New Jersey saw one of the biggest spikes in poverty of any state in the nation between 2019 and 2021, according to estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.
According the Census, poverty went up by 1.1% in New Jersey in 2021, and now stands at 10.2%. At the same time, median incomes across the state dropped by 1.7%.
The jump in poverty rate is the third-largest of any U.S. state during that timeframe, behind just Hawaii and Maryland.
According to the Census, about 18% of Hispanic residents live below the poverty line, 16% of Black residents, 14% of multiracial residents, 7% of white residents, and 6% of Asian residents.
The median incomes in New Jersey is now $89,296, the fourth-highest in the country. Median should not be confused with average. The median income being at $89,296 means that there are as many people making more than that number as there are people making less than that number.
