New Jersey's Population Exodus Accelerates, Hitting South Jersey Hard

Migration data shows the Garden State ranking 7th nationally for net out-migration, with South Jersey at the center of the shift.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

New migration data reveals that New Jersey's population exodus is accelerating, not slowing down. The state ranked #7 nationally for net out-migration per capita in 2025, losing 16,283 more residents than it gained. South Jersey sits right at the center of this shift, caught between outside pressure from major metro regions and only limited gains along the coast.

Why it matters

These population shifts could have significant impacts on housing demand, job growth, and municipal planning in South Jersey communities in the years ahead.

The details

According to the data, the Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington metro area, which includes much of the western part of South Jersey, recorded a net loss of 8 residents per 10,000 people in 2025. The losses were even steeper in the New York–Newark–Jersey City and Trenton–Princeton metro areas. The only exception was the Atlantic City–Hammonton metro area, which posted light gains of 8 residents per 10,000, suggesting that smaller coastal communities may be absorbing some of the spillover from larger metros.

  • The migration data is based on 14,977,223 verified adult relocations from January through December 2025.

The players

New Jersey

The state ranked #7 nationally for net out-migration per capita in 2025, losing 16,283 more residents than it gained.

Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington metro area

The metro area, which includes much of the western part of South Jersey, recorded a net loss of 8 residents per 10,000 people in 2025.

New York–Newark–Jersey City metro area

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

Trenton–Princeton metro area

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

Atlantic City–Hammonton metro area

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

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

These population shifts in New Jersey, with South Jersey at the center, could have significant implications for housing, jobs, and municipal planning in the years ahead as the state continues to experience an accelerating exodus of residents.