Forked River, NJ

New Jersey · Metropolitan Area

Forked River is a small town in New Jersey with a population of 4,988. Residents earn $87,455 per year, which is 16% above the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
4,988 Population 1,820/sq mi density
$87,455 Median Income $48,101 per capita
$404,600 Home Value $489,282 Zillow
$2,071 Median Rent
53°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$87,455 median income, 5.6% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.1 / 5.0
$404,600 home value, $2,071/mo rent
C+
Education
3.0 / 5.0
24.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $87,455
16% higher than US avg
Home Value $404,600
44% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 24.4%
28% lower than US avg
Median Rent $2,071
78% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 30.1%
6% lower than US avg
Unemployment 5.6%
56% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 5.5%
56% lower than US avg

How Forked River Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population4,988
Median Age48.1 yrs
Density1,820/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 86%

Economy

A
Median Income$87,455
Per Capita$48,101
Unemployment5.6%
Poverty5.5%
County GDP$31,709M
Commute32 min

Housing

A
Home Value$404,600
Rent$2,071
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$489,282

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity30.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression17.9%
Heart Disease4.9%

Climate

Avg Temp53°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain52.0 in/yr
Elevation6 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+24.4%
High School+95.3%
School Score6.24

Community

2024 VoteR 67% / D 31%
Commute32 min
EV Stations1
Libraries22

Is Forked River a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Forked River receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, above-average unemployment. Forked River offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Forked River is $87,455, 16% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. The unemployment rate of 5.6% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. Only 5.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Forked River is $404,600, 44% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $2,071 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. A price-to-income ratio of 4.6x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

24.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 95.3% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.2/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Forked River experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 53°F. Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 52.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Forked River has a population of 4,988 with a density of 1,820 people per square mile. The median age is 48.1 years, 24% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (85.5%).

Population

4,988
Total Population
1,820
People / sq mi
48.1yrs
Median Age
24% above US avg
2.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49%
Female 51%

Race & Ethnicity

Forked River vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only92.2%
17% above US avg
Spanish7.8%
42% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Forked River vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Forked River is $87,455, which is 16% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.6% (above the 3.6% US average). 5.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Income: Forked River vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$87,455
16% above US avg
Per Capita Income$48,101
Avg Weekly Wage$1,105
IRS Avg AGI$86,654

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.6%
56% above US avg
Poverty Rate5.5%
56% below US avg
Establishments (County)15,958
County GDP$31,709M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,344
Healthcare1,948
Retail2,030
Manufacturing323

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$8,704
149% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.15%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time32.0 min
Work from Home11.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Forked River is $404,600, 44% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $2,071 (78% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $489,282.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$404,600
44% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$489,282
Median List Price$567,500

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$567,500
$/Sq Ft$363
Homes Sold7
Sale-to-List Ratio100.3%
Price Drops26.3%
Inventory19

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$2,071
78% above US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,599
1 Bedroom$1,759
2 Bedrooms$2,132
3 Bedrooms$2,658
4 Bedrooms$3,005

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied91.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$8,704
149% above US avg
Effective Rate2.15%
In Forked River, 30.1% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 17.9% report depression. 23.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Forked River vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity30.1%
6% below US avg
Diabetes8.4%
Heart Disease4.9%
High Blood Pressure28.0%
Asthma9.5%
COPD5.3%
Stroke2.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.0%
Physical Inactivity23.3%
Depression17.9%
Mental Distress17.4%
Physical Distress12.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.0%
Checkup Rate73.5%
Premature Death7,127/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.3/10
Exercise Access93.3%
Healthcare Facilities1,948

Crime Rates: Forked River vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)48

Safety Score

Forked River has an average annual temperature of 53°F (11°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 52.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

32°F Jan (-0°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average52.6°F
3% below US avg
January Average32°F (-0°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall52.0 inches
37% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation6 ft (2 m)
Area2.7 sq mi (7.1 km²)
Population Density1,820/sq mi
Coordinates39.8258°N, 74.1808°W
County FIPS34029
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 24.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (28% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 36-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 67.4%
D 31.4%

Winner: Republican by 36 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+24.4%
28% below US avg
High School+95.3%
School Test Score6.24
C+ Education Grade (3.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density1,820/sq mi
Total Area2.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries22
Healthcare Facilities1,948
Restaurants1,344
Retail Stores2,030

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)48

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute32.0 min
Work from Home11.3%

Nearby Cities

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