City · New Jersey
Rahway, New Jersey
Rahway, city, in Union County, New Jersey. Rahway had 31,010 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 4.9% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 29,556 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 30,109 (±33). GEOID 3461530.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
31,010
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 29,556 · ACS 2020-2024: 30,109 ±33
Median household income
$91,461
±$7,212 (90% margin)
New Jersey: $103,556
Median home value
$386,400
±$17,959 (90% margin)
New Jersey: $454,400
Median gross rent
$1,845
±$142 (90% margin)
New Jersey: $1,720
Where is Rahway and what county is it in?
Rahway is a city in Union County, New Jersey. It covers 3.9 square miles of land, 7,586 residents per square mile in 2020.
Rahway 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 Rahway, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 31,010 people lived in Rahway on July 1, 2025, up 4.9% since 2020, faster than New Jersey (+2.8%). The 2020 Census counted 29,556 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 30,109 (±33).
| Measure | Rahway | Union County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 30,109 ±33 | 579,290 | +566 |
| Households | 12,257 ±522 | 203,277 | +953 |
| Average household size | 2.45 ±0.10 | 2.82 | −0.15 |
| Housing units | 13,002 ±505 | 212,385 | +827 |
Rahway's population since 2000
From 26,500 in 2000 to 31,010 in 2025: up 17.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Rahway 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 Rahway?
The median resident of Rahway is 39.7 years old; 19.3% are under 18 and 18.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic Black residents at 30.8%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 29.3%. 24.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Rahway | Union County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.7 ±1.3 | 39.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 19.3% ±2.1 pts | 23.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.2% ±1.9 pts | 15.1% | – |
| Male | 47.7% ±2.1 pts | 49.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 27.4% ±3.3 pts | 35.2% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 29.3% ±3.8 pts | 35.4% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 30.8% ±4.0 pts | 19.1% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 5.7% ±1.8 pts | 5.6% | 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 | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.4% ±2.0 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.4% ±0.9 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 24.0% ±3.0 pts | 33.6% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 33.6% ±4.4 pts | 47.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.3% ±1.2 pts | 2.5% | – |
| With a disability | 12.7% ±1.8 pts | 9.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.0% ±2.2 pts | 13.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.0% ±2.5 pts | 86.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 34.1% ±2.8 pts | 38.9% | +3.8 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 12.3% ±2.1 pts | 15.8% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 87.2% ±3.2 pts | 90.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.6% ±0.9 pts | 1.5% | – |
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 Rahway earn?
Half of Rahway's 12,257 households earn less than $91,461 a year (±$7,212), against $103,202 in Union County and $103,556 in New Jersey. In 2015-2019 it was $97,158 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 9.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Rahway | Union County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $91,461 ±$7,212 | $103,202 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $104,551 ±$5,648 | $149,595 | – |
| Per capita income | $43,170 ±$2,107 | $52,874 | −$6,324 |
| People below the poverty line | 9.5% ±2.4 pts | 9.2% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 5.3% ±3.2 pts | 11.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 11.2% ±3.5 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Households with a computer | 91.6% ±3.4 pts | 95.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.8% ±2.9 pts | 93.3% | – |
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 Rahway?
Owners occupy 51.5% of Rahway's occupied homes and renters 48.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $386,400 by its owner (±$17,959). The median renter pays $1,845 a month including utilities, and 48.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Rahway | Union County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $386,400 ±$17,959 | $529,200 | +$50,790 |
| Median gross rent | $1,845 ±$142 | $1,730 | +$233 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 48.7% ±7.8 pts | 42.8% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,702 ±$131 | $3,203 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 51.5% ±3.3 pts | 57.4% | −8.2 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 48.5% ±3.3 pts | 42.6% | – |
| Housing units | 13,002 ±505 | 212,385 | +827 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.0% ±1.1 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.9% ±2.5 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 45.2% ±3.2 pts | 49.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.0% ±0.3 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 4.5% ±2.2 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 13.0% ±3.4 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 15.4% ±2.5 pts | 23.5% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 9.4% ±2.6 pts | 10.2% | – |
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 Rahway building?
Builders took permits for 113 new housing units in Rahway in 2025 (24 in single-family houses; the permit office reported 5 of 12 months), 3.6 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 Rahway work and get to work?
61.0% of Rahway's workers drive alone and 17.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 31.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 7.3%.
| Measure | Rahway | Union County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 65.3% ±3.0 pts | 69.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 7.3% ±2.0 pts | 6.5% | +2.9 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 61.0% ±4.8 pts | 60.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.4% ±3.4 pts | 8.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 8.3% ±1.9 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Walked | 0.8% ±0.6 pts | 2.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 17.0% ±2.8 pts | 14.2% | +14.3 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 31.9 min ±2.6 | 30.2 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 Rahway?
6 census tracts lie mostly in Rahway (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $72,759 (Tract 355) to $129,198 (Tract 356).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 355Union County | 7,980 | $72,759 |
| Tract 360Union County | 5,836 | $91,250 |
| Tract 357Union County | 5,331 | $97,235 |
| Tract 359Union County | 4,272 | $92,045 |
| Tract 356Union County | 3,793 | $129,198 |
| Tract 358Union County | 2,897 | $92,500 |
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 Rahway) · Census block assignment files
How does Rahway compare with other places in New Jersey?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Rahway is the 1,329th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 29th-most populous of 323 in New Jersey.
Rahway ranks 561st 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 | 29th | 323 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 83rd | 532 |
| Residents per square mile | 70th | 787 |
| Median household income | 561st | 771 |
| Per capita income | 616th | 785 |
| Median home value | 486th | 777 |
| Median gross rent | 301st | 701 |
| Poverty rate | 149th | 539 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 524th | 780 |
| Median age | 589th | 786 |
| Owner-occupied share | 689th | 777 |
| Work from home | 355th | 695 |
| Travel time to work | 301st | 787 |
Rahway's figures with every place in New Jersey (CSV)
Every place in New Jersey, sortable · Compare Rahway 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 Rahway?
5 of the 57 figures for Rahway 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 Rahway 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 Rahway.