Location of Colts Neck Township in Monmouth County highlighted in yellow (right). Inset map: Location of Monmouth County in New Jersey highlighted in black (left).
Census Bureau map of Colts Neck Township, New Jersey
The municipality of Colts Neck Township was initially established by an act of the New Jersey Legislature as Atlantic Township on February 18, 1847, carved from portions of Freehold Township, Middletown Township, and Shrewsbury Township. The name was changed to "Colts Neck Township" as of November 6, 1962, based on the results of a referendum held that day.[22]
The township has been ranked as one of the state's highest-income communities. Based on data from the American Community Survey for 2013–2017, Colts Neck residents had a median household income of $167,480, ranked fifth in the state among municipalities with more than 10,000 residents, more than double the statewide median of $76,475.[23][24]
Colts Neck is a wealthy bedroom community in Central New Jersey, located within the New York metropolitan area. Many people choose to move to Colts Neck due to its open space and proximity to the Jersey Shore, while still being within commuting distance of New York City.[25][26][27] The township's strict zoning ordinances have long kept out urban development and chain stores, allowing for locally owned businesses, while still being close to malls, movie theaters, and other amenities in neighboring communities.
The township has a Farmland Preservation Committee which to date has preserved nearly 1,000 acres (400 ha) of land, providing one way in which Colts Neck has been able to prevent large-scale development. The township has strict zoning regulations, and because there is no public water or sewage service, most homes must be built on lots covering a minimum of 2, 5 and 10 acres (4.0 ha).[28]
Originally a farming community, Colts Neck has long been known for its large number of equestrian farms. From the 1950s into the 1970s many of Colts Neck's heavily wooded areas were developed with large colonial and ranch-style houses on acre-sized lots. In the 1980s and continuing into the 2000s much of the town's farm land has been replaced with large houses, mansions and sprawling estates, although a large number of equestrian farms remain. During this time period increasing home prices in northern New Jersey and New York City resulted in large numbers of people moving to central New Jersey, causing real estate prices in Colts Neck and surrounding towns to rise considerably over the course of the two decades. Colts Neck real estate prices remain high despite the economic downturn: as of November 2012, the average listing price of a house was $1,433,112 and the number of home sales is down 41.4% from the previous year.[29]
Many of Colts Neck's residents are professional business people who commute into New York City's financial district, as could be seen in the unusual proportion of the small community who were lost in the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. A memorial garden dedicated to the five members of the community who were lost was created at the municipal center by sculptor Jim Gary, a member of the community who was raised in Colts Neck. The central feature of the memorial garden is his sculpture of metal and stained glass.[30][31]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 31.79 square miles (82.34 km2), including 30.72 square miles (79.55 km2) of land and 1.08 square miles (2.79 km2) of water (3.38%).[1][2]
Center of Colts Neck's business district at the intersection of Route 34 and CR 537
Laird & Company produces Laird's Applejack at its facility in the Scobeyville section of the township. Since the end of distilling in Colts Neck in 1972, the company has had its apples picked and distilled in Virginia, and then brought north to be aged, blended and bottled at its facility in the township. The only remaining producer of Applejack in the United States, the company received the first license granted by the United States Department of the Treasury, which was granted in 1780.[38]
Four JG's Orchards & Vineyards is a winery based in the township, named for the shared initials of the owners and their two children.[39]
A 2007 study of New Jersey's highest-income communities shows Colts Neck had a median household income of $166,495, up from $109,190 in 2000, and the average household income was $232,520, which ranked it 16th in the state.[50] The per capita income for the township as of 2007 was $70,781 up from $46,795 in 2000.[48] The average household net worth, not including equity in homes, is $1,088,351 and the average disposable income for a household is $140,507.[50]
Of the 3,277 households, 43.1% had children under the age of 18; 77.4% were married couples living together; 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present and 13.1% were non-families. Of all households, 11.0% were made up of individuals and 6.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.08 and the average family size was 3.33.[19]
28.5% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 17.0% from 25 to 44, 33.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.6 years. For every 100 females, the population had 96.2 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 94.5 males.[19]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $154,491 (with a margin of error of +/− $16,020) and the median family income was $166,909 (+/− $14,315). Males had a median income of $117,917 (+/− $16,897) versus $67,188 (+/− $14,434) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $65,919 (+/− $6,519). About 2.0% of families and 2.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.8% of those under age 18 and 2.3% of those age 65 or over.[51]
2000 census
As of the 2000 United States census[16] there were 12,331 people, 3,513 households, and 3,193 families residing in the township. The population density was 392.4 inhabitants per square mile (151.5/km2). There were 3,614 housing units at an average density of 115.0 per square mile (44.4/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 85.51% White, 7.89% African American, 0.23% Native American, 3.63% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.45% from other races, and 1.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.22% of the population.[48][49]
