Employment and Economy

A large portion of Asbury Parka��s jobs are in the retail and service sectors (about 70%), a testament to its role as a popular Jersey Shore destination. Geographically, the majority of the citya��s economic activity takes place on the East Side and along Main Street. This was not always the case– Springwood Ave, on the West Side, was a commercial hub and the center of African American culture until riots in the 1970s left much of the street vacant, a condition that persists today.
The city lags behind the rest of New Jersey in many economic indicators, including median household income, unemployment, and poverty. A lack of good jobs within close distance is often brought up as a major issue for the city in general and West Side residents in particular.

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TOP ISSUES IDENTIFIED BY WORKING GROUP

  • Access to career training opportunities
  • Access to good-paying jobs locally and in the region
  • Job opportunities for youth
  • Communication between employers and job-seekers

Springwood Ave

Looking west on Springwood Ave from Memorial Drive

Cookman Ave

Historic Springwood Ave

Jobs and Income

0%
...unemployment in Asbury Park compared to 6.5% in New Jersey.
0%
...poverty rate in Asbury Park compared to about 11% in New Jersey.
0%
...of residents work in Monmouth County.
0%
...of Lincoln Village households do not have an employed adult.
Median Household Income
The Local Economy

Businesses by Sector
Employees by Sector
  • Retail
  • Finance, Insurance, Real Estate
  • Services
  • Construction, Manufacturing, Wholesale
  • Government
  • Unclassified
  • Retail
  • Finance, Insurance, Real Estate
  • Services
  • Construction, Manufacturing, Wholesale
  • Government

SERVICES: hotels, amusements, health and legal services, education

RETAIL: food stores, restaurants and bars, apparel, furniture, auto dealers and gas stations, home improvement

Asbury Park Transit Station

Asbury Park Transit Station

Many residents rely on the local buses and regional train that stop at the Asbury Park Station to get to their jobs.

Access to Childcare

Access to Childcare

Some parents are unable to work because of the daunting cost and complication of finding childcare.

The Seasonal Workforce

The Seasonal Workforce

Asbury Park, as a summer shore destination, has an influx of seasonal service workers during peak months.

Existing Job Support Facilities and Programs
  • Monmouth County Vocational School District
  • Brookdale Community College
  • Interfaith Neighbors Business Development Center
  • Junior Entrepreneur Training (JET) Program
  • Kula Cafe Job Training Program
0
total firms in Asbury Park
0
minority-owned firms
The Community Says

  • SPRINGWOOD AVE needs both basic amenities and neighborhood shopping destinations, better bus service, and a walkable atmosphere
  • JOB TRAINING resources are needed within closer proximity to residents
  • GENERAL ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY is lagging in Asbury Park and the region

Feedback from a September 29, 2016 community listening session

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