The Center for Independent Living of South Jersey (CILSJ) is proud to provide this report free of charge to inform the public and support advocacy efforts for individuals with disabilities. Now in its second year, this report offers critical insights into the challenges faced by people with disabilities in New Jersey. For reference, you can also download the 2023 NJ Disability Report on this page.

 

The 2024 New Jersey Disability Report provides an updated analysis of the prevalence, employment, income, public transportation, education, and poverty status of individuals with disabilities across the state, with a focus on the two-county region served by CILSJ. All data presented is sourced from the United States Census - American Community Survey (ACS).

Key Findings:

• Prevalence: Approximately 1 in 4 adults in New Jersey live with a disability, a rate that has remained stable since 2011. Both Gloucester (15%) and Camden (14%) counties continue to report higher rates of independent living difficulties compared to the state average.

• Employment: Employment rates for people with disabilities saw a slight increase, with 29.3% employed in 2023 compared to 24.2% in 2021. Despite this progress, employment rates remain significantly lower than those of people without disabilities.

• Income: Median income for individuals with disabilities has risen to $39,363 in 2023 but remains substantially lower than the median income of $54,144 for those without disabilities. Gloucester and Camden counties report even lower median incomes for individuals with disabilities.

• Public Transportation: Public transit use among individuals with disabilities has declined, with 9.5% of New Jersey residents with disabilities commuting via public transit in 2023. Rates in Camden (5.6%) and Gloucester (2.5%) counties are below the state average.

• Education: Educational attainment has improved for individuals with disabilities, with 25.1% achieving a bachelor’s degree or higher in 2023. However, the gap between those with and without disabilities remains substantial.

• Poverty: The poverty rate for people with disabilities in New Jersey is 17.2%, compared to 7.8% for those without disabilities. Camden County reports a poverty rate of 19.7%, above the state average, while Gloucester County's rate is lower at 13.5%.

Notable Changes from 2023:

• Employment rates for individuals with disabilities have increased slightly, signaling progress but also highlighting the ongoing disparity with non-disabled counterparts.

• Median income levels for individuals with disabilities have grown but continue to lag behind state averages.

 

This updated data underscores the need for continued investment in employment programs, public transportation accessibility, education initiatives, and social services to address disparities and improve outcomes for people with disabilities in New Jersey.​