The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 08243 sells for about $1,500,000, or $930 per square foot.
Prices are up +4.2% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 65 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $3,800 a month.
ZIP 08243 — Sea Isle City
The Sea Isle City market remains robust, driven by high demand for luxury coastal properties despite elevated price points. Inventory remains tight, supporting stable price appreciation, though the market is sensitive to interest rate fluctuations and seasonal demand cycles.
This ZIP is ideal for affluent second-home buyers and investors seeking luxury coastal properties, as well as retirees looking for a seasonal resort lifestyle.
Median prices moved up 4.2% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 65 days on market with 5.1 months of supply — a balanced-paced market.
12% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 97.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 7.1% · poverty 5.4% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 8.4%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 5.3%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
net outflow — more people moved out than in
ZCTA 08243, Cape May County NJ
Sea Isle City generally reports low crime rates, consistent with its status as a seasonal resort community, and remains significantly safer than regional urban centers.
Public schools serving the area are part of the Sea Isle City School District and Cape May County Technical School District, generally maintaining high performance ratings.
The area faces significant coastal flood and storm surge risks, necessitating mandatory flood insurance for most properties and strict adherence to FEMA building elevation standards.
Economic momentum is driven by seasonal tourism and high-end residential redevelopment, with limited industrial growth and a focus on maintaining coastal infrastructure.
Property taxes are levied by the municipality, county, and local school district; the area is subject to New Jersey's high property tax environment with no specific local exemptions for residential owners.
Commuting is primarily via private vehicle along the Garden State Parkway; public transit options are limited, consisting mainly of seasonal bus service to regional hubs.
The area features extensive public beaches, a popular oceanfront promenade, multiple municipal parks, and proximity to local marinas and fishing piers.
The rental market is heavily skewed toward seasonal short-term vacation rentals, creating high demand in summer months and limited long-term inventory.
The local economy is almost entirely dependent on the tourism and hospitality sectors, with secondary support from real estate and construction services.
Transportation is heavily reliant on the Garden State Parkway; there is no rail service, and public transit is largely seasonal.
Development is strictly regulated by coastal zoning laws, focusing on the replacement of older housing stock with modern, flood-compliant structures.
The Cape May County Board of Taxation oversees assessments, which are generally updated annually to reflect market value shifts.
Parcels are subject to municipal, county, and school district taxes; no significant MUD/PID districts are present.
Property insurance premiums are high due to coastal hazard exposure, with many properties requiring separate flood insurance policies.
New Jersey is a judicial foreclosure state, requiring court intervention for all foreclosure proceedings.
New Jersey requires comprehensive seller disclosures regarding property condition, including known defects and environmental hazards.
Data retrieved from data.census.gov ZCTA 08243 profile.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
A major oceanfront walkway serving as the primary social and recreational hub.
Central venue for summer concerts, movies, and community events.
Extensive public beach access spanning the length of the island.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.