Borough · New Jersey
Califon, New Jersey
Califon, borough, in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Califon had 1,034 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.4% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 1,005 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 930 (±156). GEOID 3409280.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
1,034
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 1,005 · ACS 2020-2024: 930 ±156
Median household income
$128,194
±$24,523 (90% margin)
New Jersey: $103,556
Median home value
$431,600
±$22,309 (90% margin)
New Jersey: $454,400
Median gross rent
$1,781
±$208 (90% margin)
New Jersey: $1,720
Where is Califon and what county is it in?
Califon is a borough in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. It covers 1.0 square miles of land, 1,048 residents per square mile in 2020.
Califon is in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 22 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Califon, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 1,034 people lived in Califon on July 1, 2025, up 1.4% since 2020, slower than New Jersey (+2.8%). The 2020 Census counted 1,005 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 930 (±156).
| Measure | Califon | Hunterdon County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 930 ±156 | 130,160 | no clear change |
| Households | 395 ±67 | 50,860 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.35 ±0.25 | 2.51 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 395 ±67 | 52,115 | no clear change |
Califon's population since 2000
From 1,055 in 2000 to 1,034 in 2025: down 2.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Califon as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Califon?
The median resident of Califon is 45.9 years old; 15.4% are under 18 and 18.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 89.0%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 7.4%. 7.2% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Califon | Hunterdon County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.9 ±7.6 | 46.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 15.4% ±6.0 pts | 19.1% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.6% ±6.0 pts | 20.8% | – |
| Male | 43.9% ±4.6 pts | 49.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 7.4% ±4.4 pts | 9.3% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 89.0% ±5.0 pts | 79.9% | −6.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.5 pts | 2.4% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.5% ±0.7 pts | 4.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±4.7 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±4.7 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.8% ±2.2 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±4.7 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 7.2% ±4.0 pts | 10.6% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 9.0% ±5.6 pts | 14.2% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.8% ±2.6 pts | 4.6% | – |
| With a disability | 7.6% ±3.6 pts | 9.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 0.5% ±0.6 pts | 2.8% | – |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 98.0% ±1.8 pts | 96.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 57.8% ±7.7 pts | 57.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 18.8% ±4.5 pts | 23.7% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 95.8% ±2.7 pts | 91.2% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.6% ±1.6 pts | 1.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Califon earn?
Half of Califon's 395 households earn less than $128,194 a year (±$24,523), against $141,715 in Hunterdon County and $103,556 in New Jersey. In 2015-2019 it was $119,401 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart.
| Measure | Califon | Hunterdon County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $128,194 ±$24,523 | $141,715 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $149,897 ±$16,924 | $185,175 | – |
| Per capita income | $64,233 ±$6,599 | $72,227 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 7.5% ±5.2 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 12.6% ±11.2 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 0.0% ±10.8 pts | 3.6% | – |
| Households with a computer | 95.7% ±3.4 pts | 97.3% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.9% ±6.2 pts | 94.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Califon?
Owners occupy 84.3% of Califon's occupied homes and renters 15.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $431,600 by its owner (±$22,309). The median renter pays $1,781 a month including utilities, and 58.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Califon | Hunterdon County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $431,600 ±$22,309 | $517,200 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $1,781 ±$208 | $1,687 | +$403 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 58.3% ±28.7 pts | 41.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,964 ±$272 | $3,086 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 84.3% ±7.1 pts | 85.1% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 15.7% ±7.1 pts | 14.9% | – |
| Housing units | 395 ±67 | 52,115 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±12.6 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0% ±44.3 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 89.4% ±6.3 pts | 73.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.0% ±10.8 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0% ±10.8 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 0.0% ±10.8 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 45.8% ±8.7 pts | 17.5% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 0.0% ±10.8 pts | 3.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Califon building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units in Califon in 2025 (0 in single-family houses), 0.0 per 1,000 residents against 2.9 across New Jersey.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Califon work and get to work?
74.0% of Califon's workers drive alone and 19.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 31.2 minutes.
| Measure | Califon | Hunterdon County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 72.8% ±5.8 pts | 64.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.6% ±2.9 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 74.0% ±8.8 pts | 69.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 4.2% ±4.2 pts | 4.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.5% ±0.8 pts | 1.5% | – |
| Walked | 0.7% ±0.9 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 19.7% ±6.4 pts | 21.8% | +13.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 31.2 min ±4.4 | 33.0 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Califon?
No census tract lies mostly in Califon; 1 tract reaches into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 102.02Hunterdon County | 4,135 | $127,986 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Califon) · Census block assignment files
How does Califon compare with other places in New Jersey?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Califon is the 10,133rd-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 293rd-most populous of 323 in New Jersey.
Califon ranks 278th of 771 places in New Jersey with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 293rd | 323 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 341st | 532 |
| Residents per square mile | 562nd | 787 |
| Median household income | 278th | 771 |
| Per capita income | 257th | 785 |
| Median home value | 401st | 777 |
| Median gross rent | 350th | 701 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 226th | 780 |
| Median age | 231st | 786 |
| Owner-occupied share | 305th | 777 |
| Work from home | 277th | 695 |
| Travel time to work | 344th | 787 |
Califon's figures with every place in New Jersey (CSV)
Every place in New Jersey, sortable · Compare Califon with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Califon?
21 of the 57 figures for Califon on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Califon are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Califon.