ManahawkinTarget, 2008
Manahawkin’s story
207 years in pictures
Census counts: 1,278 in 1970, 2,413 in 2020. The archive holds 6 old photos and papers going back to 2008 and 5 maps from 1888 on.
- 1819Manahawkin is settled
ManahawkinNJ
1 bordering townMap →
Photo: LancerE · CC BY 2.0
Population
2,392
Census survey, 2020–24
Typical home
$609K
+5.2% in a year
Household income
$77K
median
Median age
48.6
years
Jobs based here
1,978
A job hub
Settled
1819
207 years ago
Is Manahawkin a good place to live?
13% of residents are under 18 in Manahawkin, where New Jersey’s towns sit at 21% and U.S. towns at 22%. 33% of the land in Manahawkin is conserved, above both New Jersey’s towns (11%) and U.S. towns (4.3%). The biggest park or preserve is Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, at 84 acres. We don’t grade Manahawkin yet; the figures below are still real.
What makes Manahawkin stand out
Where Manahawkin beats most towns.
By the sea
Manahawkin lives by the ocean
Coastal flooding makes up 26% of the storm damage FEMA expects here.
26%of expected storm damage is coastal flooding
99thpercentile for coastal flood risk nationally
81stpercentile for hurricane risk
On the water
- Beach Avenue Park
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA · OpenStreetMap
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Manahawkin.
Work & commute
Manahawkin has 1.8 jobs for every working resident, and 1,904 people commute in
7%work in town
Manahawkin’s typical household income comes in at $77,000. Commuting out is the norm here: 7% of working residents work locally. Jobs based here fell to 1,978 in 2023, 296 fewer than in 2013. The share of residents in Manahawkin who live below the poverty line: 4.9%.
| Manahawkin | New Jersey towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $77,000 | $113,000 | $80,000 |
| Below the poverty line | 4.9% | 6.1% | 9.6% |
| Average trip to work | 28 minutes | 30 minutes | 25 minutes |
Where working residents work
In Manahawkin7%
Stafford Township19%
Toms River Township5%
Barnegat Township3%
Long Beach Township3%
25 mi
median commute distance
1,978
jobs based in Manahawkin
A job hub
jobs vs. working residents
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
Outdoors
In Manahawkin, nearly a third of the land is conserved
32.8%conserved
Manahawkin’s trail network density stands at 0.3 miles per square mile. Count the trails in 6 parks and preserves and they come to 0.5 miles. Also worth knowing: the biggest park or preserve is Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, at 84 acres.
32.8%
conserved · 405 of 1,233 acres
0.5 mi
of trails · 0.3 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Manahawkin Lake Park | 0.5 mi | 6 |
| 2. Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge | — | 84 |
| 3. Manahawkin Wildlife Management Area | — | 6 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
Natural hazards
Manahawkin faces a high natural-hazard risk, led by inland flooding
69risk score of 100
Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 69% of U.S. communities. Just over two fifths of Manahawkin’s expected losses from natural hazards come from inland flooding, followed by coastal flooding at 26%.
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingCoastal floodingStrong wind
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
Who lives here
Fewer children than New Jersey overall
48.6median age · NJ 40.1
Four-year graduates: 38% of adults 25 and older here, 44% across New Jersey. In Manahawkin, the median age is 48.6 years.
| Manahawkin | New Jersey towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 48.6 years | 42 years | 40.5 years |
| Bachelor’s degree or more, 25+ | 38% | 45% | 29% |
ManahawkinNew JerseyUnited States
Ages · share of residents
19%
Education · adults 25 and older
No diploma10%
High school24%
Some college21%
Associate’s8%
Bachelor’s19%
Graduate18%
Women and men · all residents
50% women, 50% men
That’s an even split within the survey’s margin of ±7 points. Across New Jersey, 50.8% of residents are women.
| Manahawkin | NJ | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 7.9% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| 10 to 17 | 5.2% | 10.2% | 10.3% |
| 18 to 24 | 7.1% | 8.4% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 34 | 14.5% | 12.9% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 | 13.3% | 13.3% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 8.9% | 12.9% | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 19.3% | 13.5% | 12.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 12.5% | 10% | 10.2% |
| 75 and older | 11.3% | 7.2% | 7% |
| No diploma | 9.7% | 9.3% | 10.4% |
| High school | 23.5% | 25.3% | 26% |
| Some college | 21.1% | 15% | 19.1% |
| Associate’s | 7.9% | 6.7% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s | 19.4% | 26.1% | 21.6% |
| Graduate | 18.3% | 17.6% | 14.1% |
U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates · in a town of 2,400, single groups can be off by several points
Climate
Manahawkin: four seasons and pleasant summers
10″snow a winter
In Manahawkin, the peak summer temperature is 84°F.
