Demographics of Edison, New Jersey

Population

As of the 2020 census, Edison had a population of 109,211 making it the fifth most populous municipality in New Jersey. This is a 15.4% increase from the 2000 census when the population was 94,086.

The racial makeup of Edison is:

• 44.3% Asian
• 41.1% White
• 7.5% Black or African American
• 0.1% Native American
• 2.4% from other races
• 4.5% from two or more races

Age Distribution

Edison has a median age of 40.5 years. The age distribution is:

• 25.2% under 18
• 7.4% from 18 to 24
• 27.5% from 25 to 44
• 27.3% from 45 to 64
• 12.6% 65 years and over

The gender makeup is 51.6% male and 48.4% female.

Household Income

The median household income in Edison is $114,489 which is significantly higher than the New Jersey median household income of $82,545.

Household Income Distribution ###

• Less than $10,000: 2.6%
• $10,000 to $14,999: 1.8%
• $15,000 to $24,999: 3.8%
• $25,000 to $34,999: 4.3%
• $35,000 to $49,999: 6.9%
• $50,000 to $74,999: 13.3%
• $75,000 to $99,999: 16.8%
• $100,000 to $149,999: 26.1%
• $150,000 to $199,999: 13.8%
• $200,000 or more: 10.8%

Language

The most common languages spoken at home other than English are:

1. Chinese: 17.6% of residents
2. Gujarati: 12.3%
3. Hindi: 11.7%
4. Korean: 5.4%
5. Spanish: 4.0%

Top 10 Languages Spoken ###

Language	Percentage
Chinese	17.6%
Gujarati	12.3%
Hindi	11.7%
Korean	5.4%
Spanish	4.0%
Tagalog	2.8%
Urdu	2.0%
Polish	1.8%
Arabic	1.7%
Tamil	1.3%

53% of residents speak English only while 47% speak a language other than English at home.

Education

Edison has an educated population with 94.4% of residents over 25 years old holding a high school degree or higher. 60.8% of residents over 25 have a bachelor’s degree or higher which is significantly above the national average of 33.1%.

Educational Attainment Over 25 Years Old ###

• Less than 9th grade: 2.5%
• 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 3.1%
• High school graduate: 15.3%
• Some college, no degree: 18.4%
• Associate’s degree: 7.4%
• Bachelor’s degree: 33.9%
• Graduate or professional degree: 26.9%

The top colleges and universities residents have graduated from are:

1. Rutgers University
2. New York University
3. The College of New Jersey
4. Pennsylvania State University
5. Drexel University

Public primary and secondary schools are overseen by the Edison Township Public Schools district which has an enrollment of over 16,000 students in 21 schools. There is one public high school, Edison High School, which has an enrollment over 3,300 students.

In addition, there are several private schools located within Edison such as Wardlaw-Hartridge School and Rabbi Jacob Joseph School.

Religion

Edison does not have a majority religious affiliation. Based on data from the Association of Religion Data Archives 2010 survey:

• 24% of adults identified as Hindu
• 20% identified as Catholic
• 11% identified as Jewish
• 10% identified as Muslim
• 5% identified as Baptist
• 4% identified as Methodist

26% did not specify a religious tradition.

There are at least 20 Hindu temples located in Edison making it an important center for Hindu worship in the region. In addition, there are at least 10 churches, 5 synagogues, and 5 mosques located within the township.

Businesses & Industry

Edison is home to a range of corporations and small businesses across sectors such as logistics, biotech, telecommunications, finance, and retail. Some of the largest companies headquartered in Edison include:

• Revlon – global cosmetics company
• Zyloware – one of the largest eyewear manufacturers in the world
• MVP Group International – importer & wholesaler of general merchandise
• 21st Century Oncology – network of cancer treatment centers
• LGS Innovations – information technology & networking products

In total, there are over 10,000 businesses located in Edison providing over 100,000 jobs. The public sector including local government and school district positions accounts for about 2,800 jobs. Healthcare, technology, finance, education, and retail are the primary industries driving employment in Edison.

Major Private Sector Industries ###

Industry	Business Count
Healthcare & Social Assistance	1,157
Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services	1,114
Retail Trade	937
Other Services (except Public Administration)	851
Wholesale Trade	831
Construction	783
Manufacturing	523
Accommodation & Food Services	507

The top 10 major employers located in Edison are:

1. Rutgers University
2. Merrill Lynch Credit Corporation
3. Zyloware Eyewear
4. Revlon
5. Costco Wholesale Corporation
6. MW Financial Group
7. Silverline Building Products
8. Edison Properties
9. MVP Group
10. Home Depot

Edison’s central location, educated workforce, range of industry sectors, corporate presence, and transportation access make it a desirable location for businesses. The township has attracted continuing development in recent decades. This is reflected in the 15.4% population growth since 2000.

Income & Poverty

In addition to the high median household income, Edison’s individual per capita income is $59,535 which is 64% above the New Jersey per capita income of $43,920 and more than double the national average.

Its economic prosperity means Edison has a relatively low poverty rate. Based on 2019 Census Bureau data:

• 7.0% of families live below the poverty line
• 9.1% of the overall population lives below the poverty line, significantly lower than the 10.5% for New Jersey and 13.4% nationally.

Age Demographics in Poverty ###

Age Range	Percentage Below Poverty Line
Under 18 years	4.8%
18 to 64 years	10.1%
Over 65 years	7.6%

With higher incomes and lower poverty, Edison residents generally enjoy good standards of living and economic stability. However, there remains an economically vulnerable subset of the population living below the poverty line that warrants consideration.

Growth Projections

Based on population projections from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Edison is expected to continue growing in the coming decades.

Population Projections ###

Year	Projected Population	Increase from 2020
2030	119,807	9.7%
2040	127,719	17.1%
2050	133,669	22.5%

Several planned and ongoing developments are expected to drive continued population growth. These include expansions at the Edison Towne Square shopping center and residential construction projects building over 1,000 new apartment units around the township.

Ongoing investments to develop the transportation infrastructure, maintain high quality schools, and support business growth will be important to accommodate Edison’s rising population while preserving resident quality of life.

Conclusion

Edison is currently New Jersey’s fifth largest municipality with a diverse, educated, and economically prosperous population. It serves as an important hub for corporate operations, industry, retail, education, and residential living in central New Jersey.

Key factors underpinning Edison’s emergence as a population and economic center have included its transportation access, business-friendly policies, range of housing options, and public services. The township is well positioned for continued growth in the years ahead. However, local leaders also face challenges to manage development sustainably while promoting equitable opportunities for all residents.