Is Manville Safe, Pros and cons of living in Manville
Manville, New Jersey, offers a blend of suburban tranquility and community-focused living, making it an appealing option for those seeking a change of scenery. This borough, nestled within Somerset County, provides a more relaxed pace of life compared to its bustling neighbors in the New York metropolitan area. Its relatively close-knit atmosphere is often cited as a significant draw for families and individuals looking for a place to settle down.
The town’s name has historical ties to the Johns-Manville Corporation, which once operated a substantial manufacturing facility here. While the industrial landscape has evolved, the town retains a sense of its heritage. Manville presents a unique character shaped by its history and its present-day residents, creating a distinct environment for those considering a move.
Is it Safe to Live in Manville?
Manville generally presents a good safety profile, with crime rates that are often reported as lower than the national average. The overall crime rate in Manville is 50% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents (as reported by AreaVibes). There are approximately 0.32 daily crimes, with 0.03 being violent incidents and 0.29 property-related offenses (as reported by AreaVibes). This suggests a relatively secure environment for its residents.
While the town’s overall safety is positive, crime can vary by neighborhood. Your chance of being a victim of crime in Manville can range from 1 in 48 in the northeast neighborhoods to 1 in 100 in the southeast (as reported by CrimeGrade). Residents often consider the southeast part of the city to be the safest (as reported by CrimeGrade). This variation highlights the importance of researching specific areas within Manville for those prioritizing safety above all else.
Violent Crime Statistics
Manville demonstrates a lower incidence of violent crime compared to national benchmarks. The violent crime rate in Manville is 72% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Specifically, there are 100 violent crimes per 100,000 individuals, which is significantly lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). This places Manville among the safer cities in the nation regarding violent offenses.
The chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Manville is approximately 1 in 378 per year (as reported by DoorProfit). This is 31% lower than the national average (as reported by DoorProfit). Such statistics contribute to the perception of Manville as a secure place to live, offering peace of mind to its inhabitants.
Property Crime Statistics
Property crime rates in Manville also tend to be lower than the national average. Manville recorded 106 property crimes, amounting to 964 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the average by 45.2% (as reported by AreaVibes). Your chance of becoming a victim of property crime in Manville is 1 in 104 (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).
The overall crime rate in Manville is 35% below the national average (as reported by DoorProfit). This indicates that Manville has lower crime than 69% of major U.S. cities (as reported by DoorProfit). Year-over-year crime in Manville has decreased by 42% (as reported by AreaVibes), further reinforcing its reputation as a safe community.
Cost of Living in Manville
Manville’s cost of living is generally higher than the national average, with housing being a significant contributing factor. The overall cost of living in Manville, New Jersey, is 18% higher than the national average (as reported by PayScale). Housing expenses are notably higher, standing at 48% above the national average (as reported by PayScale).
The median rent in Manville is approximately $2,100 per month, which is 28% higher than the national average rent price of $1,642 per month (as reported by Apartments.com). This makes Manville one of the more expensive cities in the US for renters. To comfortably afford the average rent, a monthly income of about $7,000 or an annual income of $84,000 is recommended (as reported by Apartments.com).
Housing Costs
Housing costs in Manville present a considerable expense, particularly for renters. The median gross rent in Manville is $1,844 per month (as reported by Point2Homes). However, other sources indicate a higher average rent of $2,250 per month as of May 2026 (as reported by Zillow), and $2,100 per month as of May 2026 (as reported by Apartments.com).
The median home value in Manville is $333,944 (as reported by Livability.com), though more recent data from March 2026 indicates an average home value of $476,361, up 1.9% over the past year (as reported by Zillow). Another source states the median home price was $476K in March 2026, up 19.0% compared to the previous year (as reported by Redfin). This upward trend in home prices contributes to the higher cost of living within the borough.
Utilities and Groceries
Utility costs in Manville are slightly above the national average. Utility prices are 3% higher than the national average (as reported by PayScale). The average monthly energy bill is around $226.95 (as reported by PayScale).
Grocery prices in Manville are also marginally higher than the national average. Manville has grocery prices that are 2% higher than the national average (as reported by PayScale). For example, a loaf of bread costs around $4.17, and a gallon of milk is approximately $4.83 (as reported by PayScale).
Job Market and Economy
Manville’s economy is supported by a diverse range of industries, with manufacturing, retail trade, and construction being the most prominent sectors for its residents. From 2023 to 2024, employment in Manville saw a slight decline of -2.62%, with the number of employees decreasing from 6.06k to 5.9k (as reported by Data USA). The most common job groups include office and administrative support, sales and related occupations, and transportation occupations.
The average annual salary in Manville is approximately $47,879, which breaks down to about $23.02 per hour (as reported by ZipRecruiter). Most salaries in Manville range between $35,133 and $57,850 annually (as reported by ZipRecruiter). Some of the top-paying job types in Manville include part-time roles, accounting, and medical billing (as reported by ZipRecruiter).
Major Employers
While specific major employers are not detailed in the provided data, the employment sectors indicate a mix of local businesses and potentially larger regional companies. The prevalence of manufacturing, retail, and construction suggests employment opportunities in these areas. Residents’ job roles are concentrated in administrative support, sales, and transportation, pointing to the types of businesses that likely form the backbone of Manville’s employment landscape.
