Holmdel’s population up 45% over decade; county up 13%
Monmouth 2nd fastest-growing
county in state
By cindy tietjen
Staff Writer

Holmdel’s population has skyrocketed over the past decade, according to recently released county figures.

The township experienced a 45 percent population increase over the last decade and a 6.4 percent increase between 1999 and 2000.

Over the last decade, Holmdel was second among the top seven municipalities in the county in terms of greatest percent increases. Millstone was first with a 70 percent increase, and Marlboro was third with 39 percent.

Holmdel was fifth in terms of actual numbers, with an increase of 5,187 residents. Marlboro had the biggest number of new residents, 10,812, followed by Howell, 9,551; Freehold Township, 7,318; Manalapan, 7,187 and Wall, 6,565.

Between 1999 and 2000, Holmdel was second among the top seven municipalities in terms of population increase. Marlboro added more than 1,800 residents, followed by Holmdel with approximately 1,000, then Tinton Falls with 879. Middletown was seventh with an increase of 593 residents.

In terms of percentage increases, last year Holmdel was second with a 6.4 percent population increase. Upper Freehold was first with a 7.4 percent rise.

Much of the county’s growth has been in the western and central regions, according to figures adopted by the Monmouth County Planning Board as a result of an annual survey of municipal certificates of occupancy and demolition permits in each of the county’s 53 municipalities.

"We conduct an annual survey in which the construction officer of each town fills out a form," said Harriet Strickler of the Monmouth County Planning Board. "We take those results and calculate each municipality’s population."

According to Strickler, Monmouth County is one of the fastest growing counties in New Jersey.

"Monmouth County has gained 58,351 people between 1990 and 2000," said Strickler. "That makes it No.2 in the state for the largest amount of growth."

The county’s 2000 population estimate as of Jan. 1 is 623,694, up 13 percent from the 1990 Census figure of 553,124.

Holmdel was one of seven municipalities which accounted for 72 percent of Monmouth County’s total growth.

According to Strickler, these results are important because municipalities may use this information to apply for state aid, grants or for any projects the town might be working on.

"I have been involved with the town for 10 years," said Holmdel Mayor Gary Aumiller, "and one of the reasons I ran for Township Committee was to help control the growth problems that Holmdel was experiencing."

Aumiller noted that when he joined the Township Committee in 1992, the plan was to keep the population, which is currently estimated at 14,500, down.

"Holmdel is a very popular area," said Aumiller. "There is a lot of money to be made here and that attracts many people to the area, which in turn stimulates building and growth."

The former farming community is home to Lucent Technologies (formerly Bell Laboratories) and the PNC Bank Arts Center.

Aumiller added that the substantial growth in Holmdel has impacted the schools and also the police department.

"When I joined the Township Committee, there were 21 police officers, now there are 34 and Chief [Bruce] Phillips feels the need for another two or three," said Aumiller.

According to Holmdel Board of Education President Art Frank, while the township’s reputation as a top-notch school district is the reason many come to Holmdel, it is also the reason that bigger schools may be needed in the future.

"The basic problem is that we are experiencing a 4 percent growth each year," said Frank. "In September of 1992 we had 2,366 students and just eight years later we have 3,700."

According to Frank, the growth of Holmdel’s school system causes property taxes to be raised despite the efforts of the school board to keep rates down.

Frank also noted that if the number of students keeps growing, additional facilities will eventually be needed. A major school district expansion was completed last year. The district has four schools, K-2, 3-6, 7-8 and 9-12.

"Right now, Indian Hill School has reached its capacity," said Frank. "Holmdel High School is going to experience a sharp increase in the number of students next year because the freshman class coming in is larger than the graduating senior class."

Indian Hill, the 3-6 school, underwent a major expansion as part of the last referendum.

Frank added that plans to conduct a demographic study of Holmdel are being discussed with the Township Committee.

According to Aumiller, it is possible that the growth trend will continue until the land is exhausted unless people put pressure on local government to preserve open space.

"We need people who understand the importance of slowing down the growth to step in and get involved," said Aumiller. "Then Holmdel will have a chance."

Open space has been a factor in local elections for years and is sure to be again this year.

The township has an open space tax and is in the process of acquiring the DePalma Farm on Centerville Road, the largest remaining tract in the northern portion of the township. There is also an ongoing effort to acquire the Chase Bank tract on Holmdel Road in the southern portion of the township.