City profile · New Jersey · Census ACS 2023

Jersey City, NJ

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

289,691
Residents
$94,813
Median income
$534,500
Median home
$2,763
Median rent (state)

Jersey City - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Jersey City lands in the 74th percentile for household income and the 21st percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

74th
percentile, household income
86th
percentile, home value
96th
percentile, median rent
21st
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: Jersey City, NJ

New Jersey's Jersey City is a mid-sized U.S. city, with 289,691 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Jersey City brings in $94,813 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 12.1%. Typical homes in Jersey City are valued around $534,500, and the median resident age is 34.7 years. 53.1% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 66.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 2,601 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 44% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 2590.7 in FBI UCR data, near 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. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $2,763 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $275 across New Jersey, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Commute times here average 28.9 minutes, with 28.1% driving alone and 21.6% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 97.2 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

289,691 residents

Census ACS 2023 - New Jersey

Median Household Income

$94,813 /yr

Poverty 12.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

108.8 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, New Jersey average

How does Jersey City compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 74% higher than other cities
Home value 86% pricier than other cities
Median rent 96% pricier than other cities
Safety 21% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at New Jersey, Jersey City ranks #209 of 238 New Jersey cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

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 Jersey City'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.

74thIncome percentile
21stSafety percentile

74th percentile nationally for median household income · 21st percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Jersey City's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Jersey City'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 35 Avg. percentile National median
Jersey City'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 Jersey City's home value compares nationally

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

$534,500 14th percentile more affordable than 14% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Jersey City $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 - Jersey City, NJ Jersey City, NJ's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Jersey City, 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 Jersey City, NJ median $94,813/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%
Jersey City, 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 Jersey City, NJ. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 53.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 12.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 66.3%

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

Population
289,691
Median Income
$94,813
Median Home Value
$534,500
Median Age
34.7
Poverty Rate
12.1%
Labor force participation
66.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
53.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2590.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
561.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2029.1
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
52
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
280,000 residents290,000 residents300,000 residents310,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 291,955 residents 302,013 residents ▲ +3.4%
Jersey City's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
2,601
housing units authorized
Single-Family
185
detached homes
Multifamily
2,416
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
9
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 4,675
2020 3,552
2021 3,232
2022 3,741
2023 2,339
2024 2,601

Permit volume decreased 44% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
28.9 minutes
Drive Alone
28.1%
Carpool
4.7%
Public Transit
37.1%
Walk
5.5%
Work from Home
21.6%
Other
3.0%

Based on 154,065 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 Jersey City sits in

Cost of Living Index
108.8
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$2,763/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
97.2 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in New Jersey

Newark
307,188 people
Paterson
157,660 people
Elizabeth
135,887 people
Toms River
93,915 people
Trenton
89,966 people
Clifton
89,247 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Jersey City's 289,691 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Anchorage, AK
289,069 people
Durham, NC
288,465 people
Lincoln, NE
291,932 people
Plano, TX
287,339 people
St. Louis, MO
293,109 people
Greensboro, NC
298,564 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Jersey City's $94,813 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Osprey, FL
$94,815 median income
Candlewick Lake, IL
$94,820 median income
Lake Catherine, IL
$94,821 median income
Sewickley, PA
$94,828 median income
Charles, WV
$94,830 median income
Covina, CA
$94,792 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Jersey City, 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 Jersey City, NJ - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 28.7% 21.4% 25.8% 9.6% 13.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 25.7% White 28.7% Black or African American 21.4% Asian 25.8% American Indian 0.8% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 9.6% Two or more races 13.6% 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 Jersey City 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
Jersey City (this city) 289,691 $94,813
Newark 307,188 $48,416
Paterson 157,660 $53,766
Elizabeth 135,887 $63,874
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NJ FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Jersey City, NJ?

What is the population of Jersey City, NJ? +

Jersey City, NJ has a population of 289,691 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Jersey City, NJ? +

Jersey City households earn a median of $94,813 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Jersey City? +

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

Jersey City has a total crime rate of 2590.7 per 100,000 residents, which is near 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 Jersey City, NJ? +

The median home value in Jersey City is $534,500, 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.