According to the U.S. 2020 Census, the New Jersey population has grown to 9,288,994 residents, up nearly 6% from 8,791,894 in 2010. These numbers are eye-opening, but they are even more impressive when looking at the growth patterns of the Jewish neighborhoods across New Jersey.
The growth has largely been driven by outflow from neighboring New York State both increasing demand on available inventory and on homes that are available for cash home buyers to purchase.
According to data from the United States Census Bureau, the 20 cities in New Jersey with the largest Jewish populations are:
- Teaneck – 15,567
- Passaic – 11,858
- Lakewood – 11,362
- Cherry Hill – 9,049
- West Orange – 8,287
- Edison – 7,959
- East Brunswick – 7,334
- Monroe – 6,779
- Tenafly – 6,475
- Jackson – 6,443
- Brick – 6,237
- Parsippany-Troy Hills – 5,872
- Fort Lee – 5,828
- East Windsor – 5,717
- Middletown – 5,376
- Livingston – 5,369
- Toms River – 5,213
- Manalapan – 4,867
- North Brunswick – 4,863
- Randolph – 4,856
Note: These numbers reflect the total number of people who identified as Jewish in the 2017 American Community Survey. The population of each city may have changed since then.
If we rank the county-specific data, from highest to lowest:
Jewish Population in Ocean County, NJ
Ocean County, which includes Lakewood, Toms River, & Jackson, has seen a population explosion of approximately 10.5% over the prior ten years. experienced a population growth of 10.5% since 2010, making it the second-fastest-growing county in the state following Hudson County.
The significant growth in Lakewood’s population is a key factor in this statistic. Meanwhile, Toms River and Jackson, which have gained popularity among young Jewish families as Lakewood becomes more densely populated, have experienced a much more modest growth rate of just 4.6%, which is one-tenth of Lakewood’s remarkable 46% expansion.
Jewish Population in Essex County, NJ
Essex County is a close contender after Ocean County, recording an impressive 10.2% population growth since 2010. Within Essex County, both Livingston and West Orange, where thriving Orthodox communities reside, have undergone substantial expansion, boasting a 6.7% and 5.7% increase in population, respectively.
Jewish Population in Union County, NJ
Union County, which encompasses the vibrant Jewish community of Elizabeth, has also witnessed population growth, with a 7.3% overall increase since 2010. Elizabeth itself has grown from 124,969 residents to 137,298 residents, marking a remarkable nearly 10% population expansion.
Jewish Population in Middlesex County, NJ
Middlesex County, which encompasses the neighboring Jewish neighborhoods of Edison and Highland Park, has experienced a notable 6.6% increase in its overall population since 2010. Interestingly, the Jewish communities within this county have surpassed the average growth rate, with Edison witnessing a population surge of 7.6%, and Highland Park showing an even higher increase of 7.8%.
Jewish Population in Bergen County, NJ
According to the Census Bureau, it falls right around the average, with an overall increase of 5.6% since 2010. Englewood emerges as the leading Jewish community in terms of expansion, boasting a significant 7.9% population growth rate. Following closely behind is Fair Lawn, with a commendable growth rate of 7.6%. Bergenfield has also seen growth, though at a slightly lower rate of 5.8%. Meanwhile, Teaneck lags behind with a 3.7% increase in population, marking one of the slower growth rates within the county.
Jewish Population in Passaic County, NJ
Passaic County has exhibited a slower growth rate than Bergen County, with an overall population increase of 4.5% since 2010. Within Passaic County, Passaic itself saw a notably sluggish growth rate of just 1.1%. In contrast, its neighboring township of Clifton experienced a substantial increase of 7.3%, surpassing the county average by a significant margin. Nevertheless, Passaic County was not the slowest-growing area within the Jewish community.
Jewish Population in Monmouth County, NJ
According to the Census Bureau, Monmouth County’s growth was even more modest, at only 2.1% since 2010, and the Jewish community of Deal saw a slightly lower population increase of 1.4%, falling just below that average.