Princeton, New Jersey Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Princeton, New Jersey had a total population of 30,756, the 31st largest community in New Jersey, with a median household income of $192,079, which is 85% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 85% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in New Jersey.
- 84.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in New Jersey.
Princeton Quick Facts
How Princeton 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 | 30,451 | 30,756 | +1.0% |
| Median household income | $184,113 | $192,079 | +4.3% |
| Median home value | $1,040,400 | $1,050,600 | +1.0% |
How Princeton 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+)
Princeton Rankings in New Jersey
Explore New Jersey Rankings
Other Cities in Mercer County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trenton | 90,338 | $52,537 | 21.6% | $160,700 |
| Mercerville | 13,535 | $128,277 | 3.2% | $358,600 |
| Hamilton Square | 11,622 | $138,162 | 2.3% | $397,000 |
| White Horse | 10,507 | $105,758 | 2.6% | $308,200 |
| Twin Rivers | 8,382 | $100,833 | 3.5% | $301,400 |
| Yardville | 6,301 | $103,274 | 13.2% | $360,100 |
| Hightstown | 5,920 | $108,987 | 2.1% | $342,600 |
| Lawrenceville | 3,924 | $122,614 | 0.3% | $411,900 |
| Robbinsville Center | 3,777 | $134,388 | 11.1% | $526,300 |
| The College of New Jersey | 3,658 | N/A | 87.2% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Princeton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westfield | 31,111 | $232,629 | $953,400 | 78.1% | 1.8% |
| Ridgewood | 26,308 | $208,211 | $891,200 | 80.1% | 4.2% |
| Bergenfield | 28,450 | $130,045 | $491,500 | 48.3% | 7.1% |
| Fair Lawn | 35,610 | $144,574 | $564,700 | 63.3% | 6.1% |
| Paramus | 26,568 | $144,349 | $813,900 | 51.8% | 4.7% |
Population Overview
Princeton is a mid-sized community located in New Jersey, within Mercer County. The total population is 30,756. It ranks as the 31st most populous out of 700 Census-designated places in New Jersey.
Age Demographics
The median age in Princeton is 28.5 years. This is 29% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Princeton is $192,079. This is 85% higher than the state median of $103,556. It is also 138% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.1%. This is 37% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.7%. The unemployment rate is 4.3%. This is 31% lower than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $1,050,600. Housing costs are 131% higher than the state median of $454,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x. 55.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Princeton is White (non-Hispanic), making up 57.9% of the population. Asian residents account for 21.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population (8.0%) is well below the state average of 22.5%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (21.5% vs 10.1%).
Education
84.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Princeton in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 94% 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 97.7%. Notably, 56.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Princeton, 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 Princeton, New Jersey?
Princeton, New Jersey has a population of 30,756 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Princeton, NJ?
The median household income in Princeton is $192,079, which is 138% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Princeton, NJ?
The poverty rate in Princeton is 6.1%. This means approximately 1,446 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Princeton, New Jersey?
Princeton's population is 57.9% White, 6.1% Black, 8.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 21.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Princeton, NJ?
The median home value in Princeton is $1,050,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x.
How educated is Princeton, New Jersey?
84.7% of adults (25+) in Princeton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 56.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.