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Surf City, NJ
Borough in Ocean County, New Jersey.
Population
1,195
Land area
0.7sq mi
People per sq mi
1,606
ZIP codes
0
Surf City and its ZIP codes
Surf City at a glance
- Surf City is 26% denser than New Jersey as a whole.
- Households here earn a median of $118,750 a year, 15% more than the New Jersey figure of $103,556.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $1,034,000 (about 2.3 times the New Jersey figure) and median rent is $2,056 a month.
Local data for Surf City, NJ
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Surf City, NJ, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$118,750
Poverty rate
4.5%
Median home value
$1,034,000
Median rent
$2,056/mo
Homeownership
91.6%
Bachelor's or higher
67.6%
Median age
62.9
Average commute
35.0 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Irish Americans (318), Italian Americans (256), German Americans (223).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Ocean County. PPP loans are for Surf City.
Unemployment rate
4.6%
Aug 2026, -1.0 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$58,848
192,715 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$64,097
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$4.75B
FY 2026, $7,451 per person
How people get to work
Surf City, NJ, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone59.1%
- Carpooled3.1%
- Public transit0.9%
- Walked1.8%
- Bicycle0.9%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.7%
- Worked from home33.6%
Average one-way commute: 35.0 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Surf City, NJ, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively High
Top: strong wind
Storm events since 1996
2,238
Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
35,624
16.6% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
84° / 27°F
41.0 inches of rain a year
Health statistics
Share of adults in Surf City, NJ, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
25.4%
U.S. 33.3% -7.9 pts
Diabetes
11.0%
U.S. 12.1% -1.1 pts
Smoking
7.9%
U.S. 12.8% -4.9 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
4.7%
U.S. 11.1% -6.4 pts
Cities near Surf City
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| Ship BottomBorough | 1.4 mi | 0.7 |
| Harvey CedarsBorough | 2.9 mi | 0.6 |
| Beach Haven WestCensus-designated place | 3.3 mi | 1.6 |
| ManahawkinCensus-designated place | 4.4 mi | 1.8 |
| North Beach HavenCensus-designated place | 4.7 mi | 1.8 |
| BarnegatCensus-designated place | 6.8 mi | 2.7 |
| Barnegat LightBorough | 7 mi | 0.8 |
| Ocean AcresCensus-designated place | 7.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Beach HavenBorough | 7.8 mi | 1 |
| WaretownCensus-designated place | 8.6 mi | 0.9 |
| TuckertonBorough | 9.7 mi | 3.4 |
| Forked RiverCensus-designated place | 11 mi | 2.7 |
| Mystic IslandCensus-designated place | 13 mi | 6.9 |
| New GretnaCensus-designated place | 16 mi | 0.8 |
| Ocean GateBorough | 18 mi | 0.4 |
| BeachwoodBorough | 18 mi | 2.8 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Surf City, NJ in?
- Surf City is in Ocean County, New Jersey.
- What is the population of Surf City, NJ?
- About 1,195 people live in Surf City, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Surf City?
- Nearby places include Ship Bottom (1.4 mi), Harvey Cedars (2.9 mi), Beach Haven West (3.3 mi), Manahawkin (4.4 mi), North Beach Haven (4.7 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023