The one debate in New Jersey that’s as longstanding as pork roll vs. Taylor ham is where North vs. Central vs. South Jersey are. A new Monmouth University poll delved into the age-old question, attempting to settle some discrepancies amongst its residents.
According to the results released this month, comparing an initial poll from January 2008 with another one conducted in March 2024, the number of residents who call the part of the state where they live North Jersey went from 40 to 41 percent, the number of Central Jersey residents who identify themselves decreased from 35 to 34 percent, and South Jersey rates stayed the same at 23 percent. Two percent claimed they don’t know where they live.
The poll also asked respondents if they think their section of the state receives its fair share of state resources, and if not, which gets more. North Jersey was favored at 56 percent, compared to 17 percent Central, 19 percent South and 7 percent unknown.
“It’s the same old Garden State story. South Jersey feels left out and North Jersey doesn’t seem to mind,” said Patrick Murray, director of the independent Monmouth University Polling Institute.
Even though Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation last year stating Central Jersey does exist (finally!) some people in the middle part of the state still can’t agree. For example, according to the poll, some residents of the Somerset County towns of Bernardsville and Basking Ridge – which are next to Morris County – see themselves more in the northern part of the state. On the flip side, there are people living in the Morris County towns of Roxbury and Rockaway, or even from parts of Essex County from the Oranges to Maplewood – who cheer for Central Jersey.
The poll defines all of Union County as being in North Jersey, but about half of that county’s residents see themselves as living in Central Jersey. This area seems mostly to be along Route 27 and south of Route 28. This includes parts of Clark, Cranford, Garwood, Plainfield, Rahway, Roselle, Roselle Park, Scotch Plains, Union Twp., Westfield and Winfield.
And then, about one-half of Ocean County occupants– which the Monmouth poll defines as South Jersey – see themselves as Central Jerseyans. These residents generally live in parts of Jackson and Toms River that lie north of Route 571, and also include Brick and Lakewood, as well as the coastal towns of Bayhead, Lavallette, Mantoloking, Point Pleasant (Boro and Beach), Seaside Heights and Seaside Park.
“Now that there is official recognition Central Jersey exists, it seems everyone wants to live there. Or at least say they live there,” Murray said.
One other question asked in the poll was – not pork roll vs. Taylor ham – but Wawa vs. 7-Eleven vs. QuickChek. Throughout the state, 50 percent of New Jerseyans prefer Wawa, 15 percent said 7-Eleven is their favorite convenience store, 14 percent like QuickChek, 10 percent go elsewhere, 8 percent don’t have a favorite, and 2 percent can’t make up their minds.
The Monmouth University Poll was conducted by telephone from February 29 to March 4, surveying 801 New Jersey adults by members of the Monmouth University Polling Institute in West Long Branch.
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How North, Central or South Jersey Are You?