CENSUS: People Are Flocking To Tinton Falls

Tinton Falls has grown exponentially over the past 10 years and its 16 square miles has become one of the fastest growing cities in Monmouth County. Its population and housing capacity has seen impressive gains for a small borough, and new data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that more people are calling Tinton Falls home.

The number of people who moved into the borough increased 18.9 percent. For 2010, the population of Tinton Falls was reported at 17,892, up from the 15,053 residents reported in 2000—an increase of 2,839.  Not only has the population grown, but its housing capacity has, too. A huge increase in housing units over the past 10 years was reported: From 6,211 units in 2000 to 8,766 units in 2010, an increase of 41.1 percent. That’s quite an impressive number indeed in light of the bleak housing market over the past several years. 

A look at the numbers shows that adults were behind the huge increase in population growth, increasing from 11,215 in 2000 to 14,498 in 2010, a 29.3 percent rise. That rise is due in large part to Seabrook, a non-profit retirement community that opened in 1998.  Seabrook had its largest increase in residents from 2000 to 2008, according to Art Sparks, executive director of Seabrook. He said that by the end of 1999, 100 residents moved into Seabrook. From 2000 to the end of 2008, that number stood at 1,400. That accounts for over 40 percent of the increase in the borough’s population.

Seabrook’s residents are 62 years and older and according to Sparks are a “nice tax ratable base” for the borough. “They are low impact from a tax perspective,” Sparks said. The older residents do not add to schools enrollment, and have little impact on the roads since residents have shuttle buses to take them from one place to another.

Sparks described Seabrook residents as active voters, with a 70 to 75 percent voter participation rate. “They always pass the school budgets to support the local schools,” said Sparks, and the residents are “very involved in giving back to the community.” In relation to passing the school budget, even though the seniors do not have children in the school district, Sparks said they are “more committed to nurturing the next generation and are committed to the schools.”

Indeed, Seabrook has added nicely to the borough’s coffers through its tax payments. In 2009, Seabrook paid $3.3 million, and from 1998 to 2009, paid $25.1 million in taxes.

Tinton Falls Mayor Michael Skudera said that growth has increased throughout the borough over the last several decades. “Tinton Falls has also tried to maintain a balance and has created areas for parks, open space, and natural areas.”

More people require additional services. “With the increased population growth, new services are needed. However, under my administration, spending has decreased substantially while services have continued to improve,” Skudera said.

Gary Baldwin, council president for the borough, indicated that the growth has been controlled by the "careful oversight of strong planning and zoning board actions that are consistent with the borough's master plan.” 

According to Baldwin, the impact of the population growth in Tinton Falls over the past decade brings both positive and negative effects. “No doubt, those who have lived here most of their lives will tell you it is crowded, traffic is difficult and open space is evaporating.  I would not argue with that except to say that growth brings many positives as well."

"A municipality that does not regenerate itself through new families, new thinking, new spirit, new faces, new businesses, new homes and new opportunities will soon diminish in its attractiveness and so too will the quality of life will diminish and degrade," said Baldwin. "It is quite reasonable for me to think that growth and change are key to the spirit and vitality of any community."

According to the Census data, there was a decrease in the number of children, from 3,838 in 2000 to 3,394, down 11.6 percent. That’s in line with what the district is seeing. From the school’s perspective, “we are seeing at this point a pretty flat enrollment. We haven’t seen a big increase or decrease,” said John Russo, superintendent for the Tinton Falls School District. But despite the flat enrollment, Russo said that the “schools have been used to their full capacity and an increase would cause stress on our district.”

Current student to teacher ratios range from 17 to 22 students to 1 teacher, and Russo explained that a recent Board of Education policy changed the ratio of students to teacher from 25 students to 1 teacher to the current 30 students to 1 teacher per class. More developments and housing in a borough certainly impacts a school. Russo said that multiple developments are being considered in the borough and—while construction has yet to begin—if and when it does, it will have an impact on the school district.

For several years, there has been talks about “trying to determine if we need to add space to some schools or build a new school,” but that is something that has just been discussed, said Russo. He said that that would require a huge financial commitment from the community and aid from the state—coming at a time when there have been state aid cuts to the schools, staff cuts, and elimination of school’s budget surpluses.

As the new data shows, Tinton Falls is becoming an attractive location. Russo said, “The school have a good reputation and have a good relationship with the community. It’s a nicely located community—near shopping, recreation, and it’s a shore community, which is true for most of Monmouth County.”