New Jersey Cities by Population 2026

New Jersey’s local governance is highly structured, featuring 21 counties and over 500 municipalities, including cities, towns, boroughs, and townships. Despite its small geographical size, New Jersey’s layered system allows for precise local control, with varying structures based on population and historical factors.

Counties like Bergen County, Essex County, and Camden County offer regional services, particularly in densely populated areas, where they manage functions like county-wide law enforcement, social services, and public health. Counties in New Jersey hold substantial responsibility, working alongside municipalities to provide essential services and support.

The largest city, Newark, operates under a mayor-council system, with a strong executive mayor who oversees departments such as public safety, health, and housing. The Newark City Council handles legislative responsibilities, allowing the city to administer a range of services independently. This structure gives Newark the authority to implement policies and manage large-scale urban issues.

Smaller municipalities, such as Princeton and Hoboken, often use different forms of government depending on size and preference. Many employ a council-manager system, where an elected council provides policy guidance, and a professional manager handles administrative tasks. This setup ensures professional governance in smaller urban centers, promoting efficient service delivery.

Townships and boroughs in New Jersey follow unique governance structures, reflecting the state’s historic township organization. Townships, such as Montclair and Cherry Hill, often function like small cities, managing local services like zoning, public safety, and education with councils and boards that have legislative authority.

New Jersey’s unincorporated areas are typically located within county boundaries, where counties offer specific services to rural populations, including infrastructure maintenance, regional parks, and emergency response. These services support communities that are too small to incorporate but still require governance.

Regional planning boards and councils in New Jersey promote cooperation between counties and municipalities, coordinating on transportation, environmental conservation, and economic development initiatives to address the needs of densely populated and highly interconnected communities.