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Atlantic County, NJ

RANK #239 / 996  ·  POP 274,339  ·  NJ

PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.8%

Atlantic County combines solid growth with real affordability — a rare combination.

[01] Why Atlantic County?

Atlantic County, New Jersey, is perhaps best known for Atlantic City, a coastal hub featuring casinos, a boardwalk, and beaches. Beyond this entertainment center, the county offers a mix of communities, from the historic charm of Mays Landing, the county seat, to the family-friendly beaches of Margate City and Brigantine. Located in South Jersey, the county is approximately an hour's drive from Philadelphia and two hours from New York City, making it accessible for commuters. The region boasts diverse outdoor recreation, including numerous beaches, parks like Estell Manor Park with miles of trails, and the expansive Pinelands National Reserve.

Life in Atlantic County offers a blend of coastal living and suburban amenities. Many residents own their homes, and the area is considered family-friendly, with several public schools ranking highly within the state. Commute options include NJ Transit bus and rail services, with community shuttles connecting to major routes and the Atlantic City Rail Line providing service to Philadelphia. The economy, while historically tied to tourism and gaming, is seeing diversification. Recent developments include significant investment in residential projects, with new housing units underway in Atlantic City, and a focus on strengthening various economic sectors.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
4.6x

Below national median (4.7x)

GDP Growth
+1.7%

Below national median

Home Prices
+3.7%

Outpacing national median

Climate & Terrain
-0.0

Below-average climate & terrain

Price/Rent
10x

Strong rental yield

Housing is fairly valued at 4.6x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Atlantic County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
274,339
+0.17% YoY
Median Household Income
$73,113
Median Home Value
$254,100
+3.69% 12mo
Median Rent
$1,268
Average Annual Pay
$59,219
+2.4% YoY
Employment
125,157
+0.5% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.2877
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
2.34%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$375,000
Days on Market
81
Slower market
Months of Supply
6.7
Buyer's market
Sale-to-List Ratio
97.2%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
22.0%
Listings w/ Price Drops
14.4%
Building Permits (2024)
647
Single-Family Permits
383

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Capital Investment

$3,180M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
Bader Field Mixed-Use Development (Proposed)
DEEM Enterprises
$2,700M Proposed
Atlantic City Expressway Expansion
South Jersey Transportation Authority
$180M Under Construction
Amazon Fulfillment Center (Former Atlantic City Race Course)
Amazon
$150M Planned
Showboat Resort Renovations & Island Waterpark
Showboat Resort
$150M Completed

Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +1.7% 28 percentile
Population Growth +0.2% 37 percentile
Income Growth +10.0% 80 percentile
Vacancy Rate 1.3% 31 percentile
Home Price Change +3.7% 79 percentile
Rent Growth +4.4% 72 percentile
Price/Rent 10x 92 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Atlantic County, NJ a good place to move to?

Atlantic County has a Boom Town Index score of 76/100, ranking #239 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.5% and a median household income of $73,113, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.

Is Atlantic County affordable?

The median home value in Atlantic County is $254,100 with median rent at $1,268/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2877, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is Atlantic County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: +0.2% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.5%. Home values changed +3.7% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Atlantic County?

Yes — 2.34% of Atlantic County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

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