ZIP Code 08242 — Rio Grande CDP, NJ Demographics & Data

ZIP code 08242 covers Rio Grande, NJ in Cape May County with a population of about 4,021.

At a glance, the area shows median age of 51.4 versus a U.S. median of about 38.9.

It sits in telephone area codes 609, 640; U.S. House district NJ-2; the PHILADELPHIA media market.

Median household income in ZIP 08242 is about $97,831 — about 30% above the U.S. median ($75,149).

On socioeconomic markers, US5 shows a poverty rate of 8.8%; unemployment rate near 10.3%; 30.5% of adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher (about 3.2 points below the national share (33.7%)).

Labor and commute patterns include leading industry context around Food services, Public administration, and Construction; about 14.0% of workers reporting work-from-home (about 1.2 points below the U.S. share (15.2%)); a mean commute of about 180.0 minutes (U.S. average near 26.8).

Median home value is about $306,200 — about 12% below the U.S. median home value ($348,079).

Housing tenure and rents show median gross rent around $1,236 (about 6% above the U.S. median rent ($1,163)), and owner-occupancy near 78.9% (about 13.5 points above the national owner-occupancy rate (65.4%)).

To comfortably buy a median-priced home in ZIP 08242 in Rio Grande, NJ, a household would need roughly $84,000 in annual income under a 20% down, 30-year loan at 6.8% (illustrative), keeping housing costs near 28% of income. Estimated monthly PITI is about $1,967. That sits below the local median household income ($97,831), suggesting the typical household income is closer to a workable buy-in level under these assumptions. Rates, taxes, insurance, and HOA fees vary — treat this as a planning estimate, not a lender quote.

FEMA’s National Risk Index rates natural-hazard risk for Rio Grande CDP, NJ as Relatively Moderate (composite score 91.0), which is among the highest nationally. The strongest component scores on US5 are hurricane (93.1) and flood (89.7). These scores are county-linked NRI values published for planning context — all ZIP codes in the same county share the same composite score on US5. Useful when comparing insurance and disaster exposure across areas, not a substitute for a parcel-level flood or fire determination.

Climate normals for Rio Grande CDP, NJ show little to no average snow and around 43.8 inches of annual precipitation.

IRS migration statistics show a net inflow of about 259 for ZIP 08242 (Rio Grande CDP, NJ) on US5’s published series — a signal of people/tax filers moving in relative to those leaving. Inflows often track job growth, housing demand, or lifestyle migration; treat the figure as a directional indicator rather than a precise headcount.