City profile · New Jersey · Census ACS 2023

Princeton, NJ

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

30,451
Residents
$184,113
Median income
$1,040,400
Median home
$1,950
Median rent (state)

Princeton - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Princeton places in the 97th percentile for household income and the 74th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

97th
percentile, household income
97th
percentile, home value
81st
percentile, median rent
74th
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: Princeton, NJ

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 30,451 residents in Princeton, a small city within New Jersey. Princeton households earn a median of $184,113 annually, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 4.5%. Home values in Princeton run a median of $1,040,400, and the median resident age is 27.5 years. Educational attainment runs 84.6% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 58.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 22 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Low Activity). Princeton reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 765.2 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than 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. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,950 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts New Jersey's average monthly utility costs around $275 (state average). The average commute for Princeton workers runs 16.5 minutes, with 33.3% driving alone and 31.7% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 95.4 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

30,451 residents

Census ACS 2023 - New Jersey

Median Household Income

$184,113 /yr

Poverty 4.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

108.8 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, New Jersey average

How does Princeton compare to other US cities?

Princeton measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 97% higher than other cities
Home value 97% pricier than other cities
Median rent 81% pricier than other cities
Safety 74% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just New Jersey and the picture shifts: Princeton ranks #91 of 238 New Jersey cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Princeton 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

Bachelor's Degree or Higher is Princeton's strongest outlier among New Jersey cities

Among the 686 New Jersey cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Princeton ranks #11 - the 98th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Princeton only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#61 of 659
91st percentile in New Jersey
Median Gross Rent
#409 of 686
36th percentile in New Jersey
Median Home Value
#27 of 672
96th percentile in New Jersey
Poverty Rate
#257 of 680
61st percentile in New Jersey
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#11 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.

97thIncome percentile
74thSafety percentile

97th percentile nationally for median household income · 74th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Princeton's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Princeton'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 61 Avg. percentile National median
Princeton'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 Princeton's home value compares nationally

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

$1,040,400 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%). Below this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). This entry sits in this band. Princeton $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 - Princeton, NJ Princeton, NJ's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Princeton, 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 Princeton, NJ median $184,113/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%
Princeton, 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 Princeton, NJ. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 84.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 4.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 58.7%

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

Population
30,451
Median Income
$184,113
Median Home Value
$1,040,400
Median Age
27.5
Poverty Rate
4.5%
Labor force participation
58.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
84.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
765.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
48.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
716.6
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
7
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
30,000 residents30,500 residents31,000 residents31,500 residents32,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 30,625 residents 31,469 residents ▲ +2.8%
Princeton's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Low Activity
Total Permits (2024)
22
housing units authorized
Single-Family
22
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 16
2021 0
2022 0
2023 0
2024 22

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
16.5 minutes
Drive Alone
33.3%
Carpool
2.2%
Public Transit
6.7%
Walk
20.0%
Work from Home
31.7%
Other
6.1%

Based on 14,223 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 Princeton sits in

Cost of Living Index
108.8
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,950/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
95.4 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in New Jersey

Westfield
30,760 people
Rahway
29,748 people
Englewood
29,342 people
Long Branch
32,184 people
Garfield
32,502 people
Bergenfield
28,269 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Princeton's 30,451 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Liberty, MO
30,446 people
Ferry Pass, FL
30,467 people
Lafayette, CO
30,471 people
Morrisville, NC
30,471 people
Redan, GA
30,426 people
Parkville, MD
30,423 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Princeton's $184,113 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Hedwig, TX
$184,141 median income
Ladera Ranch, CA
$184,257 median income
Port Washington, NY
$183,964 median income
Ivy, VA
$184,425 median income
Redding Center, CT
$183,796 median income
Saddle Rock, NY
$183,750 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Princeton, 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 Princeton, NJ - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 62.8% 6.7% 20.0% 7.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 8.1% White 62.8% Black or African American 6.7% Asian 20.0% American Indian 1.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.7% Two or more races 7.6% 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 Princeton 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
Princeton (this city) 30,451 $184,113
Westfield 30,760 $212,700
Rahway 29,748 $90,852
Englewood 29,342 $101,398
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NJ FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Princeton, NJ?

What is the population of Princeton, NJ? +

Princeton, NJ counts 30,451 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Princeton, NJ? +

Median annual household income in Princeton runs $184,113, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Princeton? +

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

Princeton has a total crime rate of 765.2 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 Princeton, NJ? +

Homes in Princeton carry a median value of $1,040,400, 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

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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.