A riverside suburb with plenty of park space, near Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Somerset takes charming countryside elements and blends them with modern suburban lifestyles. This mix is largely due to Somerset’s location: New Brunswick to the east bustles with the oldest campus of Rutgers University, but traveling west brings parks, gardens and trails. The city is also part of Franklin Township, a municipality rich with history. “It’s got such a long history. It was originally settled by Lenape Native Americans many years ago, and Franklin Township was originally incorporated on February 21, 1798,” says Mark J. Schmidt, a Realtor with RE/MAX Country.
Somerset’s 20,000 people have easy access to nearby amenities. “You’re close to everything. You’ve got shopping and entertainment nearby, it’s a quick trip to the beach, and it’s great for commuters, as you’ve got easy access to the train and buses to New York. There’s lots of parks, and we have a great library,” says Schmidt. Heavy duty industries provide support for the local economy. Meda and Catalent deal in pharmaceuticals, and New Brunswick next door is nicknamed “The Healthcare City.” Manufacturing and IT infrastructure jobs are also present.
Embrace the charm of Somerset, NJ's homes.
Step into a peaceful oasis along Somerset's enchanting canal.
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Traditional suburban styles rule in Somerset, but townhouses and condos are available too
The bulk of Somerset is residential and full of winding streets with names like Cedar Brook Drive and Magnolia Road. Suburban surroundings are enhanced by classic styles, like three-bedroom and four-bedroom split-level homes with driveways, attached garages and fenced backyards. Prices range from $475,000 to $700,000. Oftentimes there are colonial influences on these homes, with covered front porches and slender white columns and railing. Modern traditional homes appear, too, priced between $775,000 and $1 million. Many of these larger properties are located on the west side.
But for those who prefer to look beyond single-family options, Somerset is full of townhouses and condos. Priced from $200,000 to $560,000, these can grow to over 2,200 square feet and contain three bedrooms. Congruent with the area’s historic look, many of these units are colonial influenced – but they aren’t vintage. “The townhouses here are newer than in Middlesex County, and they’ve done really well over the past decade, because of a friendly price point, too,” says Pratiksha Kumar, a real estate agent with Berkshire Hathaway. The national median is $418,700, reported by the National Association of Realtors.
Charming homes are nestled in the heart of Somerset, NJ.
Somerset is also full of townhouses and condos, priced in the $200,000 to $560,000 range.
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Franklin Township Public Schools earns a B from Niche
Students in Somerset can attend Franklin Township Public Schools, which enrolls over 7,000 learners and is rated B by Niche. Franklin High is known for diverse extracurriculars. The Model United Nations Club won awards at the Rutgers Model Congress competition in 2022. Rutgers University’s New Brunswick campus next door is the oldest of three campuses. It has undergraduate and graduate programs, but the campus is best known as the birthplace of college football. Cedar Hill Preparatory School is a popular private school, and Central Jersey College Prep is one of many charter schools, serving kindergarten through 12th grade. “The charter school options are a big reason people like the area,” says Kumar.
Students in Somerset can attend Franklin Township Public Schools, which enrolls over 7,000 learners and earns a B from Niche.
Where knowledge blooms and friendships thrive in Somerset, NJ
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Colonial Park is large, scenic and dog-friendly
Outdoor recreation is an important asset for Somerset. The Raritan River runs across the north end, providing amenities like the Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park Trail. Buccleuch Park is also on the water. It has athletic facilities, gardens and a historic colonial mansion. As the terrain becomes more rural on the west side, residents will find scenic spots like Colonial Park, a massive 680-acre facility full of gardens and nature trails. There’s even a dog park. “Colonial Park is beautiful, it’s good for picnics and I prefer to take my dog there because it’s so big,” says Kumar. On the south side there’s an earthy touch, too, with Snyder’s Farm offering berry picking, a farmers market and meet-and-greet opportunities with farm animals.
Buccleuch [book-loo] Park is also on the water. It has athletic facilities, gardens and a historic colonial mansion.
Be sure to make time to walk down to the the water and enjoy the picturesque scenery.
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Brew pubs are popular hangouts in Somerset
The dining scene focuses on comfort foods and classics, while also riding the latest trends in favor of community hangouts and locally produced beverages. Stateside Tap + Tavern is a popular place to congregate, tucked in a strip mall but presenting colorful cocktails and bar bites inside. Beer fans can go to Jersey Cyclone Brewing Company, which offers craft pours in an expansive neo-industrial setting. Shopping centers are also where residents run errands. Franklin Towne Center contains a Stop & Shop and is surrounded by cosmopolitan dining options like sushi and Indian food. Hamilton Street also presents diverse restaurants, from Chinese takeout to barbecue to French fine dining.
Somerset's brewery culture is in full swing.
The dining scene focuses on comfort foods and locally produced beverages, and includes spots like Stateside Tap + Tavern.
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Train service to NYC from nearby New Brunswick
Despite Somerset’s web of smaller residential streets, there are a few main thoroughfares used for traversing the city. Easton Avenue tracks along the river, moving east-west. John F. Kennedy Boulevard stretches north-south, providing access to area churches and synagogues, as well as connecting with Easton Avenue at the site of Rutgers Plaza shopping mall.
Commuters can go to the New Brunswick train station, about 7 miles away. From here, riders reach New York City in a little over an hour. Drivers can make the 35-mile journey on Interstate 95. Or there’s the option of the New Brunswick Park & Ride, where bus riders get to the city in about two hours.
Somerset County updates emergency response program
Somerset County police enact a new mental health program in 2024. Officers will respond to certain emergencies in the manner of a psychiatrist or doctor, determining such things as what drug a person may have taken. According to the office of the state attorney general, in Franklin Township, of which Somerset is a part, there was a 34% increase in total crimes from 2021 to 2022.
Written By
Paul Spencer
Photography Contributed By
Chris Pirone
Video By
Everett Hall-McNeill
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Somerset by the Numbers
23,959
Population
31
Average Days on Market
Home Trends
Median Price (12 Mo)$520,000
Median Single Family Price$565,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft$310
Months Of Supply2
Demographics and Finance
Median Household Income$105K
Higher than National Average$71K
% Owners71%
Higher than National Average63%
College Graduates56%
Higher than National Average34%
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Top Schools in Somerset, NJ
Source:
Best Public Elementary Schools
#1 Martin Luther King Intermediate School
A-
Niche
7
GreatSchools
#2 Randolphville Elementary School
A-
Niche
7
GreatSchools
#3 MacAfee Road School
B
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#4 Knollwood Elementary School
B+
Niche
5
GreatSchools
#5 Pine Grove Manor School
C+
Niche
5
GreatSchools
#6 Conerly Road School
B-
Niche
4
GreatSchools
#7 Elizabeth Avenue School
B
Niche
3
GreatSchools
#8 Hillcrest School
C+
Niche
3
GreatSchools
Best Public Middle Schools
#1 Conackamack Middle School
B+
Niche
6
GreatSchools
#2 Franklin Middle School at Sampson G. Smith Campus
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