100 Dumb US Laws (With Proof They Exist)
New Jersey (NJ) sits on the East Coast of the USA, just south of the State of New York. New Jersey’s economy relies on the pharmaceutical industry and financial services, and it is home to major seaports. The 19th-century nickname “The Garden State” no longer truly applies, a nod to the time when agriculture played a big role here. The capital is Trenton, and the largest city is Newark.
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Table of Contents
Quick Facts
Name New Jersey Abbreviation NJ Capital Trenton Largest city Newark (Population: 304 960) Current time 19:52 Time zone EST (UTC-5), state observes Daylight Saving Time EDT (UTC-4) Population 9,289,039 (#11 most populous US state) Area 8,722 sqmi (#47 largest US state) Admitted to the Union December 18, 1787 (#3 state to join) ⭐ Capital of New Jersey
The capital of New Jersey is Trenton, which briefly served as the capital of the entire United States in 1784. Settlement began in 1719, and the town was named after prominent merchant William Trent, who purchased most of the local land at the time. Trenton became the state capital in 1790.
🏙️ Largest City in New Jersey
The largest city in New Jersey is Newark, home to 304,960 residents in 2023. The second most populous city is Jersey City with 291,657 people, followed by Paterson with a population of 156,452.
🕒 Time in New Jersey
The current time in New Jersey is 19:52. Across most of the year the state observes Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC-5), and between March and November New Jersey switches to Daylight Saving Time, EDT (UTC-4).
🧑🤝🧑 Population of New Jersey
As of 2023, New Jersey had 9,289,039 residents, which ranked it 11th among U.S. states by population.
📍 Area of New Jersey
The total area of New Jersey is 8,722 sqmi, of which 7,354 sqmi is land and 1,368 sqmi is water. New Jersey ranks as the 47th largest U.S. state.
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Fun Facts About New Jersey
🧩 Which States Border New Jersey
New Jersey borders three U.S. states. To the west is Pennsylvania, to the north New York, and to the south Delaware. The state also has a 130 mi Atlantic Ocean shoreline on its eastern side.
📅 Date of New Jersey Statehood
New Jersey ratified the Constitution on December 18, 1787 as the 3rd state. Its predecessor was the Colony of New Jersey.
📛 New Jersey State Nickname
New Jersey is traditionally nicknamed “The Garden State,” a name dating to the late 19th century when fertile soil and orchards helped feed the region. The Garden State appears on license plates of vehicles registered in New Jersey.
The state seal bears the official motto, “Liberty and prosperity.”
⛰️ Highest Mountain in New Jersey
The highest peak in New Jersey is High Point at 1,804 ft, located within High Point State Park.
🏞️ Rivers in New Jersey
The longest river in New Jersey is the Hudson River with a total length of 315 mi. It is followed by the Delaware River (301 mi), the Raritan River (121 mi), the Wallkill River (88 mi), and the Passaic River (81 mi).
🎓 Universities in New Jersey
The largest university in New Jersey is Rutgers University, which comprises four campuses and enrolls more than 65,000 students. The school was founded in 1766.
The second largest is Rowan University with roughly 22,500 students, followed by Montclair State University with 21,000 enrolled.
✉️ ZIP Codes in New Jersey
New Jersey’s ZIP code range spans 070xx to 089xx. You can look up a specific code by address on the U.S. Postal Service website. For details on how the system works, see ZIP Codes in the USA.
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Weather in New Jersey
The best times to visit New Jersey are late spring and early fall, when temperatures are pleasant and popular attractions are less crowded.
Spring is relatively mild, with average temperatures climbing from March’s 37 °F to 46 °F into May’s 59 °F to 66 °F. Weather can be changeable with frequent showers and occasional thunderstorms.
Summer in New Jersey is hot and humid, and July and August temperatures typically range from 73 °F to 82 °F. Short but strong thunderstorms can pop up during the summer months. Coastal areas along the Atlantic can occasionally see tropical storms.
Fall is usually mild, with temperatures easing down from September’s 66 °F to 72 °F to November’s 45 °F to 50 °F. Rain is generally light to moderate, and there is a nontrivial risk of hurricanes.
Winters are cold, with temperatures commonly around 27 °F to 39 °F. Snowfall varies by region, with heavier snow totals in northern New Jersey.
🌡️ Average Temperatures and Precipitation in New Jersey
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What to See in New Jersey
1️⃣ Six Flags Great Adventure Theme Park
Six Flags Great Adventure is one of the largest theme parks on the East Coast, and it is worth the trip from nearby New York City. The park features about sixty rides, many of them high-adrenaline roller coasters. A standout is the steel coaster Kingda Ka, where trains hit 128 mph and climb to 456 ft at one point.
If I had to choose just one New Jersey attraction I would not skip, it would be Six Flags Great Adventure.
2️⃣ Atlantic City Boardwalk
The Atlantic City Boardwalk is the oldest oceanfront promenade in the United States, opened in 1870 and now an icon of the state. The 4.0 mi wooden walkway is lined with casinos, hotels, restaurants, and shops, with street performers adding to the vibe.
The boardwalk’s biggest attraction since 1898 has been the Steel Pier amusement park, which offers more than twenty rides, including two roller coasters. It is a classic spot for a stroll with Atlantic Ocean views, and summer brings frequent cultural events.
3️⃣ Ellis Island
From 1892 to 1954, Ellis Island served as the gateway for immigrants arriving in the United States by ship from around the world. The exact number is unknown, and estimates range from 8 to 12 million, with most coming from Northern Europe.
Visitors can tour a compelling museum that tells immigrants’ stories through interactive exhibits. Ellis Island sits in the Hudson River and spans both New Jersey and New York, and it is reachable by ferry from Liberty State Park. From Ellis Island you get great views of the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island, which can be visited on the same boat trip.
4️⃣ Liberty State Park
Liberty State Park sits on the Hudson River in Jersey City and serves up beautiful views of the Manhattan skyline, including the Statue of Liberty. On sunny summer days it is a popular spot for picnics and walks, and it also hosts the modern Liberty Science Center. Ferries to the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island and to Ellis Island depart from here, which makes the park a solid starting point for a full-day outing.
5️⃣ Battleship New Jersey
USS New Jersey is among the most significant warships in U.S. history. She was launched on December 7, 1942 and was decommissioned after the Gulf War in February 1991. The ship saw action in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. After retirement, she was moved to the port of Camden, where she now serves as a museum.
Visitors can see many parts of the ship, including crew quarters, the engine room, guns, and the bridge. A combat-mission simulator is a popular highlight.
6️⃣ Cape May
Cape May at the southern tip of New Jersey is one of the oldest seaside resorts in the United States, known for its charming beaches and Victorian architecture. The landmark of the area is the 157 ft Cape May Lighthouse from 1859, which is open to the public and offers sweeping views of the surrounding landscape and the Atlantic Ocean.
7️⃣ Princeton Battlefield State Park
Princeton Battlefield State Park preserves the site of a pivotal battle in January 1777 during the American Revolutionary War, when British forces faced the Continental Army led by George Washington.
Interpretive panels and guided tours explain the battle and its role in the struggle for independence. The grounds include open fields, monuments, and the historic 1772 Clarke House, which served as a field hospital during the fight.
8️⃣ Adventure Aquarium
Adventure Aquarium is one of the largest aquariums on the East Coast. It sits just across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, separated only by the waterway. The aquarium is home to more than 8,500 animals, including stingrays, sharks, penguins, and sea turtles.
Highlights include touch experiences with sharks and rays and an underwater tunnel where thousands of fish glide past. This Camden attraction is perfect for families with children.
9️⃣ Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park
This historic park near the city of Paterson in northern New Jersey features some of the largest waterfalls on the East Coast. The 77.0 ft high falls played a key role during the Industrial Revolution by powering local mills. The park includes historic buildings and interpretive trails that bring the city’s industrial past to life.
🔟 Princeton University
Princeton is one of the world’s most prestigious universities, located in the city of the same name, which is a cultural hub in its own right. The historic campus features beautiful Gothic and Colonial architecture along with gardens and a renowned library that are open to visitors.
