Ocean County
NJ · Pop. 646,434 · Urban County
Ocean County, New Jersey covers 628 square miles with a population of 646,434 and a density of 1029.4 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, corn. The median home price is $367,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.77%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 221-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.8°F and average winter lows of 24.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 49.1 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Community Medical Center is 7.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.1% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 221-day growing season in USDA zone 7a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- Broadband reaches 99.1% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Community Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 7.2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low poverty rate of 10.4% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.77% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- A median home price of $367,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
At a glance
Ocean County, NJ is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 13/100
- Median home price
- $367k
- Property tax
- 1.77%
- Growing season
- 221 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 49.1"
- Broadband
- 99.1%
- Nearest hospital
- Community Medical Center, 7.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Ocean County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Ocean County?
- Ocean County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 221-day growing season, average summer highs of 82.8°F, and average winter lows of 24.2°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $367,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.77%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.1% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Community Medical Center is 7.2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 9 hospitals in the county.
Explore New Jersey Resources
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LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in New Jersey
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The closest counties to Ocean County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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