Scotch Plains is a township in Union County, New Jersey, situated on a ridge in the northern-central part of the state within the Raritan Valley and Rahway Valley regions of the New York metropolitan area. With a population of 24,843 at the 2020 census, it covers just over nine square miles and wraps around the smaller borough of Fanwood, with which it shares a school district and much of its community identity. The township's defining natural feature is the Watchung Reservation, Union County's largest nature preserve at 1,945 acres. Scotch Plains sits at the base of this wooded reserve, which offers trails, wildlife habitat, and Lake Surprise, along with a history trail recalling the land's earlier uses. The Robinson's Branch of the Rahway River also flows through the township, adding to its green character. Education is central to Scotch Plains's appeal. The Scotch Plains-Fanwood Regional School District is highly regarded, with elementary schools including Coles, Evergreen, Brunner, McGinn, and School One feeding into Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School. That reputation, combined with larger lots and more square footage than nearby Westfield, has made the township a long-standing destination for families. Transportation connects Scotch Plains to the broader region via Route 22, the Garden State Parkway, and the Raritan Valley Line, whose Fanwood station offers a roughly one-hour rail commute to New York Penn Station with a transfer at Newark. Downtown Westfield's dining and shopping lie only minutes away. For people seeking strong schools, generous yards, and green space within commuting distance of New York City, Scotch Plains offers one of Union County's most compelling suburban values.