RANK #367 / 996 · POP 572,079 · NJ
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.3%
Union County, New Jersey, distinguishes itself with towns like Cranford, often called the "Venice of New Jersey" due to its proximity to the Rahway River, offering paddle boating and scenic parks. Located in northeastern New Jersey, the county is about 20-25 miles west of New York City, making it a commuter-friendly area with various train and bus options. The community feel varies from upscale suburbs to vibrant urban centers, all while providing access to over 6,200 acres of parkland, including the 2,000-acre Watchung Reservation with hiking trails and a nature center.
Life in Union County attracts families and professionals, many of whom commute to nearby New York City or Newark. The county's public school systems are above average, with institutions like Union County Magnet High School ranking highly. The economy is diverse, with major investments in commercial and residential developments, industrial and logistics facilities, and infrastructure upgrades, including significant enhancements at Newark Liberty International Airport. Healthcare and social assistance, retail trade, and transportation and warehousing are notable employment sectors.
Above national median (4.7x)
Above national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 6.3x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) Terminal A Redevelopment
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
|
$2,700M | Completed |
|
Former General Motors Plant Redevelopment (Retail & Industrial/Warehousing)
Undisclosed Developers
|
$550M | Under Construction |
|
L'Oreal Research and Development Center
L'Oreal
|
$200M | Under Construction |
|
Sullivan Chevrolet Site Redevelopment (Residential & Retail) - Phase I
Undisclosed Developer
|
$140M | Under Construction |
|
Union Public Library
Union Township
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Community Solar Portfolio (Multiple Projects)
Various (e.g., Navisun LLC)
|
$50M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Union County has a Boom Town Index score of 63/100, ranking #367 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.2% and a median household income of $95,000, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Union County is $458,000 with median rent at $1,570/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2074, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.0% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.2%. Home values changed +3.2% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.91% of Union County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.