Home Insurance in Union County, New Jersey
The median home value in Union County is $529,200, 16% higher than the New Jersey median.
Because older housing stock often has aging wiring, roofing or plumbing, it can cost more to insure or rebuild. The typical home in Union County was built around 1956. About 58% of homes were built before 1960, about 20 points above New Jersey's 38%.
In Union County, the housing stock is 55% single-family homes and 20% apartments in buildings with 5+ units. The rest are 2-4 unit or other housing types.
67% of owner-occupied homes in Union County carry a mortgage, and mortgage lenders require hazard insurance for as long as the loan is active.
The vacancy rate is 4%; vacant or unoccupied homes typically need a different coverage form than an owner-occupied policy. About 57% of occupied homes in Union County are owner-occupied.
Most homes in Union County - 82% - are primarily heated with natural gas.
The top hazards for Union County, per FEMA's National Risk Index, are strong wind (Very High), winter weather (Very High) and inland flooding (Relatively High).
As of September 2026, Union County has 4,341 active NFIP flood insurance policies. Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage, so flood coverage needs a separate NFIP or private flood policy.
According to the NAIC homeowners insurance report (2023 data), a standard HO-3 homeowners policy in New Jersey carries a statewide average premium of $1,551 per year.
Key figures
| Median home value | $529,200 |
|---|---|
| Median year built | 1956 |
| Owner-occupied share | 57% |
| Share of owner-occupied homes with a mortgage | 67% |
| Top hazards (FEMA National Risk Index) | Strong Wind (Very High), Winter Weather (Very High), Inland Flooding (Relatively High) |
| Active NFIP flood policies (county) | 4,341 |
| Home insurance premium | $1,551 - statewide average (NAIC, 2023 data) |
Towns and cities
- Elizabeth
- Garwood
- Kenilworth
- Linden
- Mountainside
- New Providence
- Plainfield
- Rahway
- Roselle
- Roselle Park
- Westfield
Smaller communities
-
Fanwood
- Median home value: $635,200
- Median year built: 1954
- Owner-occupied share: 85%
-
Summit
- Median home value: $994,500
- Median year built: 1953
- Owner-occupied share: 68%
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau Gazetteer Files (2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates (2024)
- FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025)
- FEMA OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Policies v3 (2026)
- NAIC Dwelling Fire, Homeowners Owner-Occupied, and Homeowners Tenant and Condominium/Cooperative Unit Owners Insurance: Data for 2023 (published 2026) (2023)