HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES: In 2006 there were 3.1 million households in New Jersey. The average household size was 2.7 people.

Families made up 70 percent of the households in New Jersey. This figure includes both married-couple families (52 percent) and other families (18 percent). Nonfamily households made up 30 percent of all households in New Jersey. Most of the nonfamily households were people living alone, but some were composed of people living in households in which no one was related to the householder.

Source: American Community Survey, 2006 Home Page NJ State US

NATIVITY AND LANGUAGE: Twenty percent of the people living in New Jersey in 2006 were foreign born. Eighty percent was native , including 52 percent who were born in New Jersey.

Among people at least five years old living in New Jersey in 2006, 28 percent spoke a language other than English at home. Of those speaking a language other than English at home, 50 percent spoke Spanish and 50 percent spoke some other language; 43 percent reported that they did not speak English "very well."

GEOGRAPHIC MOBILITY: In 2006, 88 percent of the people at least one year old living in New Jersey were living in the same residence one year earlier; 7 percent had moved during the past year from another residence in the same county, 3 percent from another county in the same state, 2 percent from another state, and 1 percent from abroad.

Source: American Community Survey, 2006

EDUCATION: In 2006, 86 percent of people 25 years and over had at least graduated from high school and 33 percent had a bachelor's degree or higher. Fourteen percent were dropouts; they were not enrolled in school and had not graduated from high school.

The total school enrollment in New Jersey was 2.3 million in 2006. Nursery school and kindergarten enrollment was 292,000 and elementary or high school enrollment was 1.4 million children. College or graduate school enrollment was 554,000.

Source: American Community Survey, 2006

DISABILITY: In New Jersey, among people at least five years old in 2006, 12 percent reported a disability. The likelihood of having a disability varied by age - from 5 percent of people 5 to 15 years old, to 9 percent of people 16 to 64 years old, and to 36 percent of those 65 and older.

INDUSTRIES: In 2006, for the employed population 16 years and older, the leading industries in New Jersey were Educational services, and health care, and social assistance, 21 percent, and Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services, 12 percent.

Source: American Community Survey, 2006

OCCUPATIONS AND TYPE OF EMPLOYER: Among the most common occupations were: Management, professional, and related occupations, 38 percent; Sales and office occupations, 28 percent; Service occupations, 16 percent; Production, transportation, and material moving occupations, 11 percent; and Construction, extraction, maintenance and repair occupations, 8 percent. Eighty percent of the people employed were Private wage and salary workers; 14 percent was Federal, state, or local government workers; and 5 percent was Self-employed in own not incorporated business workers.

TRAVEL TO WORK: Seventy-two percent of New Jersey workers drove to work alone in 2006, 9 percent carpooled, 10 percent took public transportation, and 5 percent used other means. The remaining 3 percent worked at home. Among those who commuted to work, it took them on average 29.1 minutes to get to work.

INCOME: The median income of households in New Jersey was $64,470. Eighty-two percent of the households received earnings and 17 percent received retirement income other than Social Security. Twenty-seven percent of the households received Social Security. The average income from Social Security was $15,016. These income sources are not mutually exclusive; that is, some households received income from more than one source.

POVERTY AND PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS: In 2006, 9 percent of people were in poverty. Twelve percent of related children under 18 were below the poverty level, compared with 8 percent of people 65 years old and over. Six percent of all families and 19 percent of families with a female householder and no husband present had incomes below the poverty level.

Source: American Community Survey, 2006

POPULATION OF New Jersey: In 2006, New Jersey had a total population of 8.7 million - 4.5 million (51 percent) females and 4.3 million (49 percent) males. The median age was 38.2 years. Twenty-four percent of the population was under 18 years and 13 percent was 65 years and older.

Source: American Community Survey, 2006

For people reporting one race alone, 71 percent was White; 14 percent was Black or African American; less than 0.5 percent was American Indian and Alaska Native; 8 percent was Asian; less than 0.5 percent was Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, and 8 percent was Some other race. One percent reported Two or more races. Sixteen percent of the people in New Jersey was Hispanic. Sixty-two percent of the people in New Jersey was White non-Hispanic. People of Hispanic origin may be of any race.

HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS: In 2006, New Jersey had a total of 3.5 million housing units, 10 percent of which were vacant. Of the total housing units, 63 percent was in single-unit structures, 36 percent was in multi-unit structures, and 1 percent was mobile homes. Sixteen percent of the housing units were built since 1990.

Source: American Community Survey, 2006

OCCUPIED HOUSING UNIT CHARACTERISTICS: In 2006, New Jersey had 3.1 million occupied housing units - 2.1 million (67 percent) owner occupied and 1.0 million (33 percent) renter occupied. Five percent of the households did not have telephone service and 11 percent of the households did not have access to a car, truck, or van for private use. Multi Vehicle households were not rare. Thirty-seven percent had two vehicles and another 18 percent had three or more.

HOUSING COSTS: The median monthly housing costs for mortgaged owners was $2,130, nonmortgaged owners $787, and renters $974. Forty-five percent of owners with mortgages, 28 percent of owners without mortgages, and 50 percent of renters in New Jersey spent 30 percent or more of household income on housing.

Source: American Community Survey, 2006