African Americans in New Jersey

Last updated
African Americans in New Jersey
Total population
1,519,770
Regions with significant populations
North Jersey:

Central Jersey:
South Jersey:
Jersey Shore:

African American New Jerseyans are residents of the U.S. state of New Jersey who are of African American ancestry. As of the 2020 census, African Americans comprise approximately 15.4% of the state's population. The historical presence of African Americans in New Jersey can be traced back to the colonial era, during which enslaved Africans were transported to the state by Dutch and English settlers. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

Contents

History

The arrival of the first African Americans in New Jersey can be traced back to the 17th century when Dutch settlers brought enslaved Africans to the region. [6] [7]

During the American Revolution, New Jersey became a battleground in the fight against British rule, with many joining the Continental Army and fighting for their own freedom. Notable figures such as Oliver Cromwell, an African American soldier, made significant contributions[ vague ] to the cause. [8]

The early 19th century witnessed a gradual shift in the status of African Americans in New Jersey. The state passed laws that gradually abolished slavery, leading to the emancipation of enslaved individuals. However, racial discrimination and segregation persisted, limiting the opportunities available to African Americans.

The late 19th and early 20th centuries marked a period of significant migration for African Americans in New Jersey. Many individuals moved from the rural South to urban areas such as Newark and Camden in search of better economic prospects. This influx of African Americans contributed to the growth of vibrant communities and cultural institutions.

Notable figures such as Paul Robeson, a renowned actor, singer, and civil rights activist, emerged from the state, leaving a lasting impact on American culture.

Population

According to the 2020 Census, the African American population in New Jersey is estimated to be approximately 1.2 million people, representing approximately 15% of the state's total population. [9] This figure includes individuals who identify as Black or African American alone, as well as those who identify as Black or African American in combination with one or more other races.

The African American population in New Jersey is predominantly located in urban areas, specifically in the cities of Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, and Trenton, as well as in Essex and Union Counties. South Jersey also harbors a substantial African American population, primarily concentrated in Camden County, Willingboro, and Atlantic City. These regions are also host to a significant number of African American residents. Historically, these cities have served as pivotal centers for African American culture and activism, and they continue to play a crucial role as community hubs in the present day. Nevertheless, African Americans can be found dispersed throughout the entirety of the state.

Notable people

Politics

Arts and entertainment

Sports

See also

Related Research Articles

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New Jersey is a state situated within both the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. It is the most densely populated of all 50 U.S. states, and is situated at the center of the Northeast megalopolis. New Jersey is bordered on its north and east by New York state; on its east, southeast, and south by the Atlantic Ocean; on its west by the Delaware River and Pennsylvania; and on its southwest by Delaware Bay and Delaware. At 7,354 square miles (19,050 km2), New Jersey is the fifth-smallest state in land area, but with close to 9.3 million residents as of the 2020 United States census, its highest decennial count ever, it ranks 11th in population. The state capital is Trenton, and the state's most populous city is Newark. New Jersey is the only U.S. state in which every county is deemed urban by the U.S. Census Bureau with 13 counties included in the New York metropolitan area, seven counties in the Philadelphia metropolitan area, and Warren County part of the heavily industrialized Lehigh Valley metropolitan area.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Haddon Township, New Jersey</span> Township in Camden County, New Jersey, United States

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lawnside, New Jersey</span> Historically Black Community in Camden County, New Jersey

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Clement Alexander Price was an American historian. As the Board of Governors Distinguished Service Professor of History at Rutgers University-Newark, Price brought his study of the past to bear on contemporary social issues in his adopted hometown of Newark, New Jersey, and across the nation. He was the founding director of the Institute on Ethnicity, Culture, and the Modern Experience at Rutgers; the vice chair of President Barack Obama's Advisory Council on Historic Preservation; the chair of Obama's transition team for the National Endowment for the Humanities; a member of the Scholarly Advisory Committee of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture; and a trustee of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

References

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