Island Heights, New Jersey
Island Heights is a borough of 1,720 people in Ocean County, New Jersey, founded in 1887.
Why visit Island Heights
Townapedia lists 13 museums and landmarks, 7 parks and trails, 21 places to eat, 3 places to stay and 2 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Thomas A. Mathis and J. Stanley Tunney Bridges, A. A. Brant House, Captain Amos Birdsall House and Huddy Park.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 86°F; January lows average 22°F.
Weather in Island Heights
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Island Heights
Island Heights is a borough in Ocean County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 1,650, a decrease of 23 (−1.4%) from the 2010 census count of 1,673, which in turn reflected a decline of 78 (−4.5%) from the 1,751 counted in the 2000 census.
From the Wikipedia article Island Heights, New Jersey (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do2
Thomas A. Mathis and J. Stanley Tunney Bridges
Bridge · 2.3 mi
Bridge in New Jersey and Seaside Heights, New Jersey
Museums and landmarks13
A. A. Brant House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.8 mi
Historic house in Ocean County, New Jersey
Captain Amos Birdsall House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.6 mi
Historic house in Ocean County, New Jersey
Captain George W. Giberson House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.8 mi
Historic house in Ocean County, New Jersey
Crawford House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.8 mi
Historic house in Ocean County, New Jersey
Elizabeth Sculthorp Force House
Museum · National Register of Historic Places · 2.6 mi
Historic house in Ocean County, New Jersey
Horner House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.9 mi
Historic house in Ocean County, New Jersey
Ocean County Courthouse
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.8 mi
County courthouse in Ocean County, New Jersey
Ocean County Jail
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.8 mi
Historic building in Ocean County, New Jersey
Stewart House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.8 mi
Historic house in Ocean County, New Jersey
_just_north_of_River_Avenue_in_Island_Heights,_Ocean_County,_New_Jersey.jpg){kind=link}
_just_north_of_Central_Avenue_in_Island_Heights,_Ocean_County,_New_Jersey.jpg){kind=link}
Stoutenburgh-Minturn House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.7 mi
Historic house in Ocean County, New Jersey
Ocean County Artists’ Guild
Museum · 0.5 mi
22 Chestnut Avenue, Island Heights
Mo,We 10:00-15:00; Tu,Th 12:00-17:00; Fr 10:00-16:00; Sa,Su 13:00-16:00
1 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds7
Restaurants and cafes21
Linda's Pizza
Restaurant · Pizza · 1.0 mi
318 Ocean Gate Avenue, Ocean Gate
Su-Th 11:15-21:30 open "pickup and delivery"; Fr-Sa 11:15-22:30...
Anchor Inn
Restaurant · Pizza, Seafood, Steak House · 1.0 mi
400 Ocean Gate Avenue
Su, Tu-We 11:30-21:00; Th-Sa 11:30-22:00
Island Heights Bagelry
Restaurant · Bagel · 0.8 mi
214 West End Avenue, Island Heights
9 more on the map.
History
Island Heights was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on May 6, 1887, from portions of Dover Township (now Toms River Township), based on the results of a referendum held on November 18, 1886.
Island Heights takes its name from two sources: it originally was an island. It is situated by a steep bluff rising 60 feet (18 m) above the Toms River. It was originally known as Doctor Johnson's island, being included in the patent granted to him in 1680. In the century before the American Revolutionary War, it was known as Dillon's Island, probably for James Dillon, a prominent man in Toms River. The land was purchased by John Imlay of Allentown, who sold it in 1794 to Issac Gulick. In 1797, Gulick and his wife Abagail sold it to Abraham and George Parker. In 1799, the Parker brothers sold it to Abel Middleton of Upper Freehold Township.
Development of Island Heights began in 1878 when the Island Heights Association, a Methodist organization, was formed to establish a camp meeting site (similar to Ocean Grove). The first camp meeting was held in summer 1878, with 1,500 attending, followed by the development of cottages and the formal incorporation of the borough in 1887.
