State Symbols of New Jersey

Last updated on January 22nd, 2023 by Editorial Staff

New Jersey is a constituent state of the United States of America. It is located in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. George Carteret, who landed in this area after receiving it in a grant from the Duke of York, officially named the land New Jersey after the English Channel Island of Jersey. The official nickname of New Jersey is The Garden State, given by Abraham Browning of Camden, a well-known New Jersey politician, during a speech on New Jersey Day, August 24, at the Philadelphia Centennial celebration.

The area was inhabited by Delaware Indian groups before European colonization. Giovanni da Verrazzano, an Italian explorer, was the first European to arrive in the region in 1524. The first European colonies in the state were established by Dutch and Swedish settlers before England took over the area in 1664. New Jersey was one of the Thirteen Colonies that fought against Great Britain. The state hosted many significant battles throughout the American Revolutionary War, including one led by General George Washington in 1776. During the American Civil War, the state remained part of the Union. On December 18, 1787, it became the 3rd state to ratify the United States Constitution.

The state of New York borders it on the north and east, the Atlantic Ocean on the east, southeast, and south, the Delaware River and Pennsylvania on the west, and Delaware Bay and the state of Delaware on the southwest.

The primary colors of the New Jersey state flag are buff and Jersey blue. The state recognized the same colors as the state’s official colors.

New Jersey is the fifth smallest state in terms of land area, with 8,723 sq mi (22,591 sq km). According to the United States Census 2020, the state has a total population of 9,288,994. The state ranks eleventh in terms of population and first in terms of population density.

Trenton serves as the state capital of New Jersey, while Newark is the most populated city in the state.

The fun fact is that the early light bulbs, phonographs, and laboratory equipment of inventor Thomas Edison are on display at the Menlo Park Museum in the same town where Edison worked.

Significant sectors of its economy at the beginning of the 21st century included biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, specialized agriculture, and information technology. As of 2019, New Jersey is one of the wealthiest states in the country, having the third-highest median household income. 

In addition to its significant role in seafood production, New Jersey has lots of granite, sand, and gravel for mining.

In 1935, New Jersey declared the Eastern goldfinch its official state bird, and in 1977, the horse was designated as New Jersey’s official state animal.

The official state motto of New Jersey is “Liberty and Prosperity”. The motto also appears on the state seal and the state flag.

The state has no official language. The majority of people in New Jersey speak English, which is followed by Spanish.

State Information

Official Language No official language
State Rank 47
Demonym(s) New Jerseyan (official), New Jerseyite
Nickname The Garden State
ISO US-NJ
Formation Date December 18, 1787
Coordinates Lat: 38°56′ N to 41°21′ N, Long: 73°54′ W to 75°34′ W
Area

State seal

Motto of New Jersey

"Liberty and prosperity"

State symbols of New Jersey 👇

State location

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State Flag of New Jersey