About New JerseyNew Jersey is known for its population density and its expansive coastline. It is less known as the birthplace of Grover Cleveland, the only President to serve two non-consecutive terms! You may also not know that it leads in agricultural production with rankings such as 2nd in blueberry production, 3rd in cranberry production, 3rd in spinach, 4th in bell peppers, and 4th in peach production. With that, 11 state forests and 42 state parks, no wonder we are known as the Garden State.

General Information

Capital: Trenton

Nickname: Garden State

State abbreviation: NJ

Governor: Chris Christie, R (to Jan. 2014)

Senators: Frank R. Lautenberg, D (to Jan. 2015); Robert Menendez, D (to Jan. 2013)

U.S. Representatives: 13

Origin of name: From the Channel Isle of Jersey

Land area: 7,417 sq mi. (19,210 sq km)

Number of counties: 21

Largest county by population (Bergen, 902,561 (2005)) and area (Burlington, 805 sq mi.)

Maps: Geologic, Counties & Municipalities (pdf)

Historical Information:

Entered Union: Dec. 18, 1787 (3rd among the colonies)

Motto: Liberty and prosperity

Timeline: Begins in 1524 Verrazano explores the Jersey coast.

From the State of New Jersey site: “The first people to live on the land now known as New Jersey were the Delaware Indians. They lived here starting at least 10,000 years ago. Anywhere from 8,000 to 20,000 Delaware Indians lived in the area when the first Europeans arrived. Their name means "original people" or "genuine people." They spoke an Algonquian dialect….”  Read more.

Census Data:

State symbols:

  • Flower: Violet (1913)
  • Bird: Eastern goldfinch (1935)
  • Insect: Honeybee (1974)
  • Tree: Red Oak (1950)
  • Animal: Horse (1977)
  • Colors:  Buff and Blue (1965)
  • Fruit: Blueberry (2004)
  • More state symbols

Fun things to know about New Jersey:

  • Diner capital of the world
  • Highest population density in the United States
  • The street names for the game Monopoly  came from Atlantic City
  • The first baseball game was played in Hoboken in 1846.
  • Has more millionaire residents than any other state in the nation.
  • More fun things....