Somerset County Business Partnership collaborated with the Somerset Planning Board to develop a resource that summarized what a business operating in Somerset County “needs to know” about our growing diversity. We assembled a Diversity Task Force that helped us make the case that our growing diversity gives us a competitive advantage by helping us attract and retain the best talent, keep us innovative, and ahead of the curve. See what we found in this report.

1. Somerset County:
Embracing Diversity
and Inclusion.
March 25, 2019

2. Somerset County Business Partnership has a
unique role within the community with a mission to
put Somerset County on the map by making
“vibrant connections” with our partners in the public
and private sectors to build a prosperous and
sustainable future.

3. In order to achieve this mission, one of our core
principles is that we embrace diversity and
inclusion to serve the various needs of our
membership and community.

4. Somerset County’s Diversity Statement
The County of Somerset is home to a population of promising individuals from around
the world, making vibrant connections within Somerset County because of its diversity.
The County’s diversity is among our greatest assets.
Diversity is fundamental to everything we do in Somerset County. It is inclusive of not
only those who look different but those who may think differently.
When Somerset County recognizes, values, and embraces diversity, we recognize,
value and embrace the uniqueness of each individual.

5. 5
How we define diversity and inclusion
Diversity is a variety of patterns which
includes but is not limited to values,
customs, differences, and similarities.
Inclusion is the proactive approach of
leveraging diversity by consciously
inviting, welcoming, respecting, and
engaging each other without bias.
Diversity without inclusion will not work.
Dimensions of Diversity
Used with permission by Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset

6. OUR PURPOSE
This document was created by the
SCBP Diversity Taskforce in
collaboration with the Somerset County
Planning Board to provide the business
community with a resource as a means
to better understand and embrace the
growing diversity in our community.

7. Somerset County is growing and changing…
7
1990 U.S. Census Estimates 2017 U.S. Census Estimates
Population 240,279 335,432
Median Age 34.8 41.1
Population 18 and under 23.1% 22%
Population 65 and over 10.8% 15%
Race
White 87.97% 68.96%
Black 6.17% 10.21%
American Indian .10% .3625%
Asian and Pacific Islander 4.39% 18.45%
Other 1.37% 2.0175%
Ethnicity
Hispanic/Latino 4.2% 14.8%

8. We are becoming more diverse (per Census data)…
8
1990 U.S. Census
Estimates
2017 U.S. Census
Estimates
White Black
Asian and Pacific Islander Other
American Indian
87.97%
6.17%
1.37%
4.39%
68.96%
2.0175%
18.45%
10.21%
.10%
0.3625%

9. We are diverse in a variety of ways…
1990 U.S. Census
Estimates
2017 U.S. Census
Estimates
White
Black
Asian and
Pacific
Islander
Hispanic/Latino*
American Indian
87.97%
6.17%
4.2%
4.3%
69.6%
14.8%
19.7%
10.5%
.1%
0.3%
* There is an overlap of race and Hispanic origin. The U.S. Census considers race and ethnicity to be two separate and distinct concepts,
with race being defined as a person’s self-identification with one or more social groups (White, Black, Asian, American Indian, and Alaska
Native. Respondents may report multiple races. Ethnicity determines whether a person is of Hispanic origin or not with Hispanic and Latino
being broken into two categories. Hispanics may report as any race.

10. Historically, growth has taken place primarily in our Townships, but
moving forward, growth will occur throughout Somerset County…
10
Percent Change in Population from (2015-2045)
• Townships = +10.23%
• Boroughs = +11.33%
• Somerset County = +10.52%

11. Somerset County is growing
older and more experienced…
Median age in…
New Jersey
39.5
United States
37.7
Somerset County
41.1

12. We are attracting residents from
around the world…
12
New Jersey
21.8%
United States
13.1%
Somerset County*
24.6%
Percent of total population foreign-born as of 2016
*Somerset County is ranked at #7 in
New Jersey for total foreign-born
population

13. We have an educated population…
13
Somerset
County
New
Jersey
United
States
High School
Diploma
94.1% 88.9% 87%
Bachelor’s
Degree
53% 37.5% 30.3%
Advanced
Degree
22.9% 14% 9.3%

14. 14
We recognize
affordability is a concern
to residents…
23%
2010 United Way of
Northern NJ Study
2017 United Way of
Northern NJ Study
25.5%
Households living under
ALICE* income thresholds
*Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed

