BERGEN COUNTY
Health Statistics and Analysis - Bergen County
| NEIGHBORING COUNTY | Uninsured Adults |
| Bergen County | 10% |
| Essex County | 15% |
| Passaic County | 17% |
Approximately 10% of Bergen County’s adult population do not have proper health insurance coverage — which is comparable to the New Jersey state average of 11%. In the immediate area, Essex County has the second-highest uninsured rate, while the highest figure belongs to Passaic County, not just in the region, but in the entire state of New Jersey.
Statewide, with 6% uninsured, Hunterdon County has the highest percentage of its residents with proper health insurance coverage.
At least 4 health insurance companies offer affordable and frequently subsidized ACA health insurance to the residents of Bergen County, on and off the state-operated New Jersey’s official health insurance marketplace.
Health Problems
Around 14% of adults in Bergen County report problems with health:
| Health Factors | % of Population |
| Adults who smoke | 13% |
| Higher than average alcohol consumption | 18% |
| Lack sufficient sleep | 36% |
On top of these, 25% of the Bergen County populace are physically inactive, which is a contributing factor as to why 22% of the adult residents are considered obese (with a BMI of 30 or more).
Bergen County’s obesity rate is lower than the New Jersey average of 26%, while the neighboring counties are more on the heavy side:
| COUNTY | Obesity Rate |
| Bergen County | 22% |
| Essex County | 30% |
| Passaic County | 31% |
| State Average | 26% |
Medicare
In 2022, 176,713 Bergen County residents were enrolled in Medicare.
Bergen County Medicare Utilization:
| MEDICARE PLAN TYPE | Usage Among Eligible Users |
| Original Medicare | 68% |
| Medicare Advantage | 32% |
| Original Medicare Part A and Part B | 56% |
| Medicare Advantage and Other Health Plan Part A and Part B Beneficiaries | 32% |
| Medicare Part D (Medigap) | 79% |
| Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan | 75% |
| Source: Data.CMS.gov | |
Health Insurance Analysis
Vehicle Statistics and Analysis - Bergen County
Bergen County has 629,462 locally registered motor vehicles, which accounts for over 10% of all the vehicles in the State of New Jersey.
More than half of Bergen County’s adults who drive to and from their place of work - drive alone and around 41% of those drivers are behind the wheel for more than an hour a day.
Motor Vehicle Crashes in Bergen County
Motor vehicle fatalities in Bergen County statistically occur at a rate of 4 per 100,000 vehicles on the road. Approximately 17% of motor vehicle fatalities in Bergen County are caused by alcohol-impaired driving.
Per the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), in 2020, there were 19,472 crashes recorded in Bergen County, and according to the New Jersey State Police (NJSP), 38 of those incidents were fatal incidents that led to 43 deaths.
Bergen County - Auto Insurance Analysis
| Nearly 630 thousand vehicles registered in Bergen County need insurance coverage
Auto Insurance Required in Bergen County |
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| Liability Coverage | Pays damages for causing the accident |
| Personal Injury Protection (PIP) | Pays your and your passenger's medical expenses |
| Uninsured Motorist Coverage | Protects the insured in an accident with uninsured or underinsured vehicle |
Residential Property Statistics and Analysis - Bergen County
| COUNTY | Homeowners | Renters |
| Bergen County | 65% | 35% |
| Essex County | 44% | 56% |
| Passaic County | 52% | 48% |
| State Average | 64% | 36% |
Bergen County has the largest estimated residential property market in the state of New Jersey (≈365,052 homes). About 65% of its homes are inhabited by their owners, while 35% are rental units.
However, Bergen County’s peers have drastically opposite results. Both Essex and Passaic counties contribute greatly to the rental home economy.
Hunterdon County has the highest proportion of owner-occupied homes in the state (≈84%), while Hudson County has the most rental units (≈68%).
Roughly 1 in 5 housing units in Bergen County experiences housing problems, overcrowding, substandard plumbing, or kitchen issues. In 18% of homes, residents spend more than 50% of their income on housing.
Bergen County Housing Insurance Analysis
| More than 365 thousand housing units in Bergen County need insurance coverage: | ||
| ≈ 237,000 Homeowner
Occupied Dwellings |
HOMEOWNERS Insurance | At a minimum, all owners of residential properties should have property insurance to protect the underlying financial investment from possible loss or damage. |
| CONDO Insurance | ||
| COMMERCIAL PROPERTY Insurance (for multi-unit properties) | ||
| MANUFACTURED HOME Insurance | ||
| ≈ 128,000 Rental Units | LANDLORDS Insurance | Landlords obtain insurance which covers the property itself and from the possible liability claims arising from the tenants and their guests.
If you rent out your home, basic homeowners insurance is not enough. |
| RENTERS Insurance in Hackensack | Tenants buy renters insurance coverage to protect their belongings from possible damage or loss while residing in a rented space. Average renters’ insurance is inexpensive and usually covers the tenant's property from theft and damages caused by fire, smoke, water, and vandalism.
Most landlords in Bergen County require Renters insurance as a condition of the lease. |
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Bergen County’s proximity to the Atlantic Ocean makes it vulnerable to the wind and flood damages brought about by hurricanes and storms. The highest probability of hurricanes forming and causing damage to the county is typically between August and late October. Residents of Bergen County should be aware of the safety procedures and guidelines set by county, and state agencies. Homeowners, landlords, and renters in Bergen County should secure appropriate insurance coverage to protect their property from wind and water damages, and even total loss.
Commerce and Insurance in Bergen County
| Largest Job-Creating Sectors in Bergen County |
| Health Care and Social Assistance |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services |
| Retail Trade |
Bergen County is home to nearly 32 thousand business establishments, each with varying commercial insurance needs. Commercial real estate in Bergen County accounts for nearly 36 million square feet.
Commercial Insurance Analysis
End of Life Statistics and Analysis - Bergen County
| COUNTY | Average Life Expectancy |
| Bergen County | 82.1 |
| Essex County | 78.0 |
| Passaic County | 78.9 |
The average life expectancy for Bergen County residents is 82.1 years old, which is the longest in its region. Looking at its neighbors, Essex County and Passaic County are closer to New Jersey’s average expected life span of 79.5 years.
The longest average life expectancy in New Jersey is 83.2 years old, recorded in Hunterdon County, and the shortest is in Salem County at 74 years.
In 2022, there were approximately 167,000 seniors (65 and older) residing in Bergen County.
Life Insurance Facts
Funeral Expenses Statistics and Analysis in Bergen County
The average funeral expense cost in Bergen County is around $7,000, which is comparable to the New Jersey State average of $6,900. Among the three neighbors, Essex County usually has the most costly funerals at an average of $7,500, while Passaic County’s $5,800 average is the most cost-effective.
Across New Jersey, Salem County funeral homes usually charge the most affordable average at $5,300, while Cape May County, on the other hand, has the most expensive average, at $8,300.
Life Insurance Analysis
Most Common Life Insurance in Bergen County
| Typical Use | Life Insurance Policy Type |
| Burial Insurance
(Death Benefit of up to $50,000) |
Term Life |
| Final Expense Insurance | |
| Death benefit of over $50,000 - $500,000 at the lowest cost | Term Life |
| Lifelong protection, Retirement Planning, Living Benefits, Cash Value accumulation, Tax-free access to CV, and Death Benefit | Indexed Universal Life (IUL) |
