Fort Lee, NJ

New Jersey · Metropolitan Area

Fort Lee is a mid-size city in New Jersey with a population of 39,818. Residents earn $105,535 per year, which is 40% above the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
39,818 Population 15,801/sq mi density
$105,535 Median Income $65,753 per capita
$422,200 Home Value $575,834 Zillow
$2,255 Median Rent
56°F Avg Temperature
47 Violent Crime/100K 707 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.8 / 5.0
$105,535 median income, 3.1% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.4 / 5.0
$422,200 home value, $2,255/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
47 violent crimes/100K (88% below avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
64.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $105,535
40% higher than US avg
Home Value $422,200
50% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 47/100K
88% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 64.8%
92% higher than US avg
Median Rent $2,255
94% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 21.4%
33% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.1%
14% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 6.0%
52% lower than US avg

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

People

Population39,818
Median Age47.2 yrs
Density15,801/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 41%

Economy

A+
Median Income$105,535
Per Capita$65,753
Unemployment3.1%
Poverty6.0%
County GDP$1,006,673M
Commute35 min

Housing

A
Home Value$422,200
Rent$2,255
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$575,834

Crime

F
Violent47/100K
Property707/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault39/100K
Burglary138/100K

Health

Obesity21.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression12.6%
Heart Disease3.9%

Climate

Avg Temp56°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain49.5 in/yr
Elevation302 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+64.8%
High School+95.0%
School Score6.24

Community

2024 VoteR 18% / D 82%
Commute35 min
EV Stations8
Libraries48

Is Fort Lee a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Fort Lee 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. Fort Lee offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Fort Lee is $105,535, which is significantly higher than the national average — 40% above $75,149. This places Fort Lee among higher-income communities. Unemployment stands at 3.1%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 6.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 35 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Fort Lee is $422,200, 50% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $2,255 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. A price-to-income ratio of 4x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Fort Lee is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 47 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 707 per 100,000, 64% below the national average.

Education

Fort Lee is a highly educated community — 64.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 95.0% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.2/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Fort Lee enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F. Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 49.5 inches, including 29.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Fort Lee has a population of 39,818 with a density of 15,801 people per square mile. The median age is 47.2 years, 21% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (40.5%), with 2.7% Black.

Population

39,818
Total Population
15,801
People / sq mi
47.2yrs
Median Age
21% above US avg
2.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.4%
Female 51.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Fort Lee vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only39.7%
49% below US avg
Spanish60.3%
350% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Fort Lee vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Fort Lee is $105,535, which is 40% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.1% (below the 3.6% US average). 6.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 35 minutes.

Income: Fort Lee vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$105,535
40% above US avg
Per Capita Income$65,753
Avg Weekly Wage$3,175
IRS Avg AGI$259,310

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.1%
14% below US avg
Poverty Rate6.0%
52% below US avg
Establishments (County)129,635
County GDP$1,006,673M

Business (County)

Restaurants10,013
Healthcare8,448
Retail9,466
Manufacturing1,290

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$21,901
526% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate5.19%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time34.7 min
Work from Home19.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Fort Lee is $422,200, 50% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $2,255 (94% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $575,834.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$422,200
50% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$575,834
Median List Price$395,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$395,000
$/Sq Ft$468
Homes Sold38
Sale-to-List Ratio98.2%
Price Drops8.3%
Inventory216

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$2,255
94% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$3,144

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-Occupied57.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$21,901
526% above US avg
Effective Rate5.19%
In Fort Lee, 21.4% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 12.6% report depression. 20.7% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Fort Lee vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity21.4%
33% below US avg
Diabetes8.5%
Heart Disease3.9%
High Blood Pressure27.7%
Asthma7.3%
COPD3.3%
Stroke2.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.5%
Physical Inactivity20.7%
Depression12.6%
Mental Distress13.0%
Physical Distress8.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.4%
Checkup Rate77.5%
Premature Death4,960/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.2/10
Exercise Access100.0%
Healthcare Facilities8,448
Fort Lee has a violent crime rate of 47 per 100,000 residents, 88% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 707 per 100,000 (64% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent46.9/100K
88% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery8.3/100K
Assault38.7/100K

Property Crime

Total Property706.7/100K
64% below US avg
Burglary138.0/100K
Theft541.1/100K
Vehicle Theft27.6/100K
Arson2.8/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)31

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Fort Lee has an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation is 49.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

34°F Jan (1°C) 78°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average55.8°F
3% above US avg
January Average34°F (1°C)
July Average78°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall49.5 inches
30% above US avg
Snowfall29.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation302 ft (92 m)
Area2.5 sq mi (6.5 km²)
Population Density15,801/sq mi
Coordinates40.8506°N, 73.9710°W
County FIPS36061
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 64.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (92% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 64.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 17.6%
D 82.4%

Winner: Democrat by 64.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+64.8%
92% above US avg
High School+95.0%
School Test Score6.24
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density15,801/sq mi
Total Area2.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations8
Alt Fuel Stations8
Public Libraries48
Healthcare Facilities8,448
Restaurants10,013
Retail Stores9,466

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)31
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute34.7 min
Work from Home19.6%

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