City profile · New Jersey · Census ACS 2023

Ocean City, NJ

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Ocean City - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

11,260
Residents
$101,782
Median income
$719,100
Median home
$1,867
Median rent (state)

Ocean City - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Ocean City places in the 79th percentile for household income and the 28th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

79th
percentile, household income
93rd
percentile, home value
79th
percentile, median rent
28th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Ocean City, NJ

New Jersey's Ocean City is a small town, with 11,260 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Ocean City brings in $101,782 a year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 4.4%. Ocean City's housing stock carries a median value of $719,100, and the median resident age is 57.3 years. 54.7% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 53.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 164 residential building permits were authorized in Ocean City (Slowing), down 20% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 2178.4 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, near the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

New Jersey carries a cost-of-living premium: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts New Jersey at 108.8 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Above Average). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,867 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in New Jersey run around $275, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 93.0 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

11,260 residents

Census ACS 2023 - New Jersey

Median Household Income

$101,782 /yr

Poverty 4.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

108.8 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, New Jersey average

How does Ocean City compare to other US cities?

Where Ocean City sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 79% higher than other cities
Home value 93% pricier than other cities
Median rent 79% pricier than other cities
Safety 28% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to New Jersey alone, Ocean City ranks #196 of 238 New Jersey cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Ocean City against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to New Jersey only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

New Jersey-relative analysis

Median Home Value places Ocean City toward the top of New Jersey's cities

Among the 672 New Jersey cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Ocean City ranks #92 - the 86th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Ocean City only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#357 of 659
46th percentile in New Jersey
Median Gross Rent
#477 of 686
25th percentile in New Jersey
Median Home Value
#92 of 672
86th percentile in New Jersey
Poverty Rate
#263 of 680
60th percentile in New Jersey
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#222 of 686
68th percentile in New Jersey

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within New Jersey only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

79thIncome percentile
28thSafety percentile

79th percentile nationally for median household income · 28th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Ocean City's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Ocean City's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 40 Avg. percentile National median
Ocean City's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Ocean City's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$719,100 7th percentile more affordable than 7% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). This entry sits in this band. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Ocean City $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Ocean City, NJ Ocean City, NJ's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Ocean City, NJ-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Ocean City, NJ median $101,782/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Ocean City, NJ's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Ocean City, NJ. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 54.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 4.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 53.1%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
11,260
Median Income
$101,782
Median Home Value
$719,100
Median Age
57.3
Poverty Rate
4.4%
Labor force participation
53.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
54.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2178.4
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
115.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2062.8
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
3
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
11,000 residents11,100 residents11,200 residents11,300 residents11,400 residents 202020212022202320242025 11,223 residents 11,101 residents ▼ -1.1%
Ocean City's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Slowing
Total Permits (2024)
164
housing units authorized
Single-Family
85
detached homes
Multifamily
79
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
14.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 206
2020 172
2021 218
2022 205
2023 115
2024 164

Permit volume decreased 20% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
61.0%
Carpool
7.4%
Public Transit
0.2%
Walk
8.3%
Work from Home
15.9%
Other
7.2%

Based on 5,212 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for New Jersey - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$120
avg/month
Natural Gas
$95
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$60
avg/month
Total Utilities
$275
estimated/month

Estimates reflect New Jersey state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a New Jersey state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Ocean City sits in

Cost of Living Index
108.8
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,867/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
93.0 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in New Jersey

Westwood
11,221 people
Wanaque
11,162 people
Ridgefield
11,439 people
Gloucester City
11,465 people
Greentree
11,024 people
Franklin Lakes
11,011 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Ocean City's 11,260 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Newport East, RI
11,262 people
Triangle, VA
11,265 people
Fredericksburg, TX
11,254 people
Satellite Beach, FL
11,250 people
Healdsburg, CA
11,274 people
Storm Lake, IA
11,275 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Ocean City's $101,782 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Randolph, MN
$101,786 median income
Big Flats, NY
$101,771 median income
Paramount-Long Meadow, MD
$101,763 median income
West Kennebunk, ME
$101,761 median income
Goodyear, AZ
$101,814 median income
Cadiz, IN
$101,750 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Ocean City, NJ Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Ocean City, NJ - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 86.6% 9.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 9.3% White 86.6% Black or African American 2.2% Asian 0.3% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 9.1% Two or more races 1.7% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Ocean City compares to nearby New Jersey cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Ocean City (this city) 11,260 $101,782
Westwood 11,221 $169,026
Wanaque 11,162 $112,326
Ridgefield 11,439 $115,676
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NJ FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Ocean City, NJ?

What is the population of Ocean City, NJ? +

The population of Ocean City, NJ stands at 11,260 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Ocean City, NJ? +

The median household income in Ocean City is $101,782 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Ocean City? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Ocean City; the closest available measure is the New Jersey state average, a cost of living index of 108.8 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within New Jersey vary by metro area.

Is Ocean City, NJ safe? +

Ocean City has a total crime rate of 2178.4 per 100,000 residents, which is near the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Ocean City, NJ? +

Homes in Ocean City carry a median value of $719,100, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.