Ocean County, NJ Property Tax: $6,499/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Ocean County is 1.77% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $366,600, that works out to about $6,489 per year, or $541 per month. Ocean County is located in eastern New Jersey, and is home to approximately 646,434 residents.
About Ocean County
Ocean County covers approximately 628.3 square miles in New Jersey. The county is home to about 646,434 residents living in roughly 295,201 housing units, of which 65.6% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $86,411, and the median home was built in 1981.
Ocean County borders Atlantic County, Burlington County, Monmouth County — useful comparisons if you're considering nearby areas with potentially different tax rates.
How Property Taxes Work in New Jersey
Property taxes in New Jersey are administered at the county level. Each county sets a millage rate applied to the assessed value of real property — the effective rate above accounts for any partial assessments and exemptions already built into the local tax base. Assessed value can differ meaningfully from current market value depending on how often the county reassesses and what fraction of market value it uses.
Most counties in New Jersey offer exemptions that reduce the taxable assessed value: homestead exemptions for primary residences, senior exemptions, disability exemptions, and veteran exemptions are common. These reduce your effective rate below the county-wide average shown here. Contact the Ocean County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Ocean County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean County, NJ | 1.77% | $366,600 | $6,489 |
| New Jersey state average | 2.21% | — | $8,102* |
| Atlantic County | 2.47% | $272,700 | $6,749 |
| Burlington County | 2.42% | $326,700 | $7,902 |
| Monmouth County | 1.77% | $566,500 | $10,001 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Ocean County's median home value of $366,600. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Ocean County's property tax rate compare to the rest of New Jersey?
At 1.77%, Ocean County is lower than the New Jersey state average of 2.21%. On a home at the county median of $366,600, that means about $6,489 per year — versus $8,102 at the state average rate, a difference of $1,613 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Ocean County is above average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Ocean County?
For a home at the county median value of $366,600, the annual property tax in Ocean County is approximately $6,489 — or about $541 per month. For a home worth $549,900, expect around $9,733 per year. For a $733,200 home, approximately $12,978 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Ocean County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Ocean County are handled by the Ocean County Assessor's office. Most jurisdictions require filing within 30–90 days of receiving your assessment notice — confirm the specific deadline with the assessor's office before submitting, as deadlines and procedures vary by county. A successful appeal can reduce your assessed value and lower your tax bill for the current and future tax years.
What exemptions are available in Ocean County?
New Jersey counties commonly offer homestead exemptions for owner-occupied primary residences, senior citizen exemptions for qualifying homeowners aged 65 and older, exemptions for disabled residents, and veterans' exemptions. Each exemption reduces your assessed taxable value, which in turn reduces your effective tax rate below the county-wide 1.77% shown here. Contact the Ocean County Assessor's office to confirm which exemptions are available and the application deadlines.
Data sources: US Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates, US Census Gazetteer (2024), County Adjacency File