Rutherford, New Jersey Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rutherford, New Jersey had a total population of 18,894, the 64th largest borough in New Jersey, with a median household income of $143,153, which is 38% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 38% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in New Jersey.
Rutherford Quick Facts
How Rutherford 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 | 18,748 | 18,894 | +0.8% |
| Median household income | $136,069 | $143,153 | +5.2% |
| Median home value | $580,800 | $603,600 | +3.9% |
How Rutherford 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+)
Rutherford Rankings in New Jersey
Explore New Jersey Rankings
Other Cities in Bergen County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hackensack | 46,057 | $84,277 | 12.1% | $393,700 |
| Fort Lee | 40,067 | $107,274 | 7.8% | $448,000 |
| Fair Lawn | 35,610 | $144,574 | 6.1% | $564,700 |
| Garfield | 32,783 | $79,700 | 13.4% | $475,500 |
| Englewood | 29,638 | $102,571 | 9.2% | $544,100 |
| Bergenfield | 28,450 | $130,045 | 7.1% | $491,500 |
| Paramus | 26,568 | $144,349 | 4.7% | $813,900 |
| Ridgewood | 26,308 | $208,211 | 4.2% | $891,200 |
| Lodi | 26,082 | $89,305 | 15.4% | $475,000 |
| Cliffside Park | 25,781 | $93,452 | 10.8% | $588,200 |
Cities Similar to Rutherford
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preakness | 18,520 | $133,205 | $617,700 | 57.1% | 3.3% |
| Colonia | 18,587 | $122,713 | $493,100 | 48.7% | 7.4% |
| Ocean Acres | 19,204 | $121,924 | $402,500 | 36.3% | 1.9% |
| Dumont | 18,279 | $126,071 | $497,400 | 50.3% | 6.6% |
| Tinton Falls | 19,361 | $117,308 | $478,000 | 54.3% | 6.8% |
Population Overview
Rutherford is a small city located in New Jersey, within Bergen County. The total population is 18,894. It ranks as the 64th most populous out of 700 Census-designated places in New Jersey.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rutherford is 40.0 years. This is about the same as the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rutherford is $143,153. This is 38% higher than the state median of $103,556. It is also 77% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.5%. This is 43% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.7%. The unemployment rate is 4.2%. This is 33% lower than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $603,600. Housing costs are 33% higher than the state median of $454,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 64.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Rutherford is White (non-Hispanic), making up 59.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 20.8%. The Black or African American population (3.9%) is well below the state average of 12.2%.
Education
60.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 39% 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 95.7%. Notably, 23.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rutherford, 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 Rutherford, New Jersey?
Rutherford, New Jersey has a population of 18,894 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rutherford, NJ?
The median household income in Rutherford is $143,153, which is 77% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rutherford, NJ?
The poverty rate in Rutherford is 5.5%. This means approximately 1,014 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rutherford, New Jersey?
Rutherford's population is 59.9% White, 3.9% Black, 20.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 12.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rutherford, NJ?
The median home value in Rutherford is $603,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
How educated is Rutherford, New Jersey?
60.6% of adults (25+) in Rutherford hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 23.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.