Union County, NJ

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Population

563,892

1.49% growth

Median Age

38.5


Median Household Income

$77,326

7.36% growth

Poverty Rate

10.3%


Number of Employees

284,474

1.21% growth

Median Property Value

$369,300

3.21% growth

About

Economy

Health

Diversity

Education

Housing & Living

About

In 2017, Union County, NJ had a population of 564k people with a median age of 38.5 and a median household income of $77,326. Between 2016 and 2017 the population of Union County, NJ grew from 555,630 to 563,892, a 1.49% increase and its median household income grew from $72,028 to $77,326, a 7.36% increase.

The population of Union County, NJ is 39.4% White Alone, 32% Hispanic or Latino, and 20.3% Black or African American Alone. 44.2% of the people in Union County, NJ speak a non-English language, and 87.7% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Union County, NJ are Kean University (3,213 degrees awarded in 2016), Union County College (1,590 degrees), and Lincoln Technical Institute-Union (628 degrees).

The median property value in Union County, NJ is $369,300, and the homeownership rate is 58.3%. Most people in Union County, NJ commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 30.1 minutes. The average car ownership in Union County, NJ is 2 cars per household.

About the photo: Aerial over Elizabeth, NJ

Photo by formulanone

United StatesNew JerseyNew York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA

Economy

The economy of Union County, NJ employs 284k people. The largest industries in Union County, NJ are Health Care & Social Assistance (33,767 people), Educational Services (28,802 people), and Transportation & Warehousing (27,557 people), and the highest paying industries are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($150,728), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($150,728), and Finance & Insurance ($97,513).

Median household income in Union County, NJ is $77,326. Males in Union County, NJ have an average income that is 1.38 times higher than the average income of females, which is $62,638. The income inequality in Union County, NJ (measured using the Gini index) is 0.493, which is higher than than the national average.

Wages

Median Household Income

$77,326

2017 value

± $2,731

7.36%

1 Year Growth

± 4.71%

Households in Union County, NJ have a median annual income of $77,326, which is more than the median annual income of $60,336 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $72,028 in 2016, which represents a 7.36% annual growth.

Look at the chart to see how the median household income in Union County, NJ compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

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

$86,424

Average Male Salary

± $1,628

$62,638

Average Female Salary

± $1,187

In 2017, full-time male employees in Union County, NJ made 1.38 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Union County, NJ by number of full-time employees.

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Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

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

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity

  1. Asian

    $82,096 ± $2,933

  2. Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander

    $70,592 ± $66,407

  3. White

    $69,144 ± $1,183

In 2017 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Union County, NJ workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.16 times more than Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Union County, NJ by number of full-time employees.

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Wage Distribution

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

0.493

2017 Wage GINI

0.49

2016 Wage GINI

In 2017, the income inequality in New Jersey was 0.493 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.562% growth from 2016 to 2017, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even.

The 2017 the GINI for New Jersey was higher than than the national average of 0.479. 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.

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Income by Location

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Highest Median Household Income (Total)

  1. Census Tract 365

  2. Census Tract 386.02

  3. Census Tract 379

In 2017, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Union County, NJ was Census Tract 365 with a value of $211,625, followed by Census Tract 386.02 and Census Tract 379, with respective values of $205,197 and $194,125.

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

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Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 35 - 44

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

10.3% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Union County, NJ (56.8k out of 551k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 13.4%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 35 - 44, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Females 6 - 11.

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.

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Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

  1. Hispanic

    26,279 ± 1,290

  2. White

    21,620 ± 1,119

  3. Other

    16,561 ± 1,094

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.

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Occupations

Employment by Occupations

284k

2017 Value

± 9,204

1.21%

1 Year growth

± 4.36%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Union County, NJ grew at a rate of 1.21%, from 281k employees to 284k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Union County, NJ, are Other Management Occupations Except Farmers, Ranchers, & Other Agricultural Managers (15,319 people), Driver/Sales Workers & Truck Drivers (11,252 people), and Laborers & Material Movers, Hand (9,843 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Union County, NJ.

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Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Union County, NJ, by number of employees, are Other Management Occupations Except Farmers, Ranchers, & Other Agricultural Managers (15,319 people), Driver/Sales Workers & Truck Drivers (11,252 people), and Laborers & Material Movers, Hand (9,843 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Union County, NJ has an unusually high number of residents working as Supervisors of Transportation & Material Moving Workers (2.22 times higher than expected), Fire Fighting & Prevention Workers (1.99 times), and First-Line Supervisors of Fire Fighting & Prevention Workers (1.85 times).

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Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Union County, NJ, by median earnings, are Legal Occupations ($101,355), Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($100,990), and Management Occupations ($85,262).

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Industries

Employment by Industries

284k

2017 Value

± 9,204

1.21%

1 Year growth

± 4.36%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Union County, NJ grew at a rate of 1.21%, from 281k employees to 284k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Union County, NJ, are Health Care & Social Assistance (33,767 people), Educational Services (28,802 people), and Transportation & Warehousing (27,557 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.

