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54-543: John Stevens Sr. came to America in 1699 at the age of 17 as an indentured clerk. His son, John Stevens Jr. , ended up serving in the American Revolutionary War and ended in a career of politics where he served as president of the convention of New Jersey when the state ratified the United States Constitution on December 18, 1787. His son, John Stevens III , was the first Treasurer of New Jersey ,

108-520: A copper mine at Rocky Hill that was later abandoned. Stevens was a member of the New Jersey General Assembly in 1751. He served as paymaster of the 1st New Jersey Regiment (the "Jersey Blues") under Colonel Peter Schuyler from 1756 to 1760. In 1758, he was appointed by the Assembly of New Jersey to serve as a commissioner to the state's Indian tribes. In 1762, he was named a member of

162-512: A host of other technical innovations that powered the early United States. In 1784, the land now occupied by Stevens Institute of Technology was purchased by John Stevens , who would later reverse-engineer the British steam locomotive to American standards for domestic manufacture. This innovation would be employed by ferries to Manhattan. Later generations of ferries still run from Hoboken's piers. Robert L. Stevens , one of John's sons, invented

216-547: A lawyer, engineer, inventor who constructed the first U.S. steam locomotive , first steam-powered ferry, and first U.S. commercial ferry service, and was influential in the creation of U.S. patent law . Stevens Institute of Technology is named for "America's First Family of inventors" — the Stevens family. The Stevens Family was known as "America's First Family of inventors". Holding influence over American engineering for decades, designing steamboats, locomotives, railroad tracks and

270-769: A network of 19 county colleges in New Jersey. Union College was founded in 1933 as Union County College and has campuses in Cranford, Elizabeth, Plainfield and Scotch Plains. Most municipalities have their own public high schools, exceptions being Garwood , whose students attend Arthur L. Johnson High School in Clark; Winfield , whose students attend David Brearley High School in Kenilworth; and Mountainside, whose students attend Governor Livingston High School in Berkeley Heights. Fanwood

324-549: A notably large Indian American community, while Roselle Park , Roselle, Linden , Rahway , Plainfield and particularly Elizabeth have fast-growing Hispanic and Portuguese populations. The county's Jewish population was 35,000 as of 2004, with notable communities located in Cranford , Elizabeth , Hillside , Linden , Scotch Plains , Springfield , Union , and Westfield . The 2010 United States census counted 536,499 people, 188,118 households, and 134,692 families in

378-501: A population of 575,345, its highest decennial count ever and an increase of 38,846 (+7.2%) from the 2010 census count of 536,499. Its county seat is Elizabeth , which is also the most populous municipality in the county, with a 2020 census population of 137,298, and the largest by area, covering 13.46 square miles (34.9 km ). The county serves as a transition point between the Central Jersey and North Jersey regions of

432-467: A public apology for cutting off speech by a resident who was addressing the board about possible nepotism on the county payroll. Four Congressional Districts cover the county, including portions of the 7th, 8th, 10th and 12th districts. For the 118th United States Congress , New Jersey's 7th congressional district is represented by Thomas Kean Jr. ( R , Westfield ). For the 118th United States Congress , New Jersey's 8th congressional district

486-425: A staggered basis, with three seats coming up for election each year. The board sets policies for the operation of the county. The Commissioners perform the county's legislative and executive functions. In their legislative role, they formulate and adopt a budget and set county policies and procedures. In their executive role, they oversee county spending and functioning. Many of the administrative duties are delegated by

540-598: Is located in Elizabeth, New Jersey . It is currently headed by Peter Corvelli. It was headed by Ralph Froehlich, a Union resident who was first elected in 1977 and served in office for 37 years, making him the longest-serving Sheriff in New Jersey history. There are two top deputies, known as undersheriffs, and they are Dennis Burke and Amilcar Colon. A 1981 investigation of the Union County Jail reviewed issues relating to overcrowding, escapes, escape attempts and suicides in

594-403: Is mostly merged with Scotch Plains educationally and the two towns have one high school. The county has the following school districts: The county also has Union County Vocational Technical Schools , which has both full-time magnet programs that students must apply to, and split-time vocational programs. The Bureau of Economic Analysis calculated that the county's gross domestic product

