Elizabeth city, New Jersey Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Elizabeth city, New Jersey has a total population of 135,887, the 4th largest city in New Jersey, with a median household income of $63,874, which is 37% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.3%.
Key Takeaways
- Elizabeth city is the 4th largest city in New Jersey with a population of 135,887.
- Household income is 37% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Elizabeth city Quick Facts
How Elizabeth city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 65 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Elizabeth city Rankings in New Jersey
Explore New Jersey Rankings
Other Cities in Union County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plainfield city | 54,515 | $80,334 | 17.1% | $383,300 |
| Linden city | 43,614 | $91,036 | 9.0% | $387,200 |
| Westfield town | 30,760 | $212,700 | 2.1% | $930,500 |
| Rahway city | 29,748 | $90,852 | 6.8% | $362,300 |
| Summit city | 22,512 | $199,107 | 3.9% | $969,900 |
| Roselle borough | 22,455 | $82,967 | 10.4% | $336,500 |
| Roselle Park borough | 13,965 | $104,418 | 5.1% | $405,800 |
| New Providence borough | 13,577 | $162,877 | 2.1% | $734,300 |
| Kenilworth borough | 8,339 | $126,295 | 6.0% | $521,100 |
| Fanwood borough | 7,714 | $176,667 | 1.4% | $610,600 |
Cities Similar to Elizabeth city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paterson city | 157,660 | $53,766 | $335,400 | 12.5% | 23.6% |
| Trenton city | 89,966 | $47,102 | $122,500 | 16.7% | 24.7% |
| Toms River CDP | 93,915 | $95,759 | $377,800 | 35.2% | 6.3% |
| Clifton city | 89,247 | $99,003 | $444,300 | 34.5% | 7.4% |
| East Orange city | 69,183 | $59,872 | $315,500 | 22.9% | 17.6% |
Population Overview
Elizabeth city is a major urban center located in New Jersey, within Union County. The total population is 135,887. It ranks as the 4th most populous out of 700 cities and towns in New Jersey.
Age Demographics
The median age in Elizabeth city is 35.8 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Elizabeth city is $63,874. This is 37% lower than the state median of $101,050. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 19% lower. The poverty rate stands at 15.3%. This is 57% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.8%. The unemployment rate is 6.9%. This is 12% higher than the state rate of 6.2%. The median home value is $393,500. Housing costs are 8% lower than the state median of $427,600. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.2x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 25.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 60% lower than the state average of 63.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Elizabeth city is Hispanic or Latino, making up 66.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 15.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (13.0%) is well below the state average of 51.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (66.8% vs 21.9%). The Asian population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 9.8%.
Education
14.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 67% 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 74.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Elizabeth city, 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 Elizabeth city, New Jersey?
Elizabeth city, New Jersey has a population of 135,887 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Elizabeth city, NJ?
The median household income in Elizabeth city is $63,874, which is 19% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Elizabeth city, NJ?
The poverty rate in Elizabeth city is 15.3%. This means approximately 20,565 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Elizabeth city, New Jersey?
Elizabeth city's population is 13.0% White, 15.2% Black, 66.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Elizabeth city, NJ?
The median home value in Elizabeth city is $393,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.2x.
How educated is Elizabeth city, New Jersey?
14.2% of adults (25+) in Elizabeth city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.