Location of Interlaken in Monmouth County circled and highlighted in red (left). Inset map: Location of Monmouth County in New Jersey highlighted in orange (right).
Interlaken was authorized for prospective incorporation as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 11, 1922, from portions of Ocean Township, subject to approval by a majority of voters in the affected area. Voters approved the incorporation of Interlaken in a referendum held on May 3, 1922.[21][22]
Interlaken is a dry town where alcohol is not permitted to be sold by law.[23][24]
Dr. Francis Weld, a Boston physician, bought a 364-acre (1.47 km2) tract and named it Interlaken Farm, after Interlaken, a peninsula in Switzerland situated between two lakes, that they had just visited, which was similar to the borough's location between two sections of Deal Lake.[26] Weld established the Interlaken Land Company in 1890 to turn his farm into a residential community with avenues named after English lakes and cross streets named after the islands in the Hebrides in the Irish Sea. While the initial effort did not succeed, the Stormfelz-Lovely-Neville Company was hired in 1905 to continue the building project, and the community began its growth.[25]
Interlaken was formed as a borough on March 11, 1922, based on the results of a referendum held on May 3, 1922.[21] The first mayor and council of Interlaken were seated on June 26, 1922.[25]
Interlaken remains entirely residential, as was originally intended by its developers.[25] The borough had been the only municipality in the state without any businesses, until a day-care center opened in 1992 under the terms of a state law that required approval of child care establishments serving five children or fewer.[27]
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 0.39 square miles (1.01 km2), including 0.33 square miles (0.86 km2) of land and 0.06 square miles (0.15 km2) of water (14.62%).[1][2]
Deal Lake covers 158 acres (64 ha) and is overseen by the Deal Lake Commission, which was established in 1974. Seven municipalities border the lake, accounting for 27 miles (43 km) of shoreline, also including Allenhurst, Asbury Park, Deal, Loch Arbour, Neptune Township and Ocean Township.[31]
Of the 361 households, 18.3% had children under the age of 18; 58.7% were married couples living together; 5.5% had a female householder with no husband present and 34.3% were non-families. Of all households, 26.3% were made up of individuals and 16.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.76.[18]
14.5% of the population were under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 14.5% from 25 to 44, 39.6% from 45 to 64, and 26.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 54.3 years. For every 100 females, the population had 90.3 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 90.0 males.[18]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $116,000 (with a margin of error of +/− $16,207) and the median family income was $137,500 (+/− $17,077). Males had a median income of $116,250 (+/− $10,733) versus $60,833 (+/− $21,986) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $72,484 (+/− $11,388). About 2.7% of families and 2.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 4.2% of those age 65 or over.[36]
2000 census
As of the 2000 United States census[15] there were 900 people, 386 households, and 260 families residing in the borough. The population density was 2,556.2 inhabitants per square mile (987.0/km2). There were 397 housing units at an average density of 1,127.6 per square mile (435.4/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 98.67% White, 0.22% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, and 1.00% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.11% of the population.[34][35]
There were 386 households, out of which 21.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.1% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.4% were non-families. 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.86.[34][35]
In the borough the population was spread out, with 17.9% under the age of 18, 4.0% from 18 to 24, 21.9% from 25 to 44, 33.4% from 45 to 64, and 22.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.0 males.[34][35]
The median income for a household in the borough was $82,842, and the median income for a family was $104,618. Males had a median income of $81,203 versus $59,063 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $47,307. About 1.5% of families and 3.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.7% of those under age 18 and 2.0% of those age 65 or over.[34][35]
Government
Local government
Interlaken is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey.[37] The governing body is comprised of the mayor and the borough council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. A mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council is comprised of six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle.[6] The borough form of government used by Interlaken is a "weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.[38][39]
