This friendly, family-oriented County, located along the beautiful Atlantic coast, continues to be among NJ fastest-growing counties. It was then comprised of the townships of Brick, Toms River, Jackson, Plumsted, Stafford, and Union (Barnegat), which, in the aggregate, had previously been the portion of Monmouth County lying south of the Manasquan River. In 1891, Little Egg Harbor merged into the
new political subdivision. Over time, this vast geographic area was carved into the 33 municipalities. The 1850 census pegged Ocean County's population at 10,043 residents. One hundred years later it had reached 56,622. Today, as a result of unprecedented growth in the past three decades, more than 580,000 people call Ocean County home. Ocean County is the second-largest county in the state containing 638 square miles of pine barrens and barrier islands and a 45-mile coastline along the Atlantic Ocean. Toms River was selected as the "seat" of the new County government. On May 8, 1850, the first Board of Chosen Freeholders, consisting of two representatives from each of the six original townships, selected insignia to represent the public officials of the time. The sloop, schooner, and steamboat are still the official seals of the now Board of Commissioners, County Clerk, and Surrogate, respectively. The choice of these symbols reflects the rich maritime tradition of the area.
