Is Blackwood Safe, Pros and cons of living in Blackwood

Blackwood, a community within Gloucester Township in Camden County, New Jersey, offers a suburban lifestyle with proximity to Philadelphia. It is a place where residents often own their homes and experience a generally liberal atmosphere. The area is characterized by a sparse suburban feel, making it attractive to families and individuals seeking a quieter environment while remaining connected to a larger metropolitan area.

The community’s demographics reveal a population of approximately 4,443 residents, with a significant portion being U.S. citizens. The racial makeup is predominantly White, with smaller percentages of Black or African American, Asian, and other racial groups. This diversity contributes to the unique social fabric of Blackwood, offering a blend of backgrounds and perspectives. The median age in Blackwood is around 42 years, indicating a community with a mix of working adults and retirees, contributing to a balanced community dynamic.

Is it Safe to Live in Blackwood?

Blackwood presents a mixed picture regarding safety, with varying crime statistics depending on the source and methodology. Some analyses indicate that the overall crime rate in Blackwood is lower than the national average, with violent crimes being significantly lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). This suggests a generally safe environment for residents.

However, other reports note that Blackwood’s crime rate can be higher than both the national average and the New Jersey state average when compared to similar-sized communities (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Property crime, in particular, is noted as having an above-average chance of victimization within Blackwood (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). It’s important to consider that crime statistics can vary by neighborhood within Blackwood, with some areas being perceived as safer than others (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).

Violent Crime Statistics

The violent crime rate in Blackwood is reported to be 1.459 per 1,000 residents in a typical year (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). This rate is described as much lower than the average U.S. city, and Blackwood ranks in the 91st percentile for safety in terms of violent crime (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). Residents often consider the northeast part of the city to be the safest regarding violent crime.

Despite these positive indicators, it is worth noting that crime counts can be higher in certain areas, with the east parts of Blackwood seeing more incidents annually compared to the northeast (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). The chance of being a victim of violent crime can vary by neighborhood, ranging from 1 in 546 in the east to 1 in 861 in the northeast (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).

Property Crime Statistics

Property crime in Blackwood is a more significant concern than violent crime, with a rate of 14 per one thousand population, indicating an above-average chance of victimization when compared to all other communities in America (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). The chance of becoming a victim of property crime in Blackwood is approximately 1 in 70 (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Year over year, crime in Blackwood has shown a decrease, with total crime decreasing by 6% (as reported by AreaVibes). Violent crimes are reported to be 48% lower than the national average, and property crime is 31% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). These figures suggest a trend towards improvement, though the property crime rate warrants attention.

Cost of Living and Housing in Blackwood

Blackwood’s cost of living is generally considered to be higher than the national average. The overall cost of living index places it as 16% more expensive than the national average, though it is 6% less expensive than the average city in New Jersey (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute). This figure is based on factors like food, transportation, healthcare, housing, utilities, and taxes.

Housing costs in Blackwood are a significant component of the overall cost of living. The median home price in Blackwood was approximately $235,500 in 2024 (as reported by Data USA), with a median listing price of $389,000 as of April 2026 (as reported by Blackwood, NJ Housing Market). Rent prices also reflect this trend, with the average rent for an apartment in Blackwood being around $1,800 per month (as reported by Zillow) and a median gross rent of $1,385 per month (as reported by Point2Homes).

Median Home Prices

The median home value in Blackwood has seen some fluctuation. As of April 30, 2026, the average home value was reported at $372,767, an increase of 5.0% over the past year (as reported by Zillow). Other data indicates a median property value of $235,500 in 2024 (as reported by Data USA) and a median home price of $328,717 (as reported by AreaVibes).

The homeownership rate in Blackwood is approximately 70.4% (as reported by Data USA), which is higher than the national average of 65.2%. This indicates a strong preference for homeownership among residents, contributing to a stable community feel.

Rental Costs

Rental prices in Blackwood vary by the number of bedrooms. The average rent for a studio apartment is around $1,149 to $1,320 per month (as reported by Zillow and Apartment List). For a one-bedroom apartment, the average rent is approximately $1,425 to $1,543 per month (as reported by Zillow and Apartment List).

Two-bedroom apartments in Blackwood average around $1,800 to $1,877 per month (as reported by Zillow and Apartment List). Three-bedroom apartments are typically more expensive, with an average cost of $2,203 per month for a three-bedroom unit (as reported by RentCafe). Some sources indicate a decrease in rental prices over the past year, with the average rent for an apartment decreasing by 2.18% (as reported by RentCafe).

Job Market and Economy

The job market in Blackwood is powered by a workforce of approximately 2,471 residents. The most common employment sectors for residents include Retail Trade, Health Care & Social Assistance, and Educational Services (as reported by Data USA). A significant portion of the working population, around 79.2%, is employed in professional or administrative positions.

The unemployment rate in Blackwood is reported to be around 4.1% (as reported by Point2Homes) and 2.8% (as reported by Niche). This is generally considered a healthy unemployment rate, indicating a stable job market. The median household income in Blackwood was reported as $90,061 in 2024 (as reported by Point2Homes), with an average annual household income of $107,858 (as reported by Point2Homes).

Major Employers

While specific major employers within Blackwood are not detailed in the provided search results, the broader region of New Jersey and the Philadelphia metropolitan area features large companies across various sectors. These include major retailers like Walmart and Target, financial institutions such as Bank of America, and healthcare providers like Virtua-West Jersey Health System (as reported by Technical.ly and Indeed.com). The proximity to Philadelphia also offers residents access to a wider range of employment opportunities.

Employment sectors that are prominent in the region and likely employ Blackwood residents include retail trade, healthcare, and education. These sectors consistently offer a substantial number of job opportunities across the Philadelphia metropolitan area.

