RANK #170 / 1001 NAT · #3 / 21 NJ · POP 645,353
1YR FORECAST: +3.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +22%
Monmouth County, New Jersey, distinguishes itself with its extensive coastline along the Atlantic Ocean, offering numerous beaches from Sandy Hook to Manasquan. The county, located in central New Jersey, is roughly an hour's drive from New York City, with various commute options including NJ Transit rail and bus services, and ferry routes from towns like Belford, Atlantic Highlands, and Highlands. Beyond its shore, Monmouth County features a mix of suburban and agricultural landscapes, including horse farms, orchards, and wineries in its inland areas. The Monmouth County Park System manages over 18,000 acres across more than 40 sites, providing extensive outdoor recreation opportunities such as hiking, biking, and environmental education.
Life in Monmouth County appeals to a range of residents, from families drawn to its highly-rated public school districts, including Holmdel Township and Freehold Regional, to commuters seeking access to New York City. The economy is diverse, with significant sectors in healthcare and social assistance, retail trade, and professional and technical services. Recent economic developments show strong growth in non-residential construction, particularly in industrial warehousing and office spaces. Institutions like Brookdale Community College also contribute significantly to the local economy, supporting jobs and increasing earning potential for residents.
Monmouth County is one of 110 U.S. counties in this market profile — stronger than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +6.5% runs above the profile's typical +2.4%.
See all 110 Educated Suburban Growth counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 18.8x — 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: Homicide rates from CDC/NCHS vital-statistics mortality data — a multi-year average that stabilizes counts in smaller counties — compiled in the County Health Rankings 2025 release. Rates per 100,000 population; U.S. average ≈ 6.5. Grade reflects homicide rate relative to the national average. Learn more →
See where Monmouth County stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties · counties where safety is improving.
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Monmouth County ranks #170 out of 1001 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 83/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +1.8% and a median household income of $124,845 point to a county with active economic momentum.
Monmouth County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $606,100 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.21 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,827/month on average.
Employers in Monmouth County are hiring — job growth of +1.8% — but the population is close to flat (+0.3% YoY). Home values moved +6.5% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.42% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Monmouth County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Home values climbed +6.5% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Monmouth County is now valued at $606,100. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.