Sussex County, NJ Local Data & Statistics

State: NJ
Total population: 145,807 Household income: $116,186 Rent: $1,585

Overview

Total population
145,807
Rent
$1,585
Year built
1973
Household income
$116,186
Per capita income
$57,252
Poverty rate
5.5%
Unemployment rate
4.0%
Household size
2.5 persons
Rent over 30% of income
51.9%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Demographics

State
New Jersey
Total population
145,807
Adults over 25
106,277
Total households
57,767
Household size
2.5 persons

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Income & Poverty

Household income
$116,186
Per capita income
$57,252
Poverty rate
5.5%
Unemployment rate
4.0%
Rent over 30% of income
51.9%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Housing

Rent
$1,585
Year built
1973
Households that rent
16.3%
Households that own
83.7%
Rooms per home (all homes)
6.4

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Race

White
82.3%
Black
1.9%
Asian
2%
Two or more races
9.4%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino
11.9%
Not Hispanic or Latino
88.1%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Commute

Commute rate
85.1%
Commute time to work
36 mins
Work from home
14.9%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Education

Less than high school
22.8%
High school graduate or GED
28.2%
Some college or associate degree
8.7%
Bachelor’s degree or higher
40.3%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

 

Comparison of Sussex County, NJ with: New York Metro Area, NY-NJ New Jersey United States

Sussex County, NJ

Total population145,807
Rent$1,585
Year built1973
Household income$116,186
Per capita income$57,252
Poverty rate5.5%
Unemployment rate4.0%

New York Metro Area, NY-NJ

Total population19,798,537
Rent$1,830
Year built1960
Household income$99,155
Per capita income$55,691
Poverty rate12.7%
Unemployment rate4.5%

New Jersey State

Total population9,343,809
Rent$1,720
Year built1970
Household income$103,556
Per capita income$54,253
Poverty rate9.7%
Unemployment rate4.5%

United States

Total population334,922,499
Rent$1,413
Year built1980
Household income$80,734
Per capita income$44,673
Poverty rate12.5%
Unemployment rate4%
Metric CountySussex County, NJMetro AreaNew York Metro Area, NY-NJStateNew JerseyCountryUnited States
Total population145,80719,798,5379,343,809334,922,499
Rent$1,585$1,830$1,720$1,413
Year built1973196019701980
Household income$116,186$99,155$103,556$80,734
Per capita income$57,252$55,691$54,253$44,673
Poverty rate5.5%12.7%9.7%12.5%
Unemployment rate4.0%4.5%4.5%4%

View the full multi-level comparison →

 

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Summary for Sussex County, NJ

Sussex County is located in New Jersey .

Rent & Income

In Sussex County, the monthly rent is $1,585 and household income is $116,186. Rent is lower than New Jersey and higher than the U.S., and household income is higher than both New Jersey and the U.S. The poverty rate is 5.5%, which is lower than both New Jersey and the national rate.

Housing & Affordability

This area is primarily owner-occupied, with renters accounting for about 16.3% of households. About 51.9% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, indicating high cost burden.

Education & Employment

Educational attainment is high, with about 40.3% of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. The unemployment rate is 4.0%, which is lower than New Jersey and similar to the national rate.

 

 

Sussex County, NJ — Rent vs Household Income

 

 

Sussex County, NJ — Poverty vs Unemployment

 

💰 Rent in Sussex County, NJ (with Utilities)

Estimated Monthly Rent: $1,585 ℹ️ What’s Included:
✅ Base rent, electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuels
❌ Not included: internet, cable TV, renter's insurance, parking

💡 What does this rent estimate mean?

Explanation: This estimate shows what renters typically pay each month for housing, including the apartment or home and essential utilities such as heat, water, and electricity. Even when utilities are billed separately, an estimated average cost for utilities is included, in line with the U.S. Census Bureau’s (ACS) definition of gross rent.

Included in this number: Rent plus electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuel.

Not included: Internet, cable, parking, renter’s insurance, or furniture rental.

Note: This cost does not depend on the number of people living in the home.

👨‍👧‍👦 Household Income in Sussex County, NJ

Annual Household Income: $116,186

💡 What does Household Income mean?

Definition: This represents the middle value of all household incomes in this area — half of households earn less, and half earn more.

Includes: wages, salaries, self-employment income, Social Security, pensions, investments, unemployment, public assistance, and rental income.

Does NOT include: capital gains, non-cash benefits (like food stamps), or tax refunds.

Household = any group of people (or a single person) living in the same housing unit.

Example: A couple earning $40,000 and $30,000 together have a household income of $70,000. If that's in the middle of all local incomes, it's the value shown here.

📉 Poverty Rate in Sussex County, NJ

Estimated Rate: 5.5%

💡 What does the Poverty Rate represent?

Definition: The percentage of people in this area living below the federal poverty threshold.

How it works: The threshold is a dollar amount set by the U.S. Census Bureau that varies by family size and age. If a household's income is below that level, everyone in it is included in this rate.

Example: In a town of 10,000 people, if 1,500 have incomes below the poverty line, the poverty rate is 15%.

Note: This statistic only includes people living in households; it does not count those in student housing, military barracks, or nursing homes.

🏘️ Renter vs. Owner Households in Sussex County, NJ

In Sussex County, NJ, households that rent: 9,401 (16.3%)

📊 What does the renter household percentage reveal about this area?
Household Type Count Share
Renter-Occupied 9,401 16.3%
Owner-Occupied 48,366 83.7%

Definition: This is the percentage of households that rent their home rather than own it. It includes only occupied housing units.

Why it matters: Areas with a high share of renter households often have younger populations, higher mobility, and different housing needs compared to mostly owner-occupied areas.

Example: If 65% of homes in an area are renter-occupied, it means 65 out of every 100 households rent their home.

📉 Renters Spending Over 30% of Income on Rent in Sussex County, NJ

In Sussex County, NJ, cost-burdened renters (households spending over 30% of income on housing): 4,879 (51.9%)

🏚️ What Does It Mean When Renters Spend Over 30% of Their Income on Housing?
Household Group Households Share
Cost-burdened renters (over 30%) 4,879 51.9%
Other renter households 4,522 48.1%
Total renter households 9,401 100%

Shares are calculated as a percentage of renter households.

This shows how many renters in this area are considered cost-burdened — meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing (rent and basic utilities).

It’s a sign that housing might be unaffordable in the area or that lower-income residents may be struggling with rent.

Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

📊 Education Levels in Sussex County, NJ

Less than High School: 24,232 people (22.8%)

Includes adults who did not complete high school.

High School Graduate or GED: 29,949 people (28.2%)

Includes adults whose highest education is a high school diploma or GED.

Some College or Associate Degree: 9,296 people (8.7%)

Includes adults who attended college without completing a bachelor’s degree (some college or associate degree).

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 42,800 people (40.3%)

Includes adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher (bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree).

👥 Total Adults (25+): 106,277

📊 Unemployment Rate in Sussex County, NJ

Estimated Rate: 4.0%

💡 What does Unemployment Rate mean?

Definition: The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labor force who do not have a job but are actively looking for one.

Labor Force = Employed + Unemployed (aged 16+ and actively participating in the workforce).

Formula: (Unemployed ÷ Labor Force) × 100

Does NOT include: People who are retired, students not looking for work, homemakers, or otherwise not seeking employment.

Example: If there are 1000 people in the labor force and 80 are unemployed, then the unemployment rate is 8%.

ℹ️ Have questions about how these statistics are calculated? See our data methodology & FAQs

 

Source: ACS 5-Year Estimates (U.S. Census Bureau) — unemployment rate from BLS. Some values are derived metrics.