The borough of Spring Lake Heights was formed by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 19, 1927, from portions of Wall Township, based on the results of a referendum held on May 3, 1927.[22] The borough was named for Spring Lake, which was named for a clear spring-fed lake.[23][24][25]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 1.5 square miles (3.43 km2), including 1.30 square miles (3.35 km2) of land and 0.03 square miles (0.08 km2) of water (2.26%).[1][2]
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. The Wreck Pond watershed covers about 12.8 square miles (33 km2) in eastern Monmouth County.[26]
Of the 2,316 households, 17.1% had children under the age of 18; 40.3% were married couples living together; 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present and 48.1% were non-families. Of all households, 41.7% were made up of individuals and 21.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.03 and the average family size was 2.82.[19]
16.5% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 20.2% from 25 to 44, 32.0% from 45 to 64, and 25.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49.6 years. For every 100 females, the population had 83.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 81.2 males.[19]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $72,083 (with a margin of error of +/− $10,741) and the median family income was $102,173 (+/− $13,664). Males had a median income of $80,819 (+/− $9,463) versus $56,615 (+/− $7,658) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $43,370 (+/− $4,154). About 1.1% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.0% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over.[35]
As of the 2000 United States census,[16] there were 5,227 people, 2,511 households, and 1,358 families residing in the borough. The population density was 3,947.7 inhabitants per square mile (1,524.2/km2). There were 2,950 housing units at an average density of 2,228.0 per square mile (860.2/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 97.28% White, 1.11% African American, 0.02% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.67% from other races, and 0.54% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.12% of the population.[33][34]
As of the 2000 Census, 32.7% of Spring Lake Heights residents were of Irish ancestry, the 16th-highest percentage of any municipality in the United States, and fifth-highest in New Jersey, among all places with more than 1,000 residents identifying their ancestry.[36]
There were 2,511 households, out of which 17.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.6% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.9% were non-families. 41.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 22.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.04 and the average family size was 2.82.[33][34]
In the borough the population was spread out, with 16.8% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 23.7% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 29.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females, there were 81.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.6 males.[33][34]
The median income for a household in the borough was $51,330, and the median income for a family was $64,345. Males had a median income of $48,640 versus $40,363 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $35,093. About 4.2% of families and 7.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.9% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.[33][34]
Spring Lake Heights is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey.[37] The governing body is comprised of the mayor and the borough council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. The mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council includes six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle.[7] The borough form of government used by Spring Lake Heights is a "weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. Most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.[38][39]
As of 2023[update], the mayor of Spring Lake Heights is Republican Christopher M. Campion Jr., whose term of office ends December 31, 2023. Members of the borough council are Council President William K. Graetz (R, 2025), Leonard Capristo (R, 2024), John C. Casagrande (R, 2023), Michele Degnan-Spang (R, 2023; appointed to serve an unexpired term), Sara King (R, 2024) and Christopher C. Willms (R, 2025).[3][40][41][42][43][44]
In October 2022, the borough council appointed Michele Degnan-Spang to fill the seat expiring in December 2023 that had been held by Peter A. Gallo Jr.[45]
In January 2016, the borough council selected Arthur Herner from three candidates nominated by the Democratic municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2016 that had been held by Thomas O'Brien until he took office as mayor.[46]
In January 2020, the borough council selected John Casagrande from three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2020 that had been held by Christopher Campion until he took office as mayor.[47][48]
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.[57] As of 2024[update], Monmouth County's Commissioners are Director Thomas A. Arnone (R, Neptune City, 2025),[58] Susan M. Kiley (R, Hazlet Township, 2024),[59]
Erik Anderson (R, Shrewsbury, 2026),[60]
Nick DiRocco (R, Wall Township, 2025),[61] and
Deputy Director Ross F. Licitra (R, Marlboro Township, 2026).[62][63][64]
As of March 2011, there were a total of 3,635 registered voters in Spring Lake Heights, of which 976 (26.9%) were registered as Democrats, 1,106 (30.4%) were registered as Republicans and 1,549 (42.6%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 4 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.[72]
