New Jersey is home to a large and varied population. Millions live here, many more have connections to the state, and even more visit, work or pass through it each year. People with ties to the state can be found in every corner of the country, from those who have longstanding family roots to those arriving to attend one of the nation’s leading colleges or universities, start their careers, or raise families.
Located along the eastern edge of the United States, New Jersey is bordered by New York City and Pennsylvania to the north and northeast, the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, and Delaware and Pennsylvania to the west. The state’s name is derived from the Isle of Jersey in the English Channel. The territory was first settled by Europeans, including Dutch, British, and German settlers. Among the first settlements were Bergen, Jersey City, and Trenton, where the government was based. Early settlements were largely agricultural, but as the economy shifted toward manufacturing in the 19th century, cities like Paterson and Passaic became leaders in industrialization.
The state is renowned for its diverse culture, with communities representing many different faiths, ethnicities, and philosophies on life. This rich cultural history has given rise to a unique identity, and a strong legacy of civic participation and democratic self-government.
New Jerseyans have always been a fervently patriotic people, and their loyalty to the nation has been demonstrated at crucial moments in our history. The state has been a key military ally and a vital source of natural resources and human capital. At the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787, New Jersey delegate William Paterson proposed the “New Jersey Plan,” which established equal representation for all states in the U.S. Senate.
After the Civil War, New Jersey provided a significant number of troops to the Union cause. New Jerseyans of color also made important contributions to the fight for freedom, serving in the 369th Infantry Regiment (known as the Harlem Hellfighters) and receiving the Croix de Guerre for their bravery in combat. The state legislature later ratified the Fifteenth Amendment, making it one of the last northern states to abolish slavery and provide full citizenship for African Americans.
As the most densely populated and urbanized of the original 13 colonies, New Jersey has long been known for its progressive reform movements. Its earliest leaders were social activists and labor organizers, and in the twentieth century the state was an incubator for the progressive political, economic, and social agendas that would eventually sweep the nation. New Jerseyans have a strong sense of identity, which is reflected in its nickname: The Garden State. The state’s most famous residents include Grover Cleveland, the only president born in the United States; astronaut Buzz Aldrin; writer Judy Blume; and entertainer Frank Sinatra.