Town guide · Union County
Living in Summit, NJ
Summit sits on a ridge at the northern tip of Union County, a city of about six square miles with a historic downtown and a train station where two NJ Transit lines meet. It began as a railroad resort town for New Yorkers and grew into a commuter suburb, with a building boom after World War II.
- County
- Union
- Population
- About 22,700 (2020 census)
- Size
- About 6 square miles
- Setting
- Hilltop city with a historic downtown and tree lined residential streets
- Main roads
- Interstate 78 (Exit 45), Route 24 and Route 124
Neighborhoods
A railroad town on the ridge
Summit was first known as Turkey Hill. It was formed in 1869 as Summit Township from parts of New Providence Township and Springfield Township, and became a city in 1899. Its name likely comes from its spot atop the Second Watchung Mountain, where the railroad climbed over what was called The Summit.
In its resort years, four large hotels were built here for visitors from New York. After World War II a building boom, as more people commuted into New York, shaped the tree lined streets and architect designed houses the city is known for today. Summit is the northernmost city in Union County and borders Millburn in Essex County and the Chathams in Morris County.
- Downtown: The commercial center along Springfield Avenue, the city's main street. The Summit Downtown Historic District is on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Brantwood Park and Tall Oaks: Named areas at least partly within the city. The Tall Oaks name also appears in neighboring New Providence, along the shared border.
Homes
What you will find
- Single family homes: Tree lined streets of single family houses, many individually designed, including homes from the railroad era and many added in the building boom after World War II.
- Historic properties: Older buildings remain, including the Carter House, built in 1741 and the city's oldest known structure, and Twin Maples on Springfield Avenue.
- Homes near downtown: Streets within reach of Springfield Avenue and the train station.
Worth knowing: Many Summit homes are older and individually designed, and part of the downtown is a National Register historic district. Before you plan an addition or exterior changes, we check what city approvals apply to the specific property. For older homes we also recommend a thorough inspection of systems like heating, wiring and the foundation.
Property taxes
What taxes look like in Summit
- 1.475%2025 effective tax rate, as a share of market value
- $19,7012025 average residential tax bill
A home worth $1,350,000 on today's market would pay roughly $19,913 a year at Summit's 2025 effective rate. Your actual bill depends on your assessment, so we pull the real tax record for any home you are considering.
Source: New Jersey Division of Taxation, 2025 general and effective tax rates. Rates are set each year.
Getting around
Roads and commuting
Interstate 78 runs along the city's southern boundary, with an eastbound exit, Exit 45, at Glenside Avenue for Summit. Route 24 and Route 124 run along the eastern boundary. The Summit station, in a cut between Union Place and Railroad Avenue, is where NJ Transit's Morristown Line and Gladstone Branch meet, with trains to New York Penn Station and Hoboken Terminal. NJ Transit bus routes 70 and 986 also serve the city, and Lakeland Bus Lines runs peak hour service to Manhattan. Springfield Avenue is the main shopping street downtown.
Places worth knowing
Parks, landmarks and open space
- Reeves Reed Arboretum: An arboretum in the city focused on environmental and horticultural education.
- Watchung Reservation: Part of this about 2,000 acre Union County reservation lies in Summit. The reservation has trails, Lake Surprise and miles of woods between the First and Second Watchung Mountains.
- Briant Park: A 30 acre Union County park on the Summit and Springfield line.
- Hidden Valley Park: A Union County park in Summit and Springfield.
- Carter House: Summit's oldest known structure, built in 1741.
Common questions
Questions people ask us about Summit
What are property taxes in Summit, NJ?
Summit City's 2025 effective tax rate is 1.475 percent of market value, and the average residential tax bill is $19,701, according to the New Jersey Division of Taxation. Actual bills depend on each home's assessment.
Can you take a train from Summit to New York?
Yes. Summit station is where NJ Transit's Morristown Line and Gladstone Branch meet, with service to New York Penn Station and Hoboken Terminal.
Is Summit a city or a township?
Summit is a city. It was formed as Summit Township in 1869 and reincorporated as a city in 1899. It is the northernmost city in Union County.
Is the Watchung Reservation in Summit?
Partly. The about 2,000 acre Union County reservation lies in Summit, Mountainside, Berkeley Heights, Scotch Plains and Springfield, with trails, Lake Surprise and stables.
How did Summit get its name?
The area was first called Turkey Hill. The name Summit is believed to come from its spot atop the Second Watchung Mountain, where the railroad crossed a hill known as The Summit.
Nearby towns
Towns that border Summit
Buying or selling in Summit?
Every Summit home has its own story
With so many individually designed and historic homes, Summit properties rarely compare neatly. We study yours closely, check what approvals apply, and tell you plainly what we think it is worth.
Call or text either of us directly.