Discover the 5 Fastest-Growing Counties in New Jersey

New Jersey is a Mid-Atlantic state that borders Pennsylvania, New York, and Delaware. Despite having one of the smallest areas of any state in the country, New Jersey has the 11^th highest population. This state is the most densely populated in the U.S., and its population rose by nearly 500,000 between 2010 and 2020. Today, we’re going to look at the fastest-growing counties in New Jersey and show you which ones are gaining residents at the fastest rate.

To be clear, this list is going to use population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau between the years 2020 and 2022. Many of the 21 counties within the Garden State experienced a population drop over the last few years since the 2020 Census. The following counties have growing populations, though.

5. Atlantic County

Atlantic County is in southeastern New Jersey. The area has the famous Atlantic City where people can legally gamble in casinos along with the tallest lighthouse in New Jersey and several beautiful beach towns.

Atlantic County had a starting population of 274,536 in 2020, and that population increased to 275,638. That represents a total increase of 1,102 residents and a change of 0.40%. Atlantic County had a somewhat small increase in the state, but it was an increase, nonetheless. The growth in this county has been small and slow. Few factors seem likely to lead to a vast increase in population in this area.

4. Morris County

Morris County is in northern New Jersey, and it is an area known for its connections to the state’s history. The area played an important part in the Revolutionary War, serving as a military capital where General George Washington stayed with his army throughout two winters.

Morris County had a starting population of 509,277 in the year 2020. The population estimate for 2022 was 511,121 people. This represents a population increase of 1,844 residents, a 0.36% change. While this may be one of the counties that gained the most people in the state, it’s not a significant percentage shift.

People who left the more densely populated area near New York City may have moved here during the initial COVID-19 outbreak. Also, rising housing costs would have pushed people farther from places like Jersey City and Newark.

3. Burlington County

Burlington County is the largest county by area in the state. The region has 827 square miles, and it runs from east to west across the state. The county almost reaches the Atlantic Ocean on its eastern boundary, and it runs to the Delaware River on its western border near Pennsylvania.

Burlington County, New Jersey was another one of the fastest-growing counties in New Jersey. The 2020 population in the county was 461,863, and that rose to 466,103 in 2022. That shows a growth of 4,240 residents, or 0.92%.

This county has a lot of space for homes and businesses within its borders. People who moved from other counties in the state to Burlington County could have come seeking jobs in places like Mt. Laurel or Medford. Also, the new residents may been military members who moved to McGuire Air Force Base or its surrounding areas.

Aside from having a strong jobs market, Burlington County also has a lot of protected natural areas within its borders. Wharton State Forest and Bass River State Forest are two protected regions in the state that people can easily visit if they live in this county.

2. Gloucester County

Gloucester County had a population of 302,285 people in 2020. The population estimate for this region in 2022 was 306,601 people, showing a rise of 4,316 residents. This is a 1.43% increase, a fairly large growth for two years. The change in population makes this the second-fastest-growing county in the Garden State.

Gloucester County is in southwestern New Jersey. The county borders the Delaware River on its northwestern side. Gloucester County has several large towns including Deptford Township, Washington Township, and Glassboro. The latter is home to Rowan University, an institution with an enrollment of 22,000 students.

The population in this region most likely grew as a result of an industrial boom in the area. Major retailers have constructed fulfillment centers and warehouses in the county, bolstering the jobs market and bringing new people to the county so they can be closer to work.

1. Ocean County

Ocean County is the leader among the fastest-growing counties in New Jersey. The county had a population of 637,229 people, and the population skyrocketed to 655,735 people in 2022. A total of 18,506 new residents moved to the area since the last census, a total increase of 2.9% of its population.

People are moving to Ocean County for a variety of reasons. Also, the area offers a lot of benefits including easy access to the beach and lower population density than other places.

During 2020, home prices and mortgages in this area were more affordable than those in other counties. This trend has shifted nationwide, though. So, it will be interesting to see whether this growth continues in the future, or if the high mortgage rates and low numbers of houses on the market stifle the population in Ocean County.

Overall, estimates show that New Jersey’s population is slightly shrinking. Between 2020 and 2022, the population fell from 9,288,994 to 9,261,699. This is not a large loss, but it could be a sign that more people are moving out of the Garden State. The state’s high taxes and general housing costs are two likely reasons that people are leaving this state behind, but other factors could be at play as well.  

Summary of the Fastest-Growing Counties in New Jersey

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