South River borough, New Jersey Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, South River borough, New Jersey has a total population of 16,007, the 73rd largest city in New Jersey, with a median household income of $101,853, which is about average than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.3%.
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 8.9% is notably above the national average.
South River borough Quick Facts
How South River borough 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+)
South River borough Rankings in New Jersey
Explore New Jersey Rankings
Other Cities in Middlesex County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Brunswick city | 55,744 | $60,248 | 31.6% | $316,800 |
| Perth Amboy city | 55,278 | $58,490 | 20.0% | $339,200 |
| Sayreville borough | 45,237 | $98,629 | 6.0% | $407,600 |
| Carteret borough | 25,187 | $87,553 | 10.0% | $370,200 |
| South Plainfield borough | 24,231 | $126,063 | 3.5% | $443,900 |
| Metuchen borough | 14,982 | $157,779 | 4.4% | $565,400 |
| Highland Park borough | 14,981 | $101,991 | 9.3% | $463,600 |
| Middlesex borough | 14,518 | $107,063 | 8.0% | $414,600 |
| South Amboy city | 9,714 | $110,125 | 7.5% | $365,000 |
| Spotswood borough | 8,112 | $101,388 | 3.4% | $359,000 |
Cities Similar to South River borough
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Arlington borough | 16,368 | $101,493 | $464,700 | 38.6% | 3.8% |
| Highland Park borough | 14,981 | $101,991 | $463,600 | 70.2% | 9.3% |
| Avenel CDP | 17,143 | $95,935 | $351,200 | 29.4% | 8.5% |
| New Milford borough | 16,882 | $113,513 | $554,800 | 48.0% | 4.6% |
| Middlesex borough | 14,518 | $107,063 | $414,600 | 34.5% | 8.0% |
Population Overview
South River borough is a small city located in New Jersey, within Middlesex County. The total population is 16,007. It ranks as the 73rd most populous out of 700 cities and towns in New Jersey.
Age Demographics
The median age in South River borough is 36.5 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in South River borough is $101,853. This is about average than the state median of $101,050. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 30% higher. The poverty rate stands at 11.3%. This is 16% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.8%. The unemployment rate is 8.9%. This is 45% higher than the state rate of 6.2%. The median home value is $382,500. Housing costs are 11% lower than the state median of $427,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 65.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% higher than the state average of 63.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in South River borough is White (non-Hispanic), making up 53.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 26.7%. The Asian population (4.1%) is well below the state average of 9.8%.
Education
31.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 27% lower 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 86.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for South River borough, 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 South River borough, New Jersey?
South River borough, New Jersey has a population of 16,007 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in South River borough, NJ?
The median household income in South River borough is $101,853, which is 30% higher the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in South River borough, NJ?
The poverty rate in South River borough is 11.3%. This means approximately 1,803 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of South River borough, New Jersey?
South River borough's population is 53.4% White, 10.4% Black, 26.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in South River borough, NJ?
The median home value in South River borough is $382,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is South River borough, New Jersey?
31.1% of adults (25+) in South River borough hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.