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648-565: Is represented by Rob Menendez ( D , Jersey City ). For the 118th United States Congress , New Jersey's 10th congressional district is represented by LaMonica McIver ( D , Newark ). For the 118th United States Congress , New Jersey's 12th congressional district is represented by Bonnie Watson Coleman ( D , Ewing Township ). The 21 municipalities of Union County are represented by four legislative districts. Annette Quijano (D) Nancy Munoz (R) Linda S. Carter (D) Cleopatra Tucker (D) The Union County Sheriff's Office

702-801: Is seated at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth, with additional facilities also located in Elizabeth; the Assignment Judge for Vicinage 12 is Karen M. Cassidy. Law enforcement at the county level includes the Union County Police Department, the Union County Sheriff's Office, and the Union County Prosecutor's Office. Union County's Acting Prosecutor is Michael A. Monahan. In 2023, Union County agreed to honor

756-588: Is there that highest elevations, two areas approximately 560 feet (170 m) above sea level, are found in Berkeley Heights. The lowest elevation is sea level along the eastern shore at the Arthur Kill. In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Elizabeth have ranged from a low of 24 °F (−4 °C) in January to a high of 86 °F (30 °C) in July, although a record low of −14 °F (−26 °C)

810-415: The 2012 presidential election , Democrat Barack Obama received 139,752 votes here (66.0%), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 68,314 votes (32.3%) and other candidates with 1,765 votes (0.8%), among the 211,597 ballots cast by the county's 307,628 registered voters, for a turnout of 68.8%. In the 2016 election , Democrat Hillary Clinton won by a slightly wider margin than Barack Obama in 2012, even as

864-727: The Goethals Bridge . At 0.15 miles, Route 59 , located entirely in Union County, is the shortest state highway in New Jersey. Passenger rail service is provide by NJ Transit via the Northeast Corridor , North Jersey Coast Line , Raritan Valley Line , the Morristown Line and the Gladstone Branch . Freight service is provided by on Conrail 's Lehigh Line and Chemical Coast Branch . Freight and passenger rail service

918-583: The New Jersey Provincial Council , a position that he resigned in 1770. Stevens was a vocal opponent of the Stamp Act . When the act went into effect in 1765, he was one of a committee of four (with Robert Livingston , John Cruger Jr. , and Beverly Robinson) to prevent the issue of stamps in New York City . In 1770, he was appointed a commissioner, along with Walter Rutherfurd, to establish

972-694: The New York Yacht Club . He and his brother Edwin built the yacht America and were aboard its 1851 regatta victory in England, later recognized as the first winner of the America's Cup ; the competition bears the name of the Stevenses' yacht. The New York Yacht Club would defend its title until the 1983 race. Edwin died in 1868. In his will, he left a bequest for the establishment of an "institution of learning," providing his trustees with land and funds. Edwin's will

1026-469: The U.S. Census Bureau , as of the 2020 Census, the county had a total area of 105.41 square miles (273.0 km ), of which 102.77 square miles (266.2 km ) was land (97.5%) and 2.64 square miles (6.8 km ) was water (2.5%). Much of Union County is relatively flat and low-lying. Only in the northwestern corner does any significant relief appear as the Watchung Mountains cross the county. It

1080-475: The flanged T rail , a form of railroad rail in prevalent use today, including from the Lackawanna Terminal of Hoboken whose docks are also in a style Robert designed. Along with his brother Edwin A. Stevens , Robert created America's first commercial railroad presently operating as a large portion of Amtrak ’s Northeast Corridor . John Cox Stevens , John Stevens' eldest son, was the first commodore of

1134-418: The 136,110 ballots cast by the county's 292,490 registered voters, yielding a 46.5% turnout. In the 2013 gubernatorial election , Republican Governor Chris Christie narrowly won the county 51.2% (58,135 votes) to 47.4% (53,869 votes) over Democrat Barbara Buono, marking the only time the county voted Republican in the 21st century. In the 2017 gubernatorial election , Republican Kim Guadagno received 32.6% of

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1188-586: The Board of County Commissioners to the County Manager. Each of the commissioners serves on various committees and boards as a part of their duties. These include committees on Economic Development, Parks and Recreation, and Public Works and Policy. In addition, the board oversees the county's Open Space Trust Fund. Day-to-day operation of the county and its departments is supervised by an appointed County Manager, Edward Oatman. In 2016, freeholders were paid $ 30,692, while

