Population 94,941 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Cape May County
Household size in Cape May County
| Period | Cape May County | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.16 | 2.77 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.33 | 2.82 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.29 | 2.78 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.14 | 2.76 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.01 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Cape May County is a place of small households, averaging 2.14 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the north. No other New Jersey county has smaller households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Cape May County
| Period | Cape May County | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 46.4 | 39.1 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 48.0 | 40.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 48.7 | 41.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 49.8 | 40.9 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.4 | +1.8 | +2.3 |
Cape May County skews older: half of its residents are older than 49.8, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 46.4, mirroring the country. Cape May County has the oldest population of any New Jersey county.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Cape May County
| Period | Cape May County | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.1% | 11.6% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.5% | 11.8% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.3% | 10.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.7% | 11.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −3.5 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are less common in Cape May County than nationally: 8.7%, against 11.6%. The single-parent share is down 3.5 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Cape May County
Renters in Cape May County
| Period | Cape May County | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 25.7% | 33.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 24.7% | 35.0% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 22.4% | 36.1% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 19.7% | 36.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | −6.0 pts | +3.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Cape May County is largely a place of homeowners: only 19.7% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. About four in ten owners (41.1%) have paid off their mortgages, about the same as nationally. Since 2006–10, the renter share has fallen 6.0 points, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Cape May County
| Period | Cape May County | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 33.9% | 9.1% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 38.2% | 9.3% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 40.5% | 9.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 34.3% | 6.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | +0.4 pts | −2.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 34.3% of the housing in Cape May County, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. No other New Jersey county has a higher vacancy rate.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Cape May County
| Period | Cape May County | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1973 | 1965 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1973 | 1966 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1975 | 1967 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1978 | 1969 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +5 | +6 |
Homes in Cape May County are about the same age as the nation's housing: the median home was built in 1978, versus 1980 nationally. Homes here are newer than in New Jersey as a whole, where the median home dates to 1969. The median year built has moved up from 1973 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the center, while the south has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Cape May County
| Period | Cape May County | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,052 | $1,246 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,136 | $1,324 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,249 | $1,522 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,539 | $1,896 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$487 | +$651 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Cape May County costs $1,539 a month with utilities, close to the national median of $1,571. Rents here are lower than in New Jersey as a whole ($1,896). Rents are up $487 a month from 2006–10, a 46% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 31.2% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Cape May County
Bachelor's degrees in Cape May County
| Period | Cape May County | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 25.6% | 34.7% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 28.2% | 36.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 32.4% | 39.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 38.4% | 43.4% | 35.6% |
| Change | +12.8 pts | +8.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are about as common in Cape May County as nationally: 38.4% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. The share is lower than in New Jersey as a whole (43.4%). The share with a degree has risen 12.8 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Cape May County
| Period | Cape May County | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 87.9% | 87.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 88.9% | 88.1% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 92.6% | 89.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 94.3% | 90.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +6.5 pts | +3.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Cape May County: 94.3% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 6.5 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Cape May County has a higher share of high school graduates than the great majority of New Jersey counties.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Cape May County
| Period | Cape May County | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.4% | 7.9% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 10.4% | 9.8% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.8% | 5.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.2% | 6.4% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.2 pts | −1.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 5.2%, unemployment in Cape May County is close to the national rate of 5.4%. The rate is lower than in New Jersey overall (6.4%). Unemployment is down 3.2 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Cape May County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape May County | 2.14 | 49.8 | 8.7% | 19.7% | 34.3% | 1978 | $1,539 | 38.4% | 94.3% | 5.2% |
| Kent County | 2.65 | 39.3 | 13.3% | 27.5% | 7.5% | 1992 | $1,378 | 27.4% | 91.1% | 5.9% |
| Queen Anne's County | 2.60 | 44.4 | 8.7% | 17.1% | 9.6% | 1990 | $1,695 | 37.2% | 93.3% | 3.9% |
| Anne Arundel County | 2.67 | 40.4 | 10.2% | 24.9% | 5.8% | 1983 | $2,121 | 45.8% | 93.6% | 3.8% |
| Prince George's County | 2.84 | 39.7 | 14.8% | 37.7% | 5.8% | 1979 | $2,013 | 36.8% | 86.1% | 6.4% |
| District of Columbia | 2.09 | 36.2 | 12.2% | 58.5% | 10.4% | 1963 | $2,078 | 63.4% | 92.7% | 7.0% |
| Montgomery County | 2.85 | 41.4 | 9.8% | 34.7% | 5.0% | 1979 | $2,358 | 60.1% | 90.9% | 4.9% |
| Loudoun County | 3.05 | 38.7 | 7.9% | 22.1% | 3.8% | 2002 | $2,605 | 66.3% | 94.2% | 3.4% |
| Clarke County | 2.60 | 48.2 | 5.9% | 18.5% | 10.7% | 1981 | $1,307 | 40.1% | 92.9% | 2.5% |
| Winchester City | 2.39 | 38.5 | 13.7% | 56.4% | 10.3% | 1967 | $1,411 | 29.6% | 87.1% | 7.0% |
| Frederick County | 2.70 | 42.7 | 10.8% | 20.7% | 6.5% | 1996 | $1,700 | 32.6% | 90.1% | 4.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Steuben County, NY · Columbiana County, OH · Craven County, NC · Daviess County, KY · Wayne County, NY · Victoria County, TX · Twin Falls County, ID · Adams County, PA · Lapeer County, MI · Wicomico County, MD
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Cape May County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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