Named for Continental Army General John Lacey, the township of Lacey is in Ocean County and part of the scenic Jersey Shore. This large town was incorporated in 1871 from portions of Dover Township and Union Township. With over 83 square miles, Lacey is the second largest municipality in Ocean County.
Lacey Township is incredibly convenient for commuters since it lies along US Route 9 and the Garden State Parkway. To the east of the Parkway, you'll find more than 95% of the town's residential homes in Lanoka Harbor and Forked River. The west side of the Parkway is mostly undisturbed beautiful pine and cedar forests, part of New Jersey's Pine Barrens. You'll notice a few scattered farms, houses, and ranches throughout the woods. It's common to hear Ocean County residents refer to all of Lacey Township as Forked River. But you better say it right! The easiest way to spot a non-native is the way they pronounce "Forked". It's said with two syllables, like FOR-kid.
The town is home to many businesses, including shops, boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. Pretty much everything you could ever need is found within the town's limits. Besides shopping and dining - there are lakefront beaches, parks, and hiking trails that offer plenty of family fun.
For schooling, The Lacey Township School District serves students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The district consists of six schools and has around 4,000 students and 330 classroom teachers. All schools are highly ranked and offer popular athletic and additional extracurricular activities for their students. There are also several private school options in the area. Ocean County is known for its stellar public library system, and Lacey Township residents have access to the town library and all surrounding town libraries as well.
If Lacey Township sounds like the right town for you, let us know. We can help with the home buying process.