Elizabeth, New Jersey Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Elizabeth, New Jersey had a total population of 137,302, the 4th largest city in New Jersey, with a median household income of $66,555, which is 36% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Elizabeth is the 4th largest city in New Jersey with a population of 137,302.
- Household income is 36% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Elizabeth Quick Facts
How Elizabeth 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 | 135,887 | 137,302 | +1.0% |
| Median household income | $63,874 | $66,555 | +4.2% |
| Median home value | $393,500 | $449,300 | +14.2% |
How Elizabeth 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 66 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Elizabeth Rankings in New Jersey
Explore New Jersey Rankings
Other Cities in Union County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plainfield | 55,236 | $85,908 | 15.5% | $410,800 |
| Linden | 44,192 | $92,915 | 9.6% | $419,700 |
| Westfield | 31,111 | $232,629 | 1.8% | $953,400 |
| Rahway | 30,109 | $91,461 | 9.5% | $386,400 |
| Summit | 22,705 | $190,304 | 5.5% | $994,500 |
| Roselle | 22,646 | $92,762 | 9.5% | $379,900 |
| Roselle Park | 14,093 | $109,679 | 6.6% | $443,200 |
| New Providence | 13,727 | $161,599 | 2.1% | $769,900 |
| Kenilworth | 8,401 | $118,611 | 6.3% | $522,200 |
| Fanwood | 7,799 | $195,529 | 0.9% | $635,200 |
Cities Similar to Elizabeth
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paterson | 158,735 | $55,997 | $360,100 | 11.8% | 21.3% |
| Trenton | 90,338 | $52,537 | $160,700 | 16.2% | 21.6% |
| Toms River | 94,956 | $100,137 | $403,600 | 36.4% | 5.8% |
| Clifton | 89,379 | $98,237 | $461,900 | 35.5% | 7.9% |
| East Orange | 70,090 | $60,830 | $365,900 | 22.7% | 16.4% |
Population Overview
Elizabeth is a major urban center located in New Jersey, within Union County. The total population is 137,302. It ranks as the 4th most populous out of 700 Census-designated places in New Jersey.
Age Demographics
The median age in Elizabeth 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 is $66,555. This is 36% lower than the state median of $103,556. It is also 18% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.8%. This is 62% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.7%. The unemployment rate is 7.7%. This is 22% higher than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $449,300. Housing costs are 1% lower than the state median of $454,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.8x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 25.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 60% lower than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Elizabeth is Hispanic or Latino, making up 67.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 14.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (12.1%) is well below the state average of 50.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (67.4% vs 22.5%). The Asian population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 10.1%.
Education
14.6% 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 43.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 74.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Elizabeth, 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 Elizabeth, New Jersey?
Elizabeth, New Jersey has a population of 137,302 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Elizabeth, NJ?
The median household income in Elizabeth is $66,555, which is 18% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Elizabeth, NJ?
The poverty rate in Elizabeth is 15.8%. This means approximately 21,413 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Elizabeth, New Jersey?
Elizabeth's population is 12.1% White, 14.6% Black, 67.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Elizabeth, NJ?
The median home value in Elizabeth is $449,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.8x.
How educated is Elizabeth, New Jersey?
14.6% of adults (25+) in Elizabeth hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.