Map the Block › Places › New Jersey › Ocean County
Ocean County, New Jersey in numbers: crime, income, hazards
The violent-crime rate in Ocean County was 1.0 per 1,000 residents (2021-2025 average, FBI), 50% lower than the statewide rate (2.1). Households here have a median income of $89,863 and the unemployment rate was 4.6% in August 2026. Population: about 654,362 (Census, 2020-2024).
Last updated . Crime: FBI 2021-2025. Income and housing: Census ACS 2020-2024. Unemployment: BLS August 2026. Road work: October 11, 2026.
Also on the map: income · hazard risk · Superfund · dams
What is the crime rate in Ocean County?
From 2021 through 2025, Ocean County averaged 694 reported violent crimes a year, along with 5,059 property crimes. That is 1.0 violent crimes per 1,000 residents, 50% lower than the New Jersey rate (2.1), and 72% lower than the U.S. rate (3.7). For property crime the county rate is 7.6 per 1,000 (New Jersey: 13.5; U.S.: 18.1). Aggravated assaults make up 77% of the violent total. CDC death records show about 8 homicide deaths a year in the county (1.2 per 100,000), a count that includes cases police may classify differently.
| Offense (yearly average, 2021-2025) | Ocean County | Per 1,000 | New Jersey per 1,000 | U.S. per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crime | 694 | 1.0 | 2.1 | 3.7 |
| Murder | 6 | 0.01 | 0.03 | 0.06 |
| Rape | 97 | 0.14 | 0.17 | 0.40 |
| Robbery | 57 | 0.09 | 0.47 | 0.62 |
| Aggravated assault | 534 | 0.80 | 1.4 | 2.6 |
| Property crime | 5,059 | 7.6 | 13.5 | 18.1 |
| Burglary | 570 | 0.85 | 1.4 | 2.4 |
| Larceny-theft | 4,244 | 6.3 | 10.5 | 13.0 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 245 | 0.37 | 1.6 | 2.6 |
Most crime never reaches the police, so these are reported crimes, a floor rather than the full count. In 2024 about half of violent crimes (48%) and about 3 in 10 property crimes (31%) were reported to police (U.S. Justice Department, National Crime Victimization Survey). Rates also depend on how completely each agency reports to the FBI. County figures add up the city police and sheriff reports in the county (31 agencies; 100% of residents covered).
What is the median household income in Ocean County?
Median household income is $89,863, 13% lower than the statewide figure ($103,556). The typical owner-occupied home is valued at $398,400 by its owners; renters pay a median $1,755. 6.4% of households received SNAP benefits in the past year (state: 9.1%). The newest monthly figure from the Bureau of Labor Statistics is 4.6% for August 2026 (preliminary), with 13,454 people out of work and looking.
| Census ACS 2020-2024 | Ocean County | New Jersey | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 654,362 | 9,343,809 | 334,922,499 |
| Median household income | $89,863 | $103,556 | $80,734 |
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $398,400 | $454,400 | $332,700 |
| Median gross rent | $1,755 | $1,720 | $1,413 |
| Unemployment rate (2020-2024 average) | 5.4% | 6.3% | 5.2% |
| People below the poverty line | 10.5% | 9.7% | 12.5% |
| Households receiving SNAP (food stamps) | 6.4% | 9.1% | 12.1% |
| Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher | 34.4% | 43.6% | 35.7% |
| Homeowner households | 80.7% | 63.8% | 65.2% |
| Median age | 41.2 | 40.1 | 38.9 |
| Households with broadband internet | 88.7% | 92.8% | 91.0% |
| People without health insurance | 4.1% | 7.5% | 8.4% |
What natural hazards and environmental sites are in Ocean County?
On FEMA's National Risk Index, Ocean County has an overall natural-hazard risk rating of “Relatively High”. Among the hazards we show, the highest-rated are coastal flooding (Very High), river flooding (Relatively High) and hurricanes (Relatively High). The index compares counties with each other and also weighs how vulnerable and resilient a community is, so it is a long-run estimate, not a forecast.