As of 2023[update], the mayor of Interlaken is Republican Michael Nohilly, whose term of office ends on December 31, 2023. Members of the Borough Council are Council President John Rush Butler (R, 2025), Leonard Blasucci Jr. (R, 2025), Michael Delia (R, 2024), Michael DeSarno (R, 2024), Mervin Franks (R, 2023) and Mindy Horowitz (R, 2023).[3][40][41][42][43][44]
In July 2018, the borough council selected Rick Menditto to fill the seat expiring in December 2020 that had been held by Republican John Gunn until he resignedfrom office the previous month.[45] In the November 2018 general election, Democrat Arthur Fama defeated Menditto and was elected to serve the balance of the term of office.[46]
In September 2016, the borough council selected John Rush Butler to fill the vacant seat expiring in December 2016 that had been held by Keith Miller until his resignation earlier that month; Butler will serve on an interim basis until the November 2016 general election, when voters will choose a candidate to serve the balance of the term of office.[47]
Federal, state and county representation
Interlaken is located in the 6th Congressional District[48] and is part of New Jersey's 11th state legislative district.[49][50][51]
Monmouth County is governed by a Board of County Commissioners composed of five members who are elected at-large to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats up for election each year as part of the November general election. At an annual reorganization meeting held in the beginning of January, the board selects one of its members to serve as director and another as deputy director.[58] As of 2024[update], Monmouth County's Commissioners are Director Thomas A. Arnone (R, Neptune City, 2025),[59] Susan M. Kiley (R, Hazlet Township, 2024),[60]
Erik Anderson (R, Shrewsbury, 2026),[61]
Nick DiRocco (R, Wall Township, 2025),[62] and
Deputy Director Ross F. Licitra (R, Marlboro Township, 2026).[63][64][65]
As of March 2011, there were a total of 749 registered voters in Interlaken, of which 183 (24.4%) were registered as Democrats, 371 (49.5%) were registered as Republicans and 195 (26.0%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were no voters registered to other parties.[73]
In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 61.5% of the vote (362 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 38.0% (224 votes), and other candidates with 0.5% (3 votes), among the 595 ballots cast by the borough's 781 registered voters (6 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 76.2%.[74][75] In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 59.6% of the vote (379 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 36.9% (235 votes) and other candidates with 1.9% (12 votes), among the 636 ballots cast by the borough's 766 registered voters, for a turnout of 83.0%.[76] In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 59.0% of the vote (372 ballots cast), outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 38.8% (245 votes) and other candidates with 1.0% (8 votes), among the 631 ballots cast by the borough's 776 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 81.3.[77]
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 75.4% of the vote (383 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 23.4% (119 votes), and other candidates with 1.2% (6 votes), among the 523 ballots cast by the borough's 774 registered voters (15 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 67.6%.[78][79] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 63.5% of the vote (360 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 26.5% (150 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 7.9% (45 votes) and other candidates with 0.5% (3 votes), among the 567 ballots cast by the borough's 760 registered voters, yielding a 74.6% turnout.[80]
As of May 2010[update], the borough had a total of 6.77 miles (10.90 km) of roadways, of which 5.84 miles (9.40 km) were maintained by the municipality and 0.93 miles (1.50 km) by Monmouth County.[94]
No major highways pass directly serve Interlaken, with only minor roads such as County Route 15 passing directly through the borough. Route 18, Route 35, Route 66 and Route 71 are accessible in its neighboring communities. The Garden State Parkway is also not too far away.
^Liberman, Si. "Interlaken Journal; Gateway to a 'Camelot' Has No Welcome Mat for Businesses", The New York Times, August 9, 1992. Accessed January 24, 2023. "In fact, Interlaken is the only one among New Jersey's 567 municipalities that is strictly residential.... Through the years, the Monmouth County borough has prided itself on this ban, but a measure signed into law last September by Gov. Jim Florio has punched a hole in the community's vigilant antibusiness stance. The law declared that municipalities may no longer bar child day-care centers with fewer than six youngsters from operating in residential areas."
^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."
^Meeting Minutes for July 18, 2018, Borough of Interlaken. Accessed February 24, 2020. "Whereas, Councilman John Gunn resigned from his position on June 13, 2018 and;... Councilman Robert White made a motion to nominate Rick Menditto as the Councilmember to fill the vacancy, seconded by Councilwoman Horowitz and unanimously carried by roll call vote."