Unemployment Rate
The unemployment rate in New Jersey was reported at 5.1% in February 2026 (as reported by USAFacts). This figure represents a slight decrease from the previous month. Historically, the unemployment rate in New Jersey reached a high of 15.40% in May 2020 and a low of 3.00% in August 2022 (as reported by Trading Economics).
It’s important to note that county-level unemployment rates can vary within the state. For instance, in January 2026, Cape May County had the highest unemployment rate at 11.6%, while Bergen County had the lowest at 3.9% (as reported by USAFacts). Specific unemployment data for Manville borough itself is not directly available in the provided search results.
Climate in Manville
Manville experiences a climate characterized by warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters, with partly cloudy conditions prevailing throughout the year. The temperature typically ranges from 23°F to 86°F, rarely dropping below 9°F or exceeding 94°F (as reported by Weather Spark). The hot season lasts for approximately 3.6 months, from late May to mid-September, with average daily high temperatures above 77°F.
The hottest month in Manville is July, with average high temperatures around 86°F and lows of 66°F (as reported by Weather Spark). Conversely, the cold season spans about 3.2 months, from early December to early March, with average daily high temperatures below 49°F. January is the coldest month, with average temperatures ranging from a low of 24°F to a high of 40°F (as reported by Weather Spark).
Average Temperatures and Rainfall
The average annual temperature in Manville is around 63°F, with highs typically reaching 63°F and lows around 41°F (as reported by Livability.com). Average annual rainfall amounts to approximately 47 inches (as reported by Livability.com). In March, the average temperature ranges from a high of 48°F to a low of 31°F, with a 34% chance of rain or snow (as reported by Wanderlog).
Precipitation patterns show that May is typically the wettest month, while November is the driest (as reported by Wanderlog). For instance, in May, there is a 37% chance of precipitation, with an average of 0.18 inches (as reported by Wanderlog). The humidity levels in Manville are moderately high, especially in March, with an average relative humidity of 79% (as reported by Wanderlog).
Education in Manville
Manville, NJ, is served by the Manville School District, which includes four public schools: two elementary schools, one intermediate school, and one high school. The district educates approximately 1,696 students, with 99% attending public schools (as reported by Niche). However, the district faces challenges, particularly in academic performance.
Manville public schools have an average math proficiency score of 13% and a reading proficiency score of 34%, which are below the New Jersey state averages of 38% and 49%, respectively (as reported by Niche). Manville High School has a graduation rate of 91.3% but shows low proficiency in English Language Arts (21.4%) and Math (5.2% in Algebra I, 17.9% in Geometry) (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). The district also has a high percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a significant level of economic disadvantage among its student population.
School Ratings and Performance
Public schools in Manville generally receive lower ratings compared to state averages. The schools in Manville have an average ranking of 1 out of 10, placing them in the bottom 50% of New Jersey public schools (as reported by Niche). Weston Elementary School, Alexander Batcho Intermediate School, and Roosevelt School are among the top-ranked schools within Manville (as reported by Niche).
Manville High School, for example, has a C+ overall Niche grade and a 3.3 out of 5 rating based on 126 reviews (as reported by Niche). While it boasts a high graduation rate, its academic performance metrics, such as math and reading proficiency, are concerningly low. This suggests potential areas for improvement within the district’s educational offerings and student outcomes.
Demographics of Manville
Manville, New Jersey, is home to a population of approximately 10,900 residents, with a slight increase of 1.35% since the 2020 census (as reported by Census Dots). The median age in Manville is around 44.9 years, with a slightly higher male population at 105.4 males for every 100 females (as reported by Census Reporter and ZoomProspector).
The racial makeup of Manville is diverse, with White residents constituting 60.4% of the population, followed by Hispanic residents at 30.5% (as reported by Census Dots). Other racial groups include Multiracial (3.6%), Asian (2.8%), Black or African American (1.5%), and Native American/Other (1.2%) (as reported by Census Dots). This demographic composition reflects a varied community with a notable Hispanic and White population.
Population and Diversity
Manville has a population of 10,947 (as reported by Livability.com). Of this population, 88.4% are citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.2% (as reported by Data USA). Approximately 25.2% of Manville residents were born outside the United States, a figure that has been increasing (as reported by Data USA).
The borough is less racially diverse than New Jersey overall (as reported by Census Dots). While the White population share has increased since 2020, the Hispanic population share has decreased slightly (as reported by Census Dots). This demographic trend indicates a shifting, yet still varied, community composition.
Income and Household Data
The median household income in Manville is reported as $93,333, reflecting a slight decrease from the previous year (as reported by Point2Homes). However, other sources indicate a median household income of $107,319 (as reported by CommunityScale) or $103,714 (as reported by ZoomProspector). The poverty rate in Manville is 11.7% (as reported by U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts).
Manville has 4,405 households, with an average of 2 members per household (as reported by Point2Homes). Of these, 67.2% are families, and 32.8% are individuals or non-relatives living together (as reported by Point2Homes). The majority of earnings are spent on taxes, retirement, shelter, transportation, groceries, and healthcare (as reported by ZoomProspector).