15. Fostering a diverse and inclusive population has allowed us to become:
SmartAsset.com:
#21 Happiest Counties
in America
Niche.com: #1 in NJ and
#29 in U.S. Best County
For Families
NJ Monthly:
5 Top 50 Public High
Schools in NJ
Niche.com:
#1 Healthiest County in NJ
University of Wisconsin:
#3 Healthiest in NJ
Niche.com: #1 in NJ
and #44 in U.S. Best
Counties to Live
Niche.com: #1 in NJ
for Best Outdoor
Activities
Niche.com #3 in NJ
for Millennials
Niche.com #1 Best Community
College in NJ: Raritan Valley
Community College

16. Somerset County’s growing diversity gives us a
competitive advantage.
This advantage helps us attract and retain the best talent, and
explore new ideas and methods that keep us innovative and
ahead of the curve.

17. Diversity and Inclusion Matters For Your Business
Inclusive Workplaces Maximize
Talent and Productivity
Diverse Organizations are More
Successful at Retaining Talent
Diverse Teams are Critical for
Innovation
Diversity Reduces Groupthink
and Enhances Decision-Making
Inclusion is Key to Team
Performance
Diversity is Associated with
Improved Financial Performance
Source: https://www.catalyst.org/knowledge/why-diversity-and-inclusion-matter

18. Diversity and Inclusion Matters For Your BusinessBeing Diverse Gives Your Business the
Competitive Edge…
2x
As likely to
meet or exceed
financial targets
3x
As likely to be
high-performing
6x
More likely to be
innovative and
agile
8x
More likely to
achieve better
business outcomes
Source: Juliet Bourke, Which Two Heads Are Better Than One? How Diverse Teams Create Breakthrough Ideas
and Make Smarter Decisions (Australian Institute of Company Directors, 2016).

19. Sanofi N.A. - Inclusion and Diversity in Action
19

20. Diversity & Inclusion at RWJUH Somerset
Outreach, Branding & Development Recognition & Benchmarking

21. 21
What about your municipality?

22. 22
What about your municipality?
• historic population data
• forecasted population
• average age
• school enrollment
• ALICE statistics
• foreign-born population

23. Historic Population Trends by Municipality
Population Change 1930-2010
Municipality 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 Total Percent AAGR
Bedminster Township 1,374 1,606 1,613 2,322 2,597 2,469 7,086 8,302 8,165 6,791 494% 2.30%
Bernards Township 2,293 4,512 7,487 9,018 13,305 12,920 17,199 24,575 26,652 24,359 1062% 3.10%
Bernardsville Borough 3,336 3,405 3,956 5,515 6,652 6,715 6,597 7,345 7,707 4,371 131% 1.10%
Bound Brook Borough 7,372 7,616 8,374 10,263 10,450 9,710 9,487 10,155 10,402 3,030 41% 0.40%
Branchburg Township 1,084 1,231 1,958 3,741 5,742 7,846 10,888 14,566 14,459 13,375 1234% 3.30%
Bridgewater Township 3,352 4,934 8,234 15,789 30,235 29,175 32,509 42,940 44,464 41,112 1226% 3.30%
Far Hills Township 560 574 600 702 780 677 657 859 919 359 64% 0.60%
Franklin Township 6,039 6,299 9,601 19,858 30,389 31,358 42,780 50,903 62,300 56,261 932% 3.00%
Green Brook Township 544 763 1,155 3,622 4,302 4,640 4,460 5,654 7,203 6,659 1224% 3.30%
Hillsborough Township 2,283 2,645 3,875 7,584 11,061 19,061 28,808 36,634 38,303 36,020 1578% 3.60%
Manville Borough 5,441 6,065 8,597 10,995 13,029 11,278 10,567 10,343 10,344 4,903 90% 0.80%
Millstone Borough 187 252 289 409 630 530 450 410 418 231 124% 1.00%
Montgomery Township 2,648 3,360 3,819 3,851 6,353 7,360 9,612 17,481 22,254 19,606 740% 2.70%
North Plainfield Borough 9,760 10,586 12,766 16,993 21,796 19,108 18,820 21,103 21,936 12,176 125% 1.00%
Peapack/Gladstone Borough 1,273 1,354 1,450 1,804 1,924 2,038 2,111 2,433 2,582 1,309 103% 0.90%
Raritan Borough 4,751 4,839 5,131 6,137 6,691 6,128 5,798 6,338 6,881 2,130 45% 0.50%
Rocky Hill Borough 512 404 537 528 917 717 693 662 682 170 33% 0.40%
Somerville Borough 8,255 8,720 11,571 12,458 13,652 11,973 11,632 12,423 12,098 3,843 47% 0.50%
South Bound Brook Borough 1,763 1,928 2,905 3,626 4,525 4,331 4,185 4,492 4,563 2,800 159% 1.20%
Warren Township 1,399 2,139 3,316 5,386 8,592 9,805 10,830 14,259 15,311 13,912 994% 3.00%
Watchung Borough 906 1,158 1,818 3,312 4,750 5,290 5,110 5,613 5,801 4,895 540% 2.30%
Somerset County 65,132 74,390 99,052 143,913 198,372 203,129 240,279 297,490 323,444 258,312 397% 2.00%
Note: AAGR refers to Annual Growth Rate from 1930-2010
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 1930 - 1980 Censuses, 2000 & 2010 Census, Summary File 1 (Table P1)

24. NJTPA 2015-2045 Municipal Population Forecasts
Municipality Name 2015 Population 2045 Population Annualized % Population Change 2015-2045
Bedminster Township 8,165 9,530 0.5%
Bernards Township 26,693 28,254 0.2%
Bernardsville Borough 7,718 8,414 0.3%
Bound Brook Borough 11,383 12,473 0.3%
Branchburg Township 14,567 16,102 0.3%
Bridgewater Township 45,112 48,583 0.2%
Far Hills Township 927 1,229 0.9%
Franklin Township 64,067 69,103 0.3%
Green Brook Township 7,274 7,684 0.2%
Hillsborough Township 39,607 49,074 0.7%
Manville Borough 10,403 11,177 0.2%
Millstone Borough 438 438 0.0%
Montgomery Township 22,845 24,720 0.3%
North Plainfield Borough 22,088 23,730 0.2%
Peapack/Gladstone Borough 2,613 3,005 0.5%
Raritan Borough 7,335 8,150 0.4%
Rocky Hill Borough 696 830 0.6%
Somerville Borough 12,742 15,885 0.7%
South Bound Brook Borough 4,563 4,887 0.2%
Warren Township 15,825 17,064 0.3%
Watchung Borough 6,133 6,680 0.3%
SOMERSET COUNTY 331,194 367,012 0.4%
Source: NJTPA Plan 2045 2015-2045 New Jersey County Population, Household and Employed Forecasts, November 2017

25. NJTPA 2015-2045 Municipal Population Forecasts
Municipality Name 2015 Population 2045 Population Annualized % Population Change 2015-2045
Bedminster Township 8,165 9,530 0.5%
Bernards Township 26,693 28,254 0.2%
Bernardsville Borough 7,718 8,414 0.3%
Bound Brook Borough 11,383 12,473 0.3%
Branchburg Township 14,567 16,102 0.3%
Bridgewater Township 45,112 48,583 0.2%
Far Hills Township 927 1,229 0.9%
Franklin Township 64,067 69,103 0.3%
Green Brook Township 7,274 7,684 0.2%
Hillsborough Township 39,607 49,074 0.7%
Manville Borough 10,403 11,177 0.2%
Millstone Borough 438 438 0.0%
Montgomery Township 22,845 24,720 0.3%
North Plainfield Borough 22,088 23,730 0.2%
Peapack/Gladstone Borough 2,613 3,005 0.5%
Raritan Borough 7,335 8,150 0.4%
Rocky Hill Borough 696 830 0.6%
Somerville Borough 12,742 15,885 0.7%
South Bound Brook Borough 4,563 4,887 0.2%
Warren Township 15,825 17,064 0.3%
Watchung Borough 6,133 6,680 0.3%
SOMERSET COUNTY 331,194 367,012 0.4%
Source: NJTPA Plan 2045 2015-2045 New Jersey County Population, Household and Employed Forecasts, November 2017

