Somerset County is a county located in the north-central part of the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 census, the county was the state's 13th-most-populous county,Table1. New Jersey Counties and Most Populous Cities and Townships: 2020 and 2010 Censuses, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed December 1, 2022. with a population of 345,361, its highest decennial count ever and an increase of 21,917 (+6.8%) from the 2010 census count of 323,444. The United States Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program estimated a 2025 population of 356,486, an increase of 11,125 (+3.2%) from the 2020 decennial census. Somerset County constitutes part of the New York metropolitan area. Its county seat is Somerville.New Jersey County Map, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed December 22, 2022. The most populous place in the county was Franklin Township, with 68,364 residents at the time of the 2020 census, while Hillsborough Township, with , covered the largest total area of any municipality. The county is part of the Central Jersey region of the state.Governor Murphy Settles Central Jersey Debate, Governor of New Jersey Phil Murphy, press release dated August 4, 2023. "Governor Phil Murphy today signed S3206 to promote Central Jersey tourism.... The 'Central Jersey' region will be comprised of, at minimum, the counties of Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, and Somerset."Willis, David P. "'This is how wars start': Does Central Jersey include both Ocean and Union counties?", Asbury Park Press, February 20, 2023. Accessed March 31, 2024. "North Jersey is defined as Sussex, Warren, Morris, Passaic, Bergen, Essex and Hudson counties; South Jersey would be Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Atlantic, Salem, Cumberland and Cape May counties. But for Central, things get a little tricky. It would include Hunterdon, Somerset, Union, Middlesex, Mercer, Monmouth, and Ocean counties."
In 2015, Somerset County had a per capita personal income of $86,468, the second highest in New Jersey and ranked 25th of 3,113 counties in the United States.250 Highest Per Capita Personal Incomes available for 3113 counties in the United States: 2015 , New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed October 24, 2017.Local Area Personal Income: 2015 , Bureau of Economic Analysis. Accessed October 24, 2017. Somerset County, as of the 2000 Census, was the seventh wealthiest county in the United States by median household income at $76,933 (third in New Jersey behind Hunterdon County at $79,888 and Morris County at $77,340), fourth in median family income at $90,655 (second in New Jersey behind Hunterdon County at $91,050) and ranked seventh by per capita income at $37,970 (highest in New Jersey)."Census 2000 Data Rankings; A data rankings document focused on the Roanoke Valley and Alleghany Highlands region" , Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission, p. 22. Accessed October 6, 2013. The Bureau of Economic Analysis ranked the county as having the 11th-highest per capita income of all 3,113 counties in the United States (and the highest in New Jersey) as of 2009.250 Highest Per Capita Personal Incomes of the 3113 Counties in the United States, 2009 , Bureau of Economic Analysis. Accessed April 9, 2012. As of 2023, Somerset County had the highest GDP for counties with populations between 100,000 and 500,000 in America.
In 2012, 49.8% of Somerset County residents were college graduates, the highest percentage in the state.2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book Available for Order , Rutgers University. Accessed May 13, 2015. Somerset County was recently ranked number three of 21 NJ counties as one of the healthiest counties in New Jersey, according to an annual report by County Health Rankings and Roadmaps. Somerset County was created on May 14, 1688, from portions of Middlesex County.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 221. Accessed October 30, 2012.
History Etymology Somerset County is one of the oldest counties in the United States, and is named after the English county of Somerset.
History The area was first settled in 1681 in the vicinity of Bound Brook, and the county was established by charter on May 22, 1688. Most of the early residents were Dutch.
During the American Revolutionary War, General George Washington and his troops marched through the county on several occasions and slept in many of the homes located throughout the area. Somerset County also played an important part during both World War I and World War II. Weapons depots were established here, and factories manufactured the army's woolen blankets. For much of its history, Somerset County was primarily an agricultural county. In the late 19th century, the Somerset Hills area of Somerset County became a popular area for country homes built by wealthy industrialists. The area continues to be the home of wealthy people who own businesses.Clemence, Sara. "Home of the Week: Peapack Palace", Forbes, March 14, 2005. Accessed May 22, 2008. "It was once the country home of some of the 19th century's wealthiest families, and modern-day residents now include pharmaceuticals and chemicals barons."
