Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
App.com | Asbury Park Press
These 15 NJ towns have lost the most residents since 2020, Census data shows
By Juan Carlos Castillo, Asbury Park Press,
5 days ago
New Jersey's overall population rose slightly from 2020 to 2023, according to recently released U.S. Census data, and Ocean County led the way. But some towns saw steady declines during the period .
Eight towns saw more than a 5% decrease between July 2020 and July 2023, the latest estimate to be released by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Maurice River in Cumberland County had the biggest decrease, losing 17.4% of the 6,196 residents it had in 2020. And the declining pattern is not new for this South Jersey township, which has lost over a third of its population since 2010, according to the Census.
After Maurice River, Highlands Borough in Monmouth County and Ewing Township in Mercer County are next on the list, with population decreases of 6.7% and 6.2%, respectively.
Hudson County saw the most residents leaving, with a population decrease of 2.3%. Eight out of the top 15 dwindling towns, including Union City, North Bergen, Kearny and Hoboken, are part of Hudson County. It's not clear if the pandemic had a role in the decline of towns or cities.
Ocean County saw the largest increase, growing 3.2% between 2020 and 2023. Overall, the Garden State's population increased 0.2% from 2020 and 2023.
NJ towns that have lost the most residents since 2020
Municipality
July 2020 pop.
July 2023 pop.
Percentage decrease
Maurice River, Cumberland County
6,196
5,117
17.4%
Ewing, Mercer County
37,239
34,753
6.7%
Highlands Borough, Monmouth County
4,614
4,329
6.2%
Andover, Sussex County
5,996
5,635
6.0%
Kearny, Hudson County
41,706
39,370
5.6%
North Bergen, Hudson County
62,916
59,394
5.6%
Union City, Hudson County
68,138
64,462
5.4%
East Newark, Hudson County
2,563
2,428
5.3%
Hoboken, Hudson County
59,909
57,010
4.8%
Guttenberg Town, Hudson County
11,930
11,365
4.7%
Secaucus, Hudson County
22,037
21,005
4.7%
Lawrence, Mercer County
33,047
31,771
3.9%
Wayne, Passaic County
54,639
52,764
3.4%
Fairfield, Cumberland County
5,529
5,340
3.4%
West New York, Hudson County
52,542
50,754
3.4%
Source: U.S. Census Population Estimate Programs
NJ towns that have lost the most residents since 2010
Municipality
Census 2010
July 2023 pop.
Percentage decrease (10-23)
Walpack Township, Sussex County
16
6
62.5%
Maurice River Township, Cumberland County
7,976
5,117
35.8%
Rockleigh, Bergen County
531
405
23.7%
Cape May, Cape May County
3,607
2,757
23.6%
West Amwell Township, Hunterdon County
3,840
3,020
21.4%
Brigantine, Atlantic County
9,450
7,602
19.6%
Margate, Atlantic County
6,354
5,162
18.8%
Mannington Township, Salem County
1,806
1,468
18.7%
Fairfield Township, Cumberland County
6,295
5,340
15.2%
Shiloh, Cumberland County
516
443
14.1%
New Hanover Township, Burlington County
7,385
6,348
14.0%
Seaside Heights, Ocean County
2,887
2,486
13.9%
Woodbine, Cape May County
2,472
2,136
13.6%
Highlands, Monmouth County
5,005
4,329
13.5%
Ventnor City, Atlantic County
10,650
9,226
13.4%
Woodland Township, Burlington County
1,788
1,552
13.2%
Downe Township, Cumberland County
1,585
1,382
12.8%
North Wildwood, Cape May County
4,041
3,585
11.3%
Andover Township, Sussex County
6,319
5,635
10.8%
Commercial Township, Cumberland County
5,178
4,643
10.3%
West Wildwood, Cape May County
603
542
10.1%
Wrightstown, Burlington County
802
722
10.0%
Roosevelt, Monmouth County
882
799
9.4%
Union Beach, Monmouth County
6,245
5,671
9.2%
Avalon, Cape May County
1,334
1,218
8.7%
Stone Harbor, Cape May County
866
791
8.7%
Liberty Township, Warren County
2,942
2,688
8.6%
Beach Haven, Ocean County
1,170
1,069
8.6%
Bloomsbury, Hunterdon County
870
796
8.5%
Stockton, Hunterdon County
538
494
8.2%
Spring Lake, Monmouth County
2,993
2,751
8.1%
Camden, Camden County
77,344
71,100
8.1%
Stow Creek Township, Cumberland County
1,431
1,317
8.0%
Brooklawn, Camden County
1,955
1,813
7.3%
Source: U.S. Census Population Estimates Programs and 2010 Decennial Census
Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency:
Our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. As a platform hosting over 100,000 pieces of content published daily, we cannot pre-vet content, but we strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation.
Comments / 0