City profile · New Jersey · Census ACS 2023

Elizabeth, NJ

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

135,887
Residents
$63,874
Median income
$393,500
Median home
$2,205
Median rent (state)

Elizabeth - the verdict

Nationally, Elizabeth sits in the 41st percentile for household income and the 15th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

41st
percentile, household income
77th
percentile, home value
86th
percentile, median rent
15th
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: Elizabeth, NJ

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 135,887 residents in Elizabeth, a mid-sized U.S. city within New Jersey. Median household income here is $63,874 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 11.6%. Elizabeth's housing stock carries a median value of $393,500, and the median resident age is 35.8 years. 14.2% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 62.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 119 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 78% from five years earlier. Elizabeth's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 3066.5 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, above the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures 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. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $2,205 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in New Jersey run around $275, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Commute times here average 25.5 minutes, with 59.1% driving alone and 5.7% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 95.5 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

135,887 residents

Census ACS 2023 - New Jersey

Median Household Income

$63,874 /yr

Poverty 11.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

108.8 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, New Jersey average

How does Elizabeth compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 41% higher than other cities
Home value 77% pricier than other cities
Median rent 86% pricier than other cities
Safety 15% 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, Elizabeth ranks #214 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

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Elizabeth's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in New Jersey, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

41stIncome percentile
15thSafety percentile

41st percentile nationally for median household income · 15th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Elizabeth's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Elizabeth'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 25 Avg. percentile National median
Elizabeth'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 Elizabeth's home value compares nationally

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

$393,500 23rd percentile more affordable than 23% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Elizabeth $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 - Elizabeth, NJ Elizabeth, NJ's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Elizabeth, 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 Elizabeth, NJ median $63,874/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%
Elizabeth, 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 Elizabeth, NJ. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 14.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 11.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 62.7%

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

Population
135,887
Median Income
$63,874
Median Home Value
$393,500
Median Age
35.8
Poverty Rate
11.6%
Labor force participation
62.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
14.2%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3066.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
408.7
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2657.8
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
38
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
134,000 residents136,000 residents138,000 residents140,000 residents142,000 residents144,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 136,609 residents 141,675 residents ▲ +3.7%
Elizabeth's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
119
housing units authorized
Single-Family
1
detached homes
Multifamily
118
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.9
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 550
2020 509
2021 92
2022 181
2023 133
2024 119

Permit volume decreased 78% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
25.5 minutes
Drive Alone
59.1%
Carpool
15.2%
Public Transit
11.5%
Walk
4.7%
Work from Home
5.7%
Other
3.8%

Based on 63,429 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 Elizabeth 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

Paterson
157,660 people
Toms River
93,915 people
Trenton
89,966 people
Clifton
89,247 people
Camden
71,471 people
Bayonne
70,468 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Elizabeth's 135,887 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Stamford, CT
135,806 people
Victorville, CA
135,983 people
Miramar, FL
135,986 people
Pasadena, CA
136,462 people
Dayton, OH
136,741 people
Kent, WA
135,015 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Elizabeth's $63,874 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Gulfcrest, AL
$63,875 median income
Garber, OK
$63,869 median income
Mountain View, HI
$63,882 median income
Shelley, ID
$63,864 median income
Milford, ME
$63,864 median income
Van, WV
$63,864 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Elizabeth, 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 Elizabeth, NJ - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 24.8% 17.1% 38.5% 16.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 66.8% White 24.8% Black or African American 17.1% Asian 1.8% American Indian 0.9% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 38.5% Two or more races 16.9% 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 Elizabeth 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
Elizabeth (this city) 135,887 $63,874
Paterson 157,660 $53,766
Toms River 93,915 $95,759
Trenton 89,966 $47,102
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NJ FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Elizabeth, NJ?

What is the population of Elizabeth, NJ? +

135,887 people live in Elizabeth, NJ according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Elizabeth, the typical household earns $63,874 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Elizabeth? +

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

Elizabeth has a total crime rate of 3066.5 per 100,000 residents, which is above 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 Elizabeth, NJ? +

A typical home in Elizabeth is worth $393,500, 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 Editorial

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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.