Union County, New Jersey

Infobox U.S. County
county = Union County
state = New Jersey

---

map size = 100
founded = 1857
seat = Elizabeth
area_total_sq_mi =105
area_land_sq_mi =103
area_water_sq_mi =2
area percentage = 2.06%
census yr = 2000
pop = 522541
density_km2 = 1953
web = http://www.ucnj.org/

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 ElizabethGR|6. Union County ranks 92nd among the highest-income counties in the United States. It also ranks 74th in the United States by personal per-capita income. [ [http://www.bea.gov/regional/reis/pcpihigh.cfm 250 Highest Per Capita Personal Incomes of the 3111 Counties in the United States, 2006] , Bureau of Economic Analysis. Accessed May 2, 2008.] With more than 5,000 persons per square mile on average, Union County is one of the most densely populated counties in America.

Geography

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

Adjacent counties

*Essex County, New Jersey - north
*Hudson County, New Jersey - east
*Richmond County, New York - east
*Middlesex County, New Jersey - south
*Somerset County, New Jersey - west
*Morris County, New Jersey - west

Demographics

USCensusPop
1860=27780
1870=41859
1880=55571
1890=72467
1900=99353
1910=140197
1920=200157
1930=305209
1940=328344
1950=398138
1960=504255
1970=543116
1980=504094
1990=493819
2000=522541
estimate=531088
estyear=2006
estref= [cite web
url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/34/34039.html
title=QuickFacts: Union County, New Jersey
publisher=U.S. Census Bureau
accessdate=2007-08-20]
footnote=historical census data source: [cite web
url=http://www.wnjpin.net/OneStopCareerCenter/LaborMarketInformation/lmi01/poptrd5.htm
title=New Jersey Resident Population by County: 1880 - 1930] [cite web
url=http://fisher.lib.virginia.edu/collections/stats/histcensus/
title=Geostat Center: Historical Census Browser
publisher=University of Virginia Library
accessdate=2007-03-02] As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 522,541 people, 186,124 households, and 133,264 families residing in the county. The population density was 5,059 people per square mile (1,953/km²). There were 192,945 housing units at an average density of 1,868 per square mile (721/km²). 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. 13.1% were of Italian, 8.6% Irish, 6.5% Polish and 5.8% German ancestry according to Census 2000.

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. Berkeley Heights, New Providence, Westfield, Summit, Cranford, Kenilworth, Clark, Linden, Union, Springfield and Scotch Plains have a very high number of Italian American residents as well as a large number of Irish Americans and residents of Northern European descent in general. 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 and Portuguese populations. There are fair-sized Jewish-American communities in Springfield, Scotch Plains, Elizabeth, Cranford, Westfield, and Summit, though 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 on a staggered basis, with three seats coming up for election each year. The Freeholder Board sets policies for the operation of the County. Actual day-to-day operation of departments is supervised by an appointed County Manager, George W. Devanney.

The Freeholders perform the county's legislative and executive functions. In their legislative role, they formulate and adopt a budget and set county policies and procedures. In their executive role, they oversee county spending and functioning. Many of the administrative duties are 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 2008 reorganization, Union County's Freeholders are Freeholder Chairman Angel G. Estrada (Elizabeth), Freeholder Vice Chairman Alexander Mirabella (Roselle Park), Chester Holmes (Rahway), Bette Jane Kowalski (Cranford), Rick Proctor (Rahway), Deborah P. Scanlon (Union), Daniel P. Sullivan (Elizabeth), Rayland Van Blake (Plainfield) and Nancy Ward (Linden). [http://www.unioncountynj.org/freeholders/index.html Board of Chosen Freeholders] , Union County, New Jersey. Accessed February 20, 2008.]

Politics

In the 2004 U.S. Presidential election, John Kerry carried the county by a 18.1% margin over George W. Bush, with Kerry carrying the state by 6.7% over Bush. [ [http://www.njvoterinfo.org/2004presNJ.htm New Jersey Presidential Election Returns by County 2004] , Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University. Accessed August 31, 2008.]

Transportation

The county is served by numerous transportation modes including rail, air, highways and ports.

Major highways which traverse the county include the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, Interstate 78, Interstate 278, U.S. Route 1, U.S. Route 9, U.S. Route 22 and the Goethals Bridge.

Passenger rail service is provide by New Jersey Transit via the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast Line, Raritan Valley Line, the Morristown Line and the Gladstone Branch. Freight service is provided by on Conrail's Lehigh Line and Chemical Coast Branch.

The Elizabeth Marine Terminal is part of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

The southern portion of Newark Liberty International Airport is located in Elizabeth, within Union County.

Municipalities

=Boroughs=

*Fanwood
*Garwood
*Kenilworth
*Mountainside
*New Providence
*Roselle Park
*Roselle

=Cities=

*Elizabeth
*Linden
*Plainfield
*Rahway
*Summit

=Towns=

*Westfield

=Townships=

*Berkeley Heights
*Clark
*Cranford
*Hillside
*Scotch Plains
*Springfield Township
*Union Township
*Winfield Township

References