[21] The borough's name is of Lenape Native American origin, deriving from "Mënàskunk" meaning "Place to Gather Grass or Reeds".

Manasquan was formed as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on December 30, 1887, from portions of Wall Township, based on the results of a referendum held the previous day.

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

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

[6] The borough form of government used by Manasquan 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.

[46][47] As of 2025[update], the mayor of the Borough of Manasquan is Democrat Michael W. Mangan, whose term of office ends December 31, 2027.

"Jay" Bryant (D, 2026), Brian G. Holly (R, 2027), Gregg Olivera (R, 2025), Lori A. Triggiano (R, 2027) and Sheila Vidreiro (D, 2026).

[3][48][49][50][51] At the January 2017 reorganization meeting, Joseph Bossone was chosen on an interim basis to fill the three-year seat expiring in December 2019 that Owen McCarthy had been elected to in November 2016 until he resigned from office after being confirmed by the state senate to take a position as a Monmouth County judge; Bossone served on an interim basis until the November 2017 general election, when he was elected to serve the balance of the term of office.

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

[60] 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).

[84] Due to its location bordering the Atlantic Ocean, the population of Manasquan increases dramatically in the summer months as tourists flock to the beach.

The Manasquan Inlet provides surfers with waves that are corralled, refracted and enlarged by the jetty protruding out into the Atlantic Ocean.

The Manasquan Inlet, reopened in 1931, is the northern terminus of the inland portion of the Intracoastal Waterway.

It is a historic 540-seat theatre, built in 1938 as a movie house but converted to a professional live performance space in May 1994.

[86][87] The demolition of traditional beach bungalows and their replacement with much larger single-family dwellings has helped turn Manasquan into a year-round community.

[88] The decrease in tourism and rise in residency can be attributed to the decline of once popular tourist destinations.

Manasquan no longer has a 24-hour diner or a miniature golf course, and has lost many of the bars once located in its borders.

During the summer months, the local bar and party scene overwhelm the area between Brielle Road and Main Street from the bridges to the ocean.

The fair is the largest source of funds for Manasquan Volunteer Engine Company #2 and dates back to 1974.

[93] Commuter service is available on the North Jersey Coast Line south to Point Pleasant Beach and Bay Head or north to points such as Belmar, Long Branch, Newark, Hoboken Terminal and Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan.