Watchung, NJ Demographics

A map of Watchung's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	4,532	4,302	69.9%	66.7%
Asian	781	1,001	12.0%	15.5%
Hispanic	571	519	8.8%	8.0%
Multiracial	355	261	5.5%	4.0%
Black	210	309	3.2%	4.8%
Native American/Other	36	57	0.6%	0.9%

Watchung, New Jersey has an estimated population of 6,485, a less than 1% change from the 6,449 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 69.9% White, 12.0% Asian, 8.8% Hispanic, 5.5% Multiracial, 3.2% Black, and 0.6% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Watchung, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Watchung has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less 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 Watchung, that probability was 52.0% in 2020 and 48.5% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Watchung is ranked the 245th 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). Watchung was ranked the 244th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Watchung's White Population

4,532 residents of Watchung, or 69.9% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Watchung is significantly higher than in New Jersey overall, where 50.9% of the population is White. Watchung ranks 450th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 700 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Watchung's White population has grown by an estimated 5.3%. White residents' share of Watchung's population has increased from 66.7% to 69.9%.

Watchung is more White than neighboring North Plainfield (15.8% White), Plainfield (6.6% White), Fanwood (69.4% White), and Dunellen (39.7% White).

Watchung's Black Population

210 residents of Watchung, or 3.2% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Watchung is lower than in New Jersey overall, where 12.2% of the population is Black. Watchung ranks 245th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 700 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Watchung's Black population has declined by an estimated 32.0%. Black residents' share of Watchung's population has decreased from 4.8% to 3.2%.

Watchung is more Black than neighboring Gillette (0% Black). Watchung is less Black than neighboring North Plainfield (22.1% Black), Plainfield (32.5% Black), Fanwood (3.9% Black), and Dunellen (4.9% Black).

Watchung's Asian Population

781 residents of Watchung, or 12.0% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Watchung is comparable to the share in New Jersey overall, where 10% of the population is Asian. Watchung ranks 91st statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 700 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Watchung's Asian population has declined by an estimated 22.0%. Asian residents' share of Watchung's population has decreased from 15.5% to 12.0%.

Watchung is more Asian than neighboring North Plainfield (4.1% Asian), Plainfield (0.8% Asian), Fanwood (6.9% Asian), Gillette (5.2% Asian), and Dunellen (6.1% Asian).

Watchung's Hispanic Population

571 residents of Watchung, or 8.8% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Watchung is considerably lower than in New Jersey overall, where 22.5% of the population is Hispanic. Watchung ranks 414th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 700 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Watchung's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 10.0%. Hispanic residents' share of Watchung's population has increased from 8.0% to 8.8%.

Watchung is less Hispanic than neighboring North Plainfield (54.7% Hispanic), Plainfield (57.1% Hispanic), Fanwood (11.2% Hispanic), Gillette (18.9% Hispanic), and Dunellen (45.2% Hispanic).

Watchung's Native American/Other Population

36 residents of Watchung, or 0.6% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Watchung is comparable to the share in New Jersey overall, where 0.9% of the population is Native American/Other. Watchung ranks 153rd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 700 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Watchung's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 36.8%. Native American/Other residents' share of Watchung's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.6%.

Watchung is more Native American/Other than neighboring Dunellen (0% Native American/Other). Watchung is less Native American/Other than neighboring North Plainfield (1.2% Native American/Other), and Plainfield (1.2% Native American/Other).

Watchung's Multiracial Population

355 residents of Watchung, or 5.5% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Watchung is comparable to the share in New Jersey overall, where 3.5% of the population is Multiracial. Watchung ranks 173rd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 700 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Watchung's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 36.0%. Multiracial residents' share of Watchung's population has increased from 4.0% to 5.5%.

Watchung is more Multiracial than neighboring North Plainfield (2% Multiracial), Plainfield (1.8% Multiracial), and Dunellen (4% Multiracial). Watchung is less Multiracial than neighboring Fanwood (8% 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.