City profile · New Jersey · Census ACS 2023

Carteret, NJ

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

25,187
Residents
$87,553
Median income
$370,200
Median home
$2,205
Median rent (state)

Carteret - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Carteret lands in the 69th percentile for household income and the 43rd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

69th
percentile, household income
74th
percentile, home value
86th
percentile, median rent
43rd
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: Carteret, NJ

Carteret is a small city in New Jersey, home to 25,187 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Carteret households earn a median of $87,553 annually, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 8.1%. Typical homes in Carteret are valued around $370,200, and the median resident age is 39.3 years. About 27.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 58.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 45 residential building permits were authorized in Carteret (Building Boom), up 309% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Carteret reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 1575.8 in FBI UCR data, below 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. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $2,205 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $275 across New Jersey, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Natural-hazard exposure scores 95.5 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

25,187 residents

Census ACS 2023 - New Jersey

Median Household Income

$87,553 /yr

Poverty 8.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

108.8 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, New Jersey average

How does Carteret compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 69% higher than other cities
Home value 74% pricier than other cities
Median rent 86% pricier than other cities
Safety 43% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just New Jersey and the picture shifts: Carteret ranks #164 of 238 New Jersey cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Carteret 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

Poverty Rate places Carteret toward the top of New Jersey's cities

Among the 680 New Jersey cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Carteret ranks #136 - the 80th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Carteret only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#460 of 659
30th percentile in New Jersey
Median Gross Rent
#298 of 686
41st percentile in New Jersey
Median Home Value
#380 of 672
43rd percentile in New Jersey
Poverty Rate
#136 of 680
80th percentile in New Jersey
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#509 of 686
26th 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.

69thIncome percentile
43rdSafety percentile

69th percentile nationally for median household income · 43rd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Carteret's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Carteret'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 44 Avg. percentile National median
Carteret'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 Carteret's home value compares nationally

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

$370,200 26th percentile more affordable than 26% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Carteret $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 - Carteret, NJ Carteret, NJ's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Carteret, 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 Carteret, NJ median $87,553/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%
Carteret, 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 Carteret, NJ. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 27.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 8.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 58.8%

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

Population
25,187
Median Income
$87,553
Median Home Value
$370,200
Median Age
39.3
Poverty Rate
8.1%
Labor force participation
58.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
27.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1575.8
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
313.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1262.2
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
6
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
25,000 residents25,200 residents25,400 residents25,600 residents25,800 residents26,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 25,296 residents 25,781 residents ▲ +1.9%
Carteret's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
45
housing units authorized
Single-Family
3
detached homes
Multifamily
42
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.8
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 11
2020 8
2021 19
2022 67
2023 45
2024 45

Permit volume increased 309% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
68.3%
Carpool
9.9%
Public Transit
7.8%
Walk
2.4%
Work from Home
9.2%
Other
2.4%

Based on 11,668 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 Carteret 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
95.5 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in New Jersey

Cliffside Park
25,580 people
Lodi
25,946 people
Ridgewood
26,076 people
South Plainfield
24,231 people
Paramus
26,500 people
Somerset
23,851 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Carteret's 25,187 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Barstow, CA
25,198 people
Dinuba, CA
25,201 people
North Laurel, MD
25,201 people
Walker, MI
25,201 people
Edgewood, MD
25,170 people
Norco, CA
25,211 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Carteret's $87,553 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Lake Wildwood, CA
$87,552 median income
Sioux Center, IA
$87,555 median income
St. George, WV
$87,557 median income
Town and Country, WA
$87,561 median income
Kihei, HI
$87,568 median income
Rachel, WV
$87,569 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Carteret, 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 Carteret, NJ - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 27.2% 17.3% 24.5% 12.2% 18.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 34.0% White 27.2% Black or African American 17.3% Asian 24.5% American Indian 0.6% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 12.2% Two or more races 18.1% 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 Carteret 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
Carteret (this city) 25,187 $87,553
Cliffside Park 25,580 $94,960
Lodi 25,946 $84,570
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 Carteret, NJ?

What is the population of Carteret, NJ? +

The population of Carteret, NJ stands at 25,187 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Carteret runs $87,553, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Carteret? +

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

Carteret has a total crime rate of 1575.8 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 Carteret, NJ? +

Homes in Carteret carry a median value of $370,200, 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

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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.