Is being in an area of New Jersey that’s growing quickly a good thing or a bad thing?
Depends on who you ask.
Some want bigger, more exciting cities like Newark and Jersey City, while others want peace and quiet like in Beckett and Country Lake Estates, thank you very much.
But today, we’re going to put opinions aside and look at the cold, hard facts — since 2010, which cities in New Jersey have grown the fastest.
After getting knee-deep in the Census’s American Community Survey using Saturday Night Science, we emerged with this set of cities in the Garden State that have people climbing over each other to get in.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
The 10 Fastest Growing Cities In New Jersey For 2026
What’s the fastest growing city in New Jersey for 2026? Based on the most recent ACS data, Belle Mead ranks as the fastest-growing city in New Jersey. If you happen to be a resident of Belle Mead, you’re probably not surprised to find it on our list.
If you’re surprised — and you’re wondering why these places are a big deal — keep reading. We’ll tell you what makes each of these 10 places in New Jersey grow like weeds.
For more New Jersey state reading:
- Best Places To Live In The United States
- Fastest Growing States In The United States
- Best Places To Live In New Jersey
- Cheapest Places To Live In New Jersey
- Most Dangerous Cities In New Jersey
The 10 Fastest Growing Cities In New Jersey For 2026
1. Belle Mead
/10
Population: 6,394
Population 2010: 124
Percent Growth 5056.5%
Absolute Growth: 6,270
More on Belle Mead: Data | Cost Of Living | Movers
2. Blackwells Mills
/10
Population: 10,301
Population 2010: 698
Percent Growth 1375.8%
Absolute Growth: 9,603
More on Blackwells Mills: Data | Cost Of Living | Movers
3. Monmouth Junction
/10
Population: 9,141
Population 2010: 2,772
Percent Growth 229.8%
Absolute Growth: 6,369
More on Monmouth Junction: Data | Cost Of Living | Movers
4. Mays Landing
/10
Population: 6,406
Population 2010: 2,220
Percent Growth 188.6%
Absolute Growth: 4,186
More on Mays Landing: Data | Cost Of Living | Movers
5. Franklin Center
/10
Population: 6,646
Population 2010: 3,921
Percent Growth 69.5%
Absolute Growth: 2,725
More on Franklin Center: Data | Cost Of Living | Movers
6. Smithville
/10
Population: 9,545
Population 2010: 6,045
Percent Growth 57.9%
Absolute Growth: 3,500
More on Smithville: Data | Cost Of Living | Movers
7. Golden Triangle
/10
Population: 5,765
Population 2010: 3,728
Percent Growth 54.6%
Absolute Growth: 2,037
More on Golden Triangle: Movers
8. Fort Dix
/10
Population: 7,984
Population 2010: 5,206
Percent Growth 53.4%
Absolute Growth: 2,778
More on Fort Dix: Data | Cost Of Living | Movers
9. Pomona
/10
Population: 7,995
Population 2010: 5,313
Percent Growth 50.5%
Absolute Growth: 2,682
More on Pomona: Data | Cost Of Living | Movers
10. Harrison
/10
Population: 20,369
Population 2010: 13,569
Percent Growth 50.1%
Absolute Growth: 6,800
More on Harrison: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
Methodology: How We Measured The Fastest Growing Cities In the Garden State for 2026
To figure out which cities are growing the most, we used Saturday Night Science to look at the growth rates for cities since the beginning of the decade, according to the American Community Survey put out by the census every year. Specifically:
- Current Population
- Population in 2010
- Growth rate from 2010 to Current (The latest available data which came out in Dec 2024)
We ranked all 266 New Jersey cities with a population over 5,000 people from highest growth rate to lowest.
The city with the highest growth rate during this time was crowned the fastest-growing city in the Garden State.
And for those of you who are a little rusty with their statistics, you can calculate the growth rate by the following formula:
[Current Population – Population 2010] / [Population 2010]
The data has been updated for 2026. This report is our eleventh time ranking the fastest growing cities in New Jersey.
Here’s a graph of the cities in New Jersey with the most significant percent increase in population:
Summary: These Places Grew Up So Fast In New Jersey, You Know?
So there you have it, the fastest growing cities in New Jersey are led by Belle Mead which has been growing at a blistering pace this decade relative to other cities and towns around the state.
The fastest-growing cities in New Jersey are Belle Mead, Blackwells Mills, Monmouth Junction, Mays Landing, Franklin Center, Smithville, Golden Triangle, Fort Dix, Pomona, and Harrison.
It’ll be interesting to see if these places can keep growing at the same rate over the next couple of years. We’ll be here to let you know!
These places have been growing (or shrinking) the slowest (fastest):
- Brigantine
- Margate City
- Ventnor City
For more New Jersey reading, check out:
- Best Places To Raise A Family In New Jersey
- Safest Places In New Jersey
- Worst Places To Live In New Jersey
Fastest Growing Places In New Jersey For 2026
| Rank | City | Population | Population 2010 | Growth | Absolute Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belle Mead | 6,394 | 124 | 5056.5% | 6,270 |
| 2 | Blackwells Mills | 10,301 | 698 | 1375.8% | 9,603 |
| 3 | Monmouth Junction | 9,141 | 2,772 | 229.8% | 6,369 |
| 4 | Mays Landing | 6,406 | 2,220 | 188.6% | 4,186 |
| 5 | Franklin Center | 6,646 | 3,921 | 69.5% | 2,725 |
| 6 | Smithville | 9,545 | 6,045 | 57.9% | 3,500 |
| 7 | Golden Triangle | 5,765 | 3,728 | 54.6% | 2,037 |
| 8 | Fort Dix | 7,984 | 5,206 | 53.4% | 2,778 |
| 9 | Pomona | 7,995 | 5,313 | 50.5% | 2,682 |
| 10 | Harrison | 20,369 | 13,569 | 50.1% | 6,800 |