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NJ area data

Scotch plains, NJ

Scotch plains, NJ.

Population: 24,843 (Census ACS)

The median home value in Scotch plains, NJ is $856,113 — up 5.5% over the past year. Homes sell for a median $560,999 after a median 7 days on market. 16 schools serve the area (NCES). FEMA's National Risk Index rates the county's overall natural-hazard risk Relatively High, with icestorm, lightning, strongwind the top-rated hazards. Cost of living is 12.5% above the US average (BEA, metro/state-level).

Backed by 25+ public sourcesFEMA · U.S. Census · NOAA · Dept. of Education · EPA · and more

$856,113

Median home value

+5.5%

1-year change

7

Median days on market

Relatively High

Hazard risk (county)

Home values & appreciation

Median home value
$856,113
1-year appreciation
+5.5%
3-year appreciation
+24.6%
5-year appreciation
+37.9%
10-year appreciation
+64.3%
All-time peak (2026-07)
$856,113
House Price Index (state)
430.8 (+5.2% YoY)

Sources: home value index (ZIP-level) · FHFA House Price Index (state-level)

Market activity

Median sale price
$560,999
Median list price
$525,000
Median price per sqft
$288
Median days on market
7 days
Homes sold (recent period)
1
For-sale inventory
56
Sale-to-list ratio
102.2%
1-year forecast
+2.9%
Days to pending
31 days
New listings (monthly)
27

Source: recent area sales and market data (ZIP-level)

Rents

Studio fair-market rent
$1,385/mo
1BR fair-market rent
$1,731/mo
2BR fair-market rent
$2,099/mo
3BR fair-market rent
$2,729/mo
4BR fair-market rent
$3,149/mo

Sources: market rent index (ZIP-level) · HUD Fair Market Rents (metro/county-level, 40th-percentile regulatory reference)

Affordability

Cost of living index (High)
112.5 (100 = US avg)
Electricity rate (state-level)
22.6¢/kWh
Natural gas rate (state-level)
$14.20/MCF
30-year mortgage rate (national)
6.66%
15-year mortgage rate (national)
6.00%

Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities (metro/state-level) · EIA energy rates (state-level) · Freddie Mac PMMS (national)

Schools

Total schools
16
Elementary schools
5
Middle schools
2
High schools
8
School districts serving the area
OFFICE OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, Scotch Plains-Fanwood School District, Union County Educational Services Commission
Schools include
UNION REGIONAL SCHOOL, Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, Malcolm E Nettingham Middle School, Terrill Middle School, School One Elementary

Source: NCES school directory, 2022-23 (school-address-based)

Natural hazards & flood risk

Overall hazard risk (county)
Relatively High
Top hazards (county)
iceStorm, lightning, strongWind, winterWeather, inlandFlooding
Notable hazard ratings (county)
coastalFlooding: Relatively Moderate · coldWave: Relatively Moderate · earthquake: Relatively Moderate · heatWave: Relatively Moderate · hurricane: Relatively Moderate · iceStorm: Very High
FEMA flood zone
AE
Flood risk level
High
Wildfire risk to homes (county)
Higher than 18% of US counties
Buildings in wildfire direct-exposure zone
17.4%
Radon potential (county)
Moderate radon potential — EPA Zone 2 of 3
EPA Superfund (NPL) sites within 5 mi
1
Nearest Superfund site
Cornell Dubilier Electronics, Inc. (4.5 mi)
EPA recommends radon testing for every home regardless of zone.

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (county-level) · FEMA flood data (ZIP-level) · USDA Forest Service Wildfire Risk to Communities (county-level) · EPA radon zones + Superfund NPL

Climate (30-year normals)

Annual precipitation
51.3 in
USDA plant hardiness zone
7a (extreme annual low 0 to 5°F)

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals (30-year, nearest-station) · USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)

Air quality

Air quality rating
Moderate
Median AQI (annual)
52
Days with Good air quality
163
Days with Moderate air quality
197
Days with Unhealthy air quality
3
Highest AQI recorded (year)
227

Source: EPA air quality data (nearest monitoring station, annual)

Walkability & transit

Walkability index
6.7 / 20
Transit service frequency
-99,999
Jobs reachable by car (30 min)
266,338
Jobs reachable by transit (45 min)
234,625

Source: EPA Smart Location Database (metropolitan block groups)

Amenities

National parks within ~60 mi
22
Nearest national park
Morristown National Historical Park (12 mi)
National parks include
Morristown National Historical Park, Thomas Edison National Historical Park, National Parks of New York Harbor
Airports within 30 mi
23
Nearest airport
Linden Airport (LDJ) (7 mi)
Nearest major airport
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) (11 mi)
Hospitals nearby (~15 mi)
35
Hospitals include
NEWARK BETH ISRAEL MEDICAL CENTER, PALISADES MEDICAL CENTER, ST MARY'S GENERAL HOSPITAL
Avg hospital rating (CMS)
2.5 / 5
Best hospital rating nearby (CMS)
5.0 / 5
Solar radiation rating
Fair (4.0 kWh/m²/day)

Sources: National Park Service · FAA airport data · CMS hospital data · DOE/NREL (proximity-based)

Migration

Net migration (county)
-2,824 tax filers

Source: IRS county-to-county migration data (county-level, ~12-month lag)

Housing stock

Median year housing built
1,960
Housing built before 1970
68.6%
Housing built 2000 or later
8.0%
Median annual property tax
$10,001
Mean commute to work
25 min
Households with broadband internet
91.2%

Source: Census ACS 5-year estimates (ZIP-level)

Employment & development

Total county employment
199,693
Average weekly wage
$1,578
Top industries (by employment)
Health Care, Administrative Services, Professional Services
Annual residential building permits (county)
89

Sources: BLS QCEW (county-level) · Census Building Permits (county-level)

How it compares

Scotch plainsState medianUS median
Median home value$856,113$577,759$289,727
Median sale price$560,999$555,000$325,000
Median days on market7 days42 days51 days
Median annual property tax$10,001$9,504$2,006

State and US medians are computed across all US ZIP codes with sufficient public-data coverage, from the same sources as the figures above.

Area data compiled from public government, academic, and industry research feeds. Data sources →

Common questions

What is the median home value in Scotch plains, NJ?
$856,113.
What is the median sale price in Scotch plains, NJ?
$560,999.
How long do homes take to sell in Scotch plains, NJ?
Median days on market: 7 days.
What is typical rent in Scotch plains, NJ?
2-bedroom fair-market rent: $2,099/month (HUD FMR — a 40th-percentile regulatory reference, not market-observed).
What is the natural-hazard risk in Scotch plains, NJ?
Overall risk: Relatively High (FEMA NRI, county-level). Top hazards: iceStorm, lightning, strongWind, winterWeather, inlandFlooding.
Is Scotch plains, NJ in a flood zone?
High (FEMA NFIP). FEMA flood zone AE.
What is the wildfire risk in Scotch plains, NJ?
Risk to homes is higher than 18% of US counties (USDA Forest Service Wildfire Risk to Communities, county-level).
What is the radon potential in Scotch plains, NJ?
Moderate radon potential — EPA Zone 2 of 3, county-level. EPA recommends testing every home regardless of zone.
Are there Superfund sites near Scotch plains, NJ?
1 current or proposed National Priorities List site within 5 miles (EPA). Nearest site: Cornell Dubilier Electronics, Inc., 4.5 mi.
How many schools serve Scotch plains, NJ?
16 schools (5 elementary, 2 middle, 8 high) (NCES, 2022-23).
Is Scotch plains, NJ walkable?
Walkability index: 6.7/20 (EPA Smart Location Database).
What is the air quality in Scotch plains, NJ?
Moderate. Median AQI: 52. (EPA AQI).
What is the cost of living in Scotch plains, NJ?
Regional Price Parity: 112.5 (100 = US average) (High) (BEA RPP, metro/state-level).

ZIP code for Scotch plains

Selling a home in Scotch plains, NJ?

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Data last updated

Most recent source refresh: Sep 2026. See all data sources →

Data compiled by REAIGENT7 — AI listing platform for real estate agents