Union County, New Jersey

Union County, New Jersey
County	Union County
State	New Jersey
Founded	1857
Seat	Elizabeth
Largest city	Elizabeth
Area total sq mi	105.40
Area land sq mi	102.86
Area water sq mi	2.54
Population as of	2020
Population total	575,345
Population density sq mi	auto
Time zone	Eastern
Web	www.ucnj.org
Named for	The union of the United States

Union County, New Jersey is a county located in the northern part of the state, within the New York metropolitan area. It was created by an act of the New Jersey Legislature in 1857 from portions of Essex County. The county seat is Elizabeth, the oldest English-speaking settlement in the state and its fourth-largest city. As a densely populated suburban county, it is a major hub for commerce, transportation, and cultural diversity, anchored by its proximity to New York City and Newark.

History

The area that would become this county was originally inhabited by the Lenape people before European colonization. The first major European settlement was established in 1664 at Elizabeth, named for the wife of Sir George Carteret, one of the colony's proprietors. The region played a significant role during the American Revolutionary War, with the Battle of Springfield fought within its borders and General George Washington's army traversing the area. The county was officially formed in 1857, spurred by rapid industrialization and population growth following the completion of the Morris and Essex Railroad and the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, it became a center for manufacturing, attracting waves of immigrants from Ireland, Italy, Poland, and later from Latin America and Asia.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 105.40 square miles, of which 102.86 square miles is land and 2.54 square miles is water. It is bordered by Essex County to the north, Somerset County to the west, Middlesex County to the south, and the Arthur Kill waterway, across which lies Staten Island in New York City. The topography is largely flat, part of the Atlantic coastal plain, with the Watchung Mountains extending into its northwestern section. Major waterways include the Rahway River and the Elizabeth River. Notable parks include the Watchung Reservation, Ash Brook Reservation, and the Echo Lake Park.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 575,345, making it the seventh-most populous county in the state. The racial and ethnic composition is highly diverse: approximately 44.2% identified as White, 21.8% as Black or African American, 10.1% as Asian, and 30.8% as Hispanic or Latino of any race. Significant communities include those of Cuban, Salvadoran, Indian, and Filipino heritage. The largest municipalities by population are Elizabeth, Plainfield, Union Township, and Hillside. The median household income is above the state average, with pockets of both affluence, such as in Summit and Westfield, and urban poverty.

Government

The county operates under a Board of County Commissioners form of government, with nine members elected at-large to staggered three-year terms. The board appoints a County Manager to oversee daily operations. The current county seat is the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth. At the federal level, the county is represented in the United States House of Representatives by members from the 7th, 8th, and 10th districts. Law enforcement is provided by the Union County Police Department and various municipal police forces, with corrections handled by the Union County Jail.

Economy

The economy is diversified, with major sectors including healthcare, education, retail, logistics, and professional services. It is a critical part of the Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal, one of the largest container shipping facilities in the world, operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Major corporate presences have included A&P, Schering-Plough, and Subaru of America, whose headquarters are in Camden but maintains offices locally. Kean University and Union College are significant employers. Retail hubs include the Mills at Jersey Gardens in Elizabeth and downtown districts in Westfield and Summit.

Education

Primary and secondary education is provided by over 20 local public school districts, including the Elizabeth Public Schools, one of the state's largest. Notable high schools include Union County Magnet High School and the Academy for Information Technology. Higher education institutions include Kean University in Union Township, a public university with over 16,000 students, and Union College, a two-year community college. Private institutions include Upsala College, which was located in East Orange but historically served the area before closing. The county also hosts branches of Rutgers University and Seton Hall University programs.

Transportation

The county is a major transportation crossroads, served by several key highways including Interstate 78, Interstate 278, the Garden State Parkway, and U.S. Route 1/9. Public transit is extensive, with New Jersey Transit providing bus and rail service; the Raritan Valley Line and Northeast Corridor Line run through stations in Elizabeth, Union Township, and Westfield. The Elizabeth station offers a direct connection to Newark Liberty International Airport via the AirTrain Newark. The county is also served by the PATH train at stations in Harrison and Newark, providing access to Manhattan.

Category:Union County, New Jersey Category:1857 establishments in New Jersey Category:New York metropolitan area