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West Cape May, NJ

New Jersey · Metropolitan Area

West Cape May is a small town in New Jersey with a population of 934. Residents earn $79,375 per year, which is 6% above the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
934 Population 798/sq mi density
$79,375 Median Income $53,959 per capita
$698,300 Home Value
$1,352 Median Rent 34.0% income on rent
56°F Avg Temperature 293 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.6 / 5.0
$79,375 median income, 1.1% unemployment
D
Affordability
1.7 / 5.0
$698,300 home value, $1,352/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
0 violent crimes/100K (100% below avg)
A+
Education
4.9 / 5.0
48.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $79,375
6% higher than US avg
Home Value $698,300
148% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 0/100K
100% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 48.5%
44% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,352
16% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 31.2%
3% lower than US avg
Unemployment 1.1%
69% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.4%
89% lower than US avg

How West Cape May Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population934
Median Age59.4 yrs
Density798/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 88%
Veterans5.1%

Economy

A+
Median Income$79,375
Per Capita$53,959
Unemployment1.1%
Poverty1.4%
County GDP$7,801M
Commute14 min

Housing

D
Home Value$698,300
Rent$1,352
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units1,072
Rent Burden34.0%

Crime

C+
Violent0/100K
Property2,159/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary393/100K

Health

Obesity31.2%
Uninsured6.2%
Smoking8.7%
Depression18.5%
Heart Disease4.0%

Climate

Avg Temp56°F (14°C)
AQI39 (Good)
Rain43.8 in/yr
Sunny Days293/yr
Elevation5 ft (2 m)

Education

A+
Bachelor's+48.5%
High School+98.1%
Graduate+17.4%
School Score6.24

Community

2024 VoteR 59% / D 40%
Commute14 min
Broadband93.0%
Libraries13

Is West Cape May a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, West Cape May receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. West Cape May offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in West Cape May is $79,375, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.1%. Only 1.4% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 14 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in West Cape May is $698,300, making it a premium housing market at 148% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,352 per month. With a home price-to-income ratio of 8.8x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Safety & Crime

West Cape May is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,159 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 48.5% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 98.1% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.2/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

West Cape May enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F. Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. With 293 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 43.8 inches, including 14.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

West Cape May has a population of 934 with a density of 798 people per square mile. The median age is 59.4 years, 53% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (87.5%), with 3.2% Black.

Population

934
Total Population
798
People / sq mi
59.4yrs
Median Age
53% above US avg
1.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.4%
Female 49.6%

Race & Ethnicity

West Cape May vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only92.3%
18% above US avg
Spanish7.7%
43% below US avg

Social Characteristics

West Cape May vs U.S. Average

The median household income in West Cape May is $79,375, which is 6% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.1% (below the 3.6% US average). 1.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 14 minutes.

Income: West Cape May vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$79,375
6% above US avg
Per Capita Income$53,959
Avg Weekly Wage$934
IRS Avg AGI$89,478

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.1%
69% below US avg
Poverty Rate1.4%
89% below US avg
Establishments (County)4,020
County GDP$7,801M

Business (County)

Restaurants889
Healthcare236
Retail613
Manufacturing84

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$8,248
136% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.18%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time13.7 min
Drive Alone46.5%
Public Transit0.9%
Work from Home21.7%

Walkability

The median home value in West Cape May is $698,300, 148% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,352 (16% above US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$698,300
148% above US avg
Median List Price$1,972,500

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$1,972,500
$/Sq Ft$0
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio100.0%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory9

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,352
16% above US avg
Rent Burden34.0%

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-Occupied84.0%
Housing Units1,072
Median Year Built1972

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$8,248
136% above US avg
Effective Rate1.18%
In West Cape May, 31.2% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 6.2% of residents lack health insurance. 8.7% are current smokers. 18.5% report depression. 15.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: West Cape May vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity31.2%
3% below US avg
Diabetes6.7%
Heart Disease4.0%
High Blood Pressure26.7%
Asthma9.4%
COPD3.6%
Cancer7.5%
Stroke2.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking8.7%
38% below US avg
Binge Drinking20.9%
Physical Inactivity15.3%
Depression18.5%
Mental Distress14.9%
Physical Distress9.6%
Short Sleep31.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate86.8%
Uninsured6.2%
28% below US avg
Checkup Rate76.4%
Dental Visits73.2%
Premature Death9,176/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.0/10
Exercise Access92.0%
Healthcare Facilities236
West Cape May has a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents, 100% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,159 per 100,000 (10% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: West Cape May vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault0.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,159.0/100K
10% above US avg
Burglary392.5/100K
Theft1,766.4/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)14

Safety Score

Safety GradeC+
Safety Score2.5 / 5.0
West Cape May has an average annual temperature of 56°F (14°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 43.8 inches. The area enjoys 293 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

36°F Jan (2°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average56.3°F
4% above US avg
January Average36°F (2°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)
Sunny Days293 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall43.8 inches
15% above US avg
Snowfall14.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation5 ft (2 m)
Area1.2 sq mi (3.0 km²)
Population Density798/sq mi
Coordinates38.9422°N, 74.9390°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
County FIPS34009
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 48.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (44% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 19.3-point margin. 93.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 58.9%
D 39.7%

Winner: Republican by 19.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+48.5%
44% above US avg
High School+98.1%
Graduate Degree+17.4%
School Test Score6.24
A+ Education Grade (4.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density798/sq mi
Total Area1.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access93.0%
Public Libraries13
Healthcare Facilities236
Restaurants889
Retail Stores613

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)14
C+ Safety Grade (2.5/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute13.7 min
Drive Alone46.5%
Public Transit0.9%
Work from Home21.7%

Nearby Cities

Cape May, NJ 2,789 pop · 2.2 mi North Cape May, NJ 3,577 pop · 2.7 mi Erma, NJ 2,039 pop · 4.4 mi Villas, NJ 9,897 pop · 5.1 mi Wildwood Crest, NJ 3,094 pop · 5.8 mi Rio Grande, NJ 3,285 pop · 6.2 mi Wildwood, NJ 5,140 pop · 7.2 mi Whitesboro, NJ 2,946 pop · 8.2 mi North Wildwood, NJ 3,620 pop · 8.8 mi Cape May Court House, NJ 5,375 pop · 11.3 mi Avalon, NJ 1,478 pop · 14.7 mi Lewes, DE 3,415 pop · 15.8 mi Rehoboth Beach, DE 1,388 pop · 17.3 mi South Dennis, NJ 1,579 pop · 17.3 mi
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