Rising Seas Could Submerge Much of Jersey Shore by 2100

The doomsday scenario for sea-level rise in New Jersey is worse than that of almost any other state.

1 minute read

April 12, 2018, 5:00 AM PDT

By Elana Eden


Jersey Shore

Jon Bilous / Shutterstock

Rising sea levels threaten the entire country, but New Jersey is among the states most vulnerable to its impacts, new research suggests.

Researchers at Climate Central and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently concluded that by the year 2100, climate change could raise sea levels around New Jersey by as much as 12 feet. To put that in perspective, scientists have estimated global sea-level rise in the same timeframe at three or six feet.

New Jersey's worst-case scenario would endanger 710,000 people and $199 billion worth of property, the study warns. Sites at risk include the Keansburg Amusement Park, the Asbury Park Convention Hall, Downtown Brick, and the barrier islands.

Visualizations of the Jersey Shore’s potential future are provided on USA Today's site, App.

Monday, April 9, 2018 in USA Today

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Hot air balloons rise over Downtown Boise with the State Capitol building visible amidst the high rises.

The Five Most-Changed American Cities

A ranking of population change, home values, and jobs highlights the nation’s most dynamic and most stagnant regions.

April 23, 2025 - GoodMigrations

People biking along beach path with moored ship in San Diego, California.

San Diego Adopts First Mobility Master Plan

The plan provides a comprehensive framework for making San Diego’s transportation network more multimodal, accessible, and sustainable.

2 hours ago - SD News

Sleeping in Public

Housing, Supportive Service Providers Brace for Federal Cuts

Organizations that provide housing assistance are tightening their purse strings and making plans for maintaining operations if federal funding dries up.

3 hours ago - KSL

Conductor walks down platform next to Amtrak train at station in San Jose, California.

Op-Ed: Why an Effective Passenger Rail Network Needs Government Involvement

An outdated rail network that privileges freight won’t be fixed by privatizing Amtrak.

4 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Building Inspector

Village of Glen Ellyn

Manager of Model Development

Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA