Preakness, New Jersey Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Preakness, New Jersey had a total population of 18,520, the 67th largest community in New Jersey, with a median household income of $133,205, which is 29% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.3% — among the lowest in New Jersey.
Preakness Quick Facts
How Preakness 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 | 18,538 | 18,520 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $133,168 | $133,205 | +0.0% |
| Median home value | $603,200 | $617,700 | +2.4% |
How Preakness 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 66 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Preakness Rankings in New Jersey
Explore New Jersey Rankings
Other Cities in Passaic County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paterson | 158,735 | $55,997 | 21.3% | $360,100 |
| Clifton | 89,379 | $98,237 | 7.9% | $461,900 |
| Passaic | 70,002 | $55,371 | 22.9% | $429,900 |
| Hawthorne | 19,628 | $110,237 | 4.0% | $533,700 |
| Woodland Park | 13,355 | $98,845 | 3.8% | $497,600 |
| Ringwood | 11,657 | $152,414 | 2.5% | $449,800 |
| Wanaque | 11,206 | $113,175 | 5.9% | $400,700 |
| Pompton Lakes | 11,047 | $124,454 | 8.5% | $442,400 |
| Totowa | 10,959 | $113,563 | 4.1% | $559,300 |
| Oak Ridge | 10,954 | $121,875 | 5.8% | $436,100 |
Cities Similar to Preakness
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dumont | 18,279 | $126,071 | $497,400 | 50.3% | 6.6% |
| Colonia | 18,587 | $122,713 | $493,100 | 48.7% | 7.4% |
| Rutherford | 18,894 | $143,153 | $603,600 | 60.6% | 5.5% |
| Ocean Acres | 19,204 | $121,924 | $402,500 | 36.3% | 1.9% |
| Tinton Falls | 19,361 | $117,308 | $478,000 | 54.3% | 6.8% |
Population Overview
Preakness is a small city located in New Jersey, within Passaic County. The total population is 18,520. It ranks as the 67th most populous out of 700 Census-designated places in New Jersey.
Age Demographics
The median age in Preakness is 41.0 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 40.1 years. 11.2% 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 Preakness is $133,205. This is 29% higher than the state median of $103,556. It is also 65% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.3%. This is 66% 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 4.6%. This is 27% lower than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $617,700. Housing costs are 36% higher than the state median of $454,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x. 70.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Preakness is White (non-Hispanic), making up 69.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 13.5%. The Black or African American population (3.1%) is well below the state average of 12.2%.
Education
57.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% 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 95.9%. Notably, 24.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Preakness, 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 Preakness, New Jersey?
Preakness, New Jersey has a population of 18,520 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Preakness, NJ?
The median household income in Preakness is $133,205, which is 65% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Preakness, NJ?
The poverty rate in Preakness is 3.3%. This means approximately 608 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Preakness, New Jersey?
Preakness's population is 69.7% White, 3.1% Black, 13.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 12.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Preakness, NJ?
The median home value in Preakness is $617,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x.
How educated is Preakness, New Jersey?
57.1% of adults (25+) in Preakness hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 24.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.