Population 20,288 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in University Heights
Household size in University Heights
| Period | University Heights | Newark | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.86 | 2.87 | 2.79 | 2.77 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.96 | 2.97 | 2.85 | 2.82 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.56 | 2.71 | 2.82 | 2.78 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.96 | 2.74 | 2.79 | 2.76 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.10 | −0.13 | −0.00 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
University Heights is a place of big households: 2.96 people per home on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. Numbers like that usually point to plenty of families with kids. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 2.86, even as the national average fell. Only one other Newark neighborhood has larger households.
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 University Heights
| Period | University Heights | Newark | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 28.0 | 32.9 | 38.0 | 39.1 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 28.5 | 32.8 | 38.7 | 40.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 29.3 | 34.9 | 39.8 | 41.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 28.6 | 35.5 | 40.4 | 40.9 | 40.1 |
| Change | +0.6 | +2.6 | +2.4 | +1.8 | +2.3 |
University Heights is young: half of its residents are under 28.6, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young families with children. Since 2006–10, the median age has crept up from 28.0, a smaller shift than nationally. University Heights has the youngest population of any Newark neighborhood.
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 University Heights
| Period | University Heights | Newark | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 29.6% | 27.0% | 13.1% | 11.6% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 32.4% | 27.5% | 12.8% | 11.8% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 26.1% | 21.9% | 11.4% | 10.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 28.0% | 22.7% | 11.6% | 11.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.6 pts | −4.3 pts | −1.5 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in University Heights: 28.0% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share has fallen 1.6 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Only two of Newark's 19 neighborhoods have a higher share of single-parent households.
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 University Heights
Renters in University Heights
| Period | University Heights | Newark | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 73.1% | 74.6% | 47.1% | 33.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 74.3% | 77.7% | 48.7% | 35.0% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 74.9% | 77.6% | 48.8% | 36.1% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 74.6% | 75.6% | 48.6% | 36.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.5 pts | +1.0 pts | +1.5 pts | +3.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renters far outnumber owners in University Heights: 74.6% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% nationally. More than four in ten owners (43.4%) have paid off their mortgages, above the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the east; owners are most common in the south. The renter share has edged up 1.5 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 University Heights
| Period | University Heights | Newark | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.1% | 16.7% | 9.1% | 9.1% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 17.6% | 16.3% | 9.0% | 9.3% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 13.6% | 13.3% | 9.1% | 9.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 9.5% | 7.9% | 7.9% | 6.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | −8.6 pts | −8.8 pts | −1.2 pts | −2.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
About as many homes sit empty in University Heights as nationally: 9.5%, against 9.6%. The rate is higher than in Newark overall (7.9%). Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 8.6 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 University Heights
| Period | University Heights | Newark | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1972 | 1959 | 1957 | 1965 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1981 | 1961 | 1958 | 1966 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1976 | 1964 | 1959 | 1967 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1977 | 1968 | 1962 | 1969 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +9 | +5 | +5 | +6 |
The typical home in University Heights was built around 1977, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). Homes here are newer than in Newark as a whole, where the median home dates to 1968. The median year built has moved up from 1972 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the south, while the northwest has the oldest housing.
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 University Heights
| Period | University Heights | Newark | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $876 | $939 | $1,268 | $1,246 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,006 | $993 | $1,377 | $1,324 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,082 | $1,085 | $1,645 | $1,522 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,598 | $1,447 | $2,060 | $1,896 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$722 | +$508 | +$792 | +$651 | +$606 |
Rent in University Heights runs $1,598 a month at the median, utilities included, close to the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents here are higher than in Newark overall ($1,447). Rents are up $722 a month from 2006–10, an 82% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 35.6% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
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 University Heights
Bachelor's degrees in University Heights
| Period | University Heights | Newark | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.6% | 12.8% | 35.0% | 34.7% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 26.2% | 14.0% | 36.7% | 36.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 22.8% | 15.8% | 39.9% | 39.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 30.0% | 20.8% | 43.6% | 43.4% | 35.6% |
| Change | +10.4 pts | +8.0 pts | +8.6 pts | +8.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
About three in ten adults 25 and older in University Heights (30.0%) have a bachelor's degree or higher, a little below the national share of 35.6%. Even so, the share is higher than in Newark overall (20.8%). Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 10.4 points, in line with the national trend. Only two of Newark's 19 neighborhoods have a higher share of college graduates.
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 University Heights
| Period | University Heights | Newark | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 71.9% | 68.8% | 83.7% | 87.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 81.2% | 72.5% | 84.6% | 88.1% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 74.5% | 76.1% | 86.2% | 89.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 84.7% | 79.2% | 86.9% | 90.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +12.8 pts | +10.4 pts | +3.3 pts | +3.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over one in seven adults in University Heights never finished high school, more than nationally: 84.7% 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%). The share with a diploma is up 12.8 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 University Heights
| Period | University Heights | Newark | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.4% | 14.8% | 7.9% | 7.9% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 18.8% | 20.1% | 9.5% | 9.8% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 12.7% | 11.8% | 5.7% | 5.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 14.9% | 11.8% | 6.9% | 6.4% | 5.4% |
| Change | −0.5 pts | −3.0 pts | −0.9 pts | −1.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in University Heights runs well above the national rate: 14.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current 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).
University Heights 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University Heights | 2.96 | 28.6 | 28.0% | 74.6% | 9.5% | 1977 | $1,598 | 30.0% | 84.7% | 14.9% |
| Fairmuont | 2.92 | 38.6 | 26.0% | 74.1% | 8.1% | 1961 | $1,647 | 19.7% | 81.7% | 15.2% |
| Springfield-Belmont | 2.02 | 39.3 | 20.3% | 89.9% | 4.9% | 1982 | $950 | 17.0% | 77.2% | 9.0% |
| Lower Roseville | 2.76 | 34.7 | 26.6% | 74.9% | 5.2% | 1961 | $1,394 | 10.0% | 75.1% | 15.0% |
| Seventh Avenue | 2.81 | 33.0 | 19.5% | 83.2% | 7.7% | 1970 | $1,450 | 22.4% | 79.9% | 9.3% |
| Central Business District | 1.60 | 37.4 | 9.4% | 94.4% | 10.2% | 1971 | $1,797 | 52.4% | 90.6% | 8.1% |
| Mount Pleasant-Lower Broadway | 2.54 | 36.7 | 20.1% | 67.3% | 5.9% | 1972 | $1,366 | 25.3% | 74.5% | 13.6% |
| South Broad Street | 2.64 | 34.1 | 27.3% | 81.7% | 11.1% | 1985 | $1,296 | 26.7% | 79.5% | 13.7% |
| Lower Clinton Hill | 2.64 | 34.4 | 34.0% | 86.4% | 19.3% | 1999 | $1,466 | 21.0% | 90.7% | 6.8% |
| Upper Clinton Hill | 3.00 | 31.5 | 31.6% | 74.1% | 11.4% | 1961 | $1,396 | 18.3% | 84.4% | 11.4% |
| Upper Roseville | 2.83 | 40.1 | 17.9% | 60.7% | 5.1% | 1957 | $1,385 | 15.8% | 78.5% | 7.2% |
All figures 2020–24.
Neighborhoods with similar populations: SouthWest Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa, CA · Baker-Zachary Area, Baker, LA · Bario Logan, San Diego, CA · Belair, Augusta, GA · Bellerose, Queens, NY · Beverly, Chicago, IL · Bronxdale, Bronx, NY · Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn, NY · Canyon Crest, Riverside, CA · Cascade Heights, Atlanta, GA
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 University Heights. 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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