1st Advantage MortgageThe median Cape May County household earns $91,128, and 9% of residents live below the poverty line. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- First look: Cape May County, NJ
- What Cape May County households earn
- The Cape May County job picture
- Cape May County against other New Jersey counties
- Housing costs in Cape May County
- Cape May County next to its neighbors
- Census places in Cape May County
- Debt-to-income at Cape May County's medians
- Who lives in Cape May County, in numbers
- Before borrowing in Cape May County
- Before you sign
- New Jersey rules that apply in Cape May County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
First look: Cape May County, NJ
Roughly 94,941 residents live in Cape May County, New Jersey, 20th by population among the state's 21 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 252 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 377 per square mile. Metro area: Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ (OMB, 2023). Largest place: Ocean City, about 11,261 residents (12% of Cape May County); 33 Census places in all.
What Cape May County households earn
Median household income in Cape May County: $91,128 (12% below New Jersey, $103,556). That places it 14th among New Jersey's 21 county-level areas.
| Yearly household income | Cape May County | Gap to New Jersey |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 18.5% | +1.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 36.2% | +4.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 30.1% | +0.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 15.3% | -6.4 pts |
On the low end, 18% of Cape May County households report under $35,000; at the top, 45% report $100,000-plus. 8.7% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 9.7%). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Cape May County median.
The Cape May County job picture
Education and health care (26%), arts, lodging and food service (13%) and retail trade (11%) lead Cape May County's job mix. Compared with New Jersey, the county leans toward arts, lodging and food service (13% against 7%). Unemployment in Cape May County, ACS five-year: 5.3%; New Jersey: 6.3%. 11% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 12% work from home.
| Top industries | Cape May County share | +/- vs New Jersey |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.9% | +1.6 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 12.7% | +5.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.0% | +0.5 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 10.5% | -4.0 pts |
| Construction | 8.3% | +2.3 pts |
| Public administration | 7.2% | +2.8 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Cape May County against other New Jersey counties
Ranked against the other 20 county-level areas in New Jersey, these are the Cape May County figures furthest from the middle.
- Cape May County ranks the lowest of 21 New Jersey counties for the share of commutes over 45 minutes: 11%, against 23% statewide. Short commutes keep vehicle costs down, which can free up room for savings.
- Few New Jersey counties match Cape May County on the housing vacancy rate: 55% here, 7% for the state, ranking the highest of 21. High vacancy often reflects seasonal or second homes.
- Cape May County ranks the highest of 21 New Jersey counties for median age: 51.8, against 40.1 statewide. Retirement income counts when documented; favor loans with no prepayment penalty.
Housing costs in Cape May County
Half of Cape May County renters pay more than $1,360 a month and half pay less; the New Jersey midpoint is $1,720. 55% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 30% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $434,600, about 4.8 times the median household income. Owners occupy 80% of homes. The median year built is 1981.
