New Jersey Area Profiles
2 published city profiles across New Jersey, each built from the same authoritative sources and compared on the same terms.
Statewide signals
OpportunityTop 8% of 51 states71
Growth41st of 51 states37
Housing affordability37th of 51 states80
ClimateTop 28% of 51 states70
Physical resilience29th of 51 states48
AccessTop 32% of 51 states83
Economic stabilityTop 6% of 51 states88
Cities
| City | Population | Opportunity | Growth | Area Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newark | 310,178 | 42 | 68 | 56 |
| Jersey City | 294,078 | 79 | 76 | 66 |
Strongest opportunity
- Jersey City 79
- Newark 42
Fastest development
- Jersey City 76
- Newark 68
Statewide physical risk
Strong windModerate
Inland floodingModerate
EarthquakeElevated
HurricaneModerate
Coastal floodingModerate
DroughtModerate
Low or minimal exposure: winter weather, heat wave, lightning, cold wave, ice storm, tornado, landslide, wildfire, hail, avalanche.
Population-weighted across every county in New Jersey, derived from the FEMA National Risk Index. Exposure varies substantially within a state — check the individual city and ZIP profiles.
Statewide data
| Metric | Value | Compared with peers | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average household size ±0.01 | 2.62 | Top 14% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Households ±5,116 | 3,507,701 | Top 20% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age ±0.1 | 40.1 | Top 31% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population | 9,343,809 | Top 20% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 1,270/sq mi | Top 2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Home price to income | 4.39 | Top 31% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 63.8% | Bottom 22% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units ±469 | 3,791,354 | Top 20% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent ±$7 | $1,720 | Top 12% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value ±$1,150 | $454,400 | Top 16% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Rent as a share of income | 19.9% | Top 41% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Vacancy rate | 7.5% | Bottom 4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income ±$513 | $103,556 | Top 6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income ±$256 | $54,253 | Top 6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 9.7% | Bottom 10% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average commute | 32.8 min | Top 4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 43.6% | Top 8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Employment | 4,741,652 | Top 18% | July 2026 |
| Employment change (3 years) | 0.9% | Top 36% | July 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | 1.7% | Top 4% | July 2026 |
| Labor force | 4,971,485 | Top 18% | July 2026 |
| Labor force participation | 66.4% | Top 20% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment change (year over year) | -1.3% | Bottom 2% | July 2026 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.6% | Top 32% | July 2026 |