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CITY

Surf City

New Jersey · 1,305 residents (2025 est.) · 0.744 sq mi
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The short version

Surf City is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $118,750. Population has fallen 17% since 2000, a loss of 247 residents. 68% 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 $1,034,000. With a median age of 62.9, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. It ranks in the top 5% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 62.9
US median: 38.9
More educated
68% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 145%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,195
−17%since 2000
from 1,442 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,606 / sq mi
−17%since 2000
from 1,938 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
62.9
+18%since 2000
from 53.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,305 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1K1K1K2K2K1990201020202024Surf City
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$118,750
+71%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $38,190 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$101,994
+283%since 2000
from $26,632 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
71.0%
+29.6 ptssince 2009
from 41.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
4.5%
−3.0 ptssince 2000
from 7.5% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.535
+23%since 2010
from 0.435 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Other services12.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Wholesale trade9.7%
US avg: 6.9%
Information9.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Public administration8%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance6.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical5.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Retail trade5%
US avg: 9.9%
Arts, entertainment, food2.2%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.3%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services1.3%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$1,034,000
+145%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $231,600 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$2,056
+53%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $738 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
91.6%
+14.7 ptssince 2000
from 76.9% in 2000
8.4% rent
Vacancy rate
75.6%
+4.6 ptssince 2009
from 71.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
36.0%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 38.0% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
29.4%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 27.5% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
8.7
+44%since 2000
from 6.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
69
RELATED:See current rent listings in Surf City on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.9%(1,397)
Black0.1%(2)
Hispanic / Latino1.9%(28)
Asian0.3%(5)
Other0%
Diversity Score6%(86)
2024
White, non-Hispanic96%(1,147)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1.2%(14)
Asian1.9%(23)
Other0.9%(11)
Diversity Score9.8%(117)
Diversity Score
10
+63%since 2000
from 6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
67.6%
+41.7 ptssince 2000
from 26.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
98.9%
+11.3 ptssince 2000
from 87.5% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
32.3%
+25.9 ptssince 2000
from 6.4% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
35.0 min
+42%since 2000
from 24.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
59.1%
−20.8 ptssince 2009
from 79.9% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
3.1%
−4.8 ptssince 2009
from 7.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.9%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
33.6%
+29.9 ptssince 2009
from 3.7% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.8%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.8% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.9%
−3.1 ptssince 2009
from 4.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
4.1%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 4.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.3%
−6.2 ptssince 2011
from 11.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
42.9%
−0.3 ptssince 2011
from 43.2% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
15.1%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 13.9% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
70.0%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 67.5% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.9%
−3.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.1% in 2009
Female
52.1%
+3.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.9% in 2009
Foreign born
4.4%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 5.2% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
9.2%
−41.0 ptssince 2009
from 50.2% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
13.1%
−1.1 ptssince 2012
from 14.2% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
0.3%
−91.8 ptssince 2013
from 92.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
98.0%
+19.3 ptssince 2017
from 78.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
94.5%
−3.6 ptssince 2016
from 98.2% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.3%
+0.6 ptssince 2016
from 0.7% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Surf City to nearby cities

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Income$121,924+3%
Home value$402,500−61%
Population19,204+1372%
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SURF CITY VS
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Income$78,714−34%
Home value$321,500−69%
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SURF CITY VS
Beachwood
Income$106,858−10%
Home value$352,600−66%
Population11,340+769%
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SURF CITY VS
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Income$77,579−35%
Home value$279,200−73%
Population9,545+631%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Surf City, New Jersey?

Surf City, New Jersey has about 1,195 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Surf City, New Jersey?

The typical household in Surf City, New Jersey earns about $118,750 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Surf City, New Jersey expensive?

In Surf City, New Jersey, the median home is worth about $1,034,000, and the typical rent is about $2,056 a month.

How educated are people in Surf City, New Jersey?

About 67.6% of adults age 25 and over in Surf City, New Jersey hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Surf City, New Jersey?

About 4.5% of people in Surf City, New Jersey live below the federal poverty line.

Has Surf City, New Jersey grown since 1990?

Yes, Surf City, New Jersey has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 180 residents, a change of about -13 percent over that period.

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

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