Lower
RANK #113 / 996 NAT · #1 / 21 NJ · POP 95,456
1YR FORECAST: +5.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +35%
Cape May County, situated at New Jersey's southern tip, is known for its Victorian architecture in towns like Cape May City, a National Historic Landmark. The county is bordered by the Delaware Bay to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the south and east, offering over 30 miles of beaches. It is a popular summer destination, with its population significantly increasing during these months. The Garden State Parkway provides access to the area, though public transportation options within the county are limited, with seasonal shuttles connecting the Cape May Ferry Terminal to downtown. The community offers extensive outdoor recreation, including bird watching, hiking trails, and the Cape May County Park and Zoo.
Life in Cape May County often revolves around its coastal environment. Many residents are retirees or remote workers, drawn to the area's quieter pace outside of the peak tourist season. The economy is largely driven by tourism and maritime industries, including beachfront resorts and commercial fishing. There has been investment in sectors like oyster bed enhancement, which supports local shellfisheries. The county also has a growing food-based economy with local vineyards, breweries, and farm markets. Public schools in towns like Ocean City and Middle Township are generally well-regarded.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 6.0x 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.
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 →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Cape May County Airport Mixed-Income Housing Development
Cape May County (in negotiation with DRBA)
|
$100M | Proposed |
|
Woodbine Landfill Renewable Natural Gas Facility
Waga Energy / Cape May County Municipal Utilities Authority (CMCMUA)
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Middle Battery Storage Project
Unknown
|
$25M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Cape May County ranks #113 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 89/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +0.9% and a median household income of $83,870 point to a county with active economic momentum.
Cape May County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $372,300 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.23 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,285/month on average.
Population and employment in Cape May County are both close to flat — population -0.0% YoY and jobs +0.9%. Home values shifted +4.6% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.22% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Cape May County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.