County · New Jersey
Union County, New Jersey
Union County, New Jersey. Union County had 601,863 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 4.6% since 2020, faster than New Jersey (+2.8%). It holds 27 places (13 cities, villages and boroughs, 8 towns and townships and 6 census-designated) and 120 census tracts. GEOID 34039.
Union County is one of the 22 counties of the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
601,863
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 575,345 · ACS 2020-2024: 579,290
Median household income
$103,202
±$2,659 (90% margin)
New Jersey: $103,556
Median home value
$529,200
±$8,258 (90% margin)
New Jersey: $454,400
Median gross rent
$1,730
±$23 (90% margin)
New Jersey: $1,720
How many people live in Union County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 575,345 residents in Union County. The Census Bureau estimates 601,863 for July 1, 2025, up 4.6% since 2020, faster than New Jersey (+2.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 579,290 over 103 square miles of land.
| Measure | Union County | New Jersey | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 579,290 | 9,343,809 | +25,257 |
| Households | 203,277±863 | 3,507,701 | +13,176 |
| Average household size | 2.82±0.01 | 2.62 | −0.06 |
| Housing units | 212,385±197 | 3,791,354 | +10,118 |
Union County's population since 2000
From 522,541 in 2000 to 601,863 in 2025: up 15.2%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Union County?
Union County holds 27 places: 13 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 8 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 6 census-designated places. The largest is Elizabeth with 141,675 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Elizabeth | 137,298 | $66,555 |
|---|---|---|
| Union Township, Union County | 59,728 | $119,464 |
| Plainfield | 54,586 | $85,908 |
| Linden | 43,738 | $92,915 |
| Westfield | 31,032 | $232,629 |
| Rahway | 29,556 | $91,461 |
| Scotch Plains Township | 24,968 | $183,655 |
| Cranford Township | 23,847 | $155,972 |
| Summit | 22,719 | $190,304 |
| Roselle | 22,695 | $92,762 |
| Hillside Township | 22,456 | $99,528 |
| Springfield Township, Union County | 17,178 | $155,906 |
| Clark Township | 15,544 | $133,504 |
| Roselle Park | 13,967 | $109,679 |
| New Providence | 13,650 | $161,599 |
| Berkeley Heights Township | 13,285 | $204,658 |
| Kenilworth | 8,427 | $118,611 |
| Fanwood | 7,774 | $195,529 |
| Mountainside | 7,020 | $211,538 |
| Vauxhall | 5,251 | $111,421 |
| Garwood | 4,454 | $110,670 |
| Union | 2,229 | $182,730 |
| Cranford | 2,032 | $79,508 |
| Kean UniversityGEOID 3436484 | 1,522 | not published |
| SpringfieldGEOID 3470018 | 1,518 | $250,000 or more |
| Winfield Township | 1,423 | $64,052 |
| Connecticut FarmsGEOID 3414815 | 545 | $75,396 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Union County?
The median resident of Union County is 39.1 years old; 23.5% are under 18 and 15.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 35.4%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 35.2%. 33.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Union County | New Jersey | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.1±0.2 | 40.1 | +0.4 |
| Under 18 years | 23.5% | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.1%±0.1 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 35.2% | 22.5% | +3.6 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 35.4%±0.2 pts | 50.9% | −4.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 19.1%±0.2 pts | 12.2% | −1.0 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 5.6%±0.1 pts | 10.0% | +0.6 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.4%±0.2 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.2%±0.2 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 33.6%±0.6 pts | 23.9% | +3.5 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 47.6%±0.7 pts | 33.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 2.5%±0.2 pts | 3.7% | – |
| With a disability | 9.1%±0.4 pts | 10.8% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 13.0%±0.6 pts | 7.5% | +1.7 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 86.3%±0.5 pts | 90.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 38.9%±0.8 pts | 43.6% | +2.9 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 15.8%±0.5 pts | 17.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.5%±0.2 pts | 1.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Union County earn?
Half of Union County's 203,277 households earn less than $103,202 a year (±$2,659), against $103,556 in New Jersey. In 2015-2019 the median was $98,699 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $4,503 after inflation. 9.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Union County | New Jersey | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $103,202±$2,659 | $103,556 | +$4,503 |
| Mean household income | $149,595±$2,552 | $143,363 | – |
| Per capita income | $52,874±$936 | $54,253 | +$1,673 |
| People below the poverty line | 9.2%±0.5 pts | 9.7% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 11.8%±1.2 pts | 13.0% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.8%±0.6 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 93.3%±0.6 pts | 92.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Union County?
Owners occupy 57.4% of Union County's occupied homes and renters 42.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $529,200 by its owner (±$8,258). The median renter pays $1,730 a month including utilities, and 42.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Union County | New Jersey | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $529,200±$8,258 | $454,400 | +$77,289 |
| Median gross rent | $1,730±$23 | $1,720 | +$142 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 42.8%±1.6 pts | 42.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $3,203±$36 | $2,829 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 57.4%±0.8 pts | 63.8% | −1.2 pts |
| Housing units | 212,385±197 | 3,791,354 | +10,118 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.0%±0.3 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.1%±0.5 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 49.7%±0.8 pts | 52.6% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.0%±0.2 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 23.5%±0.8 pts | 17.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Union County building?
Builders took permits for 1,228 new housing units across Union County in 2025 (162 single-family), 2.0 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Union County get to work?
60.9% of Union County's workers drive alone and 14.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 30.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.5%.
| Measure | Union County | New Jersey | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 69.3%±0.5 pts | 66.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.5%±0.4 pts | 6.3% | +0.8 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 60.9%±0.8 pts | 62.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.9%±0.6 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 9.1%±0.4 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Walked | 2.4%±0.3 pts | 2.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 14.2%±0.5 pts | 16.8% | +10.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 30.2 min±0.4 | 30.5 min | −1.5 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Union County's census tracts?
Union County is divided into 120 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $38,750 (Tract 319.04) to $250,000 or more (Tract 386.02).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Union County compare with New Jersey's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 7th of 21 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 2nd of 21 |
| Residents per square mile | 3rd of 21 |
| Median household income | 10th of 21 |
| Median home value | 6th of 21 |
| Median gross rent | 9th of 21 |
| Poverty rate | 10th of 21 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13th of 21 |
| Median age | 16th of 21 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Union County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.