Town guide · Monmouth County
Living in Avon by the Sea, NJ
Avon by the Sea is a small oceanfront borough of about half a square mile, with the Shark River on its south side and Sylvan Lake at its north end. It has a boardwalk, a borough pool on Ocean Avenue, and shops along Main Street and Ocean Avenue.
- County
- Monmouth
- Population
- About 1,900 (2020 census)
- Size
- About half a square mile
- Setting
- Oceanfront and riverfront borough of residential streets around Main Street
- Main roads
- Route 71 through town; Route 35 just west, with Route 138, I-195 and the Parkway beyond
The town
Ocean, river and lake
Avon became a borough in 1900, taking its name from the earlier Avon Inn. It borders Bradley Beach, Neptune City, Neptune Township and, across the Shark River, Belmar.
- Along Ocean Avenue: The oceanfront blocks facing the boardwalk and the borough's seven ocean beaches.
- On the Shark River: The south side of town, along the river and the Shark River Inlet, looking across to Belmar.
- Near Sylvan Lake: The north end of town, where Sylvan Lake forms the border with Bradley Beach.
- Main Street: The borough office and local shops, with homes on the surrounding streets.
Homes
What you will find
- Older shore homes: Homes on lots laid out when the town was first surveyed in the late 1800s, many updated over the years.
- Riverfront and lakefront homes: Homes along the Shark River and near Sylvan Lake.
- New and rebuilt homes: Newer construction where older homes were replaced, some built at or above flood elevation.
Worth knowing: Avon has water on three sides, and the borough requires some construction to be elevated to or above the base flood elevation shown on FEMA maps. Ask for the flood zone, the elevation certificate and the flood history on every home, and check the preliminary FEMA map, which the borough uses for new construction and substantial improvements.
Property taxes
What taxes look like in Avon by the Sea
- 0.710%2025 effective tax rate, as a share of market value
- $12,1582025 average residential tax bill
A home worth $1,700,000 on today's market would pay roughly $12,070 a year at Avon by the Sea's 2025 effective rate. Your actual bill depends on your assessment, so we pull the real tax record for any home you are considering.
Source: New Jersey Division of Taxation, 2025 general and effective tax rates. Rates are set each year.
Groceries, dining and shopping
Where Avon by the Sea shops and eats
Avon by the Sea has shops along Main Street and Ocean Avenue but no supermarket, so the weekly grocery run means a short drive to Route 35.
Grocery stores
- NorthwestStop & Shop116 Route 35, Neptune CityDirections
- NorthwestShopRite2200 Route 66, Neptune TownshipDirections
- SouthwestShopRite1732 Route 35, Wall (Belmar mailing address)Directions
Checked October 2026. Stores open, close and move, so call ahead before a first trip.
Restaurants
There are only a few places to eat in Avon, on Main Street and on Ocean Avenue by the beach. For more choices, people go one town over in either direction:
- Belmar: South across the Shark River on Route 71. Main Street is a walkable downtown known for a broad range of cuisines.
- Asbury Park: North on Route 71, downtown around Cookman Avenue and the boardwalk, with a large number of restaurants, bars and coffee houses.
Shopping
Larger stores are along Route 35 in Neptune City, Neptune and Wall, all a few minutes west.
Getting around
Roads and commuting
Route 71 is the main road through Avon, running north into Bradley Beach and south across the Shark River into Belmar. Route 35 is just outside the borough and connects to Route 138 and Interstate 195, with the Garden State Parkway nearby. There is no train station in Avon. The closest stations on NJ Transit's North Jersey Coast Line are Bradley Beach and Belmar. NJ Transit buses 317 to Philadelphia and 830 for local service also run through the area. Daily shopping is along Main Street and Ocean Avenue.
Places worth knowing
Parks, landmarks and open space
- Avon beaches and boardwalk: Seven designated ocean beaches along the boardwalk, open year round, with seasonal beach badges in summer.
- Shark River Inlet: The ocean entrance to the Shark River on the borough's south side, between Avon and Belmar.
- Sylvan Lake: The lake shared with Bradley Beach, which the two boroughs are working together to restore.
- Avon pool: The borough's swimming pool on Ocean Avenue, open to residents and guests they sponsor.
Common questions
Questions people ask us about Avon by the Sea
What are property taxes in Avon by the Sea, NJ?
Avon-by-the-Sea Borough's 2025 effective tax rate is 0.710 percent of market value, and the average residential tax bill is $12,158, according to the New Jersey Division of Taxation. Actual bills depend on each home's assessment.
Does Avon by the Sea have a train station?
No. The closest stations are Bradley Beach and Belmar, both on NJ Transit's North Jersey Coast Line and a short drive or walk away. NJ Transit buses 317 and 830 also serve the area.
Do you need a beach badge in Avon by the Sea?
Yes, in summer. The borough sells daily and season badges for the lifeguarded season, which starts Memorial Day weekend, and young children are free. Dates, age limits and prices are set each year, so check the borough before you go. The beach is open year round.
How did Avon by the Sea get its name?
The borough was incorporated in 1900 and took its name from the Avon Inn, a hotel built in 1883. Before that the land was known by other names, including New Branch.
Where is the closest grocery store to Avon by the Sea?
There is no supermarket in Avon itself. The closest are a Stop & Shop on Route 35 in Neptune City and a ShopRite on Route 66 in Neptune, both a short drive northwest. To the southwest, there is a ShopRite on Route 35 in Wall Township, just past Belmar.
Is Avon the same as Neptune City or Bradley Beach?
No. Avon is its own borough with its own government and property taxes. It borders Bradley Beach to the north and Neptune City and Neptune Township to the west, with Belmar across the Shark River.
Nearby towns
Towns that border Avon by the Sea
Buying or selling in Avon?
Ocean side, river side or lake side
In about half a square mile, Avon has the ocean, the Shark River and Sylvan Lake. We will show you how your side of town shapes the elevation, the flood zone and the price.
Call or text either of us directly.