County · New Jersey
Ocean County, New Jersey
Ocean County, New Jersey. Ocean County had 673,746 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 5.7% since 2020, faster than New Jersey (+2.8%). It holds 60 places (19 cities, villages and boroughs, 14 towns and townships and 27 census-designated) and 145 census tracts. GEOID 34029.
Ocean County is one of the 22 counties of the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
673,746
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 637,229 · ACS 2020-2024: 654,362
Median household income
$89,863
±$1,555 (90% margin)
New Jersey: $103,556
Median home value
$398,400
±$3,284 (90% margin)
New Jersey: $454,400
Median gross rent
$1,755
±$30 (90% margin)
New Jersey: $1,720
How many people live in Ocean County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 637,229 residents in Ocean County. The Census Bureau estimates 673,746 for July 1, 2025, up 5.7% since 2020, faster than New Jersey (+2.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 654,362 over 628 square miles of land.
| Measure | Ocean County | New Jersey | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 654,362 | 9,343,809 | +57,947 |
| Households | 243,843±1,514 | 3,507,701 | +17,683 |
| Average household size | 2.65±0.02 | 2.62 | +0.04 |
| Housing units | 296,357±123 | 3,791,354 | +13,060 |
Ocean County's population since 2000
From 510,916 in 2000 to 673,746 in 2025: up 31.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Ocean County?
Ocean County holds 60 places: 19 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 14 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 27 census-designated places. The largest is Lakewood Township with 143,765 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Lakewood Township | 135,158 | $65,101 |
|---|---|---|
| Toms River Township | 95,438 | $99,547 |
| Toms River | 92,830 | $100,137 |
| Brick Township | 73,620 | $106,130 |
| Lakewood | 69,398 | $56,968 |
| Jackson Township | 58,544 | $115,511 |
| Manchester Township | 45,115 | $56,885 |
| Berkeley Township | 43,754 | $66,008 |
| Lacey Township | 28,655 | $102,624 |
| Stafford Township | 28,617 | $117,612 |
| Barnegat Township | 24,296 | $91,540 |
| Little Egg Harbor Township | 20,784 | $92,446 |
| Point Pleasant | 18,941 | $115,625 |
| Ocean Acres | 18,185 | $121,924 |
| Holiday City-Berkeley | 12,943 | $50,156 |
| Beachwood | 10,859 | $106,858 |
| Pine Lake Park | 8,913 | $91,813 |
| Ocean Township, Ocean County | 8,835 | $100,524 |
| Crestwood Village | 8,426 | $38,091 |
| Mystic Island | 8,301 | $78,714 |
| Plumsted Township | 8,072 | $103,625 |
| Forked River | 5,274 | $91,493 |
| Leisure Village | 4,966 | $44,542 |
| Point Pleasant Beach | 4,766 | $141,716 |
| Leisure Village East | 4,189 | $49,198 |
| Beach Haven West | 4,143 | $119,394 |
| Holiday City South | 4,124 | $51,660 |
| Barnegat | 3,894 | $108,664 |
| Leisure Village West | 3,692 | $52,500 |
| South Toms River | 3,643 | $103,503 |
| Tuckerton | 3,577 | $88,892 |
| Long Beach Township | 3,153 | $113,224 |
| Lakehurst | 2,636 | $84,531 |
| Leisure Knoll | 2,562 | $64,718 |
| Pine Ridge at Crestwood | 2,537 | $62,235 |
| Seaside Heights | 2,440 | $47,589 |
| Manahawkin | 2,413 | $77,031 |
| Vista CenterGEOID 3476107 | 2,370 | $135,828 |
| New Egypt | 2,357 | $74,063 |
| North Beach Haven | 2,198 | $111,332 |
| Pine Beach | 2,139 | $142,920 |
| Holiday HeightsGEOID 3432424 | 2,135 | $58,297 |
| Ocean Gate | 1,932 | $69,397 |
| Lavallette | 1,787 | $133,056 |
| Eagleswood Township | 1,722 | $101,875 |
| Island Heights | 1,650 | $109,231 |
| Cedar Glen Lakes | 1,517 | $31,558 |
| WaretownGEOID 3476820 | 1,483 | $121,538 |
| Seaside Park | 1,436 | $84,375 |
| Cedar Glen WestGEOID 3411155 | 1,379 | $65,682 |
| Dover Beaches South | 1,331 | $144,844 |
| Dover Beaches North | 1,277 | $51,364 |
| Surf City | 1,243 | $118,750 |
| Silver RidgeGEOID 3467665 | 1,167 | $32,293 |
| Ship Bottom | 1,098 | $108,750 |
| Beach Haven | 1,027 | $144,167 |
| Bay Head | 930 | $181,667 |
| Barnegat Light | 640 | $125,417 |
| Harvey Cedars | 391 | $146,250 |
| Mantoloking | 331 | $250,000 or more |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Ocean County?
