In 2016, 23,000 brand-new residential construction permits were issued by the State of New Jersey. Jersey City holds nearly 14% of those permits with 2,815 issued for multi-family projects and 359 issued for one and two-family projects, totaling 3,174 developments.
Not only does Jersey City top the list of the 20 New Jersey towns undergoing the most development, but it does so by a lot. Town number 2–Lakewood in Ocean County–was issued 710 permits in 2016 which is just over 3% of the statewide total.
In Jersey City, 37,000 units have been proposed and 9,000 units are underway and the building boom is spreading to all parts of the city beyond Downtown and Journal Square. Also, a look at the list beyond the number one spot makes it clear that proximity to New York City is key to attracting new development.
Of the 21 counties in New Jersey, only 10 are represented on the list and comprise the north, central, and coastal parts of the state. Hudson and Bergen Counties appear on the list 5 times and 3 times respectively, and Middlesex County in Central New Jersey, easily commutable to New York City, ties with Bergen County with 3 towns listed.
Interestingly, Ocean County which is slightly farther from the City but idyllically close to the coast, also ties with Bergen County and Middlesex County with 3 mentions. Essex, Union, Morris, Somerset, Monmouth, and Atlantic Counties round out the list with one mention each.
Beyond Jersey City, if you want sweeping New York City views from Cliffside Park (#15), an easy commute via PATH Train from Harrison (#8), or a straight shot on New Jersey Transit to Penn Station from Elizabeth (#3), Secaucus (#5), or Woodbridge (#11), new construction is keeping pace.
