Our state is growing, and the Jersey Shore is leading the way. New Jersey's population climbed 3% between 2020 and 2025, bringing our total to 9,548,215 residents, according to newly released U.S. Census Bureau data tracking population shifts across American counties.
Ocean County emerged as the clear winner in population growth, welcoming 5.58% more residents over the five-year period. That makes it not just the fastest-growing county in New Jersey, but positions it among the state's most desirable destinations for newcomers and longtime residents alike.
Eight other counties saw particularly strong growth, each adding more than 3% to their populations. Union County grew by 4.95%, while Burlington County increased by 4.28% and Essex County added 4.24%. Somerset, Mercer, and Gloucester counties each grew by roughly 3.3%, with Warren and Morris counties rounding out the list of high-growth areas.
The picture wasn't uniformly rosy across the Garden State, however. Cape May County stands alone as New Jersey's only shrinking county, losing 0.75% of its population between July 2024 and July 2025. This continues a troubling trend for the southernmost Shore county, which has shed 1.73% of its residents since 2020.
Most other New Jersey counties experienced modest but steady growth, with increases of less than 1.49% in the most recent year measured.
Our state's growth mirrors trends across the region, though we're outpacing some neighbors. Connecticut matched New Jersey's growth rate at 3.04%, while Delaware surged ahead with a 6.86% increase. Pennsylvania saw more modest gains at 0.49%. New York, meanwhile, bucked the regional trend entirely, losing 0.6% of its population.
The exodus from New York City has been particularly pronounced. Manhattan's population dropped 1.3%, Brooklyn fell 2.5%, Queens declined 1.1%, and the Bronx saw the steepest loss at 3.8%. Only Staten Island grew, adding 1.25% to its population—perhaps benefiting from its proximity to New Jersey.
While New Jersey is holding its own, the Census data reveals that the nation's fastest growth is happening elsewhere. Nine of the ten fastest-growing counties with populations over 20,000 are located in the Southeast, particularly in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia.
Still, the numbers suggest that our community remains an attractive place to live and work. From the Shore communities drawing new residents to the suburban counties seeing steady growth, New Jersey continues to evolve while maintaining the character that makes it home for nearly 9.6 million people.
