Somerset County Towns Guide: All 21 Municipalities

Somerset County, New Jersey, was established in 1688 and today is home to 345,361 people across 21 municipalities and about 305 square miles. This Somerset County towns guide groups all 21 by area, with 2020 census populations and a few highlights to know in each.

The County Seat: Somerville

Somerville

Borough, 2020 population 12,346. The county seat is home to the historic Somerset County Courthouse and a walkable downtown along Main Street and Division Street. Downtown hosts the Holiday Jubilee and Small Business Saturday each season, and the Wallace House, Washington’s headquarters in 1778 and 1779, is a few blocks away.

Central Somerset: Bridgewater, Raritan and Branchburg

Bridgewater Township

Township, 2020 population 45,977. One of the county’s largest towns, Bridgewater is home to Bridgewater Commons, Washington Valley Park, Duke Island Park and the Washington Camp Ground on Middlebrook Road.

Raritan

Borough, 2020 population 7,835. This compact borough next to Somerville sits along Route 202 and the Raritan River.

Branchburg

Township, 2020 population 14,940. Branchburg is home to Raritan Valley Community College, whose theater hosts touring shows including the Nutcracker each December.

The Southern Towns: Franklin, Hillsborough, Montgomery and Neighbors

Franklin Township

Township, 2020 population 68,364. The most populous town in the county, Franklin includes the Somerset section, Colonial Park and its rose garden, and Rockingham, Washington’s final wartime headquarters.

Hillsborough Township

Township, 2020 population 43,276. Hillsborough is home to Duke Farms, the Sourland Mountain Preserve, Abma’s Farm and Carriage Farm, where Flounder Brewing and Bellemara Distillery share a historic property.

Montgomery Township

Township, 2020 population 23,690. Montgomery anchors the county’s southern edge, including the Skillman and Blawenburg areas.

Manville

Borough, 2020 population 10,953. Manville sits where the Millstone River meets the Raritan, between Hillsborough and Bridgewater.

Millstone

Borough, 2020 population 448. The county’s smallest town by population sits along the Millstone River.

Rocky Hill

Borough, 2020 population 743. This small borough’s historic district includes the Rocky Hill Inn on Washington Street.

Along the Raritan: Bound Brook and South Bound Brook

Bound Brook

Borough, 2020 population 11,988. Bound Brook’s downtown is home to the Brook Arts Center on Hamilton Street, with concerts and family shows through the holidays.

South Bound Brook

Borough, 2020 population 4,863. Across the Raritan from Bound Brook, this borough is home to the Abraham Staats House, Baron von Steuben’s headquarters in 1779.

The Somerset Hills

Bernards Township

Township, 2020 population 27,830. Bernards includes Basking Ridge and Liberty Corner, plus Lord Stirling Park and the county Environmental Education Center. Downtown Basking Ridge hosts a Winter Market and Tree Lighting on the first Saturday in December.

Bernardsville

Borough, 2020 population 7,893. The Bernardsville Farmers’ Market runs Saturdays in season at Route 202 and Claremont Road, and the borough anchors the northern Somerset Hills.

Bedminster

Township, 2020 population 8,272. Bedminster is home to the Jacobus Vanderveer House, the Burnt Mills Cider tasting room and the Pluckemin Inn.

Far Hills

Borough, 2020 population 924. One of the county’s smallest boroughs, Far Hills includes part of the Natirar park property.

Peapack-Gladstone

Borough, 2020 population 2,558. This borough is home to most of Natirar, a 411 acre county park on the former Ladd estate, and a Main Street with bakeries and restaurants.

The Watchung Hills: Warren, Watchung, Green Brook and North Plainfield

Warren Township

Township, 2020 population 15,923. Warren sits in the Watchung Mountains and is home to Stone House at Stirling Ridge.

Watchung

Borough, 2020 population 6,449. Watchung sits along the Watchung ridge in the county’s northeast corner.

Green Brook Township

Township, 2020 population 7,281. Green Brook is home to Washington Rock State Park, the 1777 lookout used by George Washington.

North Plainfield

Borough, 2020 population 22,808. North Plainfield hosts Santa Comes to Town and its Tree Lighting each December.

Somerset County by the Numbers

• Established: 1688
• Population: 345,361 (2020 census)
• Municipalities: 21, made up of 12 boroughs and 9 townships
• County seat: Somerville
• Largest town: Franklin Township
• Smallest town: Millstone

More in Somerset County: Revolutionary War sites, parks and trails, and Christmas tree lightings.