Union City, NJ
Census place 3474630 · pop 66,463
One of the most densely populated cities in the United States, long known as an embroidery-industry hub.
Source ↗Sales & income are statewide.
The breakdown — worst first
U.S. median 67.2% · worse than most cities
19.1% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.
U.S. median 9.3% · worse than most cities
27.9% of adults · Adults 18–64 without health insurance.
U.S. median 26.5% · worse than most cities
38.1% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.
U.S. median 24 min · worse than most cities
33 min average one-way commute · Average one-way commute to work, in minutes.
U.S. median 0.99% · worse than most cities
2.12% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.
U.S. median 12.1% · worse than most cities
23.1% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.
U.S. median 90.0% · worse than most cities
85.1% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
U.S. median +2.4% · worse than most cities
-2.6% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?
U.S. median 0.43 · worse than most cities
Gini 0.48 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).
U.S. median $1,756/mo · worse than most cities
$2,363/mo typical rent · Typical monthly rent (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all home types).
U.S. median $214,900 · worse than most cities
$471,600 median home value · Median home value — how expensive it is to buy in. Higher = less affordable.
U.S. median 77/100 · worse than most cities
95/100 FEMA risk (higher = riskier) · FEMA National Risk Index — wildfire, flood, earthquake, heat and more. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median $67,857 · worse than most cities
$64,310 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.
U.S. median 3.6% · worse than most cities
4.0% unemployment · Share of the labor force out of work. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 1 days · worse than most cities
3 unhealthy-air days per year · Days per year with unhealthy air (AQI above 100). Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 24.3% · worse than most cities
28.3% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.
U.S. median 152/100k · worse than most cities
218 violent crimes per 100k · Violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) per 100,000 residents.
U.S. median 14.6% · better than most cities
12.9% of adults · Share of adults who currently smoke.
U.S. median 36.5% · better than most cities
33.6% of adults · Share of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).
U.S. median 42 AQI · better than most cities
41 median AQI · Median air quality index — lower is cleaner air. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 964/100k · better than most cities
996 property crimes per 100k · Burglary, theft, motor-vehicle theft and arson per 100,000 residents.
U.S. median 17.4% · better than most cities
16.1% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).
Frequently asked
- Is Union City, NJ a good place to live?
- By the numbers, Union City scores 32/100 — a F (Bad) on Shcity, which ranks U.S. cities on public data across 22 metrics like crime, cost, jobs and health. Its strongest area is poor mental health and its weakest is homeownership. New Jersey overall ranks #43 of 50 states. Whether it's "good" depends on what you value — re-weight the factors to score it your way.
- How safe is Union City, NJ?
- Union City reports 218 violent crimes per 100k and 996 property crimes per 100k — worse than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
- Is Union City, NJ expensive to live in?
- Union City has a median home value of $471,600 and typical rent around $2,363/mo — pricier than most U.S. cities.
- What's the biggest downside of living in Union City, NJ?
- Its weakest measured area is homeownership (19.1%) — 0/100, worse than most U.S. cities.
- What is Union City, NJ best at?
- Its strongest measured area is poor mental health (16.1%) — 65/100, better than most U.S. cities. Fun fact: One of the most densely populated cities in the United States, long known as an embroidery-industry hub.
Sources: U.S. Census (ACS), CDC PLACES, FBI Crime Data Explorer, BLS, EPA AirData, FEMA National Risk Index, and Zillow.