Dunellen, New Jersey Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dunellen, New Jersey had a total population of 7,911, the 213th largest borough in New Jersey, with a median household income of $86,967, which is 16% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Dunellen Quick Facts
How Dunellen 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 | 7,711 | 7,911 | +2.6% |
| Median household income | $84,789 | $86,967 | +2.6% |
| Median home value | $380,200 | $393,500 | +3.5% |
How Dunellen 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+)
Dunellen 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 Dunellen
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Dix | 7,984 | $92,303 | N/A | 13.4% | 5.8% |
| Palmyra | 7,485 | $89,574 | $234,800 | 32.4% | 10.2% |
| Pomona | 7,995 | $99,118 | $279,000 | 34.2% | 11.1% |
| Carneys Point | 8,050 | $77,273 | $193,300 | 18.3% | 11.4% |
| Runnemede | 8,355 | $91,302 | $252,300 | 28.7% | 8.0% |
Population Overview
Dunellen is a small city located in New Jersey, within Middlesex County. The total population is 7,911. It ranks as the 213th most populous out of 700 Census-designated places in New Jersey.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dunellen is 42.5 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dunellen is $86,967. This is 16% lower than the state median of $103,556. It is also 8% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.6%. This is 132% 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 5.5%. This is 13% lower than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $393,500. Housing costs are 13% lower than the state median of $454,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x. 61.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Dunellen is Hispanic or Latino, making up 45.2% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 39.7%. The Black or African American population (4.9%) is well below the state average of 12.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (45.2% vs 22.5%).
Education
28.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 35% 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 81.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dunellen, 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.
Free data download: Get all New Jersey city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Dunellen, New Jersey?
Dunellen, New Jersey has a population of 7,911 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dunellen, NJ?
The median household income in Dunellen is $86,967, which is 8% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dunellen, NJ?
The poverty rate in Dunellen is 22.6%. This means approximately 1,785 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dunellen, New Jersey?
Dunellen's population is 39.7% White, 4.9% Black, 45.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 6.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dunellen, NJ?
The median home value in Dunellen is $393,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x.
How educated is Dunellen, New Jersey?
28.2% of adults (25+) in Dunellen hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.