Somerset County, New Jersey

Etymology

Somerset County is one of the oldest counties in the United States, and is named after the English county of Somerset.

History

The area was first settled in 1681 in the vicinity of Bound Brook,^{[citation needed]} and the county was established by charter on May 22, 1688. Most of the early residents were Dutch.^{[citation needed]}

During the American Revolutionary War, General George Washington and his troops marched through the county on several occasions and slept in many of the homes located throughout the area. Somerset County also played an important part during both World War I and World War II. Weapons depots were established here, and factories manufactured the army's woolen blankets. For much of its history, Somerset County was primarily an agricultural county. In the late 19th century, the Somerset Hills area of Somerset County became a popular area for country homes built by wealthy industrialists. The area continues to be the home of wealthy people who own businesses.^[19]

In 1917, Somerset County, in cooperation with Rutgers University, hired its first agricultural agent to connect local farmers with expert advice. The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Somerset County, located in Bridgewater, serves residents in the areas of agriculture and natural resources, 4-H youth development, and family and community health sciences.^[20] In the 1960s, townships which were once exclusively agricultural were quickly developed as suburban residential communities. Examples include Bridgewater Township^[21] and the Watchung Hills communities of Watchung, Green Brook Township and Warren Township.^[22][23][24] The growth was aided by the development of the county's very strong pharmaceutical and technology presence. Warren Township used to be considered "the greenest place in New Jersey."^[22] More recently, an influx has occurred of New York City commuters who use NJ Transit's Raritan Valley Line and Gladstone Branch or use Interstate 78.

In 1996, Nicholas L. Bissell Jr., the county prosecutor, was charged with embezzlement, tax fraud, and abuse of power. He fled to Laughlin, Nevada, southeast of Las Vegas, and killed himself when the federal authorities attempted to arrest him.^[25]

Climate and weather

In recent years,^[when?] average temperatures in the county seat of Somerville have ranged from a low of 18 °F (−8 °C) in January to a high of 85 °F (29 °C) in July, although a record low of −16 °F (−27 °C) was recorded in January 1984 and a record high of 105 °F (41 °C) was recorded in August 1955. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.84 inches (72 mm) in February to 4.83 inches (123 mm) in July.^[26]

The county has a hot-summer humid continental climate (Dfa) except in lower areas along the Raritan River from Bound Brook downstream, where the climate is now humid subtropical (Cfa). The hardiness zone is 7a except in a few small, higher-elevation areas in the north, which are 6b.^[29]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 345,361. The median age was 42.0 years. 21.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 16.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 91.9 males age 18 and over.^[31][32]

The racial makeup of the county was 53.7% White, 9.2% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 19.5% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 8.1% from some other race, and 9.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 16.6% of the population.^[32]

92.5% of residents lived in urban areas, while 7.5% lived in rural areas.^[33]

There were 125,598 households in the county, of which 34.0% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 57.3% were married-couple households, 14.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 23.8% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 22.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.^[31]

There were 131,822 housing units, of which 4.7% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 72.3% were owner-occupied and 27.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.9%.^[31]

The population density was 1,144.3 inhabitants per square mile (441.8/km²). The 131,822 housing units had an average density of 436.77 per square mile (168.6/km²).^[34]

Racial and ethnic composition

American Community Survey

According to the 2019 American Community Survey 1-year estimates, there were 122,606 households, 88,540 families, and 21.5% of households had children under the age of 18 living with them; 59.3% were married couples living together; 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present; 3.3% had a male householder with no wife present; and 27.8% were not families. About 9.3% of households had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.16.^[44]

The 2019 American Community Survey 1-year estimates also reported that the county's age distribution was 21.5% under age 18, 8.4% from age 18 to 24, 36.3% from age 25 to 44, 17.6% from age 45 to 64, and 16.2% age 65 or older. The median age was 42.2 years, and the gender makeup was 49.2% male and 50.8% female, with 96.8 males for every 100 females.^[45]

The 2019 American Community Survey 1-year estimates found that the median income for a household was $111,587, and for a family was $135,129. About 5.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.8% of those under 18 and 6.1% of those 65 or over.^[46][47]

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 323,444 people, 117,759 households, and 84,669 families in the county. The population density was 1,071.7 per square mile (413.8/km²). There were 123,127 housing units at an average density of 408 per square mile (158/km²). The racial makeup was 70.06% (226,608) White, 8.95% (28,943) Black or African American, 0.17% (556) Native American, 14.11% (45,650) Asian, 0.03% (94) Pacific Islander, 4.13% (13,360) from other races, and 2.55% (8,233) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 13.01% (42,091) of the population.^[8]

Of the 117,759 households, 35.9% had children under 18; 58.8% were married couples living together; 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present and 28.1% were not families. Of all households, 23.3% were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.22.^[8]

The county's age distribution was 25.0% under 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 29.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 or older. The median age was 40.2 years. For every 100 females, the population had 95.1 males. For every 100 females 18 and older, there were 91.8 males.^[8]

County government

Somerset County is governed by a five-member board of county commissioners, whose members are elected at-large to three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats coming up for election each year. At an annual reorganization meeting held in the first week of January, the board selects a director and deputy director from among its members.^[55] In 2016, commissioners (then known as freeholders) were paid $21,902, and the commissioner director was paid an annual salary of $22,902.^[56] The commissioners employ a full-time county administrator, Colleen Mahr, who manages the day-to-day operations of the county government.^[57] The clerk of the county commissioners oversees the work of their offices. Department heads are appointed in accordance with statute and by resolution of the board. Somerset County has about 1,100 full-time and 140 part-time employees in 52 divisions.^[55]

