Union County, New Jersey

Union County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2000 Census, the population is 522,541. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Elizabeth ⁶. Union County ranks 92nd among the highest-income counties in the United States with its per capita income being $26,992.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 273 km² (105 mi²). 268 km² (103 mi²) of it is land and 6 km² (2 mi²) of it (2.06%) is water.

Much of Union County is relatively flat and low-lying. Only in the northwestern corner does any significant relief appear as the Watchung Mountains cross the county. It is there that highest elevations, two areas approximately 560 feet (171 m) above sea level, are found in Berkeley Heights. The lowest elevation is sea level along the eastern shore.

Demographics

As of the census ² of 2000, there were 522,541 people, 186,124 households, and 133,264 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,953/km² (5,059/mi²). There were 192,945 housing units at an average density of 721/km² (1,868/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 65.51% White, 20.78% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 3.83% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 6.37% from other races, and 3.25% from two or more races. 19.71% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 186,124 households out of which 34.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.60% were married couples living together, 14.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.40% were non-families. 23.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.28.

In the county the population was spread out with 24.90% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 31.30% from 25 to 44, 22.10% from 45 to 64, and 13.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 92.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $55,339, and the median income for a family was $65,234. Males had a median income of $44,544 versus $32,487 for females. The per capita income for the county was $26,992. About 6.30% of families and 8.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.50% of those under age 18 and 8.00% of those age 65 or over.

Union County is extremely diverse. The far-western part, including Berkeley Heights, New Providence, Westfield, and Summit is unusually Northern European for New Jersey, while Cranford, Kenilworth, Clark, Linden, Union, and Springfield are noted for their high Italian American populations. Plainfield, Roselle, Linden, Rahway, and Elizabeth all have large African American communities. Roselle Park has a notably large Indian American community, and Roselle Park, Linden, Rahway, and Plainfield, and particularly Elizabeth, have fast-growing Hispanic populations. Portuguese-Americans are an increasing group across the county. There are fair-sized Jewish-American communities in Springfield, Scotch Plains, western Elizabeth, Cranford, Westfield, and Summit, but not on the level of Essex County.

Government

Union County is governed by a nine-member Board of Chosen Freeholders. The members are elected at large to serve three-year terms. The Freeholder Board sets policies for the operation of the County. Actual day-to-day operation of departments is supervised by a County Manager.

The Freeholders are the center of legislative and administrative responsibility in Union County and, as such, perform a dual role. As legislators they draw up and adopt a budget, and in the role of administrators they are responsible for spending the funds they have appropriated. Many of these duties in Union County have been delegated by the Board of Chosen Freeholders to the County Manager.

Each of the freeholders serves on various committees and boards as a part of their duties. These include the Economic Development Committee, the Parks and Recreation Board, the Libraries Committee, and the Policy Committee, to name a few. In addition, the Board oversees the county's Open Space Trust Fund.

As of the January 2006 reorganization, Union County's Freeholders are Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella, Freeholder Vice Chairman Bette Jane Kowalski, Angel G. Estrada, Chester Holmes, Adrian O. Mapp, Rick Proctor, Deborah P. Scanlon, Daniel P. Sullivan and Nancy Ward.Board of Chosen Freeholders, accessed June 6, 2006

Municipalities

References

Union County, New Jersey | New York metropolitan area | New Jersey counties

Union County (New Jersey) | Hrabstwo Union (New Jersey) | Condado de Union (Nova Jérsei) | Union County, New Jersey

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Geography

Demographics

Government

Municipalities

References