The economy in Ocean City, New Jersey, is driven by several forces simultaneously. Real estate is influenced by short-selling cycles, tourism is tied to seasonal shifts and weather patterns, and digital finance is starting to gain attention, even in traditional shore towns. As 2025 draws to a close, the numbers tell a mixed story. Some sectors are holding steady, others show signs of slowing. But across all parts of the local economy, there is clear movement, from property sales to crypto speculation.
Cryptocurrency may still feel far from the sand and boardwalk, but interest in it is growing—even in Ocean City. The U.S. cryptocurrency market is projected to generate $16.1 billion in revenue in 2025. That number is expected to increase to $16.7 billion by 2026. Growth is estimated at 3.58% between 2025 and 2026.
These figures show how deeply digital assets have become tied to everyday finance, especially as more institutional investors join in and help raise both demand and prices. While the wider crypto market expands, a new area inside it is getting more notice: futures trading. Many traders now focus on futures because they let them take a position on where prices might go next without buying or holding the coins themselves.
Even though the national market is strong, people in Ocean City are still catching up to the details of this type of trading. Some have started exploring reliable sources that break down complex market moves into clear updates. Platforms such as CoinFutures, for instance, allow residents to track how digital prices shift, read market analysis, and test strategies that suit their own comfort level.
This keeps locals informed about the fast‑moving national trend without needing direct exposure to every part of the market.
Real estate in Ocean City stayed active through the summer of 2025, although the pace of growth has started to level out. In June, 85 homes were sold. Buyers paid, on average, 97.46% of the original asking price. This was well above the New Jersey average of 95.5%.
Homes in Ocean City moved quickly at the start of the summer, staying on the market for an average of 23 days, while the statewide average stood at 43 days. Among the sales, one stood out, a new Bayfront property on Glenwood Drive that sold for $9.55 million, the highest residential price recorded in the city for the season.
As the summer went on, the pace started to slow. In July, there were 95 sales across the city, but the average price slipped slightly to 95.52 percent of the asking price. Properties also took longer to sell, averaging 37 days on the market. The change suggested a market that was cooling from its earlier intensity, with buyers taking more time to decide and sellers adjusting expectations to match the shift in demand.
Tourism numbers in Ocean City showed mixed results over the summer. Beach tag revenue for 2025 totaled $5.9 million, which was lower than both 2024’s $6.2 million and 2023’s $6 million. Daily tag sales dropped to 144,149 from 167,180 the previous year.
A colder and wetter June was partly responsible for the early-season slowdown. July and August were more stable, but they didn’t fully offset the initial losses. Local businesses noticed the shift. Chambers of commerce across Cape May County, including Ocean City and Stone Harbor, said that maintaining tourist traffic took more effort.
While holiday weekends brought in visitors, the days in between were harder to fill. According to Michelle Gillian of the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce, June was difficult, but activity picked up afterward. Still, many business owners pointed out that overall spending was under pressure.
The shorter stays and rising costs meant businesses had to push harder just to reach the same levels as before, which added pressure to both the local economy and the tourism sector heading into the second half of the year.
City-wide investments are also shaping the trade picture. Ocean City’s 2025–2029 Capital Plan outlines $67 million in infrastructure spending through 2027, followed by $11 million in 2028 and $10 million in 2029.
For 2025 alone, the largest planned investment is a $3.5 million upgrade to the 34th Street and West Avenue recreation area. The work includes new pickleball and tennis courts, a playground, and restrooms. Other plans for the year include $3 million for airport terminal improvements, $2 million for paving and drainage, and $1 million for bay dredging.
This type of public spending not only creates jobs and contracts but also changes the long-term appeal of different areas. When roads are improved or a new scoreboard is installed at Carey Stadium, that affects local business traffic and home values.
One is the planned $750,000 renovation of the 35th Street Little League field, which is part of a longer push to modernize the city’s shared spaces. As the city adds and upgrades assets, these projects enter into the local trade economy, especially in construction, retail, and property management sectors.
