City profile · New Jersey · Census ACS 2023

Wharton, NJ

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

7,254
Residents
$92,548
Median income
$348,100
Median home
$2,205
Median rent (state)

Wharton - the verdict

Nationally, Wharton sits in the 73rd percentile for household income and the 70th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

73rd
percentile, household income
72nd
percentile, home value
86th
percentile, median rent
70th
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: Wharton, NJ

7,254 people live in Wharton, New Jersey - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Wharton households earn a median of $92,548 annually, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 17.5%. Home values in Wharton run a median of $348,100, and the median resident age is 39.4 years. About 29.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 68.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 83 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Active). Wharton reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 835.7 in FBI UCR data, below 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: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts New Jersey at 108.8 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Above Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $2,205 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $275 across New Jersey, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 92.9 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

7,254 residents

Census ACS 2023 - New Jersey

Median Household Income

$92,548 /yr

Poverty 17.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

108.8 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, New Jersey average

How does Wharton compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 73% higher than other cities
Home value 72% pricier than other cities
Median rent 86% pricier than other cities
Safety 70% 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, Wharton ranks #100 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

Each percentile compares Wharton 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 is Wharton's strongest outlier among New Jersey cities

Among the 680 New Jersey cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Wharton ranks #38 - the 94th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Wharton only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#428 of 659
35th percentile in New Jersey
Median Gross Rent
#298 of 686
41st percentile in New Jersey
Median Home Value
#415 of 672
38th percentile in New Jersey
Poverty Rate
#38 of 680
94th percentile in New Jersey
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#490 of 686
29th 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.

73rdIncome percentile
70thSafety percentile

73rd percentile nationally for median household income · 70th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Wharton's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Wharton'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 55 Avg. percentile National median
Wharton'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 Wharton's home value compares nationally

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

$348,100 28th percentile more affordable than 28% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Wharton $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 - Wharton, NJ Wharton, NJ's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Wharton, 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 Wharton, NJ median $92,548/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%
Wharton, 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 Wharton, NJ. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 29.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 17.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 68.5%

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

Population
7,254
Median Income
$92,548
Median Home Value
$348,100
Median Age
39.4
Poverty Rate
17.5%
Labor force participation
68.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
29.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
835.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
53.1
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
782.6
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
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 →
7,200 residents7,400 residents7,600 residents7,800 residents 202020212022202320242025 7,248 residents 7,618 residents ▲ +5.1%
Wharton's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Active
Total Permits (2024)
83
housing units authorized
Single-Family
72
detached homes
Multifamily
11
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
11.4
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 0
2021 66
2022 6
2023 134
2024 83

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
74.4%
Carpool
12.8%
Public Transit
1.6%
Walk
1.6%
Work from Home
8.1%
Other
1.5%

Based on 3,909 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 Wharton 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
92.9 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in New Jersey

Emerson
7,263 people
Rumson
7,265 people
Yorketown
7,265 people
Washington
7,287 people
Keyport
7,159 people
Palmyra
7,447 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Wharton's 7,254 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Marble Falls, TX
7,255 people
Monticello, NY
7,252 people
Clewiston, FL
7,257 people
Bridge, LA
7,258 people
Whitinsville, MA
7,250 people
Richland, MS
7,250 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Wharton's $92,548 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Ora, IN
$92,550 median income
Richland, WA
$92,550 median income
Morro Bay, CA
$92,553 median income
Sierra, CA
$92,543 median income
Grand Point, LA
$92,560 median income
Fernandina Beach, FL
$92,535 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Wharton, 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 Wharton, NJ - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 63.7% 13.8% 21.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 51.1% White 63.7% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.8% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 13.8% Two or more races 21.6% 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 Wharton 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
Wharton (this city) 7,254 $92,548
Emerson 7,263 $153,963
Rumson 7,265 $250,001
Yorketown 7,265 $163,375
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NJ FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Wharton, NJ?

What is the population of Wharton, NJ? +

The population of Wharton, NJ stands at 7,254 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Wharton households earn a median of $92,548 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Wharton? +

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

Wharton has a total crime rate of 835.7 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 Wharton, NJ? +

The median home value in Wharton is $348,100, 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.