Forked River, New Jersey Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Forked River, New Jersey had a total population of 5,196, the 287th largest community in New Jersey, with a median household income of $91,493, which is 12% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 8.2% is notably above the national average.
Forked River Quick Facts
How Forked River Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,988 | 5,196 | +4.2% |
| Median household income | $87,455 | $91,493 | +4.6% |
| Median home value | $404,600 | $437,000 | +8.0% |
How Forked River Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
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: 66 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Forked River Rankings in New Jersey
Explore New Jersey Rankings
Other Cities in Ocean County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toms River | 94,956 | $100,137 | 5.8% | $403,600 |
| Lakewood | 69,585 | $56,968 | 29.9% | $715,500 |
| Point Pleasant | 19,334 | $115,625 | 4.5% | $575,300 |
| Ocean Acres | 19,204 | $121,924 | 1.9% | $402,500 |
| Holiday City-Berkeley | 12,995 | $50,156 | 9.6% | $266,200 |
| Beachwood | 11,088 | $106,858 | 4.5% | $352,600 |
| Pine Lake Park | 9,795 | $91,813 | 7.5% | $414,700 |
| Mystic Island | 8,259 | $78,714 | 16.1% | $321,500 |
| Crestwood Village | 7,830 | $38,091 | 12.3% | $96,500 |
| Leisure Village | 5,751 | $44,542 | 42.2% | $145,800 |
Cities Similar to Forked River
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florence | 5,242 | $85,219 | $309,900 | 24.3% | 6.3% |
| Franklin | 4,968 | $92,744 | $272,600 | 19.7% | 8.0% |
| Beattystown | 4,917 | $87,500 | $416,000 | 48.5% | 8.2% |
| Glendora | 5,431 | $98,053 | $249,900 | 20.0% | 10.5% |
| Ellisburg | 4,829 | $90,417 | $330,900 | 42.9% | 12.3% |
Population Overview
Forked River is a small city located in New Jersey, within Ocean County. The total population is 5,196. It ranks as the 287th most populous out of 700 Census-designated places in New Jersey.
Age Demographics
The median age in Forked River is 49.9 years. This is 24% higher than the state median of 40.1 years. 10.1% 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 Forked River is $91,493. This is 12% lower than the state median of $103,556. It is also 13% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.6%. This is 19% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.7%. The unemployment rate is 8.2%. This is 30% higher than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $437,000. Housing costs are 4% lower than the state median of $454,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x. 92.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 44% higher than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Forked River is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 16.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (81.3% vs 50.9%). The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 12.2%.
Education
25.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 41% lower than the state rate of 43.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Forked River, New Jersey is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. 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. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Forked River, New Jersey?
Forked River, New Jersey has a population of 5,196 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Forked River, NJ?
The median household income in Forked River is $91,493, which is 13% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Forked River, NJ?
The poverty rate in Forked River is 11.6%. This means approximately 602 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Forked River, New Jersey?
Forked River's population is 81.3% White, 0.1% Black, 16.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Forked River, NJ?
The median home value in Forked River is $437,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x.
How educated is Forked River, New Jersey?
25.6% of adults (25+) in Forked River hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.