South River, New Jersey Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, South River, New Jersey had a total population of 16,124, the 73rd largest borough in New Jersey, with a median household income of $96,147, which is 7% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
South River Quick Facts
How South River 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 | 16,007 | 16,124 | +0.7% |
| Median household income | $101,853 | $96,147 | -5.6% |
| Median home value | $382,500 | $405,200 | +5.9% |
How South River 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+)
South River Rankings in New Jersey
Explore New Jersey Rankings
Other Cities in Middlesex County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Brunswick | 56,345 | $65,810 | 32.0% | $353,800 |
| Perth Amboy | 55,855 | $61,977 | 20.2% | $370,600 |
| Sayreville | 45,838 | $99,979 | 6.2% | $444,100 |
| Old Bridge | 28,236 | $111,996 | 6.9% | $485,800 |
| Carteret | 25,496 | $96,862 | 8.2% | $405,800 |
| South Plainfield | 24,473 | $130,239 | 3.0% | $470,900 |
| Woodbridge | 20,756 | $104,926 | 11.1% | $390,000 |
| Iselin | 19,551 | $109,500 | 7.9% | $426,800 |
| Colonia | 18,587 | $122,713 | 7.4% | $493,100 |
| Avenel | 17,121 | $101,670 | 7.9% | $401,000 |
Cities Similar to South River
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Arlington | 16,461 | $94,201 | $474,500 | 38.3% | 4.3% |
| Avenel | 17,121 | $101,670 | $401,000 | 31.9% | 7.9% |
| Highland Park | 15,121 | $104,694 | $471,700 | 69.8% | 7.5% |
| Williamstown | 14,705 | $89,414 | $278,600 | 29.6% | 8.3% |
| Middlesex | 14,645 | $105,000 | $446,400 | 36.9% | 11.3% |
Population Overview
South River is a small city located in New Jersey, within Middlesex County. The total population is 16,124. It ranks as the 73rd most populous out of 700 Census-designated places in New Jersey.
Age Demographics
The median age in South River is 37.0 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in South River is $96,147. This is 7% lower than the state median of $103,556. It is also 19% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.5%. This is 29% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.7%. The unemployment rate is 7.7%. This is 23% higher than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $405,200. Housing costs are 11% lower than the state median of $454,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 65.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% higher than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in South River is White (non-Hispanic), making up 52.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 24.5%. The Asian population (4.0%) is well below the state average of 10.1%.
Education
27.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 36% 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 87.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for South River, 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 South River, New Jersey?
South River, New Jersey has a population of 16,124 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in South River, NJ?
The median household income in South River is $96,147, which is 19% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in South River, NJ?
The poverty rate in South River is 12.5%. This means approximately 2,015 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of South River, New Jersey?
South River's population is 52.8% White, 13.5% Black, 24.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in South River, NJ?
The median home value in South River is $405,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
How educated is South River, New Jersey?
27.9% of adults (25+) in South River hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.