1st Advantage Mortgage39% of Atlantic County households earn $100,000 or more; the median is $78,050 (ACS 2020-24). Use those as context only. A lender looks at your own documented income and debts; compare APR and total repaid on every Atlantic County offer.
On this page
- Atlantic County, NJ: the basics
- The Atlantic County job picture
- How Atlantic County ranks in New Jersey
- Rent, home values and ownership in Atlantic County
- How much Atlantic County households make
- Atlantic County next to its neighbors
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Atlantic County
- Borrowing situations common in Atlantic County
- Debt-to-income at Atlantic County's medians
- Atlantic County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- New Jersey rules that apply in Atlantic County
- Checklist for Atlantic County applicants
- Beyond Atlantic County
- Frequently asked questions
Atlantic County, NJ: the basics
With an estimated 276,270 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Atlantic County ranks 15th of 21 in New Jersey for population. It covers 556 square miles of land, or about 497 people per square mile. Metro area: Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ (OMB, 2023). Atlantic City (38,632 people) heads the county's list of 39 Census places, 17 incorporated and 22 census-designated.
The Atlantic County job picture
Education and health care (24%), arts, lodging and food service (20%) and retail trade (12%) lead Atlantic County's job mix. Arts, lodging and food service stands out: 20% of workers here, versus 7% statewide. Unemployment in Atlantic County, ACS five-year: 8.8%; New Jersey: 6.3%. Long commutes are the exception here: 13% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. No car: 11.0% of Atlantic County households.
| Industry | Share of Atlantic County workers | vs New Jersey |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.2% | -0.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 19.6% | +12.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.9% | +1.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 10.3% | -4.2 pts |
| Construction | 6.2% | +0.1 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 5.6% | -3.0 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Atlantic County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
How Atlantic County ranks in New Jersey
The 3 Atlantic County numbers that rank furthest from typical in New Jersey, and what each means for a borrower:
- Atlantic County ranks the highest of 21 New Jersey counties for the ACS unemployment rate: 8.8%, against 6.3% statewide. If work is uncertain, keep any loan small and the term short.
- Atlantic County ranks 2nd lowest of 21 New Jersey counties for the share of workers who work from home: 9.1%, against 16.8% statewide. Most workers travel to a job here, so commuting costs are part of the budget.
- On median household income, Atlantic County sits near the bottom of New Jersey at $78,050, 2nd lowest of 21. Where incomes run low, free assistance and credit-union small-dollar loans deserve a look first.
Rent, home values and ownership in Atlantic County
Half of Atlantic County renters pay more than $1,376 a month and half pay less; the New Jersey midpoint is $1,720. By the Census definition, 57% of Atlantic County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $295,000, a typical Atlantic County house costs 3.8 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 69% of homes. Median construction year: 1978. Against the median U.S. county, Atlantic County rent is 57% above.
| Atlantic County | New Jersey | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,376/mo | $1,720/mo | 20% lower |
| Median home value | $295,000 | $454,400 | 35% lower |
| Owners | 69% | 64% | +4.9 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 57% | 52% | +5.3 pts |
| Burdened owners | 34% | 32% | +2.0 pts |
| Mobile homes | 2.9% | 0.9% | +1.9 pts |
| Vacant units | 17% | 7% | +9.6 pts |
57% of Atlantic County renters are already past the 30% line; one more payment should leave room for a late paycheck.
How much Atlantic County households make
The median household income in Atlantic County is $78,050; statewide it is $103,556, so Atlantic County runs 25% below New Jersey as a whole. In the state ranking that is 20th of 21.
