City profile · New Jersey · Census ACS 2023

New Brunswick, NJ

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

55,744
Residents
$60,248
Median income
$316,800
Median home
$2,486
Median rent (state)

New Brunswick - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, New Brunswick places in the 36th percentile for household income and the 12th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

36th
percentile, household income
67th
percentile, home value
91st
percentile, median rent
12th
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: New Brunswick, NJ

55,744 people live in New Brunswick, New Jersey - a small city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in New Brunswick brings in $60,248 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 25.4%. Typical homes in New Brunswick are valued around $316,800, and the median resident age is 24.5 years. 24.0% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 59.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 43 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 83% from five years earlier. New Brunswick's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 3325.3 in FBI UCR data, above the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 53.7°F with 49.5 inches of precipitation per year and 29.0 inches of snowfall.

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). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $2,486 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in New Jersey run around $275, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 97.8 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

55,744 residents

Census ACS 2023 - New Jersey

Median Household Income

$60,248 /yr

Poverty 25.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

108.8 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, New Jersey average

How does New Brunswick compare to other US cities?

Here's how New Brunswick stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 36% higher than other cities
Home value 67% pricier than other cities
Median rent 91% pricier than other cities
Safety 12% 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, New Brunswick ranks #220 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 New Brunswick'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.

36thIncome percentile
12thSafety percentile

36th percentile nationally for median household income · 12th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

New Brunswick's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

New Brunswick'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 23 Avg. percentile National median
New Brunswick'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 New Brunswick's home value compares nationally

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

$316,800 33rd percentile more affordable than 33% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $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. New Brunswick $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 - New Brunswick, NJ New Brunswick, NJ's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not New Brunswick, 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 New Brunswick, NJ median $60,248/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%
New Brunswick, 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 New Brunswick, NJ. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 24.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 25.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 59.7%

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

Population
55,744
Median Income
$60,248
Median Home Value
$316,800
Median Age
24.5
Poverty Rate
25.4%
Labor force participation
59.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
24.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3325.3
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
698.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2626.7
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.

Climate

Avg Temperature
53.7°F
Annual Precipitation
49.5"
Annual Snowfall
29.0"

Schools

Total Schools
13
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
55,000 residents56,000 residents57,000 residents58,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 55,291 residents 57,133 residents ▲ +3.3%
New Brunswick's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
43
housing units authorized
Single-Family
31
detached homes
Multifamily
12
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.8
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 258
2020 209
2021 169
2022 52
2023 55
2024 43

Permit volume decreased 83% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
41.7%
Carpool
13.7%
Public Transit
4.6%
Walk
14.1%
Work from Home
10.2%
Other
15.7%

Based on 25,681 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 New Brunswick sits in

Cost of Living Index
108.8
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$2,486/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
97.8 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in New Jersey

Perth Amboy
55,278 people
Plainfield
54,515 people
Hoboken
58,340 people
West New York
51,683 people
Vineland
60,692 people
Hackensack
45,768 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to New Brunswick's 55,744 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Port Arthur, TX
55,779 people
Apple Valley, MN
55,696 people
Kingsport, TN
55,807 people
Mount Prospect, IL
55,648 people
Berwyn, IL
55,888 people
DeSoto, TX
55,896 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to New Brunswick's $60,248 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Empire, GA
$60,250 median income
New Troy, MI
$60,250 median income
Tarkio, MO
$60,250 median income
Whiteman AFB, MO
$60,250 median income
Depauville, NY
$60,250 median income
Hobgood, NC
$60,250 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - New Brunswick, 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 New Brunswick, NJ - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 37.3% 13.1% 8.6% 7.3% 24.1% 9.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 51.1% White 37.3% Black or African American 13.1% Asian 8.6% American Indian 7.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 24.1% Two or more races 9.6% 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 New Brunswick 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
New Brunswick (this city) 55,744 $60,248
Perth Amboy 55,278 $58,490
Plainfield 54,515 $80,334
Hoboken 58,340 $176,943
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NJ FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about New Brunswick, NJ?

What is the population of New Brunswick, NJ? +

New Brunswick, NJ has a population of 55,744 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in New Brunswick, NJ? +

New Brunswick households earn a median of $60,248 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in New Brunswick? +

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

New Brunswick has a total crime rate of 3325.3 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 New Brunswick, NJ? +

Homes in New Brunswick carry a median value of $316,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in New Brunswick? +

The average annual temperature in New Brunswick runs 53.7°F, 49.5 inches of precipitation, and 29.0 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, 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.