Cape May

Cape May

Located in Cape May County

$1,570,765 Average Value
$592 Average Price per Sq Ft
30 Homes For Sale

Cape May may be America's oldest beach town

Cape May is a small coastal town at the southern tip of New Jersey, historically known as America's first seaside resort. It became a summer destination for Philadelphians in the mid-1700s, and after Congress Hall opened in 1816, the town rapidly grew into a major resort. Today, the city is known not only for its beaches but for its historic homes and elegant old hotels. "It's a great place to live if you love the beach and you love history," says Emily Marchese, owner of Marchese Real Estate. "When it's not tourist season, it can feel a little out of the way, but for a lot of people, that's the point."

Visitors of Cape May are drawn by beautiful beaches, historic architecture and quaint shops.
Visitors of Cape May are drawn by beautiful beaches, historic architecture and quaint shops.
Elegant hotels sit on the beach, perfect for a Summer rental for families and friends in Cape May.
Elegant hotels sit on the beach, perfect for a Summer rental for families and friends in Cape May.
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Victorian homes and modern beach houses

The city is known for its historic architecture. In 1878 a fire burned down much of the town, and the rebuilding that followed left Cape May with hundreds of Victorian-era homes. the entire city is a National Historic Landmark noted for one of the largest existing collections of late 19th-century architecture in the country. While Victorian houses make up a sizable chunk of the local housing inventory, a variety of home styles can be found around town, including midcentury ranch-style homes, coastal condos, and towering beach houses. Condos in the city generally sell for $500,000 to $1 million, while more modes of 20th-century properties usually go for $750,000 to $1.3 million. Historic Victorian homes and modern beach houses can sell for anywhere from $1.5 million to $5 million.

Cape May is known for its historic Victorian homes, which were built after much of the city burned down in 1878.
Cape May is known for its historic Victorian homes, which were built after much of the city burned down in 1878.
Luxury homes of Cape May sit steps away from the beach and a paved promenade.
Luxury homes of Cape May sit steps away from the beach and a paved promenade.
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Cape May's pristine beaches

Cape May maintains over two miles of Atlantic Ocean beachfront, which are staffed with lifeguards throughout the summer. These guarded beaches lie behind a paved promenade that runs nearly the full length of the town and is popular with walkers and runners. Cape May Wetlands State Natural Area borders the town to the west, separating it from nearby Cape May Point. The Natural area is home to miles of trails and is a popular birdwatching spot during migration seasons. There are also a number of inland green spaces in town, like Kiwanis Community Park, which features a pond, playground and basketball courts.

Make sure your bring your binoculars before you climb atop the watchtower at Cape May Point State Park.
Make sure your bring your binoculars before you climb atop the watchtower at Cape May Point State Park.
Grab the surf rods and down to the beaches at Cape May Point State Park for the striper run.
Grab the surf rods and down to the beaches at Cape May Point State Park for the striper run.
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The bustling Washington Street pedestrian mall

Downtown Cape May is centered around Congress Street, Jackson Street and the pedestrian Washington Street Mall and serves as the local retail and restaurant hub. It's also home to the local ACME Markets, Cape May's only supermarket. The Washington Street pedestrian mall hosts dozens of quaint local shops, selling everything from books to cheese to clothing. Both the mall and the streets surrounding it are home to a variety of cafes, restaurants and bars, many of which have been part of the fabric of the community for decades. Nearby Beach Avenue is lined with hotels and restaurants, offering patrons an unobstructed view of the Pacific.

Cape Atlantic Book Co. is located in Cape May in an indoor mall.
Cape Atlantic Book Co. is located in Cape May in an indoor mall.
Delancey's is a Cape May favourite for an ice cold beer and filling lunch or dinner.
Delancey's is a Cape May favourite for an ice cold beer and filling lunch or dinner.
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Cape May Schools

The city is served by the Cape May City School District for elementary and Lower Cape May Regional School District for middle and high school. Cape May City Elementary has a B grade on Niche, while Richard M. Teitelman Middle School has a C-plus. Lower Cape May Regional High School has a B and offers dual credit courses through nearby Atlantic Cape Community College.

