Does Hackensack, NJ need an earthquake retrofit?

USGS's ASCE 7-16 seismic design model - the same standard building codes use - places Hackensack in Seismic Design Category B: Low seismic hazard. Code requires basic seismic detailing (bracing, connections) but no special structural system restrictions. Nationally, Hackensack ranks above 66% of the 4,875 cities in this dataset for seismic hazard - the 66th percentile.

Hackensack by the numbers

USGS's underlying values for Hackensack: 0.184g peak ground acceleration, 0.296g at short period, 0.061g at 1 second. Within New Jersey alone, Hackensack ranks 14 of 194 cities by seismic hazard - the 93th percentile in-state. Hackensack has a population of about 46,630.

Bracing and bolting: the actual cost

A full earthquake retrofit typically runs $5,000-$10,000 nationally (around $7,000 typical), driven mainly by house size and foundation type, not by New Jersey specifically. California's Earthquake Brace + Bolt grant, which covers a large share of this cost, is a California-only program and does not apply in New Jersey.

What this means for insurance

A Hackensack homeowner cannot buy a standalone earthquake policy in most cases - it is added to an existing homeowners policy as an endorsement, so the place to start is a regular home-insurance quote.

Where Hackensack's figures come from

Hackensack's Category B and every number above trace to USGS's own ASCE 7-16 Design Maps service - see the methodology guide. See the category explainer for what Category B does and doesn't tell you about Hackensack.