Homelessness Down Slightly In Essex County, Latest Data Shows

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — There were 2,291 people experiencing homelessness in Essex County during a recent “point in time count” – a slight decrease from last year, advocates announced this week.

On Tuesday, nonprofit advocacy group Monarch Housing Associates released the results of its 2025 “point in time” (PIT) count, which was done earlier this year.

There were 2,291 people experiencing homelessness in Essex County on the night of Jan. 28. There were 2,446 counted in Essex County last year, and 1,565 during the 2023 count.

According to researchers, there were 13,748 people experiencing homelessness in the entire state of New Jersey – an 8 percent increase from 2024. It’s the highest number recorded since 2014, when there were 13,900 people counted.

>> Read More: NJ Homeless Totals Keep Climbing; Here Are The Causes, New Report Says

Monarch Housing Associates breaks the numbers down by county and town. View the full summary for Essex County here, and learn more about the report’s methodology here.

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