Rio Grande, New Jersey Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rio Grande, New Jersey had a total population of 3,485, the 362nd largest community in New Jersey, with a median household income of $76,250, which is 26% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Rio Grande Quick Facts
How Rio Grande 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 | 3,285 | 3,485 | +6.1% |
| Median household income | $97,590 | $76,250 | -21.9% |
| Median home value | $311,900 | $317,400 | +1.8% |
How Rio Grande 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+)
Rio Grande Rankings in New Jersey
Explore New Jersey Rankings
Other Cities in Cape May County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean City | 11,261 | $101,782 | 9.8% | $840,500 |
| Villas | 9,735 | $80,974 | 10.6% | $301,600 |
| Cape May Court House | 5,628 | $74,464 | 17.0% | $381,200 |
| Wildwood | 5,130 | $75,222 | 13.7% | $391,300 |
| North Cape May | 3,731 | $86,962 | 6.1% | $393,300 |
| North Wildwood | 3,602 | $90,833 | 4.8% | $459,900 |
| Wildwood Crest | 3,077 | $69,089 | 9.6% | $590,900 |
| Cape May | 2,767 | $62,576 | 10.3% | $863,900 |
| Whitesboro | 2,766 | $95,522 | 10.9% | $248,700 |
| Palermo | 2,696 | $101,005 | 2.0% | $395,400 |
Cities Similar to Rio Grande
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The College of New Jersey | 3,658 | N/A | N/A | 82.2% | 87.2% |
| Rutgers University-Livingston Campus | 3,258 | N/A | N/A | 94.0% | N/A |
| Roebling | 3,452 | $88,750 | $198,200 | 26.2% | 7.5% |
| Netcong | 3,659 | $83,958 | $346,100 | 37.3% | 7.7% |
| Lawnside | 3,200 | $71,607 | $240,700 | 23.0% | 20.4% |
Population Overview
Rio Grande is a small community located in New Jersey, within Cape May County. The total population is 3,485. It ranks as the 362nd most populous out of 700 Census-designated places in New Jersey.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rio Grande is 51.2 years. This is 28% higher than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rio Grande is $76,250. This is 26% lower than the state median of $103,556. It is also 6% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.1%. This is 4% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.7%. The unemployment rate is 3.8%. This is 40% lower than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $317,400. Housing costs are 30% lower than the state median of $454,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 74.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% higher than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Rio Grande is White (non-Hispanic), making up 59.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 22.1%. The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 10.1%.
Education
29.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 33% 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 87.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rio Grande, 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 Rio Grande, New Jersey?
Rio Grande, New Jersey has a population of 3,485 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rio Grande, NJ?
The median household income in Rio Grande is $76,250, which is 6% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rio Grande, NJ?
The poverty rate in Rio Grande is 10.1%. This means approximately 352 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rio Grande, New Jersey?
Rio Grande's population is 59.7% White, 8.7% Black, 22.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rio Grande, NJ?
The median home value in Rio Grande is $317,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
How educated is Rio Grande, New Jersey?
29.2% of adults (25+) in Rio Grande hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.