City profile · New Jersey · Census ACS 2023

Mountain Lakes, NJ

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

4,535
Residents
$250,001
Median income
$915,100
Median home
$2,205
Median rent (state)

Mountain Lakes - the verdict

Nationally, Mountain Lakes sits in the 99th percentile for household income among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS.

99th
percentile, household income
96th
percentile, home value
86th
percentile, median rent
📝 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: Mountain Lakes, NJ

4,535 people live in Mountain Lakes, New Jersey - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Mountain Lakes households earn a median of $250,001 annually, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 0.0%. Mountain Lakes's housing stock carries a median value of $915,100, and the median resident age is 43.6 years. 84.4% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 65.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 0 residential building permits were authorized in Mountain Lakes (No Permits), down 100% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data.

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. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $2,205 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $275 across New Jersey, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 92.9 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

4,535 residents

Census ACS 2023 - New Jersey

Median Household Income

$250,001 /yr

Poverty 0.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

108.8 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, New Jersey average

How does Mountain Lakes compare to other US cities?

Where Mountain Lakes 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 96% pricier than other cities
Median rent 86% pricier than other cities

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

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Mountain Lakes against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to New Jersey only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

New Jersey-relative analysis

Poverty Rate places Mountain Lakes near the bottom of New Jersey's cities

Among the 680 New Jersey cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Mountain Lakes ranks #540 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Mountain Lakes only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#1 of 659
98th percentile in New Jersey
Median Gross Rent
#298 of 686
41st percentile in New Jersey
Median Home Value
#46 of 672
93rd percentile in New Jersey
Poverty Rate
#540 of 680
0th percentile in New Jersey
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#12 of 686
98th percentile in New Jersey

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within New Jersey only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

99thIncome percentile

99th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Mountain Lakes's home value compares nationally

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

$915,100 4th percentile more affordable than 4% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Mountain Lakes $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 - Mountain Lakes, NJ Mountain Lakes, NJ's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Mountain Lakes, 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 Mountain Lakes, 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%
Mountain Lakes, 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 Mountain Lakes, NJ. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 84.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 0.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 65.0%

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

Population
4,535
Median Income
$250,001
Median Home Value
$915,100
Median Age
43.6
Poverty Rate
0.0%
Labor force participation
65.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
84.4%

Schools

Total Schools
5
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
4,400 residents4,500 residents4,600 residents4,700 residents 202020212022202320242025 4,467 residents 4,649 residents ▲ +4.1%
Mountain Lakes's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 17
2020 14
2021 12
2022 0
2023 4
2024 0

Permit volume decreased 100% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
58.9%
Carpool
3.5%
Public Transit
6.2%
Walk
0.2%
Work from Home
30.7%

Based on 2,039 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 Mountain Lakes 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
92.9 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in New Jersey

Mullica Hill
4,561 people
Buena
4,500 people
Landing
4,499 people
Highlands
4,575 people
McGuire AFB
4,491 people
Beattystown
4,479 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Mountain Lakes's 4,535 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Donora, PA
4,536 people
Jim Thorpe, PA
4,534 people
Horseshoe Bay, TX
4,534 people
West Reading, PA
4,537 people
Maeser, UT
4,533 people
Fremont, MI
4,532 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Mountain Lakes'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 - Mountain Lakes, 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 Mountain Lakes, NJ - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 79.7% 13.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3.6% White 79.7% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 13.3% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.4% Two or more races 5.6% 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 Mountain Lakes 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
Mountain Lakes (this city) 4,535 $250,001
Mullica Hill 4,561 $133,750
Buena 4,500 $78,393
Landing 4,499 $125,407
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NJ NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Mountain Lakes, NJ?

What is the population of Mountain Lakes, NJ? +

4,535 people live in Mountain Lakes, NJ according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Mountain Lakes, NJ? +

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

What is the cost of living in Mountain Lakes? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Mountain Lakes; 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.

What is the median home value in Mountain Lakes, NJ? +

Homes in Mountain Lakes carry a median value of $915,100, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, 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

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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.