Clark's housing stock consists largely of single-family homes built through the middle decades of the twentieth century, set on modest, well-tended lots along quiet residential streets. Cape Cods, colonials, and split-levels predominate, with ranch-style homes common among mid-century subdivisions. The presence of the Clark Reservoir and the Rahway River Parkway means several neighborhoods back onto protected open space, a feature that distinguishes Clark from denser neighboring municipalities. Multifamily housing is limited, keeping the township's overall character firmly suburban. Streets are organized around neighborhood schools and parks, and homes tend to be sold as long-term family residences rather than short-term investments, reflecting a community where many households stay for years.

Clark functions largely as a single cohesive township rather than a collection of sharply distinct named neighborhoods, but distinct pockets have emerged around its landmarks. The area surrounding Clark Common, a shopping center on Raritan Road, serves as an informal commercial hub. Homes near the Robinson's Branch Reservoir enjoy wooded, waterfront-adjacent settings, while the residential streets around Oak Ridge Park and the Rahway River Parkway offer immediate access to trails and recreation. The southern sections of the township, bordering Rahway and Woodbridge, sit closest to commuter rail options, while the north remains quieter and more residential.

Day-to-day life in Clark centers on the township's schools, parks, and community events, with a steady stream of commuters heading out each morning and returning in the evening. Residents describe the township as having a solid assortment of restaurants, bars, and shops for its size, with fuller retail and dining options a short drive away in Westfield, Cranford, and Woodbridge. The population includes many young professionals and families, and the township maintains an active calendar of local recreation programs. It offers the pace of a small town with the conveniences of Union County immediately surrounding it.

Public education in Clark is provided by the Clark Public School District, a comprehensive pre-kindergarten-through-twelfth-grade system of five schools serving the township. The district is frequently described by residents and school-rating platforms as highly rated, a key factor in the township's appeal to families. Students are served by neighborhood elementary schools, a middle school, and a single township high school, keeping the school community close-knit. For families, the district's small scale means a predictable path from kindergarten through graduation without the large, anonymous systems found in neighboring urban districts.

Clark is positioned along the Garden State Parkway at Exit 135, which gives drivers direct access to the New Jersey Turnpike and Interstates 78, 22, 287, and 80. NJ Transit's Route 112 bus connects the township to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan, a ride of roughly 55 minutes. Clark does not have its own commuter rail station; residents typically drive a short distance to Westfield Station on the Raritan Valley Line or Rahway Station on the Northeast Corridor. Newark Liberty International Airport is also within convenient reach, making the township practical for frequent travelers as well as daily commuters.

Oak Ridge Park is the township's outdoor centerpiece, one of 36 Union County parks, offering multi-use paths, a fitness trail, turf fields for soccer and lacrosse, a disc golf course, and an archery range. The Rahway River Parkway runs along the river through town, linking residential neighborhoods to continuous green space, while Robinson's Branch Reservoir—the largest body of water in Union County—provides a scenic backdrop for walking and passive recreation. Beyond the township's borders, the county park system encompasses more than 6,200 acres, giving residents easy access to a broader network of trails, fields, and picnic areas.