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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Somerset County

New Jersey · 345,361 residents · 301.867 sq mi
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The short version

Somerset County is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $116,510. Population has grown 16% since 2000. 56% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $436,700. Poverty is rare here, at 5.1% of residents. Households here earn about 37% more than the New Jersey median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 42.0
US median: 38.8
More educated
56% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 31%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
345,361
+16%since 2000
from 297,490 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,144 / sq mi
+16%since 2000
from 986 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
42.0
+13%since 2000
from 37.2 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
229K262K295K328K361K1990201020202024Somerset County
2024350K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$116,510
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $76,933 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$58,021
+53%since 2000
from $37,970 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
68.4%
+7.0 ptssince 2009
from 61.4% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
5.1%
+1.3 ptssince 2000
from 3.8% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade12.2%
US avg: 10%
Other services9.8%
US avg: 6.6%
Information9.4%
US avg: 11.1%
Public administration8%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade4.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance4.6%
US avg: 5.5%
Arts, entertainment, food4.3%
US avg: 2%
Professional, scientific, technical4.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing4%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$436,700
+31%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $222,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,636
+21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $898 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
72.3%
−4.9 ptssince 2000
from 77.2% in 2000
27.7% rent
Afford Score
3.7
+30%since 2000
from 2.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Somerset County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic74.1%(220,584)
Black7.3%(21,571)
Hispanic / Latino8.7%(25,811)
Asian8.4%(24,870)
Other0%
Diversity Score51.5%(153,274)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic51.4%(177,411)
Black8.8%(30,480)
Hispanic / Latino16.6%(57,379)
Asian19.4%(67,098)
Other2.6%(9,102)
Diversity Score81.8%(282,566)
Segregation Score36%(124,389)
Diversity Score
82
+59%since 2000
from 52 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
36
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
55.6%
+9.1 ptssince 2000
from 46.5% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
94.2%
+4.6 ptssince 2000
from 89.6% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
25.3%
+6.2 ptssince 2000
from 19.1% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
32.4 min
+52%since 2000
from 21.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
75.6%
−2.5 ptssince 2009
from 78.2% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
4.4%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 5.1% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.4%
−1.9 ptssince 2011
from 6.4% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
68.8%
−1.1 ptssince 2011
from 69.9% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
54.4%
−18.0 ptssince 2009
from 72.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.9%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 49.3% in 2009
Female
51.1%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 50.7% in 2009
Foreign born
25.9%
+4.2 ptssince 2009
from 21.7% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
5.4%
−85.6 ptssince 2013
from 91.0% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Somerset County

Howard County
Pop 339,183
Douglas County
Pop 399,396
Forsyth County
Pop 282,805
Hamilton County
Pop 387,036
Places similar to Somerset County
Head to head

Compare Somerset County to nearby counties

SOMERSET COUNTY VS
Middlesex County
Income$111,549−4%
Home value$462,900+6%
Population883,335+148%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SOMERSET COUNTY VS
Hunterdon County
Income$141,715+22%
Home value$517,200+18%
Population131,781−63%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SOMERSET COUNTY VS
Union County
Income$103,202−11%
Home value$529,200+21%
Population601,863+69%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SOMERSET COUNTY VS
Mercer County
Income$100,645−14%
Home value$377,700−14%
Population399,289+12%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Somerset County, New Jersey?

Somerset County, New Jersey has about 345,361 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Somerset County, New Jersey?

The typical household in Somerset County, New Jersey earns about $116,510 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Somerset County, New Jersey expensive?

In Somerset County, New Jersey, the median home is worth about $436,700, and the typical rent is about $1,636 a month.

How educated are people in Somerset County, New Jersey?

About 55.6% of adults age 25 and over in Somerset County, New Jersey hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Somerset County, New Jersey?

About 5.1% of people in Somerset County, New Jersey live below the federal poverty line.

Has Somerset County, New Jersey grown since 1990?

Yes, Somerset County, New Jersey has grown since 1990. The population has added about 105,082 residents, a change of about 44 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

74 census tracts (top 20 by population)
Census Tract 541Census Tract 532Census Tract 531.05Census Tract 510Census Tract 542.01Census Tract 538.07Census Tract 521Census Tract 539.05Census Tract 537.05Census Tract 534.02Census Tract 533Census Tract 507.04Census Tract 538.05Census Tract 536.02Census Tract 523Census Tract 534.06Census Tract 535.01Census Tract 522.01Census Tract 542.02Census Tract 531.03
27 ZIP codes
ZIP 08873ZIP 08844ZIP 08807ZIP 07920ZIP 08876ZIP 07059ZIP 08812ZIP 08805ZIP 08502ZIP 08835ZIP 08823ZIP 08869ZIP 07924ZIP 07921ZIP 08558ZIP 07069ZIP 08853ZIP 08880ZIP 08836ZIP 07931ZIP 07934ZIP 07977ZIP 08553ZIP 07939ZIP 08528ZIP 08821ZIP 08890
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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