Morris County:

Compared to other counties across the U.S., as well as neighboring counties, Morris County is in good economic health. We see low rates of poverty in: children, families, individuals, those 65 and older; a higher than average median household income, low rates of public assistance (including free school lunches), and high rates of home ownership.  Data suggests that childcare cost may not be a burden for Morris County residents overall. However, this information may be misleading, because the average income in this county is relatively high.

However, this economic health is not shared by all – Morris County has a higher than average rate of income inequality (Gini Coefficient = .487) than most other U.S. counties (bottom 25%). Additionally, 21% percent of households in Morris County are considered “ALICE” (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). Per capita income is significantly higher (almost double) for Asian and White individuals than for Hispanic/Latino and Black or African American individuals. Children of American Indian descent are 5 times as likely as their peers to live in poverty; Hispanic/Latino families are 3 times more likely to live in poverty than the county average. Unemployment at the county level is 4.3%, a figure that has been going down over the past few years (data on ethnic/racial breakouts is not available). Additionally, despite high rates of home ownership, Morris also has high rates of severe housing problems (the percentage of households with at least one of the following four problems: overcrowding, high housing costs, lack of kitchen, or lack of plumbing).

Union County:

The overall economic health of Union County and its residents is varied.  Despite a higher than average per-capita income, median household income, and low rates of poverty in: children, families, individuals, those 65 and older, Union County is below average compared to all other U.S. counties for unemployment, households receiving public assistance, rates of homeownership, and renters spending more than 30% of their income on rent. Additionally, 25% percent of households in Union County are considered “ALICE” (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed).

Compared to all other NJ counties, the average annual cost of childcare (as a percentage of income) is high; a factor that could impact a family’s economic potential.

Additionally, Union County has a higher than average rate of income inequality (Gini Coefficient = .487) than most other U.S. counties (bottom 25%). Median Household Income is significantly lower than the county average ($68,507) for Hispanic/Latino ($50,970) and Black or African American households ($53,360). Children of American Indian descent are more than twice as likely as their peers to live in poverty; and almost 1 in 5 children under the age of 6 in Union County lives in poverty. Hispanic and Latino families are 2 times more likely to live in poverty than the county average. Unemployment at the county level is 6%, a figure that has been going down over the past few years (data on ethnic/racial breakouts is not available).

Sussex County:

Compared to other counties across the U.S., as well as neighboring counties, Sussex County is in relatively good economic health, with the exception of two indicators. We see low rates of poverty in: children, families, individuals, those 65 and older; a higher than average median household income, low rates of public assistance (including free school lunches), and high rates of home ownership.  Data suggests that childcare cost may not be a burden for Sussex County residents overall. However, this information may be misleading, because the average income in this county is relatively high.

The two areas in which Sussex County is not doing well compared to other counties both relate to housing. Despite high rates of home ownership, Sussex County has high rates of severe housing problems (the percentage of households with at least one of the following four problems: overcrowding, high housing costs, lack of kitchen, or lack of plumbing) and a large number of renters spending more than 30% of their income on rent.

In addition, compared to other counties, Sussex County is doing well in terms of income inequality (Gini Coefficient = .392). However, there is room for improvement. Median Household Income is significantly lower than the county average ($87,335) for American Indian or Alaska Native ($49,000) and Black or African American households ($70,089). Per-capita (individual) income is also significantly lower than the county average ($37,949) for Black or African American ($24,639) and Hispanic/Latino/a ($26,142) individuals. Black/African American children are almost four times as likely as their peers to live in poverty and Hispanic/Latino/a children are more than twice as likely as their peers to live in poverty. Almost 1 in 4 Hispanic/Latino/a and 1 in 3 Black/African American children under the age of 5 live in poverty in Sussex County. Unemployment at the county level is 5.1%, a figure that has been going down over the past few years (data on ethnic/racial breakouts is not available).

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What's Working?

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