From the History section of Island Heights, New Jersey on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay3
Churches and places of worship4
Shopping1
Gas and EV charging2
Schools, colleges and libraries33
Central Regional Middle School
School · 5.1 mi
509 Forest Hills Parkway, Bayville
Hugh J. Boyd Jr. Elementary School
School · 3.5 mi
1200 Bay Boulevard, Seaside Hts
Healthcare1
Map of Island Heights
87 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 42°F | 22°F | 4.4 in |
| Feb | 44°F | 22°F | 3.2 in |
| Mar | 51°F | 28°F | 4.9 in |
| Apr | 62°F | 38°F | 3.8 in |
| May | 71°F | 49°F | 3.6 in |
| Jun | 80°F | 58°F | 3.9 in |
| Jul | 86°F | 64°F | 4.5 in |
| Aug | 84°F | 62°F | 5.0 in |
| Sep | 77°F | 53°F | 4.7 in |
| Oct | 67°F | 42°F | 4.5 in |
| Nov | 56°F | 32°F | 3.7 in |
| Dec | 47°F | 27°F | 5.8 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Toms River Hcn (4 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Ocean County has had 21 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for hurricanes.
- 2025-04-24: Jones Road Fire (Fire)
- 2021-09-05: Remnants Of Hurricane Ida (Hurricane)
- 2021-09-02: Remnants Of Hurricane Ida (Hurricane)
- 2021-04-28: Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm (Snowstorm)
- 2020-03-25: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Terminal Ocean County (MJX) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 1 miles away.
- Beachwood 3 mi west, about 5 min by car
- Dover Beaches South 3 mi east, about 6 min by car
- Toms River 4 mi northwest, about 7 min by car
- Holiday City South 5 mi west, about 8 min by car
- Silver Ridge 5 mi west, about 8 min by car
- Dover Beaches North 5 mi northeast, about 8 min by car
- Holiday Heights 6 mi west, about 10 min by car
- Holiday City-Berkeley 7 mi west, about 12 min by car
- Forked River 8 mi south, about 13 min by car
- Point Pleasant 10 mi northeast, about 16 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Central Avenue nb, Island Heights, NJ, Nov. 2025, Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page , my Commons user talk page , or my English Wikipedia user talk page ; I'll know about it a lot faster), CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2018-10-04 10 57 20 View north along Ocean County Route 627 (Central Avenue) just north of River Avenue in Island Heights, Ocean County, New Jersey, Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2018-10-04 10 52 58 View north along Ocean County Route 627 (River Avenue) just north of Central Avenue in Island Heights, Ocean County, New Jersey, Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- River Avenue nb, southern Island Heights, NJ, Nov. 2025, Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page , my Commons user talk page , or my English Wikipedia user talk page ; I'll know about it a lot faster), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Ocean Avenue eb, Island Heights, NJ, Nov. 2025, Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page , my Commons user talk page , or my English Wikipedia user talk page ; I'll know about it a lot faster), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Island Heights, NJ first aid squad, Dec. 2024, Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page , my Commons user talk page , or my English Wikipedia user talk page ; I'll know about it a lot faster), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Island Heights, NJ borough hall, Dec. 2024, Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page , my Commons user talk page , or my English Wikipedia user talk page ; I'll know about it a lot faster), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Island Heights, NJ police station, Dec. 2024, Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page , my Commons user talk page , or my English Wikipedia user talk page ; I'll know about it a lot faster), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Island Heights, NJ post office, Dec. 2024, Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page , my Commons user talk page , or my English Wikipedia user talk page ; I'll know about it a lot faster), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Wanamaker Field, Island Heights, NJ, Dec. 2024, Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page , my Commons user talk page , or my English Wikipedia user talk page ; I'll know about it a lot faster), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Mathis and Tunney Bridges from Island Heights, NJ, Dec. 2024, Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page , my Commons user talk page , or my English Wikipedia user talk page ; I'll know about it a lot faster), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Island Heights, NJ fire company, Dec. 2024, Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page , my Commons user talk page , or my English Wikipedia user talk page ; I'll know about it a lot faster), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Island Heights, NJ land art, Dec. 2024, Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page , my Commons user talk page , or my English Wikipedia