Chester, New Jersey Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Chester, New Jersey had a total population of 1,512, the 509th largest borough in New Jersey, with a median household income of $171,500, which is 66% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 66% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in New Jersey.
Chester Quick Facts
How Chester 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 | 1,359 | 1,512 | +11.3% |
| Median household income | $152,578 | $171,500 | +12.4% |
| Median home value | $640,400 | $659,800 | +3.0% |
How Chester 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 66 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Chester Rankings in New Jersey
Explore New Jersey Rankings
Other Cities in Morris County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parsippany | 21,345 | $99,405 | 6.7% | $555,400 |
| Morristown | 20,453 | $121,340 | 7.8% | $567,600 |
| Dover | 18,563 | $73,737 | 14.2% | $366,700 |
| Madison | 16,447 | $171,471 | 3.2% | $943,200 |
| Florham Park | 13,564 | $158,696 | 8.7% | $791,400 |
| Lake Hiawatha | 11,018 | $104,663 | 3.4% | $428,600 |
| Pompton Plains | 10,971 | $117,959 | 5.6% | $539,000 |
| Lincoln Park | 10,957 | $123,397 | 2.9% | $443,300 |
| Budd Lake | 10,650 | $114,154 | 4.6% | $456,100 |
| Lake Hopatcong | 10,259 | $117,625 | 4.0% | $424,200 |
Cities Similar to Chester
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annandale | 1,568 | $168,043 | $504,900 | 65.7% | 2.6% |
| Port Norris | 1,612 | N/A | $118,700 | 2.3% | 17.5% |
| Kean University | 1,362 | N/A | N/A | 33.3% | N/A |
| Avalon | 1,488 | $139,167 | $1,959,000 | 70.6% | 4.8% |
| Beesleys Point | 1,335 | N/A | $339,800 | 57.7% | 2.0% |
Population Overview
Chester is a small community located in New Jersey, within Morris County. The total population is 1,512. It ranks as the 509th most populous out of 700 Census-designated places in New Jersey.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chester is 42.9 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Chester is $171,500. This is 66% higher than the state median of $103,556. It is also 112% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.4%. This is 34% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.7%. The unemployment rate is 2.8%. This is 56% lower than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $659,800. Housing costs are 45% higher than the state median of $454,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 79.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% higher than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Chester is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (80.4% vs 50.9%). The Black or African American population (3.6%) is well below the state average of 12.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (7.0%) is well below the state average of 22.5%. The Asian population (4.4%) is well below the state average of 10.1%.
Education
65.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 50% 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 96.6%. Notably, 27.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Chester, 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 Chester, New Jersey?
Chester, New Jersey has a population of 1,512 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Chester, NJ?
The median household income in Chester is $171,500, which is 112% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Chester, NJ?
The poverty rate in Chester is 6.4%. This means approximately 97 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Chester, New Jersey?
Chester's population is 80.4% White, 3.6% Black, 7.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Chester, NJ?
The median home value in Chester is $659,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Chester, New Jersey?
65.3% of adults (25+) in Chester hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 27.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.