Total enrollment
65,536
-3,331 (-5%) vs SY 2017-18
Ocean County
New Jersey · Public K-12
Ocean County operates 117 public K-12 schools across New Jersey, with a combined student body of roughly 66,051 and a county population near 654,362. By level, that breaks down as 70 elementary, 19 middle, and 25 high schools.
7-year change in Ocean County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
111
-6 (-5%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
61%
was 71%
% Hispanic
28%
was 20%
% Black
5%
was 5%
% Asian
2%
was 2%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
117
32 districts
Enrollment
66,051
NCES CCD
Median income
$89,863
Below New Jersey avg
Free/reduced lunch
43.5%
Above New Jersey avg
Elementary
70
30,799 students
Middle
19
13,867 students
High
25
20,778 students
Combined / other
3
607 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
Toms River Regional School District
14,323 students · 32 districts in Ocean County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Ocean County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
34.4%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
6.6%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
5.4%
civilian labor
Median age
41
25.0% under 18
Test scores in Ocean County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 89 schools ranked. New Jersey state average: 53.1%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Bay Head Elementary· 87.9%
- G. Harold Antrim Elementary School· 75.4%
- Island Heights Elementary School· 73.1%
- Southern Regional Middle School· 65.2%
- Memorial Middle School· 64.3%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
Cities in Ocean County
Toms River17 schoolsJackson10 schoolsBrick9 schoolsLakewood7 schoolsBarnegat6 schoolsBayville6 schoolsManahawkin5 schoolsBrick Town4 schoolsLanoka Harbor4 schoolsManchester4 schoolsNew Egypt4 schoolsPoint Pleasant4 schoolsForked River3 schoolsLittle Egg Harbor3 schoolsManahawkin3 schoolsWaretown3 schoolsBeachwood2 schoolsJackson2 schoolsLakewood2 schoolsLittle Egg Harbor2 schoolsPoint Pleasant Beach2 schoolsBay Head1 schoolBeach Haven1 schoolIsland Heights1 schoolLakehurst1 schoolLavallette1 schoolOcean Gate1 schoolPine Beach1 schoolSeaside Hts1 schoolShip Bottom1 schoolSouth Toms River1 schoolSurf City1 schoolToms River1 schoolTuckerton1 schoolWest Creek1 schoolWhiting1 school
About Ocean County
Ocean County is a population-heavy New Jersey county of about 654,362 residents, home to 117 public schools and roughly 66,051 students.
Looking at the wider area, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $89,863, about 34% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and roughly 7% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 13% lower than the New Jersey median.
Looking at the level breakdown, Ocean County is built around 70 elementary schools (30,799 students), 19 middle schools (13,867), 25 high schools (20,778), and 3 combined or other schools.
The largest single district in Ocean County is Toms River Regional School District, which alone enrolls about 14,323 students.
Trend over the past 7 years. Total public-school enrollment in Ocean County has contracted 5% since SY 2017-18, moving from about 68,867 students to 65,536. Ocean County now counts 111 public schools, down from 117 in SY 2017-18. On the demographic side, White enrollment moved from 71% to 61% over the same window.
In the discussion threads here, the community for Ocean County discusses comparison threads between local schools and program reviews. Discussions cut across districts, schools, and grade levels.
Frequently asked questions
Ocean County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data