As of the United States 2000 Census, the township had a total population of 89,706. The United States Census Bureau's 2006 population estimate was 94,889, making it one of the fastest growing cities in New Jersey as well as the seventh most populous municipality in New Jersey.
What is now Toms River Township was established by Royal Charter as Dover Township on March 1, 1768, from portions of Shrewsbury Township, while the area was still part of Monmouth County. Dover Township was incorporated as one of New Jersey's first 104 townships by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 21, 1798. Portions of the township were taken to form Jackson Township (March 6, 1844), Union Township (March 10, 1846, now Barnegat Township), Brick Township (February 15, 1850), Manchester Township (April 6, 1865), Berkeley Township (March 31, 1875), Island Heights (May 6, 1887), Lavallette (December 21, 1887) and Seaside Heights (February 26, 1913).
In 2006, Toms River was ranked by Morgan Quitno as the fourteenth safest "city" in the United States, of 369 cities nationwide.
In 2007 and 2008, Toms River was ranked by CQ Press as the ninth safest "city" in the United States, of the 378 cities nationwide.
As of the census of 2000, there were 89,706 people, 33,510 households, and 24,428 families residing in the township. The population density was 2,189.5 people per square mile (845.4/km²). There were 41,116 housing units at an average density of 1,003.5/sq mi (387.5/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 93.57% White, 1.75% African American, 0.13% Native American, 2.46% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.95% from other races, and 1.12% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.54% of the population.
There were 33,510 households out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.1% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.1% were non-families. 22.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the township the population was spread out with 23.3% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.1 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $54,776, and the median income for a family was $62,561 (these figures had risen to $69,141 and $82,137 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $47,390 versus $30,834 for females. The per capita income for the township was $25,010. About 4.0% of families and 5.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.7% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.
Toms River is criss-crossed by several major roadways, including the Garden State Parkway and U.S. Route 9, as well as Route 35, Route 37, Route 70, Route 166, County Route 527, County Route 530, County Route 549, County Route 571.
Two of the most congested roads are Hooper Avenue and Route 37. Route 37 sees extra traffic from travelers to the Jersey shore during the summertime, due to it being a main artery to the shore from the Garden State Parkway at interchange 82.
The township is also home to one of the state's only at-grade cloverleafs, at the intersection of Hooper Avenue and Route 571/Bay Avenue.
The major bus station in Toms River is located downtown, off exit 81 of the Garden State Parkway. The township is served by New Jersey Transit bus routes 67 (to Newark and Journal Square), 127 (to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City), 319 (to PABT in New York City and the Atlantic City Bus Terminal), and 559 (to the Atlantic City Bus Terminal).
Additionally, the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders operates the Ocean Ride bus line within Toms River, as well as to Brick Township, Whiting, Manchester Township, Lakewood Township, Lacey Township, Little Egg Harbor Township, Berkeley Township, Barnegat Township, Plumsted Township, Point Pleasant, and Long Beach Island.
The Central Railroad of New Jersey and Pennsylvania Railroad ended service to the township in the late 1940s. The nearest rail station is the terminus of the North Jersey Coast Line in Bay Head. Service is currently being evaluated to nearby Lakehurst on the proposed Monmouth-Ocean-Middlesex Line.
The Robert J. Miller Air Park, a public-use airport, is located 5 miles (8 km) southwest of the central business district.