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CITY

Cape May

New Jersey · 2,716 residents (2025 est.) · 2.473 sq mi
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The short version

Cape May has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $62,576. Population has fallen 31% since 2000, a loss of 1,267 residents. 56% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $863,900. With a median age of 56.7, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 40% less than the New Jersey median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 56.7
US median: 38.9
More educated
56% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 108%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
2,767
−31%since 2000
from 4,034 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,119 / sq mi
−31%since 2000
from 1,631 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
56.7
+20%since 2000
from 47.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:2,716 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3K3K4K4K5K1990201020202024Cape May
20243K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$62,576
+3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,462 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$71,810
+140%since 2000
from $29,902 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
42.5%
+20.8 ptssince 2009
from 21.7% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
10.3%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 9.1% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.617
+27%since 2010
from 0.487 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information12%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services10.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Wholesale trade4.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Public administration3.2%
US avg: 4.8%
Retail trade2.1%
US avg: 9.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0.9%
US avg: 1.9%
Finance & insurance0.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical0.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.8%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing0.6%
US avg: 2.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$863,900
+108%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $227,700 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,013
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $564 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
64.5%
+7.8 ptssince 2000
from 56.8% in 2000
35.5% rent
Vacancy rate
62.3%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 59.3% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
35.6%
−5.0 ptssince 2009
from 40.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
16.5%
−27.5 ptssince 2009
from 44.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
13.8
+103%since 2000
from 6.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
61
RELATED:See current rent listings in Cape May on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic89.5%(3,609)
Black5%(201)
Hispanic / Latino3.8%(153)
Asian0.4%(15)
Other0%
Diversity Score21.6%(872)
2024
White, non-Hispanic82.6%(2,285)
Black1.8%(51)
Hispanic / Latino11.3%(312)
Asian0%(1)
Other4.3%(118)
Diversity Score37.9%(1,049)
Diversity Score
38
+75%since 2000
from 22 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
55.9%
+25.1 ptssince 2000
from 30.8% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
97.3%
+9.7 ptssince 2000
from 87.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
23.3%
+11.6 ptssince 2000
from 11.8% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.0 min
+22%since 2000
from 14.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
70.4%
+22.7 ptssince 2009
from 47.8% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
5.6%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 6.2% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.5%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
11.4%
+5.2 ptssince 2009
from 6.2% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
5.8%
−29.1 ptssince 2009
from 34.9% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
4.5%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 3.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
6.0%
−7.6 ptssince 2009
from 13.6% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.4%
−7.2 ptssince 2011
from 10.6% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
56.4%
+3.5 ptssince 2011
from 52.9% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
21.2%
+12.8 ptssince 2009
from 8.3% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
35.4%
−15.6 ptssince 2009
from 51.0% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.8%
−2.5 ptssince 2009
from 53.4% in 2009
Female
49.2%
+2.5 ptssince 2009
from 46.6% in 2009
Foreign born
7.3%
+5.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.1% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.2%
−44.6 ptssince 2009
from 48.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
9.7%
−4.2 ptssince 2012
from 13.9% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
2.0%
−95.6 ptssince 2013
from 97.6% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
94.2%
+18.1 ptssince 2017
from 76.1% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
89.7%
+1.2 ptssince 2016
from 88.5% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
3.7%
−3.5 ptssince 2016
from 7.2% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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CAPE MAY VS
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CAPE MAY VS
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CAPE MAY VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Cape May, New Jersey?

Cape May, New Jersey has about 2,767 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Cape May, New Jersey?

The typical household in Cape May, New Jersey earns about $62,576 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Cape May, New Jersey expensive?

In Cape May, New Jersey, the median home is worth about $863,900, and the typical rent is about $1,013 a month.

How educated are people in Cape May, New Jersey?

About 55.9% of adults age 25 and over in Cape May, New Jersey hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Cape May, New Jersey?

About 10.3% of people in Cape May, New Jersey live below the federal poverty line.

Has Cape May, New Jersey grown since 1990?

Yes, Cape May, New Jersey has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 1,901 residents, a change of about -41 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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