Surf City is a borough 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 borough's population was 1,243, an increase of 38 (+3.2%) from the 2010 census count of 1,205, which in turn had reflected a decline of 237 (−16.4%) from the 1,442 counted in the 2000 census. The borough borders the Atlantic Ocean on Long Beach Island. What is now Surf City was originally formed as Long Beach City borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on September 19, 1894, from portions of Stafford Township, based on the results of a referendum held the previous day. The borough was renamed Surf City by a resolution of the Bor…

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 Surf

Housing in Surf

$1.74M▲ 15.9% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Surf home is worth about $1,741,000, up 15.9% in a year, 200% above the New Jersey typical home.

Only 2 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 Surf

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Not graded

A grade needs all of the FBI's latest years (2023–2025). Surf's police department reported only 2023 and 2024, so we don't grade it yet. The figures below are still real.

Violent crime per 1,000

Surf 0.8

New Jersey 2.2

U.S. 3.6

Property crime per 1,000

Surf 8.3

New Jersey 14.3

U.S. 17.7

FBI crime data, 2024 · crimes reported to policeCrime & safety →

Health in Surf

Health Grade A

Healthier than 92% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates.

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

5.1%Fewer adults facing food insecurityNJ 14.3% · better 4.4%Fewer adults facing housing insecurityNJ 12.3% · better 14.8%More adults who have had cancerNJ 7.5% · worse

Care nearby

Southern Ocean Medical CenterManahawkin · 7.1 mi · ER

Ohi - Little EggTuckerton · 9.6 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careNo shortage

DentalNo shortage

Mental healthNo shortage

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

Natural hazards in Surf

Very high

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

🌊 Inland flooding🌊 Coastal flooding💨 Strong wind

1,099Does Surf flood?paid flood claims since 1979 6Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Surf MapSurf vs. its neighborsnearby towns shaded by rating

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

Schools in Surf

All Surf schools →

B⁻

School Grade B-

The public schools Surf’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

Ethel A. Jacobsen Elementary SchoolElementary · Grades PK–2 · 104 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.