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Atlantic County, NJ

Egg Harbor

RANK #415 / 996 NAT  ·  #6 / 21 NJ  ·  POP 274,339

1YR FORECAST: +2.1%

5YR OUTLOOK: +26%

Atlantic County's housing market is projected to grow +2.1% over the next year, tracking near the national average.

[01] Why Atlantic County?

Atlantic County, New Jersey, is perhaps best known for Atlantic City, a coastal hub featuring casinos, a boardwalk, and beaches. Beyond this entertainment center, the county offers a mix of communities, from the historic charm of Mays Landing, the county seat, to the family-friendly beaches of Margate City and Brigantine. Located in South Jersey, the county is approximately an hour's drive from Philadelphia and two hours from New York City, making it accessible for commuters. The region boasts diverse outdoor recreation, including numerous beaches, parks like Estell Manor Park with miles of trails, and the expansive Pinelands National Reserve.

Life in Atlantic County offers a blend of coastal living and suburban amenities. Many residents own their homes, and the area is considered family-friendly, with several public schools ranking highly within the state. Commute options include NJ Transit bus and rail services, with community shuttles connecting to major routes and the Atlantic City Rail Line providing service to Philadelphia. The economy, while historically tied to tourism and gaming, is seeing diversification. Recent developments include significant investment in residential projects, with new housing units underway in Atlantic City, and a focus on strengthening various economic sectors.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
4.6x

Below national median (4.7x)

GDP Growth
+1.7%

Below national median

Home Prices
+3.7%

Outpacing national median

Climate & Terrain
-0.0

Below-average climate & terrain

Price/Rent
10x

Strong rental yield

Housing is fairly valued at 4.6x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Top Employers

  1. 1
    Casino Gaming Industry (Atlantic City) Hospitality
    10,000+
  2. 2
    AtlantiCare Healthcare
    5,000+
  3. 3
    Caesars Entertainment Hospitality
    500+
  4. 4
    Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City Hospitality
  5. 5
    MGM Resorts International Hospitality
    250+
  6. 6
    Shore Medical Center Healthcare
  7. 7
    Atlantic Medical Imaging Healthcare
  8. 8
    Federal Aviation Administration William J. Hughes Technical Center Government
  9. 9
    Atlantic County Government Government
  10. 10
    Atlantic Cape Community College Education

Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Atlantic County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
274,339
+0.17% YoY
Median Household Income
$73,113
Median Home Value
$254,100
+3.69% 12mo
Median Rent
$1,268
Average Annual Pay
$59,219
+2.4% YoY
Employment
125,157
+0.5% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.2877
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
2.34%
of pop. from another state
Bachelor's Degree+
30.1%
of residents (national avg: 33%)

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$375,000
Days on Market
81
Slower market
Months of Supply
6.7
Buyer's market
Sale-to-List Ratio
97.2%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
22.0%
Listings w/ Price Drops
14.4%
Building Permits (2024)
647
Single-Family Permits
383

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Crime & Safety

C
SAFETY
GRADE
Homicide Rate
6.1
per 100K · nat avg 6.3
Firearm Fatalities
8.6
per 100K · nat avg 14.8
Injury Deaths
113.7
per 100K · nat avg 76.3
vs National Average
Near national avg
based on homicide rate

Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →

[06] Air Quality

B
AIR QUALITY
GRADE
Median AQI (3yr)
37.0
Good
Good Air Days
80%
876 of 1,092 days
Unhealthy+ Days (3yr)
6
Includes 1 Very Unhealthy
Primary Pollutant
PM2.5
Fine particulate matter
Yearly Trend
2021
37
2022
36
2023
38
Median AQI · lower is better

Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →

[07] Capital Investment

$3,180M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
Bader Field Mixed-Use Development (Proposed)
DEEM Enterprises
$2,700M Proposed
Atlantic City Expressway Expansion
South Jersey Transportation Authority
$180M Under Construction
Amazon Fulfillment Center (Former Atlantic City Race Course)
Amazon
$150M Planned
Showboat Resort Renovations & Island Waterpark
Showboat Resort
$150M Completed

Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.

[08] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +1.7% 28 percentile
Population Growth +0.2% 37 percentile
Income Growth +10.0% 80 percentile
Vacancy Rate 1.3% 31 percentile
Home Price Change +3.7% 79 percentile
Rent Growth +4.4% 72 percentile
Price/Rent 10x 92 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[09] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Atlantic County, NJ a good place to move to?

Atlantic County scores 58/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#415). Median household income is $73,113 and job growth is running at +0.5%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.

Is Atlantic County affordable?

Housing in Atlantic County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $254,100 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.29, with rents averaging $1,268/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.

Is Atlantic County growing or shrinking?

Population and employment in Atlantic County are both close to flat — population +0.2% YoY and jobs +0.5%. Home values shifted +3.7% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.

Are people moving to Atlantic County?

There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.34% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Atlantic County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.

[10] Similar Counties by Size & Score

Camden County, NJ 65 Gloucester County, NJ 65 Union County, NJ 50 Ocean County, NJ 48 Passaic County, NJ 70 Middlesex County, NJ 46 Wright County, MN 58 Onslow County, NC 57