Is Fort Dix Safe, Pros and cons of living in Fort Dix
Fort Dix, officially known as the Army Support Activity, Fort Dix, is a significant United States Army installation located within Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey. This military community offers a unique living environment, blending the structured nature of military life with the conveniences of a suburban setting. It’s a place where families and service members alike can find a sense of community and belonging.
The area provides a range of amenities and services designed to support the well-being and quality of life for its residents. From on-post housing managed by privatized operators to recreational facilities and essential services, Fort Dix aims to create a comfortable and functional living experience. Understanding the various facets of life in Fort Dix, including its safety, cost of living, and community offerings, is crucial for anyone considering a move to this military enclave.
Is it Safe to Live in Fort Dix?
Fort Dix is considered a very safe place to live, with crime rates significantly below the national average. NeighborhoodScout reports that Fort Dix has an annual crime rate of only 1 per one thousand people, making the chance of becoming a victim of crime just 1 in 814 (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). This places Fort Dix among the safest communities in both New Jersey and the nation for its size.
The violent crime rate in Fort Dix is well below the national average, with a rate of 0 per one thousand inhabitants, meaning your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 6,508 (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Property crime rates are also below average, with a chance of becoming a victim of property crime at 1 in 930 (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). CrimeGrade.org also gives Fort Dix a safety grade of C+, indicating that the overall crime rate is 16% below the national average (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).
Quality of Life and Amenities
Housing
On-post housing at Fort Dix is privatized and managed by United Communities, offering homes that cater to different pay grades and family sizes (as provided by Fort Dix, NJ Housing and Relocation Information). These residences often include amenities such as washer/dryer hookups, air conditioning, and walk-in closets.
For those seeking off-post options, the median gross rent in Fort Dix was $2,466 as of the 2020-2024 data (as reported by U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts). Rental prices for apartments vary, with a 1-bedroom typically around $1,895 and a 2-bedroom averaging $2,250 per month (as reported by Zumper). Houses for rent are generally more expensive, with an average monthly cost of $2,825 (as reported by Zumper).
Schools
Fort Dix Elementary School serves students in grades PK-5 and is part of the Pemberton Township School District. It has received a GreatSchools Rating of 7 out of 10, based on its performance on state standardized tests (as reported by Military Town Advisor). The school has a student-teacher ratio of 12:1 and reports that 50-54% of students are proficient in math, while 35-39% are proficient in reading/language arts (as reported by Joint Base Mdl, NJ).
However, other rankings suggest Fort Dix Elementary School faces challenges, with one source placing it in the bottom 50% of all schools in New Jersey for overall test scores (as reported by Joint Base Mdl, NJ). Despite this, math proficiency is noted as being in the top 30% (as reported by Joint Base Mdl, NJ).
Cost of Living and Employment
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Fort Dix is higher than the national average, with overall living costs being 21% higher than the U.S. average (as reported by Salary.com). Housing costs are a significant factor, noted as being 3.4% higher than the national average (as reported by Salary.com).
Monthly expenses for a single person in Fort Dix are estimated at $2,993, while a family of four can expect to spend around $6,590 per month (as reported by Salary.com). These figures reflect elevated costs in housing, transportation, and food compared to national averages (as reported by Salary.com).
Job Market and Salaries
The primary employer in Fort Dix is the U.S. Army, which employs a significant portion of the workforce, making the military a central focus of the local economy (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). In the civilian sector, retail and accommodation are major employers, accounting for 21.01% and 15.75% of the civilian workforce, respectively (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).
The average salary for a U.S. Army Infantryman in Fort Dix is approximately $70,525 annually, which is 71% above the national average (as reported by Indeed.com). For other roles, such as a Guard, the average hourly wage is $23.91 (as reported by Indeed.com). For general “Team Member” positions in the nearby McGuire AFB area, the average hourly wage is $17.43 (as reported by Indeed.com).
Climate and Demographics
Climate
Fort Dix experiences warm, humid summers and very cold, snowy, and windy winters, with the weather being partly cloudy year-round (as reported by Weather Spark). Temperatures typically range from 25°F to 86°F throughout the year, rarely dropping below 11°F or exceeding 94°F (as reported by Weather Spark).
The hottest month is July, with an average high of 86°F and a low of 67°F. January is the coldest month, with an average low of 26°F and a high of 41°F (as reported by Weather Spark). Annual precipitation averages around 46 inches, with about 24 inches of snowfall (as reported by myPerfectWeather).
Demographics
As of 2024, Fort Dix has a population of approximately 7,984 people (as reported by Data USA). The racial composition includes White Non-Hispanic (40.2%), Black (35.6%), and Hispanic (22.8%) residents (as reported by Lawrence Yerkes). Demographics from the U.S. Census Bureau for the Fort Dix CDP show a population of 7,716 in 2010, with 52.57% White, 34.47% Black or African American, and 21.47% Hispanic or Latino (as reported by Wikipedia).
The median age in Fort Dix is 36.2 years (as reported by Data USA). A significant portion of the population comprises individuals in the 25 to 44 age range (50.2% in 2010) (as reported by Wikipedia). In terms of citizenship, 89.4% of Fort Dix residents are U.S. citizens (as reported by Data USA).