countyscore
35.1
County Score
Income & Jobs 94.7Health 74.1Schools 65.9

County Report Card

About Mercer County, New Jersey

Lags Behind National Quality of Life

Mercer County's composite score of 35.0 trails the national median of 50.0. Despite its central location and educational assets, it struggles with the high costs typical of the Northeast.

Trailing the State Performance Average

At 35.0, Mercer sits below the New Jersey average score of 41.4. The county faces a difficult trade-off between its high-income opportunities and one of the state's highest tax burdens.

Strong Incomes and Health Resources

The county features a robust income score of 94.4, with a median household income of $96,333. It also performs well in healthcare, earning a health score of 74.1.

Heavy Taxation and Safety Concerns

A tax score of 0.6 is one of the lowest in the region, driven by a high 2.508% effective tax rate. Additionally, a safety score of 22.9 and a risk score of 4.6 suggest areas for systemic improvement.

Best for Education-Focused Professionals

Mercer suits those working in academia or state government who value high earnings and good healthcare. It appeals to residents willing to trade high tax rates for access to regional economic hubs.

204060801000.84.422.974.165.994.74.662.357Tax0.8Cost4.4Safety22.9Health74.1Schools65.9Income94.7Risk4.6Water62.3Weather5735.1/100
This county
National avg
3 above average4 below average

Mercer County DNA

Foverall

How Mercer County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Mercer County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (94.7/100) but notably weak in Property Tax (0.8/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
0.8-51.2
Cost
4.4-43.6
Safety
22.9-32.1
Health
74.1+24.099999999999994
Schools
65.9+11.900000000000006
Income
94.7+43.7
Risk
4.6-42.4
Water
62.3
Weather
57
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Mercer County?

Many homeowners in Mercer County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$377,700

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,623/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$377,700/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$64,920/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $100,645/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

30.3

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

Bucks County
Pennsylvania
53.3
Burlington County
New Jersey
46.6
Middlesex County
New Jersey
41.9
Hunterdon County
New Jersey
55.4
Somerset County
New Jersey
51.4
Monmouth County
New Jersey
46.2
Philadelphia County
Pennsylvania
28.6
Camden County
New Jersey
32.1

Deep Dives

Mercer County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Mercer County

via TaxByCounty

Mercer taxes exceed national norm

Mercer County's 2.508% effective tax rate ranks in the top quarter nationally, well above the U.S. median of 2.11%. The median property tax of $8,804 reflects a relatively high rate applied to homes averaging $351,000 in value.

Mercer ranks highest in New Jersey

Mercer County's 2.508% effective tax rate is the highest among all 21 New Jersey counties, significantly exceeding the state average of 2.211%. This distinction marks Mercer as an outlier in Jersey's already high-tax environment.

Mercer taxes dwarf surrounding counties

Mercer's 2.508% rate towers over Hudson (1.851%), Monmouth (1.765%), and Morris (1.796%), making it substantially more expensive for homeowners in this region. Even Hunterdon (2.005%) and Passaic (2.276%) lag behind Mercer's burden.

A $351K home costs $8,804 yearly

The median Mercer County home is valued at $351,000, generating approximately $8,804 in annual property taxes at the county's elevated rate. With mortgage deductions, the cost rises slightly to $8,934.

Mercer homeowners should challenge assessments

Given Mercer's status as New Jersey's highest-taxed county, overassessment is a real concern for many residents. Filing a formal assessment appeal with the county could yield significant savings—the process is free and can address inflated property valuations.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Mercer County

via IncomeByCounty

Mercer County earns 29% above national median

Mercer County's median household income of $96,333 exceeds the U.S. median of $74,755 by $21,578, positioning residents solidly in the upper-middle income tier nationally. This advantage reflects a diverse economy anchored by healthcare, education, and technology sectors.

Mid-tier income county in New Jersey

At $96,333, Mercer County ranks toward the middle of New Jersey's 21 counties, falling about $4,558 short of the state median of $100,891. The county's income profile reflects its mix of affluent suburbs and economically diverse urban areas like Trenton.

Mercer trails wealthy northern counties

Mercer County's $96,333 median income falls below nearby Morris County ($134,929) and Hunterdon County ($139,453), but exceeds Hudson County ($90,032) and Passaic County ($87,137). The income spread reflects Mercer's position as a bridge between New Jersey's wealthy northern tier and middle-income communities.

Reasonable housing affordability for the region

Mercer residents spend 18.9% of household income on rent, comfortably below the 20% affordability threshold and among the best ratios statewide. The median home value of $351,000—the lowest in this comparison—makes homeownership accessible while maintaining cost-of-living stability.

Build savings with favorable affordability

With a median household income of $96,333 and the lowest housing costs in this county cluster, Mercer County households can allocate resources toward retirement savings, education funds, and home equity building. Starting automatic transfers to high-yield savings accounts and contributing to employer 401(k) plans positions families for long-term financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Mercer County

via CrimeByCounty

Mercer Stays Below National Average

Mercer County reports a total crime rate of 1,967.0 per 100,000, sitting comfortably below the national benchmark of 2,385.5. The county maintains a strong safety score of 96.9.

