City · New Jersey
Elizabeth, New Jersey
Elizabeth, city, in Union County, New Jersey. Elizabeth had 141,675 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.2% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 137,298 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 137,302 (±45). GEOID 3421000.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
141,675
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 137,298 · ACS 2020-2024: 137,302 ±45
Median household income
$66,555
±$3,270 (90% margin)
New Jersey: $103,556
Median home value
$449,300
±$13,910 (90% margin)
New Jersey: $454,400
Median gross rent
$1,523
±$42 (90% margin)
New Jersey: $1,720
Where is Elizabeth and what county is it in?
Elizabeth is a city in Union County, New Jersey. It covers 12.3 square miles of land, 11,145 residents per square mile in 2020.
Elizabeth 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 Elizabeth, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 141,675 people lived in Elizabeth on July 1, 2025, up 3.2% since 2020, in line with New Jersey (+2.8%). The 2020 Census counted 137,298 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 137,302 (±45).
| Measure | Elizabeth | Union County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 137,302 ±45 | 579,290 | +8,969 |
| Households | 46,121 ±1,011 | 203,277 | +5,336 |
| Average household size | 2.95 ±0.06 | 2.82 | −0.15 |
| Housing units | 48,976 ±891 | 212,385 | +4,530 |
Elizabeth's population since 2000
From 120,568 in 2000 to 141,675 in 2025: up 17.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Elizabeth 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 Elizabeth?
The median resident of Elizabeth is 35.8 years old; 25.6% are under 18 and 11.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 67.4%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 14.6%. 51.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Elizabeth | Union County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 35.8 ±0.7 | 39.1 | +1.3 |
| Under 18 years | 25.6% ±1.0 pts | 23.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 11.9% ±0.7 pts | 15.1% | – |
| Male | 50.1% ±0.9 pts | 49.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 67.4% ±1.6 pts | 35.2% | +2.4 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 12.1% ±1.2 pts | 35.4% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 14.6% ±1.3 pts | 19.1% | −3.0 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.7% ±0.4 pts | 5.6% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.2% ±0.8 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.1% ±0.4 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 51.6% ±1.6 pts | 33.6% | +5.0 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 77.1% ±1.2 pts | 47.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 1.4% ±0.3 pts | 2.5% | – |
| With a disability | 10.7% ±0.9 pts | 9.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 24.2% ±1.7 pts | 13.0% | +3.4 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 74.2% ±1.7 pts | 86.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 14.6% ±1.2 pts | 38.9% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.4% ±0.6 pts | 15.8% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 91.8% ±1.0 pts | 90.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.7% ±0.3 pts | 1.5% | – |
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 Elizabeth earn?
Half of Elizabeth's 46,121 households earn less than $66,555 a year (±$3,270), against $103,202 in Union County and $103,556 in New Jersey. In 2015-2019 the median was $59,574 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $6,981 after inflation. 15.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Elizabeth | Union County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $66,555 ±$3,270 | $103,202 | +$6,981 |
| Mean household income | $85,318 ±$2,860 | $149,595 | – |
| Per capita income | $28,969 ±$906 | $52,874 | +$2,657 |
| People below the poverty line | 15.7% ±1.8 pts | 9.2% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 19.8% ±3.4 pts | 11.8% | −5.2 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 16.7% ±1.5 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Households with a computer | 93.1% ±1.2 pts | 95.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.0% ±1.6 pts | 93.3% | – |
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 Elizabeth?
Owners occupy 25.6% of Elizabeth's occupied homes and renters 74.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $449,300 by its owner (±$13,910). The median renter pays $1,523 a month including utilities, and 44.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Elizabeth | Union County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $449,300 ±$13,910 | $529,200 | +$101,383 |
| Median gross rent | $1,523 ±$42 | $1,730 | +$92 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 44.9% ±2.9 pts | 42.8% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,916 ±$108 | $3,203 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 25.6% ±1.7 pts | 57.4% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 74.4% ±1.7 pts | 42.6% | – |
| Housing units | 48,976 ±891 | 212,385 | +4,530 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.6% ±0.5 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.8% ±0.7 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 13.8% ±1.2 pts | 49.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.5% ±0.3 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 6.6% ±0.9 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 26.6% ±2.1 pts | 23.5% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 20.6% ±1.8 pts | 10.2% | – |
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 Elizabeth building?
Builders took permits for 336 new housing units in Elizabeth in 2025 (3 in single-family houses), 2.4 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 Elizabeth work and get to work?
57.9% of Elizabeth's workers drive alone and 6.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 26.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 7.7%.
| Measure | Elizabeth | Union County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 67.6% ±1.1 pts | 69.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 7.7% ±0.9 pts | 6.5% | +1.9 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 57.9% ±2.2 pts | 60.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 17.1% ±1.9 pts | 8.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 11.0% ±1.2 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Walked | 4.7% ±0.8 pts | 2.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 6.3% ±0.9 pts | 14.2% | +3.4 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 26.7 min ±0.9 | 30.2 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 Elizabeth?
31 census tracts lie mostly in Elizabeth (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $38,750 (Tract 319.04) to $140,682 (Tract 321.02).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 319.03Union County | 6,914 | $60,977 |
| Tract 312Union County | 6,751 | $68,889 |
| Tract 309Union County | 6,733 | $87,379 |
| Tract 304Union County | 6,554 | $60,231 |
| Tract 305Union County | 6,250 | $54,786 |
| Tract 314Union County | 6,224 | $51,389 |
| Tract 311Union County | 5,912 | $61,698 |
| Tract 315Union County | 5,894 | $69,068 |
| Tract 316.02Union County | 5,433 | $62,607 |
| Tract 318.01Union County | 5,351 | $75,747 |
| Tract 320.02Union County | 5,333 | $81,532 |
| Tract 317Union County | 5,297 | $55,357 |
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 Elizabeth) · Census block assignment files
How does Elizabeth compare with other places in New Jersey?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Elizabeth is the 199th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 4th-most populous of 323 in New Jersey.
Elizabeth ranks 714th 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 | 4th | 323 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 150th | 532 |
| Residents per square mile | 35th | 787 |
| Median household income | 714th | 771 |
| Per capita income | 747th | 785 |
| Median home value | 368th | 777 |
| Median gross rent | 526th | 701 |
| Poverty rate | 52nd | 539 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 762nd | 780 |
| Median age | 726th | 786 |
| Owner-occupied share | 768th | 777 |
| Work from home | 668th | 695 |
| Travel time to work | 581st | 787 |
Elizabeth's figures with every place in New Jersey (CSV)
Every place in New Jersey, sortable · Compare Elizabeth 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 Elizabeth?
4 of the 57 figures for Elizabeth 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 Elizabeth 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 Elizabeth.