Cape May ZIP Codes — Cape May County, NJ

There is one unique ZIP code in Cape May, New Jersey and it is 08204. Area code: 609.

ZIP codes

20.46

sq mi land

3.32

sq mi water

609

area code

Cape May, NJ ZIP code map

About Cape May, NJ

Cape May, New Jersey, is a charming seaside town renowned for its Victorian architecture and vibrant tourism scene. Located at the southern tip of New Jersey, it is a popular destination for visitors seeking a coastal retreat. The city offers a unique blend of rich history, stunning beaches, and an array of recreational activities.

Location & geography

Cape May is situated in Cape May County, providing residents and visitors with breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean. The city covers a total land area of 40.92 square miles, with an additional 6.65 square miles dedicated to water, making it a picturesque coastal community. Nearby cities include Wildwood to the north, approximately 10 miles away, and Ocean City to the northeast, around 16 miles distant.

Community & economy

The character of Cape May is deeply rooted in its historical significance and cultural vibrancy, attracting both tourists and artists alike. The local economy is primarily driven by tourism, with seasonal visitors flocking to its beaches, shops, and dining establishments, which makes summertime a bustling period. Daily life in Cape May blends leisure and community events, with residents taking pride in their town's heritage and scenic beauty.

Transportation

Cape May is accessible via New Jersey Route 109, which connects the city to major highways like the Garden State Parkway. The nearest regional airport is Cape May Airport, while Philadelphia International Airport serves as a larger hub about 70 miles to the northwest. Local transportation options may include taxis and seasonal shuttle services, facilitating travel within the area.

History

Cape May was founded in the early 1600s, making it one of the oldest resort destinations in the United States. Initially established as a fishing village, the city rapidly developed into a popular vacation spot in the 19th century, attracting wealthy families who built grand Victorian homes. Notable events in Cape May's history include its designation as a National Historic Landmark city due to its well-preserved architecture.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Cape May is that it is home to the country's oldest seashore resort, with its first hotel opening in 1816. Additionally, Cape May is renowned for its annual whale watching tours, which attract nature enthusiasts from around the region.

ZIP codes for Cape May, NJ (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
08204	Cape May	Cape May	View map

Demographics & statistics

17,392

Population

48.9

Median age

$76,624

Median household income

$46,580

Per capita income

$345,900

Median home value

$1,180

Median monthly rent

77.8%

Home ownership

8.3%

Poverty rate

5.6%

Unemployment

11,174

Housing units

35.9%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

418

Under 5

416

506

5–9

502

436

10–14

434

441

15–19

438

457

20–24

455

1,031

25–34

1,024

877

35–44

872

778

45–54

774

507

55–59

504

959

60–64

954

1,344

65–74

1,336

692

75–84

688

275

85+

274

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	3,264	18.8%
18 and over	14,128	81.2%
65 and over	4,609	26.5%
Median age	48.9 years

Race & ethnicity

White 85.6%

Two or more races 5.3%

Hispanic or Latino 4.2%

Other race 2.5%

Black or African American 1.5%

Asian 0.8%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	15,540	85.6%
Two or more races	965	5.3%
Hispanic or Latino	757	4.2%
Other race	461	2.5%
Black or African American	265	1.5%
Asian	149	0.8%
American Indian / Alaska Native	12	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 4.0%

$10k–$15k 4.2%

$15k–$25k 6.0%

$25k–$35k 10.1%

$35k–$50k 8.2%

$50k–$75k 16.5%

$75k–$100k 13.0%

$100k–$150k 19.2%

$150k–$200k 9.0%

$200k+ 9.8%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	4.0%
$10k–$15k	4.2%
$15k–$25k	6.0%
$25k–$35k	10.1%
$35k–$50k	8.2%
$50k–$75k	16.5%
$75k–$100k	13.0%
$100k–$150k	19.2%
$150k–$200k	9.0%
$200k+	9.8%
Median income	$76,624

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 3.5%

$50k–$100k 0.7%

$100k–$150k 1.5%

$150k–$200k 5.4%

$200k–$300k 29.7%

$300k–$500k 32.9%

$500k–$1M 21.1%

$1M+ 5.2%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$345,900
Median rent / month	$1,180
Owner occupied	77.8%
Renter occupied	22.2%
Vacant	39.6%
Single-family detached	74.0%
Large apartment buildings	3.8%
Mobile homes	2.4%
Median rooms	5.8
Avg household size (owned)	2.13

