According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the State of New Jersey crossed a historic threshold this year: its population hit 9 million residents, 9,032,872 to be exact.
The population is climbing in a number of counties, primarily those bordering New York City, which includes Hudson and Bergen Counties, which increased 9% to 691,643 and 4.5% to 948,406, respectively. The estimates are also pointing to growth in Central Jersey as well.
For a number of years, Jersey City has grown due to its proximity to Manhattan, but now Newark is also posting gains in terms of population.
New Jersey’s Most Populated Cities
1. Newark: 280,139
2. Jersey City: 261,666
3. Paterson: 146,894
4. Elizabeth: 128,042
5. Toms River: 88,537
Back in 2010, the Census counted 8,791,894 people living in New Jersey, representing an increase of 4.5% from those reported back in 2000.
Not all of the state is enjoying this robust growth; the southern counties of New Jersey and southwestern counties have seen declines in both industry and population.
Population projections for the state put the number of residents at 9.2 million by 2020.
One city in New Jersey that is seeing a turn in population growth is Asbury Park. For the first time Asbury Park saw a gain in population, turning around a downward trend reaching back to 2010.
Still, New Jersey’s population boom is largely being fueled by its counties bordering the Big Apple: Harrison, Weehawken and Secaucus.