Superfund sites
EPA lists 4 active Superfund sites (final or proposed) in Ocean County: Naval Air Engineering Center, Ciba-Geigy Corp., Brick Township Landfill and Goose Farm. 8 other sites have finished cleanup and been taken off the list. A listing means EPA is managing a long-term cleanup; it does not by itself mean anyone is exposed today.
High-hazard dams
Ocean County has 8 dams classed as high hazard in the National Inventory of Dams. 1 is rated Poor or Unsatisfactory in condition, 7 Satisfactory or Fair. The two tallest are Btmua Reservoir Dam (20 ft) and Prospertown Dam (19 ft). “High hazard” describes what lies downstream (people would probably die if the dam failed), not how likely the dam is to fail.
Industrial chemical releases
8 facilities in the county filed Toxics Release Inventory reports for 2024, together reporting 13,110 pounds of listed chemicals released on site. Reported releases are legal permitted amounts in most cases.
Disasters, air and water
Ocean County was covered by 3 federal major disaster declarations from 2016 through 2025 (Hurricane 1, Snowstorm 1, Severe Storm 1), not counting COVID-19. EPA air monitors logged 4 days in 2024 when the air quality index reached “unhealthy for sensitive groups” or worse. Of 56 community water systems, none had an open health-based drinking-water violation in EPA's records (September 2026). EPA puts the county in radon zone 3 (low). NHTSA counted 44 traffic deaths in the county in 2024, including 10 pedestrians.
Is there road construction in Ocean County?
On October 11, 2026 the state transportation feed listed 12 highway work zones in Ocean County (all active that day). Roads listed: US 9 (North of CR 614/Lacey Rd, NJ 35 (North of CR 69/Atlantic Ave and NJ 72. The map's construction layer is refreshed every morning.
See today's work zones on the map →
How many schools, nursing homes and parks are in Ocean County?
Ocean County has 120 public schools (2024-25) and 116 private schools (2023-24) in federal school lists. 32 nursing homes are certified by Medicare or Medicaid here; star ratings for each are on the map and on Medicare's Care Compare. USGS mapping shows 80 fire or EMS stations and 32 police or sheriff stations. 3 state parks or recreation areas: Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, Double Trouble State Park and Island Beach State Park.
Gun shops, liquor stores and Planned Parenthood in Ocean County
Gun shops
6 gun shops with a public storefront are on the map in Ocean County (5 from the ATF licensee list, 1 from OpenStreetMap), plus 15 more licensed dealers without a public storefront (not shown). On the ATF list: A & M Archery Supply Co (Lakewood), Animals & Gardens Unlimited (New Egypt), Guns & Roses LLC (Toms River), Toms River Armory INC (Toms River) and Trinity Armament LLC (Forked River).
Liquor stores
87 liquor stores are on the map in Ocean County: A & P Liquor Store (Point Pleasant Beach), Anthony's Wine & Liquors, Bailey's Liquors (Lakehurst), Bayville Liquor Store, Berkeley Liquor Outlet (Bayville), Best Liquors of Lakewood (Lakewood), Blue Front Liquors (Seaside Park), Brick Liquors (Brick) and 79 more. New Jersey has no complete public liquor licence list we can use, so this count also draws on OpenStreetMap and Overture Maps and may miss some stores or include closed ones.
Planned Parenthood
There is no Planned Parenthood health center in Ocean County on the map.
See them on the map: gun shops · liquor stores →
Sources: ATF licensee list (Sept 2026); state liquor licence lists, OpenStreetMap and Overture Maps (non-official; partial in some states); HHS Title X directory and CMS NPPES.
Common questions
What is the crime rate in Ocean County?
Ocean County averaged 694 reported violent crimes a year in 2021-2025, or 1.0 per 1,000 residents, 50% lower than the New Jersey rate (2.1). The property-crime rate was 7.6 per 1,000 (FBI Uniform Crime Reporting).
