City profile · New Jersey · Census ACS 2023

Chatham, NJ

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

9,219
Residents
$250,001
Median income
$944,300
Median home
$2,205
Median rent (state)

Chatham - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Chatham places in the 99th percentile for household income and the 84th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

99th
percentile, household income
97th
percentile, home value
86th
percentile, median rent
84th
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: Chatham, NJ

Chatham is a small town in New Jersey, home to 9,219 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $250,001 per year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 1.9%. Chatham's housing stock carries a median value of $944,300, and the median resident age is 37.4 years. 84.7% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 66.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 95 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 428% from five years earlier. Chatham reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 526.0 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. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $2,205 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts New Jersey's average monthly utility costs around $275 (state average). On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 95.5 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

9,219 residents

Census ACS 2023 - New Jersey

Median Household Income

$250,001 /yr

Poverty 1.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

108.8 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, New Jersey average

How does Chatham compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 99% higher than other cities
Home value 97% pricier than other cities
Median rent 86% pricier than other cities
Safety 84% safer than other cities

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

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to New Jersey alone, Chatham ranks #58 of 238 New Jersey cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Chatham 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

Bachelor's Degree or Higher is Chatham's strongest outlier among New Jersey cities

Among the 686 New Jersey cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Chatham ranks #10 - the 99th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Chatham only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#1 of 659
98th percentile in New Jersey
Median Gross Rent
#298 of 686
41st percentile in New Jersey
Median Home Value
#39 of 672
94th percentile in New Jersey
Poverty Rate
#438 of 680
35th percentile in New Jersey
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#10 of 686
99th 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.

99thIncome percentile
84thSafety percentile

99th percentile nationally for median household income · 84th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Chatham's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Chatham'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 64 Avg. percentile National median
Chatham'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 Chatham's home value compares nationally

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

$944,300 3rd percentile more affordable than 3% 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%). Below this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Chatham $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 - Chatham, NJ Chatham, NJ's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Chatham, 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 Chatham, NJ median $250,001/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%
Chatham, 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 Chatham, NJ. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 84.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 1.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 66.8%

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

Population
9,219
Median Income
$250,001
Median Home Value
$944,300
Median Age
37.4
Poverty Rate
1.9%
Labor force participation
66.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
84.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
526.0
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
21.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
505.0
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 →
9,000 residents9,500 residents10,000 residents10,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 9,170 residents 10,027 residents ▲ +9.3%
Chatham's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
95
housing units authorized
Single-Family
16
detached homes
Multifamily
79
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
10.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 18
2020 27
2021 14
2022 347
2023 133
2024 95

Permit volume increased 428% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
45.4%
Carpool
3.1%
Public Transit
17.3%
Walk
1.0%
Work from Home
32.6%
Other
0.6%

Based on 4,422 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 Chatham 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

Park Ridge
9,218 people
Ventnor City
9,220 people
Pine Lake Park
9,251 people
Smithville
9,260 people
Leonia
9,300 people
Lake Mohawk
9,116 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Chatham's 9,219 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Helena-West Helena, AR
9,218 people
Hooper, UT
9,220 people
Riverside, CT
9,216 people
Cabo Rojo zona urbana, PR
9,222 people
Merrill, WI
9,224 people
Commerce, TX
9,211 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Chatham's $250,001 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Alamo, CA
$250,001 median income
Atherton, CA
$250,001 median income
Bell Canyon, CA
$250,001 median income
Belvedere, CA
$250,001 median income
Camino Tassajara, CA
$250,001 median income
Castle Hill, CA
$250,001 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Chatham, 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 Chatham, NJ - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 82.3% 10.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5.4% White 82.3% Black or African American 0.5% Asian 10.6% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.7% Two or more races 5.0% 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 Chatham 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
Chatham (this city) 9,219 $250,001
Park Ridge 9,218 $165,391
Ventnor City 9,220 $74,619
Pine Lake Park 9,251 $87,998
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NJ FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Chatham, NJ?

What is the population of Chatham, NJ? +

Chatham, NJ has a population of 9,219 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Chatham runs $250,001, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Chatham? +

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

Chatham has a total crime rate of 526.0 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 Chatham, NJ? +

The median home value in Chatham is $944,300, 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.