Choose Country

Brainards, NJ

New Jersey · Metropolitan Area

Brainards is a small town in New Jersey with a population of 172. Residents earn $170,302 per year, which is 127% above the national average.

4.3 /5.0
A Great
172 Population 956/sq mi density
$170,302 Median Income $52,952 per capita
$121,600 Home Value
52°F Avg Temperature 271 sunny days/yr
A
Overall
4.3 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$170,302 median income, 13.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$121,600 home value
A
Education
4.0 / 5.0
37.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $170,302
127% higher than US avg
Home Value $121,600
57% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 37.5%
11% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 28.3%
12% lower than US avg
Unemployment 13.9%
286% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.0%
100% lower than US avg

How Brainards Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population172
Median Age58.2 yrs
Density956/mi²
Male / Female54% / 46%
Largest GroupWhite 100%
Veterans0.0%

Economy

B+
Median Income$170,302
Per Capita$52,952
Unemployment13.9%
Poverty0.0%
County GDP$20,982M
Commute46 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$121,600
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units60
Rent Burden30.4%

Health

Obesity28.3%
Uninsured7.5%
Smoking12.0%
Depression18.3%
Heart Disease3.6%

Climate

Avg Temp52°F (11°C)
AQI39 (Good)
Rain51.0 in/yr
Sunny Days271/yr
Elevation260 ft (79 m)

Education

A
Bachelor's+37.5%
High School+88.9%
Graduate+13.6%
School Score6.24

Community

2024 VoteR 50% / D 49%
Commute46 min
Broadband65.0%
Libraries10

Is Brainards a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Brainards receives an overall livability score of 4.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, a highly educated population, affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, long commute times. Brainards stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Brainards is $170,302, which is significantly higher than the national average — 127% above $75,149. This places Brainards among higher-income communities. At 13.9%, unemployment is notably high. Only 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 46 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Brainards is $121,600, 57% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 0.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 37.5% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 88.9% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.2/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Brainards experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 52°F. Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. With 271 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 51.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Brainards has a population of 172 with a density of 956 people per square mile. The median age is 58.2 years, 50% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (100%).

Population

172
Total Population
956
People / sq mi
58.2yrs
Median Age
50% above US avg
0.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 54.1%
Female 45.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Brainards vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Brainards vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Brainards is $170,302, which is 127% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 13.9% (above the 3.6% US average). 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 46 minutes.

Income: Brainards vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$170,302
127% above US avg
Per Capita Income$52,952
Avg Weekly Wage$1,160
IRS Avg AGI$85,539

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment13.9%
286% above US avg
Poverty Rate0.0%
100% below US avg
Establishments (County)7,088
County GDP$20,982M

Business (County)

Restaurants726
Healthcare748
Retail830
Manufacturing338

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$7,459
113% above US avg
Cost of Living108.80 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate6.13%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time46.1 min
Drive Alone95.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home4.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Brainards is $121,600, 57% below the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$121,600
57% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Rent Burden30.4%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,599
1 Bedroom$1,759
2 Bedrooms$2,132
3 Bedrooms$2,658
4 Bedrooms$3,005

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied76.9%
Housing Units60
Median Year Built1938

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$7,459
113% above US avg
Effective Rate6.13%
In Brainards, 28.3% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 7.5% of residents lack health insurance. 12.0% are current smokers. 18.3% report depression. 20.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Brainards vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity28.3%
12% below US avg
Diabetes6.5%
Heart Disease3.6%
High Blood Pressure25.1%
Asthma9.0%
COPD4.2%
Cancer6.1%
Stroke2.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking12.0%
14% below US avg
Binge Drinking18.5%
Physical Inactivity20.9%
Depression18.3%
Mental Distress16.8%
Physical Distress10.5%
Short Sleep40.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.4%
Uninsured7.5%
13% below US avg
Primary Care1:1,240
Dentists1:1,694
Mental Health1:330
Checkup Rate69.9%
Dental Visits58.7%
Premature Death6,471/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.7/10
Exercise Access90.0%
Healthcare Facilities748
Brainards has an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 51.0 inches. The area enjoys 271 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average52.1°F
4% below US avg
January Average30°F (-1°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days271 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall51.0 inches
34% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation260 ft (79 m)
Area0.2 sq mi (0.5 km²)
Population Density956/sq mi
Coordinates40.7718°N, 75.1699°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
County FIPS42095
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 37.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (11% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 1.8-point margin. 65.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 50.4%
D 48.6%

Winner: Republican by 1.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+37.5%
11% above US avg
High School+88.9%
Graduate Degree+13.6%
School Test Score6.24
A Education Grade (4.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density956/sq mi
Total Area0.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access65.0%
Public Libraries10
Healthcare Facilities748
Restaurants726
Retail Stores830

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)21

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute46.1 min
Drive Alone95.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home4.2%

Nearby Cities

Chestnut Hill, PA 6,774 pop · 3.9 mi Tatamy, PA 1,412 pop · 5.0 mi Belfast, PA 1,239 pop · 5.5 mi Phillipsburg, NJ 15,251 pop · 5.5 mi Eastlawn Gardens, PA 3,671 pop · 6.2 mi Greenwich CDP (Warren County), NJ 2,615 pop · 6.3 mi Belvidere, NJ 2,526 pop · 6.5 mi Easton, PA 29,079 pop · 6.5 mi Upper Pohatcong, NJ 1,851 pop · 6.6 mi Bangor, PA 5,158 pop · 6.9 mi Wilson, PA 8,196 pop · 7.1 mi West Easton, PA 1,158 pop · 7.3 mi Morgan Hill, PA 1,412 pop · 7.5 mi Brass Castle, NJ 1,844 pop · 7.5 mi
Compare Brainards with another city: