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CITY

South River

New Jersey · 16,262 residents (2025 est.) · 2.785 sq mi
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The short version

South River is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $96,147. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $405,200. It sits in the top 10% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 37.0
US median: 38.9
Less educated
28% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 48%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
16,124
+5%since 2000
from 15,322 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
5,790 / sq mi
+5%since 2000
from 5,502 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
37.0
+2%since 2000
from 36.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:16,262 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
13K14K15K16K17K1990201020202024South River
202416K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$96,147
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $52,324 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$42,301
+79%since 2000
from $23,684 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
60.1%
+17.7 ptssince 2009
from 42.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
12.5%
+7.7 ptssince 2000
from 4.9% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.429
+7%since 2010
from 0.401 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Wholesale trade12.4%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance11.1%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical11%
US avg: 5.1%
Retail trade9%
US avg: 9.9%
Information8.8%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services8.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration4.1%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing1.9%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.7%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.1%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$405,200
+48%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $150,000 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,675
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $745 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
65.6%
−3.6 ptssince 2000
from 69.2% in 2000
34.4% rent
Vacancy rate
3.1%
−3.7 ptssince 2009
from 6.8% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
25.4%
−13.9 ptssince 2009
from 39.3% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
53.0%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 53.9% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.2
+47%since 2000
from 2.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
38
RELATED:See current rent listings in South River on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic78.3%(11,995)
Black5.8%(892)
Hispanic / Latino9.7%(1,480)
Asian3.5%(537)
Other0%
Diversity Score42.2%(6,464)
2024
White, non-Hispanic52.8%(8,518)
Black13.5%(2,171)
Hispanic / Latino24.5%(3,944)
Asian4%(638)
Other5.3%(853)
Diversity Score79.8%(12,871)
Diversity Score
80
+89%since 2000
from 42 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
27.9%
+7.0 ptssince 2000
from 20.9% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
87.9%
+11.3 ptssince 2000
from 76.5% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
10.9%
+4.5 ptssince 2000
from 6.4% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
32.2 min
+35%since 2000
from 23.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
69.9%
−2.5 ptssince 2009
from 72.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
13.9%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 14.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
3.0%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 3.8% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
6.7%
+4.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.6%
−4.4 ptssince 2009
from 6.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
4.3%
−5.6 ptssince 2009
from 9.9% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.7%
−6.1 ptssince 2011
from 13.8% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
71.8%
+3.0 ptssince 2011
from 68.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
11.7%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 11.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
33.4%
−22.5 ptssince 2009
from 56.0% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.5%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 50.6% in 2009
Female
48.5%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 49.4% in 2009
Foreign born
26.4%
−3.2 ptssince 2009
from 29.6% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
3.2%
−46.3 ptssince 2009
from 49.5% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
9.5%
+0.1 ptssince 2012
from 9.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
8.2%
−72.2 ptssince 2013
from 80.4% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
93.4%
+14.6 ptssince 2017
from 78.8% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
57.5%
+2.2 ptssince 2016
from 55.4% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
16.9%
−3.2 ptssince 2016
from 20.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare South River to nearby cities

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SOUTH RIVER VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in South River, New Jersey?

South River, New Jersey has about 16,124 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in South River, New Jersey?

The typical household in South River, New Jersey earns about $96,147 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is South River, New Jersey expensive?

In South River, New Jersey, the median home is worth about $405,200, and the typical rent is about $1,675 a month.

How educated are people in South River, New Jersey?

About 27.9% of adults age 25 and over in South River, New Jersey hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in South River, New Jersey?

About 12.5% of people in South River, New Jersey live below the federal poverty line.

Has South River, New Jersey grown since 1990?

Yes, South River, New Jersey has grown since 1990. The population has added about 2,432 residents, a change of about 18 percent over that period.

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

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