African Americans in New Jersey

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African Americans in New Jersey
Total population
1,519,770
Regions with significant populations
North Jersey:

Central Jersey:

South Jersey:

Jersey Shore:

African American New Jerseyans are residents of the U.S. state of New Jersey who are of African American ancestry. As of the 2020 census, African Americans comprise approximately 15.4% of the state's population. The historical presence of African Americans in New Jersey can be traced back to the colonial era, during which enslaved Africans were transported to the state by Dutch and English settlers.[1][2][3][4][5]

History

The first European to encounter New Jersey was himself African, described at the time as mulatto. In 1525, while looking for the mythical Northwest Passage, Esteban Gomez, a Portuguese explorer for the Holy Roman Empire, sailed the Hudson River.[6] In 1613, Jan Rodrigues, a Black man who sailed as a linguist for the Dutch, landed at Manhattan and learned the Lenape language, took a Native American wife, and decided to stay to live with and trade amongst the Munsee Lenape.[7] Because the Lenape territory and the early Dutch fur trading networks spanned the broader Hudson River estuary, it is almost certain his travels and trading expeditions took him into the surrounding areas, including modern-day northeastern New Jersey, though no evidence has been found.[8]

The arrival of the first African Americans in New Jersey can be traced back to the 17th century when Dutch settlers brought enslaved Africans to the region.[9][10]

During the American Revolution, New Jersey became a battleground in the fight against British rule, with many joining the Continental Army and fighting for their own freedom. Notable figures such as Oliver Cromwell, an African American soldier, made significant contributions to the cause.[11]

The early 19th century witnessed a gradual shift in the status of African Americans in New Jersey. The state passed laws that gradually abolished slavery, leading to the emancipation of enslaved individuals. However, racial discrimination and segregation persisted, limiting the opportunities available to African Americans.

The late 19th and early 20th centuries marked a period of significant migration for African Americans in New Jersey. Many individuals moved from the rural South to urban areas such as Newark and Camden in search of better economic prospects. This influx of African Americans contributed to the growth of vibrant communities and cultural institutions.

Notable figures such as Paul Robeson, a renowned actor, singer, and civil rights activist, emerged from the state, leaving a lasting impact on American culture.

Population

In the 2020 Census, 1,219,770 New Jersey residents were identified as African American (of the total 9,288,994).[12] In two of the state's 21 counties, African Americans make up more than 20% of the population: Essex (38.8%) and Union (20.4%). African Americans in the seven counties of Essex (335,047), Union (117,306), Camden (101,109), Middlesex (84,360), Hudson (79,498), Burlington (77,749), and Mercer (74,993) make up more than 71% of all African Americans in the state.[13]

In northern New Jersey, the African American population is predominantly located in urban areas, specifically in the cities of Newark, Orange, East Orange, and Irvington and adjacent area of Essex County and Union County. Jersey City and Paterson are also home to significant African populations. In Bergen County, Engelwood, Teaneck and Hackensack have populations that are approximately 20% Black.[14]

In Central Jersey, Trenton, Piscataway, Neptune, Long Branch and Asbury Park are home to significant African Americans populations.[15][16]

South Jersey has a substantial African American population, primarily concentrated in Camden County, notably in Camden Willingboro, and Lawnside. Atlantic City has long had a concentration of African Americans. Salem has an African American population of over 50%.

Notable people

Politics

  • Cory Booker - Politician who served as the mayor of Newark from 2006 to 2013 and later became a United States Senator from New Jersey. Booker has been a vocal advocate for criminal justice reform and has championed various social issues.

Arts and entertainment

  • Queen Latifah - An actress, singer, and rapper who has garnered critical acclaim for her versatile performances. She has received numerous accolades, including a Grammy Award and an Academy Award nomination.
  • Lauryn Hill - A singer, songwriter, and rapper known for her soulful voice and thought-provoking lyrics. Hill achieved great success as a member of the hip-hop group Fugees and later as a solo artist.
  • Paul Robeson - Entertainment industry figure, Robeson was a singer, actor, and civil rights activist. He gained international recognition for his powerful bass-baritone voice and his unwavering commitment to fighting racial injustice.

Sports

  • Shaquille O'Neal - Basketball player who dominated the NBA for nearly two decades. O'Neal won multiple championships and earned numerous accolades, including being named an NBA Most Valuable Player.
  • Carl Lewis - A track and field athlete who is widely regarded as one of the greatest Olympians of all time. Lewis won nine Olympic gold medals and set multiple world records during his illustrious career.
  • Althea Gibson - Tennis player who became the first African American to win a Grand Slam title. Gibson's achievements paved the way for future generations of black athletes in the sport.

See also

References

  1. "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: New Jersey". www.census.gov. Archived from the original on 2023-08-11. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  2. "Afro-Americans in New Jersey" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2023-05-26. Retrieved 2023-09-22.
  3. "The Black Freedom Struggle in Northern New Jersey, 1613-1860: A Review of the Literature". Archived from the original on 2023-06-22. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  4. Baer, Andrea. "Research Guides: African American Contributions to the History of New Jersey: Some New Jerseyans of Note". libguides.rowan.edu. Archived from the original on 2023-06-11. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  5. "Afro-Americans in New Jersey: a short history". New Jersey State Library. Archived from the original on 2023-09-26. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  6. Hodges, Russel Graham (1999). Root and Branch: African Americans in New York and East Jersey, 1613-1863. Chapel Hill, North Carolina: University of North Carolina Press.
  7. "Jan Rodrigues". Peoples of the Historical Slave Trade. Retrieved Jun 6, 2026.
  8. "The Black Freedom Struggle in Northern New Jersey, 1613-1860: A Review of the Literature" (PDF). Peoples of the Historical Slave Trade. Retrieved Jun 6, 2026.
  9. "Scarlet and Black". Rutgers University Press. Archived from the original on 2022-12-04. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  10. Hodges, Russel Graham (1999). Root and Branch: African Americans in New York and East Jersey, 1613-1863. Chapel Hill, North Carolina: University of North Carolina Press.
  11. "Unit 4 Blacks in the Revolutionary Era, 1776-1789". New Jersey State Library. Archived from the original on 2023-06-09. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  12. This figure refers to those who report African American and no other race.
  13. "RACE". Decennial Census, DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171), Table P1. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2026-01-03.
  14. "Cities in Bergen County, NJ ranked by Black Population". Neilsberg. Retrieved 2026-03-13.
  15. "Cities in Middlesex County, NJ ranked by Black Population". Neilsberg. Retrieved 2026-03-13.
  16. "Cities in Mercer County, NJ ranked by Multi-Racial Black Population". Neilsberg. Retrieved 2026-03-13.