Princeton, New Jersey Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Princeton, New Jersey has a total population of 30,451, the 31st largest city in New Jersey, with a median household income of $184,113, which is 82% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.8%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 82% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in New Jersey.
- 84.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in New Jersey.
Princeton Quick Facts
How Princeton Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 65 | National average: 60
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 city | 89,966 | $47,102 | 24.7% | $122,500 |
| Princeton Meadows CDP | 15,382 | $124,065 | 2.6% | $636,300 |
| Hightstown borough | 5,869 | $107,431 | 1.5% | $333,200 |
| Pennington borough | 2,798 | $171,282 | 4.5% | $608,200 |
| Princeton Junction CDP | 1,842 | $219,375 | 11.6% | $669,100 |
| Hopewell borough | 1,828 | $142,396 | 2.1% | $561,900 |
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 town | 30,760 | $212,700 | $930,500 | 76.7% | 2.1% |
| Ridgewood village | 26,076 | $217,250 | $882,700 | 80.6% | 3.7% |
| Fair Lawn borough | 35,153 | $147,952 | $532,700 | 64.2% | 6.1% |
| Bergenfield borough | 28,269 | $124,083 | $469,200 | 47.7% | 6.1% |
| Paramus borough | 26,500 | $139,707 | $736,000 | 50.2% | 5.5% |
Population Overview
Princeton is a mid-sized community located in New Jersey, within Mercer County. The total population is 30,451. It ranks as the 31st most populous out of 700 cities and towns in New Jersey.
Age Demographics
The median age in Princeton is 27.5 years. This is 31% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Princeton is $184,113. This is 82% higher than the state median of $101,050. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 134% higher. The poverty rate stands at 6.8%. This is 30% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.8%. The unemployment rate is 4.5%. This is 27% lower than the state rate of 6.2%. The median home value is $1,040,400. Housing costs are 143% higher than the state median of $427,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.7x. 56.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 63.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Princeton is White (non-Hispanic), making up 60.2% of the population. Asian residents account for 19.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population (8.1%) is well below the state average of 21.9%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (19.7% vs 9.8%).
Education
84.6% 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 97% higher than the state rate of 42.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 98.1%. Notably, 55.7% 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) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Princeton, New Jersey?
Princeton, New Jersey has a population of 30,451 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 $184,113, which is 134% higher the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Princeton, NJ?
The poverty rate in Princeton is 6.8%. This means approximately 1,591 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Princeton, New Jersey?
Princeton's population is 60.2% White, 6.2% Black, 8.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 19.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Princeton, NJ?
The median home value in Princeton is $1,040,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.7x.
How educated is Princeton, New Jersey?
84.6% of adults (25+) in Princeton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 55.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.