New Jersey Leads the Northeast in Population Growth
New Jersey is kicking off 2025 with record-levels of growth including the largest number of jobs and employers to date; and the largest population in the state’s history. New Jersey now leads the Northeast in year-over-year population growth rate with the number of residents climbing to an estimated 9,500,851, according to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau. This represents an increase of 1.3% or 121,209 from 2023, according to a New Jersey Department of Labor press release.
The FULL release:
According to new December 2024 reporting, New Jersey experienced a 2.3% population increase — or 211,837 new residents — since April 2020, which marked the release of the Decennial Census data. This consistent growth highlights New Jersey’s ongoing upward population trend.
The latest jobs figures released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for November 2024, show 4,391,600 jobs and as of September 30, 2024 there were 284,200 employers according to the BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages.
“We are incredibly proud to see that New Jersey is among the top 10 states for population growth,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “We are also thrilled to have reached our largest number of jobs and employers in Garden State history. This Census data is a testament to the important work being done each and every day across the Administration to support our workers and continue building a stronger, fairer New Jersey.”
“We currently have more jobs and employers than at any other time in the Garden State’s history,” said Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo. “We’re proud that over 9.5 million people now call the Garden State home, and our total number of jobs is 4.4 million strong and growing. We also have the largest number of employers in our state’s history. It’s clear — Governor Murphy’s stronger, fairer economy has made New Jersey the best state in the Northeast to live, work and do business in.”
“The Murphy Administration has worked diligently to make New Jersey the best place to live, work, and raise a family,” said State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio. “With its dynamic business community, top rated schools, and ideal location at the crossroads of the Northeast, New Jersey has become and remains an attractive place to build a future.”
In terms of year-over-year growth, New Jersey ranks first in the Northeast with a 1.3% increase that outpaces every other state in the region. The U.S. Census Bureau’s Northeast region includes Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Northeast and National Rankings:
- 1st in Year-Over-Year Growth Rate: New Jersey leads the Northeast with a 1.3% growth rate, surpassing regional counterparts.
- 10th Nationwide in Year-Over-Year Growth Rate: New Jersey is among the top ten states nationwide in terms of population growth rate.
- 11th Nationwide in Total Population: With a population of 9,500,851, New Jersey ranks 11th in the United States for total population.
New Jersey’s robust growth demonstrates the state’s wide appeal as a vibrant place to live for families, working professionals, retirees and growing businesses, and the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development is committed to supporting the state’s residents.
“We continue to attract talent because of our smart policies for working people from our expansive paid family leave to strong worker protections, our thriving business environment, and our diverse communities,” added Asaro-Angelo. “It’s simple — workers want to be in New Jersey, and employers want to be where the workers are.”
Additional local growth data will be available in March with the release of County Population Estimates.
For more statistics and information about the Garden State, visit nj.gov/labor/data.
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We’ve been saying it for years, New Jersey is a great state and the people agree. I hope all the cynical politicians who cite dubious claims from van companies to claim the state is shrinking take a good look at this.
But I thought there were all those moving vans leaving the state because we tax millionaires?!
Look again, they’re illegal invaders! Legal citizens are leaving in DROVES!
I’m originally from NJ. I retired to northwest Montana at an early age seven years ago. This past fall I made what was most likely my last trip ever to NJ/the eastern U.S. NJ and most states are a complete joke! It’s like living in heaven on earth here in northwest Montana. Even while looking out the condo window at the ocean for the four weeks I was in NJ in the fall, I felt like I was in hell compared to my life in Montana . Between crowds, traffic, tolls, no grocery bags, etc., I thought to myself, why would anyone want to live like this? It was like I was in a third world country!
Make money…spend money…big deal …taxes…tolls…car insurance rip off…crowded…traffic jams…trying my hardest to pull up with large …or maybe better no truck…easier…my car…wife..n Debit card…
Lol…moderation…
Agree with Henry, everywhere we look it is nothing but
Illegals! Thank God we got President Trump back.
Love our State, but it’s not cheap to live here.
Chain migration and illegals. Creepy people bringing money they looted from their shtl countries. Did I mention how ugly most of them are. Squat, stocky, hairy, crooked legs. They never put money in the Salvation Army kettle and they punch down.
The devil may be in the details; “For the seventh consecutive year, New Jersey led the nation with 67% of its moves being outbound, according to the 48th annual United Van Lines National Movers Study.’ Housing cost are driving more families and retirees to more affordable regions and allowing for better lifestyles.
