The County of Ocean is located in the central part of the U.S. state of New Jersey and comprises 15 townships and the two independent boroughs of Barnegat Light and Long Beach Township. The county is part of the Ocean-Monmouth-Atlantic metropolitan area. The county seat and largest municipality is Toms River Township. As of the Census of 2019, the county's population was 607,957 people.

The County of Ocean is governed by a five-member Board of Chosen Freeholders. The Board is composed of five members, elected for concurrent three-year terms by the voters of the county. The Board exercises executive, legislative and quasi-judicial powers within the county. The board-appointed County Manager is the chief administrative officer of the county, directly under the Board.

The Board, through its varied committees, oversees the County government’s activities and operations. The Board, as the administrative and legislative policy-making body of the county, has general legislative authority as to all matters of an administrative or governmental nature. This also includes the power of appropriation including the setting of tax rate and adoption of the annual budget.

The Ocean County government provides a range of public services and programs, including a library system, parks and recreation, solid waste management services and animal control. It also is responsible for health and medical services, social services, courts, infrastructure such as roads and bridges, public safety, and taxation.

For the most up-to-date and in-depth information, please check the public records links below.