Town guide · Ocean County
Living in Jackson, NJ
Jackson covers about 100 square miles of northern Ocean County, from suburban neighborhoods to pine forest and open land. It is home to Six Flags Great Adventure, established 55 and over communities, and some of the most room to spread out anywhere near the shore.
- County
- Ocean
- Population
- About 58,500 (2020 census)
- Size
- About 100 square miles
- Setting
- Suburban neighborhoods, pine forest, lakes and larger lots toward the Pinelands
- Main roads
- Interstate 195 (Exits 16, 21 and 22) and county roads 526, 527, 528, 537, 547 and 571
Neighborhoods
Old crossroads names across a very big map
Jackson has no single downtown. It grew around small crossroads and mill villages, and many of those names still show up on street signs and in conversation: Jackson Mills, Cassville, Whitesville, Van Hiseville, Holmansville, Prospertown and Colliers Mills among them. Vista Center is the one area the Census Bureau tracks as its own community.
Because the township is so large, the feel changes a lot from one end to the other. Neighborhoods near the Lakewood and Howell borders are more built up, while the southern and western parts, including the Colliers Mills area on the Plumsted line, stay wooded and open. Streams feeding both the Metedeconk River and the Toms River run through the township.
- Westlake Golf and Country Club: A 55 and over community built around its own 18 hole golf course.
- Four Seasons at Metedeconk Lakes: A 55 and over community with its own amenities, including an indoor pool.
- Prospertown: The area around Six Flags Great Adventure and Prospertown Lake off County Route 537.
Homes
What you will find
- Single family homes in subdivisions of many ages, from older ranches and split levels to newer colonials.
- Age restricted communities with their own clubhouses, rules and monthly association fees.
- Larger lots and wooded properties in the less developed parts of the township.
Worth knowing: Part of Jackson lies inside the Pinelands National Reserve, where building and land use follow stricter state rules. If you are buying land or planning an addition, we check where the property sits first. If a home has a private well, New Jersey requires the water to be tested before the sale, and in any 55 and over community we review the association rules and fees before you commit.
Property taxes
What taxes look like in Jackson
- 1.458%2025 effective tax rate, as a share of market value
- $9,0382025 average residential tax bill
A home worth $600,000 on today's market would pay roughly $8,748 a year at Jackson'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
Interstate 195 crosses the northern part of the township, with Exit 16 at County Route 537 on the Millstone line, Exit 21 at County Route 527 and Exit 22 at Jackson Mills. That puts the Garden State Parkway and the shore to the east and the New Jersey Turnpike to the west. County roads 526, 527, 528, 537, 547 and 571 carry most local traffic. NJ Transit's 317 bus runs between Philadelphia and the shore, and a seasonal 308 bus connects Six Flags with the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan. Everyday shopping is along the main county roads, with more in nearby Lakewood, Howell and Freehold.
Places worth knowing
Parks, landmarks and open space
- Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area: About 12,900 acres of state land in Jackson and Plumsted, with Success Lake and Pinelands trails.
- Forest Resource Education Center: A free state forestry center on about 900 acres with miles of trails along the Toms River.
- Prospertown Lake: A state wildlife management area lake next to Six Flags, known for fishing.
Common questions
Questions people ask us about Jackson
What are property taxes in Jackson, NJ?
Jackson Township's 2025 effective tax rate is 1.458 percent of market value, and the average residential tax bill is $9,038, according to the New Jersey Division of Taxation. Actual bills depend on each home's assessment.
Is Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ?
Yes. Six Flags Great Adventure opened in Jackson Township in 1974 and sits off County Route 537. The resort complex also includes the Wild Safari Adventure and the Hurricane Harbor water park. Interstate 195 Exit 16 is the closest highway exit.
Are there 55 and over communities in Jackson, NJ?
Yes. Westlake Golf and Country Club and Four Seasons at Metedeconk Lakes are both age restricted communities in Jackson Township. Each has its own clubhouse, association rules and monthly fees, which are worth reviewing before you buy.
Is Jackson Township in the Pinelands?
Part of it is. A portion of Jackson lies within the Pinelands National Reserve, including state land like Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area. Properties in the Pinelands area follow stricter state land use rules, so it matters most if you plan to build or subdivide.
How big is Jackson Township?
Jackson covers about 100 square miles of land and water in northern Ocean County. About 58,500 people lived there as of the 2020 census.
Buying or selling in Jackson?
A big town deserves a careful price
A home near the Lakewood line and a wooded lot near the Pinelands are very different sales. We price each one on its own street, its own land and its own rules.
Call or text either of us directly.