Middletown
RANK #634 / 996 NAT · #13 / 21 NJ · POP 643,064
1YR FORECAST: +2.2%
5YR OUTLOOK: +20%
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.
Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 8.0x — 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.
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 →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
At 36/100, Monmouth County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $118,527 combined with job growth of +1.8% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Monmouth County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $519,300 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 $1,683/month on average.
Employers in Monmouth County are hiring — job growth of +1.8% — but the population is close to flat (+0.1% YoY). Home values moved +2.8% 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 2.39% 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.