There were 3,513 households, out of which 50.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 83.1% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 9.1% were non-families. 7.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.17 and the average family size was 3.33.[48][49]
In the township the population was spread out, with 29.2% under the age of 18, 12.1% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 8.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 109.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 113.4 males.[48][49]
The median income for a household in the township was $109,190, and the median income for a family was $117,980. Males had a median income of $55,609 versus $38,457 for females. The per capita income for the township was $46,795. 2.8% of the population and 2.2% of families were living below the poverty line, including 2.2% of under eighteens and 2.8% of those over 64.[48][49]
Government
Local government
Colts Neck Town Hall
Colts Neck is governed under the Township form of New Jersey municipal government, one of 141 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form, the second-most commonly used form of government in the state.[52] The Township Committee is comprised of five members, who are elected directly by the voters at-large in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year as part of the November general election in a three-year cycle.[7][53] At an annual reorganization meeting, the township committee selects one of its members to serve as mayor and another as deputy mayor, each serving one-year terms.
As of 2023[update], the members of the Colts Neck Township Committee are Mayor Sue Fitzpatrick (R, term on committee ends December 31, 2025; term as mayor ends 2023), Deputy Mayor Frank Rizzuto (R, term on committee ends 2024; term as deputy mayor ends 2023), Joseph "J.P." Bartolomeo (R, 2024), Tara Torchia Buss (R, 2023) and Michael S. Viola (R, 2023).[3][54][55][56][57]
Frank Rizzuto was appointed to fill the seat expiring in December 2018 that had been vacated by Michael Fitzgerald.[58]
Federal, state and county representation
Colts Neck Township is located in the 4th Congressional District[59] and is part of New Jersey's 11th state legislative district.[60][61][62]
Monmouth County is governed by a Board of County Commissioners composed of five members who are elected at-large to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats up for election each year as part of the November general election. At an annual reorganization meeting held in the beginning of January, the board selects one of its members to serve as director and another as deputy director.[69] As of 2024[update], Monmouth County's Commissioners are:
As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 7,303 registered voters in Colts Neck Township, of which 952 (13.0%) were registered as Democrats, 2,805 (38.4%) were registered as Republicans and 3,539 (48.5%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 7 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.[84]
In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 72.6% of the vote (3,912 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 26.4% (1,420 votes), and other candidates with 1.0% (55 votes), among the 5,423 ballots cast by the township's 7,634 registered voters (36 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 71.0%.[85][86] In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 67.8% of the vote (3,970 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 30.4% (1,781 votes) and other candidates with 0.8% (46 votes), among the 5,856 ballots cast by the township's 7,581 registered voters, for a turnout of 77.2%.[87] In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 68.8% of the vote (3,929 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 28.5% (1,629 votes) and other candidates with 0.5% (37 votes), among the 5,708 ballots cast by the township's 7,200 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 79.3.[88]
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 83.5% of the vote (2,630 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 15.2% (478 votes), and other candidates with 1.3% (40 votes), among the 3,189 ballots cast by the township's 7,624 registered voters (41 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 41.8%.[89][90] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 76.7% of the vote (3,174 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 17.9% (741 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 4.7% (193 votes) and other candidates with 0.4% (16 votes), among the 4,139 ballots cast by the township's 7,433 registered voters, yielding a 55.7% turnout.[91]
Students in public school attend the Colts Neck School District for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.[92] As of the 2020–21 school year, the district, comprised of three schools, had an enrollment of 955 students and 116.3 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 8.2:1.[93] Schools in the district (with 2020–21 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[94]) are
Conover Road Primary School[95] with 374 students in grades PreK-2,
Conover Road Elementary School[96] with 310 students in grades 3-5 and
Cedar Drive Middle School[97] with 324 students in grades 6-8.[98][99][100]
As of May 2010[update], the township had a total of 132.59 miles (213.38 km) of roadways, of which 103.86 miles (167.15 km) were maintained by the municipality, 15.52 miles (24.98 km) by Monmouth County and 13.21 miles (21.26 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.[108]
Two major state roads pass through the township: Route 18 (the freeway portion) and Route 34. Major county roads that traverse the township are CR 520 (along the border) and CR 537.
