You may be aware that many Italian-Americans live in New Jersey. Still, the estimated number of 1.25 million seems surprisingly high. Many towns in the state have a large number of residents with Italian heritage. If you belong to this group and are looking for places where you’ll easily blend in, the Italian Tribune introduces you to the most Italian-American towns in New Jersey. On the other hand, if you aren’t Italian but want to experience a glimpse of Italian culture and lifestyle, there is something for you too. From small places with just a couple of thousand residents to bigger towns and cities, there are plenty of options to choose from in the Garden State.
Toms River
Toms River makes sense since it tops the list of the most Italian-American towns in New Jersey by having the largest number of Italian-American residents in the Garden State. To be precise, 29.000 people out of the total population of 91.000 have an Italian heritage. This is a place known for a very affordable cost of living, especially when it comes to housing. The median home price is $265.000, which is significantly smaller than some other nearby towns, not to mention cities, in New Jersey. Furthermore, there are a lot of employment opportunities which is definitely among the most important things to assess when choosing a place to live.
How to spend your free time in Toms River?
When talking about entertainment, there is no shortage regarding this matter. Toms River is close to the Jersey Shore, and we all know that beaches are a great source of entertainment without even mentioning the other ones. But since we’re here, it’s good to know that there are enough outdoor recreational centers, parks, quality restaurants, and fun bars to spend your free time at. Toms River is also home to the first Italian wine school in the country, where wine enthusiasts can learn many new things about that beverage and try making their own.
Fairfield
Fairfield is a far smaller town than Toms River. Still, its importance lies in the fact that it has the largest percentage of Italian-American residents in New Jersey, 51% of the total population, to be exact. It’s safe to say that this is the best place in the Garden State to experience Italian culture. Fairfield is in the company of the safest places in the US, sitting at the 92nd percentile regarding safety. Besides very low crime rates, it has a relatively good job market for a town with only a little more than 7,000 residents. Most of Fairfield’s citizens own their houses. Renting is not very common in this area, yet it is still available. If you opt for purchasing a home in this lovely town, the average price you can expect to pay is $520,000.
Moving to Fairfield
Although relocations can be difficult at times, moving to Fairfield seems like a great idea. This especially goes for people who want to lead a quiet and peaceful life. Fairfield will provide the much-needed escape from the city noise, and the community will welcome you with open arms. Because of this, along with some tax benefits, it became a trendy destination among retirees. If you make this your new home, you surely won’t regret it. As for getting there, the safest option is hiring professional moving companies. With their equipment and experience, you’ll have a smooth and quick relocation. You can avoid dealing with the most challenging part of the moving process all by yourself, so assistance from the experts is the best way to start your Fairfield life on the right foot.
Wood-Ridge
Wood-Ridge, another small town, quiet and perfect for raising a family, is located in Bergen County. Like Fairfield, it has 8.769 residents, with the majority being Italian-Americans (46.2%). Still, it doesn’t lack recreational and employment opportunities. There are many restaurants, coffee shops, and parks to enjoy, so there’s no need to worry about getting bored. It also comes a little cheaper than Fairfield, at least in the housing department, with the houses valued at $411,000 on average. If you add Wood-Ridge’s closeness to Manhattan into the equation (a 16-mile distance), you truly get one of the best places to live in New Jersey.
Other New Jersey towns that are primarily Italian-American
Toms River, Fairfield, and Wood-Ridge are probably the most Italian-American places in the Garden State. However, chances are you’ll encounter Italian culture in almost every town in New Jersey. We made a list of several places other than the trio above.
- Brick. This town is the second largest when it comes to a total number of Italian American residents in New Jersey (23.782 out of 75.072) Famous for its cranberry industry.
- Middletown. One of the safest places in the nation. It has 22.145 Italian-American residents.
- North Caldwell. Another peaceful town, with a population of just a little more than 6.000. Home to Horseneck Tavern, one of the finest Italian restaurants.
- Lavallette. With more than 40% Italian-American people living in it, Lavallette is one of the best beach communities in the Garden State.
- Hammonton. This town in Atlantic County is considered the “Blueberry Capital of the World.”
These were some of the most Italian-American towns in New Jersey. The truth is, there are plenty more, but that comes as no shock considering how much Italian heritage the Garden State has. If you find yourself visiting, or even better, living in some of these towns, there is no doubt that you’ll love it. There is so much to do and explore in the whole of New Jersey, so try to embrace everything that it has to offer; you won’t regret it.
