City profile · New Jersey · Census ACS 2023

Wildwood, NJ

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

5,140
Residents
$51,996
Median income
$361,200
Median home
$1,792
Median rent (state)

Wildwood - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Wildwood lands in the 23rd percentile for household income and the 3rd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

23rd
percentile, household income
73rd
percentile, home value
74th
percentile, median rent
3rd
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: Wildwood, NJ

5,140 people live in Wildwood, New Jersey - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $51,996 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 8.1%. Typical homes in Wildwood are valued around $361,200, and the median resident age is 47.7 years. 15.1% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 55.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 145 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 530% from five years earlier. Wildwood's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 5275.5 crimes per 100,000 residents, above the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than 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). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,792 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $275 across New Jersey, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Workers in Wildwood report an average commute of 19.8 minutes, with 50.9% driving alone and 8.0% working from home. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 91.0 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

5,140 residents

Census ACS 2023 - New Jersey

Median Household Income

$51,996 /yr

Poverty 8.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

108.8 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, New Jersey average

How does Wildwood compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 23% higher than other cities
Home value 73% pricier than other cities
Median rent 74% pricier than other cities
Safety 3% 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, Wildwood ranks #231 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

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 Wildwood'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.

23rdIncome percentile
3rdSafety percentile

23rd percentile nationally for median household income · 3rd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Wildwood's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Wildwood'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 18 Avg. percentile National median
Wildwood'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 Wildwood's home value compares nationally

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

$361,200 27th percentile more affordable than 27% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $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. Wildwood $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 - Wildwood, NJ Wildwood, NJ's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Wildwood, 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 Wildwood, NJ median $51,996/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%
Wildwood, 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 Wildwood, NJ. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 15.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 8.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 55.4%

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

Population
5,140
Median Income
$51,996
Median Home Value
$361,200
Median Age
47.7
Poverty Rate
8.1%
Labor force participation
55.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
15.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
5275.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
390.8
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
4884.7
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 →
5,050 residents5,100 residents5,150 residents5,200 residents 202020212022202320242025 5,139 residents 5,068 residents ▼ -1.4%
Wildwood's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
145
housing units authorized
Single-Family
16
detached homes
Multifamily
129
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
28.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 23
2020 17
2021 78
2022 151
2023 159
2024 145

Permit volume increased 530% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
19.8 minutes
Drive Alone
50.9%
Carpool
9.0%
Public Transit
2.1%
Walk
23.4%
Work from Home
8.0%
Other
6.6%

Based on 2,336 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 Wildwood 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

Ledgewood
5,150 people
Beach Haven West
5,164 people
Troy Hills
5,183 people
Beckett
5,072 people
Bargaintown
5,231 people
Florence
5,027 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Wildwood's 5,140 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Daytona Beach Shores, FL
5,139 people
Mount Hood Villages, OR
5,139 people
Rockmart, GA
5,142 people
Hampton, MD
5,138 people
Kingsford, MI
5,138 people
West Hills, NY
5,138 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Wildwood's $51,996 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Lebanon Junction, KY
$52,000 median income
Lake Benton, MN
$52,000 median income
Pottersville, NY
$52,000 median income
Garfield Heights, OH
$52,006 median income
Raton, NM
$52,007 median income
Quanah, TX
$51,985 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Wildwood, 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 Wildwood, NJ - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 73.6% 7.5% 7.9% 8.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 31.7% White 73.6% Black or African American 7.5% Asian 0.2% American Indian 2.6% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 7.9% Two or more races 8.2% 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 Wildwood 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
Wildwood (this city) 5,140 $51,996
Ledgewood 5,150 $125,000
Beach Haven West 5,164 $116,949
Troy Hills 5,183 $180,618
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NJ FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Wildwood, NJ?

What is the population of Wildwood, NJ? +

The population of Wildwood, NJ stands at 5,140 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Wildwood, NJ? +

Median annual household income in Wildwood runs $51,996, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Wildwood? +

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

Wildwood has a total crime rate of 5275.5 per 100,000 residents, which is above 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 Wildwood, NJ? +

Wildwood's median home value sits at $361,200, 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 Editorial

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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.