Town guide · Ocean County
Living in Beachwood, NJ
Beachwood began in 1914 as a summer colony on the Toms River, sold in small lots by the publishers of the New York Tribune. Today it is a year round borough of about 2.8 square miles, with Route 9 and the Garden State Parkway running through it and the Pine Barrens at its western edge.
- County
- Ocean
- Population
- About 10,900 (2020 census)
- Size
- About 2.8 square miles
- Setting
- Year round neighborhoods between the Toms River and the edge of the Pine Barrens
- Main roads
- U.S. Route 9 and the Garden State Parkway, with Exit 80 at Double Trouble Road and Route 9
Neighborhoods
From the river to the pines
Beachwood became a borough in 1917, formed from part of Berkeley Township. It borders Berkeley Township, Pine Beach and South Toms River, and it uses its own ZIP code, 08722.
The town's story starts in 1914, when the publishers of the New York Tribune bought 1,763 acres for a summer colony. Each buyer got a lot 20 by 100 feet and a six month subscription to the paper. The first residents arrived in April 1915.
- Near the river: Streets closest to the Toms River and Beachwood Beach, where the summer colony began.
- Along Route 9: The main road through town, running north toward Toms River and south toward Berkeley Township.
- The pinelands side: The western part of town toward Double Trouble Road and Jakes Branch County Park, at the edge of the Pine Barrens.
Homes
What you will find
- Homes on colony era lots: The 1914 plan sold lots 20 by 100 feet, so ask how many original lots a home sits on.
- Homes near the river: Streets close to the Toms River and the borough beach.
- Homes near the pines: Streets on the western side of town toward Double Trouble Road and Jakes Branch County Park.
Worth knowing: Lot size is the Beachwood question. The 1914 plan sold lots only 20 feet wide, so read the survey and check how many original lots a home sits on before you plan an addition or a new build. Beachwood is also on the Pinelands Commission's list of Ocean County towns in the state Pinelands Area, so ask whether Pinelands rules reach the property. Closer to the river, get the flood zone and flood history, which New Jersey sellers must disclose.
Property taxes
What taxes look like in Beachwood
- 1.789%2025 effective tax rate, as a share of market value
- $6,6352025 average residential tax bill
A home worth $350,000 on today's market would pay roughly $6,262 a year at Beachwood'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.
Getting around
Roads and commuting
Route 9 runs through the center of Beachwood, north into South Toms River and Toms River and south into Berkeley Township. The Garden State Parkway also crosses the borough, and Exit 80 connects to Double Trouble Road, Dover Road and Route 9 at the South Toms River line. NJ Transit's 559 bus runs between Lakewood, Toms River and Atlantic City. There is no passenger rail. Route 9 and nearby Toms River are the closest places for daily shopping.
Places worth knowing
Parks, landmarks and open space
- Jakes Branch County Park: A 400 acre Ocean County park on Double Trouble Road with more than 8 miles of trails and a nature center whose rooftop deck looks out over the Pine Barrens.
- Beachwood Beach: The borough's beach on the Toms River; it was closed to swimming in 2024 and 2025 because of bacteria levels, though the sand stayed open, so check the current season.
- The Toms River: The river that drew the original summer colony, flowing east past town into Barnegat Bay.
- Beachwood Branch Library: A branch of the Ocean County Library in town.
Common questions
Questions people ask us about Beachwood
What are property taxes in Beachwood, NJ?
Beachwood Borough's 2025 effective tax rate is 1.789 percent of market value, and the average residential tax bill is $6,635, according to the New Jersey Division of Taxation. Actual bills depend on each home's assessment.
Is Beachwood part of Toms River?
No. Beachwood has been its own borough since 1917, formed from part of Berkeley Township. It borders South Toms River, Pine Beach and Berkeley Township, and it has its own government and property tax rate.
Can you swim at Beachwood Beach?
Swimming was banned at Beachwood Beach for the rest of the 2024 season and for all of 2025 after high bacteria counts, though the sand stayed open. Check with the borough for the current season.
What Garden State Parkway exit is Beachwood?
Exit 80, which connects to Double Trouble Road, Dover Road and Route 9 at the South Toms River line. Route 9 then runs south through Beachwood.
How did Beachwood start?
Beachwood started as a newspaper's summer colony. In 1914 the publishers of the New York Tribune bought 1,763 acres and sold lots 20 by 100 feet, each with a six month subscription to the paper. The first residents moved in during April 1915.
Nearby towns
Towns that border Beachwood
Buying or selling in Beachwood?
In Beachwood, start with the survey
Two Beachwood homes on the same street can sit on very different lots. We look at the survey, the lot lines and any Pinelands or flood rules first, then sit down with you to talk about price.
Call or text either of us directly.