Union County Demographics

A map of Union County's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	205,149	211,245	35.4%	36.7%
Hispanic	203,905	195,519	35.2%	34.0%
Black	110,903	112,261	19.1%	19.5%
Asian	32,292	31,963	5.6%	5.6%
Multiracial	19,756	17,537	3.4%	3.0%
Native American/Other	7,285	6,820	1.3%	1.2%

Union County, New Jersey has an estimated population of 579,290, a less than 1% change from the 575,345 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 35.4% White, 35.2% Hispanic, 19.1% Black, 5.6% Asian, 3.4% Multiracial, and 1.3% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Union County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Union is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is more diverse than New Jersey overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Union County, that probability was 70.8% in 2020 and 71.0% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Union County is ranked the 7th most populous county in New Jersey, out of 21 counties. Union County was ranked the 7th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Union County's White Population

205,149 residents of Union County, or 35.4% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Union County is significantly lower than in New Jersey overall, where 50.9% of the population is White. Union County ranks 19th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 21 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Union County's White population has declined by an estimated 2.9%. White residents' share of Union County's population has decreased from 36.7% to 35.4%.

Union County is more White than neighboring Essex County (27.3% White), and Hudson County (27.3% White). Union County is less White than neighboring Richmond County (55.5% White), Middlesex County (37.5% White), and Morris County (65.8% White).

Union County's Black Population

110,903 residents of Union County, or 19.1% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Union County is higher than in New Jersey overall, where 12.2% of the population is Black. Union County ranks 2nd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 21 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Union County's Black population has declined by an estimated 1.2%. Black residents' share of Union County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 19.1%.

Union County is more Black than neighboring Richmond County (8.8% Black), Middlesex County (9.7% Black), Hudson County (10.7% Black), and Morris County (3% Black). Union County is less Black than neighboring Essex County (35.4% Black).

Union County's Asian Population

32,292 residents of Union County, or 5.6% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Union County is slightly lower than in New Jersey overall, where 10% of the population is Asian. Union County ranks 12th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 21 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Union County's Asian population has grown by an estimated 1.0%. Asian residents' share of Union County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 5.6%.

Union County is less Asian than neighboring Essex County (6% Asian), Richmond County (12.7% Asian), Middlesex County (25.4% Asian), Hudson County (16.8% Asian), and Morris County (10.7% Asian).

Union County's Hispanic Population

203,905 residents of Union County, or 35.2% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Union County is considerably higher than in New Jersey overall, where 22.5% of the population is Hispanic. Union County ranks 4th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 21 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Union County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 4.3%. Hispanic residents' share of Union County's population has increased from 34.0% to 35.2%.

Union County is more Hispanic than neighboring Essex County (25.2% Hispanic), Richmond County (19.6% Hispanic), Middlesex County (23.6% Hispanic), and Morris County (16% Hispanic). Union County is less Hispanic than neighboring Hudson County (40.7% Hispanic).

Union County's Native American/Other Population

7,285 residents of Union County, or 1.3% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Union County is comparable to the share in New Jersey overall, where 0.9% of the population is Native American/Other. Union County ranks 3rd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 21 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Union County's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 6.8%. Native American/Other residents' share of Union County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.3%.

Union County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Richmond County (0.7% Native American/Other), Middlesex County (0.9% Native American/Other), Hudson County (1.2% Native American/Other), and Morris County (0.8% Native American/Other). Union County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Essex County (1.6% Native American/Other).

Union County's Multiracial Population

19,756 residents of Union County, or 3.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Union County is comparable to the share in New Jersey overall, where 3.5% of the population is Multiracial. Union County ranks 14th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 21 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Union County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 12.7%. Multiracial residents' share of Union County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.4%.

Union County is more Multiracial than neighboring Richmond County (2.7% Multiracial), Middlesex County (2.9% Multiracial), and Hudson County (3.3% Multiracial). Union County is less Multiracial than neighboring Essex County (4.6% Multiracial), and Morris County (3.7% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.