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Union County, New Jersey Demographics 2026

Union County, New Jersey has a population of 572,549, the 7th most populous county in New Jersey. The median household income is $100,117 and the median home value is $488,800. The poverty rate is 8.9%.

Union County Quick Facts

Population 572,549
Median Household Income $100,117
Median Home Value $488,800
Poverty Rate 8.9%
Unemployment Rate 6.3%
Median Age 39.1 years
Homeownership Rate 57.6%
Affordability Ratio 4.9x
Bachelor's Degree+ 38.6%
High School Graduation 86.3%
Cities/Places 13
Population 572,549 7th of 21
Median Income $100,117 about average state
Poverty Rate 8.9%
Unemployment 6.3%

Economy & Housing

Employment

6.3% Unemployment Rate State: 6.2% | National: 5.2%
69.1% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 57.6%
Renter 42.4%
Affordability Index Moderate
4.9x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

71out of 100
Very High Diversity

This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.

State average: 65 | National average: 60

Education

Cities & Places in Union County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Elizabeth city135,887$63,87415.3%$393,500
Plainfield city54,515$80,33417.1%$383,300
Linden city43,614$91,0369.0%$387,200
Westfield town30,760$212,7002.1%$930,500
Rahway city29,748$90,8526.8%$362,300
Summit city22,512$199,1073.9%$969,900
Roselle borough22,455$82,96710.4%$336,500
Roselle Park borough13,965$104,4185.1%$405,800
New Providence borough13,577$162,8772.1%$734,300
Kenilworth borough8,339$126,2956.0%$521,100
Fanwood borough7,714$176,6671.4%$610,600
Mountainside borough6,967$210,1002.9%$755,600
Garwood borough4,688$100,9489.2%$509,800

Explore New Jersey Rankings

Cities by Population All cities ranked by size Richest Cities Ranked by median income Most Educated By bachelor's degree rate Most Affordable By housing affordability

Population Overview

Union County is located in New Jersey with a total population of 572,549. It is the 7th most populous county out of 21 in New Jersey. The county encompasses 13 Census-designated places.

Age Demographics

The median age in Union County is 39.1 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Union County is $100,117. This is about average than the state median of $101,050. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 27% higher. The poverty rate stands at 8.9%. This is 9% lower than the state poverty rate of 9.8%. The unemployment rate is 6.3%. This is 2% higher than the state rate of 6.2%. The median home value is $488,800. Housing costs are 14% higher than the state median of $427,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x. 57.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 63.7%.

Race & Ethnicity

Union County is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 34.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (19.6% vs 12.3%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (34.4% vs 21.9%).

Education

38.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 10% lower than the state rate of 42.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.3%. Notably, 15.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Union County, New Jersey?

Union County has a population of 572,549, making it the 7th most populous county in New Jersey.

What is the median income in Union County?

The median household income in Union County is $100,117 with a poverty rate of 8.9%.

How many cities are in Union County, New Jersey?

Union County contains 13 Census-designated places.