Howell Township, NJ: Community Guide
Local Knowledge. Shore Results. Updated October 2026In Howell you can walk through the restored 19th-century ironworks at Allaire State Park, paddle the Manasquan River from the township's own kayak launch, and finish the day at a farm-to-table bistro. All of that sits in what's still a working agricultural area. At roughly 61 square miles, Howell is one of the largest municipalities in Monmouth County. It's big enough to hold rural farmland and established suburban subdivisions almost side by side.
Howell grew out of a string of historic hamlets: Adelphia, Bethel (later Southard), Freewood Acres, Jerseyville, Ramtown, Squankum and Ardena among them. Over time those scattered farm settlements came together as one large township, and many of those names still mark distinct parts of town today.
I'm Matt Quinn. I was born and raised in Ocean County, and I went to Monmouth University, living in Long Branch and Elberon during college. Before real estate I worked construction, served as a police officer, worked as a health inspector, and spent more than ten years as Manchester Township's Chief Code Enforcement Officer. I also hold a zoning officer certification. I've seen what's behind the walls of a lot of shore houses. I'll tell you what a town is really like, and I'll tell you if it's the wrong fit for you.
On This Page
- Howell Township at a Glance
- What Makes Howell Township Different
- Is Howell Township the Right Fit for You?
- What It's Really Like to Live in Howell Township
- Schools & Everyday Family Life
- What to Know Before Making the Move
- Common Questions About Living in Howell Township
- A Local Perspective on Living Here
- Thinking About Moving to Howell Township?
- Homes, Market Report & Nearby Towns
Howell Township at a Glance
Howell covers about 61 square miles and completely surrounds the small borough of Farmingdale. The population is around 53,500 to 54,000, which makes it one of the more populous towns I cover. Interstate 195 and Route 9 give you good regional access. The township has its own commuter lots, the Aldrich Park and Ride in Land O' Pines and the Howell Park and Ride in Adelphia, for NJ Transit bus routes 131, 135 and 139 into New York. For rail, commuters use Belmar station.
The first thing buyers should know: Howell still has a strong agricultural side, with crop farms, nurseries and a big equestrian community, even though much of it has suburbanized. Median sale prices were in the low-to-mid $600,000s as of early 2026. Prices vary a lot by neighborhood, lot size and utility setup: sewer or septic, public water or well.
What Makes Howell Township Different
Landmarks: Allaire State Park sits on the township's eastern edge, technically just over the line in Wall Township, though Howell residents treat it as their own backyard. It preserves a 19th-century company town built around James P. Allaire's bog-iron works, which at its height had 70 buildings and 500 residents. The Manasquan Reservoir, right in town, has scenic trails, boating and fishing. The Edgar Felix Memorial Bikeway gives cyclists a route from the Allaire area to Manasquan and the beach.
Most desirable pockets: Candlewood has classic midcentury split-levels and ranches, often on lots over a third of an acre, generally $500,000 to $900,000. Land O' Pines, established in 1951 and bordering the Manasquan Reservoir, has mature trees and well-kept single-family homes from $400,000 to $900,000. Adelphia Green, built from 2000 to 2003 on the Freehold Township border, has midsize homes in the $400,000s. Western and northern Howell include Agriculture and Rural Estate zones with large parcels and working farms.
Defining character: Howell is about size and variety. Rural farmland, established midcentury neighborhoods, newer planned developments and 55+ communities all share one of Monmouth County's largest municipal footprints.
Is Howell Township the Right Fit for You?
Howell works if you want real choice, from suburban cul-de-sacs to rural acreage, along with good schools, plenty of parks and a workable commute to New York or Philadelphia by I-195 and Route 9. It's a strong match if you want more land and lower density than the closer-in Monmouth towns, while staying a reasonable drive from the shore.
It's a harder fit if you want one walkable town center. Because of its size and its hamlet roots, Howell works more like a collection of distinct neighborhoods than a town with one downtown. Also confirm the utility setup for any specific address, sewer or septic and public water or well, since it varies quite a bit across the older settlement areas.
What It's Really Like to Live in Howell Township
Daily life depends on which section you're in. In established subdivisions like Candlewood or Land O' Pines, it's classic suburban: Route 9 shopping at Aldrich Plaza and easy weekends at Allaire State Park and the Manasquan Reservoir. In the Agriculture and Rural Estate zones, it's closer to the country, with working farms and active equestrian facilities. Howell Day, Concerts in the Park, farmers markets and holiday parades give the whole township a shared calendar.
Howell has also seen the occasional severe storm. In June 2017, two small tornadoes touched down in the township within minutes of each other and caused property damage. It's part of the local weather history, though it isn't something you deal with day to day.
Schools & Everyday Family Life
Howell Township Public Schools are consistently well-regarded, and the district puts weight on both academics and extracurriculars. Because the township is so big, use the district's official school locator to confirm the elementary, middle and high school for any specific address. Different neighborhoods can feed into different schools.
What to Know Before Making the Move
Confirm sewer or septic, and public water or well, for every property. It varies across Howell's older settlement areas, and municipal sewer extension work has been ongoing in sections like Freewood Acres, so check current status. With my construction background, I'd treat a well and septic inspection as a must in a township this big and this varied.
Howell is large, so tour more than one type of neighborhood. A Candlewood split-level, a Land O' Pines colonial near the reservoir and a farm property in a Rural Estate zone are three very different ways to live, all in the same township.
Median pricing was in the low-to-mid $600,000s as of early 2026. It varies a lot by section, lot size and utility setup. Use any single median as a starting point.
Howell has tornado activity on record. Two tornadoes touched down in June 2017. It's rare, but it's part of the area's severe weather history.
Common Questions About Living in Howell Township
Is Howell Township near the Jersey Shore?
It's a reasonable drive by I-195 or Route 9, but the township itself is entirely inland.
What is Freewood Acres?
One of Howell's historic hamlets. It's also one of the areas where municipal sewer extension work has been ongoing, so check utility status on any home there.
How big is Howell Township?
Very large by Monmouth County standards: about 61 square miles, completely surrounding the small borough of Farmingdale.
What do residents like about living in Howell?
Residents and outside rankings point to good schools, lots of parks and a strong sense of community across the township's many neighborhoods.
A Local Perspective on Living Here
Longtime residents describe Howell by its range. One township holds working farms, established postwar subdivisions, newer developments and historic hamlets, all under one municipal government. That's why residents say "which part of Howell" matters more here than almost anywhere else.
Thinking About Moving to Howell Township?
If you like Howell's size and variety but want a more compact town with one identity, look at Farmingdale, which Howell completely surrounds, or neighboring Wall Township. Both are smaller-scale inland options.
In a township this large, it pays to get specific about section, utilities and school assignment before you start touring. I've learned that helping buyers compare a Candlewood split-level against a farm property in a Rural Estate zone. Tell me which section you're picturing, and I'll help you narrow it down fast.
Homes, Market Report & Nearby Towns
Deciding between Middletown and Howell? Middletown has the train and the water. Howell gives you more land for less. See the Middletown vs Howell comparison
Want to see how Howell compares to another town? Run the comparison yourself