In 1917, Somerset County, in cooperation with Rutgers University, hired its first agricultural agent to connect local farmers with expert advice. The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Somerset County, located in Bridgewater, serves residents in the areas of agriculture and natural resources, 4-H youth development, and family and community health sciences.Home Page, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Somerset County. Accessed January 11, 2017. In the 1960s, townships which were once exclusively agricultural were quickly developed as suburban residential communities. Examples include Bridgewater TownshipThe History of Bridgewater Township, Bridgewater Township, New Jersey. Accessed March 24, 2018. "In the early years, Bridgewater was known as a farming town." and the Watchung Hills communities of Watchung, Green Brook Township and Warren Township.Sordillo, Victor J. About Warren Township, Warren Township. Accessed October 1, 2013. "Once described as 'the greenest place in New Jersey', Warren Township residents and elected officials are working to keep its rural character and charm while recognizing that there will be growth due to the town's beauty, favorable property taxes and strategic location. Less than 35 miles to Manhattan makes Warren Township a favorite suburb for commuters to New York City."Overview , Green Brook Historical Society. Accessed October 1, 2013. "As the traffic through the corridor expanded, Green Brook Township developed from a quiet farming community, which it had been for nearly two hundred years, into the suburban community that it is today."History, Borough of Watchung. Accessed October 1, 2013. "Watchung was settled in the early eighteenth century and grew slowly until recent years. In 1960 the population was 3,312 and in 2000 it was 5,613." The growth was aided by the development of the county's very strong pharmaceutical and technology presence. Warren Township used to be considered "the greenest place in New Jersey." More recently, an influx has occurred of New York City commuters who use NJ Transit's Raritan Valley Line and Gladstone Branch or use Interstate 78.
In 1996, Nicholas L. Bissell Jr., the county prosecutor, was charged with embezzlement, tax fraud, and abuse of power. He fled to Laughlin, Nevada, southeast of Las Vegas, and killed himself when the federal authorities attempted to arrest him.Glaberson, William. "In Prosecutor's Rise and Fall, a Story of Ambition, Deceit and Shame. ", The New York Times, December 1, 1996. Accessed August 30, 2014. "When Nicholas L. Bissell Jr. put a gun in his mouth and pulled the trigger in a $20 room on a neon strip here, it was almost the cliche ending to an ambitious man's rise and fall. An unexceptional child of New Jersey's modest suburbs, he rose to become a feared prosecutor in Somerset County known for his swaggering assault on drug dealers."
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of the 2020 Census, the county had a total area of , of which were covered by water.2020 Census Gazetteer File for Counties in New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed April 1, 2023.
The highest point in the county is on Mine Mountain in Bernardsville, around above mean sea level.New Jersey County High Points, Peakbagger.com. Accessed October 1, 2013. The lowest point is just above sea level on the Raritan River at the Middlesex County line.
Climate and weather In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Somerville have ranged from a low of in January to a high of in July, although a record low of was recorded in January 1984 and a record high of was recorded in August 1955. Average monthly precipitation ranged from in February to in July.
The county has a hot-summer humid continental climate (Dfa) except in lower areas along the Raritan River from Bound Brook downstream, where the climate is now humid subtropical (Cfa). The hardiness zone is 7a except in a few small, higher-elevation areas in the north, which are 6b.
Demographics
2020 census As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 345,361. The median age was 42.0 years. 21.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 16.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 91.9 males age 18 and over.
The racial makeup of the county was 53.7% White, 9.2% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 19.5% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 8.1% from some other race, and 9.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 16.6% of the population.
92.5% of residents lived in urban areas, while 7.5% lived in rural areas.
There were 125,598 households in the county, of which 34.0% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 57.3% were married-couple households, 14.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 23.8% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 22.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 131,822 housing units, of which 4.7% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 72.3% were owner-occupied and 27.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.9%.
The population density was . The 131,822 housing units had an average density of .
Racial and ethnic composition +Somerset County, New Jersey – racial and ethnic compositionRace / ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)Pop 1980Pop 1990Pop 2000Pop 2010 Pop 2020% 1980% 1990% 2000% 2010% 2020White alone (NH)185,440204,834220,584201,849177,41191.29%85.25%74.15%62.41%51.37%Black or African American alone (NH)10,00014,40321,57127,48030,4804.92%5.99%7.25%8.50%8.83%Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)1512272292853060.07%0.09%0.08%0.09%0.09%Asian alone (NH)2,81710,39424,87045,47367,0981.39%4.33%8.36%14.06%19.43%Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)x included in the Asian category in the 1980 Censusx included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census917269xx0.03%0.02%0.02%Other race alone (NH)6412345657862,0150.32%0.10%0.19%0.24%0.58%Mixed-race or multiracial (NH)x not an option in the 1980 Censusx not an option in the 1990 Census3,7695,40810,603xx1.27%1.67%3.07%Hispanic or Latino (any race)4,08010,18725,81142,09157,3792.01%4.24%8.68%13.01%16.61%Total203,129240,279297,490323,444345,361 100.00%100.00%100.00%100.00%100.00%
American Community Survey