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Most Common

The most common industries in Union County, NJ, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (33,767 people), Educational Services (28,802 people), and Transportation & Warehousing (27,557 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Union County, NJ has an unusually high number of Transportation & Warehousing (2.11 times higher than expected), Information (1.54 times), and Finance & Insurance (1.33 times) industries.

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Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Union County, NJ, by median earnings, are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($150,728), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($150,728), and Finance & Insurance ($97,513).

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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

  1. Pharmaceuticals

    $48.1B

  2. Electronics

    $36.5B

  3. Motorized vehicles

    $35.3B

In 2015, the top outbound New Jersey product (by dollars) was Pharmaceuticals with $48.1B, followed by Electronics with $36.5B and Motorized vehicles and $35.3B.

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

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Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for New Jersey state.

$467B

2015 Value

$734B

Projected 2045 Value

57.1% growth

In 2015, total outbound New Jersey trade was $467B. This is expected to increase 57.1% to $734B by 2045.

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

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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

  1. New York

    $70.5B

  2. Pennsylvania

    $48.9B

  3. California

    $16.6B

In 2015, the top outbound New Jersey domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was New York with $70.5B, followed by Pennsylvania with $48.9B and California and $16.6B.

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

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Health

90.3% of the population of Union County, NJ has health coverage, with 51.6% on employee plans, 17.2% on Medicaid, 10.5% on Medicare, 10.5% on non-group plans, and 0.507% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in the county of Union County, NJ 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 1502 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.35% increase from the previous year (1482 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1180 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 590 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Salem County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (12.1%). Additionally, Cumberland County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (34.7%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,502 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio

Primary care physicians in Union County, NJ see an average of 1,502 patients per year. This represents a 1.35% increase from the previous year (1,482 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 neighboring states.

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Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

  1. West Virginia

    8.26% of the population affected

  2. Arkansas

    8.13% of the population affected

  3. New Hampshire

    7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

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Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

  1. Mississippi

    19.2% of adults

  2. Texas

    17.9% of adults

  3. Louisiana

    17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

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Health Care Spending

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

$8,859

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care 

$5,081

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$8,049

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$12,614

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in New Jersey (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 4.91%, from $8,444 to $8,859.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

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Health Care Coverage

9.7%

Uninsured

51.6%

Employer Coverage

17.2%

Medicaid

10.5%

Medicare

10.5%

Non-Group

0.507%

Military or VA

Between 2016 and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in Union County, NJ declined by 17.4% from 11.8% to 9.7%.

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.

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Health Risks

Data available at the county level.

Most at risk counties

  1. Salem County

    12.1% prevalence

  2. Cumberland County

    11.7% prevalence

  3. Atlantic County

    11.7% prevalence

Salem County has the highest prevalence of diabetes in New Jersey, at 12.1%.

The following map shows the prevalence of diabetes in New Jersey by county over multiple years.

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Diversity

Union County, NJ is home to a population of 564k people, from which 87.7% are citizens. As of 2017, 29.6% of Union County, NJ residents were born outside of the country.

The ethnic composition of the population of Union County, NJ is composed of 222k White Alone residents (39.4%), 180k Hispanic or Latino residents (32%), 114k Black or African American Alone residents (20.3%), 28.7k Asian Alone residents (5.09%), 11.2k Some Other Race Alone residents (1.98%), 6.92k Two or More Races residents (1.23%), 209 American Indian & Alaska Native Alone residents (0.0371%), and 83 Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander Alone residents (0.0147%).

The most common foreign languages spoken in Union County, NJ are Spanish or Spanish Creole (144,991 speakers), Portuguese or Portuguese Creole (19,187 speakers), and French Creole (13,424 speakers).

Age

Age by Nativity

33

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.6

46

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 0.9

In 2017, the median age of all people in Union County, NJ was 38.5. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 33, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 46. But people in Union County, NJ are getting staying the same age. In 2016, the average age of all Union County, NJ residents was 39.

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Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

29.6%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

29.4%

2016 Foreign-Born Population

As of 2017, 29.6% of Union County, NJ residents were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.7%. In 2016, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Union County, NJ was 29.4%, 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.

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Global Diversity

Most Common Origin

  1. India

    283,401 ± 12,863 people

  2. Dominican Republic

    186,056 ± 10,480 people

  3. Mexico

    122,971 ± 8,550 people

In 2017, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Union County, NJ was India, the natal country of 283,401 Union County, NJ residents, followed by Dominican Republic with 186,056 and Mexico with 122,971.

