Town guide · Ocean County
Living in Lakehurst, NJ
Lakehurst is a small borough of about one square mile, set around a cedar water lake in the pines. It grew up as a railroad town on the Central Railroad of New Jersey, and its older streets of workers' cottages and larger homes still show it. Manchester Township surrounds it on every side.
- County
- Ocean
- Population
- About 2,600 (2020 census)
- Size
- About 1 square mile, including Lake Horicon
- Setting
- A compact old railroad town around a cedar water lake, inside the Pinelands Area
- Main roads
- Route 70; the western end of Route 37 at the Lakehurst Circle; County Route 547
First things first
Lakehurst the borough, Lakehurst the base
The Lakehurst name is famous because of the naval air station where the Hindenburg crashed in 1937. That station, now part of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, is not in the borough. It sits in neighboring Manchester and Jackson townships.
Lakehurst Borough is a separate town of about one square mile, completely surrounded by Manchester Township. It split off from Manchester in 1921. The 08733 ZIP code is used in both the borough and parts of Manchester, so a Lakehurst address does not always mean a Lakehurst Borough home. Each town has its own government and its own property tax rate, and we confirm which one a home is in.
Neighborhoods
A walkable grid around the lake
Lakehurst began in 1821 as a square mile tract, and many of its streets carry tree names. The borough's historic walking tour points to a handful of areas you will hear about:
- Pine Street one of the borough's oldest sections, lined with former railroad workers' cottages.
- Hibernia Avenue another street of older railroad workers' cottages.
- Union Avenue a long, tree lined east and west street with older, larger homes, near the site of the old Pine Tree Inn.
- Church Street and downtown the small business district.
- Around Lake Horicon streets near the 63 acre lake and Lake Horicon Park, at Union Avenue and Lake Street.
Homes
What you will find
- Railroad era cottages smaller older homes on streets such as Pine Street and Hibernia Avenue, from the days of the Central Railroad shops.
- Older larger homes on Union Avenue and nearby streets, where the former Laurel Cottage of the Pine Tree Inn still stands.
- Homes near the lake on the streets around Lake Horicon and its park.
Worth knowing: Lakehurst has three things to sort out early. It is on the state's list of Pinelands Area municipalities, so Pinelands rules can limit what you build, add or subdivide. Much of the housing is older, so we look hard at the roof, heating system, electrical service and any oil tank history. And because Lakehurst addresses also reach into Manchester Township, we confirm the municipality on every listing, since the taxes and rules differ.
Property taxes
What taxes look like in Lakehurst
- 2.083%2025 effective tax rate, as a share of market value
- $5,8312025 average residential tax bill
A home worth $300,000 on today's market would pay roughly $6,249 a year at Lakehurst'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 70 is the main road through the borough. Route 37 begins at the Lakehurst Circle with Route 70 and runs east to Toms River, where it meets the Garden State Parkway at Exits 82A and 82B. Heading east on Route 70 reaches the Parkway at Exit 89 in Lakewood. County Route 547 comes in from the north. Ocean Ride runs local buses here, including the Whiting Express and Manchester routes. There is no passenger rail today, though Lakehurst was once a major shop and station stop on the Central Railroad of New Jersey. Daily shopping is in the small downtown and along Route 70 and Route 37.
Places worth knowing
Parks, landmarks and open space
- Lake Horicon Park a borough park on the 63 acre, stream fed lake, with a guarded swimming beach in summer, a playground, a pavilion, picnic tables and a nature trail.
- Lake Horicon a cedar water lake fed by Blacks' Branch and Hurricane Branch, with a footbridge to a small island.
- Lakehurst Historic Walking Tour a borough walking tour covering the old railroad area, Pine Street, Church Street, Union Avenue and the lake.
- Lakehurst Historical Society Museum a local history museum in Old St. John's Church, built in 1874.
Common questions
Questions people ask us about Lakehurst
What are property taxes in Lakehurst, NJ?
Lakehurst Borough's 2025 effective tax rate is 2.083 percent of market value, and the average residential tax bill is $5,831, according to the New Jersey Division of Taxation. Actual bills depend on each home's assessment.
Is the Hindenburg site in Lakehurst Borough?
No. The Hindenburg crashed in 1937 at the Lakehurst Naval Air Station, which is in Manchester Township, not the borough. The station is now part of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.
Is Lakehurst part of Manchester Township?
No. Lakehurst has been its own borough since 1921, when it separated from Manchester. Manchester completely surrounds it, but each town has its own government and its own property tax rate.
Is Lakehurst in the Pinelands?
Yes. Lakehurst Borough is on the New Jersey Pinelands Commission's list of Pinelands Area municipalities. Pinelands rules can affect building, additions and subdivisions, so check before you plan changes.
Can you swim in Lake Horicon?
Yes. Lake Horicon Park has a swimming beach with a lifeguard on duty during the summer season. The cedar water is naturally tinted, and the park also has a playground, a pavilion and picnic areas.
Buying or selling in Lakehurst?
We know the borough from the base
A Lakehurst address can be in the borough or in Manchester, and an older railroad era home has its own checklist. We sort out both, along with the Pinelands rules, before we talk about price.
Call or text either of us directly.