Median Household Income in the region. (Philadelphia, Reading: schools, median income, taxes)

[MoorestownResident]

Also included NJ, still among the wealthiest in the nation. South Jersey saw a huge increase in wealth over last year. Not every county is listed.

The new data are from 2007:

South Jersey

Burlington $74,000 +8% increase from 2006
Gloucester $71,000, huge increase from 2006
Mercer $70,000
Camden $60,000 (City of Camden drags down average)
Cape May $52,000

Central Jersey

Hunterdon $100,000 (one of highest in nation)
Somerset $97,000 (one of highest in nation)
Monmouth $78,000
Middlesex $75,000
Ocean $56,000

North Jersey

Morris $94,000 (one of highest in nation)
Bergen $80,000 (on the decline)
Passaic $55,000
Essex $54,000
Hudson $52,000

PA – Philly burbs + Lehigh

Chester $83,000
Montgomery $74,000
Bucks $71,000
Delaware $60,000
Lancaster $52,000
Lehigh $52,000
Philadelphia $35,000

[ooodsie]

Wow - look at the drop from the suburbs like Bucks and Chester down to Phila.. It's crazy seeing it in perspective that way. I always assumed everything kind of evened out in the counties, but apparently not.

[MoorestownResident]

True, South Jersey continues to thrive with its location, in-migration and strong economy. It doesn't look like PA burbs are holding up as well. What's really shocking though is Bergen County in north jersey. It has come way down.

[Tone509]

Originally Posted by MoorestownResident

True, South Jersey continues to thrive with its location, in-migration and strong economy. It doesn't look like PA burbs are holding up as well. What's really shocking though is Bergen County in north jersey. It has come way down.

South Jersey is indeed doing well but I would have to disagree with your definition of Philly's suburbs. Despite suburban sprawl, most long-time locals would not consider Lehigh or Lancaster as part of the Philly metro. In fact, I would surmise that the median income is lower in each of those counties because the cost of living is lower in those locales. So... once you remove those two, the PA burbs of Philly are indeed comparable with those in South Jersey. Conversely, one could argue that the cost in living is so much higher in Central and North Jersey because they are largely extended bedroom communities of New York City (with a nod to development in and around Princeton).

[MoorestownResident]

I had it titled Philly burbs + Lehigh.

[bryson662001]

Originally Posted by MoorestownResident

True, South Jersey continues to thrive with its location, in-migration and strong economy. It doesn't look like PA burbs are holding up as well. What's really shocking though is Bergen County in north jersey. It has come way down.

Just goes to show you not to believe what you here. Some people have South jersey emptying out faster than the Titanic due to sky high property tax. If they can sell their house.

[MoorestownResident]

South Jersey is doing very well, taxes are a problem but incomes are growing fast, partly due to in-migration from north jersey and outside the region. Job growth in SJ has been strong and the schools vary from good to great. Very desirable location too. Smart growth initiatives have attracted the right class of people.

[ScranBarre]

Isn't Berks County (Reading) also now part of the Philadelphia/Wilmington CSA?

[MoorestownResident]

Not sure, but Berks median income is $53,000. I also left out Salem County in SJ, which has a median income of $56,000, up substantially from recent years. In NJ, the poorest county is now in Northern NJ, not South Jersey. That, of course, benefits the greater Philly region and is exactly what I've posted before. The game is changing in NJ.

[Tone509]

Originally Posted by ScranBarre

Isn't Berks County (Reading) also now part of the Philadelphia/Wilmington CSA?

Good question. If it is then I suppose Lehigh and Lancaster should be in there as well. It's probably inevitable but I'd be surprised if it's already happened.