Homes for sale in Matawan Borough, NJ — a 2.4-square-mile Bayshore Monmouth County borough with deep historic 18th-century roots, sharing the Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District with neighboring Aberdeen Township. Median sale ~$525K. Population 8,810 (2020). Walkable Main Street commercial historic district with restored Victorian, Federal, and Colonial architecture. Aberdeen-Matawan Train Station provides NJ Transit North Jersey Coast Line access to NYC. Notorious historically for the 1916 Matawan Creek shark attacks (inspiration for "Jaws"). Students attend Matawan Regional HS Huskies. Mayor Joseph Altomonte. ZIP 07747.
If you're searching for homes for sale in Matawan, NJ, you're looking at the historic Bayshore Monmouth County borough — a small but distinctive borough of approximately 9,000 residents sitting along Matawan Creek (the historic 1916 shark attacks here inspired Peter Benchley's novel "Jaws" and the subsequent Steven Spielberg film). The borough operates within the substantial Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District (K-12, 3,950 students across 7 schools, shared with Aberdeen Township), with Matawan Regional High School (the Huskies, established 1924) located in adjacent Aberdeen. Matawan was originally known as Mechananienk by the Lenni Lenape Native Americans (meaning "where two rivers come together") before Dutch settlers renamed the town. Matawan was incorporated as a borough in 1895. Matawan real estate trades at a median sale price near $480,000-$565,000 with substantial primary-residence demand driven by direct access to the Aberdeen-Matawan NJ Transit station (the North Jersey Coast Line stop providing direct one-seat service to NY Penn Station). The borough's historic Main Street, the Wyckoff Dock area along Matawan Creek (site of the 1916 attacks, marked with a centennial plaque since 2016), and substantial Victorian-era residential architecture anchor the borough's distinctive identity.
Matawan is the rare small Monmouth County borough that combines substantial Revolutionary War and pre-1900 maritime heritage, the substantial K-12 Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District (3,950 students across 7 schools, shared with neighboring Aberdeen Township), the Aberdeen-Matawan NJ Transit station providing direct one-seat service to NY Penn Station, and the substantial historical association with the 1916 Matawan Creek shark attacks (the real-life inspiration for Peter Benchley's novel "Jaws"). Matawan was originally known as Mechananienk by the Lenni Lenape Native Americans (meaning "where two rivers come together" — Matawan sits at the substantial confluence of Matawan Creek and Lake Matawan). Dutch settlers later renamed the town, and Matawan was formally incorporated as a borough in 1895. The borough operates under the standard Borough form of New Jersey municipal government. Matawan and adjacent Aberdeen Township function as a single greater community — sharing post office, library, and K-12 school system. The borough is approximately 25 minutes from Staten Island. Substantial historic Victorian-era residential architecture along Main Street and the surrounding residential blocks reflects the borough's substantial late-1800s and early-1900s commercial heritage as a Bayshore port and trading center.
Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District (MARSD) operates a comprehensive K-12 regional district shared with neighboring Aberdeen Township — 7 schools and 3,950 students (2022-23), 11.2:1 ratio, 352.3 FTE faculty, classified by NJ DOE as DFG "FG." Superintendent: Nelyda Perez. District offices: 1 Crest Way (mailing 1027 Route 34 North), Aberdeen Township. Niche rates MARSD #7 best school district in Monmouth County (grade B+). The district includes Cambridge Park Developmental Learning Center (Preschool), three K-3 elementary schools (Cliffwood, Ravine Drive, Strathmore), Lloyd Road Elementary (grades 4-5), Matawan-Aberdeen Middle School (grades 6-8), and Matawan Regional High School.
Matawan Regional High School (450 Atlantic Avenue, located in Aberdeen Township rather than in Matawan Borough proper) was established in 1924 — one of Monmouth County's oldest continuously-operating public high schools and one of Monmouth County's largest schools. MRHS enrolled 1,154 students (2023-24), 11.9:1 ratio, 97.0 FTE faculty. Athletic teams: Huskies (maroon and steel gray). Shore Conference. Motto: "Excellence in education." Principal Mike Wells. Accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools since 1951. Note: although named "Matawan Regional HS," the school is physically located in Aberdeen Township at 450 Atlantic Avenue.
The Aberdeen-Matawan NJ Transit station provides direct one-seat service to NY Penn Station on the North Jersey Coast Line — making Matawan one of the most-significant commuter-rail-accessible Monmouth municipalities. The station is shared with neighboring Aberdeen Township. Substantial transit-oriented apartment and condo development clusters around the station. Substantial residential blocks in Matawan are within walking distance of the station, including some of the borough's most-watched primary-residence pockets. Approximately 25 miles from Manhattan.