Robert E. Brennan (born 1944), entrepreneur who built the penny stock brokerage firm, First Jersey Securities; Brennan was later convicted of fraud and was arrested at his home in Colts Neck in 2001[120]
Eric Munoz (1947–2009), politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly from May 2001, where he represented the 21st legislative district, until his death[141]
Bruce Springsteen (born 1949), rock and roll legend, who recorded a large part of his album Nebraska in a house he rented in Colts Neck, owns the township's largest equestrian farm and built his home on the farm[145]
Jon Stewart (born 1962), comedian, writer, producer, director, actor, media critic and former television host[146]
Alec John Such (1951–2022), musician who was best known as a founding member of the rock band Bon Jovi, and as their bass player from 1983 to 1994[147]
Hans K. Ziegler (1911–1999), pioneer in the field of communication satellites and the use of photovoltaic solar cells as a power source for satellites[149]
^ abTownship Committee, Colts Neck Township. Accessed April 29, 2022. "The Township of Colts Neck is governed by a five-member Township Committee. The Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and Deputy Mayor for a one-year term. The term for each Committee member is three years."
^Raychaudhuri, Disha. "The wealthiest towns in N.J., ranked", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, June 7, 2019. Accessed November 4, 2019. "The median household income in N.J. is $76,475, recent Census data shows.... A note about the data: The data comes from 2013-2017 American Community Survey conducted by U.S. Census Bureau. Smaller towns with less than 10,000 residents were excluded from the list.... 5. Colts Neck, Monmouth County Median income: $167,480"
^ abScancarella, Doug. "If You're Thinking of Living In: Colts Neck; 60 Miles From Broadway, A Rural Feel - At a Price", The New York Times, September 17, 1995. Accessed July 8, 2012. "About half of the high school students attend Marlboro High School, one of five secondary schools in the Freehold Regional High School District. The other half of the town's high-school students attend such private schools as Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft, Red Bank Catholic High School in Red Bank and the Roman Catholic St. John Vianney High School in Holmdel."
^Via Associated Press. "Jim Gary; Created Art From Castoff Auto Parts", The Washington Post, January 19, 2006. Accessed September 15, 2011. "Mr. Gary's work also included more serious pieces, such as a bouquet of six roses he completed last year for a Jewish temple to commemorate the Holocaust, and a Sept. 11 memorial he created for the community of Colts Neck, N.J. "
^Polanin, Nicholas. "Wines winning over the Garden State", Courier News, September 23, 2013. Accessed October 16, 2013. "Last week, New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher visited 4 JG's Orchards and Vineyards in Colts Neck to announce the beginning of Wine Week in New Jersey, celebrating the Garden State's grape harvest.... 4 JG's Orchards & Vineyards, www.4jgswinery.com/, is a 60-acre farm named after its four owners, John and Janet Giunco and their two children, John and Jill."
^Raum, John O. The History of New Jersey: From Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time, Volume 1, p. 249, J. E. Potter and company, 1877. Accessed July 9, 2013. "Atlantic township contained in 1870, 1,713 inhabitants. Colt's Neck, originally called Call's Neck, from a Mr. Call, a resident there, is in this township, and is five miles from Freehold on a neck of land formed by two branches of the Swimming river."
