Summit, New Jersey Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Summit, New Jersey had a total population of 22,705, the 47th largest city in New Jersey, with a median household income of $190,304, which is 84% 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 84% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in New Jersey.
- 72.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in New Jersey.
Summit Quick Facts
How Summit 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 | 22,512 | 22,705 | +0.9% |
| Median household income | $199,107 | $190,304 | -4.4% |
| Median home value | $969,900 | $994,500 | +2.5% |
How Summit 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 66 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Summit Rankings in New Jersey
Explore New Jersey Rankings
Other Cities in Union County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth | 137,302 | $66,555 | 15.8% | $449,300 |
| Plainfield | 55,236 | $85,908 | 15.5% | $410,800 |
| Linden | 44,192 | $92,915 | 9.6% | $419,700 |
| Westfield | 31,111 | $232,629 | 1.8% | $953,400 |
| Rahway | 30,109 | $91,461 | 9.5% | $386,400 |
| Roselle | 22,646 | $92,762 | 9.5% | $379,900 |
| Roselle Park | 14,093 | $109,679 | 6.6% | $443,200 |
| New Providence | 13,727 | $161,599 | 2.1% | $769,900 |
| Kenilworth | 8,401 | $118,611 | 6.3% | $522,200 |
| Fanwood | 7,799 | $195,529 | 0.9% | $635,200 |
Cities Similar to Summit
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hillsborough | 22,585 | $144,112 | $435,700 | 60.6% | 2.7% |
| Ridgewood | 26,308 | $208,211 | $891,200 | 80.1% | 4.2% |
| Secaucus | 21,778 | $139,821 | $571,900 | 63.1% | 5.8% |
| Somerset | 22,720 | $121,028 | $438,800 | 62.0% | 4.5% |
| South Plainfield | 24,473 | $130,239 | $470,900 | 44.0% | 3.0% |
Population Overview
Summit is a small city located in New Jersey, within Union County. The total population is 22,705. It ranks as the 47th most populous out of 700 Census-designated places in New Jersey.
Age Demographics
The median age in Summit is 41.8 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 40.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Summit is $190,304. This is 84% higher than the state median of $103,556. It is also 136% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.5%. This is 44% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.7%. The unemployment rate is 5.4%. This is 14% lower than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $994,500. Housing costs are 119% higher than the state median of $454,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.2x. 68.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% higher than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Summit is White (non-Hispanic), making up 67.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 13.1%. The Black or African American population (5.9%) is well below the state average of 12.2%.
Education
72.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Summit in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 66% 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 95.3%. Notably, 36.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Summit, 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 Summit, New Jersey?
Summit, New Jersey has a population of 22,705 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Summit, NJ?
The median household income in Summit is $190,304, which is 136% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Summit, NJ?
The poverty rate in Summit is 5.5%. This means approximately 1,238 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Summit, New Jersey?
Summit's population is 67.1% White, 5.9% Black, 13.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 7.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Summit, NJ?
The median home value in Summit is $994,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.2x.
How educated is Summit, New Jersey?
72.5% of adults (25+) in Summit hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 36.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.