Plumsted Township became part of the newly created Ocean County on February 15, 1850.

[20] The township was named for Clement Plumstead, an English Quaker who bought a large parcel of land, but never set foot in the area.

[21][22] At one time, Plumsted included five separate Superfund sites, four of which have been removed from the National Priorities List.

[1][2] New Egypt (with a 2010 Census population of 2,512[25]) is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located within Plumsted Township.

[26][27][28] Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Archertown, Brindle Park, Head of Woods, Hockamick, Pinehurst Estates and Woodruff.

New Egypt is also home to the Plumsted Branch of the Ocean County Library system.

The 2010 United States census counted 8,421 people, 2,936 households, and 2,311 families in the township.

[47] As of the 2000 United States census[14] there were 7,275 people, 2,510 households, and 2,002 families residing in the township.

[6][49][50] At an annual reorganization meeting held during the first week of January, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and another as Deputy Mayor, and appoints from its members a liaison for each of the Township's administrative departments.

[3][51][52][53][54][55][56] In February 2023, the township council selected Michael Hammerstone to fill the seat expiring in December 2024 that had been held by Thomas Calabrese.

[55] In April 2019, the Township Committee appointed Leonard A. Grilletto to fill the seat expiring in December 2020 that had been held by Larry Jones until he resigned from office.

[60] In November 2014, following the resignation of former mayor David Leutwyler, who accepted a position as the township's community development coordinator, the Township Committee selected Vince Lotito from three names recommended by the Republican municipal committee to fill the vacant seat on the committee and chose Jack Trotta to serve as mayor.

[63][64][65] For the 119th United States Congress, New Jersey's 4th congressional district is represented by Chris Smith (R, Manchester Township).

[68] For the 2024-2025 session, the 12th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Owen Henry (R, Old Bridge Township) and in the General Assembly by Robert D. Clifton (R, Matawan) and Alex Sauickie (R, Jackson Township).

[75][76][77] Constitutional officers elected on a countywide basis are: Clerk Scott M. Colabella (R, 2025, Barnegat Light),[78][79] Sheriff Michael G. Mastronardy (R, 2025; Toms River)[80][81] and Surrogate Jeffrey Moran (R, 2028, Beachwood).

[85] Among the township's 2010 Census population, 59.1% (vs. 63.2% in Ocean County) were registered to vote, including 80.1% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 82.6% countywide).

[114] Ocean Ride local service is provided on the Shoppers Loop route.