New Jersey residents had a higher median income than any other state in the U.S. last year, according to data published by the U.S. Census Bureau.
However, it’s not all bright and rosy for the Garden State, because “real income” – which takes increase cost of living into account – is still lower than it was in 2019. New Jersey’s median income was 2% lower than it was in 2019, when adjusting for inflation.
Across the U.S., the median household income was $74,755, about 1% lower in “real income” than in 2019.
Additionally, New Jersey had one of the lowest poverty rates in the U.S., but again, still higher than it was in 2019. It is currently 9.7%, whereas in 2019 it was 9.2%.
According to the Census Bureau, New Jersey households had a median income of $96,346, the highest in the U.S. The District of Columbia (D.C.) had a higher median income at $101,027, but it’s not one of the 50 U.S. states.
Median should not be confused with average. Median income means that 50% of people were earning more than that number, and 50% of people were earning less than that. Average income adds everyone’s income and then divides it by the number of households in the state.
The New Jersey counties with the highest median incomes are Hunterdon and Somerset, where households earn $142,000 and $135,000, respectively. The county with the lowest median income is Cumberland, where households earn around $61,000.