Matawan's housing stock concentrates in three categories — substantial Victorian-era and pre-1900 single-family residences (the borough's historic core, particularly along Main Street and the surrounding residential blocks), substantial mid-century post-war single-family Capes, ranches, and Colonials throughout the residential interior, and substantial apartment complex and condo inventory (approximately 39% of the borough's housing stock per local data). Approximately 50% of homes are single-family detached; 39% are apartment complexes; 8% are smaller apartment buildings. Median sale prices: Redfin January 2026 median sale $565K (+10.9% YoY, 19-day median DOM — substantially faster than national average, 7 homes sold January 2026, $364/sqft); city-data 2024 median home/condo value $520,284 (vs. $177,200 in 2000, ~194% appreciation); Data USA 2024 median property value $467,800 (51.9% homeownership rate); NeighborhoodScout median home cost $599,166. Mean prices 2024: all housing units $658,102; detached houses $686,192; townhouses $592,290; 5+-unit structures $407,658.
One- and two-bedroom condo units in Matawan's substantial apartment-complex inventory (approximately 39% of the borough's total housing stock — Redfin recent cheap-home median listing $480K with 19 active properties), townhomes (mean $592,290 per city-data 2024), and smaller two- and three-bedroom mid-century Capes and ranches on quarter-acre lots. The most accessible Matawan entry point — first-time buyers and NYC commuters using the Aberdeen-Matawan NJ Transit station compete on well-priced inventory.
Three- and four-bedroom Colonial and split-level single-family residences across the borough's primary residential corridors, restored Victorian-era homes in the historic core (Main Street and the adjacent residential blocks), and substantial mid-century post-war inventory. The largest segment by transaction volume — primary-residence year-round families anchored by walking-distance access to Matawan-Aberdeen Middle School and the Aberdeen-Matawan NJ Transit station. The Redfin January 2026 median sale $565K (+10.9% YoY) anchors this tier.
Substantially restored Victorian-era estate-scale residences in the borough's historic core (multi-story Victorians with substantial period detail), larger four- and five-bedroom Colonials, and the borough's most-significant single-family inventory. Mean detached house price $686,192 per city-data 2024. Many of these residences have been gut-renovated while preserving substantial period architectural character. Among the most-distinctive small-borough Victorian inventory anywhere on the Monmouth Bayshore.
Matawan's compact borough footprint segments by proximity to the historic Main Street commercial spine, the Matawan Creek waterfront, the Aberdeen-Matawan NJ Transit station, and the borough's substantial residential interior. Several distinct neighborhoods include the historic Main Street corridor, the Wyckoff Dock waterfront, the Cottrell Road area, Lake Matawan, and substantial transit-oriented apartment developments.
The borough's historic commercial spine along Main Street (CR 516) — substantial Victorian-era residential blocks, the Matawan Historical Society, and the borough's primary mixed-use storefronts. Substantial single-family Victorian residences with wraparound porches, ornate trim, and substantial period architectural character. Among the most-distinctive small-borough Victorian inventory anywhere on the Monmouth Bayshore.
The substantial Matawan Creek waterfront at the north end of downtown — the historic Wyckoff Dock area where the 1916 shark attacks occurred. A small plaque, unveiled on the 100th anniversary of the attacks (2016), stands near the spot where 11-year-old Lester Stillwell and 24-year-old Stanley Fisher were killed by a Great White shark in July 1916. To reach the memorial: from NJ-516 / Lower Main Street, turn west onto tiny Dock Street and drive until you see an open patch of grass on the left — the plaque is there; the fatal spot is just behind it. Substantial residential and mixed-use inventory adjacent to the creek.
The Matawan residential blocks within walking distance of the Aberdeen-Matawan NJ Transit station. Substantial transit-oriented apartment and condo development — Matawan Town Center, Matawan Station, and other substantial multi-family residential developments. Strong appeal for NYC commuters, with direct one-seat service to NY Penn Station on the NJCL.
The Lake Matawan waterfront and Cottrell Road residential corridor — substantial single-family inventory with some lake-adjacent properties. Cottrell Road is named for Capt. Thomas Cottrell, the retired sea captain who witnessed and attempted to warn locals about the 8-foot shark in Matawan Creek on July 12, 1916. The substantial residential blocks offer some of Matawan's more accessible primary-residence inventory.
The borough's residential interior along Old Bridge Matawan Road and the substantial residential blocks. Substantial post-1950 single-family Cape Cod, ranch, and split-level inventory. Among the borough's most accessible primary-residence pockets, with substantial walking-distance proximity to the borough's K-8 educational anchors and Main Street commercial spine.