Typical low → high °F
Winter28–44°
Spring42–60°
Summer65–82°
Fall49–66°
Nov 15
typical first frost
Apr 1
typical last frost
+2.2°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Health
How healthy Manahawkin is
Manahawkin: 15% of adults say their health is fair or poor. 16% of adults here have been diagnosed with depression; 14% report frequent mental distress.
| Manahawkin | New Jersey towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feel lonely (CDC PLACES) | 29% | 32% | 33% |
| Depression (CDC PLACES) | 16% | 16% | 23% |
| Frequent mental distress (CDC PLACES) | 14% | 15% | 17% |
| Obesity (CDC PLACES) | 28% | 28% | 35% |
32 measures vs. New Jersey
5 better24 too close to call3 worse
| What stands out | Manahawkin | NJ |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults facing food insecurity | 9.7% | 14.3% |
| Fewer adults facing housing insecurity | 8.8% | 12.3% |
| More older adults who have lost all their teeth | 13.8% | 9.6% |
Southern Ocean Medical Center
3 mi away · emergency room
None
primary care, dental or mental-health shortage
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Housing
The typical home in Manahawkin is valued at about $609K
$609KZillow home value
The typical rent for Manahawkin comes to $1,730 a month. Over the 12 months to September 2026, the typical home gained 5.2% in value. A home in Manahawkin typically sold within 60 days of listing.
| Manahawkin | New Jersey towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $1,730 a month | $1,778 a month | $1,185 a month |
| Households that own their home | 80% | 77% | 73% |
Typical home value
Manahawkin$609K
New Jersey$575K
Market temperature
60
days on market
96.9%
sale-to-list price
+5.2%
value change, 1 year
5
homes sold in September
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Manahawkin
17pages on Manahawkin
The big questions
Out and about
Nearby attractions
All 185 attractions →Pine Barrens and 23 more within 40 miles
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Manahawkin. Close and well known come first.
Big draw27 mi Park & preservePine Barrens
Big draw33 mi Theme parkSix Flags Great Adventure2.2M visitors a year4 mi BeachLong Beach Island
25 mi Stadium & arenaBoardwalk Hall
29 mi LandmarkLucy the Elephant
9 mi LighthouseBarnegat LighthouseSources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons
Photo credits
Pine Barrens: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Six Flags Great Adventure: Unknown, CC BY-SA 2.5 · Boardwalk Hall: Jack Boucher, Public domain · Lucy the Elephant: User:dtcdthingy 3:30 pm 30th July 2004 (Minolta Dimage X20), Public domain · Barnegat Lighthouse: L'Aquatique, CC BY-SA 3.0
Getting set up
Moving to Manahawkin: who provides what
Manahawkin is unincorporated, so Ocean County and regional agencies provide most services.
PowerAtlantic City Electric25.8¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterStafford Twp Water - Beach Haven WestNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet4 providers100% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & county servicesOcean CountyOcean County provides services here
SchoolsSouthern Region School DistrictStafford Township School District2 districts serve Manahawkin; which school depends on your address and gradeNCES
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 hereOcean County ClerkOcean County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Jul 2026
ZIP code0805008050 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.
A job hub
Every workday, about 1,904 people come to Manahawkin for work
Where Manahawkin’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
1,978jobs based in Manahawkin
7%of working residents work in town
25 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
After high school
Colleges nearby
None within 15 miles of Manahawkin; the nearest are
Stockton UniversityUniversity or college · Public · Galloway20.6 mi$16,266 in-state tuitionOcean County CollegeCommunity college · Public · Toms River22.3 mi$4,906 in-state tuition
About 5 of every 100 Manahawkin residents are enrolled in college, about the same as New Jersey.
Famous people from Manahawkin
3 notable people were born in Manahawkin.
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About Manahawkin
Populated place in Ocean County, New Jersey, US
Manahawkin is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located within Stafford Township, in Ocean County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the CDP's population was 2,413, its highest decennial count ever and an increase of 110 (+4.8%) from the 2,303 recorded at the 2010 census, which in turn had reflected an increase of 299 (+14.9%) from the 2,004 counted at the 2000 census. Manahawkin has been thought to be a Lenape word meaning "land of good corn", although this has been disputed by recent scholars claiming that it translates to "fertile land sloping into the water." Manahawkin is the gateway to the resort communities on Long Beach…
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Area
- 1.9 sq mi
- Elevation
- 23 ft
- ZIP code
- 08050
- Area code
- 609
Manahawkin’s neighbors
One town shares a border with Manahawkin.
Beach Haven WestManahawkin
How the neighbors grade
| Town | NJ rank | Overall | Cost | Safety | Schools | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manahawkin | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Beach Haven West | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Manahawkin and Beach Haven West aren’t graded (fewer than 1,000 residents, or not enough data). Compare Manahawkin with a neighbor →
Questions about Manahawkin
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Manahawkin, NJ a good place to live?
We don’t grade Manahawkin yet; the figures below are still real.
What is Manahawkin, NJ known for?
3 notable people were born here, including Clark Harris and Glenn Carson.
Manahawkin is in here
Say something about Manahawkin.
Ask a question, answer one, post a photo or an event. Free, and the parts only a neighbor would know are the parts worth reading.