New Jersey is home to dozens of incredibly charming small towns, Cape May and Clinton come to mind immediately. However, we’re also home to some truly tiny towns with populations well below average for our state. Each of the towns on this list has 1,000 residents or less, but it’s time that they get some recognition. Populations listed are based on recent census data.
- Bay Head, Population 968
Wikipedia/Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD This tiny town runs along the ocean, in the shadows of Point Pleasant. It has a beautiful, family-friendly beach and a small museum housed in the Loveland Homestead. Don’t miss Mueller’s Bakery near Twilight Lake for sweet treats while you’re in town.
- Longport, Population 895
Wikipedia/Smallbones This island town near Atlantic City is a great spot for surfing and spotting some spectacular architecture.
- Roosevelt, Population 882
Wikipedia/Apc106 This Monmouth County town was originally established as Jersey Homesteads during the Great Depression. Its primary purpose was to relocate Jewish garment workers and help them overcome poverty.
- Stone Harbor, Population 866
Wikipedia/Smallbones This shore resort is one of the 101 richest towns in America, according to Worth Magazine. Originally marketed to wealthy Philadelphians as a summer getaway, it now attracts the elite from all over. Though the borough may be small, the downtown is thriving with businesses like Island Studio, Quahog’s Seafood Shack, Ocean Galleries and the famous Fudge Kitchen.
- Bloomsbury, Population 870
Wikipedia/Jerrye & Roy Klotz This Hunterdon County town was once known as Johnson’s Iron Works. You won’t find many restaurants here, but locals enjoy Casola’s Pizza & Grill.
- Branchville, Population 841
Wikipedia/Doug Kerr Once a thriving railroad town, this village comes in at less than one square mile. Still, it manages to have a little downtown area with restaurants like Third Base Pub and shops like Broad Street Books.
- Wrightstown, Population 802
Wikipedia/Mr. Matte Wrightstown is one of 56 South Jersey municipalities that are located within the New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve. Adjacent to Fort Dix, there are many places to grab grub including Sebastian’s Schnitzelhaus and Kelly’s Bar.
- Rocky Hill, Population 692
Wikipedia/Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD This historic town was once known as the Devil’s Featherbed because the rocky terrain was difficult to navigate by wagon. You won’t find public schools or even a police force here, but you will find ONE 53, a cozy bistro.
- Barnegat Light, Population 576
Wikipedia/DDauri This is one tiny town that most New Jerseyans have heard of, being that it’s home to the iconic Barnegat Lighthouse. While you’re here, be sure to check out the shops at historic Viking Village.
- Rockleigh, Population 541
Wikipedia/Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD Volvo’s American headquarters can be found in this tiny Bergen County town, along with the Rockleigh Country Club and Golf Course.
- Stockton, Population 538
Facebook/Prallsville Mills DRMS This scenic town of the Delaware River hasn’t changed much since the 1800s. While in town, visit the striking Prallsville Mills complex which offers tours, classes and events like the upcoming Halloween Spooktacular. You’ll also find the charming Woolverton Inn here.
- Shiloh, Population 516
Wikipedia/HABS This teeny tiny town in Cumberland County has its own sod farm - Rabbit Hill Farms.
- Mantoloking, Population 296
Flickr/Jersey Ocean Though this shore town was severely damaged by Hurricane Sandy, it is still considered one of the most exclusive places to live in the United States. In the summer, the population swells to around 5,000 and celebrities like Katherine Hepburn and Richard Nixon once had summer homes here.
- Loch Arbour, Population 196
Image/Google Maps This small town near Asbury Park offers both ocean beach and lake views. The village has just .1 square miles of land.
- Pine Valley, Population 24
Image/Google Maps Tavistock is the smallest town in New Jersey, with just 5 residents. Pine Valley is the second smallest, but it is home to the top-ranked golf course in the world. Pine Valley Golf Course is incredibly exclusive, though guests are invited once a year on the final day of the Crump Cup.
What is your favorite tiny town in the Garden State? For more on Viking Village in Barnegat Light, check out this article: The Quiet Fishing Town In New Jersey That Seems Frozen In Time. For even more small towns, check out this list of peaceful places in New Jersey.
Wikipedia/Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD
This tiny town runs along the ocean, in the shadows of Point Pleasant. It has a beautiful, family-friendly beach and a small museum housed in the Loveland Homestead. Don’t miss Mueller’s Bakery near Twilight Lake for sweet treats while you’re in town.
Wikipedia/Smallbones
This island town near Atlantic City is a great spot for surfing and spotting some spectacular architecture.
Wikipedia/Apc106
This Monmouth County town was originally established as Jersey Homesteads during the Great Depression. Its primary purpose was to relocate Jewish garment workers and help them overcome poverty.
This shore resort is one of the 101 richest towns in America, according to Worth Magazine. Originally marketed to wealthy Philadelphians as a summer getaway, it now attracts the elite from all over. Though the borough may be small, the downtown is thriving with businesses like Island Studio, Quahog’s Seafood Shack, Ocean Galleries and the famous Fudge Kitchen.
Wikipedia/Jerrye & Roy Klotz
This Hunterdon County town was once known as Johnson’s Iron Works. You won’t find many restaurants here, but locals enjoy Casola’s Pizza & Grill.
Wikipedia/Doug Kerr
Once a thriving railroad town, this village comes in at less than one square mile. Still, it manages to have a little downtown area with restaurants like Third Base Pub and shops like Broad Street Books.
Wikipedia/Mr. Matte
Wrightstown is one of 56 South Jersey municipalities that are located within the New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve. Adjacent to Fort Dix, there are many places to grab grub including Sebastian’s Schnitzelhaus and Kelly’s Bar.
This historic town was once known as the Devil’s Featherbed because the rocky terrain was difficult to navigate by wagon. You won’t find public schools or even a police force here, but you will find ONE 53, a cozy bistro.
Wikipedia/DDauri
This is one tiny town that most New Jerseyans have heard of, being that it’s home to the iconic Barnegat Lighthouse. While you’re here, be sure to check out the shops at historic Viking Village.
Volvo’s American headquarters can be found in this tiny Bergen County town, along with the Rockleigh Country Club and Golf Course.
Facebook/Prallsville Mills DRMS
This scenic town of the Delaware River hasn’t changed much since the 1800s. While in town, visit the striking Prallsville Mills complex which offers tours, classes and events like the upcoming Halloween Spooktacular. You’ll also find the charming Woolverton Inn here.
Wikipedia/HABS
This teeny tiny town in Cumberland County has its own sod farm - Rabbit Hill Farms.
Flickr/Jersey Ocean
Though this shore town was severely damaged by Hurricane Sandy, it is still considered one of the most exclusive places to live in the United States. In the summer, the population swells to around 5,000 and celebrities like Katherine Hepburn and Richard Nixon once had summer homes here.
Image/Google Maps
This small town near Asbury Park offers both ocean beach and lake views. The village has just .1 square miles of land.
Tavistock is the smallest town in New Jersey, with just 5 residents. Pine Valley is the second smallest, but it is home to the top-ranked golf course in the world. Pine Valley Golf Course is incredibly exclusive, though guests are invited once a year on the final day of the Crump Cup.
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