Town guide · Monmouth County
Living in Howell, NJ
Howell is the largest town in Monmouth County by area, a patchwork of subdivisions, farms, nurseries and horse properties spread across about 61 square miles. It has the Manasquan Reservoir, part of Allaire State Park, and quick access to Route 9, Route 33 and Interstate 195.
- County
- Monmouth
- Population
- About 53,500 (2020 census)
- Size
- About 61 square miles, the largest town in Monmouth County
- Setting
- Suburban neighborhoods mixed with farms, nurseries, horse properties and woods
- Main roads
- Interstate 195 (Exits 28 and 31), Route 9, Route 33 and Route 34
Neighborhoods
One township, many sections
Howell does not have one main street. It is a collection of sections and old place names, and people often answer "where do you live" with the section rather than the town. Ramtown is large enough that the Census Bureau counts it as its own community. You will also hear Southard, Adelphia, Freewood Acres, Squankum, Fort Plains and West Farms, among others.
Howell also completely surrounds the small borough of Farmingdale, and many Howell homes carry a Farmingdale or Freehold mailing address even though they are in Howell Township.
- Ramtown: The largest named community in Howell, large enough to be counted as its own census community.
- Freewood Acres: An older neighborhood where some homes still run on private wells and septic systems.
- Adelphia and Southard: Historic crossroads names that still mark sections of the township.
Homes
What you will find
- Single family homes in subdivisions built over many decades, from ranches and split levels to newer colonials.
- Farms, nurseries and horse properties reflecting Howell's strong agricultural and equestrian roots.
- Homes on larger lots in the more rural sections of the township.
Worth knowing: Not every Howell home is on public water and sewer. Some neighborhoods, including parts of Freewood Acres, still rely on private wells and septic systems. New Jersey requires the well water to be tested before a home with a private well is sold, and most buyers also order a septic inspection. We confirm the water and sewer situation on every listing from day one.
Property taxes
What taxes look like in Howell
- 1.708%2025 effective tax rate, as a share of market value
- $9,8852025 average residential tax bill
A home worth $600,000 on today's market would pay roughly $10,248 a year at Howell'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 Howell shops and eats
Howell is a big township without a single downtown. Most stores and restaurants are along Route 9 on the west side of town, so how far you drive depends on where you live.
Grocery stores
- In townShopRite4594 Route 9, HowellDirections
- In townALDI5010 Route 9, HowellDirections
- NorthwestAcme3241 Route 9, Freehold TownshipDirections
- SouthTrader Joe's110 Brick Plaza, BrickDirections
- EastAcme2007 Route 35, Wall TownshipDirections
Checked October 2026. Stores open, close and move, so call ahead before a first trip.
Restaurants
Howell's restaurants are mostly along Route 9, with more scattered along Route 33 and the county roads. For a downtown dinner, people head to:
- Downtown Freehold: North to Main Street in Freehold Borough, a downtown that has become a center for restaurants and nightlife.
- Belmar: East toward the shore, a beach town whose boardwalk and town offer shops and restaurants.
Shopping
Route 9 is the main shopping road, with shopping centers through Howell and north to the Freehold Raceway Mall, a regional mall with more than 200 stores in Freehold Township.
Getting around
Roads and commuting
Interstate 195 crosses Howell with Exit 28 at Route 9 and Exit 31 at County Route 547 toward Farmingdale and Allaire State Park. Route 9 runs north and south through the township toward Freehold and Lakewood, and Route 33 and Route 34 also cross the township. The Garden State Parkway is just east in Wall, reached by Interstate 195 or Route 33. NJ Transit buses run to New York City, including the 139 from the Aldrich Road park and ride on Route 9. Most daily shopping is along the Route 9 corridor.
Places worth knowing
Parks, landmarks and open space
- Manasquan Reservoir: The most visited Monmouth County park, with a 5.1 mile perimeter trail, fishing, boating and a visitor center.
- Allaire State Park: About 3,200 acres of state park in Howell and Wall, with trails, the Manasquan River and a historic village.
- Alfred C. Sauer Park at Echo Lake: A township park with a walking trail, fishing and kayaking on Echo Lake.
- Edgar Felix Bikeway: A 5.4 mile rail trail running from Allaire State Park to Manasquan.
Common questions
Questions people ask us about Howell
What are property taxes in Howell, NJ?
Howell Township's 2025 effective tax rate is 1.708 percent of market value, and the average residential tax bill is $9,885, according to the New Jersey Division of Taxation. Actual bills depend on each home's assessment.
Is Howell the largest town in Monmouth County?
Yes, by area. Howell Township covers about 61 square miles, more than any other municipality in Monmouth County. About 53,500 people lived there as of the 2020 census.
Do homes in Howell have well water and septic?
Some do. Many Howell homes are on public water and sewer, but some neighborhoods, including parts of Freewood Acres, still use private wells and septic systems. New Jersey requires the well water to be tested before a home with a private well is sold.
Is there a Garden State Parkway exit in Howell?
No. The Parkway runs just east of Howell through Wall Township. Howell drivers reach it by Interstate 195 or Route 33 in a few minutes.
Where is the closest grocery store to Howell?
Howell's supermarkets are on Route 9 on the west side of town, including a ShopRite and an ALDI, and there is an Acme just over the line on Route 9 in Freehold Township. On the east side of town, an Acme on Route 35 in Wall Township and a Trader Joe's at Brick Plaza in Brick are also within reach.
Is Allaire State Park in Howell?
Partly. Allaire State Park lies in both Howell and Wall townships. The historic Allaire Village inside the park is on the Wall side.
Nearby towns
Towns that border Howell
Buying or selling in Howell?
Every section of Howell sells differently
Vin grew up in western Monmouth County, and we know how much a home's section, lot and water source matter here. We price Howell homes street by street, not by the town average.
Call or text either of us directly.