1242-651: The Chief of Police since February 2023. The Union County Police have several divisions and are relied upon for their multiple services. Currently assigned are Patrol, Detective Bureau, Emergency Services Unit, and the Marine Unit. Union County Regional 911 and Dispatch is one of the many services that the County Police provide. They are the primary PSAP for multiple municipalities, provide police/fire/EMS dispatch, dispatch medics, and Union County Fire Mutual Aid. The PD belongs to

1296-515: The Freeholder vice chairman received $ 31,732 and the Freeholder chairman had an annual salary of $ 32,773. The County Manager is Edward Oatman. No Republican has been elected to countywide office since 1995. Union County is governed by a Board of County Commissioners , whose nine members are elected at-large to three-year terms of office on a staggered basis with three seats coming up for election each year, with an appointed County Manager overseeing

1350-518: The Hoboken Public Library and Manual Training School. John Stevens (New Jersey politician) John Stevens Jr. (c. 1715 – May 10, 1792) was a prominent colonial American landowner, merchant, and politician. Stevens was born in 1715 at Perth Amboy in the Province of New Jersey in what was then British America . He was the son of John Stevens Sr., who came to America in 1699 at

1404-625: The New Jersey State Policemen's Benevolent Association, Local 73. Union County is a reliable state bellwether, having voted for New Jersey's statewide winner in every presidential election since 1964, the longest such streak in the state. As of October 1, 2021, there were a total of 362,501 registered voters in Union County, of whom 178,449 (49.2%) were registered as Democrats , 57,878 (16.0%) were registered as Republicans and 121,478 (33.5%) were registered as unaffiliated . There were 4,696 voters (1.3%) registered to other parties. Among

1458-515: The age of 17 as an indentured clerk, and his wife Ann Campbell. With his brother Richard, he owned mercantile vessels and commanded them on voyages to Madeira and the Caribbean between 1739 and 1743. He then settled in Perth Amboy, where he was a vestryman at St. Peter's Church from 1749 to 1752. He was a large landowner in the New Jersey counties of Hunterdon , Union , and Somerset , and he owned

1512-540: The county was forced to pay legal fees after losing a trademark claim it brought against a frequent county government critic who used the County of Union seal on her blog. In 2011, an investigation found mismanagement of county funds in association with MusicFest, a free annual concert. In 2009, following a First Amendment challenge by the American Civil Liberties Union , the county commissioners agreed to issue

1566-420: The county's 2010 Census population, 53.3% were registered to vote, including 70.6% of those ages 18 and over. In the 2008 presidential election , Democrat Barack Obama received 141,417 votes here (63.1%), ahead of Republican John McCain with 78,768 votes (35.2%) and other candidates with 1,912 votes (0.9%), among the 223,951 ballots cast by the county's 299,762 registered voters, for a turnout of 74.7%. In

1620-510: The county. The population density was 5,216.1 inhabitants per square mile (2,013.9/km ). There were 199,489 housing units at an average density of 1,939.5 per square mile (748.8/km ). The racial makeup was 61.33% (329,052) White , 22.05% (118,313) Black or African American , 0.39% (2,080) Native American , 4.63% (24,839) Asian , 0.03% (163) Pacific Islander , 8.48% (45,496) from other races , and 3.09% (16,556) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 27.34% (146,704) of

1674-501: The day-to-day operations of the county. At an annual reorganization meeting held in the beginning of January, the board selects a Chair and Vice Chair from among its members. As of 2024 , Union County's County Commissioners are (with terms for Chair and Vice-Chair ending every December 31): Constitutional officers elected on a countywide basis are: Union County constitutes Vicinage 12 of the New Jersey Superior Court and

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1728-486: The depiction of Caldwell's death. In 2022, controversy erupted over the county's deletion of negative social media comments made about the opening of Tëmike Park, an LGBTQ-inclusive playground, in Cedar Brook Park . In 2022, a state court found the county illegally circumvented the public bidding process in awarding contracts for the construction of a proposed Union County government building in Elizabeth. In 2015,

