Town guide · Monmouth County
Living in Rumson, NJ
Rumson sits between the Navesink and Shrewsbury rivers, with Sea Bright and the ocean just across the bridge. It is known for the 19th century estates along Rumson Road and the riverbanks, and for its waterfront. Most of its shops are clustered in Oceanic, on the north side of town.
- County
- Monmouth
- Population
- About 7,300 (2020 census)
- Size
- About 7 square miles, about 5 of it land
- Setting
- Riverfront borough between the Navesink and Shrewsbury rivers
- Main roads
- County Route 520 (Rumson Road); Parkway exit 109 to the west
Neighborhoods
Between two rivers
Rumson was formed as a borough in 1907. Its sections take their names from old communities and the waterfront.
- Oceanic: The north side of town, along Bingham Avenue and River Road, where most of Rumson's shops are, next to the Oceanic Bridge.
- Rumson Road: The historic main road, lined with 19th century estates.
- Along the Navesink: Homes on the river's south shore, facing Middletown.
- Along the Shrewsbury: Homes on the river toward Sea Bright, Oceanport and Monmouth Beach.
- Other place names: East Oceanic, Rumson Bluffs, Rumson Hills, Elsemere and Waterloo.
Homes
What you will find
- Historic estates 19th century estates, especially along Rumson Road and the rivers.
- Waterfront homes: Homes on the Navesink and Shrewsbury rivers.
- In town streets: Older and newer single family homes on smaller lots, many within reach of Oceanic.
Worth knowing: Flood risk on the waterfront is the first thing to check. The borough has a floodplain management plan focused on storm surge, and New Jersey's Mitigation Assistance Program helps some owners in flood prone areas raise their homes. Ask for the flood zone, elevation certificate and flood history on every riverfront home. Owners of older homes can also turn to the borough's Historic Preservation Commission for guidance before planning major changes.
Property taxes
What taxes look like in Rumson
- 1.107%2025 effective tax rate, as a share of market value
- $23,6072025 average residential tax bill
A home worth $2,150,000 on today's market would pay roughly $23,800 a year at Rumson'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 Rumson shops and eats
Rumson has a small business area but no supermarket, so grocery runs mean a short drive west to Fair Haven, Little Silver or Shrewsbury. Downtown Red Bank is close by for everything else.
Grocery stores
- WestAcme576 River Road, Fair HavenDirections
- SouthwestAcme507 Prospect Avenue, Little SilverDirections
- SouthwestTrader Joe's1031 Broad Street, ShrewsburyDirections
- SouthShopRite145 Monmouth Road, West Long BranchDirections
Checked October 2026. Stores open, close and move, so call ahead before a first trip.
Restaurants
There are only a few places to eat in Rumson, mostly along River Road and East River Road. For more choice, most people head to one of these:
- Downtown Red Bank: West through Fair Haven to Broad Street, a historic downtown known for its restaurants, boutiques and summer outdoor dining.
- Pier Village, Long Branch: South along the ocean through Sea Bright and Monmouth Beach to the oceanfront in Long Branch, with restaurants on the boardwalk and local shops.
Shopping
For anything beyond the basics, people head west to the boutiques of downtown Red Bank or to the shopping centers along Route 35.
Getting around
Roads and commuting
No state or federal highway runs through Rumson. County Route 520, Rumson Road, is the main road and leads west to Garden State Parkway exit 109. To the east, a new bridge over the Shrewsbury River, opened in July 2025, carries Route 520 to Sea Bright and Route 36. The Oceanic Bridge crosses the Navesink to Locust in Middletown. The nearest train stations are Little Silver and Red Bank on NJ Transit's North Jersey Coast Line, and the SeaStreak ferry to Manhattan leaves from Atlantic Highlands. Daily shopping is in Oceanic and nearby Red Bank.
Places worth knowing
Parks, landmarks and open space
- Victory Park: A borough park, home to Teddy's Playground.
- West Park and Jumping Point Park: Two borough parks, with a new playground and waterfront improvements planned.
- Rumson Road: The historic main road through town, lined with 19th century estates.
- The Oceanic Bridge: The bridge over the Navesink River from Oceanic to Locust in Middletown.
Common questions
Questions people ask us about Rumson
What are property taxes in Rumson, NJ?
Rumson Borough's 2025 effective tax rate is 1.107 percent of market value, and the average residential tax bill is $23,607, according to the New Jersey Division of Taxation. Actual bills depend on each home's assessment.
Is there a train station in Rumson?
No. The nearest stations are Little Silver and Red Bank on NJ Transit's North Jersey Coast Line, a short drive west. The SeaStreak ferry from Atlantic Highlands is another way to reach Manhattan.
How do you get from Rumson to Sea Bright?
Take Rumson Road east over the Shrewsbury River. Monmouth County replaced the old 1950 bridge, and the new span opened to traffic on July 31, 2025.
Where does the name Rumson come from?
The name comes from Navarumsunk, the Native American name for the area recorded as early as 1663. It was later shortened to Rumson. The story that it was bought with rum is a local legend that historians dispute.
Do I need flood insurance in Rumson?
It depends on the address. Homes near the Navesink and Shrewsbury rivers can be in high risk flood zones, where lenders require flood insurance on federally backed mortgages. Many inland streets are not, so the answer comes down to the specific property.
Where is the closest grocery store to Rumson?
The closest supermarket is Acme on River Road in Fair Haven, just west of Rumson. Another Acme is on Prospect Avenue in Little Silver, Trader Joe's is on Broad Street in Shrewsbury, and ShopRite is on Monmouth Road in West Long Branch. There is no supermarket in Rumson itself.
Nearby towns
Towns that border Rumson
Buying or selling in Rumson?
Waterfront, estate or in town
A riverfront home and an in town home in Rumson are priced on very different terms. We look at the water, the lot, the flood zone and the history of the house before we talk about price.
Call or text either of us directly.