Ocean
New Jersey

What stands out

Three things set Ocean County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the typical two-bedroom rent is in the top 3% of American counties ($1,614 a month), natural-hazard risk is in the top 3% of American counties (97 of 100), and the median home price is in the top 5% of American counties ($548K). Within New Jersey it ranks 10th of 21 counties for the typical two-bedroom rent.

Where you are

You live in Ocean County, New Jersey. 638,691 people live here with you. The population grew 0.5% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +200).

New Jersey has the highest property taxes in the nation, averaging more than $9,000 a year per home, and a graduated income tax reaching 10.75% above $1 million. It repealed its estate tax in 2018 but kept an inheritance tax on non-family heirs. Social Security is not taxed, and retirement income up to $100,000 is excluded for many couples. The whole state is within commuting range of New York or Philadelphia.

Money

The typical household here brings in $82,379 a year, higher than 89% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $57,452. Unemployment runs 3.7%, higher than 61% of American counties. 10% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 28 minutes each way.

New Jersey takes 3.8% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,121 a year.

Home

The median home costs $548K, pricier than 95% of American counties, about 3.3 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,614 a month. Property tax is 1.87% of home value, roughly $6,433 a year on that median home, higher than 95% of American counties. 80% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.9 per 1,000 residents, lower than 51% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 22 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 78.1 years, longer than 76% of American counties. There are 1,020 active physicians in the county, about 16.0 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 6.7% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.12 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 63% of American counties. 93% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 28 points. 77% of eligible voters turned out. Under New Jersey law you need local approval to carry a concealed handgun, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 55°F, highs near 64 and lows near 45, colder than 55% of American counties. About 40 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 97 out of 100, riskier than 97% of American counties; the county has had 33 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 285 Mbps down, faster than 91% of American counties. There are 4 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 2 breweries, 7 museums.