These NJ Counties Got 'A+' Ranking In New List

NEW JERSEY — New Jersey has 21 counties, and a recent ranking by Niche has revealed which ones are the best to live in.

Niche, which provides information and rankings on schools and places to live, determined the best counties in each state by analyzing public schools, cost of living, job opportunities and local amenities.

Rankings were compiled using county data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other sources.

Somerset County is considered the best county in New Jersey, according to Niche.

As one of America’s oldest counties, Somerset County is comprised of 21 municipalities, which encompass 305 square miles and are home to more than 345,000 residents.

Somerset County received an overall A+ grade from Niche. It also received high marks for public schools, diversity and nightlife. The county's lowest grade was a B for housing.

Coming in at No. 2 was Bergen County. Home to nearly 1 million residents, Bergen County boasts nearly 200 arts and history organizations, 9,000 acres of parkland, and a variety of shopping and entertainment options.

Bergen County received an overall A+ grade from Niche and also earned top marks in public schools, nightlife and good for families. The county's lowest grade was a B for jobs.

Finally, Middlesex County came in at No. 3 on Niche's list. Middlesex County is home to 863,000 residents, Rutgers University and Fortune 500 giants, including Johnson & Johnson, Colgate-Palmolive and Bristol-Myers Squibb.

Middlesex County received an overall A+ grade from Niche and also earned top marks in public schools, diversity and good for families. The county's lowest grade was a B- for jobs and housing.

Here is Niche's full ranking and each county's overall grade:

1. Somerset County: A+
2. Bergen County: A+
3. Middlesex County: A+
4. Morris County: A+
5. Mercer County: A+
6. Monmouth County: A+
7. Hunterdon County: A+
8. Burlington County: A
9. Hudson County: A-
10. Union County: A-
11. Gloucester County: B+
12. Cape May County: B+
13. Sussex County: B+
14. Camden County: B+
15. Atlantic County: B
16. Warren County: B
17. Ocean County: B-
18. Essex County: B-
19. Passaic County: C+
20. Salem County: C+
21. Cumberland County: C

Learn more about each county's ranking on Niche's website.

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