One of the original thirteen colonies, New Jersey, has a population density of 1,283 people per square mile (mi²), more than 1000% higher than the national population density of 96 people/mi². The "Garden State" has the country's fourth-smallest total area at 8,723 mi², but is geographically positioned so close to New York City (closer than most of the State of New York) that the greater NYC metropolitan area expands well into New Jersey. As a result, seven of the ten most populated New Jersey cities, led by Newark (pop. 321,872) and Jersey City (305,904), share much of New York City's population-dense urban ecosystem.
New Jersey, one of the 13 original colonies, joined the Union in December 1787 and participated in all 59 presidential elections. Thanks to its population density, New Jersey has more electoral votes per square mile than any state except Rhode Island. Its 14 electoral votes make it a rich prize, although that number has dropped from 17 in the 1970s as the State's population growth, like much of the Northeast, has not kept pace with the rest of the country. New Jersey has gone Democratic in the last eight elections after voting Republican in the previous six. Joe Biden won the State over Donald Trump by a margin of 57% to 41% in 2020.
New Jersey is the only State to have every single county considered "urban" by the Census Bureau.
According to a 2022 study from the U.S. Census Bureau, this State's local governments consist of 21 counties, 564 cities, towns, and villages, and 222 special districts.
For such a densely populated state, only four cities in New Jersey have more than 100,000 people. Newark is the State's largest city, with a population of 281,944 (based on 2015 estimates), closely followed by Jersey City, home to 264,290 people. The other cities with more than 100,000 people are Paterson (147,754) and Elizabeth (129,007).
Most of New Jersey's population lives in the counties surrounding New York City, Philadelphia, and the eastern Jersey Shore. The northwestern and very southern counties have a much lower density. Bergen County is the most populated county in New Jersey, with 948,406 individuals residing within its boundaries.
Interestingly, New Jersey has more scientists and engineers per square mile than any other area. It's also one of the most religiously and ethnically diverse states in the U.S., with the second-largest Jewish population (after New York state), the second-largest Muslim population (after the State of Michigan), the largest population of Peruvians in the country, and the largest population of Cubans outside the State of Florida. It also boasts many Portuguese and Brazilian Americans, Hispanics, Arabs, African-Americans, Asians, Chinese, and Italian Americans.
The median age in New Jersey is approximately 39.5 years of age. The ratio of females to males is approximately 51.2% females and 48.8% males.
Regarding religious preferences across the State, New Jersey has 67% Christian-based faiths, 14% non-Christian-based faiths, and 18%non-affiliated with any religion.
According to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of New Jersey was:
White: 62.68%
Black or African American: 13.27%
Asian: 9.75%
Other race: 7.31%
Two or more races: 6.68%
Native American: 0.27%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.04%
Muslims are over 70,000.
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