The name was changed to "Colts Neck Township" as of November 6, 1962, based on the results of a referendum held that day.

[22][23] Colts Neck is a wealthy bedroom community in Central New Jersey, located within the New York metropolitan area.

Many people choose to move to Colts Neck due to its open space and proximity to the Jersey Shore, while still being within commuting distance of New York City.

[24][25][26] The township's strict zoning ordinances have long kept out urban development and chain stores, allowing for locally owned businesses, while still being close to malls, movie theaters, and other amenities in neighboring communities.

The township has strict zoning regulations, and because there is no public water or sewage service, most homes must be built on lots covering a minimum of 2, 5 and 10 acres (4.0 ha).

From the 1950s into the 1970s many of Colts Neck's heavily wooded areas were developed with large colonial and ranch-style houses on acre-sized lots.

During this time period increasing home prices in northern New Jersey and New York City resulted in large numbers of people moving to central New Jersey, causing real estate prices in Colts Neck and surrounding towns to rise considerably over the course of the two decades.

[28] Many of Colts Neck's residents are professional business people who commute into New York City's financial district, as could be seen in the unusual proportion of the small community who were lost in the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.

[1][2] Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Bucks Mill,[32] Cooks Mills,[citation needed] Hominy Hill, Lippincott, Montrose, Phalanx, Scobeyville, Swimming River and Vanderburg.

[37] Four JG's Orchards & Vineyards is a winery based in the township, named for the shared initials of the owners and their two children.

[49] The 2010 United States census counted 10,142 people, 3,277 households, and 2,848 families in the township.

[50] As of the 2000 United States census[15] there were 12,331 people, 3,513 households, and 3,193 families residing in the township.

[3][54][55][56][57] Frank Rizzuto was appointed to fill the seat expiring in December 2018 that had been vacated by Michael Fitzgerald.

[60][61][62] For the 119th United States Congress, New Jersey's 4th congressional district is represented by Chris Smith (R, Manchester Township).

[65] For the 2024-2025 session, the 11th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the New Jersey Senate by Vin Gopal (D, Long Branch) and in the General Assembly by Margie Donlon (D, Ocean Township) and Luanne Peterpaul (D, Long Branch).

[103] The FRHSD board of education has nine members, who are elected to three-year terms from each of the constituent districts.

NJ Transit provides local bus service between Freehold Township and Sea Bright on the 838 route.

[109] The ferry service also offers seasonal travel, such as to the public beaches on Sandy Hook, baseball games at Yankee Stadium and Citi Field, trips to Broadway matinees, Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts, college football games at West Point, fall foliage in the Hudson Valley, and to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, among other excursions.

[110][111][112] Monmouth Executive Airport in Farmingdale supplies short-distance flights to surrounding areas and is the closest air transportation service.

[113] The nearest major commercial airport is Newark Liberty International Airport, which serves as a major hub for United Airlines and located 30 miles (48 km) north (about 47 minutes drive) from the center of Colts Neck Township.

Located in neighboring Freehold Township, the 287-bed hospital is a partner of Atlantic Health System and is affiliated with Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Colts Neck Township include: