Population 16,945 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Lower Vailsburg
Household size in Lower Vailsburg
| Period | Lower Vailsburg | Newark | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.85 | 2.87 | 2.79 | 2.77 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.90 | 2.97 | 2.85 | 2.82 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.91 | 2.71 | 2.82 | 2.78 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.71 | 2.74 | 2.79 | 2.76 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.14 | −0.13 | −0.00 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
At 2.71 people per household, Lower Vailsburg sits close to the national average of 2.65. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.85, a much bigger shift than nationally. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the west.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Lower Vailsburg
| Period | Lower Vailsburg | Newark | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 35.3 | 32.9 | 38.0 | 39.1 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 34.8 | 32.8 | 38.7 | 40.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 37.7 | 34.9 | 39.8 | 41.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 38.4 | 35.5 | 40.4 | 40.9 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.1 | +2.6 | +2.4 | +1.8 | +2.3 |
Lower Vailsburg is a little younger than the country as a whole: its median age is 38.4, against 40.1 nationally. Locally, though, the population here is older than in Newark as a whole, where the median age is 35.5. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 35.3, in line with the national trend.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Lower Vailsburg
| Period | Lower Vailsburg | Newark | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 25.6% | 27.0% | 13.1% | 11.6% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 20.6% | 27.5% | 12.8% | 11.8% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 17.0% | 21.9% | 11.4% | 10.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 21.2% | 22.7% | 11.6% | 11.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −4.4 pts | −4.3 pts | −1.5 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head just over one in five households in Lower Vailsburg (21.2%), well above the national share of 11.6%. Even so, single parents are less common here than in Newark as a whole (22.7%). The single-parent share is down 4.4 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Lower Vailsburg
Renters in Lower Vailsburg
| Period | Lower Vailsburg | Newark | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 59.0% | 74.6% | 47.1% | 33.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 64.5% | 77.7% | 48.7% | 35.0% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 67.8% | 77.6% | 48.8% | 36.1% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 68.7% | 75.6% | 48.6% | 36.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | +9.7 pts | +1.0 pts | +1.5 pts | +3.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Lower Vailsburg rent: 68.7% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Still, renters make up a smaller share here than in Newark as a whole (75.6%). Since 2006–10, the renter share has risen 9.7 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Lower Vailsburg
| Period | Lower Vailsburg | Newark | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.5% | 16.7% | 9.1% | 9.1% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 13.6% | 16.3% | 9.0% | 9.3% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 17.3% | 13.3% | 9.1% | 9.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 5.0% | 7.9% | 7.9% | 6.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | −5.6 pts | −8.8 pts | −1.2 pts | −2.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Empty homes are scarce in Lower Vailsburg: just 5.0% sit vacant, compared with 9.6% nationally, a sign of a tight housing market. Vacancy is down 5.6 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only two of Newark's 19 neighborhoods have a lower vacancy rate.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Lower Vailsburg
| Period | Lower Vailsburg | Newark | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1951 | 1959 | 1957 | 1965 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1950 | 1961 | 1958 | 1966 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1953 | 1964 | 1959 | 1967 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1950 | 1968 | 1962 | 1969 | 1980 |
| Change | −1 | +9 | +5 | +5 | +6 |
Lower Vailsburg is a place of older homes: half were built before 1950, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. Lower Vailsburg has the oldest homes of any Newark neighborhood.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Lower Vailsburg
