City profile · New Jersey · Census ACS 2023

Surf City, NJ

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

1,225
Residents
$118,333
Median income
$967,900
Median home
$2,328
Median rent (state)

Surf City - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Surf City lands in the 86th percentile for household income and the 68th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

86th
percentile, household income
97th
percentile, home value
90th
percentile, median rent
68th
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: Surf City, NJ

New Jersey's Surf City is a small town, with 1,225 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Surf City households earn a median of $118,333 annually, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 3.3%. Surf City's housing stock carries a median value of $967,900, and the median resident age is 63.8 years. Educational attainment runs 64.6% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 38.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 32 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Growing), up 19% from five years earlier. Surf City reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 900.2 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

New Jersey carries a cost-of-living premium: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, New Jersey scores 108.8 (Well Above Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $2,328 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $275 across New Jersey, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 96.2 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

1,225 residents

Census ACS 2023 - New Jersey

Median Household Income

$118,333 /yr

Poverty 3.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

108.8 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, New Jersey average

How does Surf City compare to other US cities?

Here's how Surf City stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 86% higher than other cities
Home value 97% pricier than other cities
Median rent 90% pricier than other cities
Safety 68% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at New Jersey, Surf City ranks #109 of 238 New Jersey cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Surf 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 is Surf City's strongest outlier among New Jersey cities

Among the 672 New Jersey cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Surf City ranks #35 - the 95th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Surf City only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#250 of 659
62nd percentile in New Jersey
Median Gross Rent
#124 of 686
68th percentile in New Jersey
Median Home Value
#35 of 672
95th percentile in New Jersey
Poverty Rate
#326 of 680
51st percentile in New Jersey
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#125 of 686
82nd 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.

86thIncome percentile
68thSafety percentile

86th percentile nationally for median household income · 68th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Surf City's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Surf 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 54 Avg. percentile National median
Surf 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 Surf City's home value compares nationally

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

$967,900 3rd percentile more affordable than 3% 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%). Below this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Surf 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 - Surf City, NJ Surf City, NJ's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Surf 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 Surf City, NJ median $118,333/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%
Surf 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 Surf City, NJ. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 64.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 3.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 38.6%

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

Population
1,225
Median Income
$118,333
Median Home Value
$967,900
Median Age
63.8
Poverty Rate
3.3%
Labor force participation
38.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
64.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
900.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
75.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
825.2
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
1
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,240 residents1,260 residents1,280 residents1,300 residents1,320 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,248 residents 1,305 residents ▲ +4.6%
Surf City's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Growing
Total Permits (2024)
32
housing units authorized
Single-Family
32
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
26.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 27
2020 21
2021 23
2022 27
2023 24
2024 32

Permit volume increased 19% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
59.5%
Carpool
1.1%
Public Transit
1.1%
Walk
1.8%
Work from Home
34.9%
Other
1.6%

Based on 439 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 Surf City sits in

Cost of Living Index
108.8
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$2,328/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
96.2 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in New Jersey

William Paterson University of New Jersey
1,240 people
Auburn
1,209 people
Bay Head
1,201 people
Dorothy
1,255 people
Crandon Lakes
1,258 people
Silver Ridge
1,176 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Surf City's 1,225 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Jamestown, IN
1,225 people
Jewell Junction, IA
1,225 people
North Bend, NE
1,225 people
Sanbornville, NH
1,225 people
Saddle Rock, NY
1,225 people
Brookfield Center, OH
1,225 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Surf City's $118,333 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Saddlebrooke, MO
$118,333 median income
Tuxedo, NY
$118,317 median income
Glencoe, OH
$118,317 median income
Saugatuck, MI
$118,309 median income
Maytown, PA
$118,361 median income
Lake Stevens, WA
$118,290 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Surf 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 Surf City, NJ - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 97.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 0.9% White 97.5% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 1.6% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 0.9% 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 Surf 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
Surf City (this city) 1,225 $118,333
William Paterson University of New Jersey 1,240 N/A
Auburn 1,209 $201,648
Bay Head 1,201 $145,417
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NJ FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Surf City, NJ?

What is the population of Surf City, NJ? +

1,225 people live in Surf City, NJ according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Surf City, the typical household earns $118,333 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Surf City? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Surf 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 Surf City, NJ safe? +

Surf City has a total crime rate of 900.2 per 100,000 residents, which is below 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 Surf City, NJ? +

Surf City's median home value sits at $967,900, 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.