Zip code 08879: South Amboy, New Jersey

Q: What city is zip code 08879?

08879 is assigned to South Amboy, New Jersey. The city name is the one the Postal Service prefers for mail addressed to this zip code.

Q: What county is 08879 in?

08879 is in Middlesex County, New Jersey.

Q: What is the population of 08879?

About 23,556 people live in 08879, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

Q: What is the median household income in 08879?

The median household income in 08879 is $92,786.

Q: What zip codes are near 08879?

The closest zip codes to 08879 are 08859, 07721, 07735, 10307, 08832.

Residential delivery areaMiddlesex CountyEastern Time

Population

23,556

Median household income

$93K

U.S. $81K

Median home value

$390K

U.S. $333K

Median rent

$1,660/mo

U.S. $1,413

Median age

U.S. 38.9

Land area

7.1 sq mi

3,326 people/sq mi

Boundary is the Census Bureau's ZIP Code Tabulation Area, which closely tracks the postal delivery area.

About 08879

08879 is an urban zip code in South Amboy, New Jersey (Middlesex County), covering 7.1 sq mi of land. About 23,556 people live here, or 3,326 per square mile. The median resident is 41 years old, compared with 38.9 nationally.

The median household earns $92,786 a year, close to the national median of $80,734. 8.7% of residents live below the poverty line (U.S.: 12.5%). A typical home is valued at $389,800, or 4.2 years of median household income (U.S.: 4.1 years), which makes homes about as affordable as the national average for local earners. 63% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners, and renters pay a median of $1,660 a month.

29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher (U.S.: 36%). Commuters average 29.9 minutes each way, and 10% of workers work from home. The most common jobs among working residents are in office and administrative support; management; and construction and repair. 37% of households speak a language other than English at home, most often Spanish.

How 08879 compares

Sorted from highest to lowest national percentile

Unemployment rate7.6%
84th
WeaknessU.S. 5.2% · NJ 6.3%124th of 578 in NJ
Foreign-born residents21.9%
77th
U.S. 14.1% · NJ 23.9%189th of 580 in NJ
Median earnings per worker$61,070
77th
U.S. $49,666 · NJ $60,474332nd of 575 in NJ
Diversity index61.5
75th
U.S. 61.4 · NJ 66.4126th of 580 in NJ
Average commute29.9 min
73rd
U.S. 26.4 min · NJ 30.5 min304th of 563 in NJ
Population density3,326/sq mi
70th
U.S. 95/sq mi · NJ 1,270/sq mi200th of 580 in NJ
Tech workers3.9%
67th
U.S. 3.8% · NJ 4.8%253rd of 578 in NJ
Median household income$92,786
65th
U.S. $80,734 · NJ $103,556413th of 566 in NJ
Median gross rent$1,660
65th
U.S. $1,413 · NJ $1,720337th of 517 in NJ
Median age41
65th
U.S. 38.9 · NJ 40.1342nd of 579 in NJ
Residents 65 and older18.6%
65th
U.S. 17.2% · NJ 17.2%252nd of 580 in NJ
Median home value$389,800
61st
U.S. $332,700 · NJ $454,400370th of 563 in NJ
Per capita income$43,799
60th
U.S. $44,673 · NJ $54,253429th of 579 in NJ
Veterans5.6%
47th
U.S. 6.2% · NJ 3.7%134th of 580 in NJ
Healthcare workers9.2%
46th
U.S. 9.7% · NJ 9.2%247th of 578 in NJ
Government workers13.2%
46th
U.S. 14.5% · NJ 14.3%354th of 578 in NJ
Rent-burdened renters49.5%
45th
U.S. 51.1% · NJ 51.6%315th of 553 in NJ
Uninsured rate6.2%
44th
U.S. 8.4% · NJ 7.5%156th of 579 in NJ
Bachelor's degree or higher28.9%
43rd
U.S. 35.7% · NJ 43.6%460th of 580 in NJ
Residents under 1821.2%
42nd
U.S. 22% · NJ 21.8%258th of 580 in NJ
Population23,556
37th
U.S. 334,922,499 · NJ 9,343,809143rd of 580 in NJ
Homeownership rate62.9%
37th
U.S. 65.2% · NJ 63.8%424th of 576 in NJ
Housing vacancy5.4%
37th
U.S. 10.1% · NJ 7.5%218th of 576 in NJ
Poverty rate8.7%
36th
U.S. 12.5% · NJ 9.7%168th of 579 in NJ
Work from home10.3%
36th
U.S. 15.1% · NJ 16.8%428th of 577 in NJ
Self-employed workers7.9%
31st
U.S. 10% · NJ 8.9%346th of 578 in NJ
Broadband access87.2%
20th
WeaknessU.S. 91% · NJ 92.8%527th of 576 in NJ
Income inequality (Gini)0.389
13th
StrengthU.S. 0.483 · NJ 0.478425th of 574 in NJ

Measure	08879	Middlesex	NJ	U.S.	National percentile	Rank in NJ
Unemployment rateWeakness	7.6%	6.7%	6.3%	5.2%	84th	124th of 578
Foreign-born residents	21.9%	35.4%	23.9%	14.1%	77th	189th of 580
Median earnings per worker	$61,070	$61,293	$60,474	$49,666	77th	332nd of 575
Diversity index	61.5	72.9	66.4	61.4	75th	126th of 580
Average commute	29.9 min	31.2 min	30.5 min	26.4 min	73rd	304th of 563
Population density	3,326/sq mi	2,817/sq mi	1,270/sq mi	95/sq mi	70th	200th of 580
Tech workers	3.9%	8.7%	4.8%	3.8%	67th	253rd of 578
Median household income	$92,786	$111,549	$103,556	$80,734	65th	413th of 566
Median gross rent	$1,660	$1,871	$1,720	$1,413	65th	337th of 517
Median age	41	39.5	40.1	38.9	65th	342nd of 579
Residents 65 and older	18.6%	16.1%	17.2%	17.2%	65th	252nd of 580
Median home value	$389,800	$462,900	$454,400	$332,700	61st	370th of 563
Per capita income	$43,799	$50,601	$54,253	$44,673	60th	429th of 579
Veterans	5.6%	3%	3.7%	6.2%	47th	134th of 580
Healthcare workers	9.2%	8.5%	9.2%	9.7%	46th	247th of 578
Government workers	13.2%	13.6%	14.3%	14.5%	46th	354th of 578
Rent-burdened renters	49.5%	48.1%	51.6%	51.1%	45th	315th of 553
Uninsured rate	6.2%	7.2%	7.5%	8.4%	44th	156th of 579
Bachelor's degree or higher	28.9%	45.6%	43.6%	35.7%	43rd	460th of 580
Residents under 18	21.2%	21.5%	21.8%	22%	42nd	258th of 580
Population	23,556	871,290	9,343,809	334,922,499	37th	143rd of 580
Homeownership rate	62.9%	63.6%	63.8%	65.2%	37th	424th of 576
Housing vacancy	5.4%	3.2%	7.5%	10.1%	37th	218th of 576
Poverty rate	8.7%	8.6%	9.7%	12.5%	36th	168th of 579
Work from home	10.3%	18.1%	16.8%	15.1%	36th	428th of 577
Self-employed workers	7.9%	7.5%	8.9%	10%	31st	346th of 578
Broadband accessWeakness	87.2%	94.3%	92.8%	91%	20th	527th of 576
Income inequality (Gini)Strength	0.389	0.437	0.478	0.483	13th	425th of 574

The percentile is the share of Americans who live in a zip code with a lower value, so the 50th percentile is typical. Rank 1 is the highest value in the state. Both include zip codes with at least 100 residents. Strengths and weaknesses mark measures in the best or worst fifth nationally, where higher or lower is clearly better (income, poverty, education, commute, broadband, insurance and similar). Measures like age or density are left unmarked.

People

Age

Under 5

15%

5–17

18–24

15%

25–34

13%

35–44

12%

45–54

16%

55–64

14%

65–74

75+

Median age

Under 18

21.2%

65 and over

18.6%

Race and ethnicity

White56%
Black9%
Hispanic25%
Asian7%
Native American0.0%
Pacific Islander0%
Other1%
Multiracial2%

Diversity index

61.5

U.S. 61.4

Foreign-born

21.9%

U.S. 14.1%

Born in state

56.3%

Language spoken at home (households)

English only

63%

Spanish

16%

Other Indo-European

15%

Asian / Pacific

Other

Households

Households: 9,344
Average household size: 2.5
Family households: 68.2%
Married couples: 45.6%
Living alone: 27.2%
Veterans (of adults): 5.6%
Male / female: 47% / 53%

Income and poverty

Household income distribution

<$25k

$25–50k

17%

$50–75k

13%

$75–100k

13%

$100–150k

21%

$150–200k

14%

$200k+

12%

Median household income

08879

$92,786

Middlesex Co.

$111,549

New Jersey

$103,556

United States

$80,734

Per capita income

$43,799

U.S. $44,673

Poverty rate

8.7%

U.S. 12.5%

Households earning $150K+

26.1%

U.S. 23%

Income inequality (Gini)

0.389

U.S. 0.483

Housing

Median home value

08879

$389,800

Middlesex Co.

$462,900

New Jersey

$454,400

United States

$332,700

Median gross rent

08879

$1,660

Middlesex Co.

