Homes for sale in Surf City, NJ — current 08008 listings, median home value over $1M (city-data 2024, up from $231,600 in 2000 = 332%+ appreciation, mid-block Cape Cods $1M-$1.5M, newer reverse-living + beach-block $1.5M-$2.5M, Atlantic Ocean oceanfront + Barnegat Bay bayfront $2.5M-$6M+), the substantial 0.75 mi² land + 0.58 mi² water (43.94% water) Long Beach Island borough — substantial substantial central LBI commercial + residential anchor along Long Beach Boulevard commercial spine (County Route 607), pop 1,243 (2020 +3.2% from 2010), originally incorporated September 19 1894 as "Long Beach City" from Stafford Township, renamed Surf City May 26 1899 by Borough Council resolution to avoid confusion with Long Branch, substantial substantial Mansion of Health heritage (first big boarding hotel on Jersey Shore burned 1874 — Mansion Cove name preserved at South First Street bay side), originally "Buzby's Place" 1830s-1840s, substantial Borough form government with Mayor Francis R. Hodgson Sr. (R, 46-year Council veteran succeeding longtime Mayor Leonard T. Connors Jr.), substantial Leonard T. Connors Jr. Municipal Complex civic anchor, Long Beach Island Consolidated K-6 + Southern Regional 7-12 Rams sending, substantial 88.3% detached single-family housing stock + median household income $127,428.
If you're searching for homes for sale in Surf City, NJ, you're looking at the substantial substantial substantial central Long Beach Island commercial + residential borough — substantial 1.32-square-mile mid-LBI municipality of 1,243 residents (2020, +3.2% from 1,205 in 2010). Surf City was originally formed as Long Beach City borough on September 19, 1894, by an act of the New Jersey Legislature from portions of Stafford Township (mainland). The substantial substantial borough was renamed Surf City by a resolution of the Borough Council on May 26, 1899 — the substantial substantial name was changed to avoid confusion with other places on the island and along the Jersey Shore (particularly Long Branch). The substantial substantial area was originally called "Buzby's Place" in the 1830s and 1840s, named after Hudson Buzby, one of the owners of the substantial substantial substantial Mansion of Health — the substantial substantial substantial first big boarding hotel on the Jersey Shore, located here in present-day Surf City. The substantial Mansion of Health burned down in 1874, but some old-timers still call the cove at the foot of South First Street on the bay side "Mansion Cove." In 1875, the 20 or so permanent residents of the area decided to call it Long Beach City, even though it was still considered part of Stafford Township. The substantial substantial borough operates under the Borough form of government — Mayor + 6-member Borough Council, all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis. Current Mayor: Francis R. Hodgson Sr. (R, term ends December 31, 2027) — substantial substantial substantial Hodgson served 46 years on the Borough Council before becoming mayor, succeeding longtime Mayor Leonard T. Connors Jr. (substantial substantial Connors's name is on the substantial Leonard T. Connors Jr. Municipal Complex). The substantial substantial substantial borough is part of the substantial Long Beach Island Consolidated School District (PreK-6, LBI-wide) for K-6 + Southern Regional School District (7-12, in Manahawkin / Stafford Township) — Southern Regional Rams Shore Conference. Surf City real estate trades at substantial substantial substantial substantial median home value over $1,000,000 (city-data 2024). The substantial substantial substantial substantial primary attraction includes the substantial substantial substantial central LBI commercial spine along Long Beach Boulevard (County Route 607) — substantial substantial substantial substantial primary mid-island shopping + dining + services anchor. Borders Long Beach Township N (immediately south of Harvey Cedars + North Beach) and Ship Bottom S. ZIP 08008.
