Residents: New Jerseyite, New Jerseyan

Present constitution adopted: 1947

Entered Union (rank): Dec. 18, 1787 (3)

Population (1999 est.): 8,143,412
White: 6,130,465 (79.3%);
Black: 1,036,825 (13.4%)
American Indian: 14,970 (0.2%)
Asian: 272,521 (3.5%)
Hispanic: 739,861 (9.6%).
Other race: 275,407 (3.6%)

Area: 7,419 sq mi. (19,215 sq km)

State parks: 35 (67,111 ac.)

Of the total land area, 36% is forested (1992). In 1995 there were about 9,000 farms, with over 850,000 acres under harvest. The state ranks high in the production of almost all garden vegetables. Tomatoes, asparagus, corn, and blueberries are important crops, and poultry and dairy farming make significant contributions to the state's economy.

Tourism is the second-largest industry in New Jersey. The state has numerous resort areas on 127 miles of Atlantic coastline.