^Meeting Minutes September 30, 2015, Borough of Interlaken. Accessed July 15, 2016. "Whereas, Councilman Keith Miller resigned from his position on September 2, 2015 and... Therefore, Be It Resolved by the Borough Council of the Borough of Interlaken, County of Monmouth and State of New Jersey that John Rush Butler be and is hereby appointed until such time as an election is held to fill the remaining unexpired term of the vacated position pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:16-11 and a successor is duly qualified."
^Biography, Congressman Frank Pallone Jr. Accessed January 3, 2019. "Frank Pallone, Jr., was born in Long Branch, New Jersey, where he grew up and still resides."
^Monmouth County Government, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed July 19, 2022. "Monmouth County is governed by five commissioners elected at-large for three-year terms. Each January, the freeholders select one of their members to serve as the director of the board for the year to preside over the meetings and activities of the Board."
^West Long Branch Board of Eeucation District Policy 0110 - Identification, West Long Branch Public Schools. Accessed July 25, 2023. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Pre-Kindergarten through eight in the West Long Branch School District. Composition: The West Long Branch School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of West Long Branch."
^Board of Education of the Borough of Interlaken Meeting Minutes, Borough of Interlaken, September 28, 2015. Accessed January 28, 2017. "The Interlaken School District is part of a sending-receiving relationship with the West Long Branch School District for grades Kindergarten through 8 and the Shore Regional High School District for grades 9 through 12."
^Stine, Don. "Allenhurst Ends Sending-Receiving Relationship with Asbury Park School District", The Coaster, August 7, 2017. "Allenhurst is following in the footsteps of its two neighboring towns and will begin to send its students to West Long Branch Elementary School and to Shore Regional High School on a per-pupil tuition basis. Board of Education President Larry O’Rourke said that Allenhurst school board officials saw Interlaken and Loch Arbour recently make the same move with permission of state Acting-Commissioner of Education Kimberly Harrington.... O’Rourke said Allenhurst has about 38 school-age children and that some may be able to start attending their new schools this September but he added that no contracts with the two schools have yet been signed."
^Shore Regional High School District 2015 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed June 2, 2016. "Shore Regional High School, located in West Long Branch, Monmouth County New Jersey, is a comprehensive secondary school that proudly serves the communities of Monmouth Beach, Oceanport, Sea Bright, and West Long Branch. The beautiful ten-acre campus is situated on the banks of Franklin Lake in the borough of West Long Branch."
^Walter, Kenny. "SRHS $15.7M budget calls for flat tax levy; School taxes decrease for three of four sending towns"Archived September 27, 2018, at the Wayback Machine, The Hub, April 4, 2013. Accessed January 28, 2017. "Three of the four sending districts that comprise the Shore Regional High School District — Oceanport, Monmouth Beach and West Long Branch — will pay less in taxes for the 2013-14 school year. Taxes will increase, however, for property owners in Sea Bright, which will pay a higher percentage of the regional school budget."
^ abBoon, Jon. "Single In The City! Danny DeVito Moving To New York: He Misses The Big Apple!", RadarOnline, October 15, 2012. Accessed January 24, 2023. "Danny and Rhea used to stay at his vacation home in Interlaken, New Jersey whenever they wanted a break away from Los Angeles. He never really felt an affinity to California and lived there purely for work reasons."
^Lavietes, Stuart. "Fred J. Cook, 92, the Author of 45 Books, Many Exposés", The New York Times, May 4, 2003. Accessed January 24, 2023. "Fred J. Cook, a freelance investigative reporter who wrote exposés of the F.B.I., the C.I.A. and American corporations and who was involved in a landmark Supreme Court case affirming the regulation that broadcasters must serve the public interest, died on April 4 at his home in Interlaken, N.J. He was 92."
^Janson, Donald. "Park-Fire Lawyer A Tv Analyst, Too",The New York Times, July 7, 1985. Accessed January 24, 2023. "John R. Ford, a lawyer for Great Adventure, is also a legal commentator for WCBS-TV (Channel 2) in New York.... Mr. Ford, who grew up in Point Pleasant Beach, now lives in Interlaken, near Asbury Park."