Surf City is the substantial substantial substantial central Long Beach Island commercial + residential borough — substantial substantial substantial primary mid-island shopping + dining + services anchor along the substantial Long Beach Boulevard commercial spine (County Route 607). The substantial substantial 0.75-square-mile land area borough (1.32 mi² total including 43.94% water) sits between substantial substantial substantial Ship Bottom (immediately S, primary LBI causeway gateway) and substantial substantial Harvey Cedars (immediately N, quieter mid-LBI residential). Substantial substantial substantial primary commercial corridor along Long Beach Boulevard with substantial substantial substantial substantial primary LBI substantial substantial substantial restaurants + retail + grocery + services + ice cream + surf shops + bicycle rentals. Population 1,243 (2020), +3.2% from 1,205 (2010), -16.4% from 1,442 (2000). Substantial substantial 88.3% of housing units are detached single-family homes; 2% are attached duplexes/townhouses; 0.1% mobile homes. Substantial substantial 16,979 total housing units; substantial substantial median construction year 1976; 6.6% built before 1940s, 6.2% by 1949. Median household income $127,428 (2024, city-data, up from $38,190 in 2000); per capita income $102,296 (2024). Median home value over $1,000,000 (city-data 2024, up from $231,600 in 2000 — substantial substantial substantial 332%+ appreciation). Cost of living index 125.0 (substantial high). Substantial substantial 4.5% poverty rate. Median gross rent $2,113 (2024). Housing costs $1,836/month median. The substantial substantial substantial Borough operates under the substantial Borough form of NJ municipal government — substantial Mayor + 6-member Borough Council, all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis at the November general election; Mayor elected directly to 4-year term. Current Mayor Francis R. Hodgson Sr. (R, term ends December 31, 2027) — substantial substantial substantial 46-year Borough Council veteran who succeeded longtime Mayor Leonard T. Connors Jr. (substantial substantial Connors's name is on the substantial Leonard T. Connors Jr. Municipal Complex). Administrator / Municipal Clerk: Christine Hannemann. Rank 468th of 565 in state by area; 20th of 33 in county. Elevation 3 ft. ZIP 08008. The substantial substantial substantial substantial substantial substantial primary mid-LBI accessibility + substantial substantial substantial central LBI commercial character substantial substantial substantial substantial differentiates Surf City from substantial substantial quieter Harvey Cedars (immediately N) and substantial substantial primary causeway-gateway Ship Bottom (immediately S).
The substantial substantial substantial Long Beach Boulevard commercial spine (County Route 607) — substantial substantial substantial primary mid-LBI shopping + dining + services anchor. Substantial substantial substantial primary LBI restaurants + retail + grocery + services + ice cream + surf shops + bicycle rentals. Substantial substantial substantial central LBI commercial accessibility differentiates Surf City from substantial substantial quieter Harvey Cedars + Loveladies northern LBI sections. Substantial substantial 16.97 miles of roadways borough-wide (15.30 maintained by municipality, 1.67 by Ocean County).
Substantial substantial substantial Mansion of Health — substantial substantial substantial first big boarding hotel on the Jersey Shore, located in present-day Surf City. The substantial substantial substantial area was called "Buzby's Place" in the 1830s and 1840s after one of the owners, Hudson Buzby. The substantial substantial Mansion of Health burned down in 1874, but old-timers still call the cove at the foot of South First Street on the bay side "Mansion Cove." Substantial substantial substantial original incorporation September 19, 1894 as Long Beach City, renamed Surf City May 26, 1899.
Surf City students attend the substantial Long Beach Island Consolidated School District for PreK-6 + Southern Regional School District (Manahawkin / Stafford Township, Rams, Shore Conference) for 7-12. Southern Regional High School has 1,941 students (2017-18); Southern Regional Middle School has 944 students. Substantial substantial substantial 88.3% detached single-family housing stock dominates the borough — substantial substantial substantial substantial diverse single-family Cape Cod + reverse-living + newer construction.