Average Salary

The average annual salary in Blackwood, NJ, is reported to be around $61,000 per year, or $29.33 per hour (as reported by Zippia). However, other sources provide different figures for median income, with one stating a median household income of $90,061 (as reported by Point2Homes) and another indicating a median household income of $73,056 (as reported by Blackwood, NJ).

It’s important to note that salary data can vary based on the source, methodology, and specific job roles. The minimum wage in Blackwood, NJ, is $12 per hour, which is higher than the federal minimum wage (as reported by Zippia).

Climate and Weather

Blackwood experiences a climate with significant temperature variations throughout the year. Summers are typically warm, humid, and wet, while winters are cold, snowy, and windy. The average annual precipitation is around 1249 mm (49 inches) (as reported by Blackwood, New Jersey), with August being the wettest month.

The average temperatures range from a low of approximately 5°C (41°F) in February to a high of 31°C (88°F) in July (as reported by Blackwood, New Jersey). Nights can drop to around 25°F (-4°C) during the colder months and reach up to 70°F (21°C) in July. The area experiences a humid continental climate with hot summers (as reported by Blackwood, New Jersey).

Seasonal Temperatures

During the summer months, from May to September, average daily high temperatures are consistently above 77°F (25°C) (as reported by Blackwood, New Jersey). July is the hottest month, with average highs around 86°F (30°C) and lows around 69°F (21°C) (as reported by Blackwood, New Jersey).

Conversely, the cold season lasts from December to March, with average daily high temperatures below 49°F (9°C) (as reported by Blackwood, New Jersey). January is the coldest month, with average lows around 27°F (-3°C) and highs around 41°F (5°C) (as reported by Blackwood, New Jersey). The temperature typically varies between 26°F and 87°F throughout the year, rarely dropping below 13°F or exceeding 94°F (as reported by Blackwood, New Jersey).

Precipitation and Sunshine

Blackwood receives a considerable amount of precipitation annually, averaging about 48 inches (as reported by Blackwood, New Jersey). August is generally the wettest month, with an average monthly precipitation of around 5.4 inches (as reported by Blackwood, New Jersey). February is typically the driest month, with about 2.9 inches of precipitation (as reported by Blackwood, New Jersey).

The sunniest month is July, with an average of 9.2 hours of sunshine per day (as reported by Blackwood, New Jersey). The chance of a wet day is higher from March to August, while the drier season spans from August to March. The area experiences around 75-100 days with frost annually (as reported by Blackwood, New Jersey).

Education in Blackwood

Blackwood is served by the Black Horse Pike Regional School District, which includes Highland Regional High School, and the Gloucester Township School District, which includes several elementary and middle schools (as reported by Niche and SchoolDigger.com). Public schools in Blackwood have an average ranking of 4 out of 10, placing them in the bottom 50% of New Jersey public schools (as reported by Blackwood, NJ). Math proficiency scores are around 36%, and reading proficiency scores are around 42% (as reported by Blackwood, NJ).

Despite the overall average, some schools within the district perform better than others. Whitman Elementary School, Birches Elementary School, and Gloucester Township Elementary School are noted as top-ranked public schools (as reported by Blackwood, NJ). Glen Landing Middle School is also recognized as ranking among the top middle schools in New Jersey (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).

School Performance and Ratings

The performance of schools in Blackwood shows a range of outcomes. While some elementary schools demonstrate strong performance on state assessments, others, like Blackwood Elementary School, struggle with low proficiency rates (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). Highland Regional High School maintains a high graduation rate and low dropout rate, but overall district-wide chronic absenteeism is a concern at 14.9% (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).

The student-teacher ratio in the district varies, with some schools having a ratio of 14:1 (as reported by Niche). Minority enrollment in Blackwood’s public schools is around 46%, which is less than the New Jersey state average (as reported by Blackwood, NJ). Socioeconomic diversity is also evident, with free and reduced-price lunch rates varying significantly among schools.

Demographics of Blackwood

Blackwood is home to approximately 4,443 residents, with a population density of about 3,339 people per square mile (as reported by NJMLS.com). The population has seen a decrease of -15.35% since 2010 (as reported by NJMLS.com). The median age in Blackwood is around 40.96 years (as reported by NJMLS.com), with a slightly higher proportion of females than males.

The racial composition of Blackwood is predominantly White, making up about 75.4% of the population (as reported by Point2Homes). Other racial groups include Black or African American (9.2%), Asian (3.9%), and individuals identifying with two or more races (6.4%) (as reported by Point2Homes). Hispanic or Latino residents constitute a smaller percentage of the population.

Population and Diversity

The population of Blackwood is approximately 4,443 individuals (as reported by Data USA). Of these, about 97.1% are U.S. citizens, which is higher than the national average (as reported by Data USA). The percentage of foreign-born residents is around 9.81%, which is comparable to the national average (as reported by Data USA).

While the majority of residents identify as White, there are also significant Black or African American and Asian communities, contributing to the area’s diversity. The community tends to be liberal, according to some analyses (as reported by Blackwood, NJ).

Income and Household Data

The median household income in Blackwood is reported to be around $73,056 (as reported by Blackwood, NJ), with an average household income of $73,462 (as reported by NJMLS.com). The average annual household income was $107,858 in 2024 (as reported by Point2Homes). The poverty rate in Blackwood is approximately 11.4% (as reported by Niche).

Blackwood has 1,702 households, with an average of 3 members per household (as reported by Point2Homes). Approximately 70.4% of housing units are owner-occupied, indicating a stable housing market (as reported by Data USA). The average commute time for residents is around 25.4 minutes, with most people driving alone to work (as reported by Data USA).