CountyScore

Atlantic County

New Jersey · NJ

#11 in New Jersey
49
County Score

County Report Card

About Atlantic County, New Jersey

Atlantic County lags national livability

Atlantic County's composite score of 45.8 sits below the national median of 50.0, placing it in the lower half of U.S. counties. This 4-point gap suggests residents face trade-offs in affordability, tax burden, and income compared to the typical American county.

Slightly above New Jersey's average

Atlantic County scores 45.8 versus New Jersey's state average of 45.0, ranking it in the middle tier of the state's 21 counties. It performs marginally better than most peers but faces stiff competition from higher-scoring neighbors.

Affordability is the standout strength

Atlantic County's cost score of 58.7 reflects genuinely affordable housing, with median rent at $1,325/month and median home values around $272,700—well below state norms. This makes it an attractive option for budget-conscious renters and first-time homebuyers.

Taxes and incomes need attention

The county's tax score of 32.7 and income score of 33.5 reveal significant weak spots: an effective tax rate of 2.475% and median household income of $76,819 both lag behind state and national benchmarks. Safety, health, and school data are not yet available, leaving visibility gaps on other livability factors.

Best for cost-conscious families

Atlantic County suits households prioritizing low housing costs over high incomes or tax advantages. This is a good fit for retirees, young families starting out, or workers whose income matters less than neighborhood affordability.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax32.7Cost58.7SafetyComing SoonHealth71.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome33.5Risk7WaterComing Soon
🏛32.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠58.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼33.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤71.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡7
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Atlantic County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Cumberland County
New Jersey
48.9
Median income: $64,499
Orange County
New York
49.1
Median income: $96,497
Rockland County
New York
49.3
Median income: $110,631
Salem County
New Jersey
48.6
Median income: $78,412
Lake County
Illinois
48.5
Median income: $108,917

Deep Dives

Atlantic County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Atlantic County

via TaxByCounty

Atlantic taxes run high nationally

Atlantic County's effective tax rate of 2.475% sits well above the national median of 1.56%, placing it in the top 25% of counties nationwide. While the median home here ($272,700) is slightly cheaper than the national average ($281,900), residents pay $6,749 annually—2.5 times more than the typical American homeowner.

Middle of the pack in New Jersey

Atlantic County's 2.475% effective rate ranks in the middle tier among New Jersey's 21 counties—higher than the state average of 2.211% but lower than the highest-taxed counties. The median annual tax of $6,749 is below the state median of $8,512, reflecting Atlantic's more modest home values.

Slightly above regional peers

Compared to neighboring Cape May County (1.325%) and Cumberland County (2.455%), Atlantic's tax burden is moderate. However, it's notably lower than Camden County (3.075%), which sits just inland and taxes at a significantly higher rate despite similar home values.

Your annual tax bill here

A homeowner with Atlantic County's median-valued property ($272,700) pays approximately $6,749 per year in property taxes. With a mortgage, that figure ticks up slightly to $6,830, adding roughly $570 monthly to housing costs.

You might be overassessed

Many Atlantic County homeowners discover their properties are assessed above fair market value. Filing a tax appeal—free or low-cost through county assessment offices—can uncover errors and reduce your annual bill by hundreds of dollars.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Atlantic County

via CostByCounty

Atlantic County's rent burden tops nation

Atlantic County residents spend 20.7% of household income on rent, well above the national average of 18.5%. While the county's median household income of $76,819 slightly exceeds the national median of $74,755, housing costs consume a larger share of earnings here than in most U.S. counties.

Middle-of-the-road affordability in New Jersey

Atlantic County ranks in the middle tier among New Jersey's 21 counties for rental affordability, with a 20.7% rent-to-income ratio slightly higher than the state average of 19.1%. The county's median rent of $1,325 sits well below the statewide average of $1,577, offering some relief compared to northern New Jersey.

More affordable than Cape May, pricier than Cumberland

Atlantic County's $1,325 median rent falls between its southern neighbors: Cape May County renters pay $1,345 monthly, while Cumberland County averages just $1,254. Compared to nearby Burlington County's $1,669, Atlantic offers noticeably cheaper housing while maintaining similar income levels.

Rent or own? Atlantic County costs diverge

Renters in Atlantic County face $1,325 monthly payments versus homeowners paying $1,675 monthly, creating a $350 gap. With median household income at $76,819, housing costs consume roughly 21-26% of income depending on tenure—a squeeze that leaves limited room for other expenses.

