New Jersey is a state which is located within both the Northeastern and the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. In terms of area, New Jersey is the fifth smallest state among the 50 U.S. states. It covers a total area of 8,722 square miles ( 22,591 sq. km) with a land area of 7,354 square miles and 1,368 square miles of water area. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of approximately 9,288,994 residents, making New Jersey the 11th most populous in the United States. Trenton is the capital and Newark is the largest city in the U.S. State of New Jersey.

               The Northeastern U.S. state, New Jersey was admitted to the union as the 3rd state on 18th March, 1787. New Jersey is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east, New York to the North and Northeast, Delaware to the southwest, and Pennsylvania to the west. The U.S. state of New Jersey was divided into 21 counties.  Bergen County is the most populous and Salem is the least populous county. According to the area, Burlington County is the largest county among 21 counties in New Jersey. Each county is authorized by the New Jersey Constitution to make and enforce local governance that does not conflict with general laws. The county is a local level of governance between the municipalities and the state. The county government includes a board of county commissioners, County executives, and all other elected officials.        

                  Even Though the smallest state among U.S. states, New Jersey has a diverse geography, including coastal areas along the Atlantic Ocean as well as highly populated metropolitan areas. The smallest state, New Jersey, is often referred to as the “ Garden State”  due to its fertile lands and agricultural production. It played a crucial role in American history, particularly in the Revolutionary War. It is a dynamic state with a mix of urban and suburban areas with a robust economy & a rich cultural heritage.  The U.S. state of New Jersey is world famous for boardwalk beaches and Atlantic casinos and it is known for the Newark Museum of Art, Grounds for sculpture, and Iconic Statue of Liberty, which draws 27 million tourists every year.      

      Here we are going to discuss the 21 counties of the U.S. state of New Jersey & some Interesting facts about each county. The 21 counties of New Jersey along with their area & population listed below.                                  

21 Counties of New Jersey

Atlantic County

              Atlantic County is situated along the Jersey shore of the U.S. state, New Jersey. It has an area of 671.84 square miles (1,740 sq. km). According to the 2020 census, the county is the 15th most populous with a population of 274,534. The county is named after the Atlantic Ocean, which borders the eastern coast. Mays Landing is the county seat of Atlantic County, New Jersey. Egg Harbor Township has most of the county’s population and also it has Hammonton town, which is a metropolitan area referred to as the “Blueberry Capital of the world”. The county is known for Atlantic City casinos, which draw millions of visitors. The tourism industry is the major source of the county’s employment and supports the county’s local economy.  

Bergen County

     Bergen County is located in the northeastern region of the U.S. state of New Jersey. It is the most populous county among the 21 counties of New Jersey, with a population of 955,732 residents. It has an area of 246 square miles (638 sq. km). The county is situated in the Gateway region, which is the most populous and is a part of Greater New York. Hackensack is the County seat and also the most populous city. Bergen County has suburban areas and also has a mix of Commercial, residential, and industrial areas. The county is known for several recreational areas and numerous parks. It has a diverse economy with industries, including finance, health care, and technology.  

Burlington County

          Burlington County is located in the southern Jersey region of the U.S. state of New Jersey. Geographically, it is the largest county in the state, with 827 square miles. According to the 2020 census, it is the 11th most populous county, with a population of 461,860. Mount Holly is the county seat of Burlington County, U.S. state. The county is known for its agricultural productions, and cranberry and blueberry industries, due to the support of the Delaware River, which bordered west to the county. It is one of the leading agricultural counties in the United States. The county has a rich history and is home to numerous parks including, Rancocas State Park, Wharton State Park, and Historic Smithville Park.  

Camden County

      Camden County is located in the South Jersey region of the U.S. state of New Jersey. It is bordered by the Northwest of Philadelphia, which is the most populous metropolitan area in the U.S. According to the 2020 census, it is the ninth most populous county in the state, with a population of 5,23,485 residents. It has an area of  227 square miles. Camden is the county seat of Camden County and Cherry Hill is the most populous city in the county.

Cape May County

                    Cape May County is located in the southernmost region of the U.S. state of New Jersey, It is known for its coastal locations along the Atlantic Ocean. The county is bordered by the west to the Delaware Bay and east and south to the Atlantic Ocean. Cape May County is subdivided into Lower, Middle, and Upper Townships. Most Of the county is situated on the Cape May peninsula. According to the 2020 census, the county is the second least populous in the U.S. state of New Jersey, after Salem County, with a population of 95,263 residents. It has an area of 620 square miles ( 1,606 sq. km). Cape May Court House is the county seat of Cape May County. The county is known for its oldest seaside resorts, Nature Preserves, beaches, and Victorian architecture and is home to water parks and Hereford Inlet Lighthouse. These attract tourists from New Jersey and the surrounding U.S. states. Tourism is the largest industry in the county, it plays a major part of the county’s local economy.

Cumberland County 

         Cumberland County is situated on the Delaware Valley in the southern Jersey Shore region of the U.S. state of New Jersey. According to the 2020 census, the county is the 16th most populous county of the state, with a population of 154,152 residents. It has a total area of 677 square miles (1,755 sq. km). The county seat of Cumberland County is Bridgeton. Agriculture plays a significant role in the county’s local economy. Port Norris, a township in the County is known as the “Oyster Capital of the World” due to being one of the four oyster-producing states.   

