Unemployment in Cumberland County, New Jersey, is higher than in 97% of U.S. counties
In Cumberland County, 7.4% of the labor force was out of work, on average (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026). That is higher than in 97% of U.S. counties.
More distressed than 93% of U.S. counties.
What drives Cumberland County's score
In Cumberland County, housing costs weigh most: the score for housing costs is 96.8. Rent on a two-bedroom takes 30.5% of the median household's income (fiscal year 2027), higher than in 97% of U.S. counties. Late payments on loans come next, at 84.9.
The County Distress Index combines five things we measure for every county: jobs, late payments on loans, income and the safety net, collections and bankruptcy, and housing costs. Each gets a score from 0 to 100; the higher the score, the worse off the county is compared with others.
Cumberland County does better than most counties on two measures: people with a disability (14.8%, 2020 to 2024) and median household income ($66,986, 2024).
The five parts count equally; together they hold 14 measures. Under each part, a bar shows where Cumberland County ranks among all 3,144 U.S. counties on that measure, as a percentile: the share of counties it is higher than. A longer bar means more trouble.
- 96.8 of 100
Housing costs
Biggest factorHUD's fair market rents, fiscal year 2027; renters, 2020–24 Census survey
- Rent on a two-bedroom as a share of the median income30.5% · fiscal year 202797th percentile
- Renters paying half their income or more in rent29.4% · 2020 to 202496th percentile
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- 84.9 of 100
Late payments
Credit records, August 2025; credit scores, Q4 2025
- People with a car or retail loan behind7.9% · August 202582nd percentile
- People with a credit card behind8.2% · August 202586th percentile
- People with a subprime credit score34.2% · Q4 202585th percentile
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- 77.8 of 100
Collections and bankruptcy
Credit records, August 2025; bankruptcy filings, 2025
- People with unpaid debt sent to a collector27.7% · August 202566th percentile
- Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 people279.7 · 202588th percentile
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- 76.6 of 100
Jobs
Adults not working, 2020–24 Census survey; unemployment through Aug 2026
- Adults 25 to 54 not working21.6% · 2020 to 202455th percentile
- Unemployment rate, 12-month average7.4% · Sep 2025 to Aug 202697th percentile
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- 53.8 of 100
Income and safety net
Poverty and income, 2024; disability and insurance, 2020–24 Census survey
- Children below the poverty line17.7% · 202452nd percentile
- People with a disability14.8% · 2020 to 202438th percentile
- Median household income (lower income, longer bar)$66,986 · 202449th percentile
- People below the poverty line14.2% · 202458th percentile
- People without health insurance10.5% · 2020 to 202469th percentile
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Sources: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Fair Market Rents and U.S. Census Bureau income; Census Bureau, American Community Survey; Urban Institute, Debt in America; Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Table F-5A; Equifax via the St. Louis Fed; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates. County Distress Index by American Default Research, from data through Aug 2026.
Where the money in Cumberland County comes from
The Bureau of Economic Analysis adds up all the income that reaches the people of a county and splits it three ways: pay from work, income from investments and rent, and benefit checks.
Cents of every dollar of income, 2024
Cumberland County
New Jersey
United States
- Pay from work
- Investments and rent
- Benefit checks
In Cumberland County in 2024, pay from work was 57 cents of every dollar of income. Income from investments and rentals was 12 cents. Benefit checks were 31 cents. Across the country, pay is 61 cents of the dollar and benefit checks are 18.
Benefit checks have grown from 10 cents of every dollar in 1969, but pay from work still brings in more.
In Cumberland County, benefit checks rose from 10 to 31 cents of every dollar
Benefit checks and pay from work as shares of all personal income, Cumberland County, New Jersey: 31.2% and 56.7% in 2024. Yearly, 1969–2024.
Use this chart Free to use with credit
The quote: In 2024, benefit checks made up 31.2% of all personal income in Cumberland County, New Jersey (U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, CAINC4).
Benefit checks are Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid paid on people's behalf, veterans' benefits, and food and income support, so a high share usually means an older population, low pay, or both. In Cumberland County, 15.8% of residents are 65 or older (Census Bureau, 2024), against 17.2% nationally.
How Cumberland County has changed
The number of people living in Cumberland County grew by about 29% between 1969 and 2024, from 120,722 to 155,678. The number of jobs located there stayed about the same from 1990 to 2024.
