Tinton Falls, New Jersey


Tinton Falls is a borough in Monmouth County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Located within the heart of the Jersey Shore region, the borough is a commercial hub of Central Jersey and is an established bedroom suburb of New York City, in the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 19,181, an increase of 1,289 from the 2010 census count of 17,892, which in turn reflected an increase of 2,839 from the 15,053 counted in the 2000 census.
The borough was formed as New Shrewsbury by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on August 15, 1950, based on the results of a referendum held on July 18, 1950, after breaking away from Shrewsbury Township. It was renamed "Tinton Falls" in 1975, to avoid postal errors. The name came from Lewis Morris's plantation, Tinton Manor as it featured a gristmill, making it one of New Jersey's earliest bustling mill towns. The borough is home to the highest waterfall on New Jersey's coastal plain, from which the aforementioned mill generated power.

History

The area that is now known as Tinton Falls was originally settled by Europeans in the late 1600s, probably beginning with the initial land purchases from the Lenni Lenape Native Americans in 1664. Water power and iron ore were likely the incentives that encouraged settlement: shortly after , a man by the name of James Grover had an ironworks built along the river. Grover was likely the founder of the community, which, in the 1600s, was named "New Shrewsbury". At this time, the waterfall was known to be about high; erosion and the destruction of the dam near the ironworks have led to its diminishment.

The ironworks

Grover's ironworks was the central fixture of the community, and it was one of the oldest built in the country, predated only by buildings in Jamestown and Massachusetts. In 1675, a half-interest in the ironworks company was purchased by Colonel Lewis Morris, . Morris also obtained land owned by Bartholomew Applegate, who had built a corn mill on the other side of the river. Morris, who procured the land for iron mining, named his holdings "Tintern Manor," after his family lands in Monmouthshire, Great Britain. Tintern Abbey, located in Monmouthshire, Wales, is often accepted as the namesake of Tinton Falls. In 1691, Colonel Morris died, leaving the ironworks and Tinton Manor to his nephew of the same name. By 1714, the ironworks had become less profitable, but mention of a Tinton Falls ironworks can be found as late as 1844. Morris brought in dozens of African slaves to mine the ore resulting in the nickname the "Iron Plantation", with the highest number of slaves being in Tinton Falls at that time in the colony of New Jersey, though in the mid-18th century it had the largest number of emancipated slaves in the 13 colonies, as residents followed the preaching of abolitionist John Woolman.

Separation from Shrewsbury Township

In 1693, Tinton Manor and the surrounding lands were defined as part of Shrewsbury Township. At this time, Shrewsbury included all of the land in eastern Monmouth County, but lost land due to the creation of a large number of new municipalities over the years, including the borough of Shrewsbury in 1926. In July 1950, Tinton Falls and Wayside left Shrewsbury Township, renaming themselves the Borough of New Shrewsbury. To avoid postal confusion and mix-ups with the surrounding borough and township of Shrewsbury, the residents of New Shrewsbury voted to rename the community as "The Borough of Tinton Falls" in 1975.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 15.60 square miles, including 15.48 square miles of land and 0.13 square miles of water.
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the borough include Wayside. Green Grove, Hockhockson, Macedonia, Pine Brook, Reevytown, West Shrewsbury and Wileys Corner are other unincorporated communities located partly or completely within the borough.
The borough borders the Monmouth County municipalities of Colts Neck Township, Eatontown, Middletown Township, Neptune Township, Ocean Township, Red Bank, Shrewsbury, Shrewsbury Township and Wall Township.

Demographics

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 17,892 people, 8,355 households, and 4,462 families in the borough. The population density was. There were 8,766 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup was 82.39% White, 9.34% Black or African American, 0.13% Native American, 4.67% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.31% from other races, and 2.14% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.25% of the population.
Of the 8,355 households, 21.9% had children under the age of 18; 43.7% were married couples living together; 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present and 46.6% were non-families. Of all households, 42.3% were made up of individuals and 27.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.95.
19.0% of the population were under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 23.2% from 25 to 44, 27.4% from 45 to 64, and 25.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46.9 years. For every 100 females, the population had 78.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 74.2 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that median household income was $78,894 and the median family income was $99,231. Males had a median income of $72,478 versus $53,956 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $40,149. About 3.2% of families and 4.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.2% of those under age 18 and 3.7% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census there were 15,053 people, 5,883 households, and 3,976 families residing in the borough. The population density was. There were 6,211 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the borough was 78.80% White, 13.04% African American, 0.24% Native American, 4.96% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.04% from other races, and 1.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.70% of the population.
There were 5,883 households, out of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.0% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.4% were non-families. 27.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the borough the population was spread out, with 25.5% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 36.4% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.2 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $68,697, and the median income for a family was $79,773. Males had a median income of $58,098 versus $37,857 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $31,520. About 2.6% of families and 3.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.3% of those under age 18 and 3.3% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

