Kids & Family

These 10 NJ Counties Are ‘The Best’ To Live In: New Rankings

Niche ranked the best counties to live in across New Jersey, including factors like crime and public schools. See if yours is on the list:

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A view of Watchung Lake Park in Watchung, NJ. Somerset County was named the best county to live in in New Jersey, based on Niche's 2023 rankings of best places to live.
A view of Watchung Lake Park in Watchung, NJ. Somerset County was named the best county to live in in New Jersey, based on Niche's 2023 rankings of best places to live. (Alex Mirchuk/Patch)

NEW JERSEY — Finding the perfect place to live and raise a family in New Jersey can be difficult, with so many factors to consider like schooling, activities for families, and the real estate market.

Neighborhood ranking site Niche released its 2023 list of the best counties to live in across the Garden State. Factors include public schools, housing, crime, the county’s diversity, available jobs, and commuting. Users on Niche’s website can also write their own reviews of a place they have lived.

Many of the towns are in the north and central part of the state, with one South Jersey county making the list. And, a number of these counties are also top in NJ for “Best Places to Raise a Family,” which takes into account school quality, safety, affordability, and access to amenities for families.

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Here are the Niche rankings of the top 10 best counties to live in the Garden State, and the score they got in certain factors. You can click on the link for each county to learn more about the Niche ranking:

10. Hudson County

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  • Overall grade: A-
  • Public schools: C+
  • Good for families: A-
  • Diversity: A+
  • Housing: D-
  • Jobs: C+

9. Union County

  • Overall grade: A-
  • Public schools: B+
  • Good for families: A
  • Diversity: A+
  • Housing: D
  • Jobs: C+

8. Burlington County

  • Overall grade: A
  • Public schools: A-
  • Good for families: A
  • Diversity: A-
  • Housing: C+
  • Jobs: B

7. Monmouth County

  • Overall grade: A+
  • Public schools: A
  • Good for families: A+
  • Diversity: B+
  • Housing: C+
  • Jobs: B

6. Hunterdon County

  • Overall grade: A+
  • Public schools: A+
  • Good for families: A+
  • Diversity: B-
  • Housing: B+
  • Jobs: B

5. Mercer County

  • Overall grade: A+
  • Public schools: A+
  • Good for families: A+
  • Diversity: A+
  • Housing: C+
  • Jobs: B

4. Morris County

  • Overall grade: A+
  • Public schools: A+
  • Good for families: A+
  • Diversity: B+
  • Housing: B
  • Jobs: B

3. Middlesex County

  • Overall grade: A+
  • Public schools: A+
  • Good for families: A+
  • Diversity: B+
  • Housing: B
  • Jobs: B

2. Bergen County

  • Overall grade: A+
  • Public schools: A+
  • Good for families: A+
  • Diversity: A-
  • Housing: C+
  • Jobs: B

1. Somerset County

  • Overall grade: A+
  • Public schools: A+
  • Good for families: A+
  • Diversity: A
  • Housing: B
  • Jobs: B+

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