Watchung, New Jersey Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Watchung, New Jersey had a total population of 6,485, the 245th largest borough in New Jersey, with a median household income of $173,672, which is 68% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 1.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 68% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in New Jersey.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 1.2% — among the lowest in New Jersey.
Watchung Quick Facts
How Watchung 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 | 6,429 | 6,485 | +0.9% |
| Median household income | $166,536 | $173,672 | +4.3% |
| Median home value | $833,300 | $882,500 | +5.9% |
How Watchung 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+)
Watchung Rankings in New Jersey
Explore New Jersey Rankings
Other Cities in Somerset County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Plainfield | 22,809 | $87,349 | 13.2% | $374,700 |
| Somerset | 22,720 | $121,028 | 4.5% | $438,800 |
| Hillsborough | 22,585 | $144,112 | 2.7% | $435,700 |
| Bradley Gardens | 14,165 | $177,849 | 4.2% | $546,300 |
| Somerville | 13,410 | $103,760 | 5.9% | $435,700 |
| Franklin Park | 13,211 | $114,946 | 11.0% | $336,600 |
| Bound Brook | 12,219 | $90,571 | 11.1% | $397,100 |
| Martinsville | 11,559 | $205,000 | 1.4% | $720,400 |
| East Franklin | 11,070 | $115,458 | 5.9% | $385,900 |
| Manville | 10,921 | $93,333 | 11.7% | $354,300 |
Cities Similar to Watchung
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roseland | 6,268 | $164,458 | $665,700 | 71.8% | 2.5% |
| Green Knoll | 6,789 | $165,227 | $597,100 | 58.0% | 3.3% |
| Franklin Center | 6,646 | $157,212 | $612,000 | 63.5% | 7.3% |
| Morris Plains | 6,315 | $154,923 | $643,300 | 72.2% | 3.2% |
| Bridgewater Center | 6,505 | $205,595 | $703,700 | 60.8% | 3.1% |
Population Overview
Watchung is a small city located in New Jersey, within Somerset County. The total population is 6,485. It ranks as the 245th most populous out of 700 Census-designated places in New Jersey.
Age Demographics
The median age in Watchung is 48.1 years. This is 20% higher than the state median of 40.1 years. 11.6% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Watchung is $173,672. This is 68% higher than the state median of $103,556. It is also 115% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 1.2%. This is 87% 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 6.1%. This is 3% lower than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $882,500. Housing costs are 94% higher than the state median of $454,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.1x. 84.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 32% higher than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Watchung is White (non-Hispanic), making up 69.9% of the population. Asian residents account for 12.0%. The Black or African American population (3.2%) is well below the state average of 12.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (8.8%) is well below the state average of 22.5%.
Education
64.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 47% 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 95.6%. Notably, 25.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Watchung, 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 Watchung, New Jersey?
Watchung, New Jersey has a population of 6,485 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Watchung, NJ?
The median household income in Watchung is $173,672, which is 115% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Watchung, NJ?
The poverty rate in Watchung is 1.2%. This means approximately 77 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Watchung, New Jersey?
Watchung's population is 69.9% White, 3.2% Black, 8.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 12.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Watchung, NJ?
The median home value in Watchung is $882,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.1x.
How educated is Watchung, New Jersey?
64.0% of adults (25+) in Watchung hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 25.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.