26. Median Age by Municipality 2000, 2010, 2016
Municipality Name 2000 2010 2016
Bedminster Township 39.3 43.3 45.2
Bernards Township 39.2 43.1 44.0
Bernardsville Borough 40.0 41.1 39.7
Bound Brook Borough 34.2 35.1 34.3
Branchburg Township 37.5 42.3 42.6
Bridgewater Township 38.2 42.2 42.6
Far Hills Township 44.6 45.5 44.4
Franklin Township 36.1 38.3 40.4
Green Brook Township 39.9 42.1 43.9
Hillsborough Township 35.7 39.9 40.7
Manville Borough 39.5 39.6 39.2
Millstone Borough 45.6 42.8 40.0
Montgomery Township 36.8 40.8 42.9
North Plainfield Borough 33.7 35.1 37.1
Peapack/Gladstone Borough 39.5 42.0 42.2
Raritan Borough 37.6 40.1 40.9
Rocky Hill Borough 43.8 45.9 45.4
Somerville Borough 35.6 35.5 35.5
South Bound Brook Borough 35.1 35.6 38.0
Warren Township 39.4 43.8 44.5
Watchung Borough 43.0 46.9 44.5
SOMERSET COUNTY 37.2 40.2 41.1
NEW JERSEY 36.7 39.0 39.5
UNITED STATES 35.3 37.2 37.7
Source: US Census Bureau, US Census 2000 & 2010 (P013) 2012-2016 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (B01002)

27. Somerset County, 2016 ALICE Households
Town Total HH
% ALICE &
Poverty
Bedminster Township 4,117 36%
Bernards Township 9,527 22%
Bernardsville Borough 2,764 22%
Bound Brook Borough 3,517 54%
Branchburg Township 5,135 25%
Bridgewater Township 15,290 27%
Far Hills Township 360 32%
Franklin Township 24,189 36%
Green Brook Township 2,211 24%
Hillsborough Township 13,501 26%
Manville Borough 3,738 54%
Millstone Borough 162 28%
Montgomery Township 7,620 18%
North Plainfield Borough 7,345 49%
Peapack/Gladstone Borough 912 33%
Raritan Borough 2,818 48%
Rocky Hill Borough 232 26%
Somerville Borough 4,508 51%
South Bound Brook Borough 1,518 42%
Warren Township 5,124 23%
Watchung Borough 1,868 27%
Source: United Way Alice Report, 2016

28. SOMERSET COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL ENROLLMENT
Total Enrollment
District 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-2015 2015-2016 2016-2017 2017-2018 2010-2018
Bedminster Township Prk-8 590 582 586 500 544 518 530 523 -67
Bernards Township K-12 5,622 5,666 5,679 5,752 5,703 5,639 5,530 5,430 -192
Bound Brook Borough Prk-12 1,538 1,533 1,605 1,714 1,805 1,823 1,898 1,892 354
Branchburg Township Prk-8 1,830 1,707 1,693 1,636 1,564 1,469 1,464 1,454 -376
Bridgewater/Raritan Prk-12 8,909 8,748 8,646 8,553 8,529 8,453 8,469 8,483 -426
Franklin Township Prk-12 7,865 7,763 7,653 7,638 7,513 7,325 7,217 7,073 -792
Green Brook Township Prk-8 990 964 927 927 897 909 876 841 -149
Hillsborough Township K-12 7,389 7,294 7,195 7,174 7,229 7,189 7,215 7,320 -69
Manville Borough K-12 1,310 1,290 1,293 1,374 1,413 1,423 1,419 1,462 152
Montgomery Township 1-12 5,091 5,044 4,882 4,787 4,751 4,763 4,761 4,716 -375
North Plainfield Borough Prk-12 3,249 3,152 3,246 3,263 3,290 3,202 3,213 3,251 2
Somerset County Education Services 5-12 143 113 145 175 163 127 132 122 -21
Somerset County Vo -Tech 378 461 559 552 444 529 473 472 94
Somerset Hills Regional Prk-12 2,068 2,026 2,017 2,010 2,037 2,012 1,981 1,939 -129
Somerville Borough Prk-12 2,432 2,228 2,483 2,432 2,397 2,393 2,350 2,338 -94
South Bound Brook Borough Prk-8 451 462 445 456 465 450 447 447 -4
Warren Township Prk-8 2,189 2,095 2,015 1,904 1,839 1,779 1,754 1,730 -459
Watchung Borough Prk-8 705 680 713 693 690 682 704 683 -22
Watchung Regional 9-12 2,072 2,068 2,141 2,178 2,198 2,145 2,066 2,016 -56
Total 54,821 53,876 53,923 53,718 53,471 52,830 52,499 52,192 -2,629
Source: State of New Jersey Department of Education, 2011-2018, DOE Data Home, Public School Enrollment by County

