are available through paid advertising options.
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