Kearny, New Jersey Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Kearny, New Jersey had a total population of 40,614, the 24th largest town in New Jersey, with a median household income of $79,154, which is 24% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Kearny Quick Facts
How Kearny 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 | 40,570 | 40,614 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $83,212 | $79,154 | -4.9% |
| Median home value | $431,700 | $459,400 | +6.4% |
How Kearny 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+)
Kearny Rankings in New Jersey
Explore New Jersey Rankings
Other Cities in Hudson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jersey City | 294,078 | $97,710 | 15.6% | $566,900 |
| Bayonne | 71,553 | $83,887 | 14.4% | $460,100 |
| Union City | 66,463 | $64,310 | 23.1% | $471,600 |
| Hoboken | 58,668 | $180,579 | 7.8% | $895,100 |
| West New York | 52,004 | $71,729 | 19.4% | $465,600 |
| Secaucus | 21,778 | $139,821 | 5.8% | $571,900 |
| Harrison | 20,369 | $93,013 | 11.8% | $505,800 |
| Guttenberg | 11,754 | $75,683 | 19.2% | $379,000 |
| East Newark | 2,497 | $48,646 | 40.6% | $470,300 |
Cities Similar to Kearny
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hackensack | 46,057 | $84,277 | $393,700 | 42.1% | 12.1% |
| Linden | 44,192 | $92,915 | $419,700 | 23.3% | 9.6% |
| Fort Lee | 40,067 | $107,274 | $448,000 | 65.8% | 7.8% |
| Garfield | 32,783 | $79,700 | $475,500 | 25.8% | 13.4% |
| Long Branch | 32,530 | $79,653 | $574,000 | 36.1% | 15.5% |
Population Overview
Kearny is a mid-sized community located in New Jersey, within Hudson County. The total population is 40,614. It ranks as the 24th most populous out of 700 Census-designated places in New Jersey.
Age Demographics
The median age in Kearny is 40.0 years. This is about the same as the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Kearny is $79,154. This is 24% lower than the state median of $103,556. It is also 2% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.5%. This is 29% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.7%. The unemployment rate is 6.6%. This is 5% higher than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $459,400. Housing costs are 1% higher than the state median of $454,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.8x. 42.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 33% lower than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Kearny is Hispanic or Latino, making up 51.7% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 30.7%. The Black or African American population (4.7%) is well below the state average of 12.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (51.7% vs 22.5%). The Asian population (4.3%) is well below the state average of 10.1%.
Education
30.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 30% 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 84.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Kearny, 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 Kearny, New Jersey?
Kearny, New Jersey has a population of 40,614 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Kearny, NJ?
The median household income in Kearny is $79,154, which is 2% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Kearny, NJ?
The poverty rate in Kearny is 12.5%. This means approximately 4,851 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Kearny, New Jersey?
Kearny's population is 30.7% White, 4.7% Black, 51.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Kearny, NJ?
The median home value in Kearny is $459,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.8x.
How educated is Kearny, New Jersey?
30.6% of adults (25+) in Kearny hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.