Union, NJ Real Estate Guide
Union County, NJ

Living in Union, NJ: The Complete Neighborhood Guide

Kean University. Diverse Community. Central to Everything.

Last updated: September 2026

$530,000
Median Home Price
52 min
To Penn Station
59,387
Population
1808
Founded
7.5%
YoY Appreciation

Why Union, NJ?

Union Township is the largest municipality in Union County by population — nearly 60,000 residents representing one of NJ's most diverse communities. Kean University brings academic energy, while Stuyvesant Avenue and Morris Avenue commercial corridors serve as dining and shopping hubs. NJ Transit's Union Station on the Raritan Valley Line provides train access. The township's central location at the intersection of Routes 22, 78, and the Garden State Parkway makes it the geographic and transportation hub of Union County.

Union Real Estate Market in 2026

Union is appreciating at 7.5% year over year with homes selling in 24 days at a $530K median. The market is diverse — from $375K starter homes near the Irvington border to $800K+ colonials in the Connecticut Farms section. Multi-family properties are common and drive strong investor interest. The combination of train access, highway connectivity, and Kean University creates demand from commuters, students, and investors.

$530,000
Median Price
$280/sqft
Price Per Sq Ft
24 days
Avg Days on Market
+7.5%
Year Over Year

Best Neighborhoods in Union

4 distinct neighborhoods, each with its own character and price range

Connecticut Farms

$600,000 to $850,000

The historic heart of Union with colonial homes near the Connecticut Farms Presbyterian Church (est. 1730). Tree-lined streets, strong community identity. The premium residential section.

Best for: Families, history buffs

Battle Hill

$500,000 to $700,000

Named after the Battle of Connecticut Farms (1780). Established colonials and split-levels. Near Kean University. Good schools and community amenities.

Best for: University-adjacent living

Vauxhall

$375,000 to $500,000

Eastern section bordering Irvington and Maplewood. More affordable with multi-family options. Growing with new investment. Transit-accessible.

Best for: First-time buyers, investors

Five Points

$475,000 to $650,000

Commercial and residential hub at the intersection of major roads. Shopping, dining, and services concentrated here. Mix of housing types.

Best for: Convenience seekers

Commuting from Union to NYC

52
Minutes to Penn Station
Union Station
Raritan Valley
Transfer required
Peak frequency: 3 to 4 trains per hour
Also nearby
Newark Liberty Airport: 10 min drive
NJ Turnpike, I-78, Routes 1 and 9
7 NJ Transit bus routes

Source: NJ Transit schedules, June 2026. Peak hour commute times.

Walkability and Livability in Union

How easy is it to live car-free or car-light in Union?

45
Walk Score
Car-Dependent
52 min
NYC Commute
Union Station
2.67%
Property Tax Rate
$10,234/year avg
28.4%
Hispanic/Latino
32.1% foreign-born

Union Schools and Ratings

Union Township Public Schools serves approximately 7,500 students. Union High School (the Farmers) has strong athletics and vocational programs. The district includes 7 elementary schools, Burnet Middle School, and Kawameeh Middle School. Union County Vocational-Technical Schools are headquartered in Union.

Source: NCES CCD 2023 to 2024, NJDOE NJSLA 2024 to 2025

Washington Elementary

UNION, NJ · Elementary · Grades PK-4
D
13.3:1 ratio 573 students Score: 63/100

Connecticut Farms Elementary

UNION, NJ · Elementary · Grades PK-5
F
11.5:1 ratio 425 students Score: 58/100

Kawameeh Middle School

UNION, NJ · Middle · Grades 5-8
F
12.6:1 ratio 729 students Score: 58/100

Livingston Elementary

UNION, NJ · Elementary · Grades PK-4
F
12.3:1 ratio 480 students Score: 57/100

Battle Hill Elementary

UNION, NJ · Elementary · Grades PK-4
F
11.5:1 ratio 424 students Score: 51/100

Burnet Middle School

UNION, NJ · Middle · Grades 5-8
F
12.3:1 ratio 959 students Score: 48/100

Franklin Elementary

UNION, NJ · Elementary · Grades PK-4
F
10.3:1 ratio 465 students Score: 48/100

Jefferson Elementary

UNION, NJ · Middle · Grades 5-5
F
14.2:1 ratio 569 students Score: 46/100
View all Union schools with full ratings →

Union vs Neighboring Towns: Cost Comparison

City Median Price Tax Rate Annual Tax NYC Commute
Union $530,000 2.67% $10,234 52 min
Springfield $575,000 2.28% $12,345 45 min
Hillside $445,000 3.12% $9,543 54 min

Where to Eat in Union

Diverse Dining

Stuyvesant Avenue and Morris Avenue offer one of the most diverse dining corridors in Union County — Portuguese, Brazilian, Colombian, Chinese, Italian, Indian, and more. Menlo Park Diner (classic NJ diner), Don Pepe (Portuguese/Spanish seafood).