| Band | Atlantic County | Compared with New Jersey |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 21.7% | +5.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 39.1% | +7.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 28.3% | -1.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 10.9% | -10.8 pts |
Some 22% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 39% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 13.2% of Atlantic County residents in poverty, against 9.7% across New Jersey. For a borrower in Atlantic County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Atlantic County next to its neighbors
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Atlantic County's, from 28 to 34 miles away. 5 of the six report a higher median household income than Atlantic County; Burlington County is highest at $108,111 and Cumberland County lowest at $67,436.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic County | - | $78,050 | $1,376/mo | 69% |
| Cumberland County, NJ | 28 mi | $67,436 | $1,282/mo | 67% |
| Burlington County, NJ | 28 mi | $108,111 | $1,745/mo | 76% |
| Cape May County, NJ | 29 mi | $91,128 | $1,360/mo | 80% |
| Camden County, NJ | 29 mi | $88,755 | $1,402/mo | 65% |
| Gloucester County, NJ | 32 mi | $105,115 | $1,531/mo | 80% |
| Ocean County, NJ | 34 mi | $89,863 | $1,755/mo | 81% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Atlantic County
39 Census places fall mainly inside Atlantic County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 205,111 residents, leaving about 26% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $168,190 at the median in Oceanville, $41,028 in Atlantic City. Median rent ranges from $1,082 in Pomona to $2,599 in English Creek. From Atlantic City to the smallest crossroads, Atlantic County residents share this guide.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City | city | 38,632 | $41,028 | $1,136 | 12 mi |
| Pleasantville | city | 20,712 | $53,661 | $1,354 | 8 mi |
| Hammonton | town | 14,840 | $78,087 | $1,611 | 15 mi |
| McKee City | CDP | 10,731 | $68,133 | $1,799 | 2 mi |
| Somers Point | city | 10,515 | $71,062 | $1,383 | 11 mi |
| Smithville | CDP | 9,545 | $77,579 | $1,507 | 8 mi |
| Ventnor City | city | 9,265 | $68,671 | $1,417 | 12 mi |
| Absecon | city | 9,170 | $73,676 | $1,807 | 8 mi |
| Northfield | city | 8,456 | $111,599 | $1,835 | 8 mi |
| Pomona | CDP | 7,995 | $99,118 | $1,082 | 4 mi |
| Brigantine | city | 7,674 | $97,250 | $1,517 | 14 mi |
| Linwood | city | 6,992 | $156,354 | $2,188 | 9 mi |
| Mays Landing | CDP | 6,406 | $83,056 | $1,131 | 4 mi |
| Bargaintown | CDP | 5,377 | $131,973 | $2,406 | 7 mi |
Borrowing situations common in Atlantic County
A few patterns in the Atlantic County data, and the practical point behind each:
- 57% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
- Consolidating cards in Atlantic County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
Debt-to-income at Atlantic County's medians
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Atlantic County's medians:
- Median income divided by twelve: $6,504 before taxes
- 21% goes to median rent ($1,376)
- At 40%, room after rent is $1,226 a month
A household below the $78,050 median has less room than this, often none.
Atlantic County residents: age, schooling, coverage
College graduates make up 32% of the adult population. 7.0% of residents have no health coverage.
| People and households | Atlantic County | Compared with New Jersey | Compared with median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 31.8% | -11.8 pts | +9.7 pts |
| Work from home | 9.1% | -7.7 pts | +0.4 pts |
| Poverty rate | 13.2% | +3.5 pts | 0.0 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 8.8% | +2.5 pts | +4.4 pts |
| Median age | 42.3 | +2.2 yrs | +0.8 yrs |
| No high school diploma | 10.7% | +1.4 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.0% | -0.5 pts | -0.9 pts |
| No vehicle | 11.0% | -0.1 pts | +5.6 pts |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 27.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 41.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 18.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.3% |
| 60+ min | 7.4% |
New Jersey rules that apply in Atlantic County
Atlantic County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. The New Jersey page has statewide figures to set beside Atlantic County's.
Checklist for Atlantic County applicants
A short checklist for Atlantic County borrowers:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Atlantic County-area credit union.
- Only work with lenders licensed for New Jersey borrowers.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Beyond Atlantic County
Next step up from Atlantic County:
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Atlantic County earn?
The median is $78,050; 39% earn $100,000 or more and 22% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Atlantic County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $1,376 a month; 57% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Which towns does the Atlantic County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 39 Census places: Atlantic City, Pleasantville, Hammonton, McKee City, Somers Point.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Atlantic County or elsewhere in New Jersey, the same rules apply.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Atlantic County?
Start with the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.