Jap. fishing, 1908
Belmar’s story
137 years in pictures
Census counts: 902 in 1900, 5,907 in 2020. The archive holds 6 old photos and papers going back to 1908 and 8 maps from 1888 on.
- 1889Belmar is settled
Photo: Dough4872 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Population
5,853
2025 Census estimate · −0.9% since 2020
Typical home
$1.02M
+8.5% in a year
Household income
$94K
median
Median age
49.5
years
Jobs based here
2,455
Balanced
TownGrade
B−
#303 of 466 in NJ
What should you know before moving to Belmar?
Belmar's standout: it is easier to get around on foot or by transit than 98% of U.S. towns. Overall it grades B−, 303rd among New Jersey's 466 graded towns. Residents are healthier than 91% of U.S. towns on CDC estimates and 7% of its land is conserved. Its weakest subject is cost of living: the typical home is worth about $1.0 million, 10.3 years of the New York metro’s $99K median household income. Belmar’s trail density is 1.3 miles per square mile, where New Jersey’s towns sit at 0.7 and U.S. towns at 0.4. The biggest park or preserve is Maclearie Park, at 20 acres.
What makes Belmar stand out
Where Belmar beats most towns.
How Belmar grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within New Jersey), ordered by how far Belmar is from typical.
Its grades run from A+ for walkability (better than 98% of comparable towns) to D− for cost of living (better than 2%), so the B− overall blends very different results.
WalkabilityEPA walkability 13.4 of 20; 10% of households have no carA+Open →Cost of livingD−Open →HealthJersey Shore University Medical Center 2.8 miles awayAOpen →Jobs & income$94K median household incomeBOpen →Hazard riskFEMA risk higher than 43% of U.S. communities; strong wind tops the listBOpen →SafetyB−Open →SchoolsB−Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
Outdoors2 miles of trailsAOpen →History7 notable people born hereB−Open →Civic life4 library visits per resident; 4.2 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsBOpen →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
How TownRatings grades towns →
Nearby attractions
All 585 attractions →Madison Square Garden and 306 more within 40 miles
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Belmar. Close and well known come first.
Big draw40 mi Stadium & arenaMadison Square Garden
Big draw27 mi BeachConey Island
Big draw37 mi MuseumNational September 11 Memorial & Museum
Big draw35 mi Stadium & arenaBarclays Center
Big draw22 mi Theme parkSix Flags Great Adventure2.2M visitors a year
Big draw39 mi GardenHigh Line5.0M visitors a yearSources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons
Photo credits
Madison Square Garden: Ajay Suresh from New York, NY, USA, CC BY 2.0 · Coney Island: OptimumPx, Public domain · National September 11 Memorial & Museum: Paul Sableman, CC BY 2.0 · Barclays Center: Ajay Suresh from New York, NY, USA, CC BY 2.0 · Six Flags Great Adventure: Unknown, CC BY-SA 2.5 · High Line: Wil Fyfordy, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Getting set up
The full setup list →Moving to Belmar: who provides what
Who provides power, water and the rest in Belmar, and how to reach them.
PowerJCP&L18.4¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterBelmar Water Dept1 health-based violation in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet4 providers99% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpBelmar Recycling CenterTown pickupTown site
Register to voteOnlineIn New Jersey you can register online until 21 days before Election Day, in person until 21 days before Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 21 days before).vote.govWho runs elections hereMonmouth County ClerkMonmouth County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Aug 2023
ZIP code0771907719 100%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Belmar.
Belmar is a second-home town and is safe by national standards but not by New Jersey’s; it also has homes that cost more against local pay than most of New Jersey.
HousingCost of living grade D−
For cost of living, Belmar earns a D−
At 10.3 years of the New York metro’s $99K median household income, the typical home (about $1.02M) costs more against local pay than in 89% of New Jersey towns; that ratio is one input to its D− for cost of living.
57% of households own their home in Belmar, below both New Jersey’s towns (77%) and U.S. towns (73%). Typical home values rose 8.5% in the year to September 2026. The median rent in Belmar is $1,744 a month.
$1.02MZillow home value
| Belmar | New Jersey towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households that own their home | 57% | 77% | 73% |
| Median rent | $1,744 a month | $1,780 a month | $1,185 a month |
Typical home value
Belmar$1.02M
New Jersey$575K
Market temperature
13
days on market
99.8%
sale-to-list price
+8.5%
value change, 1 year
6
homes sold in May
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
SchoolsB−
Belmar’s schools rank behind 55% of New Jersey districts
Its public schools are run by the Belmar Elementary School District. Two of its 4 schools are below, each with why it’s listed.
