Union County

As of the most recent data, Union County, NJ has a population of approximately 575,000 people. The racial composition includes 50% White, 30% Hispanic or Latino, 22% Black or African American, and 7% Asian. The median household income is around $78,000. About 9% of the population lives below the poverty line. The median age is 38 years, with a nearly even gender distribution.

As of 2023, Union County, NJ, has a median home price of approximately $450,000. The median rent for a two-bedroom apartment is around $1,800 per month. The homeownership rate is about 58%, while the vacancy rate for homes is roughly 5%. The county features a mix of urban, suburban, and semi-rural communities, offering diverse housing options. The average property tax rate stands at approximately 2.6%, higher than the national average. Median household income in Union County is around $80,000, and the area's cost of living index is about 120, indicating a higher cost relative to the national average.

Union County, NJ, conducts elections for various federal, state, and local offices. The Board of Elections oversees the process, ensuring secure and accessible voting. For the 2023 election cycle, key races include seats for the State Senate, General Assembly, County Commissioners, and local municipal offices.

• State Senate (Districts 20, 21, 22):

  • District 20: Joseph Cryan (D) vs. Mario Medina (R)
  • District 21: Jon Bramnick (R) vs. Anjali Mehrotra (D)

• General Assembly:

  • District 20: Annette Quijano (D) & Reginald Atkins (D) vs. Paul Lichstein (R) & Carmen Bucco (R)
  • District 21: Nancy Munoz (R) & Michele Matsikoudis (R) vs. Joshua Richardson (D) & Elizabeth Graner (D)

• County Commissioners:

  • Democratic incumbents Andre Green, Rebecca Williams, and Sergio Granados
  • Republican challengers include Joseph Sarno, Madeline Scott, and Alex Lospinoso

Voter turnout and engagement remain critical for the democratic process in Union County.

Union County, NJ boasts a high education level. Approximately 40.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, which exceeds the national average of around 33.1% and the New Jersey state average of 41.2%. The high school graduation rate in Union County stands at about 89.6%, compared to the national rate of around 88% and the state rate of around 90%. The county's focus on education is evident through its numerous public and private schools, as well as higher education institutions like Kean University. Overall, Union County's educational attainment is slightly above the national average and closely aligns with the state of New Jersey.

Union County, NJ, has a diverse employment landscape. As of the latest data, the labor force is approximately 280,000. The county enjoys an unemployment rate of about 6.0%, slightly higher than the national average of 4.8% and New Jersey's average of 5.1%.

Top industries in Union County include healthcare and social assistance, retail trade, manufacturing, and educational services. Healthcare and social assistance employ around 19% of the workforce, retail trade about 12%, and manufacturing around 10%. Educational services also make up about 10%.

Compared to national averages, Union County has a higher concentration in manufacturing (national average ~8.5%) and healthcare (national average ~14.8%). When compared to New Jersey, Union County aligns closely with state trends but has a slightly higher focus on manufacturing.

Overall, Union County's employment distribution shows robust involvement in key sectors, with manufacturing playing a more significant role locally than in many other parts of the country.

As of the latest data, the average household income in Union County, NJ, is approximately $90,000. This is higher than the national average income of around $68,700 and also exceeds the New Jersey state average income, which is about $82,545. The higher average income in Union County reflects the region’s economic health and the cost of living.

The economic strength of Union County is highlighted by these figures, showing it to be an area with a relatively higher earning potential compared to both state and national averages.

As of the latest available data in 2023, Union County, NJ has varying crime rates across different categories. Here are the statistics:

The violent crime rate in Union County stands at approximately 3.5 incidents per 1,000 residents. Property crime is more common, with a rate of about 12.6 incidents per 1,000 residents. Efforts are ongoing to reduce these numbers through increased community policing and crime prevention programs.