[19] Trains operated to the area by Pennsylvania Railroad served what was called "Good Luck Point", with visitors building cottages that were the start of the community that became Ocean Gate.

[20] AT&T operated a shortwave radio transmitting station after purchasing 175 acres (71 ha) in 1929.

[21] The borough of Ocean Gate was incorporated by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 28, 1918, from portions of Berkeley Township.

[23][24][25] The borough, including its northern half, is one of 11 municipalities in Ocean County that are part of the Toms River watershed.

[26] The 2010 United States census counted 2,011 people, 832 households, and 534 families in the borough.

[33] As of the 2000 United States census[14] there were 2,076 people, 832 households, and 546 families residing in the borough.

[5] The borough form of government used by Ocean Gate 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.

[35][36] As of 2022[update], the mayor of Ocean Gate is Republican David Kendrick, whose term of office ends December 31, 2022.

Members of the Borough Council are Council President Mark Haug (R, 2023), Bruce Cox (R, 2024;appointed to serve an unexpired term), Robert Livingston (R, 2022), Joella Nicastro (R, 2022), Laura Padham-Iaria (R, 2024) and Mildred Sheppard (R, 2023).

[3][37][38][39][40][41][42][43] In April 2020, after then-mayor Paul J. Kennedy was charged with official misconduct related to theft of borough-owned property that had been taking place for five years, the borough council cut the mayor's salary down from $50,000 to one dollar[44] After Kennedy resigned from the seat expiring in December 2022, the borough council appointed David Kendrick to fill the vacant mayoral seat; in turn, Bruce Cox was appointed to fill Kendrick's vacated council seat that expires in December 2024.

[45] Democrats Rose Kindon and Chris Theodos replaced Frank Santarpia and James McGrath, who resigned in February 2014 in protest over an increase in the mayor's compensation to $50,000.

[49][50][51] For the 119th United States Congress, New Jersey's 4th congressional district is represented by Chris Smith (R, Manchester Township).

[61][62][63] Constitutional officers elected on a countywide basis are: Clerk Scott M. Colabella (R, 2025, Barnegat Light),[64][65] Sheriff Michael G. Mastronardy (R, 2025; Toms River)[66][67] and Surrogate Jeffrey Moran (R, 2028, Beachwood).

[71] Among the borough's 2010 Census population, 64.0% (vs. 63.2% in Ocean County) were registered to vote, including 82.2% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 82.6% countywide).

[92][93] The high school district's board of education consists of nine members, who are directly elected by the residents of the constituent municipalities to three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with three seats up for election each year.