Elizabeth, NJ

Full City Profile · New Jersey · Union County County

2.4 /5.0
C Fair
135,887 Population 11,030/sq mi density
$63,874 Median Income $28,490 per capita
$393,500 Home Value $548,920 Zillow
$1,463 Median Rent 32.1% income on rent
56°F Avg Temperature
412 Violent Crime/100K 2,661 property/100K
C
Overall
2.4 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$63,874 median income, 6.9% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.2 / 5.0
$393,500 home value, $1,463/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
412 violent crimes/100K (8% above avg)
C
Education
2.1 / 5.0
14.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Elizabeth enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 46.6 inches. The area receives 31.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

33°F Jan (0°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average55.5°F
3% above US avg
January Average33°F (0°C)
July Average78°F (26°C)

Geography

Elevation20 ft (6 m)
Area13.5 sq mi (34.9 km²)
Population Density11,030/sq mi
Coordinates40.6664°N, 74.1935°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyUnion County County
Nearest AirportNewark Liberty International (EWR)
2 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 46.6"
23% above US avg
Snowfall 31.5"
Wettest Month (Jul) 4.66"
Driest Month (Feb) 2.98"

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood
Good Days %62.6%
Unhealthy Days0

Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)

NO₂ (Nitrogen Dioxide)26.6 ppb
SO₂ (Sulfur Dioxide)0.74 ppb
CO (Carbon Monoxide)0.42 ppm
PM2.5 (Fine Particles)9.8 μg/m³

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively High
Risk Score95.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability55.8 / 100
Community Resilience30.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Moderate
Hurricane Relatively Moderate
Earthquake Relatively Moderate
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively High
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Very High
Heat Wave Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather Very High
Lightning Very High
Ice Storm Very High
Drought Very Low
Cold Wave Relatively Moderate
Landslide Very Low
Coastal Flood Relatively Moderate
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

21 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M4.8. Most recent: M2.8 on Aug 5, 2025.

Apr 5, 2024 2024 Tewksbury, New Jersey Earthquake M4.8 48 km
Apr 5, 2024 7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey M3.7 47 km
Aug 26, 2003 4 km NNW of Milford, New Jersey M3.1 77 km
Jan 9, 1992 4 km WNW of Robertsville, New Jersey M3.1 36 km
Oct 28, 1991 3 km WNW of Stamford, Connecticut M3.0 69 km
Aug 3, 2025 0 km W of Little Ferry, New Jersey M3.0 24 km
Feb 3, 2009 1 km ESE of Victory Gardens, New Jersey M3.0 36 km
May 24, 2024 6 km E of Califon, New Jersey M2.9 48 km
Apr 27, 2024 7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey M2.9 47 km
Aug 5, 2025 1 km N of Hillsdale, New Jersey M2.8 41 km
Apr 12, 1991 2 km ENE of North Castle, New York M2.7 71 km
Jan 25, 2015 4 km ESE of Downingtown, Pennsylvania M2.6 145 km
May 1, 2024 1 km NW of Gladstone, New Jersey M2.6 41 km
Aug 22, 2000 2 km WSW of Brewster Hill, New York M2.6 96 km
Oct 27, 2001 1 km NNW of Manhattan, New York M2.6 24 km
Aug 14, 2015 3 km SE of Mendham, New Jersey M2.6 34 km
Apr 10, 2024 5 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey M2.6 45 km
Apr 5, 2024 6 km ESE of Califon, New Jersey M2.6 48 km
Jul 5, 1996 2 km NW of Chester Heights, Pennsylvania M2.6 139 km
Jan 15, 1992 5 km NNE of Tuxedo Park, New York M2.5 64 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Hurricane History

5 hurricanes (Cat 1+) within 500 km since 1980. Strongest: Category 2. Most recent: Arthur (2014, Cat 1).

Year Name Category Closest
2014 Arthur Category 1 295 km
2012 Sandy Category 1 277 km
2011 Irene Category 1 294 km
1991 Bob Category 2 173 km
1985 Gloria Category 2 76 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Cat 1+, 1980-2026)

Tornado History

227 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF3. Total: 13 fatalities, 137 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Jul 29, 2021 EF3 91 km 0
Oct 18, 1990 EF3 53 km 0
Jul 14, 1988 EF3 79 km 0
Sep 26, 1977 EF3 43 km 0
Mar 21, 1976 EF3 90 km 0
May 28, 1973 EF3 49 km 0
May 28, 1973 EF3 30 km 0
Jun 24, 1960 EF3 66 km 0
Apr 1, 2023 EF2 57 km 0
Apr 1, 2023 EF2 62 km 0
Apr 1, 2023 EF2 59 km 0
Feb 21, 2023 EF2 61 km 0
Jul 29, 2021 EF2 73 km 0
Aug 4, 2020 EF2 92 km 0
Jul 29, 2009 EF2 94 km 0
Jul 29, 2009 EF2 75 km 0
Aug 8, 2007 EF2 8 km 0
Jul 12, 2006 EF2 53 km 0
May 27, 2001 EF2 37 km 0
Sep 7, 1998 EF2 43 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Tsunami History

3 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 0.3 m (1 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1964 LONG ISLAND, NY Meteorological 0.3 m - 93 km
1895 HIGH BRIDGE, NJ Earthquake - - 58 km
1840 PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA Earthquake - - 129 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (23,000 ac, 1985).

Year Name Acres Distance
1985 UNNAMED 23,000 59 km
1995 GREENWOOD STATE FOREST 21,271 93 km
2019 SPRING HILL FIRE 8,182 100 km
2016 16 MILE 7,896 100 km
1992 FORKED RIVER MOUTAIN APR 5,093 90 km
2024 JENNINGS CREEK 5,069 57 km
1992 POWER PLANT 4,928 93 km
1992 UNNAMED 4,470 79 km
2023 JIMMYS WATER HOLE 3,585 75 km
2002 UNNAMED 2,824 78 km
1992 FOUR MILE COLONY 2,647 94 km
2010 FORT DIX RANGE 1-14 2,615 78 km
1997 UNNAMED 1,793 79 km
2002 JAKES BRANCH 1,364 84 km
1995 UNNAMED 1,318 77 km
1991 UNNAMED 1,280 93 km
1998 UNNAMED 1,118 89 km
1997 UNNAMED 1,042 89 km
2015 WOODMANSIE FIRE 1,003 91 km
2002 UNNAMED 1,002 79 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 33°F (0°C) 3.4 in Coldest
February 35°F (2°C) 3.0 in Driest
March 43°F (6°C) 4.1 in
April 53°F (12°C) 3.9 in
May 63°F (17°C) 4.0 in
June 73°F (23°C) 4.3 in
July 78°F (26°C) 4.7 in Warmest, Wettest
August 76°F (25°C) 4.2 in
September 69°F (21°C) 3.8 in
October 58°F (14°C) 3.8 in
November 47°F (8°C) 3.3 in
December 38°F (3°C) 4.1 in

Elizabeth has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 33°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.6 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.7") and February the driest (3.0").

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