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Citizenship

87.7%

2017 Citizenship

84.8%

2016 Citizenship

As of 2017, 87.7% of Union County, NJ residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.1%. In 2016, the percentage of US citizens in Union County, NJ was 84.8%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

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Race and Ethnicity

Most Common

  1. White Alone

    222k ± 1.96k

  2. Hispanic or Latino

    180k ± 9.76k

  3. Black or African American Alone

    114k ± 3k

In 2017, there were 1.23 times more White Alone residents (222k people) in Union County, NJ than any other race or ethnicity. There were 180k Hispanic or Latino and 114k Black or African American Alone residents, the second and third most common racial or ethnic groups.

The following bar chart shows the 8 races and ethnicities represented in Union County, NJ as a share of the total population.

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Non-English Speakers

Most Common Languages

  1. Spanish or Spanish Creole

    144,991 speakers (27.9%)

  2. Portuguese or Portuguese Creole

    19,187 speakers (3.69%)

  3. French Creole

    13,424 speakers (2.58%)

44.2% of Union County, NJ citizens are speakers of a non-English language, which is higher than the national average of 21.5%. In 2015, the most common non-English language spoken in Union County, NJ was Spanish or Spanish Creole. 27.9% of the overall population of Union County, NJ are native Spanish or Spanish Creole speakers. 3.69% speak Portuguese or Portuguese Creole and 2.58% speak Spanish or Spanish Creole, the next two most common languages.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

  1. Vietnam

    4,614 ± 1,010

  2. Gulf War (2001-)

    2,013 ± 670

  3. Korea

    1,950 ± 783

Union County, NJ has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.29 times greater than any other conflict.

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Education

In 2016, universities in Union County, NJ awarded 5,912 degrees. The student population of Union County, NJ is skewed towards women, with 10,363 male students and 15,888 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Union County, NJ are White (2,190 and 37.6%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (1,503 and 25.8%), Black or African American (1,349 and 23.2%), and Unknown (339 and 5.82%).

The largest universities in Union County, NJ by number of degrees awarded are Kean University (3,213 and 54.3%), Union County College (1,590 and 26.9%), and Lincoln Technical Institute-Union (628 and 10.6%).

The most popular majors in Union County, NJ are Liberal Arts & Sciences (605 and 10.2%), General Psychology (480 and 8.12%), and Registered Nursing (362 and 6.12%).

The median tuition costs in Union County, NJ are $9,700 for private four year colleges, and $7,754 and $14,521 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

  1. General Business Administration & Management

    169 degrees awarded

  2. General Psychology

    455 degrees awarded

  3. General Biological Sciences

    180 degrees awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Union County, NJ was General Business Administration & Management with 169 degrees awarded.

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

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Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

  1. Kean University

    3,213 degrees awarded

  2. Union County College

    1,590 degrees awarded

  3. Lincoln Technical Institute-Union

    628 degrees awarded

$7,754

Median In-State Public

$9,700

Median Private

In 2016, the Union County, NJ institution with the largest number of graduating students was Kean University with 3,213 degrees awarded.

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Student Gender for Common Institutions

2,405

Degrees Awarded to Men

3,507

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2016, 2,405 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Union County, NJ, which is 0.686 times less than the 3,507 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the top 5 institutions in Union County, NJ by degrees awarded.

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Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

  1. White

    2,190 degrees awarded

  2. Hispanic or Latino

    1,503 degrees awarded

  3. Black or African American

    1,349 degrees awarded

In 2016 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Union County, NJ were to White students. These 2,190 degrees mean that there were 1.46 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 1,503 degrees awarded.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Union County, NJ was $369,300 in 2017, which is 1.7 times larger than the national average of $217,600. Between 2016 and 2017 the median property value increased from $357,800 to $369,300, a 3.21% increase. The homeownership rate in Union County, NJ is 58.3%, which is lower than the national average of 63.9%. People in Union County, NJ have an average commute time of 30.1 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in Union County, NJ is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Income

Household Income

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

$77,326

Median Household Income

± $2,731

190k

Number of Households

± 7,080

In 2017, the median household income of the 190k households in Union County, NJ grew to $77,326 from the previous year's value of $72,028.

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.

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Housing

Property Value

$369,300

2017 Median

± $8,389

$357,800

2016 Median

± $6,278

In 2017, the median property value in Union County, NJ grew to to $369,300 from the previous year's value of $357,800.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Union County, NJ compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Union County, NJ the largest share of households have a property value in the $300k - $400k range.

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Property Taxes

$3k+

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Union County, NJ 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.

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Rent vs Own

58.3%

2017 Homeownership

58.9%

2016 Homeownership

In 2017, 58.3% 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 percentage of owner-occupation is lower than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Union County, NJ compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Transportation

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, followed by 1 car.

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Commute Time

30.1 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Union County, NJ have a longer commute time (30.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.5 minutes). Additionally, 4.96% 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.

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Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

  1. Drove Alone

    70.9%

  2. Public Transit

    10.8%

  3. Carpooled

    8.07%

In 2017, the most common method of travel for workers in Union County, NJ was Drove Alone, followed by those who Public Transit and those who Carpooled.

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