Cape May city, New Jersey Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Cape May city, New Jersey has a total population of 2,789, the 400th largest city in New Jersey, with a median household income of $57,230, which is 43% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.5%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 43% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 14.4x the median household income.
Cape May city Quick Facts
How Cape May city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 65 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cape May city Rankings in New Jersey
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Other Cities in Cape May County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean City city | 11,260 | $101,782 | 7.9% | $719,100 |
| Wildwood city | 5,140 | $51,996 | 18.1% | $361,200 |
| North Wildwood city | 3,620 | $85,812 | 9.9% | $446,400 |
| Wildwood Crest borough | 3,094 | $82,143 | 8.5% | $526,600 |
| Woodbine borough | 2,083 | $45,179 | 26.4% | $199,800 |
| Sea Isle City city | 2,079 | $98,860 | 4.7% | $1,019,500 |
| Avalon borough | 1,478 | $143,482 | 3.7% | $1,756,100 |
| West Cape May borough | 934 | $79,375 | 4.7% | $698,300 |
| Stone Harbor borough | 853 | $128,235 | 5.0% | $1,898,800 |
| West Wildwood borough | 564 | $64,750 | 3.5% | $364,900 |
Cities Similar to Cape May city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stockton University CDP | 2,801 | N/A | N/A | 67.0% | 0.0% |
| Concordia CDP | 2,724 | $57,063 | $298,500 | 34.3% | 6.9% |
| Pine Ridge at Crestwood CDP | 2,756 | $61,563 | $133,800 | 8.9% | 8.6% |
| Leisure Knoll CDP | 2,725 | $61,875 | $265,600 | 23.9% | 7.1% |
| Keasbey CDP | 2,793 | $65,948 | $328,100 | 9.9% | 24.7% |
Population Overview
Cape May city is a small community located in New Jersey, within Cape May County. The total population is 2,789. It ranks as the 400th most populous out of 700 cities and towns in New Jersey.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cape May city is 54.4 years. This is 36% higher than the state median of 40.1 years. Only 12.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 10.5% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cape May city is $57,230. This is 43% lower than the state median of $101,050. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 27% lower. The poverty rate stands at 7.5%. This is 23% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.8%. The unemployment rate is 2.5%. This is 59% lower than the state rate of 6.2%. The median home value is $823,800. Housing costs are 93% higher than the state median of $427,600. The home-value-to-income ratio of 14.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 63.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% lower than the state average of 63.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cape May city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 13.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (79.1% vs 51.9%). The Black or African American population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 12.3%. The Asian population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 9.8%.
Education
50.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 17% higher than the state rate of 42.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.7%. Notably, 20.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cape May city, New Jersey is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against New Jersey state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 700 Census-designated places in New Jersey. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Cape May city, New Jersey?
Cape May city, New Jersey has a population of 2,789 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cape May city, NJ?
The median household income in Cape May city is $57,230, which is 27% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Cape May city, NJ?
The poverty rate in Cape May city is 7.5%. This means approximately 196 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cape May city, New Jersey?
Cape May city's population is 79.1% White, 1.8% Black, 13.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cape May city, NJ?
The median home value in Cape May city is $823,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 14.4x.
How educated is Cape May city, New Jersey?
50.0% of adults (25+) in Cape May city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 20.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.