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Fort Lee borough, New Jersey Demographics & Population 2026

Highly DiverseNo single racial/ethnic group makes up a majority of the population

As of 2026, Fort Lee borough, New Jersey has a total population of 39,818, the 25th largest city in New Jersey, with a median household income of $105,535, which is 4% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.4%.

Fort Lee borough Quick Facts

Population 39,818
Median Household Income $105,535
Median Home Value $422,200
Poverty Rate 8.4%
Unemployment Rate 5.0%
Median Age 47.2 years
Homeownership Rate 57.5%
Affordability Ratio 4.0x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 64.8%
High School Graduation Rate 95.0%
Diversity Index 64/100
Population 39,818 25th of 700
Median Income $105,535 average
Poverty Rate 8.4% 32% lower national
Median Home Value $422,200 average

How Fort Lee borough Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

5.0% Unemployment Rate State: 6.2% | National: 5.2%
63.3% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 57.5%
Renter 42.5%
Affordability Index Moderate
4.0x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

64out of 100
High Diversity

A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.

State average: 65 | National average: 60

Education

Fort Lee borough Rankings in New Jersey

#25 Population of 700
#333 Median Income of 700
#127 Education of 700
#300 Home Value of 700

Other Cities in Bergen County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Hackensack city 45,768 $82,212 11.3% $370,300
Fair Lawn borough 35,153 $147,952 6.1% $532,700
Garfield city 32,502 $75,701 14.2% $454,300
Englewood city 29,342 $101,398 9.8% $497,500
Bergenfield borough 28,269 $124,083 6.1% $469,200
Paramus borough 26,500 $139,707 5.5% $736,000
Ridgewood village 26,076 $217,250 3.7% $882,700
Lodi borough 25,946 $84,570 16.0% $449,200
Cliffside Park borough 25,580 $94,960 11.3% $577,200
Elmwood Park borough 21,287 $100,852 10.0% $456,000

Cities Similar to Fort Lee borough

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Sicklerville CDP44,500$102,881$256,60034.1%9.4%
Kearny town40,570$83,212$431,70029.4%12.5%
Sayreville borough45,237$98,629$407,60036.8%6.0%
Linden city43,614$91,036$387,20023.3%9.0%
Hackensack city45,768$82,212$370,30041.7%11.3%

Population Overview

Fort Lee borough is a mid-sized community located in New Jersey, within Bergen County. The total population is 39,818. It ranks as the 25th most populous out of 700 cities and towns in New Jersey.

Age Demographics

The median age in Fort Lee borough is 47.2 years. This is 18% higher than the state median of 40.1 years. 12.8% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Fort Lee borough is $105,535. This is 4% higher than the state median of $101,050. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 34% higher. The poverty rate stands at 8.4%. This is 14% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.8%. The unemployment rate is 5.0%. This is 19% lower than the state rate of 6.2%. The median home value is $422,200. Housing costs are 1% lower than the state median of $427,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 57.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 63.7%.

Race & Ethnicity

Fort Lee borough is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 38.0%. The Black or African American population (2.4%) is well below the state average of 12.3%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (44.0% vs 9.8%).

Education

64.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 51% higher 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 95.0%. Notably, 29.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Fort Lee borough, 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 Fort Lee borough, New Jersey?

Fort Lee borough, New Jersey has a population of 39,818 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Fort Lee borough, NJ?

The median household income in Fort Lee borough is $105,535, which is 34% higher the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Fort Lee borough, NJ?

The poverty rate in Fort Lee borough is 8.4%. This means approximately 3,344 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Fort Lee borough, New Jersey?

Fort Lee borough's population is 38.0% White, 2.4% Black, 12.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 44.0% Asian.

What is the median home value in Fort Lee borough, NJ?

The median home value in Fort Lee borough is $422,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x.

How educated is Fort Lee borough, New Jersey?

64.8% of adults (25+) in Fort Lee borough hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 29.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.