29. Percent of Total Population Foreign-Born by Municipality: 2012-2016
Municipality 2012% of Pop. 2013% of Pop. 2014% of Pop. 2015% of Pop. 2016% of Pop.
Percent Change
2012-2016
Bedminster Township 1,286 15.7% 1,221 14.90% 1,215 14.78% 1,349 16.35% 1,303 15.82% 1.3%
Bernards Township 4,453 16.7% 4,506 16.83% 4,766 17.75% 5,023 18.62% 5,160 19.10% 15.9%
Bernardsville Borough 1,231 16.0% 1,344 17.32% 1,192 15.35% 1,415 18.17% 1,398 17.98% 13.6%
Bound Brook Borough 3,880 37.0% 3,645 34.84% 3,500 33.00% 2,964 28.19% 3,146 29.93% -18.9%
Branchburg Township 2,010 13.9% 2,189 15.07% 2,224 15.29% 2,096 14.28% 1,979 13.49% -1.5%
Bridgewater Township 10,238 23.0% 10,290 23.01% 10,402 23.19% 11,010 24.40% 11,121 24.66% 8.6%
Far Hills Township 207 20.4% 170 16.39% 153 13.90% 172 16.35% 161 16.26% -22.2%
Franklin Township 17,291 27.8% 18,220 28.80% 18,395 28.63% 19,662 30.35% 19,255 29.45% 11.4%
Green Brook Township 1,473 20.5% 1,510 20.91% 1,672 23.28% 1,794 25.07% 2,008 28.12% 36.3%
Hillsborough Township 7,027 18.3% 7,818 20.17% 7,314 18.72% 7,385 18.75% 7,087 17.93% 0.9%
Manville Borough 1,725 16.7% 2,029 19.51% 2,305 22.11% 2,146 20.53% 2,102 20.12% 21.9%
Millstone Borough 16 3.9% 25 5.63% 18 3.90% 27 5.54% 28 5.62% 75.0%
Montgomery Township 5,020 22.7% 5,230 23.42% 5,641 25.04% 5,922 26.10% 6,421 28.12% 27.9%
North Plainfield Borough 8,067 36.7% 7,887 35.85% 8,387 38.03% 7,956 35.91% 7,162 32.40% -11.2%
Peapack/Gladstone
Borough 353 13.7% 351 13.68% 361 13.99% 352 13.60% 280 10.82% -20.7%
Raritan Borough 1,662 23.9% 1,936 27.43% 2,117 28.93% 2,113 28.83% 2,225 29.51% 33.9%
Rocky Hill Borough 43 7.9% 40 7.37% 47 8.48% 53 8.62% 53 8.58% 23.3%
Somerville Borough 2,974 24.5% 2,706 22.24% 2,638 21.67% 2,887 23.64% 2,754 22.56% -7.4%
South Bound Brook
Borough 943 20.3% 1,044 22.77% 980 21.37% 1,013 21.96% 1,170 25.36% 24.1%
Warren Township 2,715 17.6% 3,019 19.38% 3,264 20.75% 3,390 21.37% 3,427 21.46% 26.2%
Watchung Borough 1,188 20.6% 1,339 22.98% 1,245 21.26% 1,247 21.14% 1,187 20.00% 10.0%
SOMERSET COUNTY 75,814 23.4% 78,532 24.1% 79,850 24.3% 81,991 24.8% 81,445 24.6% 7.4%
NEW JERSEY 1,833,076 20.8% 1,868,812 21.2% 1,904,405 21.5% 1,929,119 21.7% 1,943,333 21.8% 6.0%
UNITED STATES 39,784,145 12.9% 40,341,744 12.9% 41,056,445 13.1% 41,716,929 13.2% 42,193,781 13.2% 6.1%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2012-2016 5-Year Estimates (DP02)

30. For information on resources pertaining to this document please visit:
30
More detailed information accompanying this report can be found on the SCBP website.
For more quantitative data on Somerset County trends and planning, please see the Somerset County
Trends & Indicator Report.
For in-depth population data tables on Somerset County, New Jersey, and the U.S. please see the U.S.
Census Bureau.
To get more information on Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) please click here to be
directed to the United Way.
Information on where millennials are out-migrating to can be found at New Jersey Future.

31. Diversity and Inclusion Matters For Your BusinessFor more information on Somerset County
Business Partnership and the business resources
we have to offer, please contact us at:
info@scbp.org 908.218.4300 www.scbp.org