Dayton, New Jersey Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dayton, New Jersey had a total population of 7,952, the 209th largest community in New Jersey, with a median household income of $151,902, which is 47% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 2.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 47% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in New Jersey.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 2.5% — among the lowest in New Jersey.
Dayton Quick Facts
How Dayton 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 | 8,241 | 7,952 | -3.5% |
| Median household income | $141,308 | $151,902 | +7.5% |
| Median home value | $471,700 | $496,600 | +5.3% |
How Dayton 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+)
Dayton Rankings in New Jersey
Explore New Jersey Rankings
Other Cities in Middlesex County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Brunswick | 56,345 | $65,810 | 32.0% | $353,800 |
| Perth Amboy | 55,855 | $61,977 | 20.2% | $370,600 |
| Sayreville | 45,838 | $99,979 | 6.2% | $444,100 |
| Old Bridge | 28,236 | $111,996 | 6.9% | $485,800 |
| Carteret | 25,496 | $96,862 | 8.2% | $405,800 |
| South Plainfield | 24,473 | $130,239 | 3.0% | $470,900 |
| Woodbridge | 20,756 | $104,926 | 11.1% | $390,000 |
| Iselin | 19,551 | $109,500 | 7.9% | $426,800 |
| Colonia | 18,587 | $122,713 | 7.4% | $493,100 |
| Avenel | 17,121 | $101,670 | 7.9% | $401,000 |
Cities Similar to Dayton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heathcote | 7,717 | $141,295 | $567,500 | 73.6% | 3.4% |
| Emerson | 7,305 | $155,536 | $645,200 | 57.0% | 3.1% |
| Basking Ridge | 7,917 | $188,295 | $851,200 | 74.3% | 3.4% |
| White Meadow Lake | 8,842 | $149,324 | $470,800 | 57.5% | 1.7% |
| Flanders | 8,809 | $147,367 | $552,900 | 53.8% | 3.8% |
Population Overview
Dayton is a small city located in New Jersey, within Middlesex County. The total population is 7,952. It ranks as the 209th most populous out of 700 Census-designated places in New Jersey.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dayton is 41.8 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dayton is $151,902. This is 47% higher than the state median of $103,556. It is also 88% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 2.5%. This is 74% 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 6.8%. This is 8% higher than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $496,600. Housing costs are 9% higher than the state median of $454,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 88.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 38% higher than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Dayton is Asian, making up 50.9% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 31.4%. The Black or African American population (6.0%) is well below the state average of 12.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (6.6%) is well below the state average of 22.5%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (50.9% vs 10.1%).
Education
70.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 62% 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 95.0%. Notably, 30.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dayton, 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 Dayton, New Jersey?
Dayton, New Jersey has a population of 7,952 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dayton, NJ?
The median household income in Dayton is $151,902, which is 88% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dayton, NJ?
The poverty rate in Dayton is 2.5%. This means approximately 199 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dayton, New Jersey?
Dayton's population is 31.4% White, 6.0% Black, 6.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 50.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dayton, NJ?
The median home value in Dayton is $496,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Dayton, New Jersey?
70.5% of adults (25+) in Dayton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 30.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.