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Long Beach Island

Long Beach Island

$2,155,472 Average Value
$1,032 Average Price per Sq Ft
140 Homes For Sale

Small beach community that balloons in summer

The white-sand beaches of Long Beach Island have long attracted residents to this half-mile wide, barrier-island chain off the South Jersey coast. Commonly called LBI, six towns call this 18-mile stretch home: Barnegat Light, Beach Haven, Harvey Cedars, Long Beach Township, Ship Bottom and Surf City.

This former resort community is also one of New Jersey’s most popular beach towns; its location straddles the New York and Philadelphia metro areas. About 8,000 people live here year-round, but that number spikes as high as 200,000 come summer.

“First and foremost, this is a summer community and probably always will be,” says Nathan Colmer, an experienced agent with The Van Dyk Group - Long Beach Island and fourth-generation resident. He also lives here year-round with his family. LBI also attracts retirees and remote workers who take advantage of off-season vibes, like walking along empty, snow-covered beaches, most of which are narrow enough to provide views of both Manahawkin Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

“LBI is always changing and that’s what I like best about it,” says Colmer. “I wouldn’t like it if it were busy all year long, as in summer, or as quiet year-round as it is in winter."

LBI
LBI
Miles of coastline on Long Beach Island makes allows for plenty of room at the beach.
Miles of coastline on Long Beach Island makes allows for plenty of room at the beach.
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18 miles of white-sand beaches

Beaches are the main attraction: In summer, the northern end contains quieter stretches in Barnegat Light and Harvey Cedars, while busier beaches near shopping and attractions reside in Surf City, Ship Bottom and Beach Haven.

Beach Haven is a family favorite for its Fantasy Island Amusement Park and Thundering Surf Waterpark, but residents also have the Surflight Theater. Families can join Haven Beach Club, which offers a children’s sailing program or Surf City Yacht Club for its sailing and boating offerings. Surfing and deep-sea fishing are additional pasttimes.

Take a drive to Holgate at the southern tip of the Island for some of the best surfing in LBI.
Take a drive to Holgate at the southern tip of the Island for some of the best surfing in LBI.
The ferris wheel at fantasy Island is a family favorite on Long Beach Island.
The ferris wheel at fantasy Island is a family favorite on Long Beach Island.
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Cape Cods and reverse living homes with water views

Just like the beaches, each town offers a different draw, but all homes are within walking distance of a beach. Long Beach Township and Harvey Cedars are among the residential communities and Beach Haven offers Victorians in its historic district. Generally, the south end is denser, while the north offers bigger lots.

Single-family homes on gravel lots dominate and serve as second homes for most buyers. The stock is mainly Cape Cods and new construction designed around reverse living, meaning a three-level home with the garage on the first level, followed by the bedrooms and living room and kitchen on the third floor. This arrangement minimizes flood damage and maximizes water views. Prices start around $400,000 for a studio condo and about $1 million for a single-family home. Homes can reach $10 million for beachfront living. The median is $1.6.

Large beach homes are often rented for the week or month in Long Beach Island.
Large beach homes are often rented for the week or month in Long Beach Island.
Hop on your beach cruiser bike and hit the beach in Long Beach Island.
Hop on your beach cruiser bike and hit the beach in Long Beach Island.
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Kite festival and chowder celebration

Festivities cater to both a year-round and summer community. Thousands attend Chowderfest for chowder soups, and all ages check out the LBI FLY International Kite Festival for its giant animal-shaped kites and competitions. There are also Easter egg hunts, a long-running Christmas parade and horse-drawn carriage rides. And July 4th brings fireworks on the beach.

Longtime mom and pops and year-round options

Many towns offer a small number of longtime mom and pops along Long Beach Boulevard, the island's main artery; an increasing number of businesses are open all year. These include the casual Dockside Diner overlooking the bay; Wally’s for American comfort food; Nardi’s Tavern for pub fare and LBI Pancake House with abbreviated winter hours. Summer welcomes Skipper Dipper, around since 1978, and roadside farm stands. More than 20 independently owned spots are concentrated in quaint Bay Village near the waterpark. There’s also an Acme and Murphy’s Fresh Markets for grocery shopping on LBI, with big-box options like Costco and Home Depot a short drive across the bay in Manahawkin.

Dockside Diner on LBI is a local favorite for breakfast and lunch.
Dockside Diner on LBI is a local favorite for breakfast and lunch.
Try the Nardi's Special Pizza or catch a great band at Nardi's Tavern on LBI.
Try the Nardi's Special Pizza or catch a great band at Nardi's Tavern on LBI.
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Top rated public schools and lower grades on LBI

Students attend Ethel Jacobsen Elementary School from pre-kindergarten to second grade, rated a B minus on Niche, before graduating to Long Beach Island Elementary School for grades three to six. Great Schools gives it an 8 out of 10. Students move over to the Southern Regional School District in Manahawkin, just across the causeway, for middle and high school. Southern Regional Middle School rates a B, and Southern Regional High School gets a B plus; the latter is ranked the sixth-best high school in Ocean County.

Ethel Jacobsen Elementary School.
Ethel Jacobsen Elementary School.
Beach Haven Elementary School.
Beach Haven Elementary School.
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In between NYC and Philadelphia

Long Beach Island is about 65 miles from Center City Philadelphia and 107 miles from Midtown Manhattan. In summer, heavy shore traffic needs to be factored into commuting times and getting around, however the town plans on adding another lane to the causeway. It also provides LBI shuttle trolleys in summer that navigate the island.

Occasional NYC commuters can catch an express bus from Toms River or NJ Transit from Point Pleasant; both options entail a minimum two-hour commute. The causeway is the only way onto or off of the island and the Garden State Parkway runs though neighboring Stafford Township.

Future flooding is a consideration

All homes are in a flood zone and require flood insurance. “Oceanfront is considered the highest risk even though those homes were the least affected,” Colmer says, referring to Superstorm Sandy. According to Risk Factor, LBI is at severe risk for flooding within the next 30 years, but mitigation efforts included rebuilding homes in a way to minimize flood damage.

Meredith Rosenberg
Written By
Meredith Rosenberg
Ellie Brown
Video By
Ellie Brown

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Atlantic City International

81 min drive

Reviews

Are you familiar with the Long Beach Island neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Long Beach Island US
Homicide 2 4
Sexual Assault 1 4
Assault with Weapon 1 4
Robbery 1 4
Burglary 3 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 3 4
Larceny 1 4
Crime Score 2 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Long Beach Island Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$1,970,000
Median Sale Price
$1,800,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$2,200,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$1,200,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$765,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
499
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
4%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$1,032

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
5,807
Number of Homes for Sale
140
Median Year Built
1983
Months of Supply
3.40
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,592
Significantly above the national average
1,929
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,740
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,082
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
454
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,098

Open Houses

  • Saturday, Nov 8
    11am - 1pm

    20 W 87th St, Long Beach Township, NJ 08008

    $1,249,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,128 Sq Ft
    • 20 W 87th St
    • New 1 day ago

    BRIGHTON BEACH - Bay Block Duplex - Charming side-by-side duplex located in a quiet section on the southern end of Long Beach Island. Each unit offers 2 bedrooms, 1 full bath and outdoor shower, perfect for carefree beach living. Enjoy easy access to both the bay and ocean—just 2-1/2 blocks to the beach and sunsets right at the end of the street. The property extends from street to street,

    Agent Photo
    Gina Laird
    RE/MAX of Long Beach Island
    (609) 913-3545
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  • Saturday, Nov 8
    12 - 3pm

    1610 S Bay Ave Unit 3, Beach Haven, NJ 08008

    $900,000

    • 2 Beds
    • 1.5 Baths
    • 1,012 Sq Ft
    • 1610 S Bay Ave
    • Unit 3
    • New 9 days ago

    Welcome to this beautifully updated 2-story beach condo, only 1 BLOCK from the BEACH and 2 BLOCKS from the BAY! Step onto your covered front porch with pavers then into the freshly painted foyer, where you can drop your bags and shoes before exploring the rest of the house. Located on the first floor is the Primary and Secondary bedrooms boosting luxury vinyl wide plank flooring, plenty of closet

    Agent Photo
    Maria Jobes-Hogan
    BHHS Fox & Roach-Mt Laurel
    (609) 353-5635
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  • Saturday, Nov 8
    11am - 2pm

    7 E Lavenia Ave, Beach Haven, NJ 08008

    $2,550,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 3.5 Baths
    • 2,600 Sq Ft
    • 7 E Lavenia Ave
    • New 25 days ago

    Modern Coastal Retreat in a Sought-After Shore Location Welcome to your dream beach house! A stunning year young Coastal Contemporary home designed for shore living at its finest. Featuring Bermuda Blue Certain Teed Cedar Shake Siding with crisp white trim and charming architectural details, this home captures the timeless elegance of a Nantucket-inspired retreat while offering all the modern

    Agent Photo
    Smaragda 'Smaggie' Ng
    Weichert Realtors - Ship Bottom
    (609) 944-0723
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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
28,149
Median Age
61
Population Density
5 ppl/acre
Population under 18
12.8%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
42.7%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$98,298
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$135,245

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
97.5%
College Graduates
63.1%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
25.9%
% Population in Labor Force
46.2%
Below the national average
65.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
49''
Average Winter Low Temperature
22°F
Average Summer High Temperature
85°F
Annual Snowfall
22''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

30 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

3 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Long Beach Island
Dennis O'Brien
RE/MAX of Long Beach Island
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