As of 2026^[update], Somerset County's County Commissioners are Director Shanel Robinson (D, Franklin Township, term as commissioner ends 2027; term as director ends 2026),^[58] Deputy Director Paul Drake (D, Hillsborough Township, term as commissioner and as deputy director ends 2026),^[59] Melonie Marano (D, Green Brook Township, 2028),^[60] Elizabeth Graner (D, Bernards Township, 2026; elected to serve an unexpired term)^[61] and Sara Sooy (D, Bedminster Township, 2027).^{[62][55][63][64][65][66][67]}

In June 2025, Elizabeth Graner was appointed to fill the commissioner seat expiring in December 2025 that had been held by Doug Singleterry until his resignation from office to take a position as a judge of the New Jersey Superior Court.^[68] In November 2025, Graner was elected to serve the balance of the term of office.^[65] In 2018, Democrats captured their first countywide office since 1979, and in 2019 won a majority on the county commission for the first time since 1964. Republicans have not won a county-wide office since 2017.^[69]

Pursuant to Article VII Section II of the New Jersey State Constitution, each county in New Jersey is required to have three elected administrative officials known as "constitutional officers." These officers are the county clerk and county surrogate (both elected for five-year terms of office) and the county sheriff (elected for a three-year term).^[70] Constitutional officers, elected on a countywide basis are Clerk Steve Peter (D, Somerville, 2027),^[71][72] Sheriff Darrin Russo (D, Franklin Township, 2028)^[73][74] and Surrogate Bernice "Tina" Jalloh (D, Franklin Township, 2030).^[75][76][64]

The Somerset county prosecutor is John P. McDonald, who was nominated by the Governor of New Jersey Phil Murphy and confirmed by the New Jersey Senate in June 2022.^[77] Somerset County is a part of Vicinage 13 of the New Jersey Superior Court (along with Hunterdon County and Warren County), which is seated at the Somerset County Courthouse in Somerville; the assignment judge is Michael V. Cresitello.^[78]

Federal representatives

The 7th and 12th congressional districts cover the county.^[79][80] For the 119th United States Congress, New Jersey's 7th congressional district is represented by Thomas Kean Jr. (R, Westfield).^[81] For the 119th United States Congress, New Jersey's 12th congressional district is represented by Bonnie Watson Coleman (D, Ewing Township).^[82][83]

State representatives

The 21 municipalities of Somerset County are represented by five districts in the New Jersey Legislature.^[84]

State elections

School districts

School districts include:^{[98][99][100][101]}

K-12

Secondary

• Somerset County Vocational and Technical School District
• Watchung Hills Regional High School

Elementary

Colleges and universities

Somerset County is home to two colleges:

• Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC), North Branch section of Branchburg Township (public).^[102] Rutgers University has a partnership with Raritan Valley Community College which allows students who have an accredited associate degree to complete a bachelor's degree by attending Rutgers classes at RVCC's North Branch campus. The degree completion program is specifically designed to cater to the transfer student looking to complete their bachelor's degree while staying close to home.^[103]
• Somerset Christian College, now known as Pillar College, is located in the Zarephath section of Franklin Township (private).^[104]

Alma White College (which operated from 1921 to 1978) was a private college located in Zarephath.^[105] Beginning in 1931 the college operated WAWZ 1380 on the AM radio dial. The station continued to 1984 after the school closed. The building is now occupied by Somerset Christian College.

Private schools

Private schools in the county include Gill St. Bernard's School (Gladstone), Immaculata High School (Somerville), Mount St. Mary Academy, (Watchung), Pingry School, (Martinsville), Purnell School, (Pottersville), and Rutgers Preparatory School (Somerset).^[106]

Somerset Hills Learning Institute, founded in 1998 and located in Bedminster Township, educates children on the autism spectrum by utilizing the principles of applied behavior analysis.^[107] In 2024, a local ShopRite store started selling salads grown by and packed by students in the school's hydroponics career training program.^[108]

Roads and highways

Somerset County is served by a number of different routes. As of May 2010^[update], the county had a total of 1,714.99 miles (2,760.01 km) of roadways, of which 1,370.80 miles (2,206.09 km) were maintained by the local municipality, 234.23 miles (376.96 km) by Somerset County and 109.96 miles (176.96 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.^[111]

Major county roads that pass through include County Route 512, County Route 514, County Route 518, County Route 523, County Route 525, County Route 527, County Route 529, County Route 531 and County Route 533. The two state routes which traverse through the county are Route 27 (only in Franklin) and Route 28. U.S. Routes in the county are U.S. Route 22, U.S. Route 202 and U.S. Route 206. The two Interstates which pass through Somerset County are Interstate 78 and Interstate 287.

It was planned for Interstate 95 to run along the Somerset Freeway from its proposed southern end in Hopewell Township, Mercer County to Franklin Township at I-287 in the 1960s. However, the plan was canceled in 1983. Part of Route 18 is the New Brunswick border of Somerset.

Public transportation

NJ Transit provides train service on the Gladstone Branch and the Raritan Valley Line.^[112][113] Public bus transportation is provided by several transit agencies.^[114]

NJ Transit provides bus service to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan, as well as service to major cities in New Jersey and within Somerset County.^[115] Ridewise provides three SCOOT shuttles,^[116] as well as DASH buses and CAT buses.^[117][118]