The town became independent of the township in 1888.

What is now Freehold Borough was originally incorporated as a town by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 25, 1869, from portions within Freehold Township. The borough is located relatively close to the Raritan Bayshore communities to the north, including The Amboys, Old Bridge, Matawan, Keyport, Keansburg, and Middletown, along with being relatively close to the Tri-City region of Jersey Shore municipalities (and their vicinities) to the east, including Red Bank, Long Branch, and Asbury Park. The Freeholds region, which includes the borough and Freehold Township (which completely surrounds the borough), is a commercial hub for central New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 12,538, its highest decennial count ever and an increase of 486 (+4.0%) from the 12,052 recorded at the 2010 census, which in turn had reflected an increase of 1,076 (+9.8%) from the 10,976 counted at the 2000 census. The borough has grown to become a commuter town of New York City. Known for its Victorian era homes and extensive colonial history, the borough is located in the Raritan Valley region within the New York Metropolitan Area, located about 33 miles (53 km) from Manhattan and 17 miles (27 km) from Staten Island. Freehold is a borough and the county seat of Monmouth County, in the U.S.

Freehold township high school 1980