City profile · New Jersey · Census ACS 2023

Camden, NJ

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

71,471
Residents
$40,450
Median income
$100,400
Median home
$1,810
Median rent (state)

Camden - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Camden lands in the 8th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

8th
percentile, household income
10th
percentile, home value
74th
percentile, median rent
📝 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: Camden, NJ

New Jersey's Camden is a small city, with 71,471 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Camden brings in $40,450 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 25.6%. Typical homes in Camden are valued around $100,400, and the median resident age is 33.4 years. 9.6% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 50.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 8 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 94% from five years earlier.

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 $1,810 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $275 across New Jersey, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Commute times here average 23.8 minutes, with 53.0% driving alone and 5.2% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 93.2 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

71,471 residents

Census ACS 2023 - New Jersey

Median Household Income

$40,450 /yr

Poverty 25.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

108.8 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, New Jersey average

How does Camden compare to other US cities?

Here's how Camden stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 8% higher than other cities
Home value 10% pricier than other cities
Median rent 74% pricier than other cities

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

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Camden 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 Home Value places Camden near the bottom of New Jersey's cities

Among the 672 New Jersey cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Camden ranks #667 - the 1st percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Camden only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#651 of 659
1st percentile in New Jersey
Median Gross Rent
#517 of 686
8th percentile in New Jersey
Median Home Value
#667 of 672
1st percentile in New Jersey
Poverty Rate
#14 of 680
98th percentile in New Jersey
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#669 of 686
2nd 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.

8thIncome percentile

8th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Camden's home value compares nationally

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

$100,400 Among the most affordable more affordable than 90% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $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. Camden $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 - Camden, NJ Camden, NJ's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Camden, 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 Camden, NJ median $40,450/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%
Camden, 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 Camden, NJ. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 9.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 25.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 50.2%

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

Population
71,471
Median Income
$40,450
Median Home Value
$100,400
Median Age
33.4
Poverty Rate
25.6%
Labor force participation
50.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
9.6%

Schools

Total Schools
23
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
70,500 residents71,000 residents71,500 residents72,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 71,744 residents 71,430 residents ▼ -0.4%
Camden's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
8
housing units authorized
Single-Family
2
detached homes
Multifamily
6
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 141
2020 13
2021 14
2022 70
2023 0
2024 8

Permit volume decreased 94% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
23.8 minutes
Drive Alone
53.0%
Carpool
21.1%
Public Transit
11.4%
Walk
4.0%
Work from Home
5.2%
Other
5.3%

Based on 25,851 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 Camden sits in

Cost of Living Index
108.8
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,810/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
93.2 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in New Jersey

Bayonne
70,468 people
Lakewood
69,884 people
Passaic
69,651 people
East Orange
69,183 people
Union City
66,375 people
Vineland
60,692 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Camden's 71,471 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Johnson City, TN
71,455 people
Lake Elsinore, CA
71,516 people
Rogers, AR
71,411 people
St. Joseph, MO
71,542 people
Marysville, WA
71,570 people
Poinciana, FL
71,665 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Camden's $40,450 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Imboden, AR
$40,446 median income
Upper Fruitland, NM
$40,446 median income
Tunica Resorts, MS
$40,455 median income
Vina, AL
$40,469 median income
Beaver, OH
$40,481 median income
Dublin, GA
$40,417 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Camden, 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 Camden, NJ - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 8.9% 41.4% 36.6% 10.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 54.2% White 8.9% Black or African American 41.4% Asian 1.8% American Indian 0.7% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 36.6% Two or more races 10.6% 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 Camden 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
Camden (this city) 71,471 $40,450
Bayonne 70,468 $81,285
Lakewood 69,884 $57,576
Passaic 69,651 $56,780
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NJ NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Camden, NJ?

What is the population of Camden, NJ? +

Camden, NJ counts 71,471 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Camden is $40,450 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Camden? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Camden; 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.

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

A typical home in Camden is worth $100,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

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.