Franklin
RANK #708 / 996 NAT · #17 / 21 NJ · POP 344,978
1YR FORECAST: +1.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +18%
Somerville, the county seat of Somerset County, New Jersey, offers a walkable downtown with shops and restaurants. Located in north-central New Jersey, the county balances suburban and rural environments. It is approximately an hour's drive from New York City and Philadelphia, with train and bus services available for commuters. The county is characterized by rolling hills and preserved open spaces, making it suitable for outdoor activities like hiking and biking.
Somerset County offers a quality of life that attracts families, with highly rated public schools and a strong sense of community. The local economy is driven by sectors such as life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and technology, with a growing startup presence. The county also sees investment in areas like transportation and warehousing. Many residents own their homes, and the county has a diverse population.
Above national median
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 3.7x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Amwell Energy Center (Proposed Natural Gas Plant)
Genesis Power LLC
|
$1,000M | Proposed |
|
Somerset Technology Park Data Center Campus
Russo Development
|
$500M | Under Construction |
|
CyrusOne NYM1 Somerset Data Center
CyrusOne
|
$200M | Operating |
|
Williams Transco Compressor Station 206 Expansion
Williams Transco
|
$100M | Planned |
|
Somerset County Community Solar Portfolio (multiple projects)
NJR Clean Energy Ventures Corporation, Dimension Energy LLC, others
|
$50M | Operating |
|
Route 206 Widening in Hillsborough
State of New Jersey
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
At 28/100, Somerset County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $131,948 combined with job growth of -0.1% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Somerset County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $489,500 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.27, with rents averaging $1,846/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in Somerset County are both close to flat — population +0.3% YoY and jobs -0.1%. Home values shifted +1.6% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.72% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Somerset County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.