Unemployment rose from 7.5% in 1990 to 8.1% in 2025.
| Measure | Then | Now |
|---|---|---|
| People living in the countyBEA | 1969 120,722 | 2024 155,678 |
| Jobs located in the countyBLS QCEW | 1990 57,193 | 2024 59,688 |
| Unemployment rateBLS LAUS | 1990 7.5% | 2025 8.1% |
| People below the poverty lineCensus SAIPE | 1989 13.9% | 2024 14.2% |
| Median household income (not adjusted for prices)Census SAIPE | 1989 $27,272 | 2024 $66,986 |
| Share of income from benefit checksBEA | 1969 9.5% | 2024 31.2% |
Figures are as each agency published them, not adjusted for prices. We don't chart the distress score over time because it compares counties at one moment.
Dated events in Cumberland County's history
Largest decennial census count
The county's largest recorded population was the 2010 Census count of 156,898. The 2020 Census counted 154,152, 98% of the peak. Census Bureau
1748
1748 from portions of Salem County on January 19, 1748. Wikipedia
1925
Sturgeon overfished, ending caviar industry 1860-1925. Wikipedia
1975
Tornado: $25 million in property damage. NOAA Storm Events Database
2001
Lightning: one death. NOAA Storm Events Database
2011
Flash flood: $20 million in property damage. NOAA Storm Events Database
2011
Flood: $25 million in property damage. NOAA Storm Events Database
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Since 1965
31 federal disaster and emergency declarations have covered Cumberland County, 5 of them for flooding. FEMA
Storms are listed if they did $1 million or more in damage or killed someone.
Cumberland County beside its neighbors
Cumberland County scores higher than all four counties that border it. Of the group, Cumberland County gets the largest share of its income from benefit checks (31.2%).
| County | Score | Poverty | Benefit checks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cumberland County, NJ | 93 | 14.2% | 31.2% |
| Salem County, NJ | 79 | 12.4% | 27.4% |
| Atlantic County, NJ | 78 | 11.1% | 25.0% |
| Gloucester County, NJ | 43 | 7.1% | 18.9% |
| Cape May County, NJ | 42 | 9.8% | 24.7% |
Distress score: American Default Research, County Distress Index, data through Aug 2026; each county scored against all 3,144. Poverty rate: Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates, 2024. Benefit checks: Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024. Neighbors share a border, from Census county maps.
Is Cumberland County the poorest county in New Jersey?
No, Cumberland County's poverty rate was 14.2% in 2024, 2nd highest of 21 in New Jersey (U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates). By that measure the poorest county in the state is Hudson County, at 14.7%. On our distress index, which counts more than poverty, Cumberland County ranks 1st of 21 in the state.
Cumberland County in photographs
Places in Cumberland County from Wikimedia Commons, each captioned in its photographer's own words.
The Cumberland County Courthouse in w:Bridgeton, New Jersey.
Photo: Tim Kiser ( w:User:Malepheasant ) via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.5
Cumberland County Sheriff Vehicle (Cumberland County, New Jersey).
Cumberland County, New Jersey: common questions
What is the poverty rate in Cumberland County, New Jersey?
14.2% in 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates: about one in seven people. Among children it was 17.7%.
Is Cumberland County the poorest county in New Jersey?
No, Cumberland County's poverty rate was 14.2% in 2024, 2nd highest of 21 in New Jersey (U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates). By that measure the poorest county in the state is Hudson County, at 14.7%. On our distress index, which counts more than poverty, Cumberland County ranks 1st of 21 in the state.
What is the population of Cumberland County, New Jersey?
About 155,678 people in 2024, by the Bureau of Economic Analysis's count. The 2020 Census counted 154,152, 98% of the county's peak of 156,898 in 2010.
How is the County Distress Index calculated?
We rank every U.S. county on 14 federal measures of money trouble, grouped into five equally weighted parts, and average them. The published score is the share of the other 3,143 counties with a lower average. The methodology lists every measure and its source.
If you're behind on your mortgage in Cumberland County
A U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-approved housing counselor works at a nonprofit agency approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The counseling to avoid foreclosure is free, and a counselor can help you talk to your mortgage company and understand what it offers, according to the Consumer Financial Protection BureauSourceCFPB.
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Legal Services of New Jersey
Legal aid
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New Jersey State Bar Foundation — Lawyer Referral Service
Legal aid
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HUD-approved housing counselors
Counseling to avoid foreclosure is free. Our help directory lists 1,311 approved agencies by state.
The score, its 14 measures and their sources, in one file. Free to use with credit to American Default Research.
Download the CSV for Cumberland County · Every U.S. county (CSV)
Sources and method
- American Default Research · County Distress Index Data through Aug 2026, built from HUD Fair Market Rents and Census income; Census Bureau, American Community Survey; Urban Institute, Debt in America; U.S. Courts, Table F-5A; Equifax via the St. Louis Fed; Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates. Our methodology
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Economic Accounts (CAINC4) · income shares Where the money in Cumberland County comes from, 2024.
- History The agencies named in each row and the linked records above.