Union
New Jersey

What stands out

If you had to describe Union County in numbers, start here: the property tax rate is in the top 2% of American counties (2.18%), the median home price is in the top 3% of American counties ($633K), and the typical two-bedroom rent is in the top 3% of American counties ($1,644 a month). Within New Jersey it ranks 12th of 21 counties for the property tax rate.

Where you are

You live in Union County, New Jersey. 572,079 people live here with you. The population grew 0.4% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -4,975).

New Jersey has the highest property taxes in the nation, averaging more than $9,000 a year per home, and a graduated income tax reaching 10.75% above $1 million. It repealed its estate tax in 2018 but kept an inheritance tax on non-family heirs. Social Security is not taxed, and retirement income up to $100,000 is excluded for many couples. The whole state is within commuting range of New York or Philadelphia.

Money

The typical household here brings in $95,000 a year, higher than 95% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $84,322. Unemployment runs 3.9%, higher than 66% of American counties. 11% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 27 minutes each way.

New Jersey takes 4.1% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,925 a year.

Home

The median home costs $633K, pricier than 97% of American counties, about 4.0 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,644 a month. Property tax is 2.18% of home value, roughly $10,001 a year on that median home, higher than 98% of American counties. 58% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.4 per 1,000 residents, lower than 77% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 18 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 79.4 years, longer than 88% of American counties. There are 1,636 active physicians in the county, about 28.6 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.0 of 5 stars. 13.5% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.23 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 75% of American counties. 87% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 27 points. 71% of eligible voters turned out. Under New Jersey law you need local approval to carry a concealed handgun, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 55°F, highs near 64 and lows near 46, colder than 54% of American counties. About 39 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 92 out of 100, riskier than 92% of American counties; the county has had 30 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 281 Mbps down, faster than 90% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 4 breweries, 5 museums.