Find a Job You Really Want In
If you’re feeling unfulfilled in your career but love your home in New Jersey, you might be considering a job change within your community. Understanding the job market in your area is crucial for your search. Here’s a look at the cities in New Jersey that currently boast the lowest unemployment rates, reflecting strong job opportunities in 2026.
For many, moving to New Jersey is often motivated by job prospects or lifestyle changes. Whether you’re relocating for a career or simply seeking new opportunities, the strength of the local job market plays a vital role in your decision-making process.
We gathered the latest demographic data from the U.S. Census Bureau to identify which cities have the lowest unemployment rates. By focusing on cities with significant populations and available data, we were able to pinpoint the top contenders in the Garden State:
- New Providence(Jobs)
- Morristown
- Hoboken(Jobs)
- Haddonfield(Jobs)
- River Edge(Jobs)
- Westwood(Jobs)
- Lincoln Park(Jobs)
- Perth Amboy(Jobs)
- Hillsdale(Jobs)
- Florham Park(Jobs)
For employers seeking vibrant communities for relocation, a low unemployment rate is a strong indicator of local economic health. In this context, New Providence stands out as the city with the lowest unemployment rates in New Jersey.
Continue reading to discover how we identified these cities and how they maintain robust job markets.
For additional job resources in New Jersey, check out:
How We Identified the Cities in New Jersey with the Lowest Unemployment Rates
To determine New Jersey’s cities with the most stable job markets, we analyzed areas with populations exceeding 10,000 and ensured data availability for our assessment criteria.
This analysis resulted in a list of 109 cities within New Jersey.
We examined unemployment rates using the latest American Community Survey data from the Census Bureau to highlight cities with the strongest job markets. This metric serves as a reliable indicator of each city’s employment landscape, essential for anyone considering a job transfer, whether within or outside the state.
Cities were ranked from one to 109, with one being the “most employed city in New Jersey.” In cases of ties, the larger city received the higher rank.
If your city isn’t in the top ten, scroll to the bottom for a complete chart with additional cities.
1. New Providence
Population: 12,314
Unemployment Rate: 3.3%
New Providence takes the lead with an impressive 3.3% unemployment rate, establishing itself as the top contender for job seekers in New Jersey.
Being at the top comes with its perks, including a thriving job market.
2. Morristown
Population: 18,580
Unemployment Rate: 3.8%
Morristown claims the second spot on our list with a commendable 3.8% unemployment rate, making it a desirable location for job hunters.
3. Hoboken
Population: 51,979
Unemployment Rate: 4.0%
Hoboken rounds out the podium with a 4.0% unemployment rate, showcasing a robust job market for residents.
4. Haddonfield
Population: 11,521
Unemployment Rate: 4.1%
Haddonfield comes in at fourth, with a 4.1% unemployment rate, providing a solid foundation for career seekers.
5. River Edge
Population: 11,483
Unemployment Rate: 4.4%
River Edge occupies the fifth position with a favorable unemployment rate of 4.4%, contributing to a stable job environment.
6. Westwood
Population: 11,056
Unemployment Rate: 4.5%
Westwood ranks sixth with a 4.5% unemployment rate, making it an attractive option for job seekers.
7. Lincoln Park
Population: 10,515
Unemployment Rate: 5.0%
Lincoln Park secures the seventh position with a 5.0% unemployment rate, indicating a healthy job market.
8. Perth Amboy
Population: 51,727
Unemployment Rate: 5.0%
Perth Amboy, also at 5.0%, ranks eighth, showcasing its competitive job market.
9. Hillsdale
Population: 10,381
Unemployment Rate: 5.1%
Hillsdale lands in ninth place with a 5.1% unemployment rate, emphasizing its potential for job opportunities.
10. Florham Park
Population: 11,820
Unemployment Rate: 5.1%
Florham Park rounds out the list at tenth, with its unemployment rate of 5.1% still reflecting a healthy job market.
Conclusion: Unemployment Across New Jersey
In summary, these ten cities showcase the lowest unemployment rates in New Jersey, underscoring their strong job markets and opportunities for employment. If you’re considering a move to the Garden State, these cities are excellent options for securing a job.
For more information about different cities and states across the U.S., visit Zippia.com, and if you’re a recent graduate contemplating a move, check out which states college grads tend to stay in and which they leave.
