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Middlesex County, New Jersey Demographics 2026

Middlesex County, New Jersey has a population of 861,535, the 2nd most populous county in New Jersey. The median household income is $109,028 and the median home value is $439,300. The poverty rate is 8.5%.

Middlesex County Quick Facts

Population 861,535
Median Household Income $109,028
Median Home Value $439,300
Poverty Rate 8.5%
Unemployment Rate 6.4%
Median Age 39.4 years
Homeownership Rate 63.5%
Affordability Ratio 4.0x
Bachelor's Degree+ 45.1%
High School Graduation 89.3%
Cities/Places 15
Population 861,535 2nd of 21
Median Income $109,028 8% higher state
Poverty Rate 8.5%
Unemployment 6.4%

Economy & Housing

Employment

6.4% Unemployment Rate State: 6.2% | National: 5.2%
66.9% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 63.5%
Renter 36.5%
Affordability Index Moderate
4.0x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

72out of 100
Very High Diversity

This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.

State average: 65 | National average: 60

Education

Cities & Places in Middlesex County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
New Brunswick city55,744$60,24831.6%$316,800
Perth Amboy city55,278$58,49020.0%$339,200
Sayreville borough45,237$98,6296.0%$407,600
Carteret borough25,187$87,55310.0%$370,200
South Plainfield borough24,231$126,0633.5%$443,900
South River borough16,007$101,85311.3%$382,500
Metuchen borough14,982$157,7794.4%$565,400
Highland Park borough14,981$101,9919.3%$463,600
Middlesex borough14,518$107,0638.0%$414,600
South Amboy city9,714$110,1257.5%$365,000
Spotswood borough8,112$101,3883.4%$359,000
Dunellen borough7,711$84,78923.1%$380,200
Milltown borough6,994$119,9581.1%$423,000
Jamesburg borough5,763$117,7194.2%$344,900
Helmetta borough2,317$104,1432.9%$321,400

Explore New Jersey Rankings

Cities by Population All cities ranked by size Richest Cities Ranked by median income Most Educated By bachelor's degree rate Most Affordable By housing affordability

Population Overview

Middlesex County is located in New Jersey with a total population of 861,535. It is the 2nd most populous county out of 21 in New Jersey. The county encompasses 15 Census-designated places.

Age Demographics

The median age in Middlesex County is 39.4 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Middlesex County is $109,028. This is 8% higher than the state median of $101,050. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 39% higher. The poverty rate stands at 8.5%. This is 13% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.8%. The unemployment rate is 6.4%. This is 4% higher than the state rate of 6.2%. The median home value is $439,300. Housing costs are 3% higher than the state median of $427,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 63.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.

Race & Ethnicity

Middlesex County is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Asian residents account for 25.0%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (25.0% vs 9.8%).

Education

45.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 5% 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 89.3%. Notably, 19.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Middlesex County, New Jersey?

Middlesex County has a population of 861,535, making it the 2nd most populous county in New Jersey.

What is the median income in Middlesex County?

The median household income in Middlesex County is $109,028 with a poverty rate of 8.5%.

How many cities are in Middlesex County, New Jersey?

Middlesex County contains 15 Census-designated places.