City profile · New Jersey · Census ACS 2023

Bridgeton, NJ

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

26,836
Residents
$46,124
Median income
$134,400
Median home
$1,673
Median rent (state)

Bridgeton - the verdict

Nationally, Bridgeton sits in the 14th percentile for household income and the 5th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

14th
percentile, household income
22nd
percentile, home value
66th
percentile, median rent
5th
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: Bridgeton, NJ

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 26,836 residents in Bridgeton, a small city within New Jersey. The typical household in Bridgeton brings in $46,124 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 28.4%. Typical homes in Bridgeton are valued around $134,400, and the median resident age is 28.9 years. 5.8% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 50.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 66 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Active). Bridgeton's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 4426.7 in FBI UCR data, above the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as 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. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,673 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in New Jersey run around $275, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Commute times here average 27.2 minutes, with 62.4% driving alone and 3.6% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 82.6 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (High).

Population

26,836 residents

Census ACS 2023 - New Jersey

Median Household Income

$46,124 /yr

Poverty 28.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

108.8 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, New Jersey average

How does Bridgeton compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 14% higher than other cities
Home value 22% pricier than other cities
Median rent 66% pricier than other cities
Safety 5% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at New Jersey, Bridgeton ranks #228 of 238 New Jersey cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

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 Bridgeton'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.

14thIncome percentile
5thSafety percentile

14th percentile nationally for median household income · 5th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Bridgeton's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Bridgeton'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 25 Avg. percentile National median
Bridgeton'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 Bridgeton's home value compares nationally

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

$134,400 Among the most affordable more affordable than 78% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $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. Bridgeton $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 - Bridgeton, NJ Bridgeton, NJ's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Bridgeton, 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 Bridgeton, NJ median $46,124/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%
Bridgeton, 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 Bridgeton, NJ. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 5.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 28.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 50.3%

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

Population
26,836
Median Income
$46,124
Median Home Value
$134,400
Median Age
28.9
Poverty Rate
28.4%
Labor force participation
50.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
5.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
4426.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
919.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3506.8
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
14
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
26,000 residents27,000 residents28,000 residents29,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 27,140 residents 28,307 residents ▲ +4.3%
Bridgeton's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Active
Total Permits (2024)
66
housing units authorized
Single-Family
6
detached homes
Multifamily
60
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 2
2021 0
2022 0
2023 0
2024 66

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
27.2 minutes
Drive Alone
62.4%
Carpool
27.1%
Public Transit
2.0%
Walk
2.7%
Work from Home
3.6%
Other
2.2%

Based on 9,234 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 Bridgeton sits in

Cost of Living Index
108.8
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,673/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
82.6 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in New Jersey

Paramus
26,500 people
Millville
27,432 people
Ridgewood
26,076 people
Lodi
25,946 people
Old Bridge
28,015 people
Cliffside Park
25,580 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Bridgeton's 26,836 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Kalispell, MT
26,830 people
Woodburn, OR
26,845 people
Benicia, CA
26,861 people
Palm Springs, FL
26,871 people
Plum, PA
26,873 people
Oak Forest, IL
26,888 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Bridgeton's $46,124 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Glenvar, VA
$46,125 median income
Hymera, IN
$46,122 median income
Tecumseh, NE
$46,127 median income
Pacolet, SC
$46,120 median income
Fruitland, NC
$46,113 median income
Sweet Springs, MO
$46,111 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Bridgeton, 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 Bridgeton, NJ - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 21.8% 31.1% 16.4% 28.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 57.0% White 21.8% Black or African American 31.1% Asian 0.1% American Indian 1.9% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 16.4% Two or more races 28.6% 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 Bridgeton 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
Bridgeton (this city) 26,836 $46,124
Paramus 26,500 $139,707
Millville 27,432 $67,190
Ridgewood 26,076 $217,250
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NJ FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Bridgeton, NJ?

What is the population of Bridgeton, NJ? +

Bridgeton, NJ counts 26,836 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Bridgeton runs $46,124, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Bridgeton? +

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

Bridgeton has a total crime rate of 4426.7 per 100,000 residents, which is above 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 Bridgeton, NJ? +

The median home value in Bridgeton is $134,400, 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.