user talk page ; I'll know about it a lot faster), CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2018-10-04 10 54 50 View south along Ocean County Route 627 (River Avenue) just south of West End Avenue in Island Heights, Ocean County, New Jersey, Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2018-10-04 10 50 24 View south along Ocean County Route 627 (Central Avenue) just south of New Jersey State Route 37 in Island Heights, Ocean County, New Jersey, Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2018-09-19 14 50 32 View west along New Jersey State Route 37 just west of Cornell Avenue along the border of Toms River Township and Island Heights in Ocean County, New Jersey, Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2018-09-19 14 23 09 View east along New Jersey State Route 37 just east of Ocean County Route 627 (Vaughn Avenue-West End Avenue) along the border of Toms River Township and Island Heights in Ocean..., Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- View of Island Heights, NJ from Pine Beach, Dec. 2024, Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page , my Commons user talk page , or my English Wikipedia user talk page ; I'll know about it a lot faster), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Capt George W Giberson House 3, James Welsh, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Ocean County Courthouse, James Welsh, CC BY-SA 3.0
- ELIZABETH SCULTHORP FORCE HOUSE OCEAN COUNTY, NJ, JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ, M.D., CC BY-SA 4.0
- Ocean County Jail and Sheriff's House, Toms River, NJ - 1978, Charles Gaertner, Public domain
- Crawford House, James Welsh, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Horner House, Toms River, NJ, James Welsh, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Capt Amos Birdsall House 2, James Welsh, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Stoutenburgh-Minturn House 2, James Welsh, CC BY-SA 3.0
- 57 Water Toms River Ocean Co NJ, Smallbones, CC BY-SA 3.0
- 9 Allen Toms River NJ, Smallbones, CC BY-SA 3.0
- 2013-08-21 11 14 00 View east along New Jersey Route 37 on the Barnegat Bay Bridge at the drawbridge traffic light, Famartin, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Pine Beach, NJ post office, Dec. 2024, Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page , my Commons user talk page , or my English Wikipedia user talk page ; I'll know about it a lot faster), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Guyana Entry Stamp DT, Dantorsiello, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Guyana Entry Stamp, Dantorsiello, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2018-09-19 14 25 46 View east along New Jersey State Route 37 just east of Coolidge Avenue in Toms River Township, Ocean County, New Jersey, Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Lawshe Drive eb, River Bank, Berkeley Township, NJ, Dec. 2024, Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page , my Commons user talk page , or my English Wikipedia user talk page ; I'll know about it a lot faster), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Barnegat Avenue wb, Gilford Park, Toms River, NJ, Nov. 2025, Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page , my Commons user talk page , or my English Wikipedia user talk page ; I'll know about it a lot faster), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Ocean CR 617 sb entering Ocean Gate, NJ, Dec. 2024, Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page , my Commons user talk page , or my English Wikipedia user talk page ; I'll know about it a lot faster), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Jeffreys Creek, Ocean Gate, NJ, Dec. 2024, Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page , my Commons user talk page , or my English Wikipedia user talk page ; I'll know about it a lot faster), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Ocean Gate Yacht Club, Ocean Gate, NJ, Dec. 2024, Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page , my Commons user talk page , or my English Wikipedia user talk page ; I'll know about it a lot faster), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Ocean CR 617 sb, between Pine Beach and Ocean Gate, NJ, Dec. 2024, Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page , my Commons user talk page , or my English Wikipedia user talk page ; I'll know about it a lot faster), CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2018-09-19 14 51 59 View west along New Jersey State Route 37 just west of Ocean County Route 627 (Vaughn Avenue-West End Avenue) in Toms River Township, Ocean County, New Jersey, Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0
_just_south_of_West_End_Avenue_in_Island_Heights,_Ocean_County,_New_Jersey.jpg){kind=link}
_just_south_of_New_Jersey_State_Route_37_in_Island_Heights,_Ocean_County,_New_Jersey.jpg){kind=link}
_along_the_border_of_Toms_River_Township_and_Island_Heights_in_Ocean_County,_New_Jersey.jpg){kind=link}
_in_Toms_River_Township,_Ocean_County,_New_Jersey.jpg){kind=link}
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