RANK #758 / 1001 NAT · #19 / 21 NJ · POP 579,290
1YR FORECAST: +1.9%
5YR OUTLOOK: +15%
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.
Union County is one of 110 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +2.1% matches the profile's typical +2.4%.
See all 110 Educated Suburban Growth counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 15.4x — home prices are high 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.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: Homicide rates from CDC/NCHS vital-statistics mortality data — a multi-year average that stabilizes counts in smaller counties — compiled in the County Health Rankings 2025 release. Rates per 100,000 population; U.S. average ≈ 6.5. Grade reflects homicide rate relative to the national average. Learn more →
See where Union County stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties · counties where safety is improving.
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| 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 1001 counties.
At 24/100, Union County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $103,202 combined with job growth of +1.1% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Union County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $529,200 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.20 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,730/month on average.
Union County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +1.2% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.1% clip. Home values shifted +2.1% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.39% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Union County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.