Carteret borough, New Jersey Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Carteret borough, New Jersey has a total population of 25,187, the 42nd largest city in New Jersey, with a median household income of $87,553, which is 13% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.0%.
Key Takeaways
- One of the most racially diverse communities in New Jersey (diversity index: 75/100).
- Unemployment rate of 8.8% is notably above the national average.
Carteret borough Quick Facts
How Carteret borough Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 65 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Carteret borough Rankings in New Jersey
Explore New Jersey Rankings
Other Cities in Middlesex County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Brunswick city | 55,744 | $60,248 | 31.6% | $316,800 |
| Perth Amboy city | 55,278 | $58,490 | 20.0% | $339,200 |
| Sayreville borough | 45,237 | $98,629 | 6.0% | $407,600 |
| South Plainfield borough | 24,231 | $126,063 | 3.5% | $443,900 |
| South River borough | 16,007 | $101,853 | 11.3% | $382,500 |
| Metuchen borough | 14,982 | $157,779 | 4.4% | $565,400 |
| Highland Park borough | 14,981 | $101,991 | 9.3% | $463,600 |
| Middlesex borough | 14,518 | $107,063 | 8.0% | $414,600 |
| South Amboy city | 9,714 | $110,125 | 7.5% | $365,000 |
| Spotswood borough | 8,112 | $101,388 | 3.4% | $359,000 |
Cities Similar to Carteret borough
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lodi borough | 25,946 | $84,570 | $449,200 | 28.2% | 16.0% |
| Cliffside Park borough | 25,580 | $94,960 | $577,200 | 42.4% | 11.3% |
| Glassboro borough | 23,375 | $80,388 | $276,900 | 41.0% | 16.4% |
| North Plainfield borough | 22,667 | $83,529 | $350,700 | 25.3% | 14.0% |
| Roselle borough | 22,455 | $82,967 | $336,500 | 26.1% | 10.4% |
Population Overview
Carteret borough is a mid-sized community located in New Jersey, within Middlesex County. The total population is 25,187. It ranks as the 42nd most populous out of 700 cities and towns in New Jersey.
Age Demographics
The median age in Carteret borough is 39.3 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Carteret borough is $87,553. This is 13% lower than the state median of $101,050. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 11% higher. The poverty rate stands at 10.0%. This is 3% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.8%. The unemployment rate is 8.8%. This is 42% higher than the state rate of 6.2%. The median home value is $370,200. Housing costs are 13% lower than the state median of $427,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 55.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 63.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Carteret borough is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Asian residents account for 24.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (22.4%) is well below the state average of 51.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (34.0% vs 21.9%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (24.5% vs 9.8%).
Education
27.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 35% lower than the state rate of 42.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 84.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Carteret borough, New Jersey is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Carteret borough, New Jersey?
Carteret borough, New Jersey has a population of 25,187 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Carteret borough, NJ?
The median household income in Carteret borough is $87,553, which is 11% higher the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Carteret borough, NJ?
The poverty rate in Carteret borough is 10.0%. This means approximately 2,514 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Carteret borough, New Jersey?
Carteret borough's population is 22.4% White, 16.6% Black, 34.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 24.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Carteret borough, NJ?
The median home value in Carteret borough is $370,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
How educated is Carteret borough, New Jersey?
27.7% of adults (25+) in Carteret borough hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.