History
Manalapan Township is a township in Monmouth County, New Jersey. It was formed on March 9, 1848 from portions of Freehold Township
The name “Manalapan” comes from a Lenape word that means “land of good bread”, “good land to settle upon”, or “good place to gather timber
Manalapan Township has a rich history that includes being the site of a major battle during the American Revolutionary War. The Battle of Monmouth took place on June 28, 1778, when General George Washington’s Continental Army attacked the British Army led by Sir Henry Clinton as they were retreating from Philadelphia to New York City.
Population
Manalapan Township has a population of about 40,637 people according to the 2010 census. It covers an area of 30.7 square miles, with a population density of 1,325.8 people per square mile1. The population has increased slightly since 2010, with an estimated population of 39,225 in 2020.
The population of Manalapan Township is diverse in terms of age, race, ethnicity, income, education, and household type. For example, the median age is 43.6 years, the median household income is $120,267, and the racial composition is 83.9% white, 8.5% Asian, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, and 3.1% black or African American.
Health
Manalapan Township has a health department that provides various health services and programs for its residents. The health department is located at Manalapan Town Hall 120 Route 522 & Taylors Mills Road, Manalapan, NJ 07726.
Some of the services and programs offered by the health department are:
- Animal registration and rabies vaccination
- Child health conference / well baby clinic
- Adult immunization clinic
- Blood pressure screening
- Tuberculosis testing
- Cancer screening
- Flu shots
The health department also oversees environmental health issues such as retail food establishments, onsite sewage disposal systems, water quality, air pollution, noise pollution, solid waste management, hazardous materials management, and vector control
The health department works with other agencies such as the Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey (VNA), which provides primary care services at their locations. Residents can call 1-800-862-3330 (VNA) to schedule an appointment and identify Manalapan Township as the referral agency
Education
Manalapan Township is served by two public school districts: Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District (MERSD) for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, and Freehold Regional High School District (FRHSD) for ninth through twelfth grade.
MERSD consists of eight schools: one preschool, four elementary schools, two middle schools, and one alternative school. The district has a total enrollment of 4,942 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.0:1. The district’s mission is to provide a comprehensive education that fosters academic excellence, social responsibility, and lifelong learning
FRHSD consists of six high schools: Colts Neck High School, Freehold High School, Freehold Township High School, Howell High School, Manalapan High School, and Marlboro High School. The district has a total enrollment of 10,592 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.5:1. The district’s mission is to prepare students to meet the challenges of an evolving global society while maintaining a tradition of excellence.
Manalapan Township also has several private schools that offer various educational options for its residents. Some examples are:
- St. Thomas More Catholic School: A Roman Catholic school that serves students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.
- Temple Shaari Emeth Religious School: A Reform Jewish school that serves students from kindergarten through twelfth grade.
- Ivy League Pre-School Academy: A preschool that offers programs for children from six weeks to five years old.
Transport
Manalapan Township is located in Monmouth County, New Jersey. It has a population of 40,096 people and a land area of 30.85 square miles. Here is a map showing its location.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Manalapan Township has a mean travel time to work of 37.8 minutes, which is higher than the national average of 26.9 minutes.
The most common means of transportation to work for workers 16 years and older in Manalapan Township are:
- Driving alone: 80.5%
- Carpooling: 7.6%
- Working at home: 5.9%
- Public transportation: 3.6%
- Other means: 1.7%
- Walking: 0.6%
- Bicycle: 0%
Manalapan Township offers its residents a variety of public transportation options. NJ Transit bus service is available through Routes 64, 67, and 139, which cover a range of destinations from Newark to Freehold Raceway Mall and Six Flags Great Adventure. This connectivity allows residents to access key cities such as Jersey City or Hoboken, as well as the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan.
Academy Bus Service is another option for those who require commuter service to Wall Street and Midtown Manhattan. The service provides regular trips throughout the day from various locations within the township. With flexible schedules and convenient pick-up points, Academy Bus Service offers a reliable mode of transportation for daily commuters.
For senior citizens and people with disabilities residing within Monmouth County, the Monmouth County SCAT service provides curb-to-curb transportation. Designed specifically for these groups, SCAT aims to make travel accessible while ensuring their safety by providing personalized trips according to individual needs. Through this ad-hoc system, boarding or exit curbside ease potential mobility difficulties.
Points of Interest
Manalapan Township is a thriving suburban community that boasts an array of attractions and activities for both locals and visitors. Among the various points of interest in the area, Monmouth Battlefield Park stands out as an essential destination. This historical park holds significance as the site of the Battle of Monmouth – a crucial engagement during the American Revolutionary War on June 28, 1778. The park features numerous visitor amenities including a museum, trails, monuments, picnic areas and reenactments.
Additionally, there are several family-friendly destinations in Manalapan Township. Happy Day Farm offers seasonal events like pumpkin picking, corn mazes, sunflower fields, petting zoos and more. Pleasant Valley Lavender is a charming lavender farm that sells products like sachets, soaps, oils and candles. In addition to their retail offerings, they also host “pick-your-own” lavender events during summer months.
For those seeking adventure and excitement, NJ ATV Rentals offers ATV tours through scenic Mercer County trails suitable for both beginners and experts alike. While the Englishtown Fire Department hosts various community events throughout the year which promise entertainment for all age groups. And If you’re in the mood for high-speed thrills behind the wheel of high-performance cars, SpyDrive Racing Experience located in nearby Morris County might be just what you’re looking for.
Finally, iPlay America located at Union County is an indoor amusement park featuring rides/games arcade/laser tag/ go-karts/bowling alley/restaurants/ bars/live entertainment set up making it one of Old Bridge’s popular tourist spot.The establishment is designed to entertain families with children ranging from toddlers to teenagers with activities suited to each age group promising fun-filled times!

