Rio Grande ZIP Codes — Cape May County, NJ

There is one unique ZIP code in Rio Grande, New Jersey and it is 08242. Area code: 609.
1
ZIP codes
4.76
sq mi land
0.05
sq mi water
609
area code
Rio Grande, NJ ZIP code map

About Rio Grande, NJ

Rio Grande, New Jersey, is a small but vibrant community located in Cape May County. Known for its proximity to popular coastal destinations, it serves as a gateway for tourists heading to nearby beaches. The city's charming atmosphere and local amenities provide a welcoming environment for residents and visitors alike.

Location & geography

Situated in southern New Jersey, Rio Grande is conveniently located near major roads and attractions. It is positioned approximately 5 miles from Wildwood, 7 miles from Cape May, and about 10 miles from Stone Harbor. The city encompasses a land area of 4.76 square miles, with a small water area of 0.05 square miles, contributing to its picturesque landscape.

Community & economy

The character of Rio Grande is defined by its friendly residents and strong community spirit. Its economy is supported primarily by tourism, with many visitors drawn to the nearby beaches and recreational activities. Daily life in Rio Grande often involves enjoying local parks, restaurants, and the close-knit community events that are a regular part of the town's calendar.

Transportation

Rio Grande is accessible via major highways, with Route 47 serving as a key thoroughfare through the area. The nearest airport is Cape May Airport, located approximately 6 miles away, providing essential connectivity for residents and visitors. Public transportation options are limited, but the town's layout encourages car travel and cycling.

History

Rio Grande was established in the late 19th century, initially thriving on agriculture and small enterprises. Over the years, it transitioned into a commuter town for those working in tourism-related industries in nearby shore points. Significant events have shaped its development, particularly the growth of the tourism sector in the post-World War II era, which continues to define its economy.

Did you know?

An interesting fact about Rio Grande is that it serves as a convenient hub for accessing the scenic Cape May County Park & Zoo, which is just a short drive away. This makes it a hidden gem for families looking to explore local wildlife and nature.

ZIP codes for Rio Grande, NJ (1)
ZIP code City County Map
08242 Rio Grande Cape May View map

Demographics & statistics

3,726
Population
51.8
Median age
$88,853
Median household income
$45,439
Per capita income
$314,700
Median home value
$1,704
Median monthly rent
73.9%
Home ownership
4.7%
Poverty rate
18.0%
Unemployment
1,665
Housing units
26.1%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
56
Under 5
60
85
5–9
92
126
10–14
134
59
15–19
64
71
20–24
75
119
25–34
128
241
35–44
257
271
45–54
290
80
55–59
85
155
60–64
166
389
65–74
416
127
75–84
136
21
85+
23
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 1867618.1%
18 and over3,05081.9%
65 and over1,11229.8%
Median age51.8 years

Race & ethnicity

White 58.4%
Hispanic or Latino 14.8%
Other race 10.5%
Two or more races 8.5%
Black or African American 7.3%
Asian 0.5%
GroupCount%
White2,55458.4%
Hispanic or Latino64614.8%
Other race45710.5%
Two or more races3718.5%
Black or African American3207.3%
Asian240.5%

Household income

Under $10k 1.9%
$10k–$15k 2.2%
$15k–$25k 7.1%
$25k–$35k 9.8%
$35k–$50k 12.4%
$50k–$75k 11.9%
$75k–$100k 26.1%
$100k–$150k 17.2%
$150k–$200k 4.0%
$200k+ 7.4%
Range% of households
Under $10k1.9%
$10k–$15k2.2%
$15k–$25k7.1%
$25k–$35k9.8%
$35k–$50k12.4%
$50k–$75k11.9%
$75k–$100k26.1%
$100k–$150k17.2%
$150k–$200k4.0%
$200k+7.4%
Median income$88,853

