Short Hills, New Jersey Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Short Hills, New Jersey had a total population of 14,923, the 82nd largest community in New Jersey, with a median household income of $250,000+, which is 141% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 2.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 141% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in New Jersey.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 2.3% — among the lowest in New Jersey.
- 92.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in New Jersey.
Short Hills Quick Facts
How Short Hills 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 | 14,398 | 14,923 | +3.6% |
| Median household income | $250,000+ | $250,000+ | +0.0% |
| Median home value | $1,621,200 | $1,674,100 | +3.3% |
How Short Hills 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+)
Short Hills Rankings in New Jersey
Explore New Jersey Rankings
Other Cities in Essex County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newark | 310,178 | $52,060 | 23.4% | $373,700 |
| East Orange | 70,090 | $60,830 | 16.4% | $365,900 |
| Upper Montclair | 12,457 | $250,000+ | 1.9% | $989,000 |
| Brookdale | 9,960 | $161,779 | 3.8% | $573,500 |
| Caldwell | 9,003 | $96,824 | 8.0% | $575,400 |
| Watsessing | 8,232 | $103,378 | 7.5% | $435,400 |
| Glen Ridge | 7,943 | $250,000+ | 1.1% | $836,600 |
| North Caldwell | 6,656 | $208,245 | 1.7% | $904,500 |
| Roseland | 6,268 | $164,458 | 2.5% | $665,700 |
| Vauxhall | 6,157 | $111,421 | 7.3% | $360,000 |
Cities Similar to Short Hills
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tenafly | 15,319 | $208,200 | $1,002,600 | 78.7% | 3.5% |
| Upper Montclair | 12,457 | $250,000+ | $989,000 | 84.7% | 1.9% |
| Bradley Gardens | 14,165 | $177,849 | $546,300 | 65.3% | 4.2% |
| Springdale | 15,173 | $164,796 | $493,900 | 70.5% | 7.5% |
| Ramsey | 14,805 | $160,996 | $697,300 | 67.0% | 4.3% |
Population Overview
Short Hills is a small city located in New Jersey, within Essex County. The total population is 14,923. It ranks as the 82nd most populous out of 700 Census-designated places in New Jersey.
Age Demographics
The median age in Short Hills is 41.5 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 40.1 years. With 31.9% of the population under 18, Short Hills has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Short Hills is $250,000+. This is 141% higher than the state median of $103,556. It is also 210% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 2.3%. This is 76% 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 3.4%. This is 46% lower than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $1,674,100. Housing costs are 268% higher than the state median of $454,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.7x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 86.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 35% higher than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Short Hills is White (non-Hispanic), making up 50.1% of the population. Asian residents account for 40.3%. The Black or African American population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 12.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.3%) is well below the state average of 22.5%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (40.3% vs 10.1%).
Education
92.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Short Hills in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 112% 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 99.0%. Notably, 61.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Short Hills, 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 Short Hills, New Jersey?
Short Hills, New Jersey has a population of 14,923 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Short Hills, NJ?
The median household income in Short Hills is $250,000+, which is 210% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Short Hills, NJ?
The poverty rate in Short Hills is 2.3%. This means approximately 342 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Short Hills, New Jersey?
Short Hills's population is 50.1% White, 1.4% Black, 4.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 40.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Short Hills, NJ?
The median home value in Short Hills is $1,674,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.7x.
How educated is Short Hills, New Jersey?
92.6% of adults (25+) in Short Hills hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 61.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.