Comparing Mercer to the State

Mercer's crime rate is higher than the New Jersey average of 1,525.9. Its safety score is slightly below the state average of 97.6, reflecting its status as a busy urban-centered hub.

Regional Crime Variations

Mercer sees more crime activity than neighboring Middlesex (1,432.7) and Monmouth (1,259.5) counties. Local law enforcement agencies work across borders to manage these regional variations.

Property vs. Violent Crime

Violent crime occurs at a rate of 342.9 per 100,000, while property crime is more common at 1,624.1. Residents should be aware that the vast majority of local incidents involve property theft.

Be Vigilant in Mercer

Maintaining visibility and home lighting remains a core strategy for deterring property crimes. Utilizing doorbell cameras provides peace of mind in this busy central New Jersey corridor.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Mercer County

via WeatherByCounty

Mirroring the typical American climate

Mercer County sits at an annual average of 53.5°F, almost exactly matching the national median. It represents a standard transition zone between northern and southern climate patterns.

The definition of New Jersey average

Mercer’s temperature is just 0.1 degrees shy of the New Jersey state average of 53.6°F. It serves as a benchmark for the state's overall climatic conditions.

Drier than the surrounding counties

The county receives only 46.5 inches of rain, significantly less than the 50.8 inches found in Hunterdon. This makes it one of the drier regions in the immediate area.

Hot summers with steady snowfall

July averages reach 75.6°F with 24 days of extreme heat annually. Winter brings 25.1 inches of snow, often falling when January temperatures hover around 31.5°F.

Adapt for moderate year-round extremes

A balanced heating and cooling plan is necessary to handle both the 24 heat days and the 25 inches of snow. Yard drainage is less of a concern here than in wetter neighboring counties.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Mercer County

via SoilByCounty

Moderate Acidity Near the State Capital

Mercer County's soil registers an average pH of 5.00, sitting comfortably between the national median of 6.5 and the state average of 4.24. This moderately acidic profile is typical for the transitional landscape of central New Jersey. It provides a stable foundation for both suburban landscapes and remaining agricultural tracts.

A Balanced Blend of Silt and Sand

The mineral makeup includes 42.6% silt and 40.5% sand, with a 14.7% clay component. This nearly even split between silt and sand creates a soil that is easy to till and well-aerated. The clay content is high enough to provide the necessary structure for plant roots.

Strong Organic Matter Levels

At 5.91% organic matter, Mercer's soil is nearly triple the national average of 2.0%. The available water capacity is 0.161 in/in, which is just slightly below the New Jersey state average of 0.168. This combination supports healthy plant growth with decent moisture management during the summer months.

Stable Water Dynamics

Though specific drainage classes are unlisted, the 40.5% sand content ensures that water moves through the profile at a steady rate. The 14.7% clay prevents the soil from drying out too quickly compared to coastal neighbors. This balance makes Mercer's land versatile for both building and gardening.

Thriving in the Heart of Jersey

The 7a hardiness zone supports a wide variety of perennials and seasonal vegetables. Tomatoes and peppers do exceptionally well in this silty-sand mix once the spring soil warms up. You can start your garden with confidence knowing the organic matter levels are naturally high.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Mercer County

via LawnByCounty

Mercer Leads the State

Mercer County is one of the more favorable spots for lawn care in the state, boasting a difficulty score of 51.9. This outperforms both the national average of 50.0 and the New Jersey state average of 48.0. In hardiness zone 7a, local conditions provide a strong foundation for a lush, green landscape.

Ideal Rainfall for Turf

The county receives 46.5 inches of annual precipitation, falling perfectly within the 30-50 inch ideal range for lawns. With 3411 growing degree days and 24 heat days, the climate supports steady growth without excessive thermal stress. You can expect a reliable growing season from late April through the beginning of November.

Boosting Soil Productivity

At a pH of 5.00, the soil is moderately acidic and needs lime to hit the sweet spot for turfgrass. The texture is well-balanced with 14.7% clay and 40.5% sand, which helps with both drainage and nutrient holding. Regular soil testing will help you maintain the right chemical balance for your specific yard.

Staying Vigilant During Dry Weeks

Despite a good overall score, Mercer faced 31 weeks of drought in the past year, and the entire county is currently abnormally dry. To keep your lawn resilient, use mulch-mowing to return moisture and nitrogen to the soil surface. This natural recycling helps the lawn survive dry spells without relying solely on the hose.

Timing Your Mercer Garden

Zone 7a favors a mix of Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescues for durability and color. Your best window for spring projects opens after April 25th, once the risk of frost has largely passed. Planting in early autumn is also highly effective here, as the first frost usually arrives around November 1st.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mercer County's county score?
Mercer County, New Jersey has a composite county score of 35.1 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Mercer County rank among counties in New Jersey?
Mercer County ranks #15 among all counties in New Jersey on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Mercer County, New Jersey?
The median annual property tax in Mercer County is $8,909, with an effective tax rate of 2.36%. This earns Mercer County a tax score of 0.8/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Mercer County?
The median household income in Mercer County, New Jersey is $100,645 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Mercer County earns an income score of 94.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Mercer County, New Jersey a good place to live?
Mercer County scores 35.1/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #15 in New Jersey. The best way to evaluate Mercer County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Mercer County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.