Spring Lake is a borough located on the Jersey Shore in Monmouth County, New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 2,789. This was a decrease of 204 people, or 6.8%, compared to the 2010 census count of 2,993. The 2010 count was also lower than the 2000 census count of 3,567 by 574 people, or 16.1%.

In 2010, New Jersey Monthly magazine ranked Spring Lake as the 240th best place to live in New Jersey.

In 2012, Forbes.com listed Spring Lake as the 187th most expensive ZIP code in America. The median home price there was $1,190,586.

History

Spring Lake was created as a borough by a law passed by the New Jersey Legislature on March 14, 1892, from parts of Wall Township, after a vote by the people on March 8, 1892. On February 24, 1903, the borough of North Spring Lake was added to Spring Lake. The borough was named for a clear lake that is fed by a spring.

During the "Gilded Age" of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Spring Lake became a coastal resort for wealthy people from New York City and Philadelphia, similar to places like Newport, Rhode Island, and Bar Harbor, Maine. A surviving example of buildings from this time is the Martin Maloney Cottage on Morris Avenue, near the tycoon's former Ballingarry Estate, which no longer exists. Another example of historic architecture, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is the Audenried Cottage on Tuttle Avenue.

Marquis Martin Maloney, the owner of the Ballingarry Estate, built St. Catharine Roman Catholic Church on a hill overlooking Spring Lake. The church's cornerstone was placed on St. Patrick's Day in 1901.

The second person killed in the Jersey Shore shark attacks of 1916 was Charles Bruder, a 27-year-old Swiss bellhop at the Essex and Sussex Hotel. He was killed on July 6, 1916, while swimming about 130 yards (120 meters) from shore in Spring Lake. The attacks happened between July 1 and July 12, 1916, along 80 miles (130 kilometers) of Atlantic Ocean coastline. These events are often said to have inspired the book Jaws by Peter Benchley and the movie by Steven Spielberg, though Benchley denied this connection.

Spring Lake and its surrounding area are known as the "Irish Riviera" because of the large number of Irish-American residents in the area. Spring Lake has the highest percentage of Irish-American residents of any town in the United States.

The Spring Lake 5 Mile Run, first held in 1977, is a race that circles the borough, starting and ending at the beachfront. In 2014, 10,360 people finished the race out of 12,500 who signed up, making it the largest 5-mile race in the country. In 2015, the race was listed among the top 100 races in America by Runner's World magazine.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 1.75 square miles (4.52 km²), including 1.33 square miles (3.45 km²) of land and 0.41 square miles (1.07 km²) of water (23.60%).

Wreck Pond is a tidal pond located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by Wall Township and the boroughs of Spring Lake, Spring Lake Heights, and Sea Girt. It covers an area of 28 acres (11 hectares). The Wreck Pond watershed covers about 12 square miles (31 km²) in eastern Monmouth County.

The borough borders the Monmouth County municipalities of Belmar, Lake Como, Sea Girt, Spring Lake Heights, and Wall Township.

North Spring Lake was an independent borough established in 1884, which included the northern portion of Spring Lake. The borough was dissolved, and its territory was added to Spring Lake in 1903.

Demographics

The 2010 United States census counted 2,993 people, 1,253 households, and 829 families in the borough. The population density was 2,250.8 people per square mile (869.0/km²). There were 2,048 housing units at an average density of 1,540.2 per square mile (594.7/km²). The racial makeup was 97.63% (2,922) White, 0.27% (8) Black or African American, 0.03% (1) Native American, 1.00% (30) Asian, 0.03% (1) Pacific Islander, 0.50% (15) from other races, and 0.53% (16) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.90% (57) of the population.

Of the 1,253 households, 22.6% had children under the age of 18; 56.8% were married couples living together; 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% were non-families. Of all households, 31.3% were made up of individuals, and 19.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38, and the average family size was 3.01.

21.6% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 12.2% from 25 to 44, 33.2% from 45 to 64, and 27.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 51.9 years. For every 100 females, the population had 89.3 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 83.9 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) the median household income was $97,885 (with a margin of error of ±$16,792), and the median family income was $150,156 (±$39,466). Males had a median income of $106,853 (±$30,491) versus $68,750 (±$15,695) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $71,661 (±$14,582). About 2.2% of families and 2.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 2.0% of those age 65 or over.

As of the 2000 United States census, there were 3,567 people, 1,463 households, and 983 families residing in the borough. The population density was 2,723.8 inhabitants per square mile (1,051.7/km²). There were 1,930 housing units at an average density of 1,473.7 per square mile (569.0/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 98.77% White, 0.34% African American, 0.28% Asian, 0.11% from other races, and 0.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.73% of the population.