Here’s a quick look at cities in New Jersey with the highest unemployment rates:
- Camden
- Newark
- East Orange
Detailed List of Cities with the Lowest Unemployment in New Jersey
| City | Rank | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|
| New Providence | 1 | 3.3% |
| Morristown | 2 | 3.8% |
| Hoboken | 3 | 4.0% |
| Haddonfield | 4 | 4.1% |
| River Edge | 5 | 4.4% |
| Westwood | 6 | 4.5% |
| Lincoln Park | 7 | 5.0% |
| Perth Amboy | 8 | 5.0% |
| Hillsdale | 9 | 5.1% |
| Florham Park | 10 | 5.1% |
| Ringwood | 11 | 5.2% |
| Elmwood Park | 12 | 5.3% |
| Wallington | 13 | 5.3% |
| Oakland | 14 | 5.4% |
| Franklin Lakes | 15 | 5.4% |
| Dumont | 16 | 5.5% |
| Summit | 17 | 5.5% |
| Metuchen | 18 | 5.5% |
| Palisades Park | 19 | 5.7% |
| Collingswood | 20 | 5.7% |
| Ridgefield Park | 21 | 5.8% |
| Edgewater | 22 | 5.8% |
| Ridgewood | 23 | 5.9% |
| Glen Rock | 24 | 5.9% |
| Ramsey | 25 | 5.9% |
| Hackensack | 26 | 5.9% |
| Paramus | 27 | 6.2% |
| New Milford | 28 | 6.2% |
| Madison | 29 | 6.4% |
| Bergenfield | 30 | 6.4% |
| Tenafly | 31 | 6.4% |
| Westfield | 32 | 6.4% |
| Fair Lawn | 33 | 6.5% |
| Clifton | 34 | 6.6% |
| Rutherford | 35 | 6.6% |
| Somerville | 36 | 6.7% |
| Fort Lee | 37 | 6.7% |
| North Plainfield | 38 | 6.7% |
| Highland Park | 39 | 6.9% |
| Englewood | 40 | 6.9% |
| Cliffside Park | 41 | 6.9% |
| Secaucus | 42 | 7.0% |
| Pompton Lakes | 43 | 7.0% |
| Bayonne | 44 | 7.1% |
| Ridgefield | 45 | 7.1% |
| Ocean City | 46 | 7.2% |
| North Arlington | 47 | 7.2% |
| Beachwood | 48 | 7.3% |
| Middlesex | 49 | 7.4% |
| Bound Brook | 50 | 7.5% |
| Hawthorne | 51 | 7.5% |
| Hasbrouck Heights | 52 | 7.6% |
| Freehold | 53 | 7.7% |
| South Plainfield | 54 | 7.8% |
| Dover | 55 | 7.8% |
| Point Pleasant | 56 | 7.8% |
| Kinnelon | 57 | 8.0% |
| Woodland Park | 58 | 8.2% |
| Sayreville | 59 | 8.2% |
| Little Ferry | 60 | 8.3% |
| Tinton Falls | 61 | 8.5% |
| New Brunswick | 62 | 8.5% |
| Hammonton | 63 | 8.7% |
| Somers Point | 64 | 8.8% |
| Garfield | 65 | 9.0% |
| Red Bank | 66 | 9.1% |
| Lodi | 67 | 9.1% |
| Jersey City | 68 | 9.4% |
| Passaic | 69 | 9.4% |
| Vineland | 70 | 9.6% |
| Wanaque | 71 | 9.6% |
| Pine Hill | 72 | 9.7% |
| Gloucester City | 73 | 10.0% |
| Totowa | 74 | 10.1% |
| Paterson | 75 | 10.1% |
| Edison | 76 | 10.1% |
| Manville | 77 | 10.5% |
| Long Branch | 78 | 10.5% |
| Kearny | 79 | 10.7% |
| Rahway | 80 | 10.7% |
| Fairview | 81 | 10.7% |
| Woodbury | 82 | 10.8% |
| Union City | 83 | 10.9% |
| Linden | 84 | 11.0% |
| West New York | 85 | 11.0% |
| Guttenberg | 86 | 11.2% |
| Elizabeth | 87 | 11.3% |
| Hopatcong | 88 | 11.3% |
| Harrison | 89 | 11.4% |
| Lindenwold | 90 | 11.5% |
| Ventnor City | 91 | 11.7% |
| Glassboro | 92 | 11.7% |
| Plainfield | 93 | 11.8% |
| Roselle Park | 94 | 12.2% |
| Bellmawr | 95 | 12.2% |
| South River | 96 | 12.3% |
| Phillipsburg | 97 | 12.4% |
| Carteret | 98 | 12.7% |
| Bridgeton | 99 | 13.1% |
| Millville | 100 | 13.5% |
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
