Manchester Township combines rural and suburban living
Located 15 miles west of the Jersey Shore, Manchester Township is a secluded neighborhood that combines rural and suburban living close to major city hubs and coastal amenities. In the northwest corner of this mostly residential town sits Joint Base McGuire – Dix – Lakehurst, the largest military base in New Jersey and the site of the 1937 Hindenburg disaster. Residents are close to shopping, dining and recreation ranging from community lakes to one of the largest amusement parks in the country. “It’s a little bit more in the west side of Ocean County, however, the location is still very close to all the shopping, beaches and the boardwalk,” says Louisa Sagarese, broker for RE/MAX Revolution, who’s been selling homes in the area since 1985.
Ranch-style homes from the $300,000s
Homes are in subdivisions and gated communities with curving streets and cul-de-sacs, lending some privacy from the faster pace of life along the major corridors. Clusters of homes are separated by park space, helping Manchester feel expansive. Modest ranch-style homes and cottages are set back from the street with well-kept lawns and ornamental bushes. Many of these are from the 1970s and '80s and can largely be found for $300,000 to $500,000. Renaissance at Manchester is a 55+ gated community with an 18-hole golf course, a clubhouse and sports courts. Two- and three-bedroom Tivoli-style homes here sell for $400,000 to $600,000. “There’s also a section called Roosevelt City, which is very rural. You can buy a house on an acre of land there. People are attracted to that,” says Sagarese. Homes in this area usually go for $500,000 to $800,000. The CAP Index gives Manchester a crime score of 2 out of 10. The national average is 4.
Rows of ranch homes located in Cedar Glen Lakes neighborhood in Manchester.
Newer homes in well-planned communities are located throughout Manchester.
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Specialized academies at Manchester Township High
Students may attend Manchester Township Elementary, which gets a B from Niche, before going to Manchester Township Middle, which earns a B-minus. Manchester Township High also earns a B and offers specialized academies in bio-medical, business, communications and music fields.
Manchester High School serves students living in the Manchester neighborhood.
Welcome all young learners in grades 6-8 to the Manchester Township Middle School.
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Commuting via Routes 70 and 37
The neighborhood is heavily car-dependent, with residents taking state Routes 70 and 37 to connect to surrounding areas like Seaside Heights and Brick Township. Trenton is 30 miles north of Manchester, while Philadelphia is 40 miles west.
Shopping and dining along Route 37
Locals head to Route 37 for retailers like Walmart and Aldi. There’s also dining and entertainment, including Gregory’s with locally sourced seafood, Tom’s River Brewing with a full calendar of musical acts alongside its brews and Charlie’s Pizza, which has been in business for over 20 years. In the north end of town, residents can shop at ShopRite and Manko Kosher Market. Nearby, Donovan’s is a local restaurant and bar that serves traditional Irish dishes.
ShopRite is a Manchester residents one-stop destination for household needs.
Charlie’s Pizza in Manchester, NJ has been in business for over 20 years.
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Manchester residents flock to Harry Wright Lake to swim or lie on the sand.
Swimming at Harry Wright Lake
In the southern end of town, locals flock to Harry Wright Lake to swim in the water, lie on the sand and let kids run around the playground. “It’s absolutely gorgeous,” says Sagarese. That’s probably the biggest draw to Manchester right now.” Paintballers can play at Cousins Paintball, a rugged, outdoor facility with authentic military-style equipment. Golfers can head to Manchester Family Golf Center to practice on the driving range or play the 18-hole miniature course. Those wanting to head to the ocean can drive 15 miles east to Seaside Heights’ boardwalk and beaches. Six Flags Great Adventure is also just 10 miles north with 510 acres of amusement park rides, including the tallest roller coaster in the world, as of 2024.
Free summer concert by Harry Wright Lake
A summer concert series takes place at Harry Wright Lake twice a month in July and August. The concerts are free to the public, and drinks and food are available for purchase. In June, thousands of locals head to the lake for Manchester Day, which features free amusement rides, live entertainment, local vendors and a fireworks display. The township provides a free bus service throughout the area to and from both events.
