Highland Park, New Jersey Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Highland Park, New Jersey had a total population of 15,121, the 80th largest borough in New Jersey, with a median household income of $104,694, which is 1% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Highland Park Quick Facts
How Highland Park 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 | 14,981 | 15,121 | +0.9% |
| Median household income | $101,991 | $104,694 | +2.7% |
| Median home value | $463,600 | $471,700 | +1.7% |
How Highland Park 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+)
Highland Park 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 Highland Park
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 14,645 | $105,000 | $446,400 | 36.9% | 11.3% |
| Cherry Hill Mall | 14,541 | $103,708 | $341,200 | 47.7% | 10.8% |
| Hopatcong | 14,565 | $115,758 | $340,700 | 34.6% | 4.2% |
| Roselle Park | 14,093 | $109,679 | $443,200 | 38.5% | 6.6% |
| Williamstown | 14,705 | $89,414 | $278,600 | 29.6% | 8.3% |
Population Overview
Highland Park is a small city located in New Jersey, within Middlesex County. The total population is 15,121. It ranks as the 80th most populous out of 700 Census-designated places in New Jersey.
Age Demographics
The median age in Highland Park is 35.2 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Highland Park is $104,694. This is 1% higher than the state median of $103,556. It is also 30% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.5%. This is 22% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.7%. The unemployment rate is 4.8%. This is 24% lower than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $471,700. Housing costs are 4% higher than the state median of $454,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x. 40.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 37% lower than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Highland Park is White (non-Hispanic), making up 55.1% of the population. Asian residents account for 21.1%. The Black or African American population (3.6%) is well below the state average of 12.2%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (21.1% vs 10.1%).
Education
69.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 60% 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 93.5%. Notably, 39.4% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Highland Park, 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 Highland Park, New Jersey?
Highland Park, New Jersey has a population of 15,121 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Highland Park, NJ?
The median household income in Highland Park is $104,694, which is 30% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Highland Park, NJ?
The poverty rate in Highland Park is 7.5%. This means approximately 1,137 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Highland Park, New Jersey?
Highland Park's population is 55.1% White, 3.6% Black, 15.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 21.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Highland Park, NJ?
The median home value in Highland Park is $471,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x.
How educated is Highland Park, New Jersey?
69.8% of adults (25+) in Highland Park hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 39.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.