Brookdale, New Jersey Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Brookdale, New Jersey had a total population of 9,960, the 161st largest community in New Jersey, with a median household income of $161,779, which is 56% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 56% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in New Jersey.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.8% — among the lowest in New Jersey.
Brookdale Quick Facts
How Brookdale 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 | 10,044 | 9,960 | -0.8% |
| Median household income | $150,489 | $161,779 | +7.5% |
| Median home value | $527,200 | $573,500 | +8.8% |
How Brookdale 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
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 66 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Brookdale Rankings in New Jersey
Explore New Jersey Rankings
Other Cities in Essex County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newark | 310,178 | $52,060 | 23.4% | $373,700 |
| East Orange | 70,090 | $60,830 | 16.4% | $365,900 |
| Short Hills | 14,923 | $250,000+ | 2.3% | $1,674,100 |
| Upper Montclair | 12,457 | $250,000+ | 1.9% | $989,000 |
| Caldwell | 9,003 | $96,824 | 8.0% | $575,400 |
| Watsessing | 8,232 | $103,378 | 7.5% | $435,400 |
| Glen Ridge | 7,943 | $250,000+ | 1.1% | $836,600 |
| North Caldwell | 6,656 | $208,245 | 1.7% | $904,500 |
| Roseland | 6,268 | $164,458 | 2.5% | $665,700 |
| Vauxhall | 6,157 | $111,421 | 7.3% | $360,000 |
Cities Similar to Brookdale
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Succasunna | 9,799 | $161,712 | $529,100 | 49.7% | 2.2% |
| Kendall Park | 10,011 | $165,958 | $590,300 | 61.1% | 4.2% |
| Waldwick | 10,164 | $177,962 | $588,500 | 59.5% | 1.5% |
| Kinnelon | 10,013 | $187,438 | $706,400 | 65.4% | 2.0% |
| Park Ridge | 9,406 | $171,029 | $706,200 | 57.5% | 1.5% |
Population Overview
Brookdale is a small city located in New Jersey, within Essex County. The total population is 9,960. It ranks as the 161st most populous out of 700 Census-designated places in New Jersey.
Age Demographics
The median age in Brookdale is 38.1 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Brookdale is $161,779. This is 56% higher than the state median of $103,556. It is also 100% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.8%. This is 61% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.7%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 4.3%. This is 32% lower than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $573,500. Housing costs are 26% higher than the state median of $454,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 87.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 37% higher than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Brookdale is White (non-Hispanic), making up 50.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 22.3%.
Education
62.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 43% higher 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 96.2%. Notably, 23.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Brookdale, 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 Brookdale, New Jersey?
Brookdale, New Jersey has a population of 9,960 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Brookdale, NJ?
The median household income in Brookdale is $161,779, which is 100% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Brookdale, NJ?
The poverty rate in Brookdale is 3.8%. This means approximately 380 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Brookdale, New Jersey?
Brookdale's population is 50.3% White, 7.7% Black, 22.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 11.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Brookdale, NJ?
The median home value in Brookdale is $573,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Brookdale, New Jersey?
62.5% of adults (25+) in Brookdale hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 23.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.