45%of NJ districts it outscoresB−School Grade
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belmar ElementaryLargest public elementary schoolGrades PK–8 | Grades PK–8 | 400 | B− |
| St. Rose High School PrivateLargest high schoolGrades 9–12 | Grades 9–12 | 394 | – |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within NJ on state tests
#102for trails in NJ
6.9%
conserved · 71 of 1,029 acres
2.0 mi
of trails · 1.3 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Maclearie Park | 0.8 mi | 20 |
| 2. Three Acre Park | — | 3 |
| 3. Dempsey Park | — | 3 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
HealthA
For health, Belmar earns an A
Within New Jersey it is healthier than 60% of the 468 graded towns: New Jersey sets a high bar. Its widest gap with New Jersey is food insecurity: 9.2% of its 5,105 adults worry about having enough food, against 14.3% statewide.
28% of Belmar adults feel lonely. Belmar beats the New Jersey average on 13 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 1. 15% of Belmar adults have been diagnosed with depression.
91%healthier than U.S. townsAHealth Grade
| Belmar | New Jersey towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feel lonely (CDC PLACES) | 28% | 32% | 33% |
| Depression (CDC PLACES) | 15% | 16% | 23% |
| Sleep under 7 hours (CDC PLACES) | 32% | 36% | 36% |
| Get no exercise (CDC PLACES) | 19% | 22% | 25% |
32 measures vs. New Jersey
13 better18 too close to call1 worse
| What stands out | Belmar | NJ |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults facing food insecurity | 9.2% | 14.3% |
| Fewer adults facing housing insecurity | 8.5% | 12.3% |
| More adults who have had cancer | 8.9% | 7.5% |
Jersey Shore University Medical Center
In Neptune · emergency room
None
primary care, dental or mental-health shortage
60th
percentile among NJ towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Who lives here
Fewer children than New Jersey overall
17.1% of homes are seasonal or vacation homes, against 3.4% statewide, which helps explain the older median age.
Children under 18 are 12% of residents (22% statewide); adults 35 to 64 are 46% of residents (40% statewide). 54% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree or more in Belmar.
49.5median age · NJ 40.1
| Belmar | New Jersey towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 18 | 12% | 21% | 22% |
| Median age | 49.5 years | 42 years | 40.5 years |
| Bachelor’s degree or more, 25+ | 54% | 45% | 29% |
| Aged 65 or older | 20% | 18% | 18% |
BelmarNew JerseyUnited States
Ages · share of residents
21%
Education · adults 25 and older
No diploma8%
High school11%
Some college19%
Associate’s8%
Bachelor’s40%
Graduate13%
Women and men · all residents
41% women, 59% men
About 143 men for every 100 women (the survey’s margin: ±4.7 points). Across New Jersey, 50.8% of residents are women. Among residents 18 to 24, 82% are men (NJ 51%).
| Belmar | NJ | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 6.8% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| 10 to 17 | 5.2% | 10.2% | 10.3% |
| 18 to 24 | 5.1% | 8.4% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 34 | 16.9% | 12.9% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 | 12.1% | 13.3% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 12.8% | 12.9% | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 20.9% | 13.5% | 12.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 14.9% | 10% | 10.2% |
| 75 and older | 5.4% | 7.2% | 7% |
| No diploma | 7.9% | 9.3% | 10.4% |
| High school | 11.3% | 25.3% | 26% |
| Some college | 19% | 15% | 19.1% |
| Associate’s | 8.3% | 6.7% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s | 40.3% | 26.1% | 21.6% |
| Graduate | 13.3% | 17.6% | 14.1% |
U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Climate
In Belmar, expect four seasons and pleasant summers
Belmar has chilly winters and warm summers, with plenty of rain. July afternoons reach 85° and January nights drop to 26°.
85°summer high
Typical low → high °F
Winter28–44°
Spring42–60°
Summer65–82°
Fall49–66°
Nov 3
typical first frost
Apr 9
typical last frost
+2.3°
vs. the 20th-century average
85°
typical summer high
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Work & commuteJobs & income grade B
Most working residents commute out of Belmar
Belmar has about as many jobs (2,455) as working residents, but only 164 people both live and work here. Jobs based here grew from 1,026 in 2013 to 2,455.
Most working residents leave Belmar for work: only 6% work in town. Jobs based in Belmar grew to 2,455 in 2023, 1,429 more than in 2013. Belmar’s average trip to work is 32 minutes.