$1,871

New Jersey

$1,720

United States

$1,413

Types of housing

Single-family

65%

2–4 units

12%

5–19 units

14%

20+ units

Mobile home

0.3%

Boat, RV, van

Housing units: 9,876
Owner-occupied: 62.9%
Vacant: 5.4%
Median year built: 1960
Median rooms: 5.3
Renters paying 30%+ of income: 49.5%
Renters paying 50%+ of income: 25.8%
Home value to income: 4.2× (U.S. 4.1×)

Work and commute

How people get to work

Drove alone

65%

Carpooled

11%

Transit

Walked

Bicycle

Worked from home

10%

Other

Commute time (one way)

<10 min

11%

10–19

26%

20–29

22%

30–44

19%

45–59

60+

15%

Average commute

29.9 min

U.S. 26.4 min

Unemployment

7.6%

U.S. 5.2%

In labor force

67.7%

U.S. 63.5%

Jobs and careers

What employed residents do, wherever they work

Occupations

Office and admin

15%

Management

13%

Construction and repair

13%

Transportation and moving

10%

Healthcare

Sales

Business and finance

Education

Computer and math

Police and fire

Food service

Engineering and science

Cleaning and personal care

Production

Legal and social services

Arts, media and sports

0.6%

Farming, fishing and forestry

0.4%

Industries

Health care and social assistance

16%

Transportation, warehousing and utilities

11%

Retail

10%

Finance, insurance and real estate

10%

Professional and technical services

Construction

Restaurants and hotels

Education

Manufacturing

Public administration

Other services

Information

Admin, support and management

Wholesale

Arts and recreation

Agriculture and mining

0.1%

Median earnings per worker

$61,070

U.S. $49,666

Self-employed

7.9%

U.S. 10%

Government workers

13.2%

U.S. 14.5%

Nonprofit workers

6.6%

U.S. 8.8%

Median earnings by type of work

Type of work	08879	U.S.
Management, business, science and arts	$71,334	$74,888
Service	$26,936	$26,804
Sales and office	$43,607	$40,476
Construction and maintenance	$76,301	$49,199
Production and transportation	$46,094	$39,989

Education, internet and health coverage

Highest education (adults 25+)

No diploma

10%

High school

35%

Some college

19%

Associate's

Bachelor's

18%

Graduate

10%

High school graduate or higher: 90.3%
Bachelor's degree or higher: 28.9%
Graduate or professional degree: 10.5%
Households with broadband: 87.2%
Cable, fiber or DSL: 79.4%
No internet access: 10%
Without health insurance: 6.2%
Limited-English households: 5.4%

Geography

City (USPS): South Amboy
State: New Jersey
County: Middlesex County
Center point: 40.4664° N, 74.2786° W
Land area: 7.1 sq mi
Water area: 0.5 sq mi
Time zone: Eastern Time (UTC-5, UTC-4 in summer)
Zip type: Residential delivery area

Cities and towns within this zip

Sayreville33% of zip
Laurence Harbor (unincorporated)29% of zip
South Amboy22% of zip
Madison Park (unincorporated)10% of zip

Census places overlapping the zip's area. Mail may use a different city name than the municipality.

Zip codes near 08879

Search by radius

Zip	City	Distance	Population	IncomeMedian income	Home value
08859	Parlin, NJ	1.4 mi	25,448	$99,882	$445,800
07721	Cliffwood, NJ	3.1 mi	4,277	$123,060	$424,700
07735	Keyport, NJ	3.1 mi	19,159	$97,536	$406,000
10307	Staten Island, NY	3.4 mi	15,512	$147,184	$801,300
08832	Keasbey, NJ	3.7 mi	2,252	—	$278,800
08861	Perth Amboy, NJ	3.7 mi	59,351	$64,491	$370,900
07747	Matawan, NJ	3.8 mi	32,330	$124,383	$485,600
08872	Sayreville, NJ	3.9 mi	20,204	$97,489	$447,200
08837	Edison, NJ	4.8 mi	19,437	$102,605	$437,900
08863	Fords, NJ	5.2 mi	12,771	$115,861	$438,000
08882	South River, NJ	5.4 mi	16,124	$96,147	$405,200
10309	Staten Island, NY	5.4 mi	34,885	$116,098	$767,200

Zip codes like 08879 elsewhere

Matched on income, home values, age, density, education, housing and commuting

Questions about 08879

What city is zip code 08879?

08879 is assigned to South Amboy, New Jersey. The city name is the one the Postal Service prefers for mail addressed to this zip code.

What county is 08879 in?

08879 is in Middlesex County, New Jersey.

What is the population of 08879?

About 23,556 people live in 08879, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

What time zone is 08879 in?

08879 is in Eastern Time.

What is the median household income in 08879?

The median household income in 08879 is $92,786.

What zip codes are near 08879?

The closest zip codes to 08879 are 08859, 07721, 07735, 10307, 08832.

Demographic figures are 2020–2024 American Community Survey 5-year estimates for ZIP Code Tabulation Area 08879, from the U.S. Census Bureau. Small areas have wide margins of error. How we build these numbers.