Forked River New Jersey Map

About Forked River, New Jersey

Forked River is a locality in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States. It has a population of approximately 5,196. The population density is 704.0 people per km². Forked River is located at 39.8398°N, 74.1901°W. It observes the Eastern Time (America/New_York) timezone. ZIP code: 19014.

Forked River lies at the confluence of salt marsh and pine barrens, a place where the salty tang of the Atlantic air mingles with the resinous scent of the southern New Jersey pine forests. It lies 4.5 miles south-south-west of Berkeley, NJ (from Berkeley, NJ: bearing 204°T), and is situated 7.9 miles south of Toms River. The landscape here is a gentle unfolding of tidal creeks and estuaries, their muddy banks a haven for wading birds, and beyond them, the sandy, scrub-oak dotted terrain that characterizes the Pine Barrens. Sunlight, particularly in the late afternoon, casts long, amber shadows across the reeds and glints off the slow-moving waters, imbuing the scene with a quiet, almost melancholic beauty. The houses, often modest and weathered, seem to have grown organically from the sandy soil, their porches and yards reflecting the unhurried rhythm of life along the coast. The history of Forked River is deeply entwined with the waterways that define it, serving for centuries as a vital artery for commerce and settlement. Early industries relied on the bounty of the bay and the timber from the surrounding pine woods, with shipbuilding and oyster dredging forming the backbone of the local economy for generations. While those days of heavy industry have largely faded, a spirit of resourceful independence remains, evident in the small marinas that still dot the shoreline and the independent businesses that cater to both locals and the summer visitors drawn to the Jersey Shore. Forked River also carries a quiet connection to the maritime heritage of the region, with remnants of its past visible in the weathered piers and the enduring traditions of those who make their living from the sea.

About This Forked River Map Page

This page provides an interactive Google map of Forked River, New Jersey with street, satellite and terrain views and integrated Street View imagery. Live weather conditions are sourced directly from the National Weather Service, with current observations and a 7-day forecast also powered by Open-Meteo. Real-time local news and world news feeds keep the page current, while a Wikipedia summary or an editorially written description provides background on Forked River and Ocean County.

Detailed location data for Forked River includes the ZIP code (08731), telephone area code (732, 848), county seat of Ocean County (Toms River), and school district assignment (Lacey Township School District). These are among the most commonly searched location details for any US city or town.

Location data is drawn from the USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and cross-verified against 2020 US Census records by coordinate proximity — ensuring the correct Forked River is identified even where the name is shared across multiple counties or states. Population figures are sourced from the 2020 US Census.