[22] Union Beach was formed as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 16, 1925, from portions of Raritan Township (now Hazlet), based on the results of a referendum held on April 16, 1925.

[23] A 100-acre (40 ha) farm in the future borough was owned by the Poole family since the days of the American Revolutionary War.

Following the development of the Central Railroad of New Jersey, the Poole Farm became the site of the Union Subdivision in 1908,[24] while an area that had been called East Point Beach Estates was renamed Union Beach by developer Charles Carr in 1920.

[25] Union Beach 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 beauty of the Raritan Bayshore coastline.

[27] This restoration has occurred in phases and was performed by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District.

A monument to the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks, constructed of black stone and dedicated in June 2002, is positioned to allow visitors to see past the memorial towards the location where the World Trade Center towers were visible from the borough.

[28][29] Unincorporated communities, localities and place names within the borough include Lorrillard Beach, Natco, Union Gardens and Van Marters Corner.

[36] By the morning of October 29, of the estimated 2,143 households in the borough, approximately 200 homes and businesses were damaged,[38] 400 took on more than 6 feet (1.8 m) of water, and 62 were "completely missing".

[41] Madison Township and Wanaque each gave repurposed police cruisers fully decaled with Union Beach logos, as well as other relief.

[44] The storm surge completely washed through the building, pushing out tables, chairs, menus and displays.

The restaurant owner, Gigi Liaguno-Dorr, organized the relief and rebuilding efforts for Union Beach.

[51] Hundreds of library books and teaching materials were destroyed along with thousands of dollars worth of instruments.

[7] The borough form of government used by Union Beach 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.

[58][59] As of 2023[update], the mayor of Union Beach is Republican Charles W. Cocuzza, who was elected to serve a term of office ending December 31, 2023.

[3][60][61][62][63][64] In May 2020, the borough council appointed Albin J. Wicki to fill the seat expiring in December 2023 that had been held by Paul J. Smith Jr. until his death the previous month.

[67][68][69] For the 119th United States Congress, New Jersey's 6th congressional district is represented by Frank Pallone (D, Long Branch).

[100] Students have the choice to apply for Red Bank Regional High School for admission into its specialized programs.

Academy bus also runs direct to Wall Street in town with a route 36/Union Ave stop.

The water route generally follows the Raritan Bay, which separates Staten Island from the New Jersey shoreline.

Union Beach made national news for its opposition to a wind turbine proposed by the Bayshore Regional Sewerage Authority that would be constructed in close proximity to residential houses, sensitive bird habitats, and protected wetlands.

The agency received approval in October 2009 from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for the turbine, which would stand 380 feet (120 m) high.