Union County, New Jersey

County Distress Index: Elevated · 58.9 | 572,726 people · 8th most distressed in New Jersey
American Default Research

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Union County, NJ registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 58.9 — 1024th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within New Jersey, it ranks 8th of 21 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Union County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 88.9 — worse than roughly 89% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 88.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 90
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 82
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 99
Homeownership Rate 95
Economic Vitality 66.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 84
Rent-to-Income Ratio 87
Business Formation Rate 7
House Price Change (YoY) 29
Legal Distress 62.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 63
Consumer Credit Distress 52.8
Debt in Collections 37
Medical Debt 22
Auto Loan Delinquency 66
Credit Card Delinquency 62
Uninsured Rate 79
Subprime Credit Population 61
Structural Poverty 24.2
Unemployment Rate 76
Poverty Rate 12
Income vs. State Median 42
Child Poverty Rate 15
Disability Rate 3
Transfer Income Dependency 5

Scores are percentile-based: 50 = national median, higher = more distressed.

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Union County
Union County, NJ 58.9 Elevated —
Essex County, NJ 72.2 Serious +13.3
Hudson County, NJ 61.3 Elevated +2.4
Richmond County, NY 50.1 Elevated -8.8
Middlesex County, NJ 46.0 Normal -12.9
Somerset County, NJ 33.7 Healthy -25.2
Morris County, NJ 27.4 Healthy -31.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Union County
Bernalillo County, NM 58.8 Elevated -0.1
Yakima County, WA 58.8 Elevated -0.1
St. Tammany Parish, LA 59.3 Elevated +0.4
Greater Bridgeport Planning Region, CT 59.4 Elevated +0.5
Berks County, PA 59.4 Elevated +0.5

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Union County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Union County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Union County.

NEIGHBORHOODS FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE fka NHS of Staten Island
Linden
908-808-4035
Foreclosure PreventionMortgage HelpPost-PurchasePre-Purchase
NID-HCA PLAINFIELD
Plainfield
833-364-3422 Website
Foreclosure PreventionMortgage HelpHome Improvement/RehabHomeless/Displacement
URBAN LEAGUE OF UNION COUNTY
Elizabeth
908-351-7200 Website
Foreclosure PreventionMortgage HelpFinancial CounselingFinancial Counseling

See all counselors in New Jersey →

Find an Attorney

New Jersey State Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

New Jersey State Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service 1-800-792-8315

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Union County residents at no cost.

Legal Services of New Jersey 1-888-576-5529
Community Health Law Project
New Jersey State Bar Foundation — Lawyer Referral Service 1-800-792-8315
Central Jersey Legal Services, Inc. (732) 249-7600
Essex-Newark Legal Services Project, Inc. (973) 624-4500
Legal Services of Northwest Jersey, Inc. (908) 231-0840
Northeast New Jersey Legal Services Corporation (201) 792-6363
South Jersey Legal Services, Inc. (800) 496-4570

Self-Help Resources

NJ Courts Foreclosure Self-Help Center Official NJ Courts self-help guidance on foreclosure proceedings

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in New Jersey →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Union County, New Jersey?

    Union County has a County Distress Index score of 58.9 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,024th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 8th in New Jersey out of 21 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Union County?

    The primary driver of distress in Union County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 88.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Union County compare to neighboring counties?

    Union County (58.9) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Essex County, NJ (72.2); Hudson County, NJ (61.3); Richmond County, NY (50.1).

  • How is the County Distress Index calculated?

    The County Distress Index uses PCA-weighted percentile scoring across five statistically derived factors: Consumer Credit Distress (47.5%), Housing Cost Burden (22.3%), Structural Poverty (13.6%), Economic Vitality (9.2%), and Legal Distress (7.4%). Each county's indicators are ranked against all 3,144 U.S. counties. A score of 50 means the county is at the national median; higher scores indicate greater distress.

  • How often is the CDI updated?

    Annually, aligned to Census American Community Survey and Urban Institute Debt in America release windows — the slowest-moving source inputs. Between annual refreshes, faster-cadence indicators (BLS unemployment, QCEW wages) may drive light mid-year updates if a specific component moves meaningfully. Current data compiled April 14, 2026; next full refresh early 2027.

  • What does the Elevated zone mean?

    The CDI divides counties into five zones: Healthy (below 46), Normal (46–55), Elevated (55–71), Serious (71–86), and Crisis (86 and above). Union County's score of 58.9 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

  • What data sources power Union County's CDI score?

    Union County's CDI score draws on Urban Institute Debt in America (Equifax credit-bureau panel), U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 5-year, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates), Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS, QCEW), U.S. Courts Administrative Office (F-5A bankruptcy filings), and HUD Fair Market Rents. Every number on this page traces to one of these public sources.

  • What is the population of Union County?

    Union County, New Jersey has a population of approximately 572,726 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a large county.