Town guide · Ocean County
Living in Lavallette, NJ
Lavallette is a small borough on the Barnegat Peninsula, less than a square mile between the ocean and Barnegat Bay. It has a boardwalk along the beach, swimming beaches on both the ocean and the bay, and a bayfront gazebo that hosts summer concerts and movies.
- County
- Ocean
- Population
- About 1,800 (2020 census)
- Size
- About 1 square mile, including water
- Setting
- Oceanfront and bayfront on the Barnegat Peninsula
- Main roads
- Route 35 (Grand Central Avenue northbound, Anna O. Hawkins Boulevard southbound); Route 37 and Parkway Exit 82 via Toms River
Neighborhoods
Ocean to bay in a few blocks
Lavallette sits on the Barnegat Peninsula, the narrow strip of land that separates Barnegat Bay from the ocean. Its only neighbor is Toms River Township, whose barrier island sections wrap around it: Ortley Beach to the south and the Dover Beaches North sections, including Ocean Beach, to the north.
- The oceanfront streets running up to the dunes and the boardwalk along the beach.
- The middle of town blocks on either side of Route 35, where the northbound and southbound lanes run on separate streets.
- The bayfront homes facing Barnegat Bay, near the Centennial Gazebo and the bay beaches.
Homes
What you will find
- Shore homes year round and seasonal homes on small barrier island lots, from older cottages to newer homes built higher.
- Oceanfront homes homes near or facing the beach, behind the dunes.
- Bayfront homes homes on Barnegat Bay with water views to the west.
Worth knowing: Lavallette sits only a few feet above sea level, so flood risk comes first. Superstorm Sandy wrecked about three quarters of the boardwalk in 2012, and many homes needed repairs. An Army Corps of Engineers beach and dune project along this stretch of the peninsula followed in 2017. The flood zone, the elevation certificate and the flood history drive insurance cost and what you may build or renovate, so ask for all three.
Property taxes
What taxes look like in Lavallette
- 0.619%2025 effective tax rate, as a share of market value
- $9,1792025 average residential tax bill
A home worth $1,500,000 on today's market would pay roughly $9,285 a year at Lavallette'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 35 is the main road, running north and south through town as a pair of one way streets: Grand Central Avenue northbound and Anna O. Hawkins Boulevard southbound. To reach the mainland, take Route 35 south through Ortley Beach to Route 37, which crosses Barnegat Bay on the Mathis and Tunney bridges into Toms River and meets the Garden State Parkway at Exits 82A and 82B. Heading north, Route 35 continues through Brick's beach section, Mantoloking and Bay Head toward Point Pleasant Beach. The nearest train is NJ Transit's North Jersey Coast Line, which ends at Bay Head. Ocean Ride's Toms River Connection bus serves the borough. Most daily shopping is on the mainland along Route 37 in Toms River.
Places worth knowing
Parks, landmarks and open space
- Lavallette beaches nine protected ocean beaches designated for swimming, some with areas set aside for surfing and surf fishing. Beach badges are required in season.
- Lavallette boardwalk a walkway of about 1.1 miles along the beach, rebuilt and reopened in 2013 after Superstorm Sandy.
- Bay beaches two swimming beaches on Barnegat Bay, with fishing, crabbing, boating and sailing on the bay side.
- Centennial Gazebo and Gardens on the bayfront at Philadelphia Avenue, home to summer band concerts, fireworks and Movies on the Bay.
Common questions
Questions people ask us about Lavallette
What are property taxes in Lavallette, NJ?
Lavallette Borough's 2025 effective tax rate is 0.619 percent of market value, and the average residential tax bill is $9,179, according to the New Jersey Division of Taxation. Actual bills depend on each home's assessment.
Is Ortley Beach part of Lavallette?
No. Ortley Beach, just south of Lavallette, is part of Toms River Township. The sections just north, including Ocean Beach, are also in Toms River. Lavallette is its own borough with its own government and property tax rate.
Does Lavallette have a boardwalk?
Yes. Lavallette has a boardwalk of about 1.1 miles along the beach. About three quarters of it was wrecked by Superstorm Sandy, and the rebuilt boardwalk reopened in May 2013.
Does Lavallette have bay beaches?
Yes. Along with its ocean beaches, Lavallette has two swimming beaches on Barnegat Bay. The bayfront is also home to the Centennial Gazebo, where the borough holds summer concerts and movies.
How do you get to Lavallette from the Parkway?
Take Garden State Parkway Exit 82 to Route 37 east in Toms River. Cross Barnegat Bay on the Mathis Bridge, then follow Route 35 north through Ortley Beach into Lavallette.
Buying or selling in Lavallette?
Ocean block or bay block, it matters here
Lavallette is only a few blocks wide, but an ocean block home and a bayfront home are different purchases. We walk you through the flood zone and elevation for the exact address, then talk price.
Call or text either of us directly.