Penns Grove, New Jersey Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Penns Grove, New Jersey had a total population of 4,882, the 304th largest borough in New Jersey, with a median household income of $45,781, which is 56% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 44.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 56% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (44.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 13.0% is notably above the national average.
Penns Grove Quick Facts
How Penns Grove 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 | 4,860 | 4,882 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $43,889 | $45,781 | +4.3% |
| Median home value | $170,100 | $178,200 | +4.8% |
How Penns Grove 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+)
Penns Grove Rankings in New Jersey
Explore New Jersey Rankings
Other Cities in Salem County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsville | 12,233 | $76,032 | 12.5% | $207,600 |
| Carneys Point | 8,050 | $77,273 | 11.4% | $193,300 |
| Salem | 5,322 | $38,721 | 24.8% | $79,800 |
| Woodstown | 3,715 | $98,828 | 9.2% | $239,200 |
| Olivet | 1,573 | $128,849 | 4.6% | $340,700 |
| Alloway | 1,455 | $140,962 | 0.0% | $304,700 |
| Elmer | 1,176 | $95,357 | 9.8% | $227,300 |
| Auburn | 1,100 | $222,212 | 1.2% | $460,300 |
| Quinton | 432 | $90,625 | 3.5% | $193,800 |
| Pedricktown | 424 | $90,417 | 4.3% | $193,900 |
Cities Similar to Penns Grove
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salem | 5,322 | $38,721 | $79,800 | 14.9% | 24.8% |
| Leisure Village East | 4,247 | $49,198 | $232,900 | 24.1% | 8.1% |
| Leisure Village | 5,751 | $44,542 | $145,800 | 26.1% | 42.2% |
| Rutgers University-Busch Campus | 5,920 | N/A | N/A | 87.7% | 0.0% |
| Holiday City South | 4,270 | $51,660 | $266,700 | 17.1% | 7.9% |
Population Overview
Penns Grove is a small community located in New Jersey, within Salem County. The total population is 4,882. It ranks as the 304th most populous out of 700 Census-designated places in New Jersey.
Age Demographics
The median age in Penns Grove is 25.1 years. This is 37% lower than the state median of 40.1 years. With 42.2% of the population under 18, Penns Grove has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Penns Grove is $45,781. This is 56% lower than the state median of $103,556. It is also 43% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 44.1%. This is 353% 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 13.0%. This is 106% higher than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $178,200. Housing costs are 61% lower than the state median of $454,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x. 35.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 45% lower than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Penns Grove is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 26.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (24.8% vs 12.2%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (42.5% vs 22.5%). The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 10.1%.
Education
15.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 65% 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 79.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Penns Grove, 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 Penns Grove, New Jersey?
Penns Grove, New Jersey has a population of 4,882 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Penns Grove, NJ?
The median household income in Penns Grove is $45,781, which is 43% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Penns Grove, NJ?
The poverty rate in Penns Grove is 44.1%. This means approximately 2,113 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Penns Grove, New Jersey?
Penns Grove's population is 26.7% White, 24.8% Black, 42.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Penns Grove, NJ?
The median home value in Penns Grove is $178,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x.
How educated is Penns Grove, New Jersey?
15.2% of adults (25+) in Penns Grove hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.