Cape May is a city and seaside resort located at the tip of southern New Jersey’s Cape May Peninsula.

Reasons to Move to Cape May, New Jersey

Cape May is the southernmost point of the state of New Jersey divided between the Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Pristine beaches found along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean make the city famous where you can enjoy fun beach activities such as kayaking, swimming, surfing, and more. Cape May, New Jersey is a popular family-friendly tourist destination with attractions and activities suitable for visitors of all ages. This New Jersey city is known for its stunning Victorian architecture, sandy beaches on the Atlantic coast, and distinct dining scene.

Thousands of tourists are attracted each summer to the chilled-out, beachy atmosphere and balmy summers of Cape May, New Jersey, boosting the population to about 10 times the year-round community. Cape May, NJ, is registered as a National Historic Landmark City and recognized as the “Nation’s Oldest Seashore Resort”. Book a room and fully immerse yourself in some history as Cape May, New Jersey is home to a plethora of ornate Victorian mansions. Many of these mansions have been converted into bed and breakfasts, like the Southern Mansion but others are still residential properties. You won’t be able to get a look inside the residential mansions but it’s worth strolling down Perry Street, Ocean Street, and Jackson Street to ogle the architecture.

Cost of living in Cape May, New Jersey

The overall cost of living in Cape May, New Jersey is 148. The cost of goods & services is 113, groceries 113, health care 94, housing 238, transportation 103, and utilities 104.

The cost of living in Cape May is 22% higher than the New Jersey average, 48% higher than the national average and housing is 138% higher than the national average. The average household income is $97,231 in Cape May with a poverty rate of 5.85%. The median rental costs in recent years reached $1,119 per month and the median house value is $651,600.

 

Cost of living in Cape May, New Jersey

Is Cape May, New Jersey a safe place to live – Crime Rates?

You have a 1 in 55 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Cape May New Jersey. Cape May crime rates are 22% lower than the national average, violent crimes in Cape May are 92% lower than the national average and it is safer than 60% of the cities in the United States. Crime in Cape May has decreased by 36% year over year.

What are the demographics of Cape May, New Jersey?

Out of 565 cities in the state of New Jersey, Cape May is the 445th most populated city. The largest Cape May ethnic groups are White followed by Hispanic and Black.

  • White: 83.81%
  • Other races: 8.94%
  • Black or African American: 3.51%
  • Two or more races: 3.48%
  • Native American: 0.17%
  • Asian: 0.09%
  • Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.00%

Cape May, New Jersey Population by Age and Gender

Male Population:   56.47%

Female Population:   43.53%

  • 10 years: 10%
  • 10-17 years: 3%
  • 18-24 years: 16%
  • 25-34 years: 19%
  • 35-44 years: 7%
  • 45-54 years: 5%
  • 55-64 years: 16%
  • 65+ years: 27%

The median age is 33.4 years in Cape May, 27 years for males, and 54.9 years for females.

population by age and gender cape may nj

Things to do in Cape May, New Jersey

Cape May, New Jersey is well known for having one of the greatest beaches in the region and throughout the whole Middle Atlantic coast. It is also praised for having a well-preserved Victorian past that is visible throughout the entire city. For good cause, the city proudly displays this distinguishing trait: it is the oldest coastal resort city in the whole nation. Here is a list of the top things to do in Cape May, New Jersey, if you’re sick of crowded, contemporary beachfront cities and want a more opulent, traditional beach break. This list offers a window into the charm of a city that seems to have stood still in time.

  • Cape May City Beaches
  • Jersey Shore Alpacas
  • Willow Creek Winery
  • Cape May Lighthouse
  • Cape May County Park and Zoo
  • Washington Street Mall
  • Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum

How many people live in Cape May, New Jersey – Population?

Located in Cape May County New Jersey, Cape May is a city with a population of 2,600, it is the 9569th largest city in the United States, currently declining at a rate of -3.13% annually, and its population has decreased by -24.55% since the most recent census. Spanning over 3 miles, Cape May has a population density of 1,051 people per square mile which is 17% higher than New Jersey and the median age is 24% higher than New Jersey. The number of people per household in Cape May is 1.9, 50.2% are married, 8.1% are divorced, 14.5% are married with children and 13.2% have children, but are single. Family establishments represent 62.6% of Cape May households while non-family units account for the remaining 37.4%. In addition, 21.34% of households have children and 78.66% of households are without children. Housing units are 54.6% owner-occupied while 45.4% have renters living in them.

Cape May, New Jersey Weather

In Cape May, the summers are warm and humid and the winters are wet, very cold, and windy and it is partly cloudy year round. The temperature typically varies from 29°F to 84°F and is rarely below 16°F or above 91°F over the course of the year. Cape May, New Jersey gets 44 inches of rain, 12 inches of snow, and 202 sunny days on average, per year. September, June, and May are the most pleasant months to visit Cape May, New Jersey. The humidity in some summer months can be unpleasant but is usually comfortable in Cape May. April is the rainiest month with 10.8 days of rain and September is the driest month with only 7.9 rainy days.

The warm season starts from June to September & lasts for 3.4 months with an average daily high temperature above 76°F. The hottest month of the year is July with an average high of 83°F and a low of 69°F.

The cold season starts from December to March & lasts for 3.3 months with an average daily high temperature below 50°F. The coldest month of the year is January with an average low of 30°F and a high of 43°F.

