Union County Health Data

Union County, New Jersey

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

65/100

Average

Life Expectancy

79.3 yr

Uninsured Rate

12.6%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

79.3 yr

State avg 78.5 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

12.6%

State avg 7.5%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

62

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

255

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

15.7%

State avg 15.0%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

20.8

per 100K residentsCDC: 61.5 per 100K

Dentists

8.6

per 100K residents

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

8.9

per 100K residents

Provider counts from CMS NPPES (National Provider Identifier Registry). Data current as of 2026.

Chronic Disease & Behavioral Health

These prevalence estimates come from the CDC PLACES program (Population-Level Analysis and Community Estimates), which combines BRFSS survey data with statistical modeling to produce county-level rates. Estimates are age-adjusted to enable fair comparisons across counties with different age distributions. Use them to spot where Union County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureUnionState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity29.4%29.6%37.6%near state average
Diabetes10.2%9.2%11.2%1.0 pts worse than state
High Blood Pressure30.8%29.5%33.5%1.3 pts worse than state
Depression14.7%16.5%24.1%1.8 pts better than state

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureUnionState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking11.3%11.5%16.3%near state average
Binge Drinking16.1%17.3%17.8%1.2 pts better than state
Physical Inactivity24.8%23.8%27.0%1.0 pts worse than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureUnionState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup75.3%75.9%74.9%0.6 pts worse than state
Dental Visit (past year)64.7%65.4%57.3%0.7 pts worse than state
Mammography (women 50–74)76.1%75.2%73.3%0.9 pts better than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureUnionState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress15.7%16.0%18.6%near state average
Short Sleep Duration39.7%38.1%37.3%1.6 pts worse than state

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Union County nationally on depression.

Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.

Data Story

Union County uninsured rate remains higher than New Jersey average

Health data brief for Union County, New Jersey.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Uninsured rate

The uninsured rate in Union County is 12.6%, which is higher than the New Jersey state average of 7.5% and the national average of 10%. Life expectancy for county residents is 79.3 years, which is higher than both the state average of 78.5 years and the national average of 77 years. About 15.7% of the population reports being in poor or fair health, which is lower than the national average of 17%. Primary care providers are available at a rate of 62 per 100K, which is lower than the national median of 70 per 100K. The mental health provider ratio is 255 per 100K, which is slightly above the national median of 250 per 100K. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.

Get Care in Union County, New Jersey

Direct contact information for hospitals and community health resources serving this county. Hospital quality ratings come from CMS Care Compare — the federal program that measures hospital performance on safety, patient experience, and outcomes.

Overlook Medical Center

ER
5/5
(908) 522-2000
99 Beauvoir Avenue, Summit, NJ 07901
Acute Care HospitalsVoluntary non-profit - Private

Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Rahway

ER
4/5
(732) 381-4200
865 Stone St, Rahway, NJ 07065
Acute Care HospitalsVoluntary non-profit - Private

Trinitas Regional Medical Center

ER
3/5
(908) 994-5000
225 Williamson Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07207
Acute Care HospitalsVoluntary non-profit - Private

Sources: Hospital data: CMS Care Compare. Quality ratings: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Community health center directory: HRSA. Last reviewed 2026-05-14.

Information is for general guidance only and is not medical advice. Always call ahead to confirm services, hours, and insurance accepted. In a medical emergency, dial 911.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Union County, NJ?
Union County has a health score of 65/100, rated "Average." It ranks #16 out of 21 counties in New Jersey (1 = healthiest). The score is based on CDC County Health Rankings data, combining life expectancy, uninsured rates, provider access, and behavioral health indicators.
What is the life expectancy in Union County?
Life expectancy in Union County is 79.3 years. The New Jersey state average is 78.5 years, making Union County above the state average.
How does Union County health compare to the New Jersey average?
Union County's health score of 65/100 is below the New Jersey average of 76/100. Life expectancy is 79.3 years vs. the state average of 78.5 years. The uninsured rate is 12.6% vs. 7.5% statewide.
What health factors affect Union County?
Key health factors for Union County include: life expectancy (79.3 years), uninsured rate (12.6%), and primary care physician access (62:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 255:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Union County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 65/100 ("Average"), Union County has average health outcomes compared to other counties in New Jersey. Residents have a life expectancy of 79.3 years. 12.6% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
What are the biggest health challenges in Union County?
Union County's health score of 65/100 is below the New Jersey average of 76/100. The uninsured rate of 12.6% means a significant portion of residents may face barriers to healthcare. Improving health outcomes often requires investment in healthcare infrastructure, insurance coverage expansion, and community health programs.

Counties with Similar Health Profile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

Data Sources

Health data sourced from the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.

Data is informational only. Not medical or health advice. Coverage varies by county and reporting year.