Forked River ZIP Codes — Ocean County, NJ

There is one unique ZIP code in Forked River, New Jersey and it is 08731. Area code: 609.

ZIP codes

78.12

sq mi land

2.23

sq mi water

609

area code

Forked River, NJ ZIP code map

About Forked River, NJ

Forked River, New Jersey, is a charming unincorporated community nestled within Ocean County. It offers a blend of scenic beauty and small-town charm, making it an attractive destination for residents and visitors alike. Located near the Jersey Shore, Forked River provides access to numerous recreational activities and outdoor adventures.

Location & geography

Forked River is situated in the southeastern part of New Jersey, approximately 5 miles north of the bustling coastal town of Lacey Township. The area is characterized by its vast land area of 78.12 square miles, contrasted with a water area of 2.23 square miles, which includes several nearby lakes and rivers. Its terrain features a mix of pine barrens, wetlands, and proximity to Barnegat Bay, enhancing the area's natural beauty.

Community & economy

The character of Forked River is defined by its tight-knit community and laid-back atmosphere, often appealing to families and retirees. The local economy benefits from a mix of residential services, retail businesses, and tourism related to the nearby waterfront. Daily life in Forked River includes strong community involvement, outdoor activities, and local events reminiscent of small-town Americana.

Transportation

Transportation in Forked River is accessible via major routes, including U.S. Route 9, which facilitates travel to neighboring towns and the New Jersey Turnpike. The nearest significant airports include Atlantic City International Airport, located about 35 miles south. Public transit options are limited, but local bus services connect residents to surrounding areas and conveniences.

History

Forked River was established as a community in the early 18th century and has since evolved into a quaint residential area within Ocean County. Historically, the region thrived on industries such as shipbuilding and fishing, thanks to its strategic water access. Over the years, Forked River has maintained its rural charm while developing into a sought-after residential area along the Jersey Shore.

Did you know?

One little-known fact about Forked River is its proximity to the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, which is a fantastic spot for bird watching and outdoor activities. Additionally, the community is named for the intersecting rivers that flow through the area, creating beautiful natural landscapes.

ZIP codes for Forked River, NJ (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
08731	Forked River	Ocean	View map

Demographics & statistics

21,164

Population

45.6

Median age

$91,815

Median household income

$47,670

Per capita income

$330,600

Median home value

$2,016

Median monthly rent

84.6%

Home ownership

4.4%

Poverty rate

5.2%

Unemployment

8,169

Housing units

29.5%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

602

Under 5

617

359

5–9

368

537

10–14

550

704

15–19

721

695

20–24

711

1,241

25–34

1,271

982

35–44

1,006

1,572

45–54

1,608

651

55–59

666

811

60–64

830

1,414

65–74

1,448

606

75–84

621

283

85+

290

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	3,890	18.4%
18 and over	17,274	81.6%
65 and over	4,662	22.0%
Median age	45.6 years

Race & ethnicity

White 85.7%

Hispanic or Latino 5.4%

Two or more races 4.7%

Other race 2%

Black or African American 1.3%

Asian 0.6%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.4%

Group	Count	%
White	19,170	85.7%
Hispanic or Latino	1,207	5.4%
Two or more races	1,054	4.7%
Other race	437	2%
Black or African American	284	1.3%
Asian	132	0.6%
American Indian / Alaska Native	87	0.4%

Household income

Under $10k 2.7%

$10k–$15k 1.5%

$15k–$25k 4.5%

$25k–$35k 3.7%

$35k–$50k 6.9%

$50k–$75k 19.2%

$75k–$100k 15.6%

$100k–$150k 24.6%

$150k–$200k 10.6%

$200k+ 10.7%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	2.7%
$10k–$15k	1.5%
$15k–$25k	4.5%
$25k–$35k	3.7%
$35k–$50k	6.9%
$50k–$75k	19.2%
$75k–$100k	15.6%
$100k–$150k	24.6%
$150k–$200k	10.6%
$200k+	10.7%
Median income	$91,815

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 6.4%

$50k–$100k 1.1%

$100k–$150k 1.2%

$150k–$200k 4.9%

$200k–$300k 29.0%

$300k–$500k 38.5%

$500k–$1M 17.9%

$1M+ 1.1%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$330,600
Median rent / month	$2,016
Owner occupied	84.6%
Renter occupied	15.4%
Vacant	10.7%
Single-family detached	96.7%
Large apartment buildings	1.2%
Mobile homes	0.0%
Median rooms	6.1
Avg household size (owned)	2.47