There were 1,463 households, out of which 23.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.8% were married couples living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% were non-families. 29.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43, and the average family size was 3.03.

In the borough, the population was spread out, with 21.8% under the age of 18, 4.5% from 18 to 24, 19.6% from 25 to 44, 28.9% from 45 to 64, and 25.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.2 males.

As of 2008, the median income for a household in the borough was $115,709. Males had a median income of $88,924 versus $41,000 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $59,445. None of the families and 2.6% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and 6.6% of those over 64.

39.4% of Spring Lake residents identified as being of Irish American ancestry in the 2000 Census, the highest percentage of Irish Americans of any place in the United States.

Government

Spring Lake uses the borough form of government, which is the most common type in New Jersey. This form of government is used by 218 of the state’s 564 municipalities. The governing body includes a mayor and a borough council. All positions are elected by voters in November elections based on political parties. The mayor is chosen directly by voters and serves a four-year term. The borough council has six members who serve three-year terms. Two council seats are up for election each year over a three-year cycle. Spring Lake’s government is a "weak mayor/strong council" system. The council acts as the legislative body, and the mayor presides at meetings. The mayor can only vote if there is a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances, but the council can override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote. The mayor assigns committee and liaison roles for council members and makes most appointments with the council’s approval.

As of 2025, the mayor of Spring Lake is Jennifer Naughton (Democrat), whose term ends on December 31, 2027. The borough council members are Joseph T. Erbe Jr. (Republican, 2025), Edwin J. Hale (Republican, 2025), Brendan Judge (Republican, 2026), Kathleen McDonough (Republican, 2027), Matthew Q. Sagui (Republican, 2026), and Syd Whalley (Democrat, 2027).

Spring Lake is located in New Jersey’s 4th Congressional District and is part of the state’s 10th legislative district. For the 119th United States Congress, New Jersey’s 4th congressional district is represented by Chris Smith (Republican, Manchester Township). New Jersey’s U.S. Senators are Cory Booker (Democrat, Newark, term ends 2027) and Andy Kim (Democrat, Moorestown, term ends 2031).

For the 2026–2027 session, New Jersey’s 10th legislative district is represented in the State Senate by James W. Holzapfel (Republican, Toms River) and in the General Assembly by Paul Kanitra (Republican, Point Pleasant Beach) and Gregory P. McGuckin (Republican, Toms River).

Monmouth County is governed by a Board of County Commissioners with five members. These members are elected at-large and serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with one or two seats up for election each year during November general elections. At an annual meeting in January, the board selects one member as director and another as deputy director.

As of 2025, Monmouth County’s commissioners are Director Thomas A. Arnone (Republican, Neptune City, 2025), Susan M. Kiley (Republican, Hazlet Township, 2027), Erik Anderson (Republican, Shrewsbury, 2026), Nick DiRocco (Republican, Wall Township, 2025), and Deputy Director Ross F. Licitra (Republican, Marlboro Township, 2026).

Constitutional officers elected countywide include Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon (Republican, Ocean Township, 2025), Sheriff Shaun Golden (Republican, Howell Township, 2025), and Surrogate Rosemarie D. Peters (Republican, Middletown Township, 2026).

As of March 2011, Spring Lake had 2,520 registered voters. Of these, 453 (18.0%) were Democrats, 1,104 (43.8%) were Republicans, and 961 (38.1%) were unaffiliated. Two voters were registered as Libertarians or Greens.

In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 70.4% of the vote (1,258 votes), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama (28.7%, 514 votes) and other candidates (0.9%, 16 votes). A total of 1,804 ballots were cast by the borough’s 2,544 registered voters, with a turnout of 70.9%. In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 64.4% of the vote (1,326 votes), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama (32.8%, 676 votes) and other candidates (1.0%, 20 votes). A total of 2,059 ballots were cast by the borough’s 2,692 registered voters, with a turnout of 76.5%. In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 64.0% of the vote (1,427 votes), ahead of Democrat John Kerry (30.1%, 670 votes) and other candidates (1.0%, 30 votes). A total of 2,229 ballots were cast by the borough’s 2,873 registered voters, with a turnout of 77.6%.

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 82.7% of the vote (1,226 votes), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono (15.5%, 230 votes) and other candidates (1.8%, 26 votes). A total of 1,505 ballots were cast by the borough’s 2,542 registered voters, with a turnout of 59.2%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 68.8% of the vote (1,144 votes), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine (23.3%, 388 votes), Independent Chris Daggett (5.7%, 95 votes), and other candidates (0.7%, 11 votes). A total of 1,663 ballots were cast by the borough’s 2,593 registered voters, with a turnout of 64.1%.

