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CITY

Chester

New Jersey · 1,689 residents (2025 est.) · 1.593 sq mi
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The short version

Chester is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $171,500. Population has declined 8% since 2000. 65% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $659,800. It ranks in the top 1% of US cities for household income. Households here earn about 66% more than the New Jersey median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 42.9
US median: 38.9
More educated
65% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,512
−8%since 2000
from 1,635 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
949 / sq mi
−8%since 2000
from 1,026 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
42.9
+10%since 2000
from 39.1 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,689 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1K1K1K2K2K1990201020202024Chester
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$171,500
+17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $80,398 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$87,601
+106%since 2000
from $42,564 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
69.3%
+9.9 ptssince 2009
from 59.5% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
6.4%
+1.3 ptssince 2000
from 5.2% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.489
−2%since 2010
from 0.500 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information13.2%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade10.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services8.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration7.2%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade4.4%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing2.2%
US avg: 2.2%
Finance & insurance1.8%
US avg: 5.9%
Arts, entertainment, food1.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Professional, scientific, technical1.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$659,800
+24%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $293,000 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,344
−8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $802 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
79.1%
+1.3 ptssince 2000
from 77.8% in 2000
20.9% rent
Vacancy rate
2.3%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 3.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
21.0%
−17.3 ptssince 2009
from 38.3% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
73.0%
+44.4 ptssince 2009
from 28.6% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.8
+6%since 2000
from 3.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
61
RELATED:See current rent listings in Chester on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic90.3%(1,477)
Black0.3%(5)
Hispanic / Latino6.9%(112)
Asian1.7%(28)
Other0%
Diversity Score20.7%(339)
2024
White, non-Hispanic80.4%(1,215)
Black3.6%(54)
Hispanic / Latino7%(106)
Asian4.4%(67)
Other4.6%(70)
Diversity Score43%(650)
Diversity Score
43
+108%since 2000
from 21 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
65.3%
+17.0 ptssince 2000
from 48.3% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
96.6%
+6.5 ptssince 2000
from 90.2% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
27.1%
+7.2 ptssince 2000
from 19.9% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
32.1 min
+53%since 2000
from 21.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
72.2%
+6.7 ptssince 2009
from 65.5% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
0.0%
−12.8 ptssince 2009
from 12.8% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
2.3%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 3.3% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
21.6%
+13.1 ptssince 2009
from 8.5% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
3.3%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 5.2% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.8% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
7.7%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 9.2% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.8%
−3.5 ptssince 2011
from 6.3% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
69.2%
−1.3 ptssince 2011
from 70.5% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
12.6%
−2.9 ptssince 2009
from 15.5% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
58.3%
−13.9 ptssince 2009
from 72.3% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.9%
+2.8 ptssince 2009
from 48.0% in 2009
Female
49.1%
−2.8 ptssince 2009
from 52.0% in 2009
Foreign born
10.4%
−2.7 ptssince 2009
from 13.1% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.0%
−39.2 ptssince 2009
from 46.2% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
10.8%
+2.5 ptssince 2012
from 8.3% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
2.8%
−90.8 ptssince 2013
from 93.6% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
95.4%
+11.0 ptssince 2017
from 84.4% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
89.1%
+0.8 ptssince 2016
from 88.4% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
3.6%
−5.1 ptssince 2016
from 8.6% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Chester to nearby cities

CHESTER VS
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Home value$552,900−16%
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CHESTER VS
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CHESTER VS
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CHESTER VS
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Home value$361,600−45%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Chester, New Jersey?

Chester, New Jersey has about 1,512 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Chester, New Jersey?

The typical household in Chester, New Jersey earns about $171,500 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Chester, New Jersey expensive?

In Chester, New Jersey, the median home is worth about $659,800, and the typical rent is about $1,344 a month.

How educated are people in Chester, New Jersey?

About 65.3% of adults age 25 and over in Chester, New Jersey hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Chester, New Jersey?

About 6.4% of people in Chester, New Jersey live below the federal poverty line.

Has Chester, New Jersey grown since 1990?

Yes, Chester, New Jersey has grown since 1990. The population has added about 298 residents, a change of about 25 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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