New Brunswick is undergoing significant development. In 2003, the city completed the construction of the Lord Sterling Elementary School, a joint project between a private developer and a local school board. This was the first joint venture of this kind in New Jersey. In addition to the new elementary school, the city is also undergoing renovation and construction of existing buildings, including a new elementary school. In addition, the city has several world-class health care facilities, including the St. Joseph Medical Center, which is the largest medical facility in the area.
The city is also renowned for its ethnic diversity. During the 1920s, approximately 25% of New Jersey's Hungarian residents lived in New Brunswick. By 1930, nearly a third of the population was Hungarian. Today, the city's Hungarian population is a strong and vibrant part of the community. As of 1992, about 3,200 Hungarians made up around eight percent of the city's total population. The city is surrounded by growing Hispanic and Asian communities, especially around French Street near Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital.
According to the United States Census Bureau, there are about 183,000 residents living in the city. Of these, 57 percent of the population lives in households with children. Twenty-six percent of these households are married couples, and 18.0% live alone. One-quarter of households in New Brunswick are non-families, while twenty-four percent of households consist of individuals. Around eight percent of households have a senior living alone.