RANK #698 / 1001 NAT · #14 / 21 NJ · POP 718,323
1YR FORECAST: -0.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +26%
Hoboken, a notable town in Hudson County, offers striking views of the Manhattan skyline and is recognized as the birthplace of Frank Sinatra and the location of the first recorded baseball game. Hudson County, New Jersey's smallest and most densely populated county, sits directly across the Hudson River from New York City, making it a "Gateway to America." Commuting to Manhattan is convenient via PATH trains, NJ Transit buses, and ferry services, with some routes taking as little as 10-15 minutes. The county also features extensive outdoor recreation, including kayaking on the Hudson River, numerous parks like Liberty State Park, and the Skyway Golf Course in Jersey City.
Life in Hudson County is characterized by its diverse communities and urban environment. Many residents are young professionals and families who appreciate the easy commute to New York City for work and entertainment. The economy is driven by sectors such as financial services, technology, and healthcare, with Jersey City often referred to as "Wall Street West." Educational institutions like Hudson County Community College also contribute to the local economy through workforce development and vocational training. While the area offers a wide array of amenities and opportunities, housing affordability can be a challenge.
Hudson County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +0.8% YoY, population +1.1%, wages +4.3%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 14.4x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Newark Bay Hudson County Extension (NJ Turnpike Authority)
NJ Turnpike Authority
|
$10,700M | Under Construction |
|
Hudson Tunnel Project (Gateway Program)
Gateway Development Commission / PANYNJ
|
$3,800M | Under Construction |
|
Pulaski Skyway Rehabilitation (Route 1&9)
NJDOT / PANYNJ
|
$1,900M | Under Construction |
|
Route 7 Wittpenn Bridge Replacement
NJDOT / PANYNJ
|
$575M | Under Construction |
|
PATH Forward Program (Station Improvements, Track Work, Car Overhaul)
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ)
|
$430M | Under Construction |
|
Hudson Energy Storage Facility
Undisclosed
|
$200M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
At 30/100, Hudson County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $91,795 combined with job growth of -0.6% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Hudson County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $539,700 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.17 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,894/month on average.
Hudson County's population is growing — up +1.1% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.6%). Home values shifted +0.8% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
Not particularly — 1.79% of Hudson County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.