In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 56.3% of the vote (1,481 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 42.6% (1,122 votes), and other candidates with 1.1% (28 votes), among the 2,654 ballots cast by the borough's 3,811 registered voters (23 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 69.6%.[73][74] In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 64.4% of the vote (1,326 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 32.8% (676 votes) and other candidates with 1.0% (20 votes), among the 2,059 ballots cast by the borough's 2,692 registered voters, for a turnout of 76.5%.[75] In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 64.0% of the vote (1,427 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 30.1% (670 votes) and other candidates with 1.0% (30 votes), among the 2,229 ballots cast by the borough's 2,873 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 77.6.[76]
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 71.5% of the vote (1,365 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 25.7% (491 votes), and other candidates with 2.7% (52 votes), among the 1,942 ballots cast by the borough's 3,831 registered voters (34 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 50.7%.[77][78] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 68.8% of the vote (1,144 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 23.3% (388 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 5.7% (95 votes) and other candidates with 0.7% (11 votes), among the 1,663 ballots cast by the borough's 2,593 registered voters, yielding a 64.1% turnout.[79]
The Spring Lake Heights School District, located on a 12-acre (49,000 m2) campus, serves public school students in kindergarten through eighth grade at Spring Lake Heights Elementary School. As of the 2018–19 school year, the district, comprised of one school, had an enrollment of 336 students and 34.5 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 9.7:1.[80]
As of May 2010[update], the borough had a total of 18.78 miles (30.22 km) of roadways, of which 15.63 miles (25.15 km) were maintained by the municipality, 1.48 miles (2.38 km) by Monmouth County and 1.67 miles (2.69 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.[86]
Route 71 is the only state highway which traverses the borough. It follows Seventh Avenue from Sea Girt in the south to Wall Township in the north.[87]County Route 524 (Allaire Road) heads across Spring Lake Heights from Wall Township in the west to its eastern terminus where it meets Route 71 in the eastern portion of the borough.[88]Route 35 just misses the northwest corner of the borough.
^Brief History, Borough of Spring Lake. Accessed October 8, 2015. "In the early 1900s, the town boasted fine hotels, lavish estates, and pretentious private homes (known as "cottages"), surrounded by the beautiful clear pond renamed 'Spring Lake.'"
^Borough Council Meeting Minutes for October 17, 2022, Borough of Spring Lake Heights. Accessed May 2, 2023. "A motion was made by Mrs. King to nominated Michele Degnan-Spang as council member, motion seconded by Mr. Willms, no other nominations made. Roll Call All Ayes. • Resolution R2022-172, Appointing a member to the Borough Council Michele Degnan-Spang. On a motion by Mrs. King, seconded by Mr. Willms, Resolution No 2022-172 was approved by the following vote: Ayes: Mr. Capristo, Mr. Casagrande, Mr. Graetz, Mrs. King, Mr. Willms Nays: None Abstain: None Absent: None Councilwoman Degnan-Spang was sworn in by Council President Graetz"
^[1], Borough of Spring Lake Heights. February 7, 2020.
^Yunker, Scorr. "Council will modify meetings to spur resident participation", The Coast Star, January 9, 2020. Accessed February 8, 2020. "Newly-minted Mayor Christopher Campion swore in a new council member and advanced plans to expedite and increase accessibility to borough council meetings, during the council’s annual reorganization meeting on Monday, Jan. 6. After appointing Councilman John Casagrande to office, he proposed a reshuffled meeting format and announced weekly mayor’s office hours and consistent livestream coverage of future council meetings.... Mr. Casagrande, who was selected from a batch of three candidates, will serve out the remainder of Mr. Campion’s term on borough council, which Mr. Campion left to become mayor."
^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."
^Sending districts, Manasquan Public Schools. Accessed March 11, 2020. " Manasquan High School receives students from seven different districts: Avon, Brielle, Belmar, Lake Como, Sea Girt, Spring Lake, and Spring Lake Heights. "
^Staff. "John Amabile; Obituary", Asbury Park Press, April 24, 2012. Accessed August 9, 2012. "John Amabile, 73, of Spring Lake Heights, passed away Sunday, April 22, 2012, at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, with his devoted family at his bedside. He was born and raised in Jersey City and moved to Spring Lake Heights in 1968, where he has resided for the past 44 years."
^Anthony Thomas Augelli, Historical Society of the US District Court for the District of New Jersey. Accessed June 12, 2012. "Judge Augelli died in his home in Spring Lake Heights, New Jersey in 1985."
^"Langosta Lounge chef wins award", Asbury Park Press, May 30, 2014. Accessed March 11, 2020. "Thomas B. Considine of Spring Lake Heights, has been selected as chief executive officer of Meadowlands Hospital Medical Center in Secaucus."
^Williams, Carol Gorga. "Local teen wins beauty pageant", Asbury Park Press, November 11, 2013. Accessed July 20, 2021, via Newspapers.com. "In her first try competing in an American beauty pageant, 18-year-old Valentina Sanchez newly relocated to Monmouth County and a student at Manasquan High School has been crowned Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2014.... The teen, who was born in California but moved to Venezuela when she was 3, divides her time between relatives in Asbury Park and Spring Lake Heights."