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 4.2%
$50k–$100k 1.5%
$100k–$150k 4.0%
$150k–$200k 5.7%
$200k–$300k 29.0%
$300k–$500k 51.2%
$500k–$1M 3.2%
$1M+ 1.2%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$314,700
Median rent / month$1,704
Owner occupied73.9%
Renter occupied26.1%
Vacant17.4%
Single-family detached50.6%
Large apartment buildings1.0%
Mobile homes22.1%
Median rooms5.9
Avg household size (owned)2.23

Year built

Era%
2020 or later2.4%
2010–201920.4%
2000–200924.5%
1990–19992.4%
1980–19899.9%
1970–197922.6%
1960–19699.6%
1950–19594.9%
1940–19492.6%
1939 or earlier0.6%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)0.0%
1 bedroom2.6%
2 bedrooms28.7%
3 bedrooms55.9%
4 bedrooms9.4%
5+ bedrooms3.3%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle6.6%
1 vehicle39.5%
2 vehicles39.2%
3 or more14.8%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Utility gas78.0%
Electricity8.5%
Propane / LP gas12.5%
Solar1.0%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family74242.3%
Cohabiting couple1196.8%
Male householder, no spouse25414.5%
Female householder, no spouse63936.4%
Households with children under 1829917.0%
Households with seniors (65+)78744.9%
Average household size2.10

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married33.3%17.7%
Married54.6%49.6%
Separated3.4%0.0%
Widowed4.6%11.9%
Divorced4.1%20.8%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.2%
Some HS, no diploma 9.1%
HS graduate 34.2%
Some college, no degree 22.9%
Associate's degree 4.5%
Bachelor's degree 10.6%
Graduate / professional 15.5%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher87.7%
Bachelor's or higher26.1%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool00.0%
Kindergarten8013.2%
Elementary school33254.6%
High school14824.3%
College / grad school487.9%

Employment

Industry of employment

Public administration 20.6%
Construction 20.1%
Arts, food & hospitality 16.0%
Professional & management 12.7%
Education & healthcare 10.3%
Retail trade 8.8%
Other services 4.3%
Transportation & utilities 2.6%
Finance & real estate 2.5%
Information 1.5%
Manufacturing 0.8%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts39.8%
Service25.0%
Sales & office12.2%
Natural resources & construction19.6%
Production & transportation3.5%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector57.5%
Government35.9%
Self-employed6.5%
Unpaid family workers0.0%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone79.6%
Carpool3.9%
Public transit0.6%
Walk7.1%
Other means5.0%
Avg commute (minutes)17.8

Poverty

All people 4.7%
Under 18 years 0.0%
18 and over 5.7%
Married-couple families 2.3%
Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security53.5%
Retirement income42.9%
Supplemental Security14.8%
Cash public assistance3.2%
Food stamps / SNAP10.6%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure0.0%
High cholesterol0.0%
Heart disease8.8%
Stroke4.1%
Asthma10.7%
Arthritis28.2%
Kidney disease3.6%
Pulmonary disease9.5%
Cancer7.6%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking16.9%
No physical activity26.1%
Less than 7 hrs sleep33.7%
Fair or poor health17.5%
Poor mental health15.6%
Poor physical health12.3%
No health insurance15.5%
Visited doctor (checkup)77.9%
Visited dentist59.1%
Cholesterol screening0.0%
Teeth loss16.2%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans40313.2%
Disability%
Any disability25.3%
Under 1816.4%
18–64 years27.0%
65 and over27.8%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance56.7%
Public insurance66.1%
Uninsured under 193.8%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only3,61096.9%
Spanish2496.9%
Other Indo-European2496.9%
Asian & Pacific Islander00.0%
Other languages00.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)3,53895.0%
Born in same state3,19785.8%
Born in different state1,74946.9%
Foreign born3419.2%
Naturalized citizen1885.0%
Not a US citizen6534.6%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
Italian90524.3%
French47412.7%
Arab1453.9%
AncestryCount%
Irish481.3%
English160.4%
Norwegian70.2%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access47.1%
Internet access93.8%

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

Frequently asked questions
What ZIP codes does Rio Grande, NJ have?
Rio Grande, NJ has one ZIP code: 08242. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.
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