New Jersey Facts: Capital, Major Cities, Geography & Economy

New Jersey is a northeastern U.S. state where crowded metropolitan corridors sit surprisingly close to mountain forests, farmland, wetlands, and Atlantic beaches. Trenton is its capital, Newark is its largest city, and the Garden State was the third state to ratify the U.S. Constitution on December 18, 1787. Its location between New York City and Philadelphia has shaped its history, population, transportation networks, and economy.

The U.S. Census Bureau estimated 9,548,215 residents on July 1, 2025. New Jersey also generated approximately $887.8 billion in current-dollar gross domestic product (GDP) in calendar year 2025, according to revised federal economic data released in September 2026. These figures describe different measurements and should always be read with their reference periods. This guide explains the facts, the reasons behind them, and the ideas students can use in geography, history, economics, and general-knowledge quizzes.

New Jersey Quick Facts

Fact	New Jersey information
Official name	State of New Jersey
Postal abbreviation	NJ
Nickname	The Garden State
Capital	Trenton
Largest incorporated city	Newark
U.S. Census region	Northeast; Middle Atlantic division
Constitutional ratification / customary statehood date	December 18, 1787 (3rd state)
Total area	About 8,723 square miles (state government geographic summary)
Land area	7,354.76 square miles (2020 Census)
Population	9,548,215 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
Population density	1,263.0 people per square mile (2020 Census)
Counties	21
Municipalities	564
Highest point	High Point, 1,803 feet
Major rivers	Delaware, Hudson, Passaic, Raritan
Atlantic shore	About 126 miles of oceanfront, Sandy Hook to Cape May
Time zone	Eastern Time
Traditional motto	Liberty and Prosperity (not separately officially adopted)
State bird	Eastern goldfinch
State flower	Violet
State tree	Red oak
State animal	Horse
State fruit	Blueberry

Data note: The state estimates and 2020 Census measurements above are intentionally labeled by year. Area summaries from the state government are rounded. Sources include the Census Bureau, NJ.gov Fast Facts, and NJ.gov facts FAQ.