Cape May City Elementary School is available for year round residents to prepare their kids for high school.
Cape May City Elementary School is available for year round residents to prepare their kids for high school.
Richard M. Teitelman School has 433 students in grades 7-8 with a student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1.
Richard M. Teitelman School has 433 students in grades 7-8 with a student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1.
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The Exit Zero Jazz Fest and other events

Every year, the city holds a beachfront Fourth of July fireworks display launched from a barge off Congress Hall, and an Independence Day parade marches down Beach Avenue. The Exit Zero Jazz Festival is held twice a year in spring and fall and brings national and international jazz performers to stages at Convention Hall and seaside bars. Autumn in Cape May features Victorian Weekend, an annual October festival that includes house tours, costumed events and vintage baseball games. In winter, the city hosts the West Cape May Christmas Parade.

Getting in and out of town

While most residents rely on cars to get around, Cape May is compact enough that many residents prefer to rely on bikes or their own two feet during the warmer part of the year. The city runs a free shuttle service from Memorial Day through Labor Day, connecting to many of the more heavily touristed parts of town. The city is at the end of a peninsula, so getting out of town generally means heading north, either along the Garden State Parkway toll road or State route 9. The one alternative to this is the Cape May-Lewes Ferry, which takes about 85 minutes to cross the Delaware Bay and runs from April through October. It's about 45 miles from the city to Atlantic City International Airport and 90 miles to Philadelphia.

Andrew Moreno
Written By
Andrew Moreno
Jesse Roehrer
Photography Contributed By
Jesse Roehrer
Chris Norton
Video By
Chris Norton

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Christopher Ferzoco, an experienced agent 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

Cape May Housing Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$795,000
Median Sale Price
$749,900
Median Single Family Sale Price
$727,250
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$1,250,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$982,500
Median Change From 1st List Price
3%
Last 12 months Home Sales
133
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
$11
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$592

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes for Sale
30
Months of Supply
2.70

Open Houses

  • Sunday, Jun 15
    10am - 1pm

    1320 Wisconsin Ave, Cape May, NJ 08204

    $759,000

    • 2 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1320 Wisconsin Ave
    • New 2 days ago

    The parking spot, the spot to the right of the walkway is an easement parking spot to Unit D. No condo association. Owned fee simple. Village Green Association is not a binding association but more of a community association. No condo Docs. No Fees.

    Charity R Clark, Abr, Gri CAPE RESORTS REALTY

  • Saturday, Jun 14
    10am - 2pm

    1001 Scott Ave, Cape May, NJ 08204

    $649,900

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1001 Scott Ave
    • New 2 days ago

    The seller is a licensed Real Estate agent.

    Anne M. Barry COASTLINE REALTY, LLC

  • Saturday, Jun 14
    2 - 4pm

    19 Hyannis Dr, Cape May, NJ 08204

    $598,900

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,566 Sq Ft
    • 19 Hyannis Dr
    • New 5 days ago

    Welcome to 19 Hyannis Drive, Cape May — a well-maintained 3-bedroom, 2-bath home tucked in a quiet neighborhood with a picturesque canal just steps away at the end of the block. This inviting property offers a relaxed coastal lifestyle with plenty of space to enjoy both indoors and out. The home features a newer spacious deck with a lighted awning, perfect for outdoor dining and entertaining. An

    Daniel Mauz Keller Williams Realty - Washington Township

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value



Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

Cape May Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
3,695
Median Age
59
Population under 18
15.3%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
42.1%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$69,787
On par with the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$99,808

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
94.1%
College Graduates
52.5%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
20.1%
% Population in Labor Force
55.2%
Below the national average
65.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
44''
Average Winter Low Temperature
29°F
Average Summer High Temperature
85°F
Annual Snowfall
6''
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.
Cape May