City profile · New Jersey · Census ACS 2023

Essex Fells, NJ

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

2,320
Residents
$250,001
Median income
$976,300
Median home
$2,205
Median rent (state)

Essex Fells - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Essex Fells lands in the 99th percentile for household income and the 52nd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

99th
percentile, household income
97th
percentile, home value
86th
percentile, median rent
52nd
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: Essex Fells, NJ

New Jersey's Essex Fells is a small town, with 2,320 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Essex Fells brings in $250,001 a year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 0.3%. Home values in Essex Fells run a median of $976,300, and the median resident age is 43.8 years. 81.5% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 61.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 7 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Slowing), down 12% from five years earlier. Essex Fells reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 1296.3 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

New Jersey carries a cost-of-living premium: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts New Jersey at 108.8 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Above Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $2,205 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts New Jersey's average monthly utility costs around $275 (state average). FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 97.7 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

2,320 residents

Census ACS 2023 - New Jersey

Median Household Income

$250,001 /yr

Poverty 0.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

108.8 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, New Jersey average

How does Essex Fells compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 99% higher than other cities
Home value 97% pricier than other cities
Median rent 86% pricier than other cities
Safety 52% 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, Essex Fells ranks #146 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 Essex Fells'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.

99thIncome percentile
52ndSafety percentile

99th percentile nationally for median household income · 52nd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Essex Fells's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Essex Fells'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 53 Avg. percentile National median
Essex Fells'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 Essex Fells's home value compares nationally

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

$976,300 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%). Below this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). This entry sits in this band. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Essex Fells $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 - Essex Fells, NJ Essex Fells, NJ's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Essex Fells, 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 Essex Fells, 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%
Essex Fells, 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 Essex Fells, NJ. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 81.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 0.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 61.8%

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

Population
2,320
Median Income
$250,001
Median Home Value
$976,300
Median Age
43.8
Poverty Rate
0.3%
Labor force participation
61.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
81.5%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1296.3
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
0.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1296.3
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
1
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
2,160 residents2,180 residents2,200 residents2,220 residents2,240 residents2,260 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,220 residents 2,235 residents ▲ +0.7%
Essex Fells's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Slowing
Total Permits (2024)
7
housing units authorized
Single-Family
7
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 8
2020 8
2021 9
2022 7
2023 7
2024 7

Permit volume decreased 12% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
57.1%
Carpool
0.7%
Public Transit
7.7%
Walk
1.2%
Work from Home
32.5%
Other
0.8%

Based on 1,008 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 Essex Fells 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
97.7 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in New Jersey

Helmetta
2,317 people
Monroe Manor
2,308 people
Macopin
2,305 people
Cranbury
2,304 people
Gibbsboro
2,337 people
Leonardo
2,342 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Essex Fells's 2,320 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Dudley, NC
2,320 people
Dunkirk, MD
2,319 people
Frazier Park, CA
2,322 people
Preston Heights, IL
2,318 people
Chinchilla, PA
2,322 people
Lake Mary Jane, FL
2,323 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Essex Fells'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 - Essex Fells, 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 Essex Fells, NJ - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 80.8% 12.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 13.0% White 80.8% Black or African American 1.9% Asian 4.6% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.4% Two or more races 12.3% 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 Essex Fells 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
Essex Fells (this city) 2,320 $250,001
Helmetta 2,317 $104,143
Monroe Manor 2,308 $160,833
Macopin 2,305 $127,824
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NJ FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Essex Fells, NJ?

What is the population of Essex Fells, NJ? +

The population of Essex Fells, NJ stands at 2,320 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Essex Fells, NJ? +

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

What is the cost of living in Essex Fells? +

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

Essex Fells has a total crime rate of 1296.3 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 Essex Fells, NJ? +

A typical home in Essex Fells is worth $976,300, 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 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.