"Matawan is the rare small Bayshore Monmouth borough that delivers substantial Revolutionary War and Lenni Lenape heritage (Mechananienk — 'where two rivers come together'), the substantial historical association with the 1916 Matawan Creek shark attacks (the real-life inspiration for Jaws), the substantial K-12 MARSD shared with Aberdeen, direct NJ Transit one-seat ride to Manhattan, and substantial walkable Victorian-era downtown — at substantially more accessible pricing than most central Monmouth municipalities."
Matawan cross-shops most directly with Aberdeen Township (completely surrounds the borough on three sides, shared MARSD K-12 district, similar pricing, shared NJ Transit station), Keyport (immediately northeast, smaller Bayshore borough, similar accessible pricing), Hazlet Township (immediately east, larger township, accessible pricing), and Old Bridge Township (immediately west in Middlesex County, much larger neighbor, similar accessibility).
| Town | Median Sale | Avg. Tax | Land Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matawan ★ | $565,000 | $10,200 | 2.36 mi² |
| Aberdeen Township | $694,000 | $9,200 | 5.44 mi² |
| Keyport | $540,000 | $8,200 | 1.4 mi² |
| Hazlet Township | $485,000 | $9,400 | 5.5 mi² |
| Old Bridge Twp (Middlesex Co) | $540,000 | $9,800 | 38.5 mi² |
★ Subject town. Sources: Monmouth County Board of Taxation (2025 certified data), MARSD NCES data (3,950 students K-12, 7 schools, DFG "FG"), Redfin January 2026 median sale $565K (+10.9% YoY, 19-day median DOM, 7 homes sold, $364/sqft); city-data 2024 median home/condo value $520,284; Data USA 2024 median property value $467,800 (51.9% homeownership rate); NeighborhoodScout median home cost $599,166. Matawan pricing varies substantially by section — verify section-specific pricing with The Prodigy Team before contract.
Borough History & the Mechananienk Name. Matawan was originally known as Mechananienk by the Lenni Lenape Native Americans — meaning "where two rivers come together," reflecting the borough's substantial location at the confluence of Matawan Creek and the broader Bayshore waterway system. Dutch settlers later renamed the town. Matawan was formally incorporated as a borough in 1895. The borough is governed under New Jersey's standard Borough form of New Jersey municipal government. The borough is substantially older than its 1895 incorporation date — substantial pre-1900 commercial, maritime, and residential heritage anchors the borough's distinctive character. Matawan and adjacent Aberdeen Township share post office, library, and K-12 school system. The borough's substantial Victorian-era residential and commercial architecture reflects the late-1800s and early-1900s expansion period. The 2001 population stood at 8,950 (down from 9,270 in 1990); current population estimates track at approximately 8,755-9,000.
The 1916 Matawan Creek Shark Attacks (Jaws Inspiration). On July 12, 1916, in the middle of a deadly summer heat wave, a Great White shark traveled approximately 11 miles inland up Matawan Creek to the Wyckoff Dock area in Matawan — substantially upstream from the Raritan Bay. The shark killed two locals: Lester Stillwell (age 11, just one week shy of his 12th birthday) and Stanley Fisher (age 24, a rescuer who dove in to recover Lester's body). About 30 minutes later at the New Jersey Brickyard Pier, the shark attacked Joseph Dunn (12, of Brooklyn), Michael Dunn (14, of Brooklyn), and Jeremiah Hourihan (16, of Matawan) as it headed back toward Keyport. Capt. Thomas Cottrell, a retired sea captain, witnessed an 8-foot dark gray shape from the trolley drawbridge and attempted to warn locals before the attacks. Matawan Mayor Arris B. Henderson posted a $100 reward for "killing the shark." NJ Governor James Fielder mandated steel wire mesh enclosures for popular swimming locations. Michael Schleisser, a coastal fisherman, captured the man-eater (an 8.5-foot Great White) outside a creek at the Raritan Bay days later — with 15 pounds of human remains in its stomach. Lester Stillwell and Stanley Fisher were interred at Rosehill Cemetery in Matawan. The Jersey Shore shark attacks of 1916 (which also included earlier attacks in Beach Haven and Spring Lake) substantially inspired Peter Benchley's novel "Jaws" (1974) and the subsequent Steven Spielberg film (1975) — though Benchley publicly disputed the connection later in life. The Matawan Historical Society educates residents on the substantial similarities. A small commemorative plaque was unveiled near the spot where Lester Stillwell and Stanley Fisher were killed on the 100th anniversary of the attacks (2016). To reach the memorial: from NJ-516/Lower Main Street, turn west onto tiny Dock Street and drive until an open patch of grass on the left appears.
