Perth Amboy, New Jersey Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Perth Amboy, New Jersey had a total population of 55,855, the 17th largest city in New Jersey, with a median household income of $61,977, which is 40% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 40% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 14.2% is notably above the national average.
Perth Amboy Quick Facts
How Perth Amboy 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 | 55,278 | 55,855 | +1.0% |
| Median household income | $58,490 | $61,977 | +6.0% |
| Median home value | $339,200 | $370,600 | +9.3% |
How Perth Amboy 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 66 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Perth Amboy Rankings in New Jersey
Explore New Jersey Rankings
Other Cities in Middlesex County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Brunswick | 56,345 | $65,810 | 32.0% | $353,800 |
| 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 Perth Amboy
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Brunswick | 56,345 | $65,810 | $353,800 | 23.4% | 32.0% |
| 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
Perth Amboy is a mid-sized community located in New Jersey, within Middlesex County. The total population is 55,855. It ranks as the 17th most populous out of 700 Census-designated places in New Jersey.
Age Demographics
The median age in Perth Amboy is 37.9 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Perth Amboy is $61,977. This is 40% lower than the state median of $103,556. It is also 23% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.2%. This is 108% 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 14.2%. This is 126% higher than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $370,600. Housing costs are 18% lower than the state median of $454,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.0x. 35.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 44% lower than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Perth Amboy is Hispanic or Latino, making up 83.5% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 7.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (7.9%) is well below the state average of 50.9%. The Black or African American population (6.0%) is well below the state average of 12.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (83.5% vs 22.5%). The Asian population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 10.1%.
Education
15.7% 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 64% 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 67.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Perth Amboy, 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 Perth Amboy, New Jersey?
Perth Amboy, New Jersey has a population of 55,855 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Perth Amboy, NJ?
The median household income in Perth Amboy is $61,977, which is 23% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Perth Amboy, NJ?
The poverty rate in Perth Amboy is 20.2%. This means approximately 11,184 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Perth Amboy, New Jersey?
Perth Amboy's population is 7.9% White, 6.0% Black, 83.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Perth Amboy, NJ?
The median home value in Perth Amboy is $370,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.0x.
How educated is Perth Amboy, New Jersey?
15.7% of adults (25+) in Perth Amboy hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.