RANK #396 / 1001 NAT · #9 / 21 NJ · POP 654,362
1YR FORECAST: +2.7%
5YR OUTLOOK: +19%
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.
Ocean County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +4.8% YoY, population +1.2%, wages +2.4%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 23.0x — 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.
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 Ocean 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.
With a Boom Town Index score of 60/100, Ocean County sits in the upper half of all 1001 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +1.5%, and median household income stands at $89,863 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in NJ.
Ocean County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $398,400 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 $1,755/month on average.
Ocean County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +1.2% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.5% clip — and home values reflect that momentum, rising +4.8% over the past 12 months.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.06% 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.