City profile · New Jersey · Census ACS 2023

Newark, NJ

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Newark - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

307,188
Residents
$48,416
Median income
$337,800
Median home
$2,763
Median rent (state)

Newark - the verdict

Newark ranks in the 17th percentile for household income and the 22nd percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

17th
percentile, household income
70th
percentile, home value
96th
percentile, median rent
22nd
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Newark, NJ

307,188 people live in Newark, New Jersey - a mid-sized U.S. city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Newark brings in $48,416 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 21.0%. Newark's housing stock carries a median value of $337,800, and the median resident age is 34.8 years. Educational attainment runs 17.4% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 55.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 1,736 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 208% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 2538.5 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, near the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Newark's yearly average temperature at 55.5°F with 46.6 inches of precipitation per year and 31.5 inches of snowfall.

New Jersey carries a cost-of-living premium: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, New Jersey scores 108.8 (Well Above Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $2,763 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $275 across New Jersey, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. The average commute for Newark workers runs 31.2 minutes, with 50.4% driving alone and 6.1% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 97.2 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

307,188 residents

Census ACS 2023 - New Jersey

Median Household Income

$48,416 /yr

Poverty 21.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

108.8 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, New Jersey average

How does Newark compare to other US cities?

Where Newark sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 17% higher than other cities
Home value 70% pricier than other cities
Median rent 96% pricier than other cities
Safety 22% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to New Jersey alone, Newark ranks #206 of 238 New Jersey cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Newark against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to New Jersey only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

New Jersey-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent is Newark's strongest outlier among New Jersey cities

Among the 686 New Jersey cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Newark ranks #1 - the 97th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Newark only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#639 of 659
3rd percentile in New Jersey
Median Gross Rent
#1 of 686
97th percentile in New Jersey
Median Home Value
#436 of 672
35th percentile in New Jersey
Poverty Rate
#30 of 680
96th percentile in New Jersey
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#624 of 686
9th percentile in New Jersey

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within New Jersey only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

17thIncome percentile
22ndSafety percentile

17th percentile nationally for median household income · 22nd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Newark's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Newark's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 19 Avg. percentile National median
Newark's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Newark's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$337,800 30th percentile more affordable than 30% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). This entry sits in this band. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Newark $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Newark, NJ Newark, NJ's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Newark, NJ-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Newark, NJ median $48,416/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Newark, NJ's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Newark, NJ. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 17.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 21.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 55.2%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
307,188
Median Income
$48,416
Median Home Value
$337,800
Median Age
34.8
Poverty Rate
21.0%
Labor force participation
55.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
17.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2538.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
581.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1957.3
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
55.5°F
Annual Precipitation
46.6"
Annual Snowfall
31.5"

Schools

Total Schools
81
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
300,000 residents310,000 residents320,000 residents330,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 310,567 residents 323,808 residents ▲ +4.3%
Newark's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
1,736
housing units authorized
Single-Family
14
detached homes
Multifamily
1,722
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
5.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 564
2020 1,494
2021 1,328
2022 1,748
2023 1,358
2024 1,736

Permit volume increased 208% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
31.2 minutes
Drive Alone
50.4%
Carpool
11.0%
Public Transit
18.6%
Walk
4.9%
Work from Home
6.1%
Other
9.0%

Based on 126,689 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for New Jersey - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$120
avg/month
Natural Gas
$95
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$60
avg/month
Total Utilities
$275
estimated/month

Estimates reflect New Jersey state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a New Jersey state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Newark sits in

Cost of Living Index
108.8
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$2,763/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
97.2 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in New Jersey

Jersey City
289,691 people
Paterson
157,660 people
Elizabeth
135,887 people
Toms River
93,915 people
Trenton
89,966 people
Clifton
89,247 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Newark's 307,188 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

St. Paul, MN
307,762 people
Irvine, CA
308,160 people
Cincinnati, OH
309,595 people
Pittsburgh, PA
303,620 people
Santa Ana, CA
311,639 people
Orlando, FL
311,732 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Newark's $48,416 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Clear Creek, CA
$48,417 median income
Oak Ridge town (Cooke County), TX
$48,417 median income
Bowling Green, KY
$48,419 median income
Wakefield, MI
$48,413 median income
Cleveland, FL
$48,422 median income
King City, MO
$48,409 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Newark, NJ Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Newark, NJ - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 16.5% 46.7% 20.4% 13.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 37.2% White 16.5% Black or African American 46.7% Asian 1.9% American Indian 0.8% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 20.4% Two or more races 13.8% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Newark compares to nearby New Jersey cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Newark (this city) 307,188 $48,416
Jersey City 289,691 $94,813
Paterson 157,660 $53,766
Elizabeth 135,887 $63,874
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NJ FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Newark, NJ?

What is the population of Newark, NJ? +

Newark, NJ counts 307,188 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Newark, NJ? +

Newark households earn a median of $48,416 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Newark? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Newark; the closest available measure is the New Jersey state average, a cost of living index of 108.8 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within New Jersey vary by metro area.

Is Newark, NJ safe? +

Newark has a total crime rate of 2538.5 per 100,000 residents, which is near the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Newark, NJ? +

Homes in Newark carry a median value of $337,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Newark? +

Newark has an average annual temperature of 55.5°F, 46.6 inches of precipitation, and 31.5 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.