Chester, NJ

New Jersey · Metropolitan Area

Chester is a small town in New Jersey with a population of 1,359. Residents earn $152,578 per year, which is 103% above the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
1,359 Population 855/sq mi density
$152,578 Median Income $80,525 per capita
$640,400 Home Value
$1,337 Median Rent
53°F Avg Temperature
59 Violent Crime/100K 833 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.9 / 5.0
$152,578 median income, 2.6% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.3 / 5.0
$640,400 home value, $1,337/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
59 violent crimes/100K (84% below avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
61.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $152,578
103% higher than US avg
Home Value $640,400
127% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 59/100K
84% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 61.1%
81% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,337
15% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 23.2%
28% lower than US avg
Unemployment 2.6%
28% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.1%
83% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,359
Median Age43.6 yrs
Density855/mi²
Male / Female55% / 45%
Largest GroupWhite 87%

Economy

A+
Median Income$152,578
Per Capita$80,525
Unemployment2.6%
Poverty2.1%
County GDP$74,395M
Commute30 min

Housing

A
Home Value$640,400
Rent$1,337
OwnershipN/A

Crime

F
Violent59/100K
Property833/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault59/100K
Burglary238/100K

Health

Obesity23.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression16.5%
Heart Disease4.2%

Climate

Avg Temp53°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain45.5 in/yr
Elevation830 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+61.1%
High School+95.4%
School Score6.24

Community

2024 VoteR 50% / D 48%
Commute30 min
Libraries37

Is Chester a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Chester receives an overall livability score of 3.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Chester offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Chester is $152,578, which is significantly higher than the national average — 103% above $75,149. This places Chester among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.6%. Only 2.1% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Chester is $640,400, making it a premium housing market at 127% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,337 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 4.2x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Chester is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 59 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 833 per 100,000, 58% below the national average.

Education

Chester is a highly educated community — 61.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 95.4% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.2/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Chester experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 53°F. Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 45.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Chester has a population of 1,359 with a density of 855 people per square mile. The median age is 43.6 years, 12% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (87%), with 1.3% Black.

Population

1,359
Total Population
855
People / sq mi
43.6yrs
Median Age
12% above US avg
1.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 54.6%
Female 45.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Chester vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only87.1%
11% above US avg
Spanish12.9%
4% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Chester vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Chester is $152,578, which is 103% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Income: Chester vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$152,578
103% above US avg
Per Capita Income$80,525
Avg Weekly Wage$1,946
IRS Avg AGI$156,784

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.6%
28% below US avg
Poverty Rate2.1%
83% below US avg
Establishments (County)18,002
County GDP$74,395M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,349
Healthcare1,822
Retail1,639
Manufacturing496

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$13,570
288% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.12%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time29.9 min
Work from Home22.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Chester is $640,400, 127% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,337 (15% above US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$640,400
127% above US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$575
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio105.0%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory2

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,337
15% above US avg

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-Occupied76.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$13,570
288% above US avg
Effective Rate2.12%
In Chester, 23.2% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 16.5% report depression. 17.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity23.2%
28% below US avg
Diabetes7.0%
Heart Disease4.2%
High Blood Pressure26.3%
Asthma8.6%
COPD3.7%
Stroke2.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.5%
Physical Inactivity17.5%
Depression16.5%
Mental Distress14.3%
Physical Distress9.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.9%
Checkup Rate75.7%
Premature Death4,240/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.4/10
Exercise Access98.5%
Healthcare Facilities1,822
Chester has a violent crime rate of 59 per 100,000 residents, 84% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 833 per 100,000 (58% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Chester vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent59.5/100K
84% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault59.5/100K

Property Crime

Total Property832.8/100K
58% below US avg
Burglary238.0/100K
Theft535.4/100K
Vehicle Theft59.5/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)19

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Chester has an average annual temperature of 53°F (11°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 45.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average52.5°F
3% below US avg
January Average30°F (-1°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall45.5 inches
20% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation830 ft (253 m)
Area1.6 sq mi (4.1 km²)
Population Density855/sq mi
Coordinates40.7906°N, 74.6901°W
County FIPS34027
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 61.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (81% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 2.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 50.4%
D 47.7%

Winner: Republican by 2.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+61.1%
81% above US avg
High School+95.4%
School Test Score6.24
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density855/sq mi
Total Area1.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries37
Healthcare Facilities1,822
Restaurants1,349
Retail Stores1,639

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)19
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute29.9 min
Work from Home22.5%

Nearby Cities

Compare Chester with another city: