Location of Union Township in Union County highlighted in yellow (left). Inset map: Location of Union County in New Jersey highlighted in black (right).
Census Bureau map of Union Township, Union County, New Jersey
Settled in 1667, Union was the third English speaking settlement in New Jersey after Elizabeth and Newark, with the area that is now Union then called Connecticut Farms.[20]
Union Township was the site of the Battle of Connecticut Farms. On June 6, 1780, British troops, led by Hessian General Wilhelm von Knyphausen, boarded boats on Staten Island bound for Elizabeth, New Jersey. At midnight, 5,000 troops started to land. They expected the Continental Army to give little resistance, believing that they were tired of the war and were poorly fed and paid. They also expected the citizens of New Jersey to welcome them. They were wrong on both counts and were unable to make their way to and through the Hobart Gap.[21]
Union Township was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on November 23, 1808, from portions of Elizabeth Township, while the area was still part of Essex County. It became part of the newly formed Union County on March 19, 1857. Portions of the township have been taken to form Linden Township (March 4, 1861), Roselle Park, (March 22, 1901), Kenilworth (May 13, 1907) and Hillside (April 3, 1913).[22][23] In 1946, a group of residents pushed for the township's name to be changed to "Connecticut Farms", citing the potential benefits to area residents and businesses from the broad awareness of the historical significance of the name.[24]
The Self-Master Colony was a private experiment in housing the homeless; built on the Hoyt family mansion in Union Township in 1908. The colony was founded by Andress Small Floyd and his wife Lillian, lasting until 1938.[25]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 9.08 square miles (23.52 km2), including 9.05 square miles (23.44 km2) of land and 0.03 square miles (0.08 km2) of water (0.35%).[1][2]
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Battle Hill, Connecticut Farms, Galloping Hill, Headlentown, Putnam Manor, Salem, Townley and Vauxhall.[29]
Five Points, area around the junction of Galloping Hill Road, Chestnut Street, Salem Road, Delaware Avenue, Walton Avenue, and Tucker Avenue.
Brookside Heights (Curryville), west of Vauxhall Road.
Vauxhall, area of Union north of I-78 and west of Stuyvesant Avenue, with its own ZIP code 07088.
Union Center, area around the intersection of Morris and Stuyvesant Avenues.
Putnam Ridge, a section between Suburban Road, Morris Avenue, Twin Oaks Road, and Colonial Avenue.
Putnam Manor, an historic section between Colonial Avenue and Salem Road.
Orchard Park
Parkside Manor, a three-road section off of Union Terrace.
Larchmont Estates, area bordered by Larchmont Reservation (NW and NE edges), Morris Avenue (SW), Liberty Avenue (SE), and Joe Collins Park/Larchmont Reservation (NE edge).
Battle Hill, area served by Battle Hill Elementary School in west Union, bordered by Rahway River (W edge), Morris Avenue (N), the west branch of the Elizabeth River (E), and Route 22 (S).
Green Lane, new community between Kean University and Union Station.
Fairway Drive, community bordering the Galloping Hill Golf Course.
Union Township, Union County, New Jersey – Racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
The 2010 United States census counted 56,642 people, 19,556 households, and 14,276 families in the township. The population density was 6,244.3 per square mile (2,410.9/km2). There were 20,250 housing units at an average density of 2,232.4 per square mile (861.9/km2). The racial makeup was 53.78% (30,464) White, 28.98% (16,417) Black or African American, 0.14% (80) Native American, 10.60% (6,003) Asian, 0.04% (24) Pacific Islander, 4.06% (2,297) from other races, and 2.40% (1,357) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.94% (8,465) of the population.[17]
Of the 19,556 households, 31.6% had children under the age of 18; 53.7% were married couples living together; 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present and 27.0% were non-families. Of all households, 23.0% were made up of individuals and 10.8% 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 3.35.[17]
21.1% of the population were under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 28.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.6 years. For every 100 females, the population had 89.7 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 85.6 males.[17]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $73,722 (with a margin of error of +/− $4,858) and the median family income was $86,705 (+/− $3,822). Males had a median income of $54,811 (+/− $1,998) versus $47,144 (+/− $2,316) for females. The per capita income for the township was $31,135 (+/− $1,104). About 3.7% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.7% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.[46]
As of the 2000 United States census[14] of 2000, there were 54,405 people, 19,534 households, and 14,162 families residing in the township. The population density was 5,968.1 inhabitants per square mile (2,304.3/km2). There were 20,001 housing units at an average density of 2,194.1 per square mile (847.1/km2). An example of a diverse municipality in the United States, the racial makeup of the township was 67.66% White, 19.76% African American, 0.15% Native American, 7.72% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 2.44% from other races, and 2.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.93% of the population.[39][40]
There were 19,534 households, out of which 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.5% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.5% were non-families. 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.25.[39][40]
In the township the population was spread out, with 22.3% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 17.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.2 males.[39][40]
The median income for a household in the township was $59,173, and the median income for a family was $68,707. Males had a median income of $45,299 versus $35,604 for females. The per capita income for the township was $24,768. About 3.0% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.6% of those under age 18 and 5.5% of those age 65 or over.[39][40]
Union Township is governed under the Township form of New Jersey municipal government, one of 141 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form, the second-most commonly used form of government in the state.[47] The Township Committee is comprised of five members, who are elected directly by the voters at-large in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year as part of the November general election in a three-year cycle.[6][48] At an annual reorganization meeting, the Township Committee selects one of its members to serve as Mayor. The Mayor, in addition to voting as a member of the Township Committee, presides over the meetings of the committee and carries out ceremonial duties.
As of 2024[update], members of the Union Township Committee are Mayor Manuel T. Figueiredo (D, term on committee ends December 31, 2024; term as mayor ends 2024), Deputy Mayor Joseph Florio (D, term on committee ends December 31, 2026; term as deputy mayor ends 2024), James Bowser, Jr. (D, 2025), Patricia Guerra-Frazier (D, 2025; appointed to serve an unexpired term through 2024 election), and Sandra Terrell (D, 2024; appointed to serve an unexpired term).[3][49][50][51][52]
On March 26, 2024, Sandra Terrell was appointed to the Township Committee to fill the seat held by James Louis, who resigned on March 13 for personal reasons.[53][54] Louis had been appointed on December 5, 2023 to fill the seat held by Michele Delisfort, who resigned on November 21 following her election as Union County commissioner.[55][56]
On December 19, 2023, Patricia Guerra-Frazier was appointed to the Township Committee to fill the seat held by Suzette Cavadas, who resigned on December 12 for personal reasons.[57][58]
Union Township is in the 10th Congressional Districts[59] and is part of New Jersey's 20th state legislative district.[60][61][62]
Prior to the 2010 Census, Union Township had been split between the 7th and 10th Congressional Districts with different boundaries, a change made by the New Jersey Redistricting Commission that took effect in January 2013, based on the results of the November 2012 general elections.[63] The redistricting plan that took effect in 2013 placed 31,611 residents living in the central and western portions of the township into the 7th District, while 25,031 residents in a semicircle that runs along the northern, eastern and southern borders of the township were placed into the 10th District.[64][65]
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 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.[71] As of 2024[update], Union County's County Commissioners are:
Constitutional officers elected on a countywide basis are:
Clerk Joanne Rajoppi (D, Union Township, 2025),[82][83]
Sheriff Peter Corvelli (D, Kenilworth, 2026)[84][85] and
Surrogate Christopher E. Hudak (D, Clark, 2027).[86][87]
As of March 2011, there were a total of 31,155 registered voters in Union Township, of which 12,061 (38.7% vs. 41.8% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 3,928 (12.6% vs. 15.3%) were registered as Republicans and 15,157 (48.7% vs. 42.9%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 9 voters registered to other parties.[88] Among the township's 2010 Census population, 55.0% (vs. 53.3% in Union County) were registered to vote, including 69.7% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 70.6% countywide).[88][89]
In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 16,423 votes (70.7% vs. 66.0% countywide), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 6,464 votes (27.8% vs. 32.3%) and other candidates with 155 votes (0.7% vs. 0.8%), among the 23,235 ballots cast by the township's 33,589 registered voters, for a turnout of 69.2% (vs. 68.8% in Union County).[90][91] In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 15,625 votes (63.8% vs. 63.1% countywide), ahead of Republican John McCain with 8,462 votes (34.5% vs. 35.2%) and other candidates with 189 votes (0.8% vs. 0.9%), among the 24,505 ballots cast by the township's 32,622 registered voters, for a turnout of 75.1% (vs. 74.7% in Union County).[92] In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 12,751 votes (57.9% vs. 58.3% countywide), ahead of Republican George W. Bush with 8,987 votes (40.8% vs. 40.3%) and other candidates with 174 votes (0.8% vs. 0.7%), among the 22,013 ballots cast by the township's 30,383 registered voters, for a turnout of 72.5% (vs. 72.3% in the whole county).[93]
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Democrat Barbara Buono received 53.4% of the vote (6,269 cast), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 45.4% (5,334 votes), and other candidates with 1.2% (135 votes), among the 12,013 ballots cast by the township's 33,305 registered voters (275 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 36.1%.[94][95] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Democrat Jon Corzine received 7,628 ballots cast (53.0% vs. 50.6% countywide), ahead of Republican Chris Christie with 5,734 votes (39.8% vs. 41.7%), Independent Chris Daggett with 741 votes (5.1% vs. 5.9%) and other candidates with 113 votes (0.8% vs. 0.8%), among the 14,397 ballots cast by the township's 31,972 registered voters, yielding a 45.0% turnout (vs. 46.5% in the county).[96]
Union was threatened with being the first municipality north of the Mason–Dixon line to suffer from penalties as a result of school segregation. The area of Vauxhall was primarily black and the students enrolled at Jefferson Elementary School were disproportionately black, compared to the rest of the township. Union avoided problems by converting Jefferson Elementary into a sixth-grade only school called Central 6 and bused the Jefferson students to all the other elementary schools. It was later renamed Central 5 and is now Jefferson School, which is used as a one-year school for fifth-grade students.[112]
Union is home to several private nursery schools and the Deron School, a private school for learning disabled students ages 5–13.[113] St. Michael's Parish School[114] and Holy Spirit School (founded in 1965[115]) operate under the supervision of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark.[116]
Kean University, dating back to 1855, serves a total student population of almost 16,000.[117] Called New Jersey State Teachers College when it was located in Newark, the school moved to Union in 1958, was renamed Kean College in 1973 and was granted university status in 1997.[118]
As of May 2010[update], the township had a total of 145.85 miles (234.72 km) of roadways, of which 120.11 miles (193.30 km) were maintained by the municipality, 11.43 miles (18.39 km) by Union County and 12.46 miles (20.05 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and 1.85 miles (2.98 km) by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.[119]
The Parkway connects Kenilworth in the south to Hillside in the north.[120] The Parkway includes interchanges 139A (Chestnut Street) / 139B (Route 82 West Union), interchanges 140 (Route 22 / Route 82 west) / 140A (Route 22 / Route 82 west) and interchange 141 (Vauxhall Road / Union).[121]
The Union Watersphere, for many years the tallest water tower of its type in the world, stands 212 feet tall, holds 250,000 gallons of drinking water and is now also used as a cell phone tower.[128] The landmark and icon inspired a former Union resident to create a website and museum (in Austin, Texas) dedicated to it.[129]
Union is home to several houses constructed totally of poured concrete, an experiment of Thomas Edison. The homes on Ingersoll Terrace include poured concrete interior walls with formed concrete plumbing.[130]
Union is home to a building in the shape of a ship at 2262 U.S. Route 22. Originally a restaurant and night club,[131] it has changed ownership over the years, becoming a furniture store known as "The Flagship" and later The Wiz Home Electronics. It is currently a P. C. Richard & Son store.[132]
Union is home to The Home Depot Superstore, that at 217,000 square feet (20,200 m2) was the chain's largest store in the world as of 2012.[133]
^Cheslow, Jerry. "If You're Thinking of Living in: Union"Archived March 7, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, The New York Times, October 27, 1991. Accessed February 25, 2012. "Union, the third oldest English settlement in New Jersey after Newark and Elizabeth, is returning to its Colonial roots.... Union was settled in 1667 by Puritans, who left Connecticut fearing religious persecution. Then called Connecticut Farms, the community figured prominently in shipbuilding from the late 17th century, when the Headleys, one of its first European families, established a factory for wooden hoops to hold sails to masts."
^Staff. "Union May Again Be 'Connecticut Farms'"Archived July 18, 2018, at the Wayback Machine, The New York Times, July 15, 1946. Accessed July 18, 2018. "Union, N. J., July 14 - Backed by the Union Exchange Club, a movement has been launched to change the township's name to Connecticut Farms, a name given to it by early settlers who came here from Connecticut."
^"Union library to present historic program on 'Self Master Colony'"Archived June 28, 2022, at the Wayback Machine, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, May 15, 2017. Accessed June 27, 2022. "The Self Master Colony, also known as Floyd's Self Master Village, was a residence for men in need of assistance. Founded by Andress and Lillian Floyd, the Colony lasted from 1908 to 1938. The project was financed by Charles H. Ingersoll--famous for the Ingersoll Watch Company, as well as for his association with Thomas Edison and his cement houses (located on Ingersoll Terrace in Union). The Colony consisted of about 50 acres on Morris Avenue--today the site of the Township of Union's municipal building, public library, and Friberger Park."
^"Governor - Union County"(PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. January 29, 2014. Archived(PDF) from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
^About UnionArchived April 21, 2023, at the Wayback Machine, Union Public School District. Accessed April 21, 2023. "The school system currently operates 10 schools- six kindergarten through Grade Four elementary schools, one elementary school that houses all of the district's Grade Five students, two middle schools (Grades 6-8), and one comprehensive high school. The district employs approximately 1200 individuals and serves roughly 7,200 students."
^Township of Union Board of Education District Policy 0110 - IdentificationArchived April 21, 2023, at the Wayback Machine, Union Public School District. Accessed April 21, 2023. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Pre-Kindergarten through twelve in the Township of Union School District. Composition: The Township of Union School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of the Township of Union."
^Liddane, Lisa. "The Home Depot opens its first Superstore in the West"Archived March 8, 2022, at the Wayback Machine, The Orange County Register, April 5, 2012. Accessed March 8, 2022. "The store, called The Home Depot Superstore, was remodeled and expanded to 205,000 square feet – about one-third larger than a typical Home Depot. Those proportions make it the Atlanta-based home improvement chain’s largest store in the West and the second largest Home Depot in the nation. The Union, N.J., superstore is the largest at 217,000 square feet."
^Ditota, Donna. "Syracuse basketball program targets more Roselle Catholic players"Archived March 7, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, The Post-Standard, September 11, 2013. Accessed March 1, 2016. "Boff said Briscoe transferred from St. Benedict's for two reasons: Roselle is located two miles from his home in Union, N.J., and Briscoe 'wanted more of a traditional high school experience for his last two years.' (St. Benedict's is an all-boys prep school.)"
^ abUnion County Baseball Hall of Fame Will Induct Three New Members, Feb. 11Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine, Union County, New Jersey, press release dated December 27, 2006. Accessed July 3, 2007. "Over the years, the awards dinner has honored many local and national baseball luminaries – including Joe Collins of Union, Phil Rizzuto of Hillside, Don Newcombe of Elizabeth, Jeff Torborg of Mountainside, Willie Wilson of Summit, Jake Wood of Elizabeth, and Elliott Maddox of Union."
^Wertheim, Stanley. A Stephen Crane EncyclopediaArchived June 11, 2023, at the Wayback Machine, p. 72. Greenwood Publishing Group, 1997. ISBN9780313296925. Accessed May 18, 2020. "Crane, Jonathan Townley (1819-1880). Stephen Crane's father was born in Connecticut Farms, New Jersey, the descendant of the Stephen Crane who was one of the settlers of Elizabethtown as early as 1665."
^Hunt, Donald. "Quenton DeCosey loves playing in historic Palestra"Archived November 18, 2018, at the Wayback Machine, Philadelphia Tribune, December 9, 2014. Accessed November 7, 2017. "Temple shooting guard Quenton DeCosey has learned about playing basketball in the Philadelphia Big 5. DeCosey hails from Union, N.J. where he played basketball for St. Joseph’s-Metuchen High School."
^Sullivan, John. "In Person; McGreevey Goes for Muscle"Archived February 22, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, The New York Times, December 1, 2002. Accessed May 24, 2013. "He was born in Elizabeth and raised in Union Township, and when he was 13 he sneaked out of his house and took a train into Manhattan to attend a wake for Robert F. Kennedy."
