City profile · New Jersey · Census ACS 2023

Caldwell, NJ

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

8,898
Residents
$101,196
Median income
$563,000
Median home
$2,205
Median rent (state)

Caldwell - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Caldwell lands in the 78th percentile for household income and the 90th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

78th
percentile, household income
88th
percentile, home value
86th
percentile, median rent
90th
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: Caldwell, NJ

8,898 people live in Caldwell, New Jersey - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $101,196 per year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 3.4%. Caldwell's housing stock carries a median value of $563,000, and the median resident age is 38.5 years. About 58.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 67.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 84 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 35% from five years earlier. Caldwell reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 389.9 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

New Jersey carries a cost-of-living premium: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts New Jersey at 108.8 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Above Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $2,205 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts New Jersey's average monthly utility costs around $275 (state average). FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 97.7 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

8,898 residents

Census ACS 2023 - New Jersey

Median Household Income

$101,196 /yr

Poverty 3.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

108.8 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, New Jersey average

How does Caldwell compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 78% higher than other cities
Home value 88% pricier than other cities
Median rent 86% pricier than other cities
Safety 90% 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, Caldwell ranks #37 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 Caldwell'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.

78thIncome percentile
90thSafety percentile

78th percentile nationally for median household income · 90th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Caldwell's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Caldwell'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 60 Avg. percentile National median
Caldwell'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 Caldwell's home value compares nationally

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

$563,000 12th percentile more affordable than 12% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Caldwell $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 - Caldwell, NJ Caldwell, NJ's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Caldwell, 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 Caldwell, NJ median $101,196/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%
Caldwell, 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 Caldwell, NJ. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 58.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 3.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 67.1%

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

Population
8,898
Median Income
$101,196
Median Home Value
$563,000
Median Age
38.5
Poverty Rate
3.4%
Labor force participation
67.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
58.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
389.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
66.8
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
323.1
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
2
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
8,800 residents9,000 residents9,200 residents9,400 residents9,600 residents 202020212022202320242025 8,960 residents 9,375 residents ▲ +4.6%
Caldwell's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
84
housing units authorized
Single-Family
8
detached homes
Multifamily
76
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
9.4
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 130
2020 56
2021 212
2022 122
2023 107
2024 84

Permit volume decreased 35% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
65.5%
Carpool
4.8%
Public Transit
4.8%
Walk
4.1%
Work from Home
19.7%
Other
1.1%

Based on 4,929 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 Caldwell 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
97.7 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in New Jersey

Clayton
8,867 people
Whippany
8,862 people
Haledon
8,936 people
Flanders
8,949 people
Pitman
8,834 people
Boonton
8,803 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Caldwell's 8,898 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Cortez, CO
8,898 people
Greenville, MI
8,897 people
Oxford, NC
8,897 people
North Merritt Island, FL
8,903 people
Poteau, OK
8,903 people
Skidaway Island, GA
8,907 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Caldwell's $101,196 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Hanscom AFB, MA
$101,194 median income
Mount Vista, WA
$101,189 median income
Sitka city and, AK
$101,207 median income
Belle Rose, LA
$101,184 median income
Dyer, IN
$101,183 median income
Citrus, CA
$101,179 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Caldwell, 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 Caldwell, NJ - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 68.5% 12.6% 10.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 14.0% White 68.5% Black or African American 4.9% Asian 12.6% American Indian 0.5% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 3.1% Two or more races 10.5% 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 Caldwell 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
Caldwell (this city) 8,898 $101,196
Clayton 8,867 $89,375
Whippany 8,862 $153,725
Haledon 8,936 $94,178
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NJ FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Caldwell, NJ?

What is the population of Caldwell, NJ? +

Caldwell, NJ has a population of 8,898 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Caldwell, the typical household earns $101,196 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Caldwell? +

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

Caldwell has a total crime rate of 389.9 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 Caldwell, NJ? +

A typical home in Caldwell is worth $563,000, 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.