Rockaway, NJ

New Jersey · Metropolitan Area

Rockaway is a small city in New Jersey with a population of 6,589. Residents earn $100,028 per year, which is 33% above the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
6,589 Population 3,168/sq mi density
$100,028 Median Income $54,185 per capita
$427,800 Home Value
$1,496 Median Rent
53°F Avg Temperature
31 Violent Crime/100K 813 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$100,028 median income, 6.2% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.3 / 5.0
$427,800 home value, $1,496/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
31 violent crimes/100K (92% below avg)
A
Education
4.2 / 5.0
40.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $100,028
33% higher than US avg
Home Value $427,800
52% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 31/100K
92% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 40.4%
20% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,496
29% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 25.1%
22% lower than US avg
Unemployment 6.2%
72% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.9%
69% lower than US avg

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

People

Population6,589
Median Age45.2 yrs
Density3,168/mi²
Male / Female53% / 47%
Largest GroupWhite 74%

Economy

A
Median Income$100,028
Per Capita$54,185
Unemployment6.2%
Poverty3.9%
County GDP$74,395M
Commute26 min

Housing

A
Home Value$427,800
Rent$1,496
OwnershipN/A

Crime

F
Violent31/100K
Property813/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault15/100K
Burglary184/100K

Health

Obesity25.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression16.7%
Heart Disease4.7%

Climate

Avg Temp53°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain45.5 in/yr
Elevation530 ft

Education

A
Bachelor's+40.4%
High School+94.7%
School Score6.24

Community

2024 VoteR 50% / D 48%
Commute26 min
EV Stations7
Libraries37

Is Rockaway a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Rockaway receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low crime rates, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, above-average unemployment. Rockaway offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Rockaway is $100,028, which is significantly higher than the national average — 33% above $75,149. This places Rockaway among higher-income communities. The unemployment rate of 6.2% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. Only 3.9% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Rockaway is $427,800, making it a premium housing market at 52% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,496 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. A price-to-income ratio of 4.3x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Rockaway is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 31 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 813 per 100,000, 59% below the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 40.4% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 94.7% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.2/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Rockaway experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 53°F. Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 45.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Rockaway has a population of 6,589 with a density of 3,168 people per square mile. The median age is 45.2 years, 16% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (73.9%).

Population

6,589
Total Population
3,168
People / sq mi
45.2yrs
Median Age
16% above US avg
2.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 53%
Female 47%

Race & Ethnicity

Rockaway vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only69.3%
12% below US avg
Spanish30.7%
129% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Rockaway vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Rockaway is $100,028, which is 33% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 6.2% (above the 3.6% US average). 3.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: Rockaway vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$100,028
33% above US avg
Per Capita Income$54,185
Avg Weekly Wage$1,946
IRS Avg AGI$156,784

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment6.2%
72% above US avg
Poverty Rate3.9%
69% below US avg
Establishments (County)18,002
County GDP$74,395M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,349
Healthcare1,822
Retail1,639
Manufacturing496

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$13,570
288% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.17%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time26.0 min
Work from Home15.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Rockaway is $427,800, 52% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,496 (29% above US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$427,800
52% above US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$418
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio94.0%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory3

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,496
29% 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-Occupied57.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$13,570
288% above US avg
Effective Rate3.17%
In Rockaway, 25.1% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 16.7% report depression. 21.5% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Rockaway vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity25.1%
22% below US avg
Diabetes8.4%
Heart Disease4.7%
High Blood Pressure28.5%
Asthma8.9%
COPD4.4%
Stroke2.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.2%
Physical Inactivity21.5%
Depression16.7%
Mental Distress15.6%
Physical Distress11.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.4%
Checkup Rate75.6%
Premature Death4,240/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.4/10
Exercise Access98.5%
Healthcare Facilities1,822
Rockaway has a violent crime rate of 31 per 100,000 residents, 92% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 813 per 100,000 (59% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent30.7/100K
92% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery15.3/100K
Assault15.3/100K

Property Crime

Total Property813.0/100K
59% below US avg
Burglary184.1/100K
Theft613.6/100K
Vehicle Theft15.3/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)19

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Rockaway has an average annual temperature of 53°F (11°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 45.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average52.5°F
3% below US avg
January Average30°F (-1°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall45.5 inches
20% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation530 ft (162 m)
Area2.1 sq mi (5.4 km²)
Population Density3,168/sq mi
Coordinates40.8959°N, 74.5173°W
County FIPS34027
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 40.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (20% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 2.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 50.4%
D 47.7%

Winner: Republican by 2.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+40.4%
20% above US avg
High School+94.7%
School Test Score6.24
A Education Grade (4.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density3,168/sq mi
Total Area2.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations7
Alt Fuel Stations7
Public Libraries37
Healthcare Facilities1,822
Restaurants1,349
Retail Stores1,639

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)19
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute26.0 min
Work from Home15.8%

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