New Brunswick, New Jersey Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, New Brunswick, New Jersey had a total population of 56,345, the 16th largest city in New Jersey, with a median household income of $65,810, which is 36% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 32.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 36% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (32.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 8.1% is notably above the national average.
New Brunswick Quick Facts
How New Brunswick 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 | 55,744 | 56,345 | +1.1% |
| Median household income | $60,248 | $65,810 | +9.2% |
| Median home value | $316,800 | $353,800 | +11.7% |
How New Brunswick 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+)
New Brunswick Rankings in New Jersey
Explore New Jersey Rankings
Other Cities in Middlesex County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| South River | 16,124 | $96,147 | 12.5% | $405,200 |
Cities Similar to New Brunswick
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perth Amboy | 55,855 | $61,977 | $370,600 | 15.7% | 20.2% |
| Vineland | 61,006 | $67,860 | $240,700 | 24.1% | 14.6% |
| West New York | 52,004 | $71,729 | $465,600 | 33.5% | 19.4% |
| Plainfield | 55,236 | $85,908 | $410,800 | 22.0% | 15.5% |
| Union City | 66,463 | $64,310 | $471,600 | 28.3% | 23.1% |
Population Overview
New Brunswick is a mid-sized community located in New Jersey, within Middlesex County. The total population is 56,345. It ranks as the 16th most populous out of 700 Census-designated places in New Jersey.
Age Demographics
The median age in New Brunswick is 24.8 years. This is 38% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in New Brunswick is $65,810. This is 36% lower than the state median of $103,556. It is also 18% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 32.0%. This is 229% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.7%. 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 8.1%. This is 28% higher than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $353,800. Housing costs are 22% lower than the state median of $454,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.4x. 21.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 66% lower than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in New Brunswick is Hispanic or Latino, making up 54.6% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 22.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (22.8%) is well below the state average of 50.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (54.6% vs 22.5%).
Education
23.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% 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 67.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for New Brunswick, 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 New Brunswick, New Jersey?
New Brunswick, New Jersey has a population of 56,345 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in New Brunswick, NJ?
The median household income in New Brunswick is $65,810, which is 18% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in New Brunswick, NJ?
The poverty rate in New Brunswick is 32.0%. This means approximately 15,509 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of New Brunswick, New Jersey?
New Brunswick's population is 22.8% White, 11.6% Black, 54.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 7.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in New Brunswick, NJ?
The median home value in New Brunswick is $353,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.4x.
How educated is New Brunswick, New Jersey?
23.4% of adults (25+) in New Brunswick hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.