| City: | Cape May, New Jersey |
| City Alias: | N Cape May, North Cape May, West Cape May |
| Names to Avoid: | Cold Spring, Erma, Fishing Creek, Town Bank |
| County: | Cape May County |
| Timezone: | Eastern (GMT -05:00) |
| Local Time: | 9:24:31 PM |
| Population: | 17,090 [See All] |
| Area Codes: | 609 / 640 |
| Classification: | Standard [Normal Street Delivery] |
| Coordinates: | 38.9858, -74.9062 |
| Land Area: | 20.459 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
ZIP Code 08204 has 17,090 residents and 7,531 households (average 2.21 persons per household). The median age is 54.3 years, significantly older than the state (39.9) and significantly older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 47.7% male and 52.3% female, which is slightly lower than the national male share (49.1%), making this a female-majority area. Largest groups are White (89.0%, much higher than the state average of 55.0% and well above the national average of 61.6%) and Hispanic or Latino (5.4%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 5.4%, which is much lower than the state average (21.6%).
Explore More: Population Over Time By Age & Gender By Race By Gender Nativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 17,090Source: Census DHC |
| 2023 ACS Population Estimate: | 16,890Source: Census ACS |
| 2025 ZC Population Estimate: | 20,433Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 835.3 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $80,782Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 7,531Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $399,200Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.21Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 3.12Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 18,218 | 18,296 | 18,543 | 18,468 | 18,932 | 18,718 | 18,824 | 18,608 | 18,505 | 17,257 | 17,565 | 17,392 | 16,890 |
| Decennial Census | 18,557 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 17,090 | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 54.3
Male Median Age: 51.9
Female Median Age: 56.2
| Group | < 5 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 330 | 364 | 387 | 348 | 481 | 454 | 437 | 406 | 331 | 344 | 556 | 596 | 718 | 784 | 646 | 489 | 277 | 209 |
| Female | 329 | 377 | 367 | 360 | 339 | 406 | 479 | 396 | 352 | 384 | 511 | 705 | 859 | 908 | 792 | 598 | 357 | 414 |
| Total | 659 | 741 | 754 | 708 | 820 | 860 | 916 | 802 | 683 | 728 | 1,067 | 1,301 | 1,577 | 1,692 | 1,438 | 1,087 | 634 | 623 |
| White: | 15,215 | 89.27% |
| Black: | 382 | 2.24% |
| Hispanic:* | 922 | 5.41% |
| Asian: | 141 | 0.83% |
| American Indian: | 40 | 0.23% |
| Hawaiian: | 5 | 0.03% |
| Other: | 338 | 1.98% |
| Total: | 17,043 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 8,157 | 47.73% | 51.9 years |
| Females: | 8,933 | 52.27% | 56.2 years |
| Total: | 17,090 | 100% | 54.3 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 15,991 | 94.68% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 210 | 1.24% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 451 | 2.67% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 238 | 4.08% |
| Total Population: | 16,890 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 16,201 | 95.92% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 689 | 4.08% |
In 2023, the Median household income is $80,782, which is considerably lower than the state median ($101,050), is up $26,308 (48.3%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $9,442. Family households earn a median of $105,241 versus $41,683 for nonfamily households (a difference of $63,558). By gender, male median income is $59,282 and female is $54,831, which is far less than the state female median ($66,569), with a current gap of $4,451 that has narrowed from 2011 to 2023. The labor-force participation rate is 62.4%, which is lower than the state rate (66.3%). The unemployment rate is 5.5%, which is slightly lower than the state rate (6.1%). The largest occupation group is Management (39.3%).
Explore More: Income Over Time Household Income Employment Status By Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $54,474 | $56,388 | $56,421 | $56,639 | $59,840 | $63,483 | $67,186 | $67,305 | $71,340 | $71,695 | $74,543 | $76,624 | $80,782 |
| Median Family Income | $67,703 | $71,293 | $71,923 | $76,022 | $74,852 | $79,012 | $83,270 | $84,643 | $89,077 | $90,207 | $92,008 | $99,113 | $105,241 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $36,724 | $33,233 | $31,767 | $30,740 | $31,266 | $31,534 | $32,127 | $31,809 | $34,406 | $31,149 | $31,274 | $34,032 | $41,683 |
| Median Male Income | $52,599 | $52,740 | $51,333 | $50,475 | $42,388 | $42,071 | $47,266 | $49,766 | $48,699 | $48,559 | $52,119 | $55,891 | $59,282 |
| Median Female Income | $39,190 | $39,981 | $41,042 | $39,793 | $40,823 | $40,458 | $39,714 | $41,708 | $44,543 | $44,732 | $47,066 | $53,806 | $54,831 |
| Employed: | 7,788 | 55.97% |
| Unemployed: | 476 | 3.42% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 5,650 | 40.61% |
| Total: | 13,914 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 3,063 | 39.33% |
| Service: | 1,972 | 25.32% |
| Sales and Office: | 1,548 | 19.88% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 663 | 8.51% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 542 | 6.96% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 7,788 | 100% |
In 2023, the median home value is $399,200, which is considerably higher than the national median ($303,400), is up $72,100 (22.04%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $105,400. The median gross rent is $1,149, which is well under the state median ($1,653), is up $189 (19.69%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $30. Of occupied housing, owners make up 78.88% (62.04% with a mortgage, 37.96% free-and-clear) and renters 21.12% - making this ZIP Code more home ownership than the state and under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 38.25%, which is considerably higher than the state rate (7.88%).