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.3%
2010–2019	3.1%
2000–2009	7.5%
1990–1999	11.0%
1980–1989	16.6%
1970–1979	21.0%
1960–1969	11.1%
1950–1959	12.8%
1940–1949	2.8%
1939 or earlier	13.8%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.1%
1 bedroom	6.4%
2 bedrooms	26.2%
3 bedrooms	41.2%
4 bedrooms	18.8%
5+ bedrooms	6.2%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	6.1%
1 vehicle	36.7%
2 vehicles	40.1%
3 or more	17.1%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	71.8%
Electricity	22.7%
Propane / LP gas	1.9%
Fuel oil	1.8%
Wood	0.4%
Solar	0.4%
No fuel used	0.6%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	3,808	48.9%
Cohabiting couple	324	4.2%
Male householder, no spouse	1,421	18.2%
Female householder, no spouse	2,234	28.7%
Households with children under 18	1,949	25.0%
Households with seniors (65+)	3,385	43.5%
Average household size	2.17

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	29.6%	17.8%
Married	56.8%	53.2%
Separated	0.7%	0.8%
Widowed	5.9%	14.9%
Divorced	7.0%	13.2%

Education

Less than 9th grade 2.1%

Some HS, no diploma 3.4%

HS graduate 30.8%

Some college, no degree 20.2%

Associate's degree 7.7%

Bachelor's degree 25.6%

Graduate / professional 10.3%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	94.5%
Bachelor's or higher	35.9%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	193	5.9%
Kindergarten	286	8.8%
Elementary school	1,375	42.3%
High school	779	23.9%
College / grad school	621	19.1%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 23.3%

Arts, food & hospitality 22.4%

Retail trade 10.8%

Construction 10.5%

Professional & management 9.4%

Public administration 7.2%

Finance & real estate 6.4%

Other services 3.3%

Transportation & utilities 2.2%

Manufacturing 1.3%

Wholesale trade 1.3%

Information 1.3%

Agriculture & mining 0.6%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	34.2%
Service	28.6%
Sales & office	18.5%
Natural resources & construction	10.4%
Production & transportation	8.3%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	71.6%
Government	19.9%
Self-employed	8.1%
Unpaid family workers	0.5%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	70.5%
Carpool	13.3%
Public transit	0.8%
Walk	5.4%
Other means	5.2%
Avg commute (minutes)	17.3

Poverty

All people 8.3%

Under 18 years 7.7%

18 and over 8.4%

Married-couple families 4.3%

Female-led households 0.8%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	47.6%
Retirement income	35.0%
Supplemental Security	5.6%
Cash public assistance	0.9%
Food stamps / SNAP	5.2%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	0.0%
High cholesterol	0.0%
Heart disease	7.6%
Stroke	3.2%
Asthma	9.6%
Arthritis	26.5%
Kidney disease	3.1%
Pulmonary disease	7.0%
Cancer	8.6%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	17.4%
No physical activity	20.0%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	29.9%
Fair or poor health	12.2%
Poor mental health	13.3%
Poor physical health	9.5%
No health insurance	11.1%
Visited doctor (checkup)	78.5%
Visited dentist	69.8%
Cholesterol screening	0.0%
Teeth loss	10.3%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	1,229	9.1%

Disability	%
Any disability	14.1%
Under 18	4.9%
18–64 years	9.9%
65 and over	29.3%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	70.8%
Public insurance	43.2%
Uninsured under 19	3.4%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	16,558	95.2%
Spanish	554	3.3%
Other Indo-European	248	1.5%
Asian & Pacific Islander	64	0.4%
Other languages	81	0.5%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	16,231	93.3%
Born in same state	15,842	91.1%
Born in different state	8,000	46.0%
Foreign born	389	2.2%
Naturalized citizen	1,161	6.7%
Not a US citizen	704	60.6%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	4,848	27.9%
French	2,124	12.2%
Arab	873	5%
English	291	1.7%
Polish	230	1.3%

Ancestry	Count	%
Irish	212	1.2%
Dutch	167	1%
German	54	0.3%
Norwegian	53	0.3%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	44.8%
Internet access	95.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Cape May, NJ have?

Cape May, NJ has one ZIP code: 08204. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.