Diversity
New Jersey Welcomes All
New Jersey may be the 4th smallest state, but it’s home to the densest population in the United States. We are mighty in number, and multiculturalism is a part of our ethos. Home to 225 foreign company headquarters, New Jersey welcomes international investment.
Residing in New Jersey’s waters, the Statue of Liberty stands as a symbol of our immigrant past and present. With a history of embracing diversity, New Jersey proudly boasts the third-largest population of foreign-born residents in the nation. One-third of all New Jersey business owners are foreign-born, with almost half of “Main Street” businesses owned by immigrants.
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K-12 Foreign Language Enrollment
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Most Diverse U.S. City
Jersey City
Jersey City
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Largest U.S. Cities for Integrating Immigrants
Diversity Drives Economic Growth
New Jersey has the diverse talent needed to compete in a global marketplace. We know that from different backgrounds come new ideas that spur innovation.
WalletHub’s “Economic Impact of Immigration by State” 2020 study ranks New Jersey #3 overall. We placed #1 for immigrant workforce and #4 for brain gain and innovation categories. New Jersey is home to the highest percentage of jobs generated by immigrant-owned business and the highest percent of foreign-born STEM workers.
New Jersey’s top-ranked public school system ensures our students have a globalized, inclusive education. Our K-12 schools rank #1 in the U.S. for enrollment in foreign language classes. New Jersey is the second state, after California, to require public schools to adopt an LGBTQ and disability inclusive history curriculum.
Our higher education institutions also reflect our multicultural population. Rutgers University – Newark was ranked the #1 most diverse U.S. university by Best Value Colleges. College Consensus ranked Princeton University as the most LGBTQ friendly campus in the U.S.
New Jersey aims to be a national leader for equity and sustainability in economic development. Our State supports women-owned businesses and minority entrepreneurs with small business programs. The New Jersey EDA has expanded the Angel Investor Tax Credit program to include diversity incentives. The Film and Digital Media Tax Credit also includes a 2% diversity bonus.
At Home in New Jersey
New Jersey’s diversity makes it a great place to live, work and play. Our inclusive communities are the lifeblood of our thriving cities and downtowns. We celebrate different cultures, languages, and traditions with art, music and food.
The New Jersey food scene is influenced by our rich immigrant history. Find the best Japanese cuisine in Fort Lee, Italian in Atlantic City, Portuguese in Newark’s Ironbound, Korean in Palisades Park, Turkish in South Paterson or Cuban along the “Havana on the Hudson.”
New Jersey is home to many ethnic enclaves, including the largest Indian business hub in the U.S. Proud of our religious diversity, only in New Jersey will you find the world’s largest Hindu temple.
We embrace businesses, ideas and communities that move us forward. Discover why so many call New Jersey home.
WHAT CAN CHOOSE New Jersey DO FOR YOU
Relocation & Expansion Services
We provide customized RFI responses, demographics, detailed market assessments and other complimentary business relocation and expansion services. When your company chooses to grow in New Jersey, we also will help you publicize your good news.
Site Visits
We’ll make your property search seamless, so you find the site that best meets your relocation or expansion needs.
Economic Development Connections
Our public and private partners provide a wide range of services. From higher education research collaboration to regulatory and legal assistance to workforce training, they’ll ensure you have a smooth landing.
Bill Noonan
Business Development Director Sector Lead: Technology, Financial Services, Film & TV
Sho Islam
Business Development Officer, Sector Lead: Life Sciences, Healthcare