^Kausler Jr., Don. "Alabama gymnast Kayla Hoffman named the SEC Female Athlete of the Year"Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, The Birmingham News, June 28, 2011. Accessed October 16, 2015. "The Union, N.J., native is the sixth Alabama athlete and fifth Tide gymnast to be named SEC Female Athlete of the Year, joining gymnasts Penney Hauschild (1985), Dee Foster (1990), Andreé Pickens (2002), Rice (2004) and track star Lillie Leatherwood (1987)."
^Staff. "Mildred Hughes, 92, New Jersey Senator"Archived September 13, 2018, at the Wayback Machine, The New York Times, January 19, 1995. Accessed May 24, 2013. "Mildred Barry Hughes, who in 1965 was the first woman elected a state senator in New Jersey, died on Jan. 11 at the Cranford (N.J.) Health and Extended Care Center. She was 92 and had lived for many years in Union, N.J."
^Liberty Hall HistoryArchived August 4, 2023, at the Wayback Machine, Kean University. Accessed June 25, 2023. "In 1833, the estate was inherited by Susan’s grandson, John Kean. John graduated from Princeton in 1834. While on the staff of New Jersey’s Governor Pennington he acquired the rank of Colonel, a title he used the rest of his life. Over the next sixty years, Colonel Kean transformed Ursino from a 14-room country house to the 50-room mansion that stands today."
^Goldstein, Tom. "Amalya Lyle Kearse; Woman in the News"Archived July 23, 2018, at the Wayback Machine, The New York Times, June 25, 1979. Accessed July 18, 2018. "Amalya Lyle Kearse was born June 11, 1937, in Vauxhall, N.J. where her late father was postmaster and her mother first practiced medicine and then became an antipoverty official."
^Washington, Ethel M. Union County Black Americans p. 93. Arcadia Publishing, 2004. ISBN9780738536835. Accessed October 16, 2015. "Jimmy Carter appointed Amalya Lyle Kearse judge for the U.S. District Court of Appeals, Second Circuit, in New York. Born in the Vauxhall section of Union, Judge Kearse received her bachelor's degree from Wellesley College in Massachusetts and juris doctorate degree from the University of Michigan Law School."
^Staff. "Mischak, West Point Halfback, Banner-Lined in N. Y. World Telegram Sun"Archived March 14, 2022, at the Wayback Machine, The Ukrainian Weekly, October 30, 1953. Accessed May 18, 2020. "The New York World Telegram and Sun ran in its last Oct. 23 number the following banner lined sport page article by its staff writer Lawrence Robinson about a Ukrainian lad by descent, Bob Mischak of Union, N. J., West Point Military Cadet:"
^Arntzenius, Linda. "Profiles in Education; Karl Schellscheidt"Archived February 29, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, Town Topics, June 21, 2006. Accessed May 24, 2013. "As the son of a professional soccer player (and coach for Seton Hall University) who came to the United States from Germany in 1966, Mr. Schellscheidt has been rooting for Germany. As a former kid from Union, New Jersey, he's been rooting for the U.S. team."
^Roselle Catholic High School Alumni Directory 1993. Bernard C. Harris Publishing Company, Inc. White Plains, NY. 1993. p. 49.
^Cahillane, Kevin. "Art; Nostalgia, Wearing Stilettos"Archived July 3, 2018, at the Wayback Machine, The New York Times, December 4, 2005. Accessed July 18, 2018. "He was born in Irvington in 1918, grew up in Union, married his high school sweetheart on his 24th birthday, had two daughters, served in World War II and spent 30 years in Atlantic Highlands."
^Lipton, Michael A. "In a League of His Own; Actor and Sports Fan Robert Wuhl Mixes Business with Pleasure on Arli$$"Archived May 17, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, People, September 30, 1996. Accessed May 24, 2013. "To hear Wuhl tell it, he has always been fascinated by sports and showbiz. Growing up in Union, N.J., the second of three children of a produce distributor and his wife, he says Roger Maris and Billy Wilder were his idols and claims he taught himself to read by poring over the movie pages of the Newark Star-Ledger."