Jersey City, NJ: The People’s City of Power, Passage, and Possibility

Jersey City, NJ: The People’s City of Power, Passage, and Possibility

Stretching from the Hudson River to the Hackensack, Jersey City, New Jersey is a city of arrivals—and arrivals-to-power. For centuries, it has been a landing point, a launching pad, and a battleground. From Ellis Island’s shadow to mural-covered school walls, Jersey City is built on resilience, resistance, and community-building. It’s the most diverse city in America—not just by census, but by spirit.

Origin and History

Jersey City has always been more than a bridge to New York—it’s its own center of culture, struggle, and strength.

• Lenape Homeland: The land was originally stewarded by the Lenape people, whose trails and trading networks predated colonial settlement by thousands of years.
• Colonial Port to Industrial Hub: Dutch and British colonizers developed it into a major port, later fueling railroads, shipping, and steel production.
• Incorporation: Jersey City officially incorporated in 1820. By the 20th century, it was a major manufacturing and immigrant city.
• Gateway to America: Ellis Island (technically within Jersey City waters) welcomed over 12 million immigrants. For many, Jersey City was their first American home.

Demographics

Jersey City doesn’t just reflect America—it redefines it.

• Population: Over 292,000 residents (2020 U.S. Census)—New Jersey’s second-largest city.
• Cultural Composition: Black, Latinx (especially Puerto Rican, Dominican, and Mexican), Filipino, Indian, Bangladeshi, Egyptian, Arab, Chinese, West African, and more.
• Languages Spoken: English, Spanish, Tagalog, Hindi, Bengali, Arabic, Urdu, and dozens more echo in schools, markets, and homes.
• Diaspora Power: Immigrant, refugee, and first-gen residents have shaped every industry, institution, and cultural milestone in Jersey City.

Geographic Location and Size

Jersey City is urban, coastal, and incredibly connected.

• Size: 21 square miles
• Borders: Hudson River to the east, Bayonne to the south, Hoboken and Union City to the north, and Newark just across the Hackensack River.
• Transit Access: PATH trains, NJ Transit, ferries, the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, and proximity to Newark Airport make it one of the best-connected cities in the region.

Where We Thrive

In Jersey City, neighborhood pride is real. Each ward has its own flavor—but community is the thread.

• Education Hubs: Jersey City Public Schools, Hudson County Community College, and Saint Peter’s University educate thousands, with rising youth-led activism for equity and reform.
• Black & Brown Institutions: From Juneteenth events to Latinx arts collectives to Halal bakeries and Haitian churches, culture is organized, funded, and lived here.
• Murals & Art Scenes: Jersey City’s streets are covered in murals by local artists—celebrating identity, resistance, and everyday beauty.
• Public Parks: Liberty State Park, Lincoln Park, and countless neighborhood greens provide space for gathering, movement, and joy.

Fun Facts and Local Gems

• Ellis Island: Though most associate it with NYC, it sits within Jersey City waters and shaped its immigrant legacy.
• Journal Square: Historic commercial and civic hub now being reimagined with development—but still a touchstone for immigrant businesses and gatherings.
• Mana Contemporary: A massive arts and performance complex showcasing international and local creators alike.
• India Square: One of the largest South Asian business districts in the U.S., with grocers, tailors, jewelry shops, and street food vendors.

Challenges and Change

Jersey City is transforming—but transformation without justice becomes erasure.

• Gentrification: Rising property taxes and luxury development threaten long-standing Black, Latinx, and immigrant communities.
• Displacement: Many families are being priced out of neighborhoods like Bergen-Lafayette, Journal Square, and West Side.
• Policing & Safety: Calls for civilian oversight, trauma-informed safety approaches, and youth support services continue.
• Education Equity: School funding, special education access, and cultural responsiveness remain urgent priorities.

Community Voices

“Jersey City raised me. Not just my mom or teachers—but my neighbors, my church, the bodega aunties. We don’t need saving. We need platforms.”
— Kaelin R., youth organizer and spoken word artist from Greenville

Why Jersey City Matters

Jersey City is more than a ZIP code—it’s a portal. A place where liberation is lived out in parades, protests, murals, classrooms, and corner stores. It’s where immigrants become organizers, where youth find voice, and where Black and Brown residents carry the weight of legacy with love.

HFYC uplifts Jersey City because it’s not just New Jersey’s most diverse city—it’s one of its most essential. And no story about this state is complete without it.

Call to Action

Live in Jersey City? Know a neighbor, organizer, artist, youth leader, or small business doing the work?

Let’s tell their story.
Submit a feature, nominate a changemaker, or share what Jersey City means to you—from the light rail to the library steps.