Union County, NJ

County

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2021 Population

571,963

3.02% 1-year growth

US Senator

Bob Menendez

Democratic Party

US Senator

Cory Booker

Democratic Party

2021 Median Age

0.257% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

8.56%

2.66% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$87,369

5.72% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$393,900

4.01% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

290,568

2.81% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Union County, NJ had a population of 572k people with a median age of 39 and a median household income of $87,369. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Union County, NJ grew from 555,208 to 571,963, a 3.02% increase and its median household income grew from $82,644 to $87,369, a 5.72% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Union County, NJ are White (Non-Hispanic) (38.4%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (20%), Other (Hispanic) (15.6%), White (Hispanic) (9.89%), and Two+ (Hispanic) (5.56%).

None of the households in Union 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.

85.8% of the residents in Union County, NJ are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Union County, NJ are Kean University (3,222 degrees awarded in 2021), Union County College (1,760 degrees), and Lincoln Technical Institute-Union (728 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Union County, NJ was $393,900, and the homeownership rate was 58.2%.

Most people in Union County, NJ drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 30.8 minutes. The average car ownership in Union County, NJ was 2 cars per household.

Union County, NJ borders Essex County, NJ, Hudson County, NJ, Middlesex County, NJ, Morris County, NJ, Somerset County, NJ, and Richmond County, NY.

About the photo: Aerial over Elizabeth, NJ

Photo by formulanone

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

Population & Diversity

Union County, NJ is home to a population of 572k people, from which 85.8% are citizens. As of 2021, 30.8% of Union County, NJ residents were born outside of the country (176k people).

In 2021, there were 1.91 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (219k people) in Union County, NJ than any other race or ethnicity. There were 115k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 89.2k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

85.8%

2021 Citizenship

86.1%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 85.8% of Union County, NJ residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Union County, NJ was 86.1%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Union County, NJ

White (Non-Hispanic)
219k ± 1.08k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
115k ± 1.2k
Other (Hispanic)
89.2k ± 3.92k

32.5%

Hispanic Population

186k people

32.5% of the people in Union County, NJ are hispanic (186k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Union 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

30.8%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

176k people

30.2%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

168k people

As of 2021, 30.8% of Union County, NJ residents (176k 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 Union County, NJ was 30.2%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
4,784 ± 506
Gulf War (2001-)
2,059 ± 367
Korea
1,302 ± 285

Union County, NJ has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.32 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Union County, NJ employs 291k people. The largest industries in Union County, NJ are Health Care & Social Assistance (35,860 people), Retail Trade (28,732 people), and Educational Services (28,057 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($109,228), Finance & Insurance ($109,163), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($97,118).

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

291k

2021 Value

± 4,497

2.81%

1 Year growth

± 2.12%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Union County, NJ grew at a rate of 2.81%, from 283k employees to 291k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Union County, NJ, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (35,304 people), Management Occupations (31,057 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (26,491 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Union County, NJ.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

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

291k

2021 Value

± 4,497

2.81%

1 Year growth

± 2.12%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Union County, NJ grew at a rate of 2.81%, from 283k employees to 291k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Union County, NJ, are Health Care & Social Assistance (35,860 people), Retail Trade (28,732 people), and Educational Services (28,057 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Union County, NJ, though some of these residents may live in Union County, NJ and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$54,753

Median earning men ± $1,044

$41,698

Median earning women ± $950

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($125,759), Information ($89,505), and Public Administration ($81,884).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($73,510), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($73,075), and Information ($62,074).

Employment by Industry Sector

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

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

6,261
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
3,207
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services
2,784
Other Services, Except Public Administration

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

$4.59M
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$4.56M
Wholesale Trade
$3.73M
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services

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 Union County, NJ went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 67.3% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (31.6%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.564%).

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. (67.3%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (31.6%)
Republican Party
Jo Jorgensen (0.564%)
Libertarian Party

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Union 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 Union County, NJ awarded 6,110 degrees. The student population of Union County, NJ in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 18,490 male students and 28,166 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Union County, NJ are White (1,866 and 31.2%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (1,801 and 30.1%), Black or African American (1,414 and 23.6%), and Unknown (371 and 6.19%).

The largest universities in Union County, NJ by number of degrees awarded are Kean University (3,222 and 52.7%), Union County College (1,760 and 28.8%), and Lincoln Technical Institute-Union (728 and 11.9%).