Essex County

            Essex County is located in the Northeastern region of the U.S. state of New Jersey. The county is one of the centrally located counties in Greater New York. As of the 2020 census, it was the second most populous county among the 21 counties of the U.S. state, New Jersey, with a population of 849,447 residents. It has an area of 129 square miles (335 sq. km). The county is part of the North Jersey region of the state. Newark is the county seat and also the most populous city in New Jersey.  

Gloucester County

             Gloucester County is a county situated in the southwestern part of the U.S.state of New Jersey. It is a part of the Delaware valley and South Jersey region of New Jersey. The county is the 14th most populous county among the 21 counties of the U.S. state New Jersey, with a population of 302,294  residents. It has an area of 336 square miles (872 sq. km). Woodbury is the county seat of Gloucester County. The county played a key role during the American Revolutionary War. Agriculture and manufacturing sectors support the county’s local economy.   

Hudson County

          Hudson County is a small county in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It is located on the west of the lower Hudson River and it is also a part of the Gateway region of New Jersey. According to the 2020 United States Census, the county has a population of 724,854 residents. The county has an area of 62 square miles (161 sq. km). Jersey City is the County seat of Hudson County, which is the largest and the most populated city in the county. The county is known as the ‘Gateway to New York’. The county is home to various historical landmarks including the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and Rockefeller Center, and also stunning views of the Manhattan skyline.  

Hunterdon County

            Hunterdon County is located in the western region of the U. S. state of New Jersey. It is a part of the Central Jersey region of the U.S. state of New Jersey. According to the 2020 United States Census, the county has a population of 128,947 residents. The county has an area of 437 square miles (1,114 sq. km). Flemington is the County seat of Hunterdon County. The county is known for its copper mining.

Mercer County

           Mercer County is a county in New Jersey, U.S. state. Mercer County is a part of the Central Jersey region of New Jersey. Trenton is the county seat and the Capital city of the state. Due to the presence of the Capital city, the county is also named ‘The Capital City’. According to the 2020 United States census, Mercer County is the 12th most populous county in the state, with a population of 387,340 residents. It has an area of 228 square miles (592 sq. km). Being the capital county, it has historical significance. The county is home to the New Jersey State Senate, which is the state government Office, and Numerous parks, historical landmarks, and recreational areas.

Middlesex County

          Middlesex County is situated in the north-central region of New Jersey, a U.S. state. It is one of the four original counties of East Jersey. According to the 2020 United States census, it is the 3rd most populous county of the state with a population of 863,162 residents. The county seat of Middlesex County is New Brunswick.

Monmouth County

          Monmouth County is part of the Jersey Shore region of  New Jersey, United States. According to the 2020 United States census, Monmouth County is the fifth most populous county in the U.S. state of New Jersey with a population of 643,615 residents. Freehold Borough is the county seat of Monmouth County. 

Morris County

        Morris County is a part of the North Jersey region of New Jersey, U.S. State. According to the 2020 United States census, the county was the 10th most populous county, having a population of 509,285 residents. It has an area of 481 square miles. Morristown is the county seat of Morris County. 

Ocean County  

           Ocean County is located in the south-central region and is a part of the Jersey Shore of the U.S. state of New Jersey. The county is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east, due to the ocean borders the county derives its name. It is the 6th most populous county in the state, with a population of 637,229 residents, and also the state’s largest county. Toms River is the county seat of Ocean County.  

Passaic County

             Passaic County is a part of the North Jersey region of New Jersey, United States, and is also a part of the New York Metropolitan area. The country was the eighth-most populous county with 524,118 residents.  It has a total area of  198 square miles.  Paterson is the county seat of Passaic County.

Salem County     

            Salem County is located in the western most region of the U.S. state, New Jersey. The county is bordered by the Delaware River to the west. It is part of the South Jersey region of New Jersey, United States. As of the 2020 United States census, Salem County is the least populous county in the U.S. state, New Jersey with a population of 64,837 residents. Salem is the county seat.

Somerset County 

                 Somerset County is located in the North- central region of the U.S. state, New Jersey. It is part of the Central Jersey region of New Jersey. Somerville is the county seat of  Somerset County.             

Sussex County

                  Sussex County is located in the Northernmost region of the U.S. state, New Jersey. It is part of the North Jersey region of New Jersey. Newton is the county seat of  Sussex County.

Union County

               Union County is located in the northern region of New Jersey, United States. According to the 2020 census, it is the 7th most populous county, with a population of 575,345 in New Jersey. Elizabeth is the county seat.    

Warren County

            Warren county is a county in New Jersey, United states. It is a part of the North Jersey region. According to the 2020 census, the county has a population of 109,632 residents. Belvidere is the county seat of Warren County. It is home to numerous parks and more recreational areas.

Most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• How many counties does the U.S. state of New Jersey have?

The U.S. state of  New Jersey has 21 counties.

• What is the most populated county in the U.S. state of New Jersey?

Bergen County is the most populous & fastest-growing County in the U.S. state of  New Jersey.

• What is the least populated county in the U.S. state of New Jersey?

Salem County is the least populous county in the U.S. state of New Jersey.

•  What is the capital city of New Jersey?

 Trenton is the County Seat of Mercer County and the Capital city of the U.S. state of  New Jersey.