The Princeton University Art Museum is also well worth a stop, showcasing a broad collection from antiquity to contemporary art.
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Largest Cities in New Jersey
The table lists the ten largest cities in New Jersey in 2023. The data source is the federal United States Census Bureau, whose primary role is conducting the census.
City County Population 1 Newark Essex 304,960 Map of Newark 2 Jersey City Hudson 291,657 Map of Jersey City 3 Paterson Passaic 156,452 Map of Paterson 4 Elizabeth Union 135,829 Map of Elizabeth 5 Trenton Mercer 89,620 Map of Trenton 6 Clifton Passaic 88,461 Map of Clifton 7 Camden Camden 71,100 Map of Camden 8 Bayonne Hudson 70,300 Map of Bayonne 9 East Orange Essex 69,556 Map of East Orange 10 Passaic Passaic 68,903 Map of Passaic -
Sports Teams in New Jersey
🏒 Hockey (NHL)
The NHL’s only New Jersey team is the New Jersey Devils, who compete in the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference. The Devils play home games at Prudential Center in Newark. The club was founded in 1974, and its colors are red, black, and white.
🏈 American Football (NFL)
Two NFL teams play in New Jersey, and both host their home games at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.
The New York Giants joined the league in the 1925 season and now play in the NFC East. Team colors are dark blue, red, and white.
The second team is the New York Jets, who entered the NFL in the 1970 season and compete in the AFC East. Their colors are green, white, and black.
🏀 Basketball (NBA)
There is no New Jersey team in the NBA.
⚾ Baseball (MLB)
There is no MLB team based in New Jersey.
⚽ Soccer (MLS)
Despite the name, the state is represented in MLS by the New York Red Bulls, who compete in the Eastern Conference and first appeared in the 2015 season. From 1996, they previously played in MLS as the New York/New Jersey MetroStars. The Red Bulls’ colors are red, blue, yellow, and white, and they play home matches at Red Bull Arena in Harrison.
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New Jersey State Symbols
All of New Jersey’s official symbols are established by state law. Below are a few examples.
Flag of New Jersey
The first New Jersey flag was adopted on May 11, 1896, and the current modified version dates to 1928. The design features the state coat of arms on a light buff field. The buff color was used on New Jersey military uniforms during the American Revolutionary War.
Seal of New Jersey
The Great Seal has been used in its current form since 1928. Central elements are the goddesses Liberty and Ceres, accompanied by a plow and a helmet as symbols of agriculture and military strength. They are joined by a horse’s head, the state motto, and the year the Constitution was adopted. The seal is used to authenticate official documents.
State Fruit
New Jersey’s fruit symbol since 2004 has been the blueberry, specifically the highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), one of the state’s most important crops. A successful campaign by fourth-grade students helped make the blueberry an official state symbol.
State Fish
The state fish is the brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), a native species in local rivers and lakes that typically measures 25 cm to 65 cm.
State Bird
Since 1935 the state bird has been the American goldfinch (Carduelis tristis). This bright yellow bird nests widely across New Jersey and favors sunflower seeds.
State Tree
In 1950 New Jersey designated the northern red oak (Quercus rubra) as the state tree, a symbol of strength and resilience. Oaks were traditionally used in shipbuilding, so they once played an economic role as well.
State Flower
The state flower since 1971 has been the common blue violet (Viola sororia), which grows abundantly throughout New Jersey. It was chosen to reflect the modest character of the state’s residents.
State Dog
Among the official symbols are all guide dogs trained by The Seeing Dog. Based in Morristown, the organization has raised and trained assistance dogs for the United States and Canada since 1929.
State Reptile
Since 2018 New Jersey’s state reptile has been the bog turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergii). At around 10 cm long, it is among the smallest American turtles and lives in marshy habitats.
State Mineral
Franklinite is typically a black mineral named for its discovery near the town of Franklin, and by extension it honors American President Benjamin Franklin. New Jersey’s governor signed the law designating franklinite as the state mineral in 2023.
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