The most popular majors in Union County, NJ are Liberal Arts & Sciences (500 and 8.18%), Registered Nursing (494 and 8.09%), and General Psychology (455 and 7.45%).

The median tuition costs in Union County, NJ are $10,700 for private four year colleges, and $10,445 and $17,621 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Union County, NJ, the percentage of applicants admitted was 79%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 21.4%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 46,656 (39.6% men and 60.4% 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

Universities

In 2021 there were 46,656 students enrolled in Union County, NJ, 39.6% men and 60.4% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Hispanic or Latino with 16,288 records, of which 61.5% were women and 38.5% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
310 degree-majors awarded
General Biological Sciences
207 degree-majors awarded
General Psychology
415 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Union County, NJ was General Business Administration & Management with 310 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Kean University
3,222 degrees awarded
Union County College
1,760 degrees awarded
Lincoln Technical Institute-Union
728 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Kean University with 3,222 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 2,517 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Union County, NJ, which is 0.701 times less than the 3,593 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 1,866 degrees mean that there were 1.04 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 1,801 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

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($10,700) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Private not-for-profit, 2-year ($17,687) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($1,440) 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 Union County, NJ was $393,900 in 2021, which is 1.61 times larger than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $378,700 to $393,900, a 4.01% increase. The homeownership rate in Union County, NJ is 58.2%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Union County, NJ have an average commute time of 30.8 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Union County, NJ is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Union County, NJ is $87,369. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Union County, NJ was Census Tract 377 with a value of $250,001, followed by Census Tract 379 and Census Tract 386.02, with respective values of $250,001 and $227,591.

In 2022, 23.8% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Union County, NJ. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 4.52%.

Housing

Property

$393,900

Median Property Value 2021

±$3,469

$115,509

Median Property Taxes

±$2,069

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 Union County, NJ the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

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

Rent vs Own

58.2%

Homeownership

2021

59.5%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 58.2% of the housing units in Union County, NJ were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 58.9%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Union 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 377
Census Tract 379
Census Tract 386.02

In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Union County, NJ was Census Tract 377 with a value of $250,001, followed by Census Tract 379 and Census Tract 386.02, with respective values of $250,001 and $227,591.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Union 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.

$87,369

Median Household Income

± $1,747

199k

Number of Households

± 3,555

In 2021, the median household income of the 199k households in Union County, NJ grew to $87,369 from the previous year's value of $82,644.

The following chart displays the households in Union 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 Union 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 (66.1%)
Public Transit (9.92%)
Worked At Home (9.35%)

In 2021, 66.1% of workers in Union County, NJ drove alone to work, followed by those who used public transit to get to work (9.92%) and those who worked at home (9.35%).

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

30.8 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Union County, NJ have a longer commute time (30.8 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 4.7% of the workforce in Union County, NJ have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Union 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 Union County, NJ distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Union County, NJ have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2022, 23.8% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Union County, NJ. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 4.52%.

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

Poverty & Diversity

8.56% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Union County, NJ (48.4k out of 565k 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 25 - 34, followed by Females 35 - 44 and then Males 35 - 44.

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

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, 12% of the children was living in poverty in Union County, NJ. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 4%.

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 357 in Union County, NJ. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 97.5 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

88.6% of the population of Union County, NJ has health coverage, with 52.7% on employee plans, 16.5% on Medicaid, 10.5% on Medicare, 8.57% on non-group plans, and 0.368% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in New Jersey was $8,859 in 2014. This is a 4.91% increase from the previous year ($8,444).

Primary care physicians in Union County, NJ see 1480 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.749% increase from the previous year (1469 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1133 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 460 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.3% were men and 51.7% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,480 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Union County, NJ

Primary care physicians in Union County, NJ see an average of 1,480 patients per year. This represents a 0.749% increase from the previous year (1,469 patients).

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

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 24.9% under 18 years, 19.8% between 18 and 34 years, 41.3% between 35 and 64 years, and 14% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.3% were men and 51.7% were women.

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

Uninsured People

11.4%

Uninsured

52.7%

Employer Coverage

16.5%

Medicaid

10.5%

Medicare

8.57%

Non-Group

0.368%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Union County, NJ grew by 1.35% from 11.2% to 11.4%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Union 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 36.2 in Union County, NJ.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Union 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 27.6% in Union County, NJ.

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

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