Is Mays Landing Safe, Pros and cons of living in Mays Landing

Mays Landing, a community in Hamilton Township, New Jersey, offers a blend of suburban and rural living, appealing to those seeking a quieter pace of life while remaining accessible to urban amenities. Situated in Atlantic County, it serves as the county seat, contributing to its historical significance and established infrastructure. The area has a rich past tied to maritime trade and local industries, with many historic buildings still present today, reflecting its enduring character.

The community provides a balance for its residents, with a significant portion owning their homes and a notable presence of young professionals. Mays Landing’s atmosphere is often described as family-oriented and tight-knit, fostering a sense of community among its inhabitants. This environment, combined with its accessibility, makes it a notable location for individuals and families considering a move to southern New Jersey.

Is it Safe to Live in Mays Landing?

Mays Landing demonstrates a crime rate that is lower than the national average, with violent crimes also significantly below the national figures (as reported by AreaVibes). Residents generally perceive the western parts of the town as the safest areas. The overall crime rate is approximately 13.68 per 1,000 residents in a typical year (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).

Your likelihood of being a victim of crime in Mays Landing varies by neighborhood, ranging from a 1 in 42 chance in the northeast to a 1 in 108 chance in the west (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). The total projected cost of crime per resident is estimated at $182 annually, which is less than both the national and state averages (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). Mays Landing ranks in the 86th percentile for safety, indicating it is safer than 86% of U.S. cities (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).

When examining specific crime statistics, the murder rate in Mays Landing is very low, with approximately 0.0184 per 1,000 residents annually (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). This places Mays Landing as safer than the New Jersey state average and the national average for murder rates (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). The community is considered to have a low crime risk overall, with predictions of around 29 violent crimes and 20 property crimes annually within its block groups (as reported by Augurisk).

Demographics and Population

Mays Landing is home to a population of approximately 6,406 residents, a figure that has seen an increase since the 2020 Census (as reported by Data USA and Census Dots). The community is ethnically diverse, with White residents forming the largest group at 56.4%, followed by Black or African American residents at 15.1%, and Hispanic residents at 13.0% (as reported by Census Dots). This demographic makeup reflects a growing diversity within Mays Landing compared to the 2020 Census (as reported by Census Dots).

The age distribution in Mays Landing shows a median age of 41.1 years (as reported by World Population Review). Approximately 14.5% of the population consists of children under 15, with 10.2% in the 15 to 24 age group. Adults between 25 and 44 constitute 30.4% of the population, while those aged 45 to 64 represent 21.2%, and individuals 65 and older make up about 23.8% (as reported by Point2Homes).

Citizenship in Mays Landing is high, with 95.6% of residents being U.S. citizens, which is above the national average (as reported by Data USA). A small percentage of residents, 8.71%, were born outside the country (as reported by Data USA). The population is also characterized by a slightly higher male to female ratio, with 57.7% males and 42.3% females (as reported by Point2Homes).

Cost of Living and Housing

The cost of living in Mays Landing is generally higher than the national average, estimated to be about 15% higher than the U.S. average and 23% higher than the New Jersey state average (as reported by Salary.com). This increased cost is influenced by factors such as housing, transportation, and food expenses, which are all noted to be above average (as reported by Salary.com).

Housing prices in Mays Landing present a more moderate picture compared to the state, with a median home value of approximately $307,254 (as of March 31, 2026, according to Zillow). This is notably lower than the New Jersey state average of $388,929 (as reported by Niche). The median listing price for homes is around $274.9K, with a median sale price that has seen a year-over-year decline (as reported by realtor.com®).

Rental costs in Mays Landing are also a significant consideration, with the average rent for all property types standing at approximately $2,300 per month (as of March 31, 2026, according to Zillow). This is higher than the national average rent of $1,910 (as reported by Zillow). The rent-to-income ratio for renters in the area is around 24.4% (as reported by Point2Homes).

Job Market and Economy

The employment rate in Mays Landing is robust, standing at 90.80% (as reported by BestNeighborhood.org). The average annual salary in Mays Landing is reported as $51,485 (as reported by ReadySetHire). However, other sources indicate a higher median household income of $83,056 (as reported by Data USA and World Population Review), and an average annual household income of $106,651 (as reported by Point2Homes).

Key employment sectors for Mays Landing residents include Retail Trade, Educational Services, and Health Care & Social Assistance (as reported by Data USA). The most common job types are in Sales & Related Occupations, Education Instruction & Library Occupations, and Transportation Occupations (as reported by Data USA). The unemployment rate in Mays Landing is 7.4% (as reported by Niche), which is lower than the national average (as reported by Indeed).

Major employers in the broader Atlantic County area, which would include Mays Landing, feature entities like Bally’s Atlantic City and Stockton University, alongside various retail and healthcare providers (as reported by NJ.gov). These larger organizations contribute significantly to the local job market, offering diverse opportunities across multiple industries.

Climate and Weather

Mays Landing experiences a climate characterized by warm, humid summers and cold, snowy, and windy winters, with partly cloudy conditions year-round (as reported by Weathers Spark). The temperature typically ranges from 25°F to 86°F throughout the year, rarely dropping below 11°F or exceeding 93°F (as reported by Weathers Spark).

Summer months, from June to September, bring average high temperatures above 77°F, with July being the hottest month, averaging a high of 85°F and a low of 68°F (as reported by Weathers Spark). Winter, from December to March, is colder, with average daily high temperatures below 50°F. January is the coldest month, with average lows around 26°F and highs of 42°F (as reported by Weathers Spark).

Annual precipitation in Mays Landing averages around 48 inches (as reported by Plantmaps). August typically sees the most rainfall, with an average of 3.6 inches, while February receives the least, averaging 2.4 inches (as reported by Weathers Spark). The area can experience wet days throughout the year, with a higher likelihood from March to August.

Education and Schools

The public school district serving Mays Landing, the Greater Egg Harbor Regional High School District, receives an overall Niche Grade of 4.35 out of 5, based on analysis of key statistics and reviews (as reported by Niche). This district is ranked among the better school districts in New Jersey, performing better than a significant percentage of other districts statewide and nationally (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Within the district, schools like Atlantic County Institute of Technology are noted for strong academic performance, including a high graduation rate (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). William Davies Middle School also shows better-than-average performance on state tests (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). However, some schools, like George L. Hess Educational Complex, are ranked within the bottom 50% of New Jersey schools for overall test scores (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

A common challenge across schools in the Mays Landing area is high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 14.9% to 14.9% (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). The district serves a diverse student population, with varying percentages of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, indicating socioeconomic diversity among the student body (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).