| Period | Lower Vailsburg | Newark | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $938 | $939 | $1,268 | $1,246 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,020 | $993 | $1,377 | $1,324 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,093 | $1,085 | $1,645 | $1,522 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,272 | $1,447 | $2,060 | $1,896 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$334 | +$508 | +$792 | +$651 | +$606 |
The median renter in Lower Vailsburg pays $1,272 a month for rent and utilities, below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $334 a month since 2006–10, up 36%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 36.7% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. Only one other Newark neighborhood has lower rents.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Lower Vailsburg
Bachelor's degrees in Lower Vailsburg
| Period | Lower Vailsburg | Newark | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.9% | 12.8% | 35.0% | 34.7% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 15.0% | 14.0% | 36.7% | 36.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 17.2% | 15.8% | 39.9% | 39.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 23.9% | 20.8% | 43.6% | 43.4% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.0 pts | +8.0 pts | +8.6 pts | +8.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Lower Vailsburg: 23.9% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. Locally, though, the share is higher than in Newark overall (20.8%). Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 5.0 points, mirroring the country.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Lower Vailsburg
| Period | Lower Vailsburg | Newark | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 82.8% | 68.8% | 83.7% | 87.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 82.6% | 72.5% | 84.6% | 88.1% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 85.2% | 76.1% | 86.2% | 89.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 86.5% | 79.2% | 86.9% | 90.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.7 pts | +10.4 pts | +3.3 pts | +3.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
Nearly one in seven adults in Lower Vailsburg never finished high school, a bit more than nationally: 86.5% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. Locally, though, the rate is higher than in Newark as a whole (79.2%). Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 3.7 points, mirroring the country.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Lower Vailsburg
| Period | Lower Vailsburg | Newark | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.2% | 14.8% | 7.9% | 7.9% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 19.6% | 20.1% | 9.5% | 9.8% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 17.4% | 11.8% | 5.7% | 5.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 14.2% | 11.8% | 6.9% | 6.4% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.0 pts | −3.0 pts | −0.9 pts | −1.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Lower Vailsburg runs well above the national rate: 14.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Since 2006–10, unemployment has edged down 1.0 points, mirroring the country. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Lower Vailsburg compared with nearby neighborhoods
| Neighborhood | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Vailsburg | 2.71 | 38.4 | 21.2% | 68.7% | 5.0% | 1950 | $1,272 | 23.9% | 86.5% | 14.2% |
| Upper Vailsburg | 2.91 | 34.9 | 25.5% | 59.6% | 7.2% | 1952 | $1,487 | 18.8% | 83.9% | 16.0% |
| Academy Heights | 2.53 | 39.9 | 7.0% | 57.8% | 4.0% | 1955 | $2,256 | 68.5% | 97.2% | 5.5% |
| Upper Clinton Hill | 3.00 | 31.5 | 31.6% | 74.1% | 11.4% | 1961 | $1,396 | 18.3% | 84.4% | 11.4% |
| Fairmuont | 2.92 | 38.6 | 26.0% | 74.1% | 8.1% | 1961 | $1,647 | 19.7% | 81.7% | 15.2% |
| Weequahic | 2.77 | 36.4 | 21.9% | 69.7% | 7.8% | 1958 | $1,501 | 23.2% | 89.2% | 14.6% |
| Lower Clinton Hill | 2.64 | 34.4 | 34.0% | 86.4% | 19.3% | 1999 | $1,466 | 21.0% | 90.7% | 6.8% |
| Hutton Park | 2.92 | 44.0 | 11.7% | 34.9% | 7.7% | 1953 | $2,318 | 57.0% | 93.3% | 9.1% |
| Springfield-Belmont | 2.02 | 39.3 | 20.3% | 89.9% | 4.9% | 1982 | $950 | 17.0% | 77.2% | 9.0% |
| University Heights | 2.96 | 28.6 | 28.0% | 74.6% | 9.5% | 1977 | $1,598 | 30.0% | 84.7% | 14.9% |
| Lower Roseville | 2.76 | 34.7 | 26.6% | 74.9% | 5.2% | 1961 | $1,394 | 10.0% | 75.1% | 15.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: Seattle Hill-Silver Firs, Silver Firs, WA · Ellsworth, Elmwood Park, IL · Encanto, San Diego, CA · Englewood, Chicago, IL · Fairfield, Cypress, TX · First Hill, Seattle, WA · Frankford, Baltimore, MD · Franklin Park, Austin, TX · Gandy-Sun Bay South, Tampa, FL · Garfield Park, Grand Rapids, MI
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Lower Vailsburg. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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