City profile · New Jersey · Census ACS 2023

Union City, NJ

Union City's Census ACS profile: residents, income, housing, and the joined public-record layers available for this place.

66,375
Residents
$65,369
Median income
$446,800
Median home
$2,132
Median rent (state)
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See how it ranks

State rank, size-class rank, and four peer cities for Union City.

Place dossier plate

Sheet NJ-UNION-CITY-NJ · Union City, NJ 66,375 pop · income 43rd pct

POP-SMALL · INC-MID · COL-ABOVE · SAFE-UNK · RANK-MID · PHOTO-FINISH · HOME-HIGH · BOOK-UNK

  • POP-SMALL 66,375
  • INC-MID $65,369
  • COL-ABOVE 108.8
  • SAFE-UNK Safety pending
  • RANK-MID 43rd
  • PHOTO-FINISH ≈ Garland
  • HOME-HIGH $446,800
  • BOOK-UNK Tracts pending

Nearest income peer: Garland, UT (+ $0 income $)

Instrument codes from this place’s ACS population and household income, BEA state COL, FBI safety, national income percentile, photo-finish peer city, home-value band, and matched Census-tract book - not a moving recommendation.

Income neighbourhood around Union City

Lowest/highest poles plus peers nearest Union City on median household income. Full ladder: /browse and /rankings.

median HH income

What this shows Neighbourhood peers only - not a full nationwide city board. Open a near peer when the gap is small; open the poles when the spread is wide.

Source U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 5-Year Estimates As of 2026-08-08

Compare beyond this state

Nationwide peers by population, income

Out-of-state nearest neighbors for Union City on ACS population and median household income . Link sets are deduped so each column is a distinct comparison path, not a forecast that peers share a labor market or climate.

Similar population

Nearest out-of-state cities by ACS population. This city: 66,375.

4 peers

Similar household income

Nearest out-of-state cities by ACS median household income. This city: $65,369. Population peers are excluded.

4 peers

Union City - the verdict

Union City ranks in the 43rd percentile for household income nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS.

43rd
percentile, household income
81st
percentile, home value
94th
percentile, median rent
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Union City, NJ

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 66,375 residents in Union City, a small city within New Jersey. Median household income here is $65,369 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 16.6%. Typical homes in Union City are valued around $446,800, and the median resident age is 37.8 years. About 28.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 62.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 69 residential building permits were authorized in Union City (Growing), up 17% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data.

New Jersey carries a cost-of-living premium: the state registers 108.8 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Well Above Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $2,132 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts New Jersey's average monthly utility costs around $275 (state average). The average commute for Union City workers runs 30.5 minutes, with 32.1% driving alone and 7.1% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 90.8 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

A decision-led reading path

Useful questions to ask of Union City's data

How this reading path is ordered

This is not a composite city score. It is a city-specific route through the available public records, ordered for this profile so the page starts with questions the joined data can actually answer. The route here runs from population change to schools and households to housing and income to comparison shortlist to work and mobility; another city can have a different sequence or fewer supported layers because the source joins are not uniform.

For Union City, city-specific coverage includes commute-mode shares, local building permits, matched public-school count, annual population history. No matched row is reported here for within-city Census tract profiles, FBI reported-crime rates; the page leaves those layers out instead of substituting a statewide or national value.

1. Population change

Is Union City growing, shrinking, or holding steady?

Recent estimates point downward. A falling count can reflect migration, household size, annexation boundaries, or estimation noise, so it is a prompt to inspect the full series rather than a claim about local economic health.

Census PEP estimates show the population declined by -1,456 residents from 2020 to 2025, a -2.1% change. Separately, Census BPS recorded 69 housing units authorized in 2024. PEP and ACS are different Census series, so the trend is kept separate from the headline ACS population.

See the national growth ranking →

Question 2

What does the education layer cover for Union City?

The NCES join finds 3 public schools within the city match. 28.4% of adults age 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher in the ACS estimate. These measures answer different questions: the school count describes local institutions, while adult attainment describes residents and cannot be used as a school-quality rating.

The city has a broader matched school footprint, but count alone does not describe performance, capacity, program availability, or attendance boundaries. This profile deliberately avoids converting it into an unsupported family-friendliness score.

See how the family ranking is built →

Question 3

How far does income reach against housing in Union City?

The home-value-to-income reference is comparatively stretched: the ACS median home value is 6.8 times median household income. The ACS poverty estimate is 16.6%, which keeps the citywide median from describing every household.

This is a citywide price-to-income reference, not a mortgage-affordability test; it does not include interest rates, taxes, insurance, household size, or an individual buyer's down payment. Housing value is high relative to the citywide income median. That flags a question for comparison, not a verdict: tenure, household composition, financing costs, and the age of the ACS estimate can all change what a resident actually pays.

Compare the housing trade-off →

Question 4

Which cities make useful reference points for Union City?

Within New Jersey, the closest population matches are East Orange (69,183 residents, $59,872 income); Passaic (69,651 residents, $56,780 income); Lakewood (69,884 residents, $57,576 income). Outside the state, the closest population matches in this dataset are Sammamish, WA (66,375 residents); Queen Creek, AZ (66,369 residents); Alpharetta, GA (66,355 residents). A third, income-matched reference set of 6 out-of-state cities sits in the income neighbourhood chart near the Place Dossier plate. These are mechanical peer sets, not claims that the places share a labor market, climate, culture, or metro context.

Use the in-state set to hold state policy and broad price conditions more nearly constant. Use the nationwide size set to ask whether cities with a similar resident count produce different housing, income, or commute outcomes. The income set is a third lens, deliberately separate from population matching.

Open a side-by-side comparison →

Other supported questions

Why these stay compact

These joined records add useful context, but they do not need another full-size panel. Each remains a separate measure with its own geography and source boundary.

Work and mobility

What does the journey to work look like in Union City?

Mode share answers how workers usually travel; it does not measure congestion, reliability, distance to a particular job, or the quality of transit service. No single mode completely explains the work trip here. The mix is more useful than a one-number commute grade, especially when comparing places where transit, walking, and remote work divide the non-driving share differently.

Public transit is the largest reported mode at 35.4%. The reported mean trip to work is 30.5 minutes.

Public transit
35.4%
Work from home
7.1%
Drive alone
32.1%

City-level Census ACS commuting estimates covering 32,460 workers age 16+.

Compare commute patterns →

Population

66,375 residents

Mid-size city (50k–199k)

Median Household Income

$65,369 /yr

Below median income · poverty 16.6% (High poverty)

Cost of Living Index (state)

108.8 (US=100)

High cost · BEA RPP 2024, New Jersey average

City profile score · Union City, NJ

31/100

4 published dimensions · ACS/FBI 2023

Comparative score against U.S. cities with population of 1,000 or more on Census ACS medians (income, poverty, bachelor's share, cost of living) and FBI UCR violent-crime rates when published. Higher means a stronger standing on those published figures, not a livability rating, not a recommendation to move, buy, or pick a "best" city. Missing inputs drop out and redistribute weight. How it is calculated.

Bachelor's+ share C
28.4%

Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher; ACS.

Household income D
$65,369

Median household income vs U.S. cities (pop ≥1,000); ACS.

Poverty rate F
16.6%

Share of residents below the poverty line; lower scores better on this axis.

Cost of living F
108.8 index

BEA state Regional Price Parities index (100 ≈ national average); lower is stronger on this axis. Same value for every city in the state.

Violent crime N/A
N/A

No FBI UCR violent-crime rate for this place (coverage is incomplete).

Union City profile (scored ACS/FBI dimensions) 4-axis radar comparing 1 series across Bachelor's+ share, Household income, Poverty rate, Cost of living. Bachelor's+ shareHousehold incomePoverty rateCost of living 31 F
Union City profile (scored ACS/FBI dimensions)
Read the chart values
  • Bachelor's+ share: 55/100 (C) · 28.4%
  • Household income: 42/100 (D) · $65,369
  • Poverty rate: 20/100 (F) · 16.6%
  • Cost of living: 10/100 (F) · 108.8 index

How does Union City compare to other US cities?

Where Union City sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 43% higher than other cities
Home value 81% pricier than other cities
Median rent 94% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Union City against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to New Jersey only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

New Jersey-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Union City near the bottom of New Jersey's cities

Among the 686 New Jersey cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Union City ranks #1 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Union City only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#594 of 659
10th percentile in New Jersey
Median Gross Rent
#1 of 686
0th percentile in New Jersey
Median Home Value
#271 of 672
60th percentile in New Jersey
Poverty Rate
#41 of 680
94th percentile in New Jersey
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#500 of 686
27th percentile in New Jersey
How in-state ranks are ordered

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within New Jersey only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

43rdIncome percentile
Gauge source note

43rd percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Union City's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$446,800 19th percentile more affordable than 19% of 15,600 US cities

Show national distribution $0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). This entry sits in this band. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Union City $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Union City's home-value-to-income ratio: 6.8×

ACS median home value divided by median household income.

Band
pressured
> 5.0×
National rank
#14,604 of 15,516
More affordable than 6% of tracked cities (pop. 1,000+)
Size class
#640 of 750
Mid-size cities (50,000–199,999)

At 6.8×, Union City sits in the pressured band: national rank #14,604 of 15,516 and #640 of 750mid-size cities (50,000–199,999). Housing value is high relative to the citywide income median, a comparison flag, not a verdict on any household.

How this ratio is calculated

Ratio = Census ACS 2023 median home value ÷ median household income for cities with both fields and population ≥ 1,000. Rank 1 = lowest ratio (most compact). Bands match the fleet affordability thresholds used on guides (<3.0 / 3.0–5.0 / >5.0). This is not a mortgage payment estimate and does not include rates, taxes, insurance, or down payment.

Income distribution context

$65,369 Union City, NJ median household income (Census ACS)

Show U.S. national quintile / Lorenz context Household income distribution - Union City, NJ Union City, NJ's median household income ($65,369) against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern. The Lorenz curve and quintile bars are national context, not Union City, NJ-specific shares. $ Household Income Distribution Union City, NJ median $65,369/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Union City, NJ median household income (Census ACS 5-year) with U.S. national quintile shares for context. Diagonal = equality; the curve is national, not computed for Union City, NJ.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 28.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 16.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 62.4%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
66,375
Median Income
$65,369
Median Home Value
$446,800
Median Age
37.8
Poverty Rate
16.6%
Labor force participation
62.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
28.4%

Schools

Total Schools
3
Public schools in this city

Population Change

PEP vintage

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
64,000 residents65,000 residents66,000 residents67,000 residents68,000 residents69,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 68,112 residents 66,656 residents ▼ -2.1%
Union City's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.
Read the chart as text
Period Population
2020 68,112 residents
2021 65,831 residents
2022 65,169 residents
2023 65,690 residents
2024 66,375 residents
2025 66,656 residents

Housing Supply

BPS source

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Growing
Total Permits (2024)
69
housing units authorized
Single-Family
2
detached homes
Multifamily
67
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 59
2020 74
2021 110
2022 138
2023 74
2024 69

Permit volume increased 17% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

Commute source

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
30.5 minutes
Drive Alone
32.1%
Carpool
10.0%
Public Transit
35.4%
Walk
11.4%
Work from Home
7.1%
Other
4.0%

Based on 32,460 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

New Jersey statewide monthly utility average (EIA 2023): $275

EIA 2023 residential energy data puts average monthly utilities across New Jersey at $275 (electricity about $120 , water and sewer about $60 ).

These are New Jersey statewide averages, not a meter reading for Union City. Actual bills vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

New Jersey's BEA cost-of-living index is 108.8 (Well Above Average; US average = 100, RPP 2024). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in the county around Union City is $2,132/mo. FEMA's National Risk Index, averaged to New Jersey statewide on PlainCities, rates natural-hazard exposure at 90.8 / 100 (Very High).

Cost/risk geography note

Cost of living is a New Jersey statewide BEA average; rent is a county-level HUD Fair Market Rent for the county Union City sits in; the FEMA hazard score shown here is a statewide average of county NRI inputs, not a parcel-level reading.

How Union City compares to similar-size New Jersey cities

Same-state peer method

Closest same-state population matches, not geographic neighbors. Population + median household income come from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 and B19013.

City Population Median Household Income
Union City (this city) 66,375 $65,369
East Orange 69,183 $59,872
Passaic 69,651 $56,780
Lakewood 69,884 $57,576
NCES CCD Census BPS 2024
Primary sources on this page

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES. Joins use OMB Bulletin 23-01 / FIPS keys.

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Estimate caveats

ACS and UCR figures are citywide estimates with vintage lags; they do not replace a local visit, school visit, or insurance quote.

Editorial standards, provenance, and how to cite this page

Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.

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