Allenhurst is a borough located on the Jersey Shore, in Monmouth County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The settlement was named after resident Abner Allen and was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 26, 1897, from portions of Ocean Township. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 472, a decrease of 24 (−4.8%) from the 2010 census count of 496, which in turn reflected a decline of 222 (−30.9%) from the 718 counted in the 2000 census.Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023.

Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and Deal Lake to the west, it is in close proximity to New York City and is a stop on the NJ Transit North Jersey Coast Line. The borough is at the center of a string of wealthy communities between Long Branch and Asbury Park with many historic homes built during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

In 2006, Allenhurst ranked 131st in Forbes magazine's list of the most expensive ZIP Codes in the United States.

History Allenhurst "reflects the history of development from a rural area to a suburb and resort town of New York City. In 1895, the Allen farm was bought by the Coast Land Improvement Company in order to build an exclusive resort community to attract upper class summer residents. The proximity of Allenhurst to the rail line was significant in the growth and popularity of Allenhurst, allowing residents of New York City easier access to the community."Trust for Architectural Easements Supports Allenhurst Residential Historic District

On April 26, 1897, Allenhurst was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature from portions of Ocean Township.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 177. Accessed May 1, 2026. The borough is situated in the center of a string of wealthy communities between Long Branch and Asbury Park. The borough was named for resident Abner Allen.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed August 26, 2015.

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries many historic homes were built in Victorian, Queen Anne, Italian Renaissance Revival, Tudor Revival, Prairie, Mission Revival, American Craftsman, Shingle, Colonial Revival, Neoclassical and Gothic Revival architectural styles.Staff. "Allenhurst Residential Historic District, Allenhurst, N.J.", Archirectural Ambler, Issue 13 / April 2010. Accessed July 27, 2012. "The most popular house styles were Colonial Revival and Queen Anne, but the Italian Renaissance Revival, Tudor Revival, Prairie, Mission, Craftsman and Shingle styles were also represented."Allenhurst Residential Historic District , Trust for Architectural Easements. Accessed July 27, 2012. "The style of houses is varied, and includes Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival, Neo-Classical, Gothic Revival, Prairie, Mission, Shingle, Craftsman and Italian Renaissance." Local ordinances overseen by an historic preservation commission have ensured the preservation of historical architecture by enforcing strict guidelines for the renovation of older homes.Stine, Don. , Asbury Park Press, April 26, 1999. Accessed July 27, 2012. "The seven-member commission will serve in an advisory capacity to the Planning Board regarding demolition or renovation of historic homes in the borough."

In 2006, Allenhurst ranked 131st in Forbes magazine's list of the most expensive ZIP Codes in the United States.Staff. "Most Expensive Zipcodes 2006: #131 07711 - Allenhurst, NJ" , Forbes, July 2006. Accessed November 10, 2008. In the magazine's 2012 rankings, the borough was ranked 448th, with a median price of $665,043.Brennan, Morgan. "America's Most Expensive ZIP Codes 2012", Forbes, October 16, 2012. Accessed September 17, 2013.

After Hurricane Sandy had devastated the shoreline in October 2012, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in 2015 pumped sand onto the beaches, which contained unexploded ordnance in the form of hundreds of fusing components for World War I-era artillery. From December 2016 until March 2017, USACE Baltimore District specialists in munitions and explosives removed 362 chap-stick-sized potentially live pieces, mostly boosters, which had most likely been disposed of as excess after World War I, and are not uncommon at Gateway's Sandy Hook Unit. "Not only was Fort Hancock an active military base until 1974, but also the proving ground of the U.S. Army from 1874 until 1919."Hook, Jay. "World War I-Era Ordnance Found Along Jersey Shore", Two River Times, March 19, 2017. Accessed March 17, 2020. "'Unexploded ordnance are not uncommon at Gateway’s Sandy Hook Unit,' Gateway National Recreation Area’s superintendent Jen Nersesian said in a statement. 'Not only was Fort Hancock an active military base until 1974, but this site was also the proving ground of the U.S. Army from 1874 until 1919.'"

Historic district

The Allenhurst Residential Historic District is a historic district roughly bounded by the Atlantic Ocean, Main Street, Cedar Avenue, Hume Street and Elberon Avenue. The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 18, 2010, for its significance in architecture. It includes 412 contributing buildings.

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 0.28 square miles (0.73 km2), including 0.25 square miles (0.65 km2) of land and 0.03 square miles (0.08 km2) of water (11.43%).

The borough borders the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Deal Lake to the west, and is in close proximity to New York City. The borough borders the Monmouth County municipalities of Deal, Interlaken, Loch Arbour and Ocean Township.Areas touching Allenhurst, MapIt. Accessed March 11, 2020.Regional Location Map, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed March 11, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

The beachfront is characterized by two groins, known to locals as "Crackup" and "The L". "The L" was featured in Scuba Diving magazine as one of New Jersey's premier shore diving locations.

Deal Lake covers , overseen by the Deal Lake Commission, established in 1974. Seven municipalities border the lake, accounting for of shoreline, also including Asbury Park, Deal, Interlaken, Loch Arbour, Neptune Township and Ocean Township.Home Page, Deal Lake Commission. Accessed July 8, 2015. "The Deal Lake Commission was created by the seven Monmouth County, NJ towns that surround Deal Lake. The Commission was chartered in 1974 by the Borough of Allenhurst, City of Asbury Park, Borough of Deal, Borough of Interlaken, Village of Loch Arbour, Neptune Township, and Ocean Township."

Demographics

2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 496 people, 217 households, and 115 families in the borough. The population density was 1,887.9 per square mile (728.9/km2). There were 365 housing units at an average density of 1,389.3 per square mile (536.4/km2). The racial makeup was 94.76% (470) White, 1.01% (5) Black or African American, 0.00% (0) Native American, 1.01% (5) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 1.41% (7) from other races, and 1.81% (9) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.44% (22) of the population.

Of the 217 households, 16.1% had children under the age of 18; 44.2% were married couples living together; 6.0% had a female householder with no husband present and 47.0% were non-families. Of all households, 37.3% were made up of individuals and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 3.11.

15.3% of the population were under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 23.4% from 25 to 44, 32.5% from 45 to 64, and 19.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47.2 years. For every 100 females, the population had 105.8 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 103.9 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $79,250 (with a margin of error of +/− $41,438) and the median family income was $131,500 (+/− $30,872). Males had a median income of $71,944 (+/− $75,722) versus $44,625 (+/− $3,762) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $63,707 (+/− $14,113). About 3.2% of families and 3.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 8.9% of those age 65 or over., United States Census Bureau. Accessed June 21, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 718 people, 285 households, and 188 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 370 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 97.35% White, 0.84% African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.14% from other races, and 0.97% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.51% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Allenhurst borough, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 27, 2012., United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 27, 2012.

There were 285 households, out of which 23.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.8% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.7% were non-families. 24.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 28.9% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.0 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $85,000, and the median income for a family was $109,180. Males had a median income of $70,625 versus $32,171 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $42,710. About 1.0% of families and 3.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.6% of those under age 18 and 2.1% of those age 65 or over.

Parks and recreation The Allenhurst Beach Club, a 2,450-member recreational facility, has attracted residents and visitors during the summer months for generations. As of 2013 it featured a salt water swimming pool, a children's wading pool, cabanas and bathhouses. New membership is no longer open to non-residents according to the borough administration.Allenhurst Beach Club, Borough of Allenhurst. Accessed September 17, 2013.

Government

Local government