Freehold is a borough and the county seat of Monmouth County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Known for its Victorian era homes and rich 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. The borough has grown to become a commuter town of New York City. As of the 2020 census, the borough's population was 12,538, reflecting an increase of 486 (+4.0%) from the 10,976 counted in the 2000 census, which had in turn increased by 234 (+2.2%) from the 10,742 counted in the 1990 census.