is an outdoor shopping mall that opened in November 2008 with 120 outlet stores and a food court, offering a gross leasable area of.
The Tinton Falls Solar Farm is a 28.5-megawatt solar photovoltaic power plant covering, that contains 85,000 ground-mounted solar panels that has been the state's largest and was New Jersey's largest and one of the largest solar farms in the northeast United States at the time of its construction.
Commvault Systems, founded in 1996, is a publicly traded data management and information management software company. Commvault's global headquarters are in Tinton Falls.

Parks and recreation

Overlook by the Falls, located near the town's waterfalls, is a wildlife area where trails have been added to allow visitors to view the falls and the local fauna.
Borough parks include Hockhockson Park, with three baseball fields and basketball courts; Liberty II Park, with two football fields, a softball field and basketball courts; Riverdale West Park, with two soccer fields and a basketball court; and the Sycamore Recreation Complex, which offers six lighted multi-purpose fields; among the borough's other parks and recreation facilities.
Shark River Park, the first included in the Monmouth County Park System when it was established in 1961, covers along the Shark River in portions of Tinton Falls, Neptune Township and Wall Township.
The Twin Brook Golf Center was a public 9-hole golf course, 18-hole miniature golf course, and driving range before the land was purchased by Amazon for the construction of a Amazon products and services#Delivery|delivery station] warehouse in 2021.

Government

Local government

The Borough of Tinton Falls operates under the Faulkner Act, formally known as the Optional Municipal Charter Law, using the Mayor-Council form of municipal government, implemented by direct petition as of July 1, 1985. The borough is one of 71 municipalities statewide governed under this form. The governing body is comprised of the mayor and the borough council. The mayor is the chief executive officer of the borough and is directly elected for a four-year term of office. The borough council, which is the legislative body, includes five members elected at-large on a non-partisan basis for four-year terms on a staggered basis, with either two or three seats up for election every other year as part of the November general election, with the mayoral seat up for vote at the same time that two council seats are being chosen by voters. A business administrator reports to, and may act on behalf of the mayor, in the mayor's absence. The Borough Council voted in May 2010 to shift its elections from May to the November general election, as part of an effort to increase participation of voters and to cut costs associated with the May elections, with savings estimated at nearly $100,000 during the first decade after the change was implemented in the November 2011 vote.
, the mayor of Tinton Falls is vacant following the death of Vito Perillo, whose term of office would have ended December 31, 2025. Members of the Borough Council are Council President Risa Clay, Deputy Council President Lawrence A. Dobrin, Greg Alessi, Tracy A. Buckley and Michael J. Nesci.
In December 2024, the borough council appointed Greg Alessi to fill the seat expiring in December 2025 that became vacant following the death of John A. Manginelli the previous month.
Perillo, a World War II veteran and former engineer who won the race in 2017 by a 2,600–2,300 margin in his first run for elected office at 93 years old, ran on a platform of lowering taxes and improving transparency. In November 2021, Perillo, at 97 years old, was elected for a second four-year term, giving him the nickname "America's Oldest Mayor." He turned 100 on September 22, 2024, but rarely attended council meetings and was often represented by a proxy. In December 2024, Perillo announced that he would not run for a third term. Perillo died on February 22, 2025.

Federal, state and county representation

Tinton Falls is located in the 4th Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 11th state legislative district.

Politics

Historic district

The Tinton Falls Historic District is a historic district located at the intersection of County Route 537 and Sycamore Avenue. The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 10, 1977, for its significance in archaeology, industry, military history and politics.

