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Fords, NJ
Census-designated place in Middlesex County, New Jersey. ZIP codes: 08863.
Population
12,771
Land area
1.9sq mi
People per sq mi
6,761
ZIP codes
1
Fords and its ZIP codes
Fords at a glance
- Fords is about 5.3 times as dense as New Jersey as a whole.
- By population, it ranks 107th among 700 cities and towns in New Jersey.
- The median household income is $115,861, 12% above the New Jersey median of $103,556.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $438,000 (4% below New Jersey) and median rent is $1,913 a month.
Local data for Fords, NJ
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Fords, NJ, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$115,861
Poverty rate
6.4%
Median home value
$438,000
Median rent
$1,913/mo
Homeownership
71.7%
Bachelor's or higher
42.0%
Median age
39.9
Average commute
30.7 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Irish Americans (1,118), Italian Americans (977), Indian Americans (864).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Middlesex County. PPP loans are for Fords.
Unemployment rate
4.8%
Aug 2026, -1.1 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$85,564
431,665 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$77,293
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$5B
FY 2026, $5,838 per person
PPP loans
$20.3M
344 loans, 2,064 jobs reported
How people get to work
Fords, NJ, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone68.8%
- Carpooled10.7%
- Public transit5.3%
- Walked0.3%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other2.1%
- Worked from home12.8%
Average one-way commute: 30.7 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Fords, NJ, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively High
Top: strong wind
Storm events since 1996
1,228
Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
2,496
1.2% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
88° / 24°F
48.7 inches of rain a year
Health statistics
Share of adults in Fords, NJ, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
31.7%
U.S. 33.3% -1.6 pts
Diabetes
10.9%
U.S. 12.1% -1.2 pts
Smoking
10.3%
U.S. 12.8% -2.5 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
11.2%
U.S. 11.1% about the same
ZIP codes in Fords
1 in or overlapping Fords. Population shown
Cities near Fords
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| HopelawnCensus-designated place | 1 mi | 0.4 |
| Menlo Park TerraceCensus-designated place | 1.4 mi | 0.4 |
| KeasbeyCensus-designated place | 1.5 mi | 1.5 |
| WoodbridgeCensus-designated place | 1.7 mi | 4.6 |
| IselinCensus-designated place | 2.3 mi | 3.2 |
| Perth AmboyCity | 2.4 mi | 4.7 |
| MetuchenBorough | 2.7 mi | 2.8 |
| SewarenCensus-designated place | 2.9 mi | 1.2 |
| ColoniaCensus-designated place | 3.7 mi | 4 |
| South AmboyCity | 3.9 mi | 1.5 |
| Port ReadingCensus-designated place | 4 mi | 2 |
| AvenelCensus-designated place | 4 mi | 3.4 |
| SayrevilleBorough | 5 mi | 15.8 |
| CarteretBorough | 5.2 mi | 4.4 |
| RahwayCity | 5.4 mi | 3.9 |
| South PlainfieldBorough | 5.9 mi | 8.3 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Fords, NJ in?
- Fords is in Middlesex County, New Jersey.
- What ZIP codes are in Fords, NJ?
- ZIP codes in or overlapping Fords include 08863.
- What is the population of Fords, NJ?
- About 12,771 people live in Fords, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Fords?
- Nearby places include Hopelawn (1 mi), Menlo Park Terrace (1.4 mi), Keasbey (1.5 mi), Woodbridge (1.7 mi), Iselin (2.3 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023