Elizabeth, NJ

New Jersey · Metropolitan Area

Elizabeth is a large city in New Jersey with a population of 135,887. Residents earn $63,874 per year, which is 15% below the national average.

2.5 /5.0
C+ Fair
135,887 Population 11,030/sq mi density
$63,874 Median Income $28,490 per capita
$393,500 Home Value $533,247 Zillow
$1,463 Median Rent
56°F Avg Temperature 274 sunny days/yr
890 Violent Crime/100K 2,997 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.5 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$63,874 median income, 4.6% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.2 / 5.0
$393,500 home value, $1,463/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
890 violent crimes/100K (134% above avg)
C
Education
2.1 / 5.0
14.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $63,874
15% lower than US avg
Home Value $393,500
40% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 890/100K
134% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 14.2%
58% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,463
26% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 34.5%
7% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.6%
28% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 11.6%
6% lower than US avg

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

People

Population135,887
Median Age35.8 yrs
Density11,030/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 25%

Economy

B+
Median Income$63,874
Per Capita$28,490
Unemployment4.6%
Poverty11.6%
County GDP$51,947M
Commute27 min

Housing

B
Home Value$393,500
Rent$1,463
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$533,247

Crime

F
Violent890/100K
Property2,997/100K
Murder10.1/100K
Assault359/100K
Burglary651/100K

Health

Obesity34.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression14.6%
Heart Disease6.0%

Climate

Avg Temp56°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain58.5 in/yr
Sunny Days274/yr
Elevation20 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+14.2%
High School+74.3%
School Score6.24

Community

2024 VoteR 37% / D 61%
Commute27 min
EV Stations18
Libraries24

Is Elizabeth a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Elizabeth receives an overall livability score of 2.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates. Elizabeth has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Elizabeth is $63,874, 15% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.6%, indicating a healthy job market. 11.6% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Elizabeth is $393,500, 40% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,463 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. The price-to-income ratio of 6.2x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 890 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,997 per 100,000, 53% above the national average.

Education

14.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 74.3% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.2/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Elizabeth enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F. Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. With 274 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 58.5 inches, including 7.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Elizabeth has a population of 135,887 with a density of 11,030 people per square mile. The median age is 35.8 years, 8% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (24.8%), with 1.5% Hispanic, 17.1% Black.

Population

135,887
Total Population
11,030
People / sq mi
35.8yrs
Median Age
8% below US avg
12.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.2%
Female 49.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Elizabeth vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only23.6%
70% below US avg
Spanish76.4%
470% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Elizabeth vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Elizabeth is $63,874, which is 15% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.6% (above the 3.6% US average). 11.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Income: Elizabeth vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$63,874
15% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,490
Avg Weekly Wage$1,622
IRS Avg AGI$109,188

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.6%
28% above US avg
Poverty Rate11.6%
6% below US avg
Establishments (County)16,571
County GDP$51,947M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,317
Healthcare1,591
Retail1,861
Manufacturing523

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$13,532
287% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.44%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.0 min
Work from Home5.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Elizabeth is $393,500, 40% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,463 (26% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $533,247.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$393,500
40% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$533,247
Median List Price$699,499

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$699,499
$/Sq Ft$311
Homes Sold26
Sale-to-List Ratio104.8%
Price Drops10.1%
Inventory129

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,463
26% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$2,293

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-Occupied25.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$13,532
287% above US avg
Effective Rate3.44%
In Elizabeth, 34.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 14.6% report depression. 35.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity34.5%
7% above US avg
Diabetes13.9%
Heart Disease6.0%
High Blood Pressure33.6%
Asthma9.2%
COPD5.6%
Stroke3.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.6%
Physical Inactivity35.5%
Depression14.6%
Mental Distress17.6%
Physical Distress15.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate77.0%
Checkup Rate73.6%
Premature Death6,477/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.3/10
Exercise Access99.6%
Healthcare Facilities1,591
Elizabeth has a violent crime rate of 890 per 100,000 residents, 134% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,997 per 100,000 (53% above US avg). The murder rate is 10.1 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent889.8/100K
134% above US avg
Murder10.1/100K
61% above US avg
Rape26.5/100K
Robbery494.0/100K
Assault359.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,996.6/100K
53% above US avg
Burglary651.4/100K
Theft1,658.8/100K
Vehicle Theft686.4/100K
Arson10.1/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)29

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Elizabeth has an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 58.5 inches. The area enjoys 274 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

41°F Jan (5°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average55.6°F
3% above US avg
January Average41°F (5°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)
Sunny Days274 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall58.5 inches
54% above US avg
Snowfall7.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation20 ft (6 m)
Area12.3 sq mi (31.9 km²)
Population Density11,030/sq mi
Coordinates40.6664°N, 74.1935°W
County FIPS34039
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 14.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (58% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 24.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 37%
D 61.2%

Winner: Democrat by 24.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+14.2%
58% below US avg
High School+74.3%
School Test Score6.24
C Education Grade (2.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density11,030/sq mi
Total Area12.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations18
Alt Fuel Stations18
Public Libraries24
Healthcare Facilities1,591
Restaurants1,317
Retail Stores1,861

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)29
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.0 min
Work from Home5.7%

Nearby Cities

Compare Elizabeth with another city: