Town · New Jersey
Kearny, New Jersey
Kearny, town, in Hudson County, New Jersey. Kearny had 40,862 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 2.7% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 41,999 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 40,614 (±55). GEOID 3436510.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
40,862
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 41,999 · ACS 2020-2024: 40,614 ±55
Median household income
$79,154
±$5,962 (90% margin)
New Jersey: $103,556
Median home value
$459,400
±$10,510 (90% margin)
New Jersey: $454,400
Median gross rent
$1,720
±$39 (90% margin)
New Jersey: $1,720
Where is Kearny and what county is it in?
Kearny is a town in Hudson County, New Jersey. It covers 8.8 square miles of land, 4,749 residents per square mile in 2020.
Kearny 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 Kearny, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 40,862 people lived in Kearny on July 1, 2025, down 2.7% since 2020, while New Jersey grew 2.8%. The 2020 Census counted 41,999 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 40,614 (±55).
| Measure | Kearny | Hudson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 40,614 ±55 | 718,323 | −798 |
| Households | 14,751 ±461 | 299,682 | +1,387 |
| Average household size | 2.63 ±0.08 | 2.37 | −0.33 |
| Housing units | 15,367 ±463 | 320,959 | +1,041 |
Kearny's population since 2000
From 40,513 in 2000 to 40,862 in 2025: up 0.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Kearny 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 Kearny?
The median resident of Kearny is 40.0 years old; 19.7% are under 18 and 13.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 51.7%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 30.7%. 45.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Kearny | Hudson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.0 ±1.3 | 35.8 | +2.0 |
| Under 18 years | 19.7% ±1.6 pts | 19.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 13.6% ±1.5 pts | 12.6% | – |
| Male | 52.9% ±1.3 pts | 49.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 51.7% ±2.6 pts | 40.7% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 30.7% ±2.3 pts | 27.3% | −5.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 4.7% ±0.8 pts | 10.7% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 4.3% ±0.9 pts | 16.8% | 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 | 0.2% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.7% ±1.3 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 2.7% ±1.6 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 45.0% ±2.4 pts | 42.8% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 65.2% ±2.3 pts | 56.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 2.3% ±0.5 pts | 1.7% | – |
| With a disability | 8.6% ±1.1 pts | 8.8% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 14.8% ±2.3 pts | 11.3% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 84.8% ±1.9 pts | 88.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 30.6% ±2.2 pts | 48.9% | +4.9 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 9.7% ±1.6 pts | 20.3% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 91.0% ±1.8 pts | 88.0% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.5% ±0.6 pts | 3.3% | – |
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 Kearny earn?
Half of Kearny's 14,751 households earn less than $79,154 a year (±$5,962), against $91,795 in Hudson County and $103,556 in New Jersey. In 2015-2019 the median was $87,013 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $7,859 after inflation. 12.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Kearny | Hudson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $79,154 ±$5,962 | $91,795 | −$7,859 |
| Mean household income | $101,127 ±$4,975 | $135,819 | – |
| Per capita income | $36,305 ±$1,895 | $56,130 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 12.5% ±2.3 pts | 14.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 15.5% ±4.2 pts | 20.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 13.2% ±2.5 pts | 14.7% | – |
| Households with a computer | 97.2% ±0.9 pts | 95.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 92.0% ±2.0 pts | 91.5% | – |
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 Kearny?
Owners occupy 42.9% of Kearny's occupied homes and renters 57.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $459,400 by its owner (±$10,510). The median renter pays $1,720 a month including utilities, and 46.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Kearny | Hudson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $459,400 ±$10,510 | $539,700 | +$49,456 |
| Median gross rent | $1,720 ±$39 | $1,894 | +$115 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 46.2% ±5.0 pts | 37.5% | +7.8 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,812 ±$75 | $3,300 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 42.9% ±2.7 pts | 30.7% | −3.9 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 57.1% ±2.7 pts | 69.3% | – |
| Housing units | 15,367 ±463 | 320,959 | +1,041 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.6% ±1.0 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.4% ±1.1 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 30.1% ±2.5 pts | 9.4% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.7% ±0.5 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 4.4% ±1.2 pts | 12.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 38.2% ±2.7 pts | 29.7% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 14.6% ±2.5 pts | 33.4% | – |
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 Kearny building?
Builders took permits for 85 new housing units in Kearny in 2025 (0 in single-family houses), 2.1 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 Kearny work and get to work?
62.8% of Kearny's workers drive alone and 5.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 33.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.6%.
| Measure | Kearny | Hudson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 66.0% ±2.0 pts | 70.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6% ±1.3 pts | 6.0% | +2.0 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 62.8% ±3.5 pts | 32.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.0% ±1.5 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 12.6% ±2.7 pts | 31.3% | – |
| Walked | 6.1% ±1.9 pts | 6.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.9% ±1.3 pts | 20.6% | +4.1 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 33.0 min ±1.5 | 35.4 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 Kearny?
11 census tracts lie mostly in Kearny (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $71,250 (Tract 129) to $104,688 (Tract 125).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 127Hudson County | 6,098 | $84,432 |
| Tract 128Hudson County | 4,808 | $73,105 |
| Tract 129Hudson County | 4,077 | $71,250 |
| Tract 132Hudson County | 3,857 | $71,826 |
| Tract 126Hudson County | 3,740 | $84,444 |
| Tract 125Hudson County | 3,721 | $104,688 |
| Tract 133Hudson County | 3,528 | $73,621 |
| Tract 130Hudson County | 3,356 | $77,739 |
| Tract 124Hudson County | 3,012 | $103,487 |
| Tract 123Hudson County | 2,246 | $76,563 |
| Tract 131Hudson County | 2,171 | $74,583 |
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 Kearny) · Census block assignment files
How does Kearny compare with other places in New Jersey?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Kearny is the 1,015th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 21st-most populous of 323 in New Jersey.
Kearny ranks 657th 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 | 21st | 323 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 521st | 532 |
| Residents per square mile | 154th | 787 |
| Median household income | 657th | 771 |
| Per capita income | 708th | 785 |
| Median home value | 347th | 777 |
| Median gross rent | 400th | 701 |
| Poverty rate | 78th | 539 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 580th | 780 |
| Median age | 558th | 786 |
| Owner-occupied share | 722nd | 777 |
| Work from home | 675th | 695 |
| Travel time to work | 229th | 787 |
Kearny's figures with every place in New Jersey (CSV)
Every place in New Jersey, sortable · Compare Kearny 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 Kearny?
3 of the 57 figures for Kearny 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 Kearny 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 Kearny.