Moving to New Jersey
New Jersey, otherwise known as ‘The Garden State’, is a amazing state to work and live. If you are moving or relocating to NJ, we have organized a detailed list of some important facts and useful factoids to help make your move an easy transition.
As one of the original 13 colonies, New Jersey was admitted to the union on November 19, 1778. Since then, NJ has grown in to a booming place to live. Rich in colonial history, New Jersey offers many landmarks that will satisfy any history buff.
Geography
Located in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the country, New Jersey is bordered by Delaware, New York and Pennsylvania. With a total land area of over 8,721.30 Square Miles, it comes in as the 3rd smallest state.
Population
Currently, the population of NJ is 8,944,469 making it the 11th most populated state in the union and the 2nd most densely populated. The state capital, Trenton, has a population of 85402. which is the 17th smallest capital in the country.
Other Populous New Jersey Cities are:
| US Rank | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 70 | Newark | 281,764 |
| 77 | Jersey City | 264,152 |
| 178 | Paterson | 147,000 |
| 214 | Elizabeth | 128,640 |
| 298 | Edison | 101,996 |
| 303 | Woodbridge | 101,389 |
| 305 | Lakewood | 100,758 |
Notable New Jerseyans
New Jersey is home to several famous and some infamous citizens such as, Bud Abbott a memorable comedian is from Asbury Park and Charles Addams a prominent cartoonist is from Westfield. Others include people like Edwin Aldrin a astronaut and William Count Basie a band leader .
Climate
New Jersey’s geographic position in the mid-latitudes often places it near the jet stream, particularly in the late fall, winter, and spring. This gives the state its characteristic changeable weather. Precipitation is frequent because low pressure storms associated with the jet stream commonly affect the state. In addition, New Jersey’s location on the eastern coast of North America exposes it both to the cold winter and warm summer air masses of the continental interior and the moderate and moist air masses of the western Atlantic Ocean. In winter, the contrast between frigid air masses of the continental interior and the relatively warm Atlantic provides the energy for occasional intense storms known as nor’easters. As a result of these varying influences, New Jersey’s climate is characterized by moderately cold and occasionally snowy winters and warm, humid summers. There is a west-to east contrast of temperatures with cooler temperatures in the higher elevation northwest and warmer conditions in the east near the coast. Temperature differences from northwest to southeast are most noticeable in the winter. The northern elevated highlands and valleys experience colder temperatures and more annual average precipitation compared to the rest of the state. Average minimum temperatures in January range from 15 to 20°F in the northwest to 25 to 30°F along the coast. A similar temperature gradient exists for average maximum temperatures in July, where cooler summertime temperatures (80-85°F) occur in the northwestern corner and temperatures between 85 and 90°F are representative of the rest of the state. The statewide average annual precipitation is 46 inches. There is a north-south precipitation gradient as well, with the north-central portion of the state averaging 51 inches of precipitation, while the coastal region averages 40 inches.
Crime Statistics
Safety and security should always be an important factor when relocating to a new area. A state’s crime rate affects more than just the safety of its resident, it drastically affects property value, economics and the overall quality of life. Based on the last FBI Crime Statistics, New Jersey’s violent crime rate is 26 per 10k residents which is less than the national average of 37.3. In addition, the state’s property crime rate is 173per 10k residents which is less than the national average of 248.7.
New Jersey ranks #36 in the US for violent crime and #46 for property crime.
Schools & Education
Whether you are a student, have children, or neither, a state’s educational system is not only important to those attending, it’s vital to the overall quality of life, culture and economics of the state. Based on data from multiple public and private sources, we were able to rank New Jersey’s educational system.
Overall Grade: B
New Jersey spends on average $15946.00 per pupil, which is greater than the national average ($11,900). NJ ranks #2 in the US compared to the rest of the country. While NJ ranks #2 in spending, the latest graduation rate is 89.70%%.
Another important factor is the percentage of families that enroll their young children (ages 3-4) in an accredited pre-school program. New Jersey ranks #2 with over 63.70% of children attending a early educational program.
Taxes
The current income tax rate for New Jersey is 9.97% which ranks 46th favorable amongst other states. If you are purchasing property, you may want to consider the the property tax burden rate. This is the amount you pay in taxes per $1000 earned. NJ’s rate is $54.37 which ranks 49th in the US.
Currently, NJ sales tax is $17.64 for which it comes in as 13th compared to other states.
Sports
New Jersey fans are not only devoted but also very dedicated to their local major league teams. New Jersey is home to the following teams: the New Jersey Devils, the New York Giants, the New York Jets, and the New York Red Bulls .
Utility Companies
Before you move to New Jersey, it’s advised that you know who your utility companies are. We have an extensive list of both public and private utility companies in NJ.
Other Resources
For more information about moving to New Jersey, visit their website at http://www.state.nj.us/