In the early nineteenth century, Point Pleasant was a farming community, but the city soon grew and was incorporated into a borough. This borough became popular as a summer resort and the New York and Long Branch Railroad provided service in 1882. The Garden State Parkway was completed in 1952. The borough has several summer attractions and a year-round population of 5,314 people. The majority of the city is white, with a median household income of $51,105.
The City is bordered by water on two sides: the Manasquan River and Beaver Dam Creek. Although the city lacks an oceanfront, there are still nearly twenty miles of shoreline and many artificial lagoons. The Point Pleasant Canal bisects the city and began construction in 1908. It took seventeen years to open to boat traffic. Among other things, Point Pleasant has a thriving business and arts scene.