Description:
Ocean County has a unique mixture of traditional tourist-related businesses and economic growth in various industries; retirement communities and an active work force; and increased housing development and large areas of protected open space. The 636-square-mile county is New Jersey's second largest and is home to two barrier beaches, Island Beach and Long Beach Island, and much of New Jersey's Pinelands ecosystem. The opening of the Garden State Parkway provided access to affordable and available land within commuting distance of northern New Jersey and New York City. The county also is not far from Philadelphia. Retirees from the northern part of the state began moving to Ocean County in the 1960s.
While there is continued growth of business associated with seasonal tourism, there is also a growing and diversified industrial base. As one of the fastest growing counties in the state, Ocean County is challenged to maintain its infrastructure and environment. Toms River, the county seat, has also experienced growth and expansion. The increasingly popular Blue Claws minor league baseball team now plays home games in a modern ballpark in Lakewood. Six Flags Great Adventure, a major amusement park, is a perennially popular attraction, and the county's beaches remain a major draw for tourists and locals alike.
Go to the Ocean County Website
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Key Facts
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Estimate |
Margin of Error |
| Total population |
573,678 |
N/A |
| Median age (years) |
42.7 |
+/- 0.3 |
| Race |
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White |
91.3% |
+/- 1.0% |
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Black or African American |
3.4% |
+/- 0% |
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Asian |
1.9% |
+/- 0.1% |
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- Filipino |
.07% |
+/- 0.2% |
| |
- Chinese |
.04% |
+/- 0.2% |
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- Other |
0.8% |
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| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) |
7.3% |
N/A |
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Puerto Rican |
3.0% |
+/- 0.5% |
| Total Housing Units |
275,763 |
+/- 1,079 |
| Occupied Housing Units |
217,045 |
+/- 3,774 |
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Owner-occupied |
177,786 |
+/- 3,771 |
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Renter-occupied |
39,259 |
+/- 2,999 |
| Median Household Income |
$59,706 |
+/- $1,769 |
| Median Housing Value |
$283,100 |
+/- $5,162 |
| Households with one or more people under 18 years |
63,610 |
+/- 3,265 |
| Households with one or more people 65 years and over |
83,116 |
+/- 1,806 |
| Average household size |
2.61 |
+/- 0.04 |
Source: American Community Survey, US Census (2009) |
Click on the image below to go to an expanded transportation profile of Ocean County
(PDF File) |
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