Description: www.barnegat.net Established 1846 Municipal Mileage-Sq Miles 34.9 Population-21,192 2006 The name Barnegat comes from the Dutch word meaning inlet with breakers. It was sighted by Henry Hudson in 1609. It was settled in 1720, but it was home to Native Americans before that. The township played an important role in the Revolutionary War because of its salt works. Today water-based activities have played an important role in the community for over 300 years. The nature experience can be enjoyed at the observation deck and boardwalk of the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge.