Town guide · Ocean County
Living in Brick, NJ
Brick is one of the largest towns on the Jersey Shore, stretched along the Metedeconk River and Barnegat Bay with a slice of the barrier island and three ocean beaches. It offers more kinds of homes, at more price points, than almost any town around it.
- County
- Ocean
- Population
- About 73,600 (2020 census)
- Size
- About 32 square miles, roughly a fifth of it water
- Setting
- River, bay and lagoon neighborhoods, plus oceanfront on the barrier island
- Main roads
- Garden State Parkway exits 89, 90 and 91; Routes 70, 88 and 35
Neighborhoods
A town of many small neighborhoods
Brick is really a collection of communities, and the feel changes block by block. Some of the names you will hear:
- On the water: Cherry Quay, Shore Acres, Mandalay Park, Riviera Beach, Swan Point and Metedeconk, with lagoon and riverfront homes, many with docks.
- Established inland areas: Herbertsville, Laurelton, Breton Woods, Burrsville, Adamston and West Osbornville, with larger lots, mature trees and a quieter pace.
- The barrier island: Brick's stretch of Route 35 between the bay and the ocean, home to the town's three ocean beaches.
Two homes a mile apart in Brick can be very different purchases. Flood zone, bulkhead condition and lot size change value more here than in most towns, which is why we price Brick homes street by street.
Homes
What you will find
- Ranches, capes and split levels from the 1950s through the 1970s make up much of the inland housing, many of them updated over the years.
- Waterfront homes on lagoons, the river and the bay, from original cottages to new construction raised above flood elevation.
- Newer colonials in the western neighborhoods closer to the Parkway.
- Condominiums, townhomes and adult communities, which make Brick a common choice for downsizing without leaving the shore.
Worth knowing: many waterfront and lagoon homes sit in FEMA flood zones. That affects insurance cost, renovation rules and what a buyer's lender will require. New Jersey sellers must now disclose a home's flood zone and flood history, and we walk every buyer and seller through what that means for a specific address.
Property taxes
What taxes look like in Brick
- 1.575%2025 effective tax rate, as a share of market value
- $8,0932025 average residential tax bill
The effective rate is the easiest way to estimate. A home worth $500,000 on today's market would pay roughly $7,875 a year at Brick'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
Brick has three Garden State Parkway exits, 89, 90 and 91, which makes it one of the easier shore towns to commute from, north toward Monmouth County and New York or south toward Toms River and Atlantic City. Route 70 runs east to west across town, Route 88 connects to Lakewood and Point Pleasant, and Route 35 runs along the barrier island. Nearly every daily errand is a short drive, with Route 70 and Route 88 carrying most of the shopping.
Places worth knowing
Beaches, parks and the water
- Brick's ocean beaches: three public beaches on the barrier island, known locally as Brick Beach I, II and III.
- Windward Beach Park: a bayside beach and park on the Metedeconk River, popular with families and for summer events.
- Traders Cove Marina and Park: a township marina and waterfront park on Barnegat Bay.
- Drum Point Sports Complex and about a dozen neighborhood parks around town.
- Ocean Ice Palace: a Brick skating rink since 1960.
Common questions
Questions people ask us about Brick
What are property taxes in Brick, NJ?
For 2025, Brick Township's effective tax rate is 1.575 percent of market value, and the average residential tax bill is $8,093, according to the New Jersey Division of Taxation. A home worth $500,000 would pay roughly $7,875 a year. Actual bills depend on each home's assessment.
Does Brick have beaches?
Yes. Brick has three public ocean beaches on the barrier island along Route 35, plus Windward Beach Park, a bayside beach on the Metedeconk River.
Do I need flood insurance in Brick?
It depends on the address. Many waterfront and lagoon homes in Brick are in FEMA flood zones, and lenders require flood insurance on federally backed mortgages in high risk zones. New Jersey also requires sellers to disclose a home's flood zone and any flood history, so you can see the risk before you buy.
Is Brick a good place to commute from?
Brick has three Garden State Parkway exits, 89, 90 and 91, plus Routes 70 and 88, which makes it one of the more convenient shore towns for driving north into Monmouth County or south toward Toms River.
Are there adult communities in Brick?
Yes. Brick has several age restricted and adult communities, along with condominiums and townhomes, which makes it a popular choice for people downsizing at the shore. We can walk you through the fees, rules and recent sales for each one.
Nearby towns
Towns that border Brick
Buying or selling in Brick?
Talk to someone who knows the streets
We will tell you what homes near you are actually selling for, which flood zone you are in and what it means for your price.
Call or text either of us directly.