Union County, New Jersey

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Union County
U.S. county
County of Union
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Coordinates:
Country	United States
Seat	Elizabeth
Area
• Total	105.40 sq mi (273.0 km2)
• Land	102.86 sq mi (266.4 km2)
• Water	2.54 sq mi (6.6 km2)
Population  (2020)
• Total	575,345
• Density	5,594.5/sq mi (2,160.0/km2)
Website	ucnj.org

[[Category:{{{state}}} counties]]

Union County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 census, the county's population was 575,345, making it the seventh-most populous county in New Jersey. The county seat is Elizabeth.

History

Union County was created on March 19, 1857, from portions of Essex County. The county was named for the union of the American states.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 105.40 square miles (273.0 km²), of which 102.86 square miles (266.4 km²) is land and 2.54 square miles (6.6 km²) (2.41%) is water.

Adjacent counties

• Essex County (northeast)
• Hudson County (east)
• Middlesex County (south)
• Morris County (northwest)
• Somerset County (west)

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, there were 575,345 people, 202,520 households, and 140,960 families residing in the county. The population density was 5,594.5 inhabitants per square mile (2,160.0/km²).

Government and politics

Union County is governed by a nine-member Board of County Commissioners. The commissioners are elected at-large to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with three seats coming up for election each year.

Education

Union County is home to several institutions of higher education, including Kean University in Union and Union County College with campuses in Cranford, Elizabeth, Plainfield, and Scotch Plains.

Transportation

Union County is served by several major highways, including the Garden State Parkway, Interstate 78, and Interstate 95 (the New Jersey Turnpike). Public transportation is provided by NJ Transit, which operates bus and rail services throughout the county.

Communities

Union County includes 21 municipalities, each with its own local government. Some of the notable municipalities include:

• Elizabeth
• Union
• Plainfield
• Westfield
• Cranford

Points of interest

Union County is home to several parks and recreational areas, including the Watchung Reservation, Warinanco Park, and the Rahway River Parkway.

See also

• List of counties in New Jersey
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Union County, New Jersey

External links

• Official website

Also see

► Healthcare providers in New Jersey

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