1782-503: The detention facility. On July 1, 2021, the Sheriff's Office regained control of the Union County Jail and made it a division within the organization; the Division of Corrections. The New Jersey State Policemen's Benevolent Association Local 108 is the official labor union and the collective bargaining agent for the Sheriff's Officers of Union County. This body is subdivided into Local 108 for

1836-634: The last county created in New Jersey, it was named after the Union threatened by slavery dispute during this period, which would erupt into civil war in 1861. All of present-day Union County was part of the Elizabethtown Tract , which was purchased in 1664, by English colonists from the Lenape Native Americans that lived in the area of present-day Elizabeth, New Jersey . Union County was formed on March 19, 1857, from portions of Essex County; it

1890-470: The liberal arts, the sciences and the professions; it is best known for its programs in the humanities and social sciences and in education, graduating the most teachers in the state of New Jersey annually, along with a physical therapy program which it holds in conjunction with the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey . Union College is the two-year community college for Union County, one of

1944-578: The line officers and Local 108A for the supervisors (sergeants, lieutenants, and captains). The Union County Police Department operates independently of the Sheriff's office. The Union County Police Department originally began as the Union County Park Police. The Union County Police are tasked with patrolling Union County's properties. They also supplement the local municipalities with police presence and patrol when requested. Martin Mogensen has been

1998-930: The local municipality, 176.32 miles (283.76 km) by Union County and 66.22 miles (106.57 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation , 16.22 miles (26.10 km) by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and 1.10 miles (1.77 km) by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey . Major highways which traverse the county include the New Jersey Turnpike ( I-95 ), the Garden State Parkway , I-78 , I-278 , Route 1/9 , Route 22 , Route 24 , Route 27 , Route 28 , Route 35 (only in Rahway ), Route 82 , Route 124 , Route 439 , and

2052-425: The nation shifted to the right. In the 2020 election , Democrat Joe Biden received the highest share of the vote for a Democrat in the county's history. In the 2009 gubernatorial election , Democrat Jon Corzine received 68,867 ballots cast (50.6%), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 56,769 votes (41.7%), Independent Chris Daggett with 7,999 votes (5.9%) and other candidates with 1,058 votes (0.8%), among

2106-597: The partition line between New York and New Jersey. In 1776, after the Provincial Congress had become the New Jersey Legislature under the state's first Constitution, Stevens was elected Vice-President of Council of New Jersey, holding the office of chairman of the joint meetings of the legislature until 1782, representing Hunterdon County. He was a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1784. He

2160-455: The population were under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 26.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, the population had 94 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 90.7 males. Union County is governed by a nine-member Board of County Commissioners . The members are elected at-large in partisan elections to serve three-year terms on

2214-420: The population. Of the 188,118 households, 34.4% had children under the age of 18; 50.1% were married couples living together; 15.6% had a female householder with no husband present and 28.4% were non-families. Of all households, 23.6% were made up of individuals and 9.7% 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 3.32. 24.5% of

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2268-493: The second-highest property taxes of all U.S. counties, based on 2007 data. With a population density of 4,955 inhabitants per square mile (1,913/km ) in 2000, Union County was the 15th-most densely populated county in the United States as of the 2010 Census, and third-densest in New Jersey, behind Hudson County (ranked 6th nationwide at 9,754 per square mile) and Essex County (ranked 11th at 6,126). Established in 1857 as

2322-700: The site in North Jersey of what local activists described as the public execution by burning at the stake of three enslaved New Jerseyans in 1741 . In 2023, the county worked to revise its logo, which has had what has been described as the only county seal in the nation that depicts a woman being killed. The logo depicted Hannah Caldwell being shot by a British light infantryman during the Battle of Connecticut Farms . In 2023, Union County moved to revise its county seal, asking residents to participate in an online poll to choose between two alternatives, both of which eliminate

2376-485: The state. In 2015, the county had a per capita personal income of $ 60,089, the seventh-highest in New Jersey and ranked 152nd of 3,113 counties in the United States. The Bureau of Economic Analysis ranked the county as having the 119th-highest per capita income of all 3,113 counties in the United States (and the eighth-highest in New Jersey) in 2009. A study by Forbes.com determined that Union County residents pay

2430-498: The vote (39,552 ballots cast) to Democrat Phil Murphy with 65.2% (79,113 votes). In the 2021 gubernatorial election , Republican Jack Ciattarelli received 37.6% of the vote (51,279 ballots cast) to Democrat Phil Murphy's 61.6% (83,913 votes). Kean University , a co-educational, public research university dating back to 1855 is located in Union and Hillside , serving nearly 13,000 undergraduates. Kean University educates its students in

2484-585: The west and humid subtropical ( Cfa ) in the east. The hardiness zone is 7a west of the Garden State Parkway and 7b to the east. [2] Union County is ethnically diverse. Berkeley Heights , Clark , Roselle Park , Cranford , Kenilworth , Linden , New Providence , Scotch Plains , Springfield , Summit , Union and Westfield have high percentages of Italian American residents. Elizabeth , Plainfield , Rahway , Roselle and Union all have large African American communities. Roselle Park has

2538-509: Was $ 34.4 billion in 2021, which was ranked eighth in the state and was a 2.4% increase from the prior year. The top employers in 2011, according to the Union County Economic Development Corporation, were: The county is served by rail, air, highways and ports. As of 2010 , the county had a total of 1,418.31 miles (2,282.55 km) of roadways, of which 1,158.45 miles (1,864.34 km) were maintained by

2592-781: Was buried at the Frame Meeting House in Bethlehem Township , Hunterdon County, New Jersey . Through his son John, he was the grandfather of thirteen grandchildren, including John Cox Stevens (1785–1857), first commodore of the New York Yacht Club , Robert Livingston Stevens (1787–1856), the president of Camden and Amboy Railroad , James Alexander Stevens (1790–1873), Richard Stevens (1792–1835), Francis Bowes Stevens (1793–1812), Edwin Augustus Stevens (1795–1868), founder of Stevens Institute of Technology , Elizabeth Juliana Stevens (1797–1821), Mary Stevens (1799–1825), who

2646-756: Was executed by surviving wife, Martha Bayard Stevens , who would also serve as a lifetime Trustee of the institute that now bears the family's name. Martha Stevens oversaw much of the family's philanthropy toward the City of Hoboken, including founding of the Church of the Holy Innocents as a free Episcopal church; a foundling hospital and birthing center at St Mary's Hospital; the Robert L. Stevens Fund for Municipal Research; manual training schools for both boys and young girls in Hoboken;

2700-541: Was president of the convention of New Jersey when the state ratified the United States Constitution on December 18, 1787. In 1748, he married Elizabeth Alexander (1720–1800), daughter of James Alexander (1691–1756), Surveyor General of New Jersey and New York and counsel for Peter Zenger , and Mary Spratt Alexander , a merchant in her own right. Together, they were the parents of two children: His later years were spent with his son at Hoboken , where he died in May 1792. He

2754-652: Was provided by the Rahway Valley Railroad from 1897 until 1992 when the short line closed due to lack of customers. NJ Transit provides bus service to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan , as well as service to major cities in New Jersey and within Union County. The Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal is part of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey . The southern portion of Newark Liberty International Airport

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2808-452: Was recorded in February 1934 and a record high of 105 °F (41 °C) was recorded in July 1993. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.99 inches (76 mm) in February to 4.76 inches (121 mm) in July. In Berkeley Heights average monthly temperatures range from 29.4 °F in January to 74.7 °F in July. The climate in the county is hot-summer humid continental ( Dfa ) in

2862-442: Was the first wife of Rear Admiral Joshua R. Sands , Harriet Stevens (1801–1844), who was the second wife of Joshua R. Sands, Esther Bowes Stevens (b. 1804), and Catherine Sophia Van Cortlandt Stevens (b. 1806). Union County, New Jersey Union County is a county in the northern part of the U.S. state of New Jersey . As of the 2020 United States census , the county was the state's seventh-most-populous county with

2916-476: Was the last of New Jersey's 21 counties to be established. Many historic places and structures are to be found in the county, including on the National Register of Historic Places listings in Union County, New Jersey . In the fall, Union County holds its annual "Four Centuries in a Weekend" festival for the public, celebrating and touring historic buildings, museums and sites in the county. According to

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