^Wall, Jeanne. "Colts Neck Reorganizes with Bartolomeo as Mayor and Orgo as Deputy Mayor for 2018", TAP into Holmdel & Colts Neck, January 8, 2018. Accessed July 25, 2018. "Next, it was time for the swearing in of newly elected Committeeman Frank Rizzuto.... He noted the leadership of former Committeeman and Mayor Michael Fitzgerald, whose unexpired term he filled."
^Biography of Bob Menendez, United States Senate, January 26, 2015. "Menendez, who started his political career in Union City, moved in September from Paramus to one of Harrison's new apartment buildings near the town's PATH station.."
^Monmouth County Government, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed July 19, 2022. "Monmouth County is governed by five commissioners elected at-large for three-year terms. Each January, the freeholders select one of their members to serve as the director of the board for the year to preside over the meetings and activities of the Board."
^Colts Neck Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, Colts Neck Township Public Schools. Accessed December 19, 2022. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Pre-Kindergarten through eight in the Colts Neck Township School District. Composition: The Colts Neck Township School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Colts Neck Township."
^About Our Schools, Colts Neck School District. Accessed December 19, 2022. "School Configuration The district operates three schools that are configured for our students' optimal academic, social, and emotional growth.... Conover Road Primary School (Preschool - Grade 2)... Conover Road Elementary School (Grades 3-5)... Cedar Drive Middle School (Grades 6-8)"
^Our District, Colts Neck School District. Accessed December 19, 2022.
^Freehold Regional High School District 2016 Report Card NarrativeArchived December 10, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed December 9, 2017. "The Freehold Regional High School District, the largest regional high school District in New Jersey, has six high schools with over 11,000 students and over 1,500 employees and spans 200 square miles. District members include the townships of Colts Neck, Freehold, Howell, Manalapan, and Marlboro, and the boroughs of Englishtown, Farmingdale, and Freehold."
^Annual Comprehensive Financial Report of the Freehold Regional School District, New Jersey Department of Education, June 30, 2018. Accessed January 19, 2020. "The Freehold Regional High School District is a Type II District located in Monmouth County, New Jersey. The School District is an instrumentality of the State of New Jersey, established to function as an educational institution. The Board of Education of the Freehold Regional High School District, comprised of nine elected individuals, is the primary governing authority of the District."
^Vilacoba, Karl. "Marlboro files challenge to FRHSD voting system", Central Jersey Archives, September 26, 2002. Accessed January 19, 2020. "Under the current weighted FRHSD vote apportionment, a nine-point voting system is in place. Howell has two board members for a combined 2 voting points; Marlboro, Manalapan and Freehold Township each have one vote worth 1.4 points; Colts Neck and Freehold Borough each have one vote worth 0.9 points; and Englishtown and Farmingdale each have one vote worth 0.5 voting points."
^Grossman, Jeremy. "Regional high school board welcomes two new members", Greater Media, January 15, 2015. Accessed July 19, 2020. "At the board’s Jan. 5 reorganization meeting held at the district’s offices in Englishtown, Samuel Carollo was sworn in as Freehold Township’s representative and Vincent Accettola was sworn in as Colts Neck’s representative."
^"Metro Business Briefing; Ex-Financier Indicted Again", The New York Times, November 2, 2000. Accessed July 8, 2012. "Mr. Brennan, 56, of Colts Neck, N.J., was left bankrupt by millions of dollars in judgments resulting from a 1994 suit that claimed he had cheated investors and enriched himself by manipulating stock prices."
^District 12 Profile, Eagleton Institute of Politics. Accessed November 11, 2007. "His GOP running mate is Caroline Casagrande of Colts Neck, an attorney in the Matawan firm of Cleary, Alfieri, Jones & Hoyle who currently serves as the Township Attorney for Manalapan."