New Jersey is a great place to live. The abundant culture and diversity many enjoy and like to celebrate. But one of those pesty details, few are aware of, is that New Jersey has the sixth most segregated school system in the nation for Black students and seventh for Hispanic.
New Jersey has “the number one schools in the nation” – another one of those things, that the devil is in the details. Broken down by demographics, New Jersey is #25 amongst students who qualify for free and reduced lunch, # 17 for Black students, #9 for Hispanic students and #1 for white and Asian students when compared to other states.
The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates a single adult in New Jersey needs to make at least $51,500 per year to cover only basic needs. To live comfortably, a single working adult in New Jersey needs to make $49.52 per hour or $104,000 per year.
New Jersey is one of the most tax-burdened state in the country. The millionaires are not those fleeing due to a 1% mansion tax; they tend to be a bit more savvy. It is the middle class that are being forced out by high property taxes and the cost of living. If you and your family are not in one of the pockets of exceptional success, life in New Jersey can be an arduous journey.
For the average New Jerseyans, these are facts of life, not a dubious claim.
Not surprised to see blatant racism from the NJ-haters, we’re glad you’ve left our state, good riddance!
This is good news, but this article is a press release from the NJ Department of Labor & Workforce Development. It should be labeled as such. https://www.nj.gov/labor/lwdhome/press/2025/20250113_population_growth.shtml#:~:text=According%20to%20new%20December%202024,Jersey's%20ongoing%20upward%20population%20trend.
Retired left New Jersey for South Carolina and boy did I regret it crime is hidden food is terrible and you get nicked and dime on everything i was lucky to come back to New Jerseys,you never know how good it was until you leave people that left and say they are glad they left probably can’t come back but want to come back.
Racism can’t always be the standard rebuttal statement.
New Jersey is without a doubt one of the most desirable places to live. However- New Jersey is not free of obstinate racism that continues to be reflected in socioeconomic inequalities.
To the person concerned about the labeling, read the end of the first paragraph:
“according to a New Jersey Department of Labor press release.
The FULL release:”
Most of them are illegals I m an 80 year old want.& See them allover NJ they have almost knocked me down s couple times not respectly.at all. They are buying.food with Medicaid cards, this is awful for.people who work hard & try to support their families. Hopefully things get better soon.
“We continue to attract talent because of our smart policies for working people from our expansive paid family leave to strong worker protections, our thriving business environment, and our diverse communities,” added Asaro-Angelo. “It’s simple — workers want to be in New Jersey, and employers want to be where the workers are.”
My question is what and where are they attracting ‘talent’???? I lived in New Jersey for 65 years and watched its economy and school system do a slow-motion car wreck. I went to school when learning was still learning; not this crap with DEI, CRT, LGBTQMICKEYMOUSE curriculum. I now live in another state with very good amenities, decent restaurants [some equivalent to NJ; and I found pizzerias owned by New Yorkers and New Jerseyans whose pizzas are as good, if not better than NJ. We have a Goldberg’s Bagels nearby. There are all the box stores and chain stores located within 10 minutes of my new house. We sold our house in NJ for a ridiculous sum after a bidding war. Bought a larger house in the new state, with property taxes and education taxes 60% less than NJ. Car insurance is 1/2 for the same policy of what it was in NJ. And, we have lower sales tax. Eating out is cheaper. Supermarkets are similarly priced to NJ. Gas prices are 10 cents per gallon more than NJ. What I paid for the bigger house in the new state, I could have bought 2 of them with the profit I made off of the NJ sale. And, I live on a very quiet cul-de-sac with neighbors spaced out; not like my fenced in property in NJ where neighbors were next to each other and they were building a lot of low cost housing in my former NJ town that wasn’t being filled. In my state, the legislature reduced property taxes and made millions available to school districts so they didn’t have to raise school taxes. At least they look to cut the budget in my state; not like in NJ where the easy way out is to just raise taxes. They tried to raise taxes by ridiculous amounts in my county, and everyone on the country board got voted out. Stopped the tax increase dead in its tracks. Not like NJ, where nobody give a sh*t and just lets the taxes go up & up with no accountability for how or where it’s spent.
As for illegal immigrants in NJ, every day I drove though town and saw more and more of them. They are swarthy, little toads that look like mutant hobbits. And, they have this nasty look on them. Don’t see any where I now live.
According to your statement, and by the intensity that you write comments, perhaps it is good that you now live in another state on a quiet cul- de- sac. Enjoy the serenity. I trust New Jerseyans care and will demand change, starting with the next Governor.