Toms River is a township and the county seat of Ocean County, New Jersey, on the Jersey Shore. With a population of roughly 100,000, it is one of the state's largest municipalities, stretching from a broad mainland area east across Barnegat Bay to two barrier-island sections, Dover Beaches North and Dover Beaches South, the latter better known as Ortley Beach. More than 95 percent of residents live on the mainland. The township is a classic Jersey Shore community, balancing suburban neighborhoods, a commercial core along Route 37, and seasonal beach sections. Its barrier-island neighborhoods sit between Lavallette to the north and Seaside Heights to the south, placing residents close to the boardwalk, beaches, and summer attractions that define the Ocean County shore. The mainland features a mix of ranch homes, colonials, and active-adult communities. Toms River grew from a colonial-era settlement along the river that gives it its name into the commercial and governmental heart of Ocean County. That role is still visible in its downtown, county buildings, and the retail corridors that serve the broader shore region. Toms River Regional School District serves the township, operating three high schools — Toms River High School South, East, and North — along with elementary and middle schools. Transportation centers on the Garden State Parkway, which runs through the township at Exit 81, along with Route 37 and Route 9. NJ Transit bus service connects the Toms River Park & Ride to New York City's Port Authority. The township appeals to families, commuters, and retirees drawn to its schools, suburban amenities, and access to both the shore and the New York metro area. Its combination of mainland convenience and barrier-island beaches makes it one of the Jersey Shore's most substantial and well-rounded communities.