Barnegat is a township in Ocean County, New Jersey, set on the western shore of Barnegat Bay along the Jersey Shore. With a population of about 24,300 at the 2020 census, it has grown into one of the larger inland-shore communities in southern Ocean County, combining bayfront recreation with convenient access to Long Beach Island and the Atlantic beaches. The township shares its name with the bay and the inlet that have shaped the region's maritime history. The nearby Barnegat Lighthouse — locally called "Old Barney" — stands at the northern tip of Long Beach Island in the adjacent borough of Barnegat Light, where it has guided vessels along the coast since the 1800s. While the lighthouse itself lies across the bay, it is a defining symbol of the area's identity. Barnegat's own waterfront is a central part of daily life. The municipal dock offers a boat launch, crabbing, and fishing, and the township maintains a bay bathing beach on the bayfront, giving residents a quieter alternative to the ocean beaches a short drive east. Parks and playgrounds are scattered through the community. Transportation is a key asset. The Garden State Parkway runs through Barnegat, with the Barnegat Toll Plaza providing direct access north toward New York and south toward Atlantic City. Long Beach Island is roughly 20 minutes away via Route 72, and the township is bordered by Lacey, Stafford, and other Ocean County municipalities, placing it in a hub of intersecting state and county highways. Schools are provided by the Barnegat Township School District, which operates the township's elementary grades, including Robert L. Horbelt Elementary, with older students continuing through the regional Southern Regional system in the Manahawkin area. Barnegat appeals to residents seeking Jersey Shore living with bay access, a growing residential base, and easy commutes to the beaches, Atlantic City, and the larger Philadelphia and New York regions. Its mix of established neighborhoods and newer development reflects the township's steady growth along the bay.