In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, New Jersey farmers played a large role in providing food to the people of nearby New York City, which may be the reason for the state’s nickname.
Today, although nearly 9 out of 10 people in New Jersey live in cities, the state still has many truck farms, orchards, and greenhouses.
Only California has a higher percentage of city dwellers.
New Jersey’s main crops today are tomatoes, sweet corn, peaches, blueberries, and cranberries.
New Jersey is the nation’s most densely populated state, with 1,094 people per square mile.
It ranks ninth in population among the 50 states.
