Ship Bottom is a borough situated on the Jersey Shore, within Ocean County in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 1,098, a decrease of 58 (−5.0%) from the 2010 census count of 1,156, which in turn had reflected a decline of 228 (−16.5%) from the 1,384 counted in the 2000 census. The borough is located on Long Beach Island and borders the Atlantic Ocean. The summer population can climb as high as 20,000. The borough's name was derived from a March 1817 incident in which a woman was saved from a wrecked ship that had capsized as her rescuers used axes to cut through the bottom of the hull. What is now Ship Bottom was originally incor…

Official town website ↗

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Town numbers

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Area code609

Living in Ship Bottom

Housing in Ship Bottom

$1.55M▲ 14.3% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Ship Bottom home is worth about $1,553,000, up 14.3% in a year, 168% above the New Jersey typical home.

Only 4 sales in May 2026, too few for a market read. The typical value is the steadier guide.

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Safety in Ship Bottom

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Not graded

A grade needs all of the FBI's latest years (2023–2025). Ship Bottom's police department reported only 2023 and 2025, so we don't grade it yet. The figures below are still real.

Violent crime per 1,000

Ship Bottom 0

New Jersey 2

U.S. 3.3

Property crime per 1,000

Ship Bottom 5.3

New Jersey 12.7

U.S. 15.5

FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to policeCrime & safety →

Health in Ship Bottom

Compared with New Jersey

20better than NJ·5worse

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 7 are too close to call.

Conditions 1▲ 5▼ 6 close Habits 4▲ 0 close Care 7▲ 0 close Mind 4▲ 1 close Everyday needs 4▲ 0 close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

5.4%Fewer adults facing food insecurityNJ 14.3% · better 4.8%Fewer adults facing housing insecurityNJ 12.3% · better 13.9%More adults who have had cancerNJ 7.5% · worse

Care nearby

Southern Ocean Medical CenterManahawkin · 7.4 mi · ER

Ohi - Little EggTuckerton · 8.7 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careNo shortage

DentalNo shortage

Mental healthNo shortage

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Ship Bottom · CMS · HRSAHealth in Ship Bottom →

Natural hazards in Ship Bottom

Very high

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 82% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🌊 Coastal flooding💨 Strong wind

1,424Does Ship Bottom flood?paid flood claims since 1980 5Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Ship Bottom MapShip Bottom vs. its neighborsnearby towns shaded by rating

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Ship Bottom →

Schools in Ship Bottom

All Ship Bottom schools →

B⁻

School Grade B-

The public schools Ship Bottom’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, outperform 52% of New Jersey’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they sit near the middle.

DistrictLong Beach Island School DistrictSchools1

Long Beach Island Grade School B-Elementary · Grades 3–6 · 92 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results and graduation rates, graded within NJ. Ratings are from neighbors.