Olivia Fisher 
Before New Jersey became the most densely populated state, its 21 counties were just four: Bergen, Essex, Middlesex, and Monmouth. It was first inhabited by the Lenape and later settled by the Dutch, Swedish, and English. Over the centuries, it has evolved, developing numerous communities shaped by industry, agriculture, and the diasporas who found homes here. The Local Girl has explored the history behind Essex County town names and Jersey Shore town names, so sharing something about the entire state felt right. Read on to learn about the namesakes behind all of New Jersey’s counties and where you call home.
Atlantic County
In 1837, Atlantic County broke off from Gloucester County and was named for the Atlantic Ocean which it borders. Per 2020 Census data, it was home to almost 275,000 residents. The county includes 23 municipalities like Atlantic City, Egg Harbor Township, Galloway, and Pleasantville.
Bergen County
Formed in 1683, Bergen County derives its name from an earlier settlement Bergen, New Netherland. This 17th-century Dutch settlement included today’s Bergen and Hudson counties. The first European settlers in New Jersey were actually the Dutch and then the Swedish. The Dutch likely named it after Bergen op Zoom, a city in the Netherlands. When the English took over the region, some names changed like that of nearby Manhattan, which was called New Amsterdam. However, Bergen stuck, and today is the largest county by population in the entire state and it also has the most municipalities, totalling at 70. Today, over 978,000 residents call communities like Fort Lee, Paramus, Hackensack, Lyndhurst, Oradell, and Westwood home.
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Burlington County
Burlington County, which formed in 1694, was one of the two original counties in West Jersey, which existed from 1674 to 1702. The county was named for Bridlington, a seaside town in England. Home to 475,000 residents, the municipalities include Delran, Maple Shade, Mount Laurel, Southampton, and Willingboro.
Camden County
Camden County, like New Jersey itself, was named after something from England. Its namesake, Charles Pratt, 1st Earl Camden, was an English lawyer who was a supporter of the colonists during the American Revolution. The county was formed in 1834 and is home to nearly 534,000 residents. Municipalities include Camden, Cherry Hill, Hi-Nella, Stratford, and Voorhees Township.
Cape May County
Cape May County was formed in 1692 from portions of Burlington County. It was named for Dutch explorer Cornelius Jacobsen Mey, who explored and surveyed the Delaware Bay to the south of the county in the early 1620s. Although New Jersey is the densest state in the country, certain areas, especially South Jersey, have sparser populations. Cape May County is home to just 94,000 people and is the second smallest county by population. It includes municipalities like Cape May, Lower Township, Middle Township, Ocean City, and Wildwood.
Cumberland County
Cumberland County formed in 1748 from portions of Salem County. It was named for Prince William, Duke of Cumberland, the second son of George II of Great Britain. Home to about 155,000 residents, the county includes the municipalities of Bridgeton, Shiloh, Vineland, and 11 others.
Essex County
Essex County, one of the four original counties of East Jersey, was formed in 1683. It is named for Essex, England, and over time, portions of it were taken to create Passaic, Somerset, and Union counties. Today, nearly 881,000 people call it home, and Newark, the state’s largest city, is located here. Other municipalities here include Caldwell, Livingston, Irvington, Maplewood, Montclair, Verona, and West Orange,
Gloucester County
Gloucester County formed in 1686 and was named for Gloucester and Gloucestershire in England. The county’s oldest municipality, Woodbury, was formed in 1683 and was initially part of Burlington County. Before English settlement, this area was part of New Sweden from 1638 to 1655 and then New Netherland. Today, it is home to 311,000 residents in municipalities like Deptford, Glassboro, National Park, Swedesboro, and Westville.
Hudson County
Hudson County was formed in 1840 and was named for English explorer Henry Hudson, who explored the state’s coastline in 1609. Home to 736,000 residents, the municipalities include Harrison, Hoboken, Jersey City, Union City, and West New York.
Hunterdon County
Named for Robert Hunter, Hunterdon County was formed in 1740 from portions of Burlington County. Robert Hunter was a Colonial Governor of New Jersey from 1710 to 1720. Today about 131,000 people reside here. It includes 26 communities like Alexandria, Clinton Township, Kingwood, Holland Township, and Union Township.
Mercer County
Mercer County was formed in 1838 from portions of Burlington, Hunterdon, Middlesex, and Somerset counties. It was named for American Army General Hugh Mercer, who died at the Battle of Princeton in 1777. Home to over 390,000 people, it includes communities like Ewing Township, Princeton, the state capital of Trenton, and West Windsor.
Middlesex County
Middlesex County was formed in 1683 and was named after Middlesex, England. It is the third most populated county with over 890,000 residents. It includes 26 municipalities like Cranbury, Dunellen, Edison, Perth Amboy, Piscataway, and Woodbridge.
Monmouth County
Monmouth County was formed in 1683 and was named for Monmouthshire, Wales, or possibly James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth. With about 647,000 residents Monmouth County includes 53 municipalities like Asbury Park, Belmar, Deal, Freehold Township, Howell, and Wall.
Morris County
Morris County was named after Colonial Governor Lewis Morris in 1739. Lewis’ grandson, also Lewis Morris, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence from New York. Home to 529,000 people in 39 different communities, the county includes Denville, Montville, Morristown, Mount Olive, and Wharton.
Ocean County
The name behind Ocean County, like Atlantic County might be pretty obvious. The county was formed in 1850 and was named for the bordering Atlantic Ocean. About 666,000 residents live here and call communities like Brick, Jackson, Lakewood, Little Egg Harbor, and Toms River home.
Passaic County
Passaic County is the state’s only county that derives its name from Munsee, a Lenape language. Passaic means “valley”. The county was formed in 1837. About 526,000 residents live here and call communities like Clifton, Little Falls, Paterson, and Woodland Park home.
Salem County
Salem County formed in 1694 and was named for the Hebrew word meaning “peace”. The state’s least populated county is home to roughly 65,000 people. Salem County includes communities like Elmer, Oldmans Township, Pennsville Township, Pittsgrove, and Salem.
Somerset County
Somerset County, which was formed in 1688, was named for Somerset, England. Home to 357,000 people, Somerset County includes communities like Bound Brook, Far Hills, Franklin Township, North Plainfield, and Warren Township.
Sussex County
Sussex County was named for Sussex, England. It was formed in 1753 and has about 147,000 residents. Located in the northwest portion of the state, this county includes 24 communities like Newton, Ogdensburg, Sparta, Stanhope, and Vernon Township.
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Union County
Union County is New Jersey’s youngest county at 168 years old. It was formed in 1857 from Essex County. The name Union County is pretty common and found in 17 other states. Union County was named in reference to the word “Union” a term commonly used to refer to the United States. Before the American Civil War “preserve the union” and “union of states” were also commonly used. When the county formed tensions were building and the name was likely an effort to reflect the strength of a unified nation. Home to about 594,000 people, this county includes communities like Clark, Cranford, Elizabeth, Rahway, Roselle, Summit, and Westfield.
Warren County
Warren County is named after Joseph Warren, a Founding Father who was killed during the American Revolution. Home to over 112,000 people, this county includes municipalities like Allamuchy Township, Liberty, Hackettstown, Phillipsburg, and White.
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