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CITY · 2020 ACS

Surf City

New Jersey · 1,243 residents · 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 $94,750. Population has declined 14% since 2000. 59% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $742,000. With a median age of 61.3, the population is older than the US median of 38.8.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 61.3
US median: 38.8
More educated
59% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 113%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,243
−14%since 2000
from 1,442 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,671 / sq mi
−14%since 2000
from 1,938 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
61.3
+15%since 2000
from 53.4 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
1K1K1K2K2K1990201020202024Surf City
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$94,750
+65%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $38,190 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$71,805
+170%since 2000
from $26,632 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
60.2%
+18.8 ptssince 2009
from 41.4% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
4.8%
−2.6 ptssince 2000
from 7.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Other services15.4%
US avg: 6.6%
Information14.2%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade5.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade5.1%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance4.5%
US avg: 5.5%
Public administration4.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Professional, scientific, technical3.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.1%
US avg: 1.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.8%
US avg: 2%
Construction1.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing0.8%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.6%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$742,000
+113%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $231,600 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,404
+27%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $738 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
81.8%
+4.9 ptssince 2000
from 76.9% in 2000
18.2% rent
Afford Score
7.8
+29%since 2000
from 6.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic94%(1,169)
Black0.1%(1)
Hispanic / Latino3.5%(44)
Asian0.6%(8)
Other0%(0)
Diversity Score10.4%(130)
Diversity Score
10
+74%since 2000
from 6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
59.5%
+33.5 ptssince 2000
from 26.0% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
99.0%
+11.5 ptssince 2000
from 87.5% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
23.3%
+16.9 ptssince 2000
from 6.4% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
28.6 min
+16%since 2000
from 24.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
73.9%
−6.0 ptssince 2009
from 79.9% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
2.7%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 4.0% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.4%
−9.1 ptssince 2011
from 11.5% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
41.8%
−1.4 ptssince 2011
from 43.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
48.9%
−18.7 ptssince 2009
from 67.5% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
45.7%
−5.4 ptssince 2009
from 51.1% in 2009
Female
54.3%
+5.4 ptssince 2009
from 48.9% in 2009
Foreign born
2.2%
−3.0 ptssince 2009
from 5.2% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
1.8%
−90.3 ptssince 2013
from 92.1% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Surf City

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Head to head

Compare Surf City to nearby cities

SURF CITY VS
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Income$121,924+29%
Home value$402,500−46%
Population19,204+1372%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SURF CITY VS
Mystic Island
Income$78,714−17%
Home value$321,500−57%
Population8,259+533%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SURF CITY VS
Beachwood
Income$106,858+13%
Home value$352,600−52%
Population11,340+769%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SURF CITY VS
Smithville
Income$77,579−18%
Home value$279,200−62%
Population9,545+631%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Surf City, New Jersey?

Surf City, New Jersey has about 1,243 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Surf City, New Jersey earns about $94,750 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 $742,000, and the typical rent is about $1,404 a month.

How educated are people in Surf City, New Jersey?

About 59.5% 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 4.8% 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 132 residents, a change of about -10 percent over that period.

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

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