New Jersey
The Garden State
Quick Stats
Map
Seal & Motto
"Liberty and Prosperity"
Additional Information
Reflects the values of freedom and economic opportunity that defined the state from its colonial origins.
Adopted 1776.
Population Growth
Overview
New Jersey, the 'Garden State,' is the most densely populated state in the nation yet somehow maintains its surprising nickname — a tribute to its fertile farmlands, vibrant shore towns, and remarkable suburban greenery. Sandwiched between New York and Philadelphia, it is a global powerhouse for pharmaceuticals, finance, and innovation.
Historical Significance
New Jersey officially joined the Union on December 18, 1787, as the 3rd state. Known as the "Crossroads of the Revolution," it hosted nearly 100 Revolutionary War engagements, including George Washington's famous Christmas 1776 crossing of the Delaware and the victories at Trenton and Princeton that turned the tide of the war.
Top Cities & Hubs
Newark
Population: ~310,000New Jersey's largest city and a global hub for air travel via Newark Liberty Airport, insurance, and shipping, currently undergoing a dramatic urban renaissance driven by arts and technology.
Jersey City
Population: ~292,000Known as "Wall Street West," a booming financial powerhouse directly across the Hudson River from Manhattan, attracting major banks and tech firms seeking NYC proximity without NYC costs.
Paterson
Population: ~160,000America's first planned industrial city, designed by Alexander Hamilton, famous as the "Silk City" and home to the stunning Great Falls — a National Historical Park on the Passaic River.
Elizabeth
Population: ~135,000A vital transportation and manufacturing hub adjacent to Newark Airport and one of the world's busiest container port complexes, the Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal.
Trenton
Population: ~91,000The state capital on the Delaware River, site of Washington's pivotal 1776 victory, and an emerging arts community transforming its historic industrial heritage into cultural destinations.
Key Landmarks & Economy
Did You Know?
- New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the U.S. at over 1,200 people per square mile, yet is still called the "Garden State."
- The first dinosaur skeleton to be described scientifically in North America was found in Haddonfield, New Jersey in 1858 — a Hadrosaurus foulkii.
- New Jersey has more diners than any other state in the country, and Atlantic City's street names inspired the original American version of the Monopoly board game.