City profile · New Jersey · Census ACS 2023

West Cape May, NJ

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

934
Residents
$79,375
Median income
$698,300
Median home
$1,792
Median rent (state)

West Cape May - the verdict

Nationally, West Cape May sits in the 61st percentile for household income among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS.

61st
percentile, household income
93rd
percentile, home value
74th
percentile, median rent
📝 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: West Cape May, NJ

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 934 residents in West Cape May, a small town within New Jersey. Median household income here is $79,375 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 1.4%. West Cape May's housing stock carries a median value of $698,300, and the median resident age is 59.4 years. Educational attainment runs 48.5% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 56.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 18 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Rapid Growth), up 38% from five years earlier.

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 $1,792 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts New Jersey's average monthly utility costs around $275 (state average). Natural-hazard exposure scores 91.0 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

934 residents

Census ACS 2023 - New Jersey

Median Household Income

$79,375 /yr

Poverty 1.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

108.8 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, New Jersey average

How does West Cape May compare to other US cities?

West Cape May measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 61% higher than other cities
Home value 93% pricier than other cities
Median rent 74% pricier than other cities

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

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below West Cape May's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in New Jersey, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

61stIncome percentile

61st percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How West Cape May's home value compares nationally

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

$698,300 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%). This entry sits in this band. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $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. West Cape May $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 - West Cape May, NJ West Cape May, NJ's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not West Cape May, 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 West Cape May, NJ median $79,375/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%
West Cape May, 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 West Cape May, NJ. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 48.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 1.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 56.6%

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

Population
934
Median Income
$79,375
Median Home Value
$698,300
Median Age
59.4
Poverty Rate
1.4%
Labor force participation
56.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
48.5%

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 →
970 residents980 residents990 residents1,000 residents1,010 residents 202020212022202320242025 999 residents 981 residents ▼ -1.8%
West Cape May's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Rapid Growth
Total Permits (2024)
18
housing units authorized
Single-Family
18
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
19.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 13
2020 16
2021 23
2022 17
2023 18
2024 18

Permit volume increased 38% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
46.5%
Carpool
11.5%
Public Transit
0.9%
Walk
0.7%
Work from Home
21.7%
Other
18.7%

Based on 443 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 West Cape May sits in

Cost of Living Index
108.8
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,792/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
91.0 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in New Jersey

Griggstown
928 people
Vienna
940 people
Elwood
920 people
Fairton
918 people
Milmay
950 people
Newtonville
915 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to West Cape May's 934 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Gerber, CA
934 people
Stonington, CT
934 people
Mars Hill, ME
934 people
Baroda, MI
934 people
Park, MT
934 people
Newman Grove, NE
934 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to West Cape May's $79,375 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Waverly, AL
$79,375 median income
Bee Ridge, FL
$79,375 median income
Gillsville, GA
$79,375 median income
Henning, IL
$79,375 median income
Hancock, IA
$79,375 median income
La Motte, IA
$79,375 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - West Cape May, 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 West Cape May, NJ - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 87.5% 8.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 9.4% White 87.5% Black or African American 3.2% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 8.1% Two or more races 1.2% 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 West Cape May 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
West Cape May (this city) 934 $79,375
Griggstown 928 $207,542
Vienna 940 $124,893
Elwood 920 $68,698
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NJ NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about West Cape May, NJ?

What is the population of West Cape May, NJ? +

The population of West Cape May, NJ stands at 934 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in West Cape May, NJ? +

Median annual household income in West Cape May runs $79,375, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in West Cape May? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for West Cape May; 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.

What is the median home value in West Cape May, NJ? +

A typical home in West Cape May is worth $698,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, 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 Editorial

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

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.