Rahway, NJ Demographics

A map of Rahway's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
Black	9,277	8,892	30.8%	30.1%
White	8,815	8,913	29.3%	30.2%
Hispanic	8,253	8,867	27.4%	30.0%
Asian	1,716	1,622	5.7%	5.5%
Multiracial	1,629	990	5.4%	3.3%
Native American/Other	419	272	1.4%	0.9%

Rahway, New Jersey has an estimated population of 30,109, a slight increase from the 29,556 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 30.8% Black, 29.3% White, 27.4% Hispanic, 5.7% Asian, 5.4% Multiracial, and 1.4% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Rahway, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Rahway has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably more diverse than New Jersey overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Rahway, that probability was 72.4% in 2020 and 73.8% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Rahway is ranked the 32nd most populous place in New Jersey, out of 700 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Rahway was ranked the 32nd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Rahway's White Population

8,815 residents of Rahway, or 29.3% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Rahway is significantly lower than in New Jersey overall, where 50.9% of the population is White. Rahway ranks 640th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 700 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rahway's White population has declined by an estimated 1.1%. White residents' share of Rahway's population has decreased from 30.2% to 29.3%.

Rahway is more White than neighboring Avenel (27.9% White), Roselle (11.3% White), and Iselin (23.1% White). Rahway is less White than neighboring Colonia (56.4% White), and Linden (30.1% White).

Rahway's Black Population

9,277 residents of Rahway, or 30.8% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Rahway is significantly higher than in New Jersey overall, where 12.2% of the population is Black. Rahway ranks 31st statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 700 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rahway's Black population has grown by an estimated 4.3%. Black residents' share of Rahway's population has increased from 30.1% to 30.8%.

Rahway is more Black than neighboring Avenel (26.7% Black), Colonia (5.1% Black), Linden (27% Black), and Iselin (10.8% Black). Rahway is less Black than neighboring Roselle (39.7% Black).

Rahway's Asian Population

1,716 residents of Rahway, or 5.7% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Rahway is slightly lower than in New Jersey overall, where 10% of the population is Asian. Rahway ranks 245th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 700 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rahway's Asian population has grown by an estimated 5.8%. Asian residents' share of Rahway's population has remained roughly unchanged at 5.7%.

Rahway is more Asian than neighboring Linden (3.9% Asian), and Roselle (1.4% Asian). Rahway is less Asian than neighboring Avenel (16.2% Asian), Colonia (15.6% Asian), and Iselin (48.3% Asian).

Rahway's Hispanic Population

8,253 residents of Rahway, or 27.4% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Rahway is slightly higher than in New Jersey overall, where 22.5% of the population is Hispanic. Rahway ranks 71st statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 700 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rahway's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 6.9%. Hispanic residents' share of Rahway's population has decreased from 30.0% to 27.4%.

Rahway is more Hispanic than neighboring Avenel (25.3% Hispanic), Colonia (17.5% Hispanic), and Iselin (14.8% Hispanic). Rahway is less Hispanic than neighboring Linden (35.2% Hispanic), and Roselle (44.2% Hispanic).

Rahway's Native American/Other Population

419 residents of Rahway, or 1.4% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Rahway is comparable to the share in New Jersey overall, where 0.9% of the population is Native American/Other. Rahway ranks 136th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 700 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rahway's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 54.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Rahway's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.4%.

Rahway is more Native American/Other than neighboring Avenel (0.2% Native American/Other), Linden (1.1% Native American/Other), and Iselin (0.8% Native American/Other). Rahway is less Native American/Other than neighboring Colonia (1.9% Native American/Other), and Roselle (2% Native American/Other).

Rahway's Multiracial Population

1,629 residents of Rahway, or 5.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Rahway is comparable to the share in New Jersey overall, where 3.5% of the population is Multiracial. Rahway ranks 301st statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 700 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rahway's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 64.5%. Multiracial residents' share of Rahway's population has increased from 3.3% to 5.4%.

Rahway is more Multiracial than neighboring Avenel (3.6% Multiracial), Colonia (3.6% Multiracial), Linden (2.7% Multiracial), Roselle (1.4% Multiracial), and Iselin (2.2% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.