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	6.0%
2000–2009	10.0%
1990–1999	9.8%
1980–1989	24.7%
1970–1979	31.0%
1960–1969	10.4%
1950–1959	5.8%
1940–1949	1.0%
1939 or earlier	1.4%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	3.3%
2 bedrooms	21.3%
3 bedrooms	50.8%
4 bedrooms	20.9%
5+ bedrooms	3.7%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	3.4%
1 vehicle	25.7%
2 vehicles	39.3%
3 or more	31.6%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	87.6%
Electricity	7.3%
Propane / LP gas	1.3%
Fuel oil	1.7%
Wood	0.7%
Solar	0.5%
No fuel used	0.8%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	4,514	53.4%
Cohabiting couple	425	5.0%
Male householder, no spouse	1,303	15.4%
Female householder, no spouse	2,212	26.2%
Households with children under 18	2,074	24.5%
Households with seniors (65+)	3,476	41.1%
Average household size	2.50

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	33.7%	25.2%
Married	52.6%	49.9%
Separated	1.2%	1.1%
Widowed	4.5%	10.2%
Divorced	8.0%	13.7%

Education

Less than 9th grade 2.7%

Some HS, no diploma 4.5%

HS graduate 33.3%

Some college, no degree 18.8%

Associate's degree 11.1%

Bachelor's degree 21.8%

Graduate / professional 7.8%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	92.7%
Bachelor's or higher	29.5%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	143	3.1%
Kindergarten	80	1.7%
Elementary school	1,642	35.0%
High school	1,252	26.7%
College / grad school	1,571	33.5%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 29.0%

Professional & management 12.7%

Retail trade 11.8%

Construction 9.6%

Arts, food & hospitality 7.0%

Public administration 5.6%

Finance & real estate 5.3%

Other services 5.2%

Manufacturing 4.6%

Transportation & utilities 4.5%

Wholesale trade 2.5%

Information 1.7%

Agriculture & mining 0.5%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	38.1%
Service	16.6%
Sales & office	22.2%
Natural resources & construction	13.6%
Production & transportation	9.6%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	74.6%
Government	20.9%
Self-employed	4.4%
Unpaid family workers	0.1%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	77.6%
Carpool	7.3%
Public transit	1.0%
Walk	1.0%
Other means	1.3%
Avg commute (minutes)	32.6

Poverty

All people 4.4%

Under 18 years 1.5%

18 and over 5.0%

Married-couple families 0.5%

Female-led households 8.8%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	42.3%
Retirement income	33.0%
Supplemental Security	2.6%
Cash public assistance	1.1%
Food stamps / SNAP	0.9%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	0.0%
High cholesterol	0.0%
Heart disease	6.3%
Stroke	2.8%
Asthma	10.3%
Arthritis	24.6%
Kidney disease	2.7%
Pulmonary disease	6.3%
Cancer	7.1%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	17.9%
No physical activity	19.7%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	35.1%
Fair or poor health	11.5%
Poor mental health	14.4%
Poor physical health	9.2%
No health insurance	11.6%
Visited doctor (checkup)	76.8%
Visited dentist	67.0%
Cholesterol screening	0.0%
Teeth loss	11.4%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	1,126	6.5%

Disability	%
Any disability	13.1%
Under 18	2.7%
18–64 years	10.1%
65 and over	30.0%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	81.6%
Public insurance	32.3%
Uninsured under 19	2.4%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	19,945	94.2%
Spanish	339	1.7%
Other Indo-European	113	0.6%
Asian & Pacific Islander	133	0.7%
Other languages	75	0.4%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	19,803	93.6%
Born in same state	19,616	92.7%
Born in different state	16,179	76.4%
Foreign born	187	0.9%
Naturalized citizen	1,361	6.4%
Not a US citizen	958	70.4%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	5,041	23.8%
French	1,956	9.2%
Arab	843	4%
Irish	293	1.4%
Polish	269	1.3%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	165	0.8%
Norwegian	116	0.5%
Dutch	98	0.5%
German	53	0.3%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	39.9%
Internet access	95.8%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Forked River, NJ have?

Forked River, NJ has one ZIP code: 08731. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.