Somerset County, NJ

County

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2021 Population

343,950

4.18% 1-year growth

US Senator

Bob Menendez

Democratic Party

US Senator

Cory Booker

Democratic Party

2021 Median Age

41.8

0% 1-year change

2021 Poverty Rate

5.11%

0.508% 1-year increase

2021 Median Household Income

$121,695

4.45% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$444,700

1.83% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

182,687

4.12% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Somerset County, NJ had a population of 344k people with a median age of 41.8 and a median household income of $121,695. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Somerset County, NJ grew from 330,151 to 343,950, a 4.18% increase and its median household income grew from $116,510 to $121,695, a 4.45% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Somerset County, NJ are White (Non-Hispanic) (54%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (18.6%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (9.3%), White (Hispanic) (6.88%), and Other (Hispanic) (4.63%).

None of the households in Somerset County, NJ reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

89.7% of the residents in Somerset County, NJ are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Somerset County, NJ are Raritan Valley Community College (1,213 degrees awarded in 2021), American Institute-Somerset (117 degrees), and Robert Fiance Beauty Schools-North Plainfield (83 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Somerset County, NJ was $444,700, and the homeownership rate was 75.5%.

Most people in Somerset County, NJ drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 31.7 minutes. The average car ownership in Somerset County, NJ was 2 cars per household.

Somerset County, NJ borders Hunterdon County, NJ, Mercer County, NJ, Middlesex County, NJ, Morris County, NJ, and Union County, NJ.

About the photo: Basking Ridge, NJ

Photo by joiseyshowaa

United States New Jersey New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA

Population & Diversity

Somerset County, NJ is home to a population of 344k people, from which 89.7% are citizens. As of 2021, 26.5% of Somerset County, NJ residents were born outside of the country (91.3k people).

In 2021, there were 2.9 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (186k people) in Somerset County, NJ than any other race or ethnicity. There were 64k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 32k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

89.7%

2021 Citizenship

89.9%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 89.7% of Somerset County, NJ residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Somerset County, NJ was 89.9%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Somerset County, NJ compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Somerset County, NJ

White (Non-Hispanic)
186k ± 626
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
64k ± 595
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
32k ± 588

15.1%

Hispanic Population

51.8k people

15.1% of the people in Somerset County, NJ are hispanic (51.8k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Somerset County, NJ as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for New Jersey.

Most Common Origin

India
274,332 ± 12,667 people
Dominican Republic
200,128 ± 10,864 people
Mexico
106,059 ± 7,950 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of New Jersey was India, the natal country of 274,332 New Jersey residents, followed by Dominican Republic with 200,128 and Mexico with 106,059.

Foreign-Born Population

26.5%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

91.3k people

25.9%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

85.4k people

As of 2021, 26.5% of Somerset County, NJ residents (91.3k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Somerset County, NJ was 25.9%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Somerset County, NJ compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
3,470 ± 431
Gulf War (2001-)
1,670 ± 308
Korea
1,178 ± 284

Somerset County, NJ has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.08 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Somerset County, NJ employs 183k people. The largest industries in Somerset County, NJ are Health Care & Social Assistance (22,583 people), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (22,276 people), and Manufacturing (21,943 people), and the highest paying industries are Finance & Insurance ($126,046), Utilities ($114,659), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($111,077).

Males in New Jersey have an average income that is 1.36 times higher than the average income of females, which is $71,703. The income inequality in New Jersey (measured using the Gini index) is 0.49, which is higher than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

183k

2021 Value

± 3,546

4.12%

1 Year growth

± 2.63%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Somerset County, NJ grew at a rate of 4.12%, from 175k employees to 183k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Somerset County, NJ, are Management Occupations (27,966 people), Sales & Related Occupations (17,451 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (16,839 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Somerset County, NJ.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in New Jersey (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