^New York wide receiver Wayne Chrebet has found a new sport to love, Hoof Beats, accessed January 11, 2007. "Four years ago, he [Chrebet] moved into the horse country of Colts Neck, N.J., and couldn't help but admire the equine specimens with whom he shared his neighborhood."
^Staff. "Who's What Where", The Boston Globe, March 12, 2000. Accessed April 17, 2011. "White Mountains Insurance Group Ltd., headquartered in Hanover, has added Raymond Barrette of Hanover and Steven E. Fass of Colts Neck, N.J., to its board of directors."
^Safran, Chad. "Pete Harnisch - Bringing It Home"Archived 2015-09-25 at the Wayback Machine, Living In Colts Neck, March 4, 2009. Accessed September 24, 2015. "Pete first visited this area in 1984 and made it his permanent home in 1992 – first in Howell and then in Colts Neck."
^Ashley Higginson, United States Olympic Committee. Accessed August 9, 2016. "Birthplace: Staten Island, N.Y.; Hometown: Colts Neck, N.J.; High School: Colts Neck High School (Colts Neck, N.J.) '07"
^Jordan, Chris; and Radel, Dan. "Jacquie Lee sparks a sensation on 'The Voice'", Asbury Park Press, December 17, 2013. Accessed December 18, 2013. "Jacquie Lee, the 16 year old singing sensation from Colts Neck and the Ranney School, is in the finals of The Voice."
^Edelson, Stephen. "Former CBA star Pat Light makes MLB debut for Red Sox", Asbury Park Press, April 27, 2016. Accessed August 21, 2016. "With the Boston Red Sox leading 11-2 in the bottom of the ninth inning Tuesday night in Atlanta, manager John Farrell summoned Colts Neck native Pat Light to the mound for his major league debut."
^Capezzuto, Tom. "From the Mound to Harness Racing", The New York Times, May 24, 1991. Accessed May 15, 2022. "Mr. Montefusco, 41 years old, lives in Colts Neck with his wife, Dory, and their two daughters, Gina, 10, and Ali, 8."
^Jim Nantz, CBS Sports. Accessed August 10, 2017. "He was born May 17, 1959, in Charlotte, N.C., and grew up in Colts Neck, N.J."
^Martin, Patti. "'NJ Housewives' Add Colts Neck Twins to Cast", The Two River Times, May 30, 2014. Accessed November 27, 2014. "There are countless housewives in Monmouth County, but only two Colts Neck-area sisters can call themselves The Real Housewives of New Jersey.... And much of that drama will be delivered courtesy of some familiar faces – sisters Teresa Napolitano Aprea and Nicole Napolitano Mauriello, who hail from Colts Neck."
^Staff. "Bruce Springsteen supports daughter Jessica at show jumping tournament", Hello, June 7, 2013. Accessed January 13, 2014. "Jessica, who has been riding since she was 15, inherited her passion for horses from her mother, Patti, 59, who raised her at the family's Stone Hill Farm in Colts Neck, New Jersey."
^Peele, Thomas. "Legacy of activism comes from the Boss", The Vindicator, May 17, 2005. Accessed July 8, 2012. "In January 1982, he recorded a batch of songs in his bedroom of a rented house in Colts Neck, N.J. Ten were released that October as Nebraska, a stark, brooding collection about serial killers, gamblers, thieves and growing up poor."
^Hyman, Vicki. "Jon Stewart buys Colts Neck farm for $4M for animal sanctuary, education center", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, October 26, 2016. Accessed June 7, 2022. "Jon Stewart and his animal activist wife Tracey paid $4 million for the historic Hockhockson Farm in Colts Neck, which they plan to turn into an animal sanctuary and farm education center, the Two River Times reports and Monmouth County property records confirm."
^Cotter, Kelly-Jane. "The Spoils of Rock 'n Roll", Home News Tribune, May 14, 2000. Accessed June 7, 2022, via Newspapers.com. "'I made my money during the era of "He who dies with the most toys wins," ' says Alec John Such, right, who grew up in Perth Amboy and now lives in Colts Neck."
United States
New Jersey
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