Matawan-Aberdeen Functional Single Community. Matawan Borough and Aberdeen Township function as a single greater Matawan-Aberdeen community — sharing post office (07747), library, and K-12 school system (Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District). The boundaries between the two communities are substantially permeable, with substantial residential and commercial mixed-use development crossing municipal lines. Matawan Regional HS (located in Aberdeen Township at 450 Atlantic Avenue, despite the "Matawan" name) and the Aberdeen-Matawan NJ Transit station both reflect the substantial functional integration of the two communities. Aberdeen Township was originally part of Matawan Township until 1977.
Demographics & Economics. Matawan median household income jumped from $63,594 (2000) to $119,821 (2024) — substantial economic appreciation. Median per capita income $53,523 (2024, up from $30,320 in 2000). Median house or condo value $520,284 (2024) up from $177,200 (2000) — approximately 194% appreciation over 24 years. The borough has substantial owner-occupied (51.9% per Data USA 2024) and renter-occupied (approximately 40% historically) housing mix. 50% single-family detached + 39% apartment complexes + 8% small apartment buildings. Median age 41.2 years. Average commute 32.5 minutes. Cost of living index 117.9 (December 2024, more than U.S. average of 100). 10.5% poverty rate.
The median sale price in Matawan tracks at $565,000 per Redfin January 2026 (+10.9% YoY, 19-day median DOM — substantially faster than national average of 56 days, 7 homes sold January 2026, $364/sqft). City-data 2024 median home/condo value $520,284 (up from $177,200 in 2000 — approximately 194% appreciation over 24 years); Data USA 2024 median property value $467,800 (51.9% homeownership rate); NeighborhoodScout median home cost $599,166. Mean prices 2024: all housing units $658,102; detached houses $686,192; townhouses $592,290; 5+-unit structures $407,658. Prices range from approximately $300,000 for entry-tier condo and townhouse units to over $1.2 million for the borough's most-significant substantially-restored Victorian-era estate residences.
Matawan Borough students attend the Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District (MARSD) — a comprehensive K-12 regional district shared with neighboring Aberdeen Township. 7 schools and 3,950 students (2022-23), 11.2:1 ratio, DFG "FG." Superintendent: Nelyda Perez. The district includes Cambridge Park Developmental Learning Center (Preschool), three K-3 elementary schools (Cliffwood, Ravine Drive, Strathmore), Lloyd Road Elementary (grades 4-5), Matawan-Aberdeen Middle School (grades 6-8), and Matawan Regional High School (the Huskies, established 1924, 450 Atlantic Avenue in Aberdeen Township, 1,154 students 2023-24). Niche rates the district #7 best in Monmouth County (grade B+).
On July 12, 1916, during a deadly summer heat wave, an 8.5-foot Great White shark traveled approximately 11 miles inland up Matawan Creek to the Wyckoff Dock area in Matawan. The shark killed 11-year-old Lester Stillwell and 24-year-old Stanley Fisher (a rescuer who attempted to recover Lester's body), and injured three more victims (Joseph Dunn, Michael Dunn, Jeremiah Hourihan) at the New Jersey Brickyard Pier 30 minutes later. The attacks substantially inspired Peter Benchley's 1974 novel "Jaws" and the subsequent Steven Spielberg film. A small commemorative plaque was unveiled near the Wyckoff Dock spot where Stillwell and Fisher were killed on the 100th anniversary of the attacks (2016). To reach the memorial: from NJ-516 / Lower Main Street, turn west onto Dock Street; the plaque is on an open patch of grass on the left. Stillwell and Fisher are both interred at Rosehill Cemetery in Matawan.
Yes — the Aberdeen-Matawan NJ Transit station provides direct one-seat service to NY Penn Station on the North Jersey Coast Line. The station is shared with neighboring Aberdeen Township. Substantial transit-oriented apartment and condo development clusters around the station. Garden State Parkway Exit 117 provides direct access. Approximately 25 miles from Manhattan. The station serves substantial commuters from Matawan, Aberdeen, Hazlet, Holmdel, Marlboro, and Old Bridge.
The Prodigy Team works the Main Street historic core / downtown commercial-residential corridor, the Wyckoff Dock / Matawan Creek waterfront, the Aberdeen-Matawan Station transit-oriented apartment corridor, the Lake Matawan / Cottrell Road residential corridor, and the Old Bridge Matawan Road residential interior every week. Cinematic 4K aerial drone marketing — particularly valuable for Matawan's substantial Victorian-era restored residential inventory plus the borough's Matawan Creek and Lake Matawan waterfront context — NYS/NJ broker representation, and 20+ years of Monmouth County transactional experience.
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