183k

2021 Value

± 3,546

4.12%

1 Year growth

± 2.63%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Somerset County, NJ grew at a rate of 4.12%, from 175k employees to 183k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Somerset County, NJ, are Health Care & Social Assistance (22,583 people), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (22,276 people), and Manufacturing (21,943 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Somerset County, NJ, though some of these residents may live in Somerset County, NJ and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$78,882

Median earning men ± $1,868

$53,900

Median earning women ± $1,564

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($142,708), Information ($117,159), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($103,262).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Manufacturing ($103,948), Information ($79,773), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($79,398).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in New Jersey. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in New Jersey.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

5,032
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
3,423
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services
2,107
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$7.99M
Manufacturing
$6.18M
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services
$4.15M
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from New Jersey to other states, or from other states to New Jersey.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound New Jersey product (by dollars) was Electronics with $68.4B, followed by Pharmaceuticals ($64.3B) and Motorized vehicles ($45.5B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound New Jersey products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for New Jersey.

$634B

2020 Value in New Jersey

$1.35T

Projected 2050 Value in New Jersey

113% growth

In 2020, total outbound New Jersey trade was $634B. This is expected to increase 113% to $1.35T by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound New Jersey trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from New Jersey to other states, or from other states to New Jersey.

Most Common Trade Partners

New York
$114B
Pennsylvania
$59.4B
Ohio
$21.2B

In 2020, the top outbound New Jersey domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was New York with $114B, followed by Pennsylvania with $59.4B and Ohio and $21.2B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that New Jersey shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Somerset County, NJ went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 59.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (38.7%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.883%).

Bob Menendez and Cory Booker are the senators currently representing the state of New Jersey. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

New Jersey is currently represented by 12 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (59.8%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (38.7%)
Republican Party
Jo Jorgensen (0.883%)
Libertarian Party

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Somerset County, NJ for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from New Jersey

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for New Jersey.

Bob Menendez

Senator from New Jersey

Assumed office on January 17, 2006
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Jon Corzine, who was elected Governor of New Jersey.

Cory Booker

Senator from New Jersey

Assumed office on October 31, 2013
Elected to the seat to succeed Jeffrey Chiesa, who had been appointed to the seat following the death of Frank Lautenberg.

Bob Menendez and Cory Booker are the senators currently representing New Jersey.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in New Jersey over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from New Jersey

New Jersey is currently represented by 12 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for New Jersey have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Somerset County, NJ awarded 1,414 degrees. The student population of Somerset County, NJ in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 3,390 male students and 3,945 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Somerset County, NJ are White (677 and 49.1%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (316 and 22.9%), Black or African American (142 and 10.3%), and Asian (114 and 8.27%).

The largest universities in Somerset County, NJ by number of degrees awarded are Raritan Valley Community College (1,213 and 85.8%), American Institute-Somerset (117 and 8.27%), and Robert Fiance Beauty Schools-North Plainfield (83 and 5.87%).

The most popular majors in Somerset County, NJ are General Business (232 and 16.4%), Liberal Arts & Sciences (214 and 15.1%), and Other Multidisciplinary Studies (169 and 12%).

The median tuition cost in Somerset County, NJ for private four year colleges is $9,550.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

Measure

In 2021 in Somerset County, NJ, the percentage of applicants admitted was 100%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 100%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 7,335 (46.2% men and 53.8% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2021 there were 7,335 students enrolled in Somerset County, NJ, 46.2% men and 53.8% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 2,871 records, of which 48.5% were women and 51.5% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Other Multidisciplinary Studies
169 degree-majors awarded
General Business
232 degree-majors awarded
Liberal Arts & Sciences
210 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Somerset County, NJ was Other Multidisciplinary Studies with 169 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Somerset County, NJ according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Raritan Valley Community College
1,213 degrees awarded
American Institute-Somerset
117 degrees awarded
Robert Fiance Beauty Schools-North Plainfield
83 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Raritan Valley Community College with 1,213 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2021, 605 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Somerset County, NJ, which is 0.748 times less than the 809 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 677 degrees mean that there were 2.14 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 316 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($9,550) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($1,200) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($2,400) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for New Jersey.

