Highest Unemployment in New Jersey

Top 100 cities ranked by highest unemployment

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Composite rankings combining multiple weighted metrics, 5 topics across U.S. Census, FBI, NOAA and CDC data.

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All Countries  ·  United States  ·  New Jersey

Highest Unemployment - New Jersey

1 Ledgewood 17.3%
2 Camden 14.1%
3 Glendora 13.1%
4 Perth Amboy 12.8%
5 Paulsboro 12.7%
6 Atlantic City 12.6%
7 Burlington 12.5%
8 Keyport 11.8%
9 Passaic 11.3%
10 Crestwood Village 11.2%
11 Newark 10.9%
12 Pennsville 10.8%
13 Salem 10.6%
14 Trenton 10.5%
15 Lincoln Park 10.3%
16 East Orange 10.3%
17 Ridgefield Park 10.3%
18 Yardville 10.3%
19 Paterson 10.2%
20 Woodcliff Lake 10.2%
21 Laurence Harbor 10.0%
22 Mays Landing 10.0%
23 Ellisburg 9.9%
24 Westmont 9.8%
25 Somers Point 9.6%
26 Spotswood 9.6%
27 North Plainfield 9.6%
28 Kinnelon 9.4%
29 Plainfield 9.3%
30 Wildwood 9.2%
31 Villas 9.2%
32 Wallington 9.0%
33 Bargaintown 8.9%
34 South River 8.9%
35 Somerdale 8.8%
36 Carteret 8.8%
37 Pleasantville 8.8%
38 Glassboro 8.6%
39 Pine Hill 8.5%
40 Union City 8.5%
41 Vineland 8.5%
42 Holiday City-Berkeley 8.5%
43 Linden 8.5%
44 Rockaway 8.5%
45 Eatontown 8.4%
46 Browns Mills 8.3%
47 Neshanic Station 8.3%
48 Dayton 8.2%
49 Fairview 8.2%
50 Prospect Park 8.2%
51 Midland Park 8.0%
52 Bogota 8.0%
53 Newton 8.0%
54 Hammonton 8.0%
55 Watchung 8.0%
56 Paramus 8.0%
57 Hackettstown 7.9%
58 Upper Saddle River 7.9%
59 Millville 7.9%
60 West New York 7.8%
61 Roselle 7.7%
62 Ventnor City 7.7%
63 Carneys Point 7.7%
64 Phillipsburg 7.7%
65 Madison Park 7.6%
66 Little Ferry 7.5%
67 Lincroft 7.4%
68 Rahway 7.4%
69 Elmwood Park 7.4%
70 Woodbury 7.3%
71 Maywood 7.3%
72 Old Bridge 7.3%
73 Long Branch 7.2%
74 Linwood 7.2%
75 South Plainfield 7.2%
76 Belmar 7.2%
77 Freehold 7.1%
78 Kenilworth 7.1%
79 Pomona 7.1%
80 Atco 7.1%
81 Emerson 7.1%
82 Fort Dix 7.1%
83 Kendall Park 7.1%
84 Tenafly 7.0%
85 Tinton Falls 7.0%
86 Runnemede 7.0%
87 Clifton 7.0%
88 Sicklerville 6.9%
89 McKee City 6.9%
90 Elizabeth 6.9%
91 Madison 6.8%
92 Lakewood 6.8%
93 West Long Branch 6.7%
94 Collingswood 6.7%
95 Watsessing 6.7%
96 Clayton 6.6%
97 Florence 6.6%
98 Hasbrouck Heights 6.6%
99 Hackensack 6.5%
100 Guttenberg 6.5%

Cities with the highest unemployment rates in New Jersey face significant economic challenges. Ledgewood has an unemployment rate of 17.3%. These communities often struggle with limited job opportunities, industry decline, or seasonal employment patterns.

High unemployment can have cascading effects on a community, including reduced consumer spending, lower tax revenues, and increased demand for social services. Understanding the causes - whether structural, cyclical, or seasonal - is important for developing effective solutions.

Many cities with high unemployment are actively working to diversify their economies, attract new industries, and invest in workforce development programs to help residents gain skills for in-demand occupations.

Did You Know?

  • 1. In Ledgewood, about 1 in 6 workers is looking for a job.
  • 2. Seasonal economies (tourism, agriculture) can cause unemployment rates to fluctuate dramatically throughout the year.
  • 3. Many high-unemployment cities have seen improvement through targeted economic development and workforce training programs.

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