Best NJ Towns for Chinese Families
Where to live, which schools to choose, and what the community looks like — from a bilingual team that has helped Chinese families settle in Central NJ since 2003.
Central New Jersey has one of the largest Chinese-American communities on the East Coast outside of New York City. Families choose this area for the same reasons they have for decades: nationally ranked public schools, safe neighborhoods, reasonable commute times to Manhattan, and a growing network of Chinese grocery stores, restaurants, and community organizations.
This guide covers the towns where Chinese families most commonly settle, with the data that matters: school rankings, property tax rates, Asian community demographics, grocery store access, and median home prices. All data is from 2026 sources (Niche, U.S. Census ACS, NJ Division of Taxation, Garden State MLS).
Tang Group Real Estate has helped Chinese families buy homes in every town on this list since 2003. Holly Tang is fully bilingual in Mandarin and English. We communicate via phone, email, WeChat (holly1697), WhatsApp, and LINE.
The towns families choose.
Why families choose WW-P: The highest concentration of Chinese-American families in Central NJ. West Windsor-Plainsboro is ranked #2 in New Jersey by Niche for 2026 with an A+ overall grade. The district has 9,015 students and is known for rigorous STEM programs, competitive math and science teams, and strong college placement. The town has active Chinese parent organizations, Chinese language programs in schools, and easy access to Asian grocery stores along the Route 1 corridor in nearby Edison.
Commute: Princeton Junction station provides NJ Transit express service to New York Penn Station in approximately 65 minutes. Route 1 corridor for tech jobs in Princeton, New Brunswick, and along the NJ Turnpike.
Why families choose South Brunswick: The best-value A+ district in Central NJ. South Brunswick holds the same A+ rating as West Windsor-Plainsboro but at a significantly lower price point and tax rate. At 1.94%, annual taxes on a $600K home are approximately $11,640 — nearly $4,000 less per year than WW-P. The Asian-American community is substantial at roughly 48% of the student body, with Chinese, Indian, and Korean families well represented.
Commute: NJ Transit from Monmouth Junction to NYC Penn Station. Route 1 and NJ Turnpike access. Growing tech employment corridor along Route 1.
Why families choose Montgomery: A small-town feel with excellent schools and a large, established Chinese-American community. Montgomery Township has a population of 24,254 with 44.2% Asian residents — one of the highest concentrations in Somerset County. The school district features strong AP course offerings, a 97.7% graduation rate, and a median household income of $226,771. Neighborhoods range from Cherry Valley and Bedens Brook ($900K-$1.8M+) to Pike Run ($450K-$850K) and Montgomery Woods townhomes ($500K-$700K).
Commute: No direct train station, but 15 minutes to Princeton Junction (NJ Transit to NYC). Route 206 corridor. Many residents work in Princeton, Bridgewater, or commute to NYC.
Why families choose Edison: The undisputed hub of Asian life in Central NJ. Edison has the highest concentration of Asian grocery stores, restaurants, and cultural businesses in the region. Oak Tree Road and Route 27 are lined with Chinese, Indian, Korean, and pan-Asian establishments. H Mart, 99 Ranch Market, and multiple specialty stores serve the Chinese community specifically. The school district is solid (A-rated) and the town offers the widest variety of Asian food, services, and cultural events in NJ outside of Flushing.
Commute: Edison station and Metuchen station on NJ Transit Northeast Corridor Line — approximately 50 minutes to NYC Penn Station.
Why families choose Bridgewater: An A-rated district at the lowest effective tax rate among top Somerset County towns (1.83%). Bridgewater-Raritan is known for balancing strong academics with competitive athletics — families who want both choose Bridgewater. The Bridgewater Commons mall area and Route 22 corridor have growing Asian dining and grocery options. The Martinsville section features homes in the $750K-$1M+ range, while Bradley Gardens and Green Knoll offer more affordable options.
Commute: Bridgewater station on the Raritan Valley Line to Newark/NYC. Route 22, I-287, and I-78 access for corporate jobs in Morris County and along the pharma corridor.
Why families choose Princeton: Prestige, culture, and a world-class school district. Princeton Public Schools is ranked #6 in NJ with an A+ rating. The town attracts academic families connected to Princeton University, ETS, and the biotech corridor. The Chinese community is smaller than WW-P or Edison but well-established, with university-affiliated families and professionals. Princeton offers a walkable downtown, cultural events, and a diverse, educated community.
Commute: Princeton Junction (NJ Transit express to NYC Penn in ~65 min). Dinky shuttle to Princeton campus. Route 1 and US 206 access.
Compare at a glance.
| Town | School Rank | Asian % | Tax Rate | Median Home | NYC Train |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Windsor-Plainsboro | #2 | ~65% | 2.08% | $650K-$850K | 65 min |
| South Brunswick | #14 | ~48% | 1.94% | $500K-$700K | 55 min |
| Montgomery Twp | Top 25 | 44.2% | 2.06% | $600K-$800K | 75 min* |
| Edison | A- | ~54% | ~2.4% | $475K-$650K | 50 min |
| Bridgewater-Raritan | #35 | Growing | 1.83% | $500K-$650K | 70 min |
| Princeton | #6 | Diverse | 1.81% | $800K-$1.2M | 65 min |
*Montgomery: drive to Princeton Junction + train. Sources: Niche 2026, U.S. Census ACS, NJ Division of Taxation, Garden State MLS.
Asian grocery stores nearby.
Access to familiar food is one of the first things families ask about. Central NJ has a strong network of Asian grocery stores, with the highest concentration along the Route 1 and Route 27 corridors in Edison and South Brunswick.
Chinese restaurants, bakeries, bubble tea shops, and specialty stores are concentrated along Oak Tree Road (Edison) and Route 27. Most families in Montgomery, WW-P, and South Brunswick drive 15-25 minutes to Edison for Chinese groceries.
Chinese community resources.
Frequently asked.
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