The median resident of Ocean County is 41.2 years old; 25.0% are under 18 and 22.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 81.1%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 10.9%. 8.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Ocean County | New Jersey | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.2±0.2 | 40.1 | −1.5 |
| Under 18 years | 25.0%±0.1 pts | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 22.6%±0.1 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 10.9% | 22.5% | +1.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 81.1%±0.3 pts | 50.9% | −3.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.9%±0.1 pts | 12.2% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.9%±0.1 pts | 10.0% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.7%±0.2 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 8.0%±0.3 pts | 23.9% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 13.2%±0.6 pts | 33.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.1%±0.2 pts | 3.7% | – |
| With a disability | 12.3%±0.4 pts | 10.8% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.1%±0.3 pts | 7.5% | −1.5 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.5%±0.3 pts | 90.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 34.4%±0.6 pts | 43.6% | +4.4 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 12.5%±0.4 pts | 17.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.2%±0.2 pts | 1.8% | – |
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 Ocean County earn?
Half of Ocean County's 243,843 households earn less than $89,863 a year (±$1,555), against $103,556 in New Jersey. In 2015-2019 the median was $87,267 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $2,596 after inflation. 10.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Ocean County | New Jersey | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $89,863±$1,555 | $103,556 | +$2,596 |
| Mean household income | $118,767±$1,840 | $143,363 | – |
| Per capita income | $44,947±$679 | $54,253 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 10.5%±0.7 pts | 9.7% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 16.1%±1.7 pts | 13.0% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 6.4%±0.5 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.7%±0.5 pts | 92.8% | – |
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 Ocean County?
Owners occupy 80.7% of Ocean County's occupied homes and renters 19.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $398,400 by its owner (±$3,284). The median renter pays $1,755 a month including utilities, and 50.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Ocean County | New Jersey | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $398,400±$3,284 | $454,400 | +$55,036 |
| Median gross rent | $1,755±$30 | $1,720 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 50.3%±2.1 pts | 42.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,330±$24 | $2,829 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 80.7%±0.7 pts | 63.8% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 296,357±123 | 3,791,354 | +13,060 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.9%±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.1%±0.7 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 74.4%±0.6 pts | 52.6% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.1%±0.2 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.2%±0.2 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 4.1%±0.3 pts | 17.4% | – |
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 Ocean County building?
Builders took permits for 2,831 new housing units across Ocean County in 2025 (2,372 single-family), 4.2 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Ocean County get to work?
75.4% of Ocean County's workers drive alone and 12.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 30.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.4%.
| Measure | Ocean County | New Jersey | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 59.1%±0.5 pts | 66.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4%±0.4 pts | 6.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 75.4%±0.7 pts | 62.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.3%±0.6 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.9%±0.2 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Walked | 1.4%±0.2 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 12.5%±0.6 pts | 16.8% | +7.4 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 30.0 min±0.5 | 30.5 min | −1.2 min |
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 are Ocean County's census tracts?
Ocean County is divided into 145 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $37,206 (Tract 7201.04) to $213,750 (Tract 7392).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Ocean County compare with New Jersey's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 5th of 21 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 1st of 21 |
| Residents per square mile | 12th of 21 |
| Median household income | 15th of 21 |
| Median home value | 12th of 21 |
| Median gross rent | 7th of 21 |
| Poverty rate | 8th of 21 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17th of 21 |
| Median age | 12th of 21 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Ocean County 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' school search.