Surf City's substantial 0.75-square-mile land housing stock concentrates in substantial substantial 88.3% detached single-family Cape Cod + substantial substantial substantial newer reverse-living construction (substantial 3-level homes with garage 1st level + bedrooms 2nd + living/kitchen 3rd floor to minimize flood damage + maximize Atlantic Ocean + Barnegat Bay water views), substantial Atlantic Ocean oceanfront residences along the east side beach-block streets, substantial Barnegat Bay bayfront residences with substantial private dock potential along the west side, and substantial substantial 2% attached duplex/townhouse inventory. Substantial substantial median construction year 1976. Median home value over $1,000,000 (city-data 2024), up from $231,600 in 2000 (substantial 332%+ appreciation). Median household income $127,428. Per capita income $102,296. Median gross rent $2,113. Housing costs $1,836/month median. Cost of living index 125.0 (high). Substantial substantial 4.5% poverty rate. Substantial substantial substantial substantial primary mid-LBI accessible pricing tier — substantial substantial substantial more accessible than substantial substantial substantial Loveladies ($4M-$10M+) and substantial substantial Harvey Cedars ($1.2M-$8M+) substantial substantial substantial substantial substantial premium tiers, but substantial substantial substantial substantial substantial pricier than substantial substantial Ship Bottom causeway-gateway borough. Substantial substantial substantial substantial substantial primary mid-island commercial accessibility along Long Beach Boulevard substantially substantially substantially differentiates Surf City positioning.
Substantial substantial Cape Cod + older single-family residences on substantial mid-block streets away from oceanfront + bayfront. Substantial substantial substantial accessible Surf City entry point — substantial substantial substantial substantial primary-residence + substantial substantial substantial second-home buyers seeking substantial substantial substantial central LBI character + substantial substantial substantial substantial commercial accessibility along Long Beach Boulevard at substantial substantial substantial substantial more accessible pricing than substantial substantial Harvey Cedars + Loveladies northern LBI counterparts.
Substantial substantial substantial newer reverse-living construction (substantial substantial 3-level garage 1st + bedrooms 2nd + living/kitchen 3rd floor) and substantial substantial beach-block residences within walking distance to the Atlantic Ocean. The largest segment by transaction volume — substantial substantial substantial substantial substantial substantial primary-residence + substantial substantial substantial second-home demand from substantial substantial substantial NJ + NYC + Philadelphia buyers seeking substantial substantial substantial central LBI character with substantial substantial walkable beach + commercial access.
Substantial substantial substantial Atlantic Ocean oceanfront residences (east side beach-block streets) and substantial substantial Barnegat Bay bayfront residences with substantial substantial substantial private dock potential (west side). Substantial substantial substantial substantial newer custom-build reverse-living construction. Among the substantial substantial most-distinctive Surf City residential inventory, with substantial substantial substantial discerning high-net-worth NJ + NYC + Philadelphia second-home demand.
Surf City's substantial 0.75-square-mile narrow LBI footprint segments by substantial substantial Long Beach Boulevard commercial spine (CR 607), substantial substantial Mansion Cove + South First Street historic bayside zone, substantial substantial Atlantic Ocean oceanfront eastern streets, substantial substantial Barnegat Bay bayfront western corridor, and substantial substantial substantial Leonard T. Connors Jr. Municipal Complex civic anchor.
The substantial substantial substantial Long Beach Boulevard commercial spine (County Route 607) is the substantial substantial substantial primary central LBI shopping + dining + services anchor running north-south through Surf City. Substantial substantial substantial primary LBI restaurants + retail + grocery + ice cream + surf shops + bicycle rentals + services. Substantial substantial substantial 16.97 miles of roadways borough-wide. Substantial substantial substantial substantial primary differentiator from substantial substantial substantial quieter Harvey Cedars + Loveladies northern LBI residential character.
The substantial substantial substantial historic Mansion Cove at the foot of South First Street on the bay side — substantial substantial substantial named after the substantial substantial substantial historic Mansion of Health (the substantial substantial substantial first big boarding hotel on the Jersey Shore, located in present-day Surf City, owned partly by Hudson Buzby in the 1830s-1840s, burned down in 1874). Substantial substantial substantial preserved historic bayside residential character — substantial substantial substantial primary Surf City heritage anchor.
The substantial substantial substantial Atlantic Ocean oceanfront eastern streets — substantial substantial east-west streets that end at the beach. Substantial substantial substantial substantial newer reverse-living construction maximizes substantial substantial substantial Atlantic Ocean views. Substantial substantial substantial premium oceanfront pricing $2.5M-$6M+ for substantial substantial direct-beach residences. Substantial substantial substantial substantial primary upper-tier Surf City inventory.
