Atlantic City, New Jersey Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Atlantic City, New Jersey had a total population of 38,632, the 26th largest city in New Jersey, with a median household income of $41,028, which is 60% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 32.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 60% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (32.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- One of the most racially diverse communities in New Jersey (diversity index: 75/100).
- Unemployment rate of 14.5% is notably above the national average.
Atlantic City Quick Facts
How Atlantic City Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 38,486 | 38,632 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $36,220 | $41,028 | +13.3% |
| Median home value | $189,600 | $207,400 | +9.4% |
How Atlantic City Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.
State average: 66 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Atlantic City Rankings in New Jersey
Explore New Jersey Rankings
Other Cities in Atlantic County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pleasantville | 20,712 | $53,661 | 25.1% | $194,100 |
| Hammonton | 14,840 | $78,087 | 9.6% | $349,800 |
| McKee City | 10,731 | $68,133 | 10.2% | $218,100 |
| Somers Point | 10,515 | $71,062 | 9.2% | $309,200 |
| Smithville | 9,545 | $77,579 | 9.8% | $279,200 |
| Ventnor City | 9,265 | $68,671 | 10.1% | $363,000 |
| Absecon | 9,170 | $73,676 | 7.9% | $286,300 |
| Northfield | 8,456 | $111,599 | 4.6% | $316,200 |
| Pomona | 7,995 | $99,118 | 11.1% | $279,000 |
| Brigantine | 7,674 | $97,250 | 9.4% | $524,800 |
Cities Similar to Atlantic City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kearny | 40,614 | $79,154 | $459,400 | 30.6% | 12.5% |
| Garfield | 32,783 | $79,700 | $475,500 | 25.8% | 13.4% |
| Long Branch | 32,530 | $79,653 | $574,000 | 36.1% | 15.5% |
| Bridgeton | 27,001 | $55,781 | $145,500 | 7.4% | 27.2% |
| Fort Lee | 40,067 | $107,274 | $448,000 | 65.8% | 7.8% |
Population Overview
Atlantic City is a mid-sized community located in New Jersey, within Atlantic County. The total population is 38,632. It ranks as the 26th most populous out of 700 Census-designated places in New Jersey.
Age Demographics
The median age in Atlantic City is 38.0 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Atlantic City is $41,028. This is 60% lower than the state median of $103,556. It is also 49% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 32.3%. This is 232% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.7%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 14.5%. This is 130% higher than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $207,400. Housing costs are 54% lower than the state median of $454,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.1x. 30.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 53% lower than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Atlantic City is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Black or African American residents account for 29.4%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (17.6%) is well below the state average of 50.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (29.4% vs 12.2%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (15.4% vs 10.1%).
Education
22.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 49% lower than the state rate of 43.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 78.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Atlantic City, New Jersey is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against New Jersey state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 700 Census-designated places in New Jersey. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Atlantic City, New Jersey?
Atlantic City, New Jersey has a population of 38,632 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Atlantic City, NJ?
The median household income in Atlantic City is $41,028, which is 49% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Atlantic City, NJ?
The poverty rate in Atlantic City is 32.3%. This means approximately 12,143 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Atlantic City, New Jersey?
Atlantic City's population is 17.6% White, 29.4% Black, 31.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 15.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Atlantic City, NJ?
The median home value in Atlantic City is $207,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.1x.
How educated is Atlantic City, New Jersey?
22.4% of adults (25+) in Atlantic City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.