City profile · New Jersey · Census ACS 2023

Watchung, NJ

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

6,429
Residents
$166,536
Median income
$833,300
Median home
$2,205
Median rent (state)

Watchung - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Watchung lands in the 96th percentile for household income and the 6th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

96th
percentile, household income
95th
percentile, home value
86th
percentile, median rent
6th
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: Watchung, NJ

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 6,429 residents in Watchung, a small town within New Jersey. The typical household in Watchung brings in $166,536 a year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 0.0%. Typical homes in Watchung are valued around $833,300, and the median resident age is 46.4 years. Educational attainment runs 62.8% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 60.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 4 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 69% from five years earlier. Watchung's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 4216.0 in FBI UCR data, above the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not 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 $2,205 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts New Jersey's average monthly utility costs around $275 (state average). FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 95.5 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

6,429 residents

Census ACS 2023 - New Jersey

Median Household Income

$166,536 /yr

Poverty 0.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

108.8 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, New Jersey average

How does Watchung compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 96% higher than other cities
Home value 95% pricier than other cities
Median rent 86% pricier than other cities
Safety 6% 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: Watchung ranks #226 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 Watchung 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 Watchung near the bottom of New Jersey's cities

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

Median Household Income
#91 of 659
86th percentile in New Jersey
Median Gross Rent
#298 of 686
41st percentile in New Jersey
Median Home Value
#60 of 672
91st percentile in New Jersey
Poverty Rate
#540 of 680
0th percentile in New Jersey
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#135 of 686
80th 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.

96thIncome percentile
6thSafety percentile

96th percentile nationally for median household income · 6th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Watchung's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Watchung'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 37 Avg. percentile National median
Watchung'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 Watchung's home value compares nationally

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

$833,300 5th percentile more affordable than 5% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Watchung $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 - Watchung, NJ Watchung, NJ's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Watchung, 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 Watchung, NJ median $166,536/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%
Watchung, 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 Watchung, NJ. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 62.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 0.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 60.7%

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

Population
6,429
Median Income
$166,536
Median Home Value
$833,300
Median Age
46.4
Poverty Rate
0.0%
Labor force participation
60.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
62.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
4216.0
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
15.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
4200.8
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
2
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
6,400 residents6,500 residents6,600 residents6,700 residents 202020212022202320242025 6,437 residents 6,583 residents ▲ +2.3%
Watchung's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
4
housing units authorized
Single-Family
4
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 13
2020 3
2021 14
2022 4
2023 9
2024 4

Permit volume decreased 69% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
62.9%
Carpool
1.1%
Public Transit
6.9%
Walk
1.3%
Work from Home
27.8%

Based on 3,044 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 Watchung 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
95.5 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in New Jersey

Ramtown
6,410 people
Carlstadt
6,343 people
Ramblewood
6,542 people
Leisure
6,307 people
Prospect Park
6,286 people
Rockaway
6,589 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Watchung's 6,429 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Eatonton, GA
6,430 people
Chesapeake Beach, MD
6,428 people
Elm Grove, WI
6,428 people
Mount Vernon, IN
6,431 people
Huron, CA
6,425 people
Leitchfield, KY
6,434 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Watchung's $166,536 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

South Russell, OH
$166,481 median income
Dunkirk, MD
$166,471 median income
Mountain Plains, SD
$166,641 median income
Tano Road, NM
$166,649 median income
Alta, WY
$166,667 median income
Running Y Ranch, OR
$166,375 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Watchung, 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 Watchung, NJ - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 78.8% 11.5% 7.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 8.9% White 78.8% Black or African American 1.3% Asian 11.5% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.5% Two or more races 7.9% 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 Watchung 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
Watchung (this city) 6,429 $166,536
Ramtown 6,410 $138,967
Carlstadt 6,343 $94,854
Ramblewood 6,542 $110,130
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NJ FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Watchung, NJ?

What is the population of Watchung, NJ? +

6,429 people live in Watchung, NJ according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Watchung households earn a median of $166,536 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Watchung? +

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

Watchung has a total crime rate of 4216.0 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 Watchung, NJ? +

Homes in Watchung carry a median value of $833,300, 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.