[21] Hazlet derives its name from Dr. John Hazlett, who had an estate in Raritan Township near the Keyport-Holmdel Turnpike, now Holmdel Road.

[25] Hazlet was part of the Bayshore Regional Strategic Plan, an effort by nine municipalities in northern Monmouth County to reinvigorate the area's economy by emphasizing the traditional downtowns, dense residential neighborhoods, maritime history, and the natural environment of the Raritan Bayshore coastline.

Unincorporated communities located partially or completely within Hazlet include Centerville, Mechanicsville, North Centerville, South Keyport, Tiltons Corner, Van Marters Corner and West Keansburg.

[28][29][30] The 2010 United States census counted 20,334 people, 7,140 households, and 5,526 families in the township.

Of all households, 19.3% were made up of individuals and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

[41] As of the 2000 United States census[15] there were 21,378 people, 7,244 households, and 5,802 families residing in the township.

17.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

As of 2025[update], members of the Hazlet Township Committee are Mayor Michael C. Sachs (R, term on committee ends December 31, 2027; term as mayor ends 2025), Deputy Mayor Peter Terranova (R, term on committee ends 2027; term as deputy mayor ends 2027), James A. Cavuto (R, 2025), Robert Preston Jr. (R, 2025) and Alice Campos Zanghi (R, 2027).

[3][45][46][47][48] In April 2022, the Township Committee selected Peter Terranova to fill the seat expiring in December 2024 that had been held by Tara Corcoran-Clark until she stepped down from office in February due to health issues.

[49][50] In January 2019, former councilmember Michael Sachs was selected to fill the council seat expiring in December 2020 that had been held by Susan Kiley until she resigned to take office on the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

[54][55][56] For the 119th United States Congress, New Jersey's 6th congressional district is represented by Frank Pallone (D, Long Branch).

[59] For the 2024-2025 session, the 13th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the New Jersey Senate by Declan O'Scanlon (R, Little Silver) and in the General Assembly by Vicky Flynn (R, Holmdel Township) and Gerard Scharfenberger (R, Middletown Township).

[83] The Hazlet Township Public Schools serve students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade.

[101] The Parkway's interchange 117, labeled for Keyport / Hazlet, is located within the township.

[104][105] NJ Transit provides local bus service on the 817 route.

[106] Through rail freight service is provided by Conrail Shared Assets Operations, which provides freight service between South Amboy and Lakehurst via Red Bank.