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New Jersey leads Northeast in population growth and is bigger than ever. Here’s why.

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New Jersey leads Northeast in population growth and is bigger than ever. Here’s why.



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New Jersey’s population reached a record 9.5 million in 2024, a surprise surge that was driven by international immigrants who have more than made up for a modest birth rate and long-time residents leaving the Garden State, analysts said.

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The steady stream of immigrants during the past five years has given New Jersey the strongest population growth in the Northeast. And while President Donald Trump has moved quickly to crack down on immigration, experts say the influx has helped the state’s economy by adding to the labor force and sparking new businesses.

“Immigrants at all levels are an engine of growth,” said Jennifer Gordon, a professor at Fordham Law School in New York who specializes in immigration law.

New Jersey’s population, merely inching ahead for the better part of two decades, jumped 1.3% in 2024, according to U.S. Census data, placing the Garden State among the 10 fastest growing states nationwide.

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It gave Gov. Phil Murphy a chance during his recent State of the State address to tout the New Jersey economy and fire back against a perennial survey by United Van Lines that invariably shows residents leaving in droves.

“Apparently, there are far more moving vans coming into New Jersey than leaving,” he said.The van line survey might not be wrong; New Jersey continues to see more people leave than arrive from other states, according to Census data. But the survey is confined to the company’s own customers. New Jersey has made up for the loss of with a gain of 327,188 international immigrants since 2020, data shows.

New Jersey has about 2.3 million immigrants, including about 450,000 who are undocumented. They make up nearly a quarter of the state’s population, higher than the national rate of 14.3%, according to government data.

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Experts say the arrival of immigrants makes sense. New Jersey long has been a magnet for foreign-born residents who have managed to carve out a home and build a culture that in turn has attracted more immigrants.

“Diversity of the (New Jersey) population provides a strong draw for international immigrants,” said Kusum Mundra, an economics professor at Rutgers University in Newark.

Rafael Henrique, 34, is part of the wave. He recently launched Long Branch Business, a Portuguese language magazine whose advertisers include a barber shop, a butcher, a pet groomer and a transportation service.

Henrique, who lives in West Long Branch, said he arrived five years ago from his home state of Minas Gerais in southeast Brazil, following in the footsteps of a second cousin.

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The Census data doesn’t show how many Brazilians live in Long Branch, but the town is dotted with Brazilian restaurants, bakeries and markets.

Henrique’s reason for moving to the Jersey Shore echoed generations of immigrants.

“Most people move for safety and to provide better living conditions for their family,” he said.

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From July 2023 to July 2024, New Jersey had a net population gain of 121,209, according to the Census Bureau data that was compiled by Rutgers University economist James W. Hughes. It was the fastest growth rate in the Northeast.

Where did the population growth come from?

  • International immigration. New Jersey gained 130,692 international immigrants. For context, the state has the 11th highest overall population nationwide, but the fifth-most international immigrants.
  • Birth rate. New Jersey had 101,199 births and 75,189 deaths, for a net population gain of 26,010. The state’s birth rate ranks in the middle of the pack, Hughes said, but in the long run, it isn’t high enough to replace the aging baby boomer population.
  • Domestic migration. New Jersey had a net loss of 35,554 as residents left the state for new jobs, lower costs or warmer weather. The three most popular destinations, according to Census data: Pennsylvania, New York and Florida.

Despite the net loss of domestic migration, New Jersey’s housing market remains tight. The state has been attracting New York residents in particular who have been searching for more safety and space since the pandemic. And at least some New Jersey residents who bought or refinanced their homes during the pandemic at record-low mortgage rates and are unwilling to move to another home now that rates are hovering around 7%, Hughes said.

The population growth has helped the state’s job market. New Jersey has added 176,900 jobs since February 2020, the month before the pandemic hit, a 4.1% gain. It’s slower than the U.S. job growth rate of 4.6%, but four times stronger than New York and Massachusetts, and twice as strong as Pennsylvania, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

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“With declining births, with net domestic migration losses, immigration is really the only key source of population growth in New Jersey,” Hughes said.

How long that growth continues isn’t clear. With supporters concerned about the impact of immigration on taxpayer resources, President Trump in his first day returning to office declared a national emergency on the U.S. and Mexico border. He has promised massive deportations. And he signed a decree ending birthright citizenship, which is protected by the Constitution.

New Jersey on Tuesday joined 17 other states in a lawsuit challenging Trump’s birthright citizenship order.

“They are going to try and do things that make it harder for children born to undocumented immigrants to claim U.S. citizenship, even though they’re constitutionally entitled to it,” Fordham’s Gordon said. “I don’t think that’s bluster. I think the question is how much of it they’ll be able to achieve, given the large distance between saying something like that rhetorically and actually getting it done on the ground.”

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Michael L. Diamond is a business reporter for the Asbury Park Press. He has been writing about the New Jersey economy and health care industry since 1999. He can be reached at mdiamond@gannettnj.com.



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Did anyone win Powerball? Winning numbers for May 9, 2026

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Did anyone win Powerball? Winning numbers for May 9, 2026


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Powerball winning numbers are in for the Saturday, May 9 drawing with a jackpot that reached an estimated $47 million ($21.0 million cash option).

The winning numbers in Saturday’s drawing are 15, 41, 46, 47, and 56, with Powerball number 22.  The Power Play number is 2.

Did anyone win the Powerball jackpot?

No one won the Powerball jackpot.

When is the next drawing of the Powerball?

The next Powerball drawing is Monday. Drawings are held at 10:59 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

How late can you buy a Powerball ticket?

In New Jersey, in-store and online ticket sales are available until 9:59 p.m. on the night of the draw.

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What does it cost to play Powerball?

Powerball costs $2 to play. For an additional $1 per play, the Power Play feature can multiply nonjackpot prizes by two, three, four, five or 10 times.

Are you a Powerball winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All New Jersey Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599.99. For prizes over $599.99, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at New Jersey Lottery offices. By mail, send a winner claim form, winning lottery ticket and a copy of a government-issued ID to New Jersey Lottery, Attn: Validations, PO Box 041, Trenton, NJ 08625-0041.

Winners can drop off their claim form and winning ticket in person at the New Jersey Lottery office where a secure drop box is available. Claim forms are also available at the office. Hours are Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Lawrence Park Complex, 1333 Brunswick Avenue Circle, Trenton, NJ 08648.

To find a lottery retalier, you can search the NJ lotto website.

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What is the Powerball payout?

The complete guide to winnings is:

  • Match 5 White Balls + Powerball: Jackpot
  • Match 5 White Balls: $1 million
  • Match 4 White Balls + Powerball: $50,000
  • Match 4 White Balls: $100
  • Match 3 White Balls + Powerball: $100
  • Match 3 White Balls: $7
  • Match 2 White Balls + Powerball: $7
  • Match 1 White Ball + Powerball: $4
  • Match Powerball: $4
  • Match 5 White Balls with Power Play: $2 million
  • Match 4 White Balls + Powerball with Power Play: $200,000
  • Match 4 White Balls with Power Play: $400
  • Match 3 White Balls + Powerball with Power Play: $400
  • Match 3 White Balls with Power Play: $28
  • Match 2 White Balls + Powerball with Power Play: $28
  • Match 1 White Ball + Powerball with Power Play: $16
  • Match Powerball with Power Play: $16

What are the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot?

The overall odds of winning the Powerball are 1 in 292.2 million.

How do I find the Powerball winning numbers?

Powerball drawings are broadcast live every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee. Drawings are also lived streamed on Powerball.com. The winning numbers are posted to the Powerball and New Jersey Lottery websites.



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NJ ex-fireman ‘ready for war’ when he launched into violent rampage triggered by breakup: prosecutors

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NJ ex-fireman ‘ready for war’ when he launched into violent rampage triggered by breakup: prosecutors


A crazed ex-fireman allegedly launched into a violent rampage after his ex-girlfriend dumped him — and was “ready for war” when he drove eight hours intending to kill her family in New Jersey, according to prosecutors.

Brian John Lanzim, 37, was armed with two guns and a bulletproof vest when he headed from Bangor, Maine to South Toms River, after the mother of his two kids broke up with him and filed a temporary restraining order against him, authorities said.

He allegedly wanted to kill off his ex’s family to get custody of his kids, according to prosecutors — but his lawyer claimed he was actually trying to die “by suicide by cops,” according to Patch.com.

Brian Lanzim allegedly was armed and dangerous when he approached the home. Facebook/Brian Lanzim

“He absolutely f–ked up. He f–ked up big time,” Lanzim’s good friend, who asked not to be named, told The Post.

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The former Toms River firefighter allegedly sent terrifying threats to his ex on April 29 — letting her know he was armed, dangerous and on his way over.

“If your father is there I’m going to take him out” and beat him “pulseless,” he allegedly told the woman, as Ocean County Judge Pamela M. Snyder read aloud in court Friday morning.

“You don’t know crazy yet,” he also allegedly warned his ex during a chilling FaceTime call, NJ.com reported.

The people inside the home he was targeting fled the scene and alerted police long before he arrived, authorities said.

When Lanzim showed up after 9:40 p.m., he allegedly floored his Toyota 4Runner over the lawn in a sick attempt to run over the waiting cops, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.

