Union County
NJ · Pop. 572,549 · Urban County
Union County is an urban county in New Jersey, spanning 103 square miles with 572,549 residents at a density of 5558.7 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on greens, beans, cabbage. The median home price is $489,000, with an effective property tax rate of 2.05%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 172-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.1°F and average winter lows of 24.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 50.3 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Overlook Medical Center is 2.5 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.4% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 99.4% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Overlook Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 2.5 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- Annual rainfall of 50.3 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
- A low poverty rate of 8.9% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- An effective property tax rate of 2.05% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- A median home price of $489,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Union County, NJ is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 15/100
- Median home price
- $489k
- Property tax
- 2.05%
- Growing season
- 172 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 50.3"
- Broadband
- 99.4%
- Nearest hospital
- Overlook Medical Center, 2.5 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Union County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Union County?
- Union County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 172-day growing season, average summer highs of 84.1°F, and average winter lows of 24.1°F. The established crops are greens, beans, cabbage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $489,000 and the effective property tax rate is 2.05%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.4% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Overlook Medical Center is 2.5 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 10 hospitals in the county.
Explore New Jersey Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in New Jersey
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The closest counties to Union County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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