Lavallette was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on December 21, 1887, from portions of Dover Township (now Toms River Township), based on the results of a referendum held two days earlier.

[21] Lavallette was named for Elie A. F. La Vallette, one of the first rear admirals appointed in the United States Navy when President Abraham Lincoln created the rank in July 1862, and the father of Albert T. Lavallette, co-founder of the borough.

[1][2] The borough borders the Ocean County municipality of Toms River Township.

[27][28][29] The 2010 United States census counted 1,875 people, 945 households, and 557 families in the borough.

The borough offers tennis, bocce, shuffleboard, basketball and roller blading opportunities on land while Barnegat Bay provides fishing, crabbing, swimming, boating, sailing, windsurfing and other water sports.

There are also band concerts, fireworks, and Movies on the Bay, held at the Centennial Gazebo and Gardens located at Philadelphia Avenue and the bayfront.

[6] The borough form of government used by Lavallette is a "weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie.

The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of the council.

[39][40] As of 2024[update], the mayor of Lavallette is Republican Walter G. LaCicero, whose term of office ends December 31, 2027.

[3][41][42][43][44][45][46] The mayoral election held on November 7, 2006, was declared null and void after allegations of voter fraud were filed by the losing candidate Walter G. LaCicero, who had lost the election by four votes; As part of a settlement agreement, Joseph Ardito stepped down from office as mayor and a special election to fill the seat was scheduled for March 13, 2007.

[50][51][52] For the 119th United States Congress, New Jersey's 4th congressional district is represented by Chris Smith (R, Manchester Township).

[55] For the 2024-2025 session, the 10th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by James W. Holzapfel (R, Toms River) and in the General Assembly by Paul Kanitra (R, Point Pleasant Beach) and Gregory P. McGuckin (R, Toms River).

[62][63][64] Constitutional officers elected on a countywide basis are: Clerk Scott M. Colabella (R, 2025, Barnegat Light),[65][66] Sheriff Michael G. Mastronardy (R, 2025; Toms River)[67][68] and Surrogate Jeffrey Moran (R, 2028, Beachwood).

[72] Among the borough's 2010 Census population, 90.9% (vs. 63.2% in Ocean County) were registered to vote, including 102.1% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 82.6% countywide).

[94] Ocean Ride local service is provided on the OC10 Toms River Connection route.

On average, the wettest month of the year is July which corresponds with the annual peak in thunderstorm activity.

The plant hardiness zone at Lavallette Beach is 7a with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of 3.5 °F (−15.8 °C).