Town guide · Union County
Living in Winfield, NJ
Winfield is the smallest municipality in Union County, a township of under a fifth of a square mile built in 1941 as defense housing for shipyard workers. Its homes are still owned and run by a mutual housing corporation, and Rahway River Park wraps around three sides of it.
- County
- Union
- Population
- About 1,400 (2020 census)
- Size
- About 0.18 square miles, the smallest town in Union County
- Setting
- A planned 1941 housing community bordered by county parkland
- Main roads
- Stiles Street (County Route 615), Raritan Road (County Route 607), Garden State Parkway Exit 136 nearby
The community
One planned community, one corporation
Winfield began as the Winfield Park Mutual Ownership Defense Housing Project, 700 homes in 254 buildings for workers at the Kearny shipyards. Construction started in June 1941, the first residents arrived on November 30, 1941, and the state incorporated it as its own township that summer. It was one of eight mutual ownership projects built by the federal government.
In 1950 the Winfield Park Mutual Housing Corporation bought the project from the federal government. The corporation still owns and maintains the homes, and the township handles local government and taxes. The township is bordered by Linden to the north and east and Clark to the south and west.
Homes
What you will find
- One story units: From bachelor units of about 415 square feet to two bedroom units of about 650 square feet.
- Two story townhouse style units: Two and three bedroom units of about 845 to 910 square feet.
- Single homes: Three bedroom single homes of about 910 square feet.
Worth knowing: Homes in Winfield are not bought and sold on the open market like a typical house. Residents sign a Mutual Ownership Contract with the Winfield Park Mutual Housing Corporation and build equity in their unit. New members apply to the corporation and join a waiting list for the unit type they want, and when a member leaves, the contract ends and the corporation settles the member's equity. Anyone thinking about Winfield should start with the Mutual Housing office.
Getting around
Roads and commuting
Stiles Street (County Route 615) forms the northeastern edge of the township and a short stretch of Raritan Road (County Route 607) forms part of its northern edge. The Garden State Parkway passes about 100 yards away and is reached at Exit 136. There is no train station in Winfield. The closest NJ Transit stations are Cranford on the Raritan Valley Line and Linden on the Northeast Corridor. The community has its own small shopping center, and Clark and Linden are next door.
Places worth knowing
Parks, landmarks and open space
- Rahway River Park: A 124 acre Union County park designed by the Olmsted Brothers firm, with a central green, ball fields, courts, a pool and a pond. It borders Winfield on three sides.
- Lenape Park: A 450 acre Union County park and wildlife reserve along the Rahway River in Cranford and neighboring towns, with a paved path and walking trails.
- Nomahegan Park: A Union County park in Cranford, linked to Lenape Park by a crosswalk.
Common questions
Questions people ask us about Winfield
Can you buy a house in Winfield, NJ?
Not in the usual way. The homes are owned and maintained by the Winfield Park Mutual Housing Corporation. People apply to the corporation, join a waiting list for a unit type and sign a Mutual Ownership Contract, building equity while they live there.
Why was Winfield built?
Winfield was built in 1941 by the federal government as defense housing for workers at the Kearny shipyards. In 1950 the residents' Mutual Housing Corporation bought the project from the government.
How big is Winfield?
Winfield covers about 0.18 square miles, the smallest area of any municipality in Union County. About 1,400 people lived there at the 2020 census.
Is there a train station in Winfield?
No. The nearest NJ Transit stations are Cranford on the Raritan Valley Line and Linden on the Northeast Corridor. The Garden State Parkway is reached at Exit 136, just outside the township.
Nearby towns
Towns that border Winfield
Moving on from Winfield?
We will explain your options plainly
Leaving Winfield means settling your equity with the Mutual Housing Corporation, not listing a house. If your next home is in a nearby town, we will walk you through buying there and give you a straight answer at each step.
Call or text either of us directly.