City profile · New Jersey · Census ACS 2023

Bernardsville, NJ

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

7,871
Residents
$231,006
Median income
$737,600
Median home
$2,205
Median rent (state)

Bernardsville - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Bernardsville lands in the 99th percentile for household income and the 79th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

99th
percentile, household income
94th
percentile, home value
86th
percentile, median rent
79th
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: Bernardsville, NJ

Bernardsville is a small town in New Jersey, home to 7,871 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $231,006 per year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 0.7%. Bernardsville's housing stock carries a median value of $737,600, and the median resident age is 41.2 years. Educational attainment runs 69.5% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 68.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 23 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Growing), up 15% from five years earlier. Bernardsville reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 636.1 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

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. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $2,205 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts New Jersey's average monthly utility costs around $275 (state average). On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 92.9 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

7,871 residents

Census ACS 2023 - New Jersey

Median Household Income

$231,006 /yr

Poverty 0.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

108.8 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, New Jersey average

How does Bernardsville compare to other US cities?

Bernardsville measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 99% higher than other cities
Home value 94% pricier than other cities
Median rent 86% pricier than other cities
Safety 79% 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, Bernardsville ranks #73 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

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Bernardsville's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in New Jersey, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

99thIncome percentile
79thSafety percentile

99th percentile nationally for median household income · 79th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Bernardsville's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Bernardsville'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 63 Avg. percentile National median
Bernardsville'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 Bernardsville's home value compares nationally

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

$737,600 6th percentile more affordable than 6% 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%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Bernardsville $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 - Bernardsville, NJ Bernardsville, NJ's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Bernardsville, 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 Bernardsville, NJ median $231,006/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%
Bernardsville, 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 Bernardsville, NJ. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 69.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 0.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 68.3%

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

Population
7,871
Median Income
$231,006
Median Home Value
$737,600
Median Age
41.2
Poverty Rate
0.7%
Labor force participation
68.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
69.5%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
636.1
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
37.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
598.7
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.

Schools

Total Schools
3
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
7,850 residents7,900 residents7,950 residents8,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 7,869 residents 7,966 residents ▲ +1.2%
Bernardsville's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Growing
Total Permits (2024)
23
housing units authorized
Single-Family
18
detached homes
Multifamily
5
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.9
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 20
2020 37
2021 26
2022 19
2023 14
2024 23

Permit volume increased 15% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
60.9%
Carpool
3.8%
Public Transit
3.8%
Walk
6.5%
Work from Home
23.3%
Other
1.7%

Based on 4,175 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 Bernardsville sits in

Cost of Living Index
108.8
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$2,205/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
92.9 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in New Jersey

Basking Ridge
7,882 people
Glen Ridge
7,827 people
Watsessing
7,944 people
Carneys Point
7,945 people
Crestwood
7,951 people
Fanwood
7,714 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Bernardsville's 7,871 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Cumming, GA
7,869 people
Blair, NE
7,868 people
West Dundee, IL
7,867 people
White Knoll, SC
7,865 people
Grove City, PA
7,861 people
Farr West, UT
7,881 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Bernardsville's $231,006 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Cupertino, CA
$231,139 median income
Roslyn Harbor, NY
$231,250 median income
Westwood, MO
$231,667 median income
Kentfield, CA
$231,875 median income
Coto de Caza, CA
$232,470 median income
New Albany, OH
$232,524 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Bernardsville, 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 Bernardsville, NJ - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 86.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 10.7% White 86.7% Black or African American 0.6% Asian 2.8% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 6.0% Two or more races 4.0% 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 Bernardsville 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
Bernardsville (this city) 7,871 $231,006
Basking Ridge 7,882 $200,378
Glen Ridge 7,827 $248,016
Watsessing 7,944 $94,301
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NJ FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Bernardsville, NJ?

What is the population of Bernardsville, NJ? +

The population of Bernardsville, NJ stands at 7,871 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Bernardsville runs $231,006, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Bernardsville? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Bernardsville; 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 Bernardsville, NJ safe? +

Bernardsville has a total crime rate of 636.1 per 100,000 residents, which is below 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 Bernardsville, NJ? +

The median home value in Bernardsville is $737,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, 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 Editorial

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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.