Watchung, NJ
Full City Profile · New Jersey · Union County County
3.5
/5.0
B+
Good
6,429
Population
1,068/sq mi density
$166,536
Median Income
$85,269 per capita
$833,300
Home Value
$1,081,763 Zillow
$2,571
Median Rent
34.9% income on rent
55°F
Avg Temperature
15
Violent Crime/100K
4,201 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$166,536 median income, 8.0% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.9 / 5.0
$833,300 home value, $2,571/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
15 violent crimes/100K
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
62.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Watchung experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 48.7 inches. The area receives 21.4 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.
Temperature
32°F Jan (0°C)
77°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 54.8°F |
| 1% above US avg | |
| January Average | 32°F (0°C) |
| July Average | 77°F (25°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 353 ft (108 m) |
| Area | 6.0 sq mi (15.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,068/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.6428°N, 74.4362°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Union County County |
| Nearest Airport | Central Jersey Regional (JVI) 12 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 62.6% |
| Unhealthy Days | 0 |
Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)
| NO₂ (Nitrogen Dioxide) | 26.6 ppb |
| SO₂ (Sulfur Dioxide) | 0.74 ppb |
| CO (Carbon Monoxide) | 0.42 ppm |
| PM2.5 (Fine Particles) | 9.8 μg/m³ |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 95.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 55.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 30.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Very High |
| Lightning | Very High |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Tsunami History
3 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 0.3 m (1 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1964 | LONG ISLAND, NY | Meteorological | 0.3 m | - | 114 km |
| 1895 | HIGH BRIDGE, NJ | Earthquake | - | - | 38 km |
| 1840 | PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA | Earthquake | - | - | 114 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F (0°C) | 3.8 in | Coldest |
| February | 35°F (2°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| March | 43°F (6°C) | 4.3 in | |
| April | 54°F (12°C) | 3.6 in | |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 4.0 in | |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 4.3 in | |
| July | 77°F (25°C) | 5.3 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 4.0 in | |
| September | 68°F (20°C) | 4.3 in | |
| October | 56°F (13°C) | 4.3 in | |
| November | 46°F (8°C) | 3.5 in | |
| December | 38°F (3°C) | 4.2 in |
Watchung has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 32°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.7 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.3") and February the driest (3.1").