Important to Know
In the center of the township is the former Heritage Minerals site and Crystal Lake. The mine ceased operation in 1989, and radioactive materials were removed in the early 2000s. While the site poses no risks to the community today, the mine and the lake are off-limits. Depending on location, the neighborhood’s proximity to Joint Base McGuire – Dix – Lakehurst may also result in ambient jet noise.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Alex Farlow,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Lake Horicon Park
World War II Veterans Memorial Park
Bunker Hill Bogs Recreation Area
Winding River Skating Center
Riverwood Park
Sixth Ave Park
Pine Lake Park
Transit
Airport
Trenton Mercer
62 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Manchester Township
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
2
4
Crime Score
2
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Manchester Township, Manchester sell after 37 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Manchester Township, Manchester over the last 12 months is $291,660, up 6% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Nestled in the desirable Leisure Village West, this spacious 1,600 sq. ft. home offers 2/3 bed 2 baths, and an office that doubles as a guest room. Enjoy the charm of French doors leading to a bright sunroom and a private fenced patio. The updated kitchen with granite countertops, along with gleaming hardwood floors, add modern elegance. An attached garage provides convenience and storage.
Welcome to a dream home in Whiting, NJ! In the vibrant 55+ community of Pine Ridge S, this exquisitely renovated double-wide mobile home offers the perfect blend of comfort & style, where modern elegance meets timeless design w/ 2 beds & 2 baths. . Meticulous renovations make this property stand out with chic ambiance of a high-end condo. From the sleek, contemporary finishes to the sun-soaked
Arlene Meyers
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach - Manalapan
This TOTALLY RENOVATED Bedford Model in the sought-after 55+ community of Crestwood 7 is a must-see! Featuring 2 spacious bedrooms and 1 1/2 baths, this home boasts a brand-new kitchen with Quartz countertops, backsplash, sleek white wood cabinets, and stainless-steel appliances. Relax in your private screened-in back porch, the perfect place to unwind in peace. Enjoy the added bonus of low HOA
YOUR DREAM HOME AWAITS! Welcome to the stunning Extended Aragon, nestled in the highly sought-after Renaissance Adult Community. This exquisite 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom retreat is situated on a serene deep wooded lot, offering the perfect blend of tranquility and luxury.As you enter this beautiful home, you'll be greeted by an abundance of natural light pouring into the spacious living room. The
Welcome to this single-family home in the Crestwood 7 subdivision! Your future home offers 2 Bedrooms and 2.5 Bathrooms. Main-level living has formal Living and Dining Rooms, and an eat-in Kitchen. The Kitchen features granite-slab countertops with decorative subway tile backsplash, white shaker-style cabinetry, and stainless-steel appliances. Sliding door off the kitchen opens to the private
Andover Model in Whiting Village 7 totally and tastefully redone including roofing, siding, windows and doors. All interior walls, doors, floors, trim moldings. House has two heating systems, three rooms with heated floors, central air conditioning and custom finished kitchen, bath, closets and full appliances in move in condition. Totally remodeled.
Fitness Center, Dog Park, BBQ Area and Tot Lot are now open! Please inquire about our newly renovated units. Luxury and space has never been this convenient! Suncrest Village is nestled in a quiet, wooded, country-like setting, features oversized one and two bedroom apartments with approximately 950 to 1,150 square feet of living space. We are just 15 minutes from the Jersey shore and convenient
THIS 1544 SQ FT LYNNEWOOD MODEL HOME IS COMPLETELY REMODELED -WIDE OPEN FLOOR PLAN - *GAS HEAT * STUNNING WHITE KITCHEN CABINETS WITH CLASSIC CALACATTA MARBLE COUNTER-TOPS, MARBLE SUBWAY BACK-SPLASH, ALL STAINLESS APPLIANCES AN ISLAND TOO!!!. ..BRAND NEW PRIMARY BATH...ALL BRAND NEW WARM TONE WOOD LOOK LUXURY VINYL PLANK FLOORING THROUGHOUT ENTIRE HOME, LARGE LAUNDRY ROOM, LOTS OF STORAGE
WAIVED APP FEES THROUGH APRIL - Now Leasing 1 Bedrooms from $1161-1406/mo*Birchwood at Whiting is a new affordable 55+ rental community located in Whiting, Manchester Township, Ocean County, NJ. This community features 76 one- and two-bedroom apartments with fully- equipped kitchens, granite countertops, breakfast bars, hardwood flooring and patios or balconies. The community is pet
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Alex Farlow,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
43,316
Median Age
65
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
12%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
50.5%
Significantly above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$52,425
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$73,537
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
91.6%
College Graduates
23.9%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
9.1%
% Population in Labor Force
39.5%
Significantly below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
49''
Average Winter Low Temperature
22°F
Average Summer High Temperature
85°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
28/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
6/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
