Population 349,846 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Somerset County
Household size in Somerset County
| Period | Somerset County | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.83 | 2.79 | 2.77 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.86 | 2.85 | 2.82 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.81 | 2.82 | 2.78 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.75 | 2.79 | 2.76 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.08 | −0.00 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
The typical household in Somerset County holds 2.75 people, slightly more than the U.S. average of 2.65. Household size has edged down from 2.83 in 2006–10, as it has nationally. Households are largest in the northeast and smallest in the center.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Somerset County
| Period | Somerset County | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 40.2 | 38.0 | 39.1 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 41.7 | 38.7 | 40.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 42.7 | 39.8 | 41.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 42.5 | 40.4 | 40.9 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.3 | +2.4 | +1.8 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Somerset County is 42.5 years old, a bit older than the national median of 40.1. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 40.2, as it has nationally. The youngest areas are in the east, the oldest in the northwest.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Somerset County
| Period | Somerset County | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.7% | 13.1% | 11.6% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 7.3% | 12.8% | 11.8% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 6.7% | 11.4% | 10.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.4% | 11.6% | 11.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | +1.7 pts | −1.5 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 8.4% of households in Somerset County, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has risen 1.7 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Somerset County
Renters in Somerset County
| Period | Somerset County | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.3% | 47.1% | 33.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 22.5% | 48.7% | 35.0% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 24.2% | 48.8% | 36.1% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 25.7% | 48.6% | 36.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | +5.4 pts | +1.5 pts | +3.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
About a quarter of households in Somerset County rent their homes (25.7%), below the national share of 34.8%; the rest own. Just over a third of owners (35.6%) have paid off their mortgages, below the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the east and least common in the north. The renter share is up 5.4 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Somerset County
| Period | Somerset County | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.9% | 9.1% | 9.1% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 7.7% | 9.0% | 9.3% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.4% | 9.1% | 9.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 3.4% | 7.9% | 6.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | −4.5 pts | −1.2 pts | −2.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Only 3.4% of homes in Somerset County are vacant, far below the national rate of 9.6%, which usually means strong demand for housing. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 4.5 points, in line with the national trend. No other New Jersey county has a lower vacancy rate.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Somerset County
| Period | Somerset County | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1975 | 1957 | 1965 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1975 | 1958 | 1966 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1976 | 1959 | 1967 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1978 | 1962 | 1969 | 1980 |
| Change | +3 | +5 | +5 | +6 |
The typical home in Somerset County was built around 1978, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). Homes here are newer than in the New York area overall, where the median home dates to 1962. Newer construction is concentrated in the south, while the east has the oldest housing. Few New Jersey counties have newer homes: only two of 21.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Somerset County
| Period | Somerset County | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,476 | $1,268 | $1,246 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,548 | $1,377 | $1,324 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,782 | $1,645 | $1,522 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,235 | $2,060 | $1,896 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$759 | +$792 | +$651 | +$606 |
The median renter in Somerset County pays $2,235 a month for rent and utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $759 a month from 2006–10, a 51% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 31.5% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Somerset County has the highest rents of any New Jersey county.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Somerset County
Bachelor's degrees in Somerset County
| Period | Somerset County | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 49.5% | 35.0% | 34.7% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 51.9% | 36.7% | 36.4% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 54.0% | 39.9% | 39.6% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 57.0% | 43.6% | 43.4% | 35.6% |
| Change | +7.5 pts | +8.6 pts | +8.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
Somerset County is highly educated: nearly six in ten adults 25 and older (57.0%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 7.5 points, as it has nationally. Only one other New Jersey county has a higher share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Somerset County
| Period | Somerset County | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 92.5% | 83.7% | 87.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 93.4% | 84.6% | 88.1% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 94.3% | 86.2% | 89.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 93.5% | 86.9% | 90.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +1.0 pts | +3.3 pts | +3.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Somerset County is above the national rate: 93.5% of adults have a diploma, against 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has edged up 1.0 points, a smaller shift than nationally.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Somerset County
| Period | Somerset County | New York area | New Jersey | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.8% | 7.9% | 7.9% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 6.5% | 9.5% | 9.8% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.5% | 5.7% | 5.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.8% | 6.9% | 6.4% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.0 pts | −0.9 pts | −1.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Somerset County is close to the national rate: 4.8% of the labor force, against 5.4%. The rate is lower than in the wider New York area (6.9%). Only one other New Jersey county has lower unemployment.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Somerset County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Somerset County | 2.75 | 42.5 | 8.4% | 25.7% | 3.4% | 1978 | $2,235 | 57.0% | 93.5% | 4.8% |
| Middlesex County | 2.87 | 40.6 | 10.7% | 36.4% | 4.7% | 1972 | $1,956 | 46.3% | 88.6% | 6.6% |
| Union County | 2.95 | 39.6 | 14.7% | 42.6% | 5.6% | 1958 | $1,910 | 38.0% | 85.4% | 6.6% |
| Hunterdon County | 2.56 | 45.9 | 5.6% | 14.9% | 3.5% | 1977 | $1,839 | 57.0% | 96.1% | 4.6% |
| Richmond County | 2.96 | 41.0 | 11.7% | 32.3% | 8.6% | 1971 | $1,856 | 35.5% | 88.0% | 5.5% |
| Kings County | 2.78 | 37.5 | 12.5% | 70.5% | 9.1% | 1953 | $1,954 | 40.2% | 83.6% | 8.3% |
| Northampton County | 2.54 | 42.9 | 10.2% | 28.9% | 6.2% | 1969 | $1,544 | 34.5% | 92.4% | 4.6% |
| Lehigh County | 2.63 | 40.5 | 13.3% | 34.4% | 5.7% | 1968 | $1,516 | 33.8% | 89.9% | 6.0% |
| Perry County | 2.54 | 43.6 | 9.4% | 18.2% | 8.8% | 1974 | $898 | 19.6% | 89.1% | 3.2% |
| Juniata County | 2.60 | 43.2 | 6.9% | 26.2% | 13.3% | 1972 | $763 | 14.8% | 83.5% | 2.1% |
| Mifflin County | 2.52 | 43.4 | 9.5% | 28.9% | 13.7% | 1962 | $830 | 14.2% | 83.5% | 2.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Marion County, OR · Sarasota County, FL · Santa Cruz County, CA · San Luis Obispo County, CA · San Juan Municipio, PR · Rutherford County, TN · Rockland County, NY · Rockingham County, NH · Ottawa County, MI · Nueces County, TX
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Somerset County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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