Edison, New Jersey: A Thriving Local Economy

Overview of Edison’s Economy

Edison, New Jersey is home to a robust and thriving local economy. With a population of over 100,000 residents, Edison has established itself as a major hub for manufacturing, healthcare, professional services, retail, and more over the past few decades.

Some key facts and figures about Edison’s economy:

• Edison has an unemployment rate of just 3.2% as of November 2022, lower than both the national and statewide averages. Over 96% of Edison’s adult residents are employed.
• The median household income in Edison is $102,689, significantly higher than the national median income.
• Major industries that drive Edison’s economy include healthcare, professional services, manufacturing, retail, construction, and warehousing. Top employers are Hackensack Meridian Health, AT&T, Nielsen, Delta Dental of New Jersey, and Verizon Wireless.
• Home values in Edison average around $455,000, indicative of an attractive local housing market.

With high incomes, low unemployment, a skilled workforce, and a business-friendly environment, Edison offers an exceptionally strong local economy for both residents and companies.

Key Industries Powering Edison’s Economic Growth

Several major industries serve as pillars of Edison’s local economy. These important economic drivers provide thousands of local jobs and enable Edison to have sustained economic success.

Healthcare

Healthcare is Edison’s largest industry, employing over 10,000 residents. Major healthcare employers include Hackensack Meridian Health, JFK Medical Center, Delta Dental of New Jersey, and many private medical and dental practices. As both a major hub for healthcare services and home to regional headquarters for healthcare corporations, this industry powers economic prosperity in Edison.

Professional Services

Thousands of Edison residents work in high-skill professional services fields like finance, accounting, legal services, engineering, and consulting. Top companies include Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Delta Dental of New Jersey, and Law Office of Rajan Patel. This white-collar job base contributes to household incomes well above national averages.

Manufacturing

Although manufacturing has declined nationally, Edison remains a manufacturing hub, with factories producing electronics, food products, plastics, metals, chemicals and more. Major manufacturers like Revlon, AT&T, and Von Roll USA have large operations in Edison employing thousands of local residents. Manufacturing drives economic output and exports for Edison.

Retail Trade

Retail is another pillar of Edison’s economy, employing over 8,000 people in the city. As a retail hub, Edison has five major shopping centers including the Menlo Park Mall and many big box stores and restaurants. Retail provides both jobs and tax revenue while also offering amenities to Edison residents.

Warehousing and Wholesale

Due to its prime location in central New Jersey near major ports and airports, Edison has developed into a distribution hub. Large warehouses and wholesale facilities employ over 3,000 Edison residents. Major companies like Wakefern Food Corporation and Amazon have major warehousing operations located within Edison.

Thriving Large and Small Businesses

In addition to major corporations, Edison also provides an environment conducive for small, local startup companies. Several small business resources like the Edison Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise Development Center business incubators, and a supportive local government help entrepreneurs thrive in Edison:

Key Large Employers

• Hackensack Meridian Health – 9,000+ employees
• AT&T – 3,000+ employees
• Revlon – 2,000+ employees
• Delta Dental of New Jersey – 1,500+ employees
• Von Roll USA – 950+ employees

Top Small Businesses

• Law Office of Rajan Patel – Leading local law firm specializing in real estate and business law. Founded in Edison in 2008.
• Silverline Windows – Custom window installation company serving central New Jersey homeowners and businesses for over 25 years.
• Minchin Electric – 3rd generation family-owned electrical contractor operating since the 1940s.
• Eagle Cleaners – Dry cleaning shop in Edison for 35+ years serving thousands of local customers.
• Verano Motors – Used car dealership started by two Edison locals specializing in affordable, quality used vehicles.

New Developments Driving Future Growth

In addition to established industries and companies that currently comprise Edison’s local economy, several major development projects will help drive future economic growth over the next decade.

