New Jersey Exodus Accelerates, Impacting South Jersey

Migration data reveals New Jersey's population decline, with South Jersey caught between major metro pressures and limited coastal gains.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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New data tracking nearly 15 million moves in 2025 shows New Jersey's population exodus is accelerating, with the state ranking 7th nationally for net out-migration. South Jersey sits at the center of this shift, caught between losses in major metro areas like Philadelphia and modest gains in smaller coastal communities.

Why it matters

These population changes could significantly impact housing demand, job growth, and municipal planning across South Jersey in the years ahead, as the region navigates the effects of New Jersey's broader demographic shifts.

The details

According to the 2025 migration data, New Jersey lost 17.6 residents per 10,000 people, making it one of the fastest-shrinking states. The Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington metro area, which includes much of western South Jersey, recorded a net loss of 8 residents per 10,000. Further north, losses were even steeper, with the New York-Newark-Jersey City metro down 22 per 10,000 and the Trenton-Princeton area down 12 per 10,000. The one exception was the Atlantic City-Hammonton metro, which posted light gains of 8 residents per 10,000, suggesting smaller coastal communities may be absorbing some of the spillover from larger metros.

  • The migration data tracked 14,977,223 verified adult relocations from January through December 2025.
  • New Jersey ranked #7 nationally for net out-migration per capita in 2025.

The players

New Jersey

The state of New Jersey, which is experiencing a population exodus according to the new migration data.

Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington metro area

The metro region that includes much of western South Jersey, which recorded a net loss of 8 residents per 10,000 in 2025.

New York–Newark–Jersey City metro area

The metro region that recorded a net loss of 22 residents per 10,000 in 2025.

Trenton–Princeton metro area

The metro region that recorded a net loss of 12 residents per 10,000 in 2025.

Atlantic City–Hammonton metro area

The metro region that posted light gains of 8 residents per 10,000 in 2025, suggesting smaller coastal communities may be absorbing some of the spillover from larger metros.

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The takeaway

This data points to a clear pattern: New Jersey's population losses are being driven by urban and commuter regions, with only small pockets of relief in coastal South Jersey. These shifts could significantly shape housing demand, job growth, and municipal planning in the years ahead across the region.