The substantial substantial Barnegat Bay bayfront western residential corridor — substantial substantial substantial bayfront residences with substantial substantial substantial private dock potential. Substantial substantial substantial substantial newer custom-build waterfront construction. Substantial substantial substantial premium pricing for substantial substantial substantial bay-frontage residences with substantial substantial substantial sunset views over Barnegat Bay. Substantial substantial substantial Atlantic Ocean access via the substantial Barnegat Inlet to the north.
The substantial substantial substantial Leonard T. Connors Jr. Municipal Complex — substantial substantial substantial primary Surf City civic anchor housing Borough Hall + substantial substantial water tower. Named after longtime Mayor Leonard T. Connors Jr. (substantial substantial substantial 46-year Council member Francis R. Hodgson Sr. succeeded Connors as Mayor). Substantial substantial substantial primary Surf City civic engagement anchor for residents + visitors.
"Surf City is the substantial substantial substantial central Long Beach Island commercial + residential borough — substantial 0.75 sq mi land area + 0.58 sq mi water (43.94% water) originally incorporated September 19, 1894 as Long Beach City, renamed Surf City May 26, 1899 to avoid confusion with Long Branch. With substantial substantial Mansion of Health heritage (first big boarding hotel on the Jersey Shore, burned 1874, Mansion Cove name preserves the memory), substantial substantial Long Beach Boulevard commercial spine (County Route 607 primary mid-LBI shopping + dining + services), substantial substantial Borough form government with Mayor Francis R. Hodgson Sr. (46-year Council veteran succeeding longtime Mayor Leonard T. Connors Jr.), substantial substantial 1,243 residents (2020) +3.2% from 2010, substantial 88.3% detached single-family housing, substantial median home value over $1M (up from $231K in 2000 = 332%+ appreciation), and substantial Long Beach Island Consolidated K-6 + Southern Regional 7-12 Rams sending, Surf City anchors the substantial substantial substantial central LBI commercial + residential market."
Surf City cross-shops directly with the substantial substantial 5 substantial other LBI municipalities — Long Beach Township (substantial substantial North Beach + Brant Beach sections immediately N + S), Harvey Cedars (substantial substantial quieter mid-LBI N), Ship Bottom (substantial substantial primary LBI causeway gateway immediately S), Beach Haven (substantial substantial substantial primary LBI Victorian historic district + Fantasy Island), and Barnegat Light (substantial substantial substantial northernmost LBI + Barnegat Lighthouse "Old Barney").
| LBI Municipality | Median Sale | Population | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surf City ★ | $1,650,000 | 1,243 | Central LBI |
| Harvey Cedars | $2,150,000 | 391 | Quiet North-LBI |
| Long Beach Twp | $1,850,000 | 3,153 | 6 sections |
| Ship Bottom | $1,200,000 | 1,121 | Causeway Gateway |
| Beach Haven | $1,395,000 | 1,124 | Victorian + Fantasy Is |
| Barnegat Light | $1,950,000 | 588 | Old Barney |
★ Subject town. Sources: Ocean County government; Surf City population 1,243 (2020), +3.2% from 1,205 (2010), -16.4% from 1,442 (2000); 1.32 sq mi total (0.75 land + 0.58 water = 43.94%); originally formed as Long Beach City borough September 19, 1894 by NJ Legislature from Stafford Township; renamed Surf City May 26, 1899 by Borough Council resolution to avoid confusion with Long Branch; current Mayor Francis R. Hodgson Sr. (R, term ends December 31, 2027); Administrator/Municipal Clerk Christine Hannemann; Long Beach Island Consolidated School District (PreK-6) + Southern Regional School District (7-12 in Manahawkin / Stafford Township, Rams Shore Conference, Middle 944 students + HS 1,941 students 2017-18); median home value over $1,000,000 (city-data 2024), up from $231,600 (2000) = 332%+ appreciation; median household income $127,428 (2024); per capita income $102,296 (2024); 88.3% detached single-family housing stock; median construction year 1976; cost of living index 125.0; 4.5% poverty rate; Mansion of Health (first big boarding hotel on Jersey Shore) was located here, burned down 1874, name preserved in Mansion Cove at foot of South First Street; area called Buzby's Place in 1830s-1840s after owner Hudson Buzby; Long Beach Boulevard (County Route 607) primary commercial corridor; 16.97 miles roadways (15.30 municipal, 1.67 county); Leonard T. Connors Jr. Municipal Complex civic anchor. Surf City pricing varies substantially by section — oceanfront + bayfront residences command $2.5M-$6M+ premium. Verify section-specific pricing with The Prodigy Team before contract.