Average Income in Cape May, New Jersey

The average annual salary in Cape May is $45,751 which works out to be approximately $22.00 an hour and is equivalent to $879 a week or $3,812 a month. The minimum wage rate is $12.0 per hour in Cape May, NJ. Most salaries here range from $31,606 to $55,374 annually. The highest paying jobs are Senior Quality Assurance Manager, National Sales Director, and Technical Solutions Architect;

  • Physical Therapist:   $78,929
  • Actor:   $60,443
  • Outside Sales Representative:   $69,152
  • Licensed Practical Nurse:   $56,050
  • Administrative Assistant:   $37,848
  • Registered Nurse Supervisor:   $90,162

 

Average Income in Cape May

Taxes & Utilities in Cape May, New Jersey

In Cape May County, NJ, the average electricity customer is using 1,167 kWh of electricity per month and 14,004 kWh over the course of the year. Electricity user spends about $244 per month on electricity on average. It adds up to $2,928 per year and that’s 19% higher than the national average electric bill of $2,451.

The minimum combined 2022 state, county and city sales tax rate for Cape May, New Jersey is 6.63%. The New Jersey sales tax rate is currently 6.63%, the County sales tax rate is 0% and the Cape May sales tax rate is 0%. New Jersey’s general sales tax is 30% higher than the national average and state income tax is 43% lower than the national average.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Cape May, NJ (@cape.may.nj)

Is Cape May, New Jersey good for singles?

Gyms

Want to build new fitness habits for obtaining a healthy lifestyle?

Fitness facilities here offer a complete range of amenities that cater to each member’s individual needs. They have a fully-equipped cardio deck, free weights, and circuit training.  They have group fitness classes including Spin, CrossFit, Yoga, Circuit Training, Pilates, and lots more that get you the results you want. The fully-equipped Fitness studios of Cape May, New Jersey offers affordable membership options to fit the needs of your budget and lifestyle and a vast array of services and amenities including TVs with Cardio Theater, Saunas, Free Towel Service, Clean Locker Rooms with Showers, and Certified Personal Trainers.

  • Planet Fitness
  • Miracles Fitness For Women Baby Boomers & Seniors
  • Fitness First For Women & Seniors
  • Cape Fitness Center
  • Lighthouse Strength and Fitness
  • North Beach Health Club

Restaurants in Cape May

Restaurants

Looking for a refined atmosphere and luxurious, vintage aesthetic to have an enjoyable time dining?

Experience a relaxing seaside vacation during your trip to Cape May, and discover new favorites when you dine in the best restaurants. There are tons of different flavors to enjoy in Cape May, New Jersey while you are near the waters, from the more global cuisines to a classic seafood medley. It’s pretty hard to beat dining inside the stately, historic rooms whether it be under patio umbrellas in the morning or fairy lights at night. The restaurants near the historic downtown offer farm-to-table fare for breakfast and lunch. When it comes to trying new food, it can be a little difficult to find the perfect spot, so we have curated the following list of the best restaurants to have tasty food;

  • Exit Zero Filling Station
  • Blue Pig Tavern
  • Ebbitt Room
  • Beach Plum Farm Kitchen
  • Blue Pig Tavern
  • George’s Place
  • Iccara Italian Bistro
  • Jardin at the Hugh

Is Cape May, New Jersey good for families?

One of Cape May’s highest qualities is that locals are friendly and hospitable whether it’s tourist season or not making it a family friendly place. They greet you when you walk by and will sit on the porch. People are friendlier here than in big cities. Because of the small community, residents are more involved in the town and they care not only about the town but also about each other. Residents living in Cape May enjoy comfortable winters, hot summer days, and quaint Victorian charm all year long.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Cape May (@cape.may_new.jersey)

How are the schools in Cape May, New Jersey?

Cape May schools spend $23,717 per student, there are 8 pupils per teacher. Approximately 23.27% of the population in Cape May holds a high school degree, 25.72% have attained a college certificate and 29.02% have a bachelor’s degree.

Middle schools in Cape May, New Jersey

  • Upper Township Middle School
  • Margaret Mace Elementary School
  • Middle Township Middle School
  • Wildwood Middle School
  • Dennis Township Elementary/Middle School
  • Woodbine Elementary School

Schools in Cape May

High schools in Cape May, New Jersey

  • Lower Cape May Regional High School
  • Cape Christian Academy
  • Cape May County High School
  • Cape May County Technical High School

Colleges & Universities in Cape May, New Jersey

Churches in Cape May, New Jersey

  • Allen African Methodist Episcopal Church
  • Cape May First Presbyterian Church
  • Cape May Lutheran Church
  • Our Lady Star of the Sea RC Church
  • Good Samaritan Baptist Church
  • Raymond’s Catholic Church

Conclusion: Why you should consider moving to Cape May, New Jersey

  • This coastal city has about 600 preserved Victorian buildings set against pristine beaches, making a visit to the city feel like a trip back in time.
  • Additionally, this seashore city is known for its rich history, which can be seen in the Cape May Historic District, a collection of museums and historical monuments.
  • Cape May’s beaches run parallel to Beach Avenue for more than two miles and are within walking distance so, take a trip down the shore for soaking up some sun and salt on the beach.

Want to know more about Cape May, New Jersey, property values, and rent costs?

Contact Daniels Realty Diamond Beach at (609) 522-7748 to know everything about home values, its nearby neighborhoods, the latest market trends, and property consultations, or fill out our online CONTACT form to get a quick reply.