The dry town that ranks as the state's most drunken

Countries & Cities · Published 12 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Ocean City, New Jersey, is a seaside paradox. Since its founding in 1879, it has strictly prohibited the sale of alcohol to maintain its religious roots. Yet, despite these long-standing blue laws, it was recently ranked by USA Today as the state's most drunken city.

The city's identity is rooted in a spiritual retreat established on September 10, 1879. Four Methodist ministers chose the island to create a Christian camp meeting site, modeled after Ocean Grove. This religious foundation led to the adoption of strict blue laws in 1881, which eventually banned the manufacturing and sale of alcohol by 1909. To promote temperance, the Woman's Christian Temperance Union even donated a public fountain in 1915.

However, these prohibitions created a complex social reality. While the city remains one of only 32 dry towns in New Jersey, illegal speakeasies were raided as early as 1929. Despite current prohibitions, alcohol is consumed heavily or through binge drinking by 18.3% of Ocean City metropolitan area residents, a figure exceeding every other state metro region. This irony contributed to USA Today listing it as the most drunken city in New Jersey in 2017.

The city also faces a literal fight against the elements. To counter storm-driven erosion, coastal sands have undergone over 30 replenishments since 1951, perhaps a national record for any beach. A major project in 1982 saw 1,200,000 cubic yards of material vanish in just two and a half months after nor'easters. Now, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages nourishment projects every three years to protect this high-traffic family resort.

Demographically, Ocean City is an aging community with a median age of 57.3 years as of 2020. While it serves as a massive summer destination with an estimated 115,000 to 130,000 visitors, its year-round population remains small at 11,229. The city maintains a unique balance of preservation and tourism, dedicating 39% of its land area to parks and recreation.

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