| Housing | Cape May County | New Jersey statewide | Cape May County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,360/mo | $1,720/mo | 21% lower |
| Median home value | $434,600 | $454,400 | 4% lower |
| Owners | 80% | 64% | +16.5 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 55% | 52% | +3.5 pts |
| Burdened owners | 34% | 32% | +1.4 pts |
| Mobile homes | 3.3% | 0.9% | +2.3 pts |
Because most Cape May County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral. Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
Cape May County next to its neighbors
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (22 to 47 miles). Richest neighbor: Gloucester County, $105,115. Poorest: Cumberland County, $67,436. Cape May County: $91,128. The list crosses into Delaware, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape May County | - | $91,128 | $1,360/mo | 80% |
| Cumberland County, NJ | 22 mi | $67,436 | $1,282/mo | 67% |
| Atlantic County, NJ | 29 mi | $78,050 | $1,376/mo | 69% |
| Kent County, DE | 35 mi | $74,477 | $1,354/mo | 73% |
| Sussex County, DE | 39 mi | $81,497 | $1,238/mo | 82% |
| Salem County, NJ | 43 mi | $79,960 | $1,253/mo | 71% |
| Gloucester County, NJ | 47 mi | $105,115 | $1,531/mo | 80% |
Census places in Cape May County
Here are the 14 most populous of the county's 33 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 80% of Cape May County residents live in one of the 33. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $46,078 in Woodbine to $169,167 in Stone Harbor. Rent is cheapest in Woodbine ($945) and steepest in Seaville ($2,069). This guide covers each of the 33 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean City | city | 11,261 | $101,782 | $1,683 | 18 mi |
| Villas | CDP | 9,735 | $80,974 | $1,719 | 7 mi |
| Cape May Court House | CDP | 5,628 | $74,464 | $1,429 | 1 mi |
| Wildwood | city | 5,130 | $75,222 | $997 | 7 mi |
| North Cape May | CDP | 3,731 | $86,962 | $1,709 | 9 mi |
| North Wildwood | city | 3,602 | $90,833 | $1,210 | 6 mi |
| Rio Grande | CDP | 3,485 | $76,250 | $1,305 | 5 mi |
| Wildwood Crest | borough | 3,077 | $69,089 | $957 | 8 mi |
| Cape May | city | 2,767 | $62,576 | $1,013 | 10 mi |
| Whitesboro | CDP | 2,766 | $95,522 | n/a | 3 mi |
| Palermo | CDP | 2,696 | $101,005 | n/a | 13 mi |
| Seaville | CDP | 2,589 | $139,444 | $2,069 | 11 mi |
| Marmora | CDP | 2,039 | $105,536 | $1,875 | 16 mi |
| Woodbine | borough | 2,023 | $46,078 | $945 | 10 mi |
Debt-to-income at Cape May County's medians
Cape May County's $91,128 median income, run through a debt-to-income check:
- Median income divided by twelve: $7,594 before taxes
- Rent at the median, $1,360, takes 18% of that
- At 40%, room after rent is $1,678 a month
A household below the $91,128 median has less room than this, often none.
Who lives in Cape May County, in numbers
Bachelor's degree or higher: 39% of Cape May County adults. About 5% go without health insurance.
| Measure | Cape May County | Gap to New Jersey | Gap to typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 51.8 | +11.7 yrs | +10.3 yrs |
| No vehicle | 5.7% | -5.4 pts | +0.2 pts |
| Work from home | 12.1% | -4.7 pts | +3.4 pts |
| Bachelor's or higher | 39.0% | -4.6 pts | +16.9 pts |
| No high school diploma | 5.3% | -4.0 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.0% | -2.5 pts | -2.9 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.3% | -1.0 pts | +0.9 pts |
| Poverty rate | 8.7% | -1.0 pts | -4.4 pts |
| One-way commute | Share of Cape May County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 36.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 38.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 13.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.5% |
| 60+ min | 6.5% |
Before borrowing in Cape May County
Where the Cape May County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Age 51.8 at the median. Many Cape May County applicants document income with award letters; ask about early payoff.
- Strong incomes, long terms. 45% of Cape May County households earn $100,000+. The risk is a term that outlasts the need.
- Renters under pressure. When 55% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
Before you sign
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Only work with lenders licensed for New Jersey borrowers.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
New Jersey rules that apply in Cape May County
Cape May 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 guide covers state rules in more detail.
Related local guides
No city in Cape May County has its own guide yet; the state page is next up.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cape May County a high-income county?
Its $91,128 median ranks 14th of 21 New Jersey counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How much is rent in Cape May County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $1,360 a month; 55% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Can Cape May County owners borrow against a $434,600 home?
Many can, through a home equity loan or line. It is secured by the house, so compare it with an unsecured personal loan before choosing.
I live in a small Cape May County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Ocean City, Villas, Cape May Court House, Wildwood, North Cape May and 28 more.
Are Cape May County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.