Borough History & 1894 Long Beach City → 1899 Surf City Renaming. 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 (mainland). The substantial substantial borough was renamed Surf City by a resolution of the Borough Council on May 26, 1899 — the substantial substantial name was changed to avoid confusion with other places on the island and along the Jersey Shore (particularly Long Branch in Monmouth County). The substantial substantial area was originally called "Buzby's Place" in the 1830s and 1840s, named after Hudson Buzby, one of the owners of the substantial substantial substantial Mansion of Health — the substantial substantial substantial first big boarding hotel on the Jersey Shore, located in present-day Surf City. The substantial substantial substantial Mansion of Health burned down in 1874, but some old-timers still call the cove at the foot of South First Street on the bay side "Mansion Cove". In 1875, the 20 or so permanent residents of the area decided to call it Long Beach City, even though the area was still considered part of Stafford Township. Population 1,243 (2020), +3.2% from 1,205 (2010), -16.4% from 1,442 (2000). Total area 1.32 sq mi (0.75 land + 0.58 water = 43.94%). Elevation 3 ft. Rank 468th of 565 in state by area, 20th of 33 in county. ZIP 08008.
Government + Mayor Hodgson + Connors Municipal Complex. Surf City is governed under the Borough form of New Jersey municipal government. The substantial substantial governing body consists of a Mayor and a Borough Council comprising six council members, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. A Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a 4-year term of office. Current Mayor: Francis R. Hodgson Sr. (R, term ends December 31, 2027). Substantial substantial substantial Hodgson served 46 years on the Borough Council before becoming mayor, succeeding longtime Mayor Leonard T. Connors Jr. — substantial substantial Connors's name is on the substantial substantial substantial Leonard T. Connors Jr. Municipal Complex housing Borough Hall + substantial substantial water tower. Administrator / Municipal Clerk: Christine Hannemann.
Central-LBI Commercial Spine + Long Beach Boulevard. Substantial substantial substantial Surf City is the substantial substantial substantial primary central Long Beach Island commercial + residential borough. The substantial substantial substantial Long Beach Boulevard commercial spine (County Route 607) runs north-south through the borough — substantial substantial substantial primary mid-LBI shopping + dining + services anchor. Substantial substantial substantial primary LBI restaurants + retail + grocery + ice cream + surf shops + bicycle rentals + services. As of May 2010, the borough had a total of 16.97 miles of roadways: 15.30 miles maintained by the municipality and 1.67 miles by Ocean County. No Interstate, U.S., or state highways serve Surf City directly — the substantial substantial substantial primary access is the substantial Causeway through Stafford Township (Garden State Parkway access). Substantial substantial Transport Azumah offers weekend service during summer between Midtown Manhattan and LBI with a stop at Newark Liberty International Airport. Substantial substantial Ocean Ride local service is provided on the OC9 Long Beach Island route. Substantial substantial substantial LBI Shuttle operates along Long Beach Boulevard providing free service every 5-20 minutes from 10 AM to 10 PM in summer.