Measure

In 2021, 1.05% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 1.03% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for New Jersey.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (1.94M), Bachelors Degree (1.73M), and Some college (1.31M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Somerset County, NJ was $444,700 in 2021, which is 1.82 times larger than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $436,700 to $444,700, a 1.83% increase. The homeownership rate in Somerset County, NJ is 75.5%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Somerset County, NJ have an average commute time of 31.7 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Somerset County, NJ is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Somerset County, NJ is $121,695. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Somerset County, NJ was Census Tract 522.03 with a value of $224,464, followed by Census Tract 542.02 and Census Tract 539.04, with respective values of $221,210 and $211,389.

In 2022, 15.6% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Somerset County, NJ. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 1.79%.

Housing

Property

$444,700

Median Property Value 2021

±$5,505

$94,690

Median Property Taxes

±$1,776

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Somerset County, NJ the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Somerset County, NJ compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

75.5%

Homeownership

2021

61.8%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 75.5% of the housing units in Somerset County, NJ were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 75.7%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Somerset County, NJ compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 522.03
Census Tract 542.02
Census Tract 539.04

In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Somerset County, NJ was Census Tract 522.03 with a value of $224,464, followed by Census Tract 542.02 and Census Tract 539.04, with respective values of $221,210 and $211,389.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Somerset County, NJ colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$121,695

Median Household Income

± $3,494

125k

Number of Households

± 2,629

In 2021, the median household income of the 125k households in Somerset County, NJ grew to $121,695 from the previous year's value of $116,510.

The following chart displays the households in Somerset County, NJ distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $200k+ range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Somerset County, NJ is from New Jersey.

0.49

2021 Wage GINI in New Jersey

0.49

2020 Wage GINI in New Jersey

In 2021, the income inequality in New Jersey was 0.49 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.0372% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for New Jersey was higher than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed less evenly in New Jersey in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in New Jersey across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (71.8%)
Worked At Home (14.3%)
Carpooled (6.5%)

In 2021, 71.8% of workers in Somerset County, NJ drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (14.3%) and those who carpooled to work (6.5%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

31.7 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Somerset County, NJ have a longer commute time (31.7 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 5.22% of the workforce in Somerset County, NJ have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Somerset County, NJ compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Somerset County, NJ distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Somerset County, NJ have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2022, 15.6% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Somerset County, NJ. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 1.79%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

5.11% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Somerset County, NJ (17.4k out of 340k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Females 55 - 64 and then Females 75+.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Somerset County, NJ is White, followed by Hispanic and Asian.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2022, 5.7% of the children was living in poverty in Somerset County, NJ. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 1.6%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 64.2 in Somerset County, NJ. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 15.8 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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Health

94.3% of the population of Somerset County, NJ has health coverage, with 64.6% on employee plans, 6.65% on Medicaid, 12.2% on Medicare, 10.5% on non-group plans, and 0.374% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Somerset County, NJ see 848 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.935% decrease from the previous year (856 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1007 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 340 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.6% were men and 51.4% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

848 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Somerset County, NJ

Primary care physicians in Somerset County, NJ see an average of 848 patients per year. This represents a 0.935% decrease from the previous year (856 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Somerset County, NJ in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 23.3% under 18 years, 17.7% between 18 and 34 years, 43.5% between 35 and 64 years, and 15.6% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.6% were men and 51.4% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

5.73%

Uninsured

64.6%

Employer Coverage

6.65%

Medicaid

12.2%

Medicare

10.5%

Non-Group

0.374%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Somerset County, NJ grew by 5.61% from 5.42% to 5.73%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Somerset County, NJ changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2022, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 27.8 in Somerset County, NJ.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Somerset County, NJ.

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2022, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 25.7% in Somerset County, NJ.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Somerset County, NJ.

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