New Jersey displays significant income disparities among towns

New Jersey has a wide gap between its richest and poorest towns. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that the state's median household income is $99,781. This is much higher than neighboring Pennsylvania, New York, and Delaware. However, living costs are also very high. For instance, homeowners in New Jersey paid an average of $10,100 in property taxes last year. Despite many families earning around $100,000 a year, many struggle financially. After taxes and bills, very little money is left for other expenses. This has contributed to a statewide poverty rate of about 9 to 10%. A comparison of the towns in New Jersey reveals significant income differences. Certain neighborhoods have a high percentage of households earning less than $25,000 annually, marking them as the poorest in the state. On the other hand, there are areas where most families earn over $200,000 a year, making them the richest towns. These figures are based on data from the American Community Survey and reflect a snapshot of economic conditions in 2021. The report highlights the ongoing wealth disparity within New Jersey, making it clear that while some areas thrive, others face serious economic challenges.