Education

Public school students in kindergarten through eighth grade attend the three schools in the Tinton Falls School District, together with students from the neighboring community of Shrewsbury Township and the dependent children of military families based at Naval Weapons Station Earle. All three of the district's schools are located in Tinton Falls. Shrewsbury Township is represented with one seat out of nine on the district's board of education. As of the 2020–21 school year, the district, comprised of three schools, had an enrollment of 1,331 students and 153.4 classroom teachers, for a student–teacher ratio of 8.7:1. Schools in the district are
Mahala F. Atchison Elementary School with 438 students in grades K–3,
Swimming River Elementary School with 440 students in grades 4–5 and
Tinton Falls Middle School with 446 students in grades 6–8.
Students in public school for ninth through twelfth grades attend Monmouth Regional High School, located in Tinton Falls. The school also serves students from Eatontown, Tinton Falls and Naval Weapons Station Earle. As of the 2020–21 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 953 students and 90.2 classroom teachers, for a student–teacher ratio of 10.6:1. Seats on the high school district's nine-member board of education are allocated based on the populations of the constituent municipalities, with five seats assigned to Tinton Falls.
Students may also apply to attend one of the magnet schools in the Monmouth County Vocational School District – Marine [Academy of Science and Technology], Academy of Allied Health & Science, High Technology High School, Biotechnology High School, and Communications High School.
Ranney School is a coeducational, nonsectarian K–12 private school founded in 1960; its campus occupies off of Hope Road. Trinity Hall is an all-girls independent high school in the Catholic tradition, founded in 2013.

Infrastructure

Emergency services

The borough is protected by the Tinton Falls Police Department, led by Chief Michael DeLucia.
Tinton Falls is covered by four fire companies, split into two fire districts. Wayside Fire Company, founded in 1919, and Pinebrook Community Hose Company, founded in 1941, are in Fire District 1. Tinton Falls Fire Company No. 1, established in 1932, and Northside Engine Company, founded in 1955, which make up Fire District 2.

Transportation

Roads and highways

, the borough had a total of of roadways, of which were maintained by the municipality, by Monmouth County, by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.
Major highways passing through Tinton Falls include the Garden State Parkway, Route 18, Route 33, and Route 66. Tinton Falls houses exits 100, 102, 105, and 109 on the parkway, including a high-speed toll gate, and the southern start/end of the express and local carriageways, although the borough is listed only on signs for exit 105.
Major county roads that pass through Tinton Falls are County Route 520, which enters from Middletown Township to the west, crosses the northern portion of the borough and proceeds east towards Red Bank to the north and Shrewsbury to the south, County Route 537 and County Route 547, which enters from Wall Township at the borough's southwest corner and proceeds northeast towards Eatontown.
Other limited access road that are accessible outside the borough include Interstate 195 in neighboring Wall Township.

Public transportation

Bus
Bus service is available from the Garden State Parkway to the Financial District in Lower Manhattan via Academy Bus Lines. Monmouth Park & Ride is located in nearby in neighboring Wall Township, off the Garden State Parkway at mile marker 100. It is an express route to New York City during peak rush-hour.
NJ Transit offers local bus service on the List of [NJ Transit bus routes #Monmouth County local service|836 and 838] routes.
Rail
offers passenger train service at the Red Bank station. Commuter service is provided on the North Jersey Coast Line, offering express and local service. Diesel service operates from Hoboken Terminal to Bay Head station. Electric service operates from New York Penn Station to Long Branch station, where the electrified portion of the line ends. Major mid-line stops include Newark Penn Station, Newark Liberty International Airport Station, and Secaucus Junction.
Aviation
is located in neighboring Wall, as it supplies short-distance flights for private jets to surrounding areas. The nearest major commercial airport is Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, which serves as a major hub for United Airlines, located north from the center of Tinton Falls.

Healthcare

is a 691-bed non-profit, tertiary research and academic medical center located in neighboring Neptune Township as part of the Hackensack Meridian Health system, serving the northern Jersey Shore region.

Points of interest

  • Old Mill at Tinton Falls – constructed in 1676, the site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
  • Tinton Falls Library, one of the member libraries of the Monmouth County Library System. Established in 1961 as the New Shrewsbury Public Library Association, the name was changed to its current title in 1975. The library had been closed since August 2017, after an extensive mold infestation was discovered that required remediation. While the library is closed, residents can access books from other libraries in the county by obtaining a Monmouth County Library System card. After the remediation was completed, the library reopened in November 2024.

    Notable people

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Tinton Falls include: