Living in the Same State, But Different Worlds

Written by Colleen O'Dea, NJ Spotlight

The vast differences in wealth in New Jersey become clear on a map showing household income.

Most of the richest residents are clumped together in Morris, Somerset and Hunterdon counties, and those counties have only a few towns where the median household income dips below $100,000, as measured by the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau. The rest of the state’s wealth is concentrated in northeastern Bergen County, southern Sussex and a “V” configuration of communities in Mercer and Monmouth counties.

On the other hand, the area around Newark and Elizabeth has the lowest incomes, and median household incomes in most of South Jersey fall below $80,000.

The last estimates from the American Community Survey, released on Tuesday, rank New Jersey as the second-wealthiest state, based on data for a five-year period from 2008-2012. The census uses 5-year estimates when providing data for small geographic areas, such as municipalities, in order to be more accurate. The median income in the state was $71,637, almost $1,400 less than Maryland, which ranked first.

Continue reading to see the interactive map

NJ Spotlight is an issue-driven news website that provides critical insight to New Jersey’s communities and businesses. It is non-partisan, independent, policy-centered and community-minded.