Forked River (pronounced fork'id river) is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Lacey Township, in Ocean County, New Jersey. As of the United States 2000 Census, the CDP population was 4,914. Many Ocean County residents commonly refer to all of Lacey Township as Forked River with the first word pronounced with two syllables (FOR-ked or FORK-ed). Pronouncing the first word with one syllable is a sign of a new resident.