Residential and Commercial Growth in Barnegat

New Homes in Barnegat continuing to be built. 

Experts project Ocean County's population will grow at nearly triple the rate of the rest of the state through 2016.

A study by the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development's Division of Labor Market and Demographic Research found that the county's population increased from 208,470 in 1970 to an estimated 573,678 in 2009. This 175.2 percent increase in population far exceeded the state's growth rate of 21.5 percent during that same period.

The study also projected that Ocean County will continue to grow at a faster rate, at 11 percent, than the state's 4.6 percent in the decade between 2006 and 2016. And by then, the study said, it will be the fifth most populous county in the state.

If any substantial future growth does happen in southern Ocean County, much of it would likely happen in Barnegat Township.

Since 1970, the township's populations has jumped from 1,539 to 22,643 - an increase of 1,371 percent. And the township still has 2,500 to 3,000 housing units already approved that have yet to be built.

Even through the economic downturn, 120 to 150 homes a year have been built. Development is still very active in Barnegat and in all likelihood will continue.

There are restrictions on development in Barnegat, such as ordinances regulating building height - to prevent high rises - and state restrictions on where growth can occur. The township's state-regulated "growth zone" encompasses the Ocean Acres section of the township and some land west of the Garden State Parkway and recently opened parkway entrance/exit at Exit 67 has already started attracting new businesses, such as a CVS, Wawa and is expected to attract even more commercial businesses.

If you're interested in buying, selling or investing in Real Estate in Barnegat, Ocean County or along The Jersey Shore, click on TheJerseyShoreHomeFinder.com and get free access to thousands of home listings.   If you'd like to keep up with the very latest real estate market conditions in your neighborhood or anywhere in Ocean County and on The Jersey Shore, click here.  

Looking for something do this weekend in Ocean County or just want to keep up with current events? The Jersey Shore News will keep you informed with local community information and happenings.

Karl Hess - Ocean County, NJ and Jersey Shore Homes and Real Estate - Get free access to all listings with photos in Ocean County including waterfront, beachfront and water-view homes on The Jersey Shore  

Habitat for Humanity Bike to Build in Beachwood

Beachwood Bicycles and the Habitat for Humanity's Northern Ocean County office will host their Habitat for Humanity Bike to Build event in Beachwood for the second year in a row this Sunday, October 17, 2010. This year, there will be four separate rides: a one mile fun run for kids, a 10 mile ride, a 23 mile scenic course through Toms River and Barnegat Bay and a 50 mile ride that continues on through the Jersey Pine Barrens. After the ride, all participants get to enjoy food and fun at the Berkeley Island Park's picnic.

All rides will begin at the Beachwood Bicycles shop (101 Hwy 166, Beachwood, NJ) at 9am sharp. Contact Beachwood Bicycles to register for this great event. If you register early, you are guaranteed your very own Bike to Build T-shirt! Fees for riders to participate are:

50 mile ride = $50
23 mile ride = $23
1 mile fun ride or 10 mile ride = $10

Make sure to register right now to participate in the Habitat for Humanity Bike to Build event in Beachwood this Sunday, October 17th. It's a fun, healthy way to raise money for the local Northern Ocean County Habitat for Humanity.

Karl Hess, your Barnegat real estate specialist

2011 Barnegat Township Community Calendar Photo Contest

Everyone is invited to submit their own photos for possible inclusion in the 2011 Barnegat Township Community Calendar. The town council would love to see what YOU think are the best parts of Barnegat Township. Photo submissions will be posted on the Barnegat Township website, where all website visitors will be provided an opportunity to vote on their favorites. The top 13 vote-getters will then receive the honor of being placed in the 2011 Barnegat Township Community Calendar.

Rules for Photo Submission:

1. No photos of kids, if possible.
2. Photos that are deemed too suggestive and/or obscene will not be allowed.
3. Preferred photos include: events, scenery and buildings. Focus on your favorite parts of Barnegat.
4. All photo submissions automatically become the property of Barnegat Township.
5. The Township has full discretion on which photos are and are not included to be voted on. This means, just because you submit a photo, it is not necessarily going to be included in online voting if it doesn't meet the Township's approval.

If you have any questions or want to email your photo submission, please call Sharon at 609-698-0080 ext 190 or email her at sharon@barnegat.net. If you can't email your photo, you can mail it to:

Barnegat Township Clerk's Office
900 West Bay Avenue
Barnegat, NJ 08005

Good luck and get creative. Find your favorite spot in the city, take a photo, submit it and you may just find that your photo ends up in the 2011 Barnegat Township Community Calendar!

Karl Hess, your Barnegat real estate specialist