Downtown Freehold is a bustling place.
The Freehold Library is a quiet place to relax and get away from the hustle and bustle.
Downtown Freehold has a vibrant food scene.
Manasquan Reservoir Park is 1,200 acre park located at the southern edge of Freehold.
At Turkey Swamp State Park in Freehold Township, you can hike on one of the many trails.

Freehold, NJ

Area Guide

Avg Rent

$2,144

Population

11,762

Renter Mix

51% Rent

A vibrant and historic community just minutes from the coast

Schools Historic Nature

Freehold Borough sits at the center of Monmouth County in central New Jersey, serving as the county seat with a compact two-square-mile footprint packed with history and character. The town earned its place in American history as the site of the Battle of Monmouth in 1778, one of the largest engagements of the Revolutionary War, and that sense of deep-rooted identity still shapes the borough's personality today. It's also widely known as the hometown of rock icon Bruce Springsteen, adding a cultural layer that goes well beyond its modest size.

The borough's downtown corridor along Main Street anchors daily life, offering a walkable mix of local businesses, eateries, and community gathering spots. Proximity to Asbury Park, the Jersey Shore, and major commuter routes connecting to New York City and Philadelphia makes Freehold an appealing base for those who want small-town roots with easy access to larger metro areas.

Explore the City

Downtown Freehold has a vibrant food scene.

Manasquan Reservoir Park is 1,200 acre park located at the southern edge of Freehold.

At Turkey Swamp State Park in Freehold Township, you can hike on one of the many trails.

Monmouth Battlefield State Park offers visitors many hiking options in Manalpan, NJ.

Freehold farmers market is the place to be on Friday's in Freehold.

Nearby Freehold Raceway Mall serves as your one stop shop for retail outlets.

Demographics

Median Household Income

$65,255

Average: $87,802

Education

2,862

Residents Have a Degree

Job Market

6,388

Workers Employed

Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.

Median Age

37 Years

Largest Age Group

35-44 Years

Approximately 15% of Residents

Under 20

26%

Over 65

13%

Housing Distribution

Freehold has more renters than homeowners.

Renters
51%
Non-Renters
49%

Education Distribution

Review this city's overall education levels.

Bachelor's or Higher
17%
Other Education
83%

Rent Trends

As of June 2026, the average apartment rent in Freehold, NJ is $2,154 for one bedroom, $2,945 for two bedrooms, and $3,045 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Freehold has increased by 4.3% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$2,154/month
776 Sq Ft
Condo
$2,553/month
828 Sq Ft
Townhome
$3,316/month
1,524 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Freehold, NJ

Getting Around

Moderately Walkable

Walkability

70 / 100

Limited Public Transit

Transit

30 / 100

Exceptionally Drivable

Drivability

100 / 100

Fairly Bikeable

Bikeability

50 / 100

Schools

Laura Donovan Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

449 Students

Joseph J Catena School

Public

Grades K-5

447 Students

C. Richard Applegate Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

366 Students

Park Avenue Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

484 Students

West Freehold Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

404 Students

Clifton T. Barkalow Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

661 Students

Dwight D. Eisenhower Elementary School

Public

Grades 6-8

558 Students

Intermediate School

Public

Grades 6-8

541 Students

Biotechnology High School

Public

Grades 9-12

317 Students

Freehold Borough High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,409 Students

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Monmouth Battlefield State Park
  • Etsch Farm
  • Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center
  • Phillips Open Space Preserve
  • Thompson Park

Airports

  • Trenton Mercer
  • Newark Liberty International

Top Apartments in Freehold

Houses for Rent in Freehold

Living in Freehold

History

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Freehold's historical significance runs deep, particularly from the Revolutionary War era when the Battle of Monmouth took place nearby in 1778. Today, visitors and residents can explore Monmouth Battlefield State Park, where the past comes alive through preserved grounds and interpretive programs. The downtown district along Main Street retains its historic character with buildings that reflect the borough's evolution as a central Monmouth County hub and longtime county seat.

As you walk through Freehold's center, you'll notice the architectural layers that tell the story of this community's development over more than two centuries. The area's Revolutionary War heritage is celebrated through local landmarks and commemorative sites, giving residents a tangible connection to the nation's founding era. Whether you're exploring the battlefield park or strolling past historic storefronts that have been adapted for contemporary use, Freehold's past remains visible in everyday life.

Restaurants

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Freehold's dining scene is centered along Main Street in the downtown district, where a diverse mix of cuisines gives residents plenty of reasons to eat out. You'll find everything from Japanese and Peruvian cooking to Jamaican dishes and classic New Jersey-style pizza, all within a walkable stretch of the borough's historic core. Larger shopping centers on the south side of town add even more casual dining options to the mix. Whether you're craving something familiar or looking to explore a new cuisine, Freehold's restaurant scene offers something for just about every palate and budget.

Transportation

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Most residents in Freehold rely on personal vehicles to get around, with Route 9 and Route 33 serving as the primary roads through town. New Jersey Transit bus service connects Freehold to nearby communities and regional destinations, including routes toward the Jersey Shore and New York City. The Freehold-Jamesburg State Aid Road also provides a useful regional connector. While the compact downtown along Main Street is walkable for everyday errands, car ownership remains the norm. Newark Liberty International Airport is roughly 45 miles to the north, offering major domestic and international flights.

Parks

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Freehold residents enjoy a variety of outdoor spaces close to home. Freehold Borough Park offers a classic community gathering spot with athletic fields, playgrounds, and picnic areas. Just outside of town, the expansive Monmouth Battlefield State Park preserves one of the largest Revolutionary War battlefields in the country, featuring miles of walking and hiking trails, open meadows, and a visitor center. Nature lovers will also appreciate the green spaces throughout Freehold Township, ideal for leisurely strolls and cycling. With the Jersey Shore beaches only about 15 miles away, outdoor recreation and waterfront escapes are always within easy reach.

Cost

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Rental prices in Freehold align closely with the New Jersey state average. One-bedroom apartments average around $2,085 per month, while two-bedroom units run approximately $2,815 per month and three-bedroom homes average around $3,030. The borough's median household income is around $65,000.

Shopping

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The Downtown district along Main Street is the heart of shopping in Freehold, where locally owned shops and boutiques line a walkable stretch that has drawn shoppers for generations. On the south side of town, larger shopping centers provide big-box and national retail options alongside dining and entertainment, making it easy to knock out errands in one stop. The area's historic charm and community-oriented character give its retail districts a distinctly local feel that sets it apart from a typical suburban shopping corridor.

Highlights

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Freehold, NJ, is a historic borough in central New Jersey and the county seat of Monmouth County, best known as the site of the Revolutionary War's Battle of Monmouth, now preserved at Monmouth Battlefield State Park. The walkable Downtown district along Main Street is packed with diverse dining options, while the Jersey Shore is just 15 miles away in Asbury Park. With easy access to shopping, outdoor recreation, and coastal escapes, Freehold offers a well-rounded lifestyle in the heart of New Jersey.

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Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in June 2026.

Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.