Ten Misconceptions About New Jersey

✅ Reality: NJ has more state and national parks per square mile than most states, and a wide range of natural beauty.
📊 Evidence: Over 1 million acres of public open space including the Pine Barrens, Delaware Water Gap, and over 130 miles of coastline.

✅ Reality: Most New Jerseyans don’t have strong accents, and even those who do vary widely by region (North, Central, South NJ).
📊 Evidence: Linguistic studies show NJ has at least 3 dialect zones, and "Jersey Shore" was filmed with out-of-staters.

✅ Reality: It’s state law, not inability. NJ is one of the last states to mandate full-service gas stations.
📊 Evidence: NJ law since 1949, originally intended for safety and job preservation.

And, we do just fine when we travel out of state...

✅ Reality: NJ has its own urban hubs (Newark, Jersey City, Trenton), industries, and distinct culture.
📊 Evidence: NJ is the 11th-largest economy in the U.S. with major ports, biotech, and finance sectors.

✅ Reality: NJ has dozens of destinations like Cape May, Asbury Park, Princeton, Liberty Science Center, and more.
📊 Evidence: NJ’s tourism industry spans beaches, skiing, hiking, historic towns, and world-class universities.

This may have to be its own list...

✅ Reality: While it's the most densely populated, it also has vast rural areas, open space, and top-tier suburbs.
📊 Evidence: Over 40% of NJ is forested; towns like Chester, Montgomery, and Allentown are peaceful and rural.

Mahlon Dickinson Reservation, basically around the corner from me, is over 3,500 acres with 27 miles of multi-use trails, camping, and outdoor recreation options. Just one of many. South Jersey folks have the Pine Barrens, 1.1 million acres of protected space.

✅ Reality: While it’s had scandals, NJ consistently ranks high in education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
📊 Evidence: Ranked #1 in public school systems (WalletHub 2023), top-tier hospitals, and roads among best maintained in the region.

Don't know how one relates to the other... I'd say from observation this one is fairly true.

✅ Reality: Central Jersey exists, both culturally and geographically, with unique identity.
📊 Evidence: Officially acknowledged by Visit NJ in 2023 and backed by demographic/economic distinctions.

Grew up and spent 39 years there... it exists!

✅ Reality: New Jerseyans are direct, not rude. They’re often helpful and community-oriented, just not sugarcoated.
📊 Evidence: High volunteering rates, disaster response (e.g. Sandy), and community cohesion.

Yep.

✅ Reality: The Shore is family-friendly, historically rich, and environmentally significant.
📊 Evidence: Cape May is a National Historic Landmark, and NJ has protected dunes and marine habitats.

Ocean City has a total alcohol prohibition. Wildwood Crest, Cape May Point and Ocean Grove prohibit alcohol sales. Ocean Grove prohibits public consumption & sales.