1st Advantage MortgageHudson County households have a median income of $91,795 and median rent of $1,894 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in New Jersey before sharing details.
On this page
- Who lives in Hudson County
- Work, industries and travel time in Hudson County
- Income in Hudson County compared with New Jersey
- Renting and owning in Hudson County
- Hudson County next to its neighbors
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Hudson County
- Debt-to-income at Hudson County's medians
- Reading the Hudson County data as a borrower
- Who lives in Hudson County, in numbers
- Checking a lender's license in New Jersey
- Before you sign
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Hudson County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Hudson County's population at 718,323; only 3 of New Jersey's 21 county-level areas are larger. Packed into 46 square miles, that is close to 15,550 residents for every square mile of land. For statistical purposes it belongs to the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Of the 10 Census places inside Hudson County, Jersey City leads by population with about 294,078; 10 of the 10 are incorporated.
Work, industries and travel time in Hudson County
The biggest employer of Hudson County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 19% of workers, followed by professional and administrative services (18%). The sharpest difference from the state is in finance, insurance and real estate, at 13% locally and 9% for New Jersey. The survey's unemployment rate for Hudson County averages 6.0% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 6.3%). About 33% drive to work alone and 34% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 33.4% of the total (11.1% statewide).
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Hudson County | Gap to New Jersey |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 19.5% | -4.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 17.7% | +3.2 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 12.6% | +4.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.0% | -1.5 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.6% | +1.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.6% | +0.3 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
Income in Hudson County compared with New Jersey
At $91,795, the typical Hudson County household income is 40% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). That places it 13th among New Jersey's 21 county-level areas.
| Households earning | Hudson County | +/- vs New Jersey |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 21.0% | +4.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 31.9% | +0.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 26.3% | -3.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 20.8% | -0.9 pts |
The spread is wide: 47% of Hudson County households make $100,000 or more, and 21% make less than $35,000. Census counts 14.9% of Hudson County residents in poverty, against 9.7% across New Jersey. For a borrower in Hudson County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Renting and owning in Hudson County
A typical Hudson County rental runs $1,894 a month including utilities, which is 10% above New Jersey. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 46% of renter households here. Home values center on $539,700, or 5.9 years of median income. Owners occupy 31% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1966.
| Housing | Hudson County | New Jersey statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,894/mo | $1,720/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $539,700 | $454,400 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 31% | 64% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 46% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 39% | 32% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 0.1% | 0.9% | n/a |
With renters making up 69% of households, many Hudson County borrowers have no home equity to fall back on, so the cheapest written offer on an unsecured loan matters more.
Hudson County next to its neighbors
New York County is closest, 6 miles from center to center; the sixth, Queens County, is 14 miles off. New York County leads the group on income ($103,931), Kings County trails ($80,263), and Hudson County out-earns 3 of the six. Some neighbors are in New York. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Hudson County resident follows New Jersey rules.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hudson County | - | $91,795 | $1,894/mo | 31% |
| New York County, NY | 6 mi | $103,931 | $2,197/mo | 25% |
| Kings County, NY | 9 mi | $80,263 | $1,833/mo | 29% |
| Essex County, NJ | 10 mi | $80,789 | $1,531/mo | 45% |
| Richmond County, NY | 12 mi | $98,333 | $1,733/mo | 68% |
| Union County, NJ | 13 mi | $103,202 | $1,730/mo | 57% |
| Queens County, NY | 14 mi | $86,136 | $1,956/mo | 45% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Hudson County
Here are the 10 most populous of the county's 10 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 89% of Hudson County residents live in one of the 10. Incomes vary by place: $180,579 at the median in Hoboken, $48,646 in East Newark. Linked names have their own city guide; this page covers every other Hudson County community.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jersey City | city | 294,078 | $97,710 | $2,007 | 2 mi |
| Bayonne | city | 71,553 | $83,887 | $1,682 | 5 mi |
| Union City | city | 66,463 | $64,310 | $1,537 | 3 mi |
| Hoboken | city | 58,668 | $180,579 | $2,938 | 3 mi |
| West New York | town | 52,004 | $71,729 | $1,716 | 5 mi |
| Kearny | town | 40,614 | $79,154 | $1,720 | 3 mi |
| Secaucus | town | 21,778 | $139,821 | $2,391 | 4 mi |
| Harrison | town | 20,369 | $93,013 | $2,226 | 4 mi |
| Guttenberg | town | 11,754 | $75,683 | $1,677 | 6 mi |
| East Newark | borough | 2,497 | $48,646 | $1,799 | 5 mi |
Debt-to-income at Hudson County's medians
Hudson County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Monthly gross at the median, Hudson County: $7,650
- Less median rent of $1,894, which is 25% of it
- At 36%, room after rent is $860 a month
If your rent is above $1,894, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Reading the Hudson County data as a borrower
Where the Hudson County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Medical bills. 11% of Hudson County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Keeping the car running. At 34% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Hudson County emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
- Six-figure budgets. For the 47% earning $100,000 or more, lifestyle creep, not approval, is the usual problem.
- Tight rental budgets. With 46% of Hudson County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
Who lives in Hudson County, in numbers
College graduates make up 49% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 11.3%, against 7.5% for New Jersey.
| Hudson County | New Jersey | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 35.8 | 40.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 48.9% | 43.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 12.0% | 9.3% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 11.3% | 7.5% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 33.4% | 11.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 20.6% | 16.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.9% | 9.7% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.0% | 6.3% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 13.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 25.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 27.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 16.3% |
| 60+ min | 17.2% |
Checking a lender's license in New Jersey
Consumer lenders serving Hudson County are licensed by the state, not the county; in New Jersey that is the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. Statewide data and rules: New Jersey guide.
Before you sign
Quick steps for Hudson County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in New Jersey.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Nearby and statewide guides
City guides inside Hudson County, and the statewide guide:
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Hudson County earn?
The median is $91,795; 47% earn $100,000 or more and 21% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Hudson County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $1,894 a month; 46% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
What are the biggest places in Hudson County?
By population: Jersey City, Bayonne, Union City, Hoboken, West New York. The county has 10 Census places in all.
Will a Hudson County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming New Jersey as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Who regulates personal lenders for Hudson County residents?
The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance licenses consumer lenders in New Jersey; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.