Union Township is a township in Union County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. In the 18th century, the area that is now Union was then called Connecticut Farms. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 59,728, its highest decennial census count ever and an increase of 3,086 (+5.4%) from the 2010 census count of 56,642, which in turn had reflected an increase of 2,237 (+4.1%) from the 54,405 counted at the 2000 census.Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010 , New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023.

History Settled in 1667, Union was the third English speaking settlement in New Jersey after Elizabeth and Newark, with the area that is now Union then called Connecticut Farms.Cheslow, Jerry. "If You're Thinking of Living in: Union" , The New York Times, October 27, 1991. Accessed February 25, 2012. "Union, the third oldest English settlement in New Jersey after Newark and Elizabeth, is returning to its Colonial roots.... Union was settled in 1667 by Puritans, who left Connecticut fearing religious persecution. Then called Connecticut Farms, the community figured prominently in shipbuilding from the late 17th century, when the Headleys, one of its first European families, established a factory for wooden hoops to hold sails to masts."

Union Township was the site of the Battle of Connecticut Farms. On June 6, 1780, British troops, led by Hessian General Wilhelm von Knyphausen, boarded boats on Staten Island bound for Elizabeth, New Jersey. At midnight, 5,000 troops started to land. They expected the Continental Army to give little resistance, believing that they were tired of the war and were poorly fed and paid. They also expected the citizens of New Jersey to welcome them. They were wrong on both counts and were unable to make their way to and through the Hobart Gap.Yesenko, Michael R. "Union historian Yesenko presents 'Remembering General George Washington'" , Suburban News, January 20, 2010. Accessed December 7, 2011.

Union Township was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on November 23, 1808, from portions of Elizabeth Township, while the area was still part of Essex County. It became part of the newly formed Union County on March 19, 1857. Portions of the township have been taken to form Linden Township (March 4, 1861), Roselle Park, (March 22, 1901), Kenilworth (May 13, 1907) and Hillside (April 3, 1913).Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 241. Accessed May 30, 2024.Honeyman, Abraham Van Doren. Index-analysis of the Statutes of New Jersey, 1896-1909: Together with References to All Acts, and Parts of Acts, in the 'General Statutes' and Pamphlet Laws Expressly Repealed: and the Statutory Crimes of New Jersey During the Same Period, p. 306. New Jersey Law Journal Publishing Company, 1910. Accessed October 16, 2015. In 1946, a group of residents pushed for the township's name to be changed to "Connecticut Farms", citing the potential benefits to area residents and businesses from the broad awareness of the historical significance of the name.Staff. "Union May Again Be 'Connecticut Farms'" , The New York Times, July 15, 1946. Accessed July 18, 2018. "Union, N. J., July 14 - Backed by the Union Exchange Club, a movement has been launched to change the township's name to Connecticut Farms, a name given to it by early settlers who came here from Connecticut."

The Self-Master Colony was a private experiment in housing the homeless; built on the Hoyt family mansion in Union Township in 1908. The colony was founded by Andress Small Floyd and his wife Lillian, lasting until 1938."Union library to present historic program on 'Self Master Colony'" , NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, May 15, 2017. Accessed June 27, 2022. "The Self Master Colony, also known as Floyd's Self Master Village, was a residence for men in need of assistance. Founded by Andress and Lillian Floyd, the Colony lasted from 1908 to 1938. The project was financed by Charles H. Ingersoll--famous for the Ingersoll Watch Company, as well as for his association with Thomas Edison and his cement houses (located on Ingersoll Terrace in Union). The Colony consisted of about 50 acres on Morris Avenue--today the site of the Township of Union's municipal building, public library, and Friberger Park."

Geography The Township of Union is located on the northern edge of Union County and is bordered by eight municipalities: Hillside to the east, Elizabeth to the southeast, Roselle Park and Kenilworth to the south and Springfield Township to the west. Northwest of the township lies Millburn, to the north lies Maplewood and to the northeast lies Irvington, all in Essex County.Areas touching Union , MapIt. Accessed March 11, 2020.Union County Municipal Profiles , Union County, New Jersey. Accessed March 11, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries , New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 9.08 square miles (23.52 km2), including 9.05 square miles (23.44 km2) of land and 0.03 square miles (0.08 km2) of water (0.35%).

