Union City, NJ

New Jersey · Metropolitan Area

Union City is a mid-size city in New Jersey with a population of 66,375. Residents earn $65,369 per year, which is 13% below the national average.

2.6 /5.0
C+ Fair
66,375 Population 51,453/sq mi density
$65,369 Median Income $34,036 per capita
$446,800 Home Value $551,272 Zillow
$1,489 Median Rent
55°F Avg Temperature
347 Violent Crime/100K 1,724 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.6 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$65,369 median income, 5.8% unemployment
C+
Affordability
2.8 / 5.0
$446,800 home value, $1,489/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
347 violent crimes/100K (9% below avg)
B
Education
3.3 / 5.0
28.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $65,369
13% lower than US avg
Home Value $446,800
58% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 347/100K
9% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 28.4%
16% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,489
28% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 33.4%
4% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.8%
61% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 16.6%
34% higher than US avg

How Union City Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population66,375
Median Age37.8 yrs
Density51,453/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 26%

Economy

B
Median Income$65,369
Per Capita$34,036
Unemployment5.8%
Poverty16.6%
County GDP$65,736M
Commute33 min

Housing

C+
Home Value$446,800
Rent$1,489
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$551,272

Crime

F
Violent347/100K
Property1,724/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault204/100K
Burglary275/100K

Health

Obesity33.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression14.2%
Heart Disease5.8%

Climate

Avg Temp55°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain46.3 in/yr
Elevation207 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+28.4%
High School+77.5%
School Score6.15

Community

2024 VoteR 35% / D 63%
Commute33 min
EV Stations3
Libraries25

Is Union City a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Union City receives an overall livability score of 2.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate. Union City has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Union City is $65,369, 13% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.8% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 16.6% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 33 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Union City is $446,800, making it a premium housing market at 58% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,489 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. The price-to-income ratio of 6.8x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Union City is below the national average at 347 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,724 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

28.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 77.5% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.2/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Union City experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 55°F. Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 46.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Union City has a population of 66,375 with a density of 51,453 people per square mile. The median age is 37.8 years, 3% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (25.8%), with 2.6% Hispanic, 4.7% Black.

Population

66,375
Total Population
51,453
People / sq mi
37.8yrs
Median Age
3% below US avg
1.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.1%
Female 50.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Union City vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only18.6%
76% below US avg
Spanish81.4%
507% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Union City vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Union City is $65,369, which is 13% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 16.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 33 minutes.

Income: Union City vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$65,369
13% below US avg
Per Capita Income$34,036
Avg Weekly Wage$1,825
IRS Avg AGI$95,813

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.8%
61% above US avg
Poverty Rate16.6%
34% above US avg
Establishments (County)19,208
County GDP$65,736M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,717
Healthcare1,603
Retail2,080
Manufacturing335

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$10,434
198% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.34%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time32.9 min
Work from Home7.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Union City is $446,800, 58% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,489 (28% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $551,272.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$446,800
58% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$551,272
Median List Price$636,997

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$636,997
$/Sq Ft$419
Homes Sold17
Sale-to-List Ratio99.2%
Price Drops13.5%
Inventory104

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,489
28% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$2,366

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,612
1 Bedroom$1,822
2 Bedrooms$2,205
3 Bedrooms$2,761
4 Bedrooms$3,137

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied20.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$10,434
198% above US avg
Effective Rate2.34%
In Union City, 33.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 14.2% report depression. 38.2% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Union City vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity33.4%
4% above US avg
Diabetes13.9%
Heart Disease5.8%
High Blood Pressure30.8%
Asthma8.4%
COPD4.9%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.7%
Physical Inactivity38.2%
Depression14.2%
Mental Distress15.9%
Physical Distress16.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate74.7%
Checkup Rate74.1%
Premature Death6,244/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.6/10
Exercise Access100.0%
Healthcare Facilities1,603
Union City has a violent crime rate of 347 per 100,000 residents, 9% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,724 per 100,000 (12% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Union City vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent347.5/100K
9% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape1.5/100K
Robbery142.5/100K
Assault203.5/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,724.2/100K
12% below US avg
Burglary274.8/100K
Theft1,295.3/100K
Vehicle Theft154.1/100K
Arson5.8/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)15

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Union City has an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation is 46.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

33°F Jan (0°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average55.4°F
3% above US avg
January Average33°F (0°C)
July Average78°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall46.3 inches
22% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood
Good Days %62.6%
Unhealthy Days0

Geography

Elevation207 ft (63 m)
Area1.3 sq mi (3.3 km²)
Population Density51,453/sq mi
Coordinates40.7674°N, 74.0323°W
County FIPS34017
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 28.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (16% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 28.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 34.6%
D 62.6%

Winner: Democrat by 28.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+28.4%
16% below US avg
High School+77.5%
School Test Score6.15
B Education Grade (3.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density51,453/sq mi
Total Area1.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations3
Alt Fuel Stations3
Public Libraries25
Healthcare Facilities1,603
Restaurants1,717
Retail Stores2,080

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)15
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute32.9 min
Work from Home7.1%

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