Somerset County

Somerset County is the seventh-wealthiest county in the United States by per capita income and the highest in New Jersey. Somerset County has the tenth-highest personal per capita income of any U.S. county and the second-highest in New Jersey. The county also ranks sixth in the United States in terms of median income.

Somerset County is one of America's oldest counties. The area was first settled in 1681, in the vicinity of Bound Brook, and the county was established by charter on May 22, 1688. Most of the early residents were Dutch. 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 with weapons depots and the manufacturing of 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 country home for wealthy industrialists. The area is still the home of wealthy pharmaceutical industrialists.

In the 1960s, townships that were once exclusively agricultural were quickly transformed into suburban communities. Examples include Bridgewater Township and the Watchung Hills communities of Watchung, Green Brook and Warren Township. This growth was aided by the development of the county's very strong pharmaceutical and technology presence. Indeed, Warren Township used to be considered "the greenest place in New Jersey." More recently, there has been an influx of New York City commuters who use New Jersey Transit's Raritan Valley Line and Gladstone Branch or use Interstate 78.

As of the census of 2000, the population was 297,490. The county has a total area of 305 square miles (790 km²). It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Somerville. In the county the population was spread out with 25.50% under the age of 18, 5.90% from 18 to 24, 33.80% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 11.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $76,933 and the median income for a family was $90,605. Males had a median income of $60,602 versus $41,824 for females. The per capita income for the county was $37,970. The poverty rate is 1.7%, the lowest of any county in the United States with 250,000 or more people. Out of the total population, 3.80% of those under the age of 18 and 4.90% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Somerset County is home to two colleges:

• Raritan Valley Community College, North Branch (public)
• Somerset Christian College, Zarephath, in Franklin Township (private)

Somerset County Technology Institute is a public institution providing quality post-secondary (adult) education in the areas of General and Computer Technology, Allied Health, Office Administration, Cosmetology and Commercial Art & Multimedia.

Somerset is also home to Somerset Hills Learning Institute, a state-of-the-art program dedicated to educating children on the autism spectrum by utilizing the principles of ABA.

Somerset County boasts a number of beautiful county parks, including but not limited to: Lord Stirling Park (part of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge), Colonial Park (with a lovely rose garden), Washington Valley Park (with biking and hiking trails), the Sourland Mountain Preserve (hiking and mountain biking trails), and the newest park in development called Raritan River Greenway (which is being developed along the Raritan River in Bridgewater Township). For more information, visit the Somerset County Park Commission website.

The southeastern portion of Somerset County in Franklin Township also hosts the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park, which provides hiking, biking and boating opportunities.

Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster is an exclusive golf club owned by celebrity businessman Donald Trump.