Education

The Spring Lake School District is a public school system that provides education for students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade at H. W. Mountz School. In the 2023–24 school year, the district, which has one school, had 142 students and 22.5 full-time classroom teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 6.3:1. During the 2016–17 school year, Spring Lake had the 43rd smallest number of students among school districts in New Jersey, with 197 students. In 2015, H. W. Mountz School was one of 15 schools in New Jersey and one of nine public schools honored as a National Blue Ribbon School in the category of high-performing schools by the United States Department of Education.

Students who attend public high school for grades nine through twelve are assigned to Manasquan High School through a sending/receiving agreement with the Manasquan Public Schools. Manasquan High School also serves students from Avon-by-the-Sea, Belmar, Brielle, Lake Como, Sea Girt, and Spring Lake Heights through similar agreements with those districts. In the 2023–24 school year, Manasquan High School had 945 students and 81.2 full-time classroom teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 11.6:1.

Students may also attend magnet schools in the Monmouth County Vocational School District, including the Marine Academy of Science and Technology, Academy of Allied Health & Science, High Technology High School, Biotechnology High School, and Communications High School.

Spring Lake students are also supported by Saint Catharine School, a Catholic school that provides education for students in grades K–8 and is supervised by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton. In 2018, the school was one of 18 schools in New Jersey recognized by the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program.

Transportation

In May 2010, the borough had 28.19 miles (45.37 km) of roads. Of these, 26.06 miles (41.94 km) were maintained by the local government, and 2.13 miles (3.43 km) were maintained by Monmouth County.

There are no major roads within the borough. The most important roads are smaller county roads, such as County Route 18. Route 71 can be reached in the nearby area of Spring Lake Heights. The Garden State Parkway and Interstate 195 are accessible in the neighboring town of Wall Township.

NJ Transit provides train service at the Spring Lake station. Commuter trains operate on the North Jersey Coast Line, offering both fast and regular service. Diesel trains run from Hoboken Terminal to Bay Head station. Electric trains travel from New York Penn Station to Long Branch station, where the electric tracks end. Stops along the way include Newark Penn Station, Newark Liberty International Airport Station, and Secaucus Junction.

NJ Transit also offers bus service. Buses on the 317 route connect the borough to Philadelphia. Local bus service is available on the 830 route.

Climate

Spring Lake has a humid subtropical climate, which is labeled as Cfa in the Köppen climate classification system. Cfa climates have average temperatures above 32.0 °F (0.0 °C) every month, at least four months with average temperatures of 50.0 °F (10.0 °C) or higher, at least one month with average temperatures of 71.6 °F (22.0 °C) or higher, and similar amounts of rain throughout the year. In the summer, Spring Lake often has a cooling sea breeze in the afternoon. However, there are times when it becomes very hot and humid, with heat index readings reaching 95.0 °F (35.0 °C) or higher. July is typically the wettest month of the year, which is when thunderstorms are most common. In the winter, there are times when it gets very cold and windy, with wind chill temperatures dropping below 0.0 °F (−17.8 °C). Spring Lake Beach is in plant hardiness zone 7a, where the average lowest temperature recorded each year is 3.8 °F (−15.7 °C). The average snowfall from November to April is between 18 to 24 inches (46 to 61 cm). February is usually the snowiest month, which coincides with the highest number of nor'easter storms each year.

Ecology

According to the A. W. Kuchler U.S. potential natural vegetation types, Spring Lake would have an Appalachian Oak (104) vegetation type with an Eastern Hardwood Forest (25) vegetation form.

Popular culture

Spring Lake is the location of the Mary Higgins Clark novel On the Street Where You Live. Scenes from Ulu Grosbard's 1968 film The Subject Was Roses were filmed in Spring Lake. The indie rock band Vampire Weekend filmed a music video for their song "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa" in a home and on the beach in Spring Lake. Spring Lake was used as a substitute for turn-of-the-century Atlantic City, New Jersey, in the 1981 film Ragtime.

In John Frankenheimer's 1962 film The Manchurian Candidate, the character Major Bennett Marco (played by Frank Sinatra) experiences a nightmare set in Spring Lake. In the dream, he and his fellow soldiers attend a lecture by Mrs. Henry Whitaker of the Spring Lake Garden Club. A sign shows the lecture takes place at the fictional "Spring Lake Hotel." Later, the audience realizes the garden club meeting is an illusion, and the soldiers are actually at a meeting of Russian and Chinese officials in Manchuria. The character Mrs. Whitaker is actually Dr. Yen Lo, a Chinese scientist played by Spring Lake native Khigh Dhiegh.