City · New Jersey
Wildwood, New Jersey
Wildwood, city, in Cape May County, New Jersey. Wildwood had 5,068 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.7% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 5,157 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 5,130 (±17). GEOID 3481170.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
5,068
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 5,157 · ACS 2020-2024: 5,130 ±17
Median household income
$75,222
±$21,056 (90% margin)
New Jersey: $103,556
Median home value
$391,300
±$44,915 (90% margin)
New Jersey: $454,400
Median gross rent
$997
±$233 (90% margin)
New Jersey: $1,720
Where is Wildwood and what county is it in?
Wildwood is a city in Cape May County, New Jersey. It covers 1.5 square miles of land, 3,347 residents per square mile in 2020.
Wildwood is in the Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 2 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Wildwood, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 5,068 people lived in Wildwood on July 1, 2025, down 1.7% since 2020, while New Jersey grew 2.8%. The 2020 Census counted 5,157 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 5,130 (±17).
| Measure | Wildwood | Cape May County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 5,130 ±17 | 94,941 | +88 |
| Households | 2,646 ±192 | 44,884 | +342 |
| Average household size | 1.93 ±0.14 | 2.08 | −0.24 |
| Housing units | 6,553 ±366 | 99,599 | −463 |
Wildwood's population since 2000
From 5,436 in 2000 to 5,068 in 2025: down 6.8%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Wildwood as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Wildwood?
The median resident of Wildwood is 45.2 years old; 13.0% are under 18 and 18.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 60.5%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 26.0%. 9.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Wildwood | Cape May County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.2 ±6.2 | 51.8 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 13.0% ±2.8 pts | 17.1% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.1% ±3.8 pts | 29.5% | – |
| Male | 51.3% ±3.8 pts | 48.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 26.0% ±7.3 pts | 8.3% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 60.5% ±7.1 pts | 83.9% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 10.7% ±4.4 pts | 3.4% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.8% ±0.8 pts | 0.7% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.9 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.9 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.9% ±1.6 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.9 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 9.9% ±4.1 pts | 4.6% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 19.6% ±7.5 pts | 8.9% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.5% ±2.1 pts | 6.9% | – |
| With a disability | 22.5% ±5.3 pts | 15.0% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 15.4% ±4.6 pts | 5.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.5% ±4.7 pts | 94.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 24.6% ±8.6 pts | 39.0% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 11.7% ±5.6 pts | 14.8% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 74.1% ±8.3 pts | 89.1% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 10.2% ±6.7 pts | 3.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Wildwood earn?
Half of Wildwood's 2,646 households earn less than $75,222 a year (±$21,056), against $91,128 in Cape May County and $103,556 in New Jersey. In 2015-2019 the median was $51,551 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $23,671 after inflation. 13.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Wildwood | Cape May County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $75,222 ±$21,056 | $91,128 | +$23,671 |
| Mean household income | $100,940 ±$16,847 | $122,129 | – |
| Per capita income | $50,752 ±$8,674 | $55,694 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 13.7% ±4.6 pts | 8.7% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 22.1% ±14.7 pts | 10.9% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 20.4% ±6.8 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Households with a computer | 95.9% ±2.2 pts | 96.7% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.6% ±6.0 pts | 93.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Wildwood?
Owners occupy 43.5% of Wildwood's occupied homes and renters 56.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $391,300 by its owner (±$44,915). The median renter pays $997 a month including utilities, and 48.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Wildwood | Cape May County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $391,300 ±$44,915 | $434,600 | +$99,256 |
| Median gross rent | $997 ±$233 | $1,360 | −$352 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 48.0% ±11.4 pts | 46.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,473 ±$385 | $2,232 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 43.5% ±7.2 pts | 80.3% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 56.5% ±7.2 pts | 19.7% | – |
| Housing units | 6,553 ±366 | 99,599 | −463 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.7% ±1.8 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 18.1% ±7.5 pts | 26.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 21.3% ±4.3 pts | 51.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.0% ±0.7 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.1% ±0.9 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 4.3% ±1.8 pts | 7.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 24.4% ±4.1 pts | 12.6% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 16.8% ±5.9 pts | 5.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Wildwood building?
Builders took permits for 96 new housing units in Wildwood in 2025 (17 in single-family houses; the permit office reported 7 of 12 months), 18.9 per 1,000 residents against 2.9 across New Jersey.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Wildwood work and get to work?
57.1% of Wildwood's workers drive alone and 15.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 7.4%.
| Measure | Wildwood | Cape May County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 67.5% ±6.6 pts | 57.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 7.4% ±4.4 pts | 5.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 57.1% ±7.5 pts | 72.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.1% ±5.2 pts | 8.2% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.8% ±1.8 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Walked | 11.6% ±6.2 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 15.2% ±7.0 pts | 12.1% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.1 min ±3.6 | 22.0 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Wildwood?
2 census tracts lie mostly in Wildwood (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $65,227 (Tract 214) to $77,295 (Tract 215).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Wildwood) · Census block assignment files
How does Wildwood compare with other places in New Jersey?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Wildwood is the 4,858th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 192nd-most populous of 323 in New Jersey.
Wildwood ranks 684th of 771 places in New Jersey with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 192nd | 323 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 509th | 532 |
| Residents per square mile | 267th | 787 |
| Median household income | 684th | 771 |
| Per capita income | 470th | 785 |
| Median home value | 479th | 777 |
| Median gross rent | 688th | 701 |
| Poverty rate | 69th | 539 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 670th | 780 |
| Median age | 246th | 786 |
| Owner-occupied share | 720th | 777 |
| Work from home | 410th | 695 |
| Travel time to work | 725th | 787 |
Wildwood's figures with every place in New Jersey (CSV)
Every place in New Jersey, sortable · Compare Wildwood with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Wildwood?
10 of the 57 figures for Wildwood on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Wildwood are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Wildwood.