New Jerseyans are leaving — Are you in an ‘Exit Town?’ (Opinion)

And once again, New Jersey tops the list of "out-migration" as average people sick of over-regulation, high taxes and radical government policies that do nothing to address the cost of living and quality of life.

Government has abandoned the working and middle class families in our state as they spend their time pushing legislation that enriches their radical special interest friends.

Meanwhile, as the governor changes the goal once again from "flattening the curve" (which happened naturally as it does EVERY viral season) to 70% vaccinations, there is no end in sight.

All