Living in Scotch Plains, New Jersey
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Scotch Plains · Census data 2020–2024
Scotch Plains has 24,843 residents with a median age of 42.3. The median household income is $183,655 (77% higher than the New Jersey median), the median home value is $718,200, the median rent is $2,060/month.
Scotch Plains at a glance
- Population
- 24,843
- Median age
- 42.3State: 40.1
- Median household income
- $183,655State: $103,556
- Median home value
- $718,200State: $454,400
- Median rent
- $2,060/moState: $1,720
- Homeowners
- 79%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 64.8%
- Average commute
- 34 min
Is Scotch Plains a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 77% higher than the New Jersey median; unemployment of 3.2%; a poverty rate of 2.5%.
Cons: Home values 58% higher than the state median; an average commute of 34 minutes.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Scotch Plains
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Scotch Plains the median home value is $718,200, 116% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $2,060 per month, which is 30.9% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $3,791 a month in housing costs.
Scotch Plains median household income
The median household income in Scotch Plains is $183,655 and the income per person is $75,070. 2.5% of residents live below the poverty line (New Jersey: 9.7%).
Housing in Scotch Plains: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 8,840
- Owner-occupied
- 79%
- Renter-occupied
- 21%
- Vacant
- 3.1%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1960
- Average household size
- 2.88
Scotch Plains demographics
- Population
- 24,843
- Median age
- 42.3
- Under 18
- 26.3%
- 65 and older
- 17.3%
- Households
- 8,563
- Foreign-born
- 16.4%
- Veterans
- 3.2%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Scotch Plains ›
Education in Scotch Plains
64.8% of adults 25 and older in Scotch Plains have a bachelor's degree or higher (New Jersey: 43.6%), and 29.8% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Scotch Plains
- Unemployment rate
- 3.2%State: 6.3%
- Average commute
- 34 minState: 31 min
- Work from home
- 25.5%
- Drive alone
- 60%
- Public transit
- 7.9%
- Walk to work
- 0.8%
- Homes with broadband
- 98.6%
Scotch Plains vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scotch Plains | 24,843 | $183,655 | $718,200 | $2,060 |
| Fanwood | 7,799 | $195,529 | $635,200 | $2,446 |
| Westfield | 31,111 | $232,629 | $953,400 | $2,357 |
| Plainfield | 55,236 | $85,908 | $410,800 | $1,767 |
| Garwood | 4,885 | $110,670 | $533,300 | $1,753 |
| Clark | 15,622 | $133,504 | $609,600 | $1,743 |
| Mountainside | 7,049 | $211,538 | $810,300 | $3,501 |
| Watchung | 6,485 | $173,672 | $882,500 | $2,738 |
| North Plainfield | 22,809 | $87,349 | $374,700 | $1,752 |
More for people moving to Scotch Plains
Scotch Plains ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Scotch Plains: FAQ
What is the median household income in Scotch Plains, NJ?
The median household income in Scotch Plains is $183,655, 77% higher than the New Jersey median of $103,556 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Scotch Plains?
The median home value in Scotch Plains is $718,200, compared with $454,400 in New Jersey.
How much is rent in Scotch Plains?
The median gross rent in Scotch Plains is $2,060 per month, about 30.9% of household income.
Is Scotch Plains, NJ a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 77% higher than the New Jersey median; unemployment of 3.2%; a poverty rate of 2.5%. Minuses: home values 58% higher than the state median; an average commute of 34 minutes.
What is the median age in Scotch Plains?
The median age in Scotch Plains is 42.3 years (New Jersey: 40.1).
How long is the commute in Scotch Plains?
The average commute to work in Scotch Plains is 34 minutes; 25.5% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Scotch Plains?
The unemployment rate in Scotch Plains is 3.2% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Scotch Plains?
64.8% of adults in Scotch Plains have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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