New Jersey Fast Facts:
Location, Location, Location…: The state of New Jersey is located in the mid-atlantic region of the U.S.
Cities: The capital of New Jersey is Trenton, but its largest city is Newark.
Behind the Name: The state is nicknamed the “Garden State” in reference to a historic comparison of New Jersey to an immense barrel filled with good things to eat and open at both ends, with Pennsylvania grabbing from one and New York from the other.
A Closer Look: New Jersey was the third state to ratify the Constitution in 1787 and it was the first state to ratify the Bill of Rights in 1789.
Did You Know? The state lies mainly within the metropolitan areas of New York and Philadelphia, resulting in it being the most densely populated state in the country.
New Jersey Careers and Employment:
Population: 8,682,661 (3.2% increase since 2000) - 51.1% Female, 48.9% Male (2008 U.S. Census Bureau).
Business Environment: Ranked 34th in Forbes Magazine’s “Best States for Business,” 2008.
Top Industries: In terms of paid employees, according to a 2008 U.S. Census Bureau study: (1) retail trade; (2) health care and social assistance; (3) manufacturing; (4) administrative and support and waste management and remediation services; and (5) professional, scientific and technical services.
Taxes: Income Tax, 1.4% to 8.97% and Sales Tax, 7% (Federation of Tax Administrators).
Cost of Living: 129.4 in relation to the “National Average” of 100 (Federal Cost of Living Index).
Quality of Life: Ranked 9th of 50 states by CNBC, 2009.
Weather: Average Temperature (In °F) – Jan: 30.62; Apr: 50.44; July: 74.47; Oct: 54.13 (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).
K-12: Ranked 5th in of 50 states in “Academic Achievement” by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 2009.
New Jersey Economics:
In General: Important contributors to the New Jersey’s economy include manufacturing, the insurance industry, communications and tourism.
Service Industry: A great majority of state residents are employed in the service industry, primarily in the finance and insurance sector.
Agriculture: The most valuable livestock raised in New Jersey are horses. The most important source of agricultural income in New Jersey is the greenhouse and nursery products sector. New Jersey is a leading producer of blueberries and cranberries, along with asparagus, bell peppers, lettuce and spinach.
Manufacturing: New Jersey serves as home to some of the nation’s leading pharmaceutical companies, as the state is a national leader in chemical production.
Mining: The state’s most important mined products are crushed stone (traprock, granite) and sand and gravel.
Did You Know? You can ‘thank’ New Jersey: New Jersey grows roses, chrysanthemums, geraniums, lilies, orchids and poinsettias for urban markets across the country (helping men everywhere ‘survive’ Valentine’s Day each year).
New Jersey Education:
Find Colleges and Universities in New Jersey, here.
Sources: In addition to specific citations noted in this “Career Information” section, supplementary source materials include: the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service; Netstate.com; Education-Portal.com; USCollegeSearch.org; and Wikipedia.com.
