Montclair State University, New Jersey Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Montclair State University, New Jersey had a total population of 2,853, the 394th largest community in New Jersey.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 9.3% is notably above the national average.
Montclair State University Quick Facts
How Montclair State University 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 | 2,177 | 2,853 | +31.1% |
How Montclair State University Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Employment
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+)
Montclair State University Rankings in New Jersey
Explore New Jersey Rankings
Other Cities in Essex County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newark | 310,178 | $52,060 | 23.4% | $373,700 |
| East Orange | 70,090 | $60,830 | 16.4% | $365,900 |
| Short Hills | 14,923 | $250,000+ | 2.3% | $1,674,100 |
| Upper Montclair | 12,457 | $250,000+ | 1.9% | $989,000 |
| Brookdale | 9,960 | $161,779 | 3.8% | $573,500 |
| Caldwell | 9,003 | $96,824 | 8.0% | $575,400 |
| Watsessing | 8,232 | $103,378 | 7.5% | $435,400 |
| Glen Ridge | 7,943 | $250,000+ | 1.1% | $836,600 |
| North Caldwell | 6,656 | $208,245 | 1.7% | $904,500 |
| Roseland | 6,268 | $164,458 | 2.5% | $665,700 |
Cities Similar to Montclair State University
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Belmar | 2,862 | $108,629 | $531,300 | 40.0% | 3.9% |
| Gillette | 2,833 | $109,050 | $635,900 | 67.1% | 7.7% |
| Pennington | 2,827 | $192,586 | $672,900 | 73.4% | 4.8% |
| Pines Lake | 2,882 | $172,348 | $626,500 | 67.1% | 4.7% |
| Six Mile Run | 2,882 | $140,379 | $480,700 | 72.6% | 0.9% |
Population Overview
Montclair State University is a small community located in New Jersey, within Essex County. The total population is 2,853. It ranks as the 394th most populous out of 700 Census-designated places in New Jersey.
Age Demographics
The median age in Montclair State University is 19.8 years. This is 51% lower than the state median of 40.1 years. Only 1.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The unemployment rate is 9.3%. This is 47% higher than the state rate of 6.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Montclair State University is White (non-Hispanic), making up 58.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 14.3%.
Education
71.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 65% higher than the state rate of 43.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample. Notably, 18.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Montclair State University, 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.
Free data download: Get all New Jersey city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Montclair State University, New Jersey?
Montclair State University, New Jersey has a population of 2,853 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Montclair State University, NJ?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Montclair State University — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the racial makeup of Montclair State University, New Jersey?
Montclair State University's population is 58.1% White, 14.3% Black, 12.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 12.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Montclair State University, NJ?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Montclair State University — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Montclair State University, New Jersey?
71.8% of adults (25+) in Montclair State University hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 18.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.