East Orange Among U.S. Cities With Fastest-Growing Incomes: Study

EAST ORANGE, NJ — East Orange is one of the top 10 U.S. cities where incomes are growing the fastest, a new study claims.

Citing data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the analysis from SmartAsset ranked 636 cities based on the percent change in median household income between 2022 and 2023.

East Orange ranked at number eight in the study, with incomes rising from $43,527 to $56,293 (a one-year change of 29.33 percent). Other statistics for East Orange included:

• Percent of households earning $100k or more, 2023: 24.8%
• Percent of households earning $100k or more, 2022: 22.4%
• Percent of households earning $200k or more, 2023: 7.2%
• Percent of households earning $200k or more, 2022: 4.6%

The highest-ranked cities were Pine Hills, Florida (1st), Apple Valley, California (2nd) and Kissimmee, Florida (3rd). See the full list here.

East Orange city officials released the following statement in response to the study’s findings:

“Nationwide, the median household income grew by 4% between 2022 and 2023, yet East Orange distinguished itself with a significantly higher growth percentage of 29.3%, marking the momentum that has been building over the past seven years … The surge can be attributed to a combination of factors, including wage increases for existing residents and an influx of high-earning individuals drawn to the city’s unique blend of affordability, access and culture.”

Despite the surge in incomes, East Orange remains one of the most affordable cities in New Jersey, another recent study claims. Read More: Essex County Has Several Of NJ’s Cheapest Places To Live, Study Says

“Our city is on the rise,” Mayor Ted Green said.

“East Orange isn’t just a place where incomes are growing—it’s a place where dreams are growing,” the mayor continued. “Our residents are hard-working, our community is vibrant, and together, we’re building a future that’s brimming with potential.”

• See Related: East Orange Churns With $1B In Real Estate Development, Firm Says
• See Related: East Orange Is Seeing A Black-Owned Restaurant Renaissance
• See Related: Pride And Paychecks: East Orange Residents Train For Construction Jobs

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