Between 2000 and 2010, New Jersey’s Latino population grew from 1.1 million to 1.6 million, and the Latino share of the population grew from 13.3% to 17.7%. Latinos are now the state’s second-largest population group.
The growth of the Latino community accounts for New Jersey’s population increase since 2000, according to a National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund analysis of newlyreleased Census 2010 data.
“Nearly one in five New Jerseyans is Latino. In order to ensure the state’s future prosperity and well-being, New Jersey’s policies must promote the economic, social and civic progress of the Latino community,” said NALEO Educational Fund Executive Director Arturo Vargas. “The state’s leadership must be accountable to its growing Latino population.” The increase in New Jersey’s Latino population was responsible for the state’s overall growth during the last decade. Between 2000 and 2010, the Latino population grew by 39.2%, while the non-Latino population declined slightly by 0.8%.
The Census 2010 data also reveal significant Latino populations in many of New Jersey’s largest cities, with Union City having the greatest share of Latinos (85%).
Top 10 New Jersey Cities: 2010
| City | Total Population | Latino Share of Population |
| Newark | 277,140 | 6.0% |
| Jersey City | 247,597 | 27.6% |
| Paterson | 146,199 | 57.6% |
| Elizabeth | 124,969 | 59.5% |
| Toms River | 88,791 | 8.0% |
| Trenton | 84,913 | 33.7% |
| Clifton | 84,136 | 31.9% |
| Camden | 77,344 | 47.0% |
| Passaic | 69,781 | 71.0% |
| Union City | 66,455 | 84.7% |
Additionally, as shown in the table below, eight of New Jersey’s major cities are also home to the state’s biggest Latino populations, including Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Elizabeth, Trenton, Camden, Passaic and Union City. Over one-third (37%) of New Jersey Latinos live in the top 10 cities with the largest Latino communities.
Top 10 New Jersey Cities With Largest Latino Populations: 2010
| City | Population | Share of New Jersey’s Latino Population |
| Newark | 93,746 | 3.8% |
| Paterson | 84,254 | 5.4% |
| Elizabeth | 74,353 | 4.8% |
| Jersey City | 68,256 | 4.4% |
| Union City | 56,291 | 3.6% |
| Passaic | 49,557 | 3.2% |
| Perth Amboy | 39,685 | 2.6% |
| West New York | 38,812 | 2.5% |
| Camden | 36,379 | 2.3% |
| Trenton | 28,621 | 1.8% |
| Total | 569,954 | 36.6% |
“New Jersey’s Latinos will continue to make vital contributions to the state’s economic and civic life. The newly released numbers suggest that the New Jersey Latino community placed a high priority on being counted in the 2010 Census and of being full participants in the American political process.
SOURCE NALEO Educational Fund
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