New Brunswick city, New Jersey Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, New Brunswick city, New Jersey has a total population of 55,744, the 16th largest city in New Jersey, with a median household income of $60,248, which is 40% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 31.6%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 40% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (31.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
New Brunswick city Quick Facts
How New Brunswick city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 65 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
New Brunswick city Rankings in New Jersey
Explore New Jersey Rankings
Other Cities in Middlesex County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perth Amboy city | 55,278 | $58,490 | 20.0% | $339,200 |
| Sayreville borough | 45,237 | $98,629 | 6.0% | $407,600 |
| Carteret borough | 25,187 | $87,553 | 10.0% | $370,200 |
| South Plainfield borough | 24,231 | $126,063 | 3.5% | $443,900 |
| South River borough | 16,007 | $101,853 | 11.3% | $382,500 |
| Metuchen borough | 14,982 | $157,779 | 4.4% | $565,400 |
| Highland Park borough | 14,981 | $101,991 | 9.3% | $463,600 |
| Middlesex borough | 14,518 | $107,063 | 8.0% | $414,600 |
| South Amboy city | 9,714 | $110,125 | 7.5% | $365,000 |
| Spotswood borough | 8,112 | $101,388 | 3.4% | $359,000 |
Cities Similar to New Brunswick city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perth Amboy city | 55,278 | $58,490 | $339,200 | 15.2% | 20.0% |
| Vineland city | 60,692 | $65,854 | $218,200 | 23.4% | 13.9% |
| West New York town | 51,683 | $67,139 | $410,200 | 33.5% | 21.4% |
| Plainfield city | 54,515 | $80,334 | $383,300 | 22.8% | 17.1% |
| Union City city | 66,375 | $65,369 | $446,800 | 28.4% | 21.3% |
Population Overview
New Brunswick city is a mid-sized community located in New Jersey, within Middlesex County. The total population is 55,744. It ranks as the 16th most populous out of 700 cities and towns in New Jersey.
Age Demographics
The median age in New Brunswick city is 24.5 years. This is 39% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in New Brunswick city is $60,248. This is 40% lower than the state median of $101,050. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 23% lower. The poverty rate stands at 31.6%. This is 223% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.8%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 6.5%. This is 5% higher than the state rate of 6.2%. The median home value is $316,800. Housing costs are 26% lower than the state median of $427,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.3x. 21.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 66% lower than the state average of 63.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in New Brunswick city is Hispanic or Latino, making up 51.1% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 25.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (25.1%) is well below the state average of 51.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (51.1% vs 21.9%).
Education
24.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 44% lower 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 65.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for New Brunswick city, 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 New Brunswick city, New Jersey?
New Brunswick city, New Jersey has a population of 55,744 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in New Brunswick city, NJ?
The median household income in New Brunswick city is $60,248, which is 23% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in New Brunswick city, NJ?
The poverty rate in New Brunswick city is 31.6%. This means approximately 15,130 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of New Brunswick city, New Jersey?
New Brunswick city's population is 25.1% White, 11.9% Black, 51.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 8.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in New Brunswick city, NJ?
The median home value in New Brunswick city is $316,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.3x.
How educated is New Brunswick city, New Jersey?
24.0% of adults (25+) in New Brunswick city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.