What is the median household income in Ocean County?
$89,863 (Census American Community Survey, 2020-2024 average), compared with $103,556 for New Jersey and $80,734 nationally.
What is the unemployment rate in Ocean County?
The newest monthly figure from the Bureau of Labor Statistics is 4.6% for August 2026 (preliminary), with 13,454 people out of work and looking.
What natural hazards affect Ocean County?
On FEMA's National Risk Index, Ocean County has an overall natural-hazard risk rating of “Relatively High”. Among the hazards we show, the highest-rated are coastal flooding (Very High), river flooding (Relatively High) and hurricanes (Relatively High).
Are there Superfund sites in Ocean County?
EPA lists 4 active Superfund sites (final or proposed) in Ocean County: Naval Air Engineering Center, Ciba-Geigy Corp., Brick Township Landfill and Goose Farm. 8 other sites have finished cleanup and been taken off the list.
Is there road construction in Ocean County right now?
On October 11, 2026 the state transportation feed listed 12 highway work zones in Ocean County (all active that day). Roads listed: US 9 (North of CR 614/Lacey Rd, NJ 35 (North of CR 69/Atlantic Ave and NJ 72.
How many nursing homes are in Ocean County?
32 Medicare- or Medicaid-certified nursing homes (CMS provider data, September 2026).
How does Ocean County compare with neighboring counties?
| County | Population | Violent crimes per 1,000 (2021-25) | Median household income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic County | 276,270 | 3.8 | $78,050 |
| Burlington County | 467,805 | 1.7 | $108,111 |
| Monmouth County | 645,353 | 1.2 | $124,845 |
Cities in Ocean County with their own page: Toms River, Lakewood.
More: New Jersey statewide numbers · Sex-offender registry search (U.S. Justice Department, NSOPW)
Where do these numbers come from?
- Crime: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting 2021-2025 (agency level, Return A), averaged and summed by county by Map the Block; Census population; state and national rates: FBI estimated crimes 2021-2025.
- Income, housing, education: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year, table B19013 (median household income) and related tables.
- Monthly unemployment: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS), county data, not seasonally adjusted. Public domain.
- Hazards: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), county scores; disasters: FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
- Superfund: U.S. EPA, Superfund site boundaries and NPL status (October 2026). Dams: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, National Inventory of Dams (public map service, October 2026). Chemical releases: U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory, reporting year 2024 (basic data file).
- Air and water: U.S. EPA AirData, annual AQI by county 2024; EPA Air Quality Design Values 2023-2025 (June 2026); U.S. EPA SDWIS via ECHO drinking-water download (September 30, 2026). Traffic deaths: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2024; Census population.
- Work zones: State departments of transportation, via the U.S. DOT Work Zone Data Exchange (WZDx) and state 511 feeds; refreshed every morning (snapshot October 11, 2026).
- Schools: National Center for Education Statistics, EDGE public school locations 2024-25; budgets: U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Survey of School System Finances, fiscal year 2024; National Center for Education Statistics, EDGE Private School geocodes (Private School Survey 2023-24). Nursing homes: U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Nursing Home Provider Information and Penalties (September 2026). Stations: U.S. Geological Survey, National Structures Dataset (Fire Stations/EMS Stations), October 2026 pull.
- Parks: USGS Protected Areas Database of the U.S. (PAD-US 4.1); state park agencies' open data (CA, NY, PA, TN, TX, FL, NJ, KY, HI, UT, MT and others); OpenStreetMap contributors for some hours, phones, fees and camping; U.S. National Park Service: unit boundaries (Land Resources Division), Acreage Report (Sept 30, 2026), park pages on nps.gov (hours, fees), Visitor Use Statistics (2025).
Map the Block shows public statistics about places, not people, and does not rate or rank neighborhoods as places to live. Figures are as published by each source; check the source before relying on a number.
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