How wealthy are New Jersey's top 1 percent? Pretty damn wealthy, it turns out. If you wondered just where you fall amid the growing wealth divide, here's the answer. The Economic Policy Institute (EPI) has published a U.S. income inequality report. To be in the top 1 percent nationally, a family needs an income of $389,436. In New Jersey, that won't get you into the one-percent 'club'.

The top 1 percent of NJ households have an income of $547,737. That's behind only Connecticut and the District of Columbia. And, it certainly is a growing divide.  Between 2009 and 2013 in New Jersey, top 1 percent incomes grew in the double digits (15.2 percent), while all other incomes fell (-1.4 percent). So, 99-percent of NJ's 8.9 million residents have been 'treading water' when it comes to household finances.

Before I get too depressed, let's get whimsical and see what that threshold income of $550,000 could get you in New Jersey:

Pork roll. (Dino Flammia/Townsquare Media NJ)
29 tons of pork roll: 5 things NJ's richest 1 percent could buy (Dino Flammia/Townsquare Media NJ)
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1.156,250 boxes of 6 oz. Taylor-brand pork roll at ShopRite (including NJ’s sales tax)

NJ's richest 1 percent could buy how rich are one percent
Nice down-payment on a million-dollar home: 5 things NJ's richest 1 percent could buy (Towne Realty Group)
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2. A nice down payment on one of NJ's many, many million-dollar homes (This one is on the market in Scotch Plains.)

Asbury Park beach bonfire
Beach passes galore: 5 things NJ's richest 1 percent could buy (Erin Vogt, Townsquare Media NJ)
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3. 7,857 seasonal beach passes at Asbury Park (about half of Asbury's population!)

College graduate diploma
Paying off college debt: 5 things NJ's richest 1 percent could buy (Thinkstock)
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4. You could pay off the student debt of 18 recent NJ college grads (2015 average was $30,104).

5. 550K could also get you a pre-owned, 42-foot yacht (One's for sale in Bayville).


Proud Jersey Girl Erin Vogt’s first reporting gig involved her Fisher Price tape recorder. As a wife and momma of two kiddies, she firmly believes that life’s too short to drink bad coffee.  A fan of the beach, Dave Grohl and karma, in no particular order.

Follow her on Twitter and on Facebook as ProudJersey.

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