Explore More: Compare Home Value Home Value Over Time Rent & Over Time Housing Occupancy
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $327,100 | $313,900 | $300,500 | $296,200 | $290,500 | $288,100 | $293,500 | $293,700 | $293,800 | $293,800 | $304,800 | $345,900 | $399,200 |
| Less than $500: | 174 | 10.18% |
| $500 to $999: | 444 | 25.98% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 454 | 26.57% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 332 | 19.43% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 66 | 3.86% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 32 | 1.87% |
| $3,000 or more: | 15 | 0.88% |
| No Rent: | 192 | 11.23% |
| Total: | 1,709 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $960 | $926 | $951 | $961 | $992 | $946 | $1,033 | $1,057 | $1,119 | $1,130 | $1,090 | $1,180 | $1,149 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 3,959 | 48.94% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 2,422 | 29.94% |
| Renter Occupied: | 1,709 | 21.12% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 8,090 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 8,090 | 61.75% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 5,011 | 38.25% |
| Total Housing Units: | 13,101 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 11,399 | 87.01% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 1,423 | 10.86% |
| Other Units: | 279 | 2.13% |
| Total Housing Units: | 13,101 | 100% |
In 2023, 38.40% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is generally lower than the state rate (42.90%). High school or higher is 95.20%, which is far higher than the national rate (89.40%). The uninsured rate is 5.70%, which is falls below the national rate (8.60%). Public coverage is 42.70%, which is notably higher than the state rate (32.70%). The share of people in poverty is 3.30%, which is far lower than the national rate (8.70%), down 0.80 percentage points since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 1.80 percentage points. This suggests a positive shift in the local economic and social landscape - higher incomes, steadier consumer demand, and a strengthening tax base. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is elementary (40.00%). College enrollment is 25.04%, which is comparable to the national rate (26.70%), meaning the community mirrors broader higher-education participation.
Explore More: Educational Attainment Health Insurance Poverty Over Time School Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 240 | 1.86% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 374 | 2.90% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 3,879 | 30.11% |
| Some college, no degree: | 2,463 | 19.12% |
| Associate's degree: | 982 | 7.62% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 3,410 | 26.47% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 1,534 | 11.91% |
| Total: | 12,882 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 12,268 | 95.23% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 4,944 | 38.38% |
| Private Insurance: | 11,546 | 59.40% |
| Public Insurance: | 6,961 | 35.81% |
| No Insurance: | 932 | 4.79% |
| Total: | 19,439 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 18,507 | 95.21% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 4.1% | 4.9% | 4.9% | 6.2% | 5.0% | 4.4% | 4.5% | 4.9% | 5.1% | 3.5% | 4.5% | 3.7% | 3.3% |
Note: Counts of Families & People in poverty are not published at the ZIP Code level due to small sample sizes. Percentages shown are survey estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS). They may differ from official poverty statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau defines poverty status by comparing a family's or individual's total income with federal poverty thresholds that vary by family size and composition.
| Nursery School, Preschool: | 261 | 8.33% |
| Kindergarten: | 237 | 7.56% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 1,254 | 40.00% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 598 | 19.07% |
| College or graduate school: | 785 | 25.04% |
| Total: | 3,135 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 498 | 15.89% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 2,089 | 66.63% |
ZIP Code 08204 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2023), there are 618 business establishments, employing about 5,340 people with an annual payroll of $263,728,000. USPS data shows 9,246 residential mailboxes and 594 business mailboxes, reflecting local delivery coverage.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 9,246Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 594Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 11,401Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 7,944Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 537Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 618Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $46,068,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $263,728,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 5,340Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 08204 is located in Cape May County, New Jersey, within the Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 12100) and New Jersey's 2nd Congressional District. This Metro area has a population of 369,940 people, about 4.62% of whom live in ZIP Code 08204. It covers 20.459 sq mi of land and a water area of 3.323 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJSource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 12100Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MetroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 369,940Source: Census |
| MSA: | Philadelphia-Wilmington-Atlantic City, PA-NJ-DE-MD CMSASource: Census |
| Land Area: | 20.459 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 3.323 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 02Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 2092.43 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | Atlantic-Cape May, NJ PMSASource: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 3410270Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Cape May city; New JerseySource: Census |
ZIP Code 08204 is part of 4 school districts, including: Lower Cape May Regional School District (Grades 07 thru 12), Lower Township School District (Grades KG thru 06), West Cape May Borough School District (Grades KG thru 06) and Cape May City School District (Grades Kindergarten thru 6th). There are 7 public school(s) in this ZIP Code, and we have located 3 private school(s). It also has 6 colleges, universities or post secondary education institutions nearby which would be a short commute to.
Our sources include trusted federal and licensed data from the United States Postal Service, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the National Center for Education Statistics, along with proprietary datasets created by ZIP-Codes.com. Data last updated on October 1, 2025.