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Battle Hill, Connecticut Farms, Galloping Hill, Headlentown, Putnam Manor, Salem, Townley, Union CDP, and Vauxhall.Locality Search , State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.

Neighborhoods Five Points, area around the junction of Galloping Hill Road, Chestnut Street, Salem Road, Delaware Avenue, Walton Avenue, and Tucker Avenue. Brookside Heights (Curryville), west of Vauxhall Road. Vauxhall, area of Union north of I-78 and west of Stuyvesant Avenue, with its own ZIP code 07088. Union Center, area around the intersection of Morris and Stuyvesant Avenues. Putnam Ridge, a section between Suburban Road, Morris Avenue, Twin Oaks Road, and Colonial Avenue. Putnam Manor, an historic section between Colonial Avenue and Salem Road. Orchard Park Parkside Manor, a three-road section off of Union Terrace. Larchmont Estates, area bordered by Larchmont Reservation (NW and NE edges), Morris Avenue (SW), Liberty Avenue (SE), and Joe Collins Park/Larchmont Reservation (NE edge). Battle Hill, area served by Battle Hill Elementary School in west Union, bordered by Rahway River (W edge), Morris Avenue (N), the west branch of the Elizabeth River (E), and Route 22 (S). Green Lane, new community between Kean University and Union Station. Fairway Drive, community bordering the Galloping Hill Golf Course. Rich Creek, the neighborhood of Richard Terrace

Demographics

2020 census +Union Township, Union County, New Jersey – Racial and ethnic compositionRace / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)Pop 1990Pop 2000Pop 2010Pop 2020% 1990% 2000% 2010% 2020White alone (NH)41,46633,66124,97319,14682.89%61.87%44.09%32.06%Black or African American alone (NH)4,60710,56315,97919,2969.21%19.42%28.21%32.31%Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)496544680.10%0.12%0.08%0.11%Asian alone (NH)1,6294,1915,9596,4723.26%7.70%10.52%10.84%Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)N/A92013N/A0.02%0.04%0.02%Other race alone (NH)341073337660.07%0.20%0.59%1.28%Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)N/A9488692,068N/A1.74%1.53%3.46%Hispanic or Latino (any race)2,2394,8618,46511,8994.48%8.93%14.94%19.92%Total50,02454,40556,64259,728100.00%100.00%100.00%100.00%

2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 56,642 people, 19,556 households, and 14,276 families in the township. The population density was 6,244.3 per square mile (2,410.9/km2). There were 20,250 housing units at an average density of 2,232.4 per square mile (861.9/km2). The racial makeup was 53.78% (30,464) White, 28.98% (16,417) Black or African American, 0.14% (80) Native American, 10.60% (6,003) Asian, 0.04% (24) Pacific Islander, 4.06% (2,297) from other races, and 2.40% (1,357) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.94% (8,465) of the population.

Of the 19,556 households, 31.6% had children under the age of 18; 53.7% were married couples living together; 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present and 27.0% were non-families. Of all households, 23.0% were made up of individuals and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.35.

21.1% of the population were under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 28.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.6 years. For every 100 females, the population had 89.7 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 85.6 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $73,722 (with a margin of error of +/− $4,858) and the median family income was $86,705 (+/− $3,822). Males had a median income of $54,811 (+/− $1,998) versus $47,144 (+/− $2,316) for females. The per capita income for the township was $31,135 (+/− $1,104). About 3.7% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.7% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Union township, Union County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 25, 2012.

2000 census The 2000 United States census counted 54,405 people, 19,534 households, and 14,162 families residing in the township. The population density was . There were 20,001 housing units at an average density of . An example of a diverse municipality in the United States, the racial makeup of the township was 67.66% White, 19.76% African American, 0.15% Native American, 7.72% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 2.44% from other races, and 2.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.93% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Union township, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 31, 2016.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Union township, Union County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 24, 2013.

There were 19,534 households, out of which 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.5% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.5% were non-families. 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.25.

In the township the population was spread out, with 22.3% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 17.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.2 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $59,173, and the median income for a family was $68,707. Males had a median income of $45,299 versus $35,604 for females. The per capita income for the township was $24,768. About 3.0% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.6% of those under age 18 and 5.5% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government