Town guide · Monmouth County
Living in Bradley Beach, NJ
Bradley Beach is a small oceanfront borough with about a mile of beachfront, a promenade along Ocean Avenue and its own train station. Fletcher Lake sits at the north end of town and Sylvan Lake at the south end.
- County
- Monmouth
- Population
- About 4,300 (2020 census)
- Size
- About 0.6 square miles
- Setting
- Oceanfront grid of residential streets between two lakes
- Main roads
- Route 71 (Main Street); Route 18, I-195 and the Parkway a short drive west
The town
Between two lakes
Bradley Beach is named for James A. Bradley, the developer who also created Asbury Park. It became a borough in 1893. Ocean Grove, part of Neptune Township, is just to the north, and Avon by the Sea is to the south.
- Along Ocean Avenue: The blocks facing the beach and the promenade.
- Near Fletcher Lake: The north end of town, on the lake Bradley Beach shares with Neptune Township.
- Near Sylvan Lake: The south end of town, on the lake shared with Avon by the Sea.
- Main Street and the station: Borough Hall and the train station at Railroad Square.
Homes
What you will find
- Older shore homes: Homes on the numbered and named avenues running to the beach, many updated over the years.
- Two family homes and rentals: Some homes are two family houses or are used as summer rentals.
- New and rebuilt homes: Newer construction where older homes were replaced.
Worth knowing: Bradley Beach has the ocean on one side and lakes at both ends, so flood risk changes from block to block. Check the flood zone, the elevation certificate and the flood history on every home, whether it sits near Fletcher Lake, Sylvan Lake or the beach. New Jersey sellers must disclose a home's flood zone and flood history.
Property taxes
What taxes look like in Bradley Beach
- 0.915%2025 effective tax rate, as a share of market value
- $10,0162025 average residential tax bill
A home worth $1,100,000 on today's market would pay roughly $10,065 a year at Bradley Beach'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 Bradley Beach shops and eats
Bradley Beach has a small downtown along Main Street, which is Route 71, but no supermarket, so the weekly grocery run means a short drive west.
Grocery stores
- WestStop & Shop116 Route 35, Neptune CityDirections
- NorthwestShopRite2200 Route 66, Neptune TownshipDirections
- NorthwestWegmans1104 Route 35, Ocean 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
Bradley Beach has a handful of restaurants and cafes, mostly along Main Street. For more choices, people go a mile or two north or south:
- Ocean Grove: Just north across Fletcher Lake. Main Avenue has sidewalk cafes and shops. Ocean Grove is a dry town, so its restaurants do not serve alcohol.
- Asbury Park: North on Route 71, downtown around Cookman Avenue and the boardwalk, with a large number of restaurants, bars and coffee houses.
- Belmar: South on Route 71 across the Shark River. Main Street is a walkable downtown known for a broad range of cuisines.
Shopping
Larger stores are along Route 35 in Neptune City and Neptune, a few minutes west.
Getting around
Roads and commuting
Main Street is Route 71, the main road through town. Route 18 is just west in Neptune Township, and the Garden State Parkway and Interstate 195 are about 10 to 15 minutes away. The Bradley Beach station at Railroad Square, between Brinley and LaReine Avenues, is on NJ Transit's North Jersey Coast Line, with service to New York Penn Station and south to Bay Head. NJ Transit buses 317 to Philadelphia and 830 for local service also stop in town.
Places worth knowing
Parks, landmarks and open space
- Bradley Beach beachfront: About a mile of beaches with a promenade along Ocean Avenue, restrooms, changing rooms and accessible ramps, with seasonal beach badges in summer.
- Fletcher Lake: The lake at the north end of town, shared with Neptune Township and looked after by the Fletcher Lake Commission.
- Sylvan Lake: The lake at the south end of town, shared with Avon by the Sea, which the two boroughs are working to restore.
- Riley Park: A borough park that hosts community events through the year.
Common questions
Questions people ask us about Bradley Beach
What are property taxes in Bradley Beach, NJ?
Bradley Beach Borough's 2025 effective tax rate is 0.915 percent of market value, and the average residential tax bill is $10,016, according to the New Jersey Division of Taxation. Actual bills depend on each home's assessment.
Does Bradley Beach have a train station?
Yes. The Bradley Beach station at Railroad Square is on NJ Transit's North Jersey Coast Line, between Belmar and Asbury Park. Trains run to New York Penn Station, some of them express.
Do you need a beach badge in Bradley Beach?
Yes, in summer. The borough sells daily and season badges for the lifeguarded season, roughly Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, and young children are free. Dates, age limits, prices and discounts are set each year, so check the borough before you go.
Who is Bradley Beach named after?
James A. Bradley, the New York developer who also created Asbury Park. Bradley Beach became a borough in 1893.
Where is the closest grocery store to Bradley Beach?
There is no supermarket in Bradley Beach itself. The closest is a Stop & Shop on Route 35 in Neptune City, a short drive west, with a ShopRite on Route 66 in Neptune and a Wegmans on Route 35 in Ocean Township a little farther northwest.
Is Bradley Beach part of Ocean Grove?
No. Bradley Beach is its own borough with its own government and property taxes. Ocean Grove, just to the north, is part of Neptune Township.
Nearby towns
Towns that border Bradley Beach
Buying or selling in Bradley Beach?
From Fletcher Lake to Sylvan Lake
A home near the station, one by Fletcher Lake and a summer rental near the promenade can sell very differently. We walk you through the flood zone and the rental history that buyers here ask about.
Call or text either of us directly.