[20] What is now Belmar was originally incorporated as Ocean Beach borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 9, 1885, from portions of Wall Township, based on the results of a referendum held two days earlier.

[1][2] Belmar borders the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Monmouth County municipalities of Avon-by-the-Sea to the north, Neptune Township to the northwest, Wall Township to the west, and Lake Como and Spring Lake to the south.

[23][24][25] The 2010 United States census counted 5,794 people, 2,695 households, and 1,267 families in the borough.

Of all households, 41.9% were made up of individuals and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

[31] As of the 2000 United States census[15] there were 6,045 people, 2,946 households, and 1,316 families residing in the borough.

[32][30] Belmar is a popular vacation destination because of its natural and recreational resources and close proximity to New York and Philadelphia.

It features wide beaches for sunbathing, surfing, swimming, and fishing.

Belmar beach (as well as those of municipalities to the south, such as Manasquan and Point Pleasant) is among the most popular surf spots on the East Coast.

Along with surfing, Belmar also has an active skate community and skatepark constructed by American Ramp Company.

The Mayor is directly elected by the voters for a four-year term and serves as Belmar's chief executive officer, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Borough.

[41] As of 2025[update], the Mayor of Belmar is Democrat Gerald Buccafusco, whose term of office ends December 31, 2026.

[47] For the 119th United States Congress, New Jersey's 4th congressional district is represented by Chris Smith (R, Manchester Township).

[78] The district also serves students from Lake Como who attend as part of a sending/receiving relationship.

There are 61 certified staff members, including the district's administrators, teachers, nurses and child study team personnel, with an additional 12 paraprofessionals.

[80][87] Students also have the option to attend Academy Charter High School in Lake Como, which accepts students on a lottery basis from the communities of Allenhurst, Asbury Park, Avon-by-the-Sea, Belmar, Bradley Beach, Deal, Interlaken and Lake Como.

[88][89] Belmar is home of St. Rose High School, which was established in 1923 by the local parish and the Sisters of St. Joseph, and operates under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton.

[90][91] Mesivta Keser Torah of Central Jersey, a yeshiva and high school for men that serves Haredi students mainly from Lakewood Township, Deal and Brooklyn, has been in the borough since the 1920s.

The closest limited access roads are all in neighboring Wall Township: Route 18, the Garden State Parkway and Interstate 195.

[97] In August 2008, the borough established a Sister City relationship with Balbriggan, a town of nearly 16,000 in County Dublin, Ireland.