Paramus, New Jersey Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Paramus, New Jersey had a total population of 26,568, the 38th largest borough in New Jersey, with a median household income of $144,349, which is 39% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 39% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in New Jersey.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.7% — among the lowest in New Jersey.
Paramus Quick Facts
How Paramus 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 | 26,500 | 26,568 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $139,707 | $144,349 | +3.3% |
| Median home value | $736,000 | $813,900 | +10.6% |
How Paramus 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+)
Paramus Rankings in New Jersey
Explore New Jersey Rankings
Other Cities in Bergen County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hackensack | 46,057 | $84,277 | 12.1% | $393,700 |
| Fort Lee | 40,067 | $107,274 | 7.8% | $448,000 |
| Fair Lawn | 35,610 | $144,574 | 6.1% | $564,700 |
| Garfield | 32,783 | $79,700 | 13.4% | $475,500 |
| Englewood | 29,638 | $102,571 | 9.2% | $544,100 |
| Bergenfield | 28,450 | $130,045 | 7.1% | $491,500 |
| Ridgewood | 26,308 | $208,211 | 4.2% | $891,200 |
| Lodi | 26,082 | $89,305 | 15.4% | $475,000 |
| Cliffside Park | 25,781 | $93,452 | 10.8% | $588,200 |
| Elmwood Park | 21,412 | $101,740 | 11.6% | $483,700 |
Cities Similar to Paramus
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bergenfield | 28,450 | $130,045 | $491,500 | 48.3% | 7.1% |
| South Plainfield | 24,473 | $130,239 | $470,900 | 44.0% | 3.0% |
| Hillsborough | 22,585 | $144,112 | $435,700 | 60.6% | 2.7% |
| Old Bridge | 28,236 | $111,996 | $485,800 | 38.2% | 6.9% |
| Ridgewood | 26,308 | $208,211 | $891,200 | 80.1% | 4.2% |
Population Overview
Paramus is a mid-sized community located in New Jersey, within Bergen County. The total population is 26,568. It ranks as the 38th most populous out of 700 Census-designated places in New Jersey.
Age Demographics
The median age in Paramus is 49.1 years. This is 22% higher than the state median of 40.1 years. 13.1% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Paramus is $144,349. This is 39% higher than the state median of $103,556. It is also 79% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.7%. This is 52% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.7%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 7.7%. This is 22% higher than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $813,900. Housing costs are 79% higher than the state median of $454,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.6x. 82.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% higher than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Paramus is White (non-Hispanic), making up 54.1% of the population. Asian residents account for 25.7%. The Black or African American population (4.1%) is well below the state average of 12.2%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (25.7% vs 10.1%).
Education
51.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 19% higher 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 94.0%. Notably, 19.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Paramus, 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 Paramus, New Jersey?
Paramus, New Jersey has a population of 26,568 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Paramus, NJ?
The median household income in Paramus is $144,349, which is 79% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Paramus, NJ?
The poverty rate in Paramus is 4.7%. This means approximately 1,168 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Paramus, New Jersey?
Paramus's population is 54.1% White, 4.1% Black, 13.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 25.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Paramus, NJ?
The median home value in Paramus is $813,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.6x.
How educated is Paramus, New Jersey?
51.8% of adults (25+) in Paramus hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 19.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.