6%work in town
| Belmar | New Jersey towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average trip to work | 32 minutes | 30 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Median household income | $94,000 | $113,000 | $80,000 |
| Work from home | 17% | 16% | 11% |
| Below the poverty line | 7.7% | 6% | 9.6% |
Where working residents work
In Belmar6%
Wall Township8%
New York6%
Neptune Township4%
Toms River Township2%
17 mi
median commute distance
2,455
jobs based in Belmar
Balanced
jobs vs. working residents
A+
Walkability grade: more walkable than 98% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade B
Moderate risk in Belmar, with strong wind at the top
431 flood insurance claims have been filed here, and 35 properties have flooded more than once.
Expected storm and flood damage is lower than in 57% of U.S. communities. Since 1978, 431 flood insurance claims have been paid out in Belmar.
43risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Strong windInland floodingHurricanes
431
paid flood claims since 1978
2
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
SafetyB−
Crime per resident in Belmar is higher than in 55% of U.S. towns
At 20.8 crimes per 1,000 residents a year, it reports more crime than 74% of New Jersey’s graded towns.
45%of U.S. towns report more crimeB−Safety Grade
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Belmar1.4
New Jersey2
U.S.3.3
Property crime per 1,000 residents
Belmar12.7
New Jersey12.7
U.S.15.5
45th
percentile among U.S. towns we grade
26th
percentile among NJ towns
8
violent crimes reported in 2025
74
property crimes reported in 2025
FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Belmar
20pages on Belmar
The big questions
SchoolsB−Behind 55% of NJ districts · 4 schoolsSafetyB−1.4 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2025)HealthABetter than NJ on 13 of 32 CDC measuresCost of livingD−$1.02M typical home · up 8.5% in a yearWork & commuteB$94K median household income · 2,455 jobs hereNatural hazardsBFEMA risk higher than 43% of U.S. communities · strong wind
Out and about
The story
After high school
Colleges nearby
23 within 15 miles of the center of Belmar
Monmouth UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · West Long Branch7 mi$46,552 tuitionKeser Torah-Mayan HatalmudUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · Lakewood9.5 mi$12,460 tuitionBrookdale Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · Lincroft11.5 mi$6,270 in-state tuition
About 5 of every 100 Belmar residents are enrolled in college, about the same as New Jersey.
Famous people from Belmar
7 notable people were born in Belmar.
T
Tom McGowanActor · born 1959
D
Dave RibleAmerican politician · born 1967
About Belmar
Borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, US
Belmar is a borough located on the Jersey Shore in Monmouth County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 5,907, an increase of 113 (+2.0%) from the 2010 census count of 5,794, which in turn reflected a decline of 251 (−4.2%) from the 6,045 counted in the 2000 census. What is now Belmar was originally incorporated as Ocean Beach borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 9, 1885, from portions of Wall Township, based on the results of a referendum held two days earlier. On April 16, 1889, it became the City of Elcho borough, which lasted for a few weeks until the name was changed to the City of Belmar Borough on May …
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Area
- 1.6 sq mi
- Elevation
- 13 ft
- ZIP code
- 07715, 07719
Belmar’s neighbors
7 towns share a border with Belmar.
Neptune TownshipAvon-by-the-SeaShark River HillsWall TownshipWest BelmarLake ComoSpring LakeBelmar
How the neighbors grade
| Town | NJ rank | Overall | Cost | Safety | Schools | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belmar | #303 | B− | D− | B− | B− | A |
| Neptune Township | #428 | D | D− | D | D− | B+ |
| Avon-by-the-Sea | — | — | D− | B | A | A+ |
| Shark River Hills | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Wall Township | #198 | B+ | D | B | B | A |
| West Belmar | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Lake Como | — | — | D− | — | — | A− |
| Spring Lake | #61 | A | D− | B | A+ | A+ |
Avon-by-the-Sea and Lake Como have fewer than 2,500 residents, so they get subject grades but no overall grade. Lake Como reports no FBI crime data of its own. Shark River Hills and West Belmar aren’t graded (fewer than 1,000 residents, or not enough data). Compare Belmar with a neighbor →
Questions about Belmar
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Belmar, NJ a good place to live?
Belmar grades B− overall, better than 48% of U.S. towns and #303 of 466 in New Jersey. It grades A for health, B− for safety and B− for schools. Cost of living is its weak spot, with a D−.
Is Belmar, NJ expensive?
Yes. Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades D−.
What is Belmar, NJ known for?
7 notable people were born here, including Tom McGowan and Marina Mabrey.