Lakewood
RANK #513 / 996 NAT · #8 / 21 NJ · POP 638,691
1YR FORECAST: +2.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +23%
Ocean County, New Jersey, is defined by its extensive coastline along the Atlantic Ocean and Barnegat Bay, featuring popular destinations like Point Pleasant Beach and Long Beach Island. Located in the south-central part of the state, it sits about 70 miles south of New York City and 50 miles east of Philadelphia. Commuting to New York City is possible via bus routes from locations like Toms River and Brick, though the ride can be lengthy. The county offers a mix of suburban and coastal communities, with abundant outdoor recreation including 27 parks and conservation areas, over 4000 acres of preserved land, and access to the Pine Barrens.
Life in Ocean County often appeals to families and retirees seeking a balance of suburban living and coastal access. The county is home to various school districts, with some areas like Point Pleasant Borough and Stafford Township noted for their schools. The economy is significantly influenced by tourism and hospitality, driven by attractions such as Six Flags Great Adventure, Jenkinson's Boardwalk, and the numerous beaches. Healthcare and retail also contribute to the local economy, with major medical systems like RWJBarnabas Health present. Ocean County has experienced population growth, making it one of New Jersey's faster-growing counties.
Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks overvalued at 8.9x — 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.
Ocean County scores 48/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#513). Median household income is $82,379 and job growth is running at +2.7%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Ocean County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $343,500 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.24 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,639/month on average.
Ocean County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +1.4% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +2.7% clip — and home values reflect that momentum, rising +3.9% over the past 12 months.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.34% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Ocean County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.