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He was booked into Ocean County Jail. Ocean County Corrections

The officers then dove behind a fence and watched as gun-wielding Lanzim pounded on a locked door of the vacant house, prosecutors said.

“Brian, put it down!” one of the Toms River police officers demanded, according to NJ.com.

“No!” Lanzim resisted, per the body camera footage.

Police then fired at Lanzim, striking him in his hand and pelvis nonfatality. He was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune before being moved to Ocean County Jail.

Investigators found a loaded rifle and a large amount of ammunition magazines in his car, prosecutors said. He reportedly had a handgun on him when he was shot.

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He appeared in court Friday for his detention hearing. Thomas P. Costello/Asbury Park Press / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

He’s been charged with three counts of attempted murder, two counts of weapons possession for an unlawful purpose, unlawful use of body armor, burglary, terroristic threats and 22 counts of possession of a large capacity of ammunition magazines.

“He was ready for war,” Assistant Prosecutor Mara Brater said at his detention hearing — warning that if the victims hadn’t fled the home and called police before he arrived, he would have committed even more heinous crimes.

Brater went on to claim that Lanzim’s sinister plan was to kill or harm his ex’s family so he could get full custody.

But Lanzim’s lawyer Marissa Koerner brazenly argued his alleged violent outburst was caused by a mental breakdown triggered by the breakup. He also has bipolar disorder and was in treatment for it, she said.

“‘I f–king lost her, man. Tell her and the boys I love them,’” Lanzim allegedly said, per an affidavit Koerner read aloud.

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“He loves his family,” she argued.

By wearing a bulletproof vest, Lanzim was trying to “force a kill shot to the head” during his heated exchange with police, the lawyer told the court.

But Brater shot down these claims — alleging that his targets begged him not to go through with his horrifying plot.

Lanzim was a firefighter who moved to Maine for another job. Facebook/Brian Lanzim

He also allegedly has a track-record of violence — including an instance where he pulled a gun on his ex and said, “If I can’t have you, no one can.”

The judge ordered that Lanzim will remain in custody awaiting trial, according to court records. He’s due back in court on May 18.

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Lanzim was a fireman and EMT in Ocean County for about 18 years before heading to Bangor in September 2025 for a new job.

“He couldn’t find employment in New Jersey,” his close friend claimed. “I’m not sure what was going on, I guess things fell apart up there [in Bangor].”

Lanzim’s friend spoke with him just days before the incident.

“I had messaged him and asked him if he was okay. He said no. I said, ‘does it have to do with the kid’s mother?’ And he said yes,” the man said.

“I asked, ‘you need me to call you?’ and he was like, ‘I’m okay, I’m just at Applebee’s trying to find the bottom of the glass right now.’”

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The next time he heard Lanzim’s name was when he made headlines for the alleged horrors.

“I hope that kid [Lanzim] gets the help he needs,” the friend said. “Brian sometimes doesn’t act like an adult, and where he is now and where he’s going to be going, he has no choice but to. I would say man up.”

Lanzim’s attorney did not respond to a request for comment.



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Woman charged with theft for taking dog outside N.J. home, police say

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Woman charged with theft for taking dog outside N.J. home, police say


A woman has been charged with theft for taking a dog outside a Clifton, New Jersey, home in April, police say.

Last month, William Chan told CBS News New York his dog, a 7-year-old Shih Tzu-Yorkshire Terrier mix named Rocky, somehow got out of the house on April 5 while his nephew was dog-sitting.

The Clifton Police Department said investigators determined that while Rocky was loose, he ran down the street and was running in or near the road at times.

Video shows Rocky did eventually return to his own yard, and a child holding a blanket can be seen chasing the dog before a woman gets out of a black SUV parked in the road. Rocky then runs onto the back porch of his home, where the woman and child corner him, grab him with a blanket, take him back to the SUV, and drive away.

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The family said Rocky was wearing a harness and ID tag at the time.

Police said the woman did not make any attempt to talk to anyone inside the home or any neighbors, and neither animal control nor police received any calls about a loose dog being found on that day.

Chan called police on April 6 to report that Rocky had possibly been stolen, and investigators were later able to identify 29-year-old Mery Cepeda-Chevalier, of Newark, as a person of interest.

Officers spotted Cepeda-Chevalier’s vehicle in Passaic on April 8 and pulled her over, police said.

According to police, Cepeda-Chevalier cooperated with detectives, admitted she had Rocky, and agreed to have the detectives follow her back to her home. She then handed over the dog, and detectives reunited Rocky with his family.

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On Thursday, Cepeda-Chevalier was charged via summons with one count of theft of a domestic companion animal.



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