Parks and Recreation in Union

Biertuempfel Park

Township park with playground, sports fields, and walking paths. Community events.

Kawameeh Park

Recreation area with sports facilities.

Connecticut Farms Historic Site

Revolutionary War battle site with historical markers and the Connecticut Farms Presbyterian Church (original building burned by British in 1780, rebuilt 1791).

New Development and Growth in Union

Kean University Expansion

Ongoing campus development including new academic buildings, student housing, and the Liberty Hall Academic Center. The university expansion drives economic activity and housing demand in surrounding neighborhoods.

History of Union, NJ

The Battle of Connecticut Farms (1780) was fought here during the Revolutionary War. British forces burned the village.

Named 'Connecticut Farms' by Puritan settlers from Connecticut. Renamed Union Township in 1808.

Kean University (founded 1855) is one of NJ's public universities with over 16,000 students.

The Union County Courthouse was historically located in Union before moving to Elizabeth.

Safety in Union

Union Township police maintain active community policing programs across the township's diverse neighborhoods.

Notable Residents

Ray Liotta (1954-2022), actor, star of Goodfellas and Field of Dreams, raised in Union, attended Union HS Artie Lange, comedian, Howard Stern Show sidekick (2001-2009) Eulace Peacock (1914-1996), track and field athlete who beat Jesse Owens multiple times before injury kept him from 1936 Olympics Mildred Barry Hughes (1902-1995), first woman elected to NJ Senate (1965) Kelly Kulick, professional bowler, first woman to win a PBA tour title Freddie Red Cochrane (1915-1993), World Welterweight Boxing Champion 1941 Lawrence E. Roberts (1922-2004), Tuskegee Airmen pilot, U.S. Air Force colonel Ed Lucas (1939-2021), blind sportswriter covering the NY Yankees Amy Simon, planetary scientist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Joe Collins (1922-1989), NY Yankees first baseman 1948-1957

Annual Events and Festivals

Union Township Day Memorial Day Parade Holiday Tree Lighting Kean University events (open to public)

Recently Sold Homes in Union, NJ

Public record data from NJ Division of Taxation SR1A filings.

444 Total Sales (2024-2026)
$626,640 Average Sale Price
Address Sale Price Date
236 DELAWARE AVE $560,000 260623
1157 EDGEWOOD PKWY $630,000 260619
1217 COOLIDGE AVE $625,000 260617
1875 PILGRIM WAY $600,000 260615
1016 GIFFORD CT $999,900 260612
584 LEHIGH AVE $647,000 260611
1090 SALEM RD $525,000 260611
980 SALEM RD $674,000 260610
1037 SCHNEIDER AVE $525,000 260610
1046 LORRAINE AVE $650,000 260610
2485 VAUXHALL RD $503,000 260610
5 STATION SQUARE $539,000 260610

Source: NJ Division of Taxation, SR1A 2024-2026.

Frequently Asked Questions About Union, NJ

What is the median home price in Union, NJ?

The median home price is $530,000 as of 2026, with 7.5% year-over-year appreciation. Average $280/sqft, selling in 24 days.

How long is the commute from Union to NYC?

52 minutes via NJ Transit from Union Station on the Raritan Valley. Transfer required.

What are property taxes in Union, NJ?

Tax rate is 2.67%. Average homeowner pays $10,234/year. At the median price of $530,000, expect about $14,151/year.

What are the best neighborhoods in Union?

Connecticut Farms ($600,000 to $850,000). Battle Hill ($500,000 to $700,000). Vauxhall ($375,000 to $500,000). Five Points ($475,000 to $650,000). See the full guide above for all 4 neighborhoods.

Is Union safe?

Union Township police maintain active community policing programs across the township's diverse neighborhoods.

How walkable is Union, NJ?

Walk Score of 45, rated "Car-Dependent." Median income $82,000, median age 38.6. 28% renter-occupied.

Ready to Find Your Home in Union?

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Explore Nearby Communities

Springfield $575,000 45 min Hillside $445,000 54 min