City profile · New Jersey · Census ACS 2023

West Long Branch, NJ

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

8,576
Residents
$123,661
Median income
$631,300
Median home
$2,328
Median rent (state)

West Long Branch - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, West Long Branch lands in the 88th percentile for household income and the 56th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

88th
percentile, household income
90th
percentile, home value
90th
percentile, median rent
56th
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: West Long Branch, NJ

West Long Branch is a small town in New Jersey, home to 8,576 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $123,661 per year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 1.6%. West Long Branch's housing stock carries a median value of $631,300, and the median resident age is 30.4 years. Educational attainment runs 45.9% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 58.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 59 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 354% from five years earlier. West Long Branch reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 1193.7 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 $2,328 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in New Jersey run around $275, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 96.3 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

8,576 residents

Census ACS 2023 - New Jersey

Median Household Income

$123,661 /yr

Poverty 1.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

108.8 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, New Jersey average

How does West Long Branch compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 88% higher than other cities
Home value 90% pricier than other cities
Median rent 90% pricier than other cities
Safety 56% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at New Jersey, West Long Branch ranks #137 of 238 New Jersey cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

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 West Long Branch'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.

88thIncome percentile
56thSafety percentile

88th percentile nationally for median household income · 56th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

West Long Branch's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

West Long Branch'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 51 Avg. percentile National median
West Long Branch'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 West Long Branch's home value compares nationally

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

$631,300 10th percentile more affordable than 10% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. West Long Branch $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 - West Long Branch, NJ West Long Branch, NJ's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not West Long Branch, 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 West Long Branch, NJ median $123,661/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%
West Long Branch, 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 West Long Branch, NJ. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 45.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 1.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 58.6%

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

Population
8,576
Median Income
$123,661
Median Home Value
$631,300
Median Age
30.4
Poverty Rate
1.6%
Labor force participation
58.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
45.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1193.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
46.8
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1146.9
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
3
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
8,560 residents8,580 residents8,600 residents8,620 residents8,640 residents 202020212022202320242025 8,584 residents 8,625 residents ▲ +0.5%
West Long Branch's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
59
housing units authorized
Single-Family
44
detached homes
Multifamily
15
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
6.9
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 13
2020 7
2021 10
2022 13
2023 40
2024 59

Permit volume increased 354% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
66.6%
Carpool
3.7%
Public Transit
3.2%
Walk
5.4%
Work from Home
20.7%

Based on 3,913 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 West Long Branch sits in

Cost of Living Index
108.8
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$2,328/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
96.3 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in New Jersey

Closter
8,544 people
Montvale
8,625 people
Audubon
8,699 people
White Meadow Lake
8,706 people
Northfield
8,427 people
North Haledon
8,757 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to West Long Branch's 8,576 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Sonterra, TX
8,576 people
Sutherlin, OR
8,574 people
Arab, AL
8,573 people
Beebe, AR
8,580 people
Gering, NE
8,567 people
Murphy, MO
8,566 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to West Long Branch's $123,661 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Petersburg, KY
$123,669 median income
Crestview, NM
$123,644 median income
Springfield, VA
$123,691 median income
Igo, CA
$123,625 median income
Saratoga Springs, UT
$123,619 median income
Roslyn, NY
$123,725 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - West Long Branch, 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 West Long Branch, NJ - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 83.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 7.0% White 83.7% Black or African American 5.5% Asian 1.1% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 4.1% Two or more races 5.5% 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 West Long Branch 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
West Long Branch (this city) 8,576 $123,661
Closter 8,544 $187,500
Montvale 8,625 $183,664
Audubon 8,699 $116,900
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NJ FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about West Long Branch, NJ?

What is the population of West Long Branch, NJ? +

West Long Branch, NJ has a population of 8,576 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in West Long Branch, NJ? +

Median annual household income in West Long Branch runs $123,661, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in West Long Branch? +

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

West Long Branch has a total crime rate of 1193.7 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 West Long Branch, NJ? +

Homes in West Long Branch carry a median value of $631,300, 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 Editorial

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

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.