Consider Atlantic for better beach access and affordability

If you're weighing South Jersey options, Atlantic County delivers below-state-average rents paired with solid median income, making it competitive for renters and moderate-income buyers. The county's lower home values ($272,700) compared to Bergen ($593,200) or Essex ($494,400) offer an exit ramp from New Jersey's steepest coastal markets.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Atlantic County

via IncomeByCounty

Atlantic tops the national average

Atlantic County's median household income of $76,819 edges out the national median of $74,755—a solid 2.8% advantage. This places Atlantic above half of all U.S. counties, a meaningful achievement in an era of stagnant wage growth across much of America.

Middle of the pack statewide

While Atlantic exceeds the national average, its $76,819 median income falls below New Jersey's $100,891 state average by $24,072. Among New Jersey's 21 counties, Atlantic ranks in the lower-middle tier, reflecting the state's significant income inequality.

Stronger than Cumberland, trailing Burlington

Atlantic's median income of $76,819 substantially outpaces Cumberland County ($64,499) and Essex County ($76,712), but lags behind the more affluent Burlington County ($105,271) and Gloucester County ($102,807). The variation within the region underscores diverse economic conditions across South Jersey.

Rent is manageable, home buying is tight

Atlantic's 20.7% rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold, meaning renters keep most wages for other needs. However, the median home value of $272,700 requires significant savings—roughly 3.5 years of gross household income—making homeownership a long-term goal rather than an immediate prospect.

Build wealth through consistent saving

With income above the national median, Atlantic households have a foundation for financial growth. Starting early with retirement contributions, diversified investments, and an emergency fund of 6 months' expenses positions families to weather downturns and build generational wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Atlantic County

via HealthByCounty

Atlantic County lags national health

At 75.7 years, Atlantic County's life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 76.1 years by half a year—and falls 2.8 years below New Jersey's state average of 78.5. One in six residents report poor or fair health, a rate above the national norm, signaling persistent health challenges across the county.

Middle of the pack in New Jersey

Atlantic County ranks in the lower half of New Jersey counties for life expectancy, sitting 2.8 years below the state average. Its 16.5% poor/fair health rate exceeds most county peers, reflecting both aging demographics and economic pressures that affect overall wellness.

Struggling next to stronger neighbors

Atlantic County's 75.7-year life expectancy falls short of nearby Cape May County (76.6 years) and significantly behind Bergen County across the state (81.9 years). With 72 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Atlantic has fewer doctors than Camden County (99) but comparable mental health support at 230 providers per 100K.

Nearly 1 in 10 lack health insurance

An estimated 8.7% of Atlantic County residents are uninsured, above the state average of 7.5%, meaning roughly 28,000 people lack coverage. While the county maintains 72 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, gaps in coverage create barriers for many seeking routine and preventive care.

Find affordable coverage now

If you're among the uninsured in Atlantic County, New Jersey's marketplace offers subsidized plans year-round. Visit NJ.gov/HealthCoverage or call 1-855-877-NJ-HELP to explore options tailored to your income and family size.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Atlantic County

via RiskByCounty

Atlantic County's moderate risk profile

Atlantic County scores 92.97 on the composite risk scale, placing it slightly above the national average and marking it as relatively moderate in overall disaster risk. This score reflects meaningful exposure to multiple hazard types, particularly coastal and water-related threats that define much of the county's geography.

Ranking among New Jersey counties

At 92.97, Atlantic County exceeds New Jersey's state average composite risk score of 90.81, putting it in the middle-to-upper tier of risk exposure statewide. The county faces higher-than-average vulnerability compared to many inland New Jersey communities.

How Atlantic compares nearby

Atlantic County's risk profile sits between Cape May County (91.03) to the south and Burlington County (93.61) to the north, making it a moderate risk zone along New Jersey's shore. All three counties share substantial flood and hurricane exposure, though Atlantic's wildfire risk (94.31) is notably higher than Cape May's.

Atlantic's top three hazards

Hurricane risk dominates at 95.79, making Atlantic one of New Jersey's most vulnerable counties for major storms and coastal surge. Flood risk (96.20) and wildfire risk (94.31) round out the top threats, each posing significant seasonal challenges across different parts of the county.

Insurance for Atlantic County homeowners

Homeowners and renters in Atlantic County should prioritize flood insurance, which is critical given the 96.20 flood risk score and is often excluded from standard policies. Consider also reviewing coverage for hurricane damage and wind, which affect coastal and inland properties alike.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.