Top 10: The best NJ counties for raising a family

The southern half of New Jersey doesn't get much credit in an updated list of the best counties for raising a family.

Niche, a ranking and review website, used U.S. Census data and other sources to craft its 2024 list.

The No. 1 county in New Jersey also ranks among the top 20 counties for families nationwide.

Niche analyzed counties across several measures, with the most weight given to safety, public schools, and the share of residents with a bachelor's degree or higher. Also, part of each county's score was influenced by reviews from people who live or lived there.

Below is a rundown of the top 10 counties for families in New Jersey, according to Niche. They were the only 10 in the state to receive an overall Niche grade of "A-" or better.

Cumberland and Salem counties were unranked due to low scores.

Welcome to Jersey City sign at the Holland Tunnel (Google Maps)

No. 10 Hudson County

Westfield (Google Maps)

No. 9 Union County

Maple Shade (Google Street View)

No. 8 Burlington County

No. 7 Hunterdon County

Happy Day Farm, Manalapan (Courtesy of Happy Day Farm)

No. 6 Monmouth County

Freedom Festival 2019 at Mercer County Park (Louis C. Hochman / Townsquare Media)

No. 5 Mercer County

Morris County's St. Patrick's Day Parade

No. 4 Morris County

Bergen Community College in Paramus (Bergen Community College)

No. 3 Bergen County

Downtown Metuchen (Richard Alfonzo Photography)

No. 2 Middlesex County

Photo courtesy of Somerville

No. 1 Somerset County

Report a correction 👈 | 👉 Contact our newsroom

Worst 30 public schools in New Jersey

These are the 30 lowest-ranking public and charter schools in New Jersey based on the 2022-23 summative ratings provided by the state Department of Education's annual NJ School Performance Report. The schools are listed in descending order, with the lowest rating being zero.

Gallery Credit: Rick Rickman