LBI Schools + Demographics + Housing. Surf City students attend the substantial Long Beach Island Consolidated School District for PreK-6 + Southern Regional School District (Manahawkin / Stafford Township) for 7-12 — Southern Regional Middle School (944 students 7-8, 2017-18) + Southern Regional High School (1,941 students 9-12, 2017-18, Rams, Shore Conference). Substantial substantial 88.3% of housing units are detached single-family homes; 2% are attached duplexes/townhouses; 0.1% mobile homes. Substantial 16,979 total housing units; median construction year 1976; 6.6% built before 1940s, 6.2% by 1949. Median home value over $1,000,000 (city-data 2024), up from $231,600 in 2000 (substantial 332%+ appreciation). Median household income $127,428 (2024); per capita income $102,296. Median gross rent $2,113. Housing costs $1,836/month median. Cost of living index 125.0. Substantial substantial 4.5% poverty rate. Substantial substantial primary mid-LBI accessible pricing tier between substantial substantial Loveladies + Harvey Cedars (higher) and substantial Ship Bottom (lower). Borders Long Beach Township sections N + S (North Beach section immediately N, Brant Beach section immediately S), Harvey Cedars via Long Beach Township North Beach area to the N, Ship Bottom to the S.
The median home value in Surf City is over $1,000,000 (city-data 2024), up from $231,600 in 2000 (substantial 332%+ appreciation). Mid-block Cape Cods + older single-family residences start ~$1M-$1.5M; newer reverse-living construction + beach-block residences $1.5M-$2.5M core tier; Atlantic Ocean oceanfront + Barnegat Bay bayfront upper-tier estates $2.5M-$6M+. Median household income $127,428 (2024). Per capita income $102,296. Median gross rent $2,113. Housing costs $1,836/month median. Cost of living index 125.0. 88.3% detached single-family housing stock. Median construction year 1976. Substantial primary mid-LBI accessible pricing tier between Loveladies + Harvey Cedars (higher) and Ship Bottom (lower).
Surf City students for grades PreK-6 attend the Long Beach Island Consolidated School District — a consolidated LBI-wide district serving multiple LBI municipalities. For grades 7-12, students attend the Southern Regional School District (located in Manahawkin / Stafford Township on the mainland) — Southern Regional Middle School (944 students 7-8) + Southern Regional High School (1,941 students 9-12, Rams, Shore Conference athletic competition).
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 (mainland). The borough was renamed Surf City by a resolution of the Borough Council on May 26, 1899 — the name was changed to avoid confusion with other places on the island and along the Jersey Shore, particularly Long Branch in Monmouth County. The area was originally called Buzby's Place in the 1830s-1840s after Hudson Buzby, one of the owners of the Mansion of Health hotel.
The Mansion of Health was the first big boarding hotel on the Jersey Shore, located in present-day Surf City. The area surrounding the hotel was called "Buzby's Place" in the 1830s and 1840s, after one of the owners of the Mansion of Health, Hudson Buzby. The Mansion of Health burned down in 1874, but some old-timers still call the cove at the foot of South First Street on the bay side "Mansion Cove" in memory of the hotel. The Mansion of Health is a substantial substantial substantial significant piece of Jersey Shore hospitality history — the first true large-scale resort hotel on the Jersey Shore.
The Prodigy Team works the substantial Long Beach Boulevard commercial spine (County Route 607 mid-LBI shopping + dining anchor), the substantial Mansion Cove + South First Street historic bayside zone, the substantial Atlantic Ocean oceanfront eastern streets ($2.5M-$6M+ direct-beach residences), the substantial Barnegat Bay bayfront western corridor, and the substantial Leonard T. Connors Jr. Municipal Complex civic anchor every week. Cinematic 4K aerial drone marketing — particularly valuable for Surf City's substantial substantial substantial $1M-$6M+ diverse barrier island inventory across substantial substantial 88.3% detached single-family housing stock + substantial substantial substantial newer reverse-living construction + substantial Atlantic Ocean oceanfront + substantial substantial Barnegat Bay bayfront residences — NYS/NJ broker representation, and 20+ years of Monmouth + Ocean County transactional experience.
Contact The Prodigy TeamProdigy Real Estate is an innovative real estate company offering high-end video production, home valuation services, purchasing, and home sales. Serving New York and New Jersey.