Lowest median age in North & Central NJ
Census median age of residents. Often correlates with rental housing and transit access.
| # | Town | County | Median age | Commute by transit | Median gross rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Brunswick | Middlesex | 24.8 | 4.6% | $1,814 |
| 2 | West Long Branch | Monmouth | 29.9 | 1.7% | $1,970 |
| 3 | Hoboken | Hudson | 31.9 | 36.6% | $2,938 |
| 4 | Passaic | Passaic | 31.9 | 11.9% | $1,465 |
| 5 | Plainfield | Union | 32.4 | 5.2% | $1,767 |
| 6 | Piscataway | Middlesex | 33.3 | 2.1% | $2,024 |
| 7 | Paterson | Passaic | 33.3 | 7.4% | $1,548 |
| 8 | Harrison | Hudson | 33.8 | 29.4% | $2,226 |
| 9 | Morristown | Morris | 34.2 | 2.1% | $2,274 |
| 10 | Newark | Essex | 34.7 | 19.3% | $1,392 |
| 11 | Orange | Essex | 34.7 | 18.5% | $1,550 |
| 12 | Jersey City | Hudson | 34.7 | 36.1% | $2,007 |
| 13 | Jamesburg | Middlesex | 34.7 | 1.6% | $1,957 |
| 14 | Matawan | Monmouth | 34.7 | 5.9% | $1,824 |
| 15 | Highland Park | Middlesex | 35.2 | 7.8% | $1,873 |
| 16 | Freehold | Monmouth | 35.5 | 4.1% | $1,832 |
| 17 | Hillside | Union | 35.7 | 12.8% | $1,794 |
| 18 | Elizabeth | Union | 35.8 | 11% | $1,523 |
| 19 | Irvington | Essex | 35.9 | 16.1% | $1,386 |
| 20 | Somerville | Somerset | 35.9 | 2.2% | $1,802 |
| 21 | South Bound Brook | Somerset | 36 | 6.8% | $1,778 |
| 22 | Prospect Park | Passaic | 36.2 | 1.7% | $1,647 |
| 23 | North Plainfield | Somerset | 36.2 | 4.4% | $1,752 |
| 24 | Long Branch | Monmouth | 36.8 | 3.8% | $1,876 |
| 25 | South River | Middlesex | 37 | 3% | $1,675 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates. Municipalities with at least 2,000 residents in Bergen, Passaic, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Union, Middlesex, Somerset and Monmouth counties. Click a column to sort.
How to use this ranking
One number never picks a town. Use this list to build a shortlist, then open each town guide for taxes, values, commute and housing stock side by side, or put up to three in the comparison tool.
Questions, answered
Which NJ town ranks #1 for lowest median age?
New Brunswick (Middlesex County), at 24.8, among 258 municipalities with at least 2,000 residents. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates.
Where does this data come from?
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates. Rankings cover municipalities in Bergen, Passaic, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Union, Middlesex, Somerset and Monmouth counties with at least 2,000 residents.
Is this a list of the best places to live?
It ranks one measurable factor. For a combined view, try the best places to live scorecard, where you set the weights.
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