Stafford Township is a township situated on the Jersey Shore in southern Ocean County, within the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 28,617, its highest decennial count ever and an increase of 2,082 (+7.8%) from the 26,535 recorded at the 2010 census, which in turn reflected an increase of 4,003 (+17.8%) from the 22,532 counted in the 2000 census. Stafford Township is the gateway to the resort communities on Long Beach Island, with Route 72 providing the sole road access to the island, ending in Ship Bottom as it crosses Barnegat Bay via the Manahawkin Bay Bridge (formally known as the Dorland J. Henderson Memorial Bridge). The Garde…

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How Stafford ranks

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#9Most conserved land in NJ #26Closest to a top hospital in NJ #85Fastest growing in NJ All NJ rankings →

Town numbers

ZIP codeSign in to add

Area code609

Living in Stafford

Safety in Stafford

A⁻

Safety Grade A-

Stafford reports less crime per resident than 76% of the U.S. towns and cities we grade.

Violent crime per 1,000

Stafford 0.8

New Jersey 2

U.S. 3.3

Property crime per 1,000

Stafford 6.4

New Jersey 12.7

U.S. 15.5

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

Work & commute in Stafford

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Most working residents leave Stafford for work: only 17% work in town. The top destinations are Toms River (6%), Barnegat (3%) and Lakewood (3%). Half commute less than 27 miles.

Toms River

Barnegat

Lakewood

New York, NY

17%Work in townlive and work in Stafford 27 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 8,887Jobs based herea commuter town

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Stafford →

Health in Stafford

A⁻

Health Grade A−

Healthier than 84% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates.

Compared with New Jersey

10better than NJ·3worse

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 19 are too close to call.

Conditions 3▼ 9 close Habits all close Care 3▲ 4 close Mind 3▲ 2 close Everyday needs 4▲ 0 close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

9.3%Fewer adults facing food insecurityNJ 14.3% · better 8.2%Fewer adults facing housing insecurityNJ 12.3% · better 10.2%More adults who have had cancerNJ 7.5% · worse

Care nearby

Southern Ocean Medical CenterManahawkin · 1.4 mi · ER

Ohi - Little EggTuckerton · 7.5 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careNo shortage

DentalNo shortage

Mental healthNo shortage

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · ZIP codes 08050, 08005, 08092 · CMS · HRSAHealth in Stafford →

Natural hazards in Stafford

High

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 68% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding💨 Strong wind🌊 Coastal flooding

4,207Does Stafford flood?paid flood claims since 1978 6Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Stafford MapStafford vs. its neighborsnearby towns shaded by rating

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Stafford →

Climate in Stafford

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Stafford has chilly winters and warm summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 85°, a January night drops to 25°, and about 10 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

45° / 27°Winter

61° / 41°Spring

83° / 64°Summer

67° / 48°Fall

How much snow does Stafford get?About 10 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Nov 15, with the last in spring around Apr 1.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+2.1° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Stafford →

Schools in Stafford

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B⁻

School Grade B-

The public schools Stafford’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, outperform 51% of New Jersey’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they sit near the middle.

#181Best public schoolsof 457 in NJ

DistrictSouthern Regional School DistrictSchools10

Ocean Acres Elementary SchoolElementary · Grades PK–2 · 747 students McKinley Avenue Elementary School BElementary · Grades 3–4 · 630 students Ronald L. Meinders Primary Learning CenterElementary · Grades PK–K · 332 students St. Mary AcademyElementary · Grades PK–8 · 194 students Lighthouse Christian AcademyElementary · Grades PK–8 · 107 students Southern Regional Middle School B-Middle · Grades 7–8 · 865 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.