New Industrial Parks

• Over 1 million square feet of new warehouses and distribution centers are being constructed along Talmadge Road, which will bring new jobs and tax ratables.
• Additional industrial parks are planned surrounding the Interstate 287 corridor, taking advantage of highway access.

Transit Village Development

Downtown Edison near the NJ Transit train station will see substantial new development including:

• 500+ new apartment units with retail space
• A new hotel, office buildings and parking deck near the train station
• Upgraded pedestrian areas linking transit to new development

New Healthcare Facilities

• Hackensack Meridian Health is building a new $200 million hospital specializing in surgery and cancer care.
• Several medical office buildings are slated for construction as demand for healthcare services grows.

Economic Outlook for Edison Remains Strong

Despite facing broader macroeconomic challenges like inflation or rising interest rates, Edison is poised to continue seeing economic success in the years ahead.

With its skilled workforce, history of corporate recruitment through Edison’s public-private Economic Development Corporation, and pro-business environment, this community fosters economic prosperity. Infrastructure upgrades like improved sewers, roads and increased natural gas capacity also enable future commercial growth.

Both statistical economic projections and the “on the ground” reality of Edison’s robust and expanding local economy point to a bright future for companies and residents alike. The economic development and financial health of this Middlesex County community remain very strong compared to other cities in New Jersey, New York, and nationally.

For these reasons, Edison stands out as a location offering impressive economic opportunity today and into the foreseeable future. Whether you’re an executive looking to relocate your company or a young family searching for a city with job security and household incomes outpacing national averages, consider Edison, New Jersey.

Major Corporations with Headquarters or Major Operations in Edison

Company	Industry	# of Employees
Hackensack Meridian Health	Healthcare	9,000+
AT&T	Telecommunications	3,000+
Revlon	Manufacturing	2,000+
Delta Dental of New Jersey	Financial Services	1,500+
Von Roll USA	Manufacturing	950+

Things to See and Experience Related to Edison’s Economy

From historical attractions showcasing Edison’s previous economic heritage to modern entertainment developments created by today’s consumer demand, visitors can immerse themselves in many unique attractions that represent the fabric of this city’s thriving local economy.

Top things to see and experience include:

Menlo Park Mall

With over 200 retail stores, restaurants, a movie theater, and amusement rides for kids, Menlo Park Mall offers prime shopping and entertainment funded by Edison’s strong local economy.

Thomas Edison Center at Menlo Park

This museum and outdoor park allows visitors to return to 1879, when Thomas Edison first set up his research labs in Edison and invented the light bulb plus many other world-changing innovations that sparked local economic growth.

Oak Tree Pointe

This mixed used lifestyle center with retail shopping and restaurants connects Edison’s past and present economy, having repurposed a 100 year old former factory into a modern economic engine.

Edison Towne Square Shopping Center

Another retail complex meeting Edison residents’ consumer demand while providing local jobs to spur economic prosperity.

Topgolf Edison

This entertainment venue is part of a brand new complex including shopping and dining located conveniently off the New Jersey Turnpike, aimed at benefiting from Edison’s economic vitality by offering a unique experience.

So whether reliving the industrial emergence that drove initial growth in Edison or experiencing the present-day consumer-powered economy firsthand, visitors can discover the foundations fueling this city’s continued rise as a leading economic community in central New Jersey and beyond.

In Conclusion – Edison’s Economy Is Strong and Growing

As detailed throughout this local city guide, Edison provides an exceptionally strong and expanding local economy consisting of healthcare, manufacturing, professional services, retail, and warehousing/distribution industries.

Both major corporations and small businesses are drawn to Edison thanks to its skilled workforce, prime location, and pro-business environment. And with several economic development projects on the horizon, Edison is poised for continued prosperity in the years ahead.

For residents, this economic strength means high median incomes, low unemployment rates, solid home values, and lifestyle amenities created by consumer demand. And for companies considering expansion or relocation, Edison offers an ideal East Coast home to grow a business.