RANK #226 / 1001 NAT · #3 / 21 NJ · POP 276,270
1YR FORECAST: +2.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +33%
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.
Atlantic County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +4.0% YoY, population +0.6%, wages +3.8%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks overvalued at 10.6x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
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 →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| 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.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 77/100, Atlantic County sits in the upper half of all 1001 ranked counties. and median household income stands at $78,050 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in NJ.
Housing in Atlantic County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $295,000 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.26, with rents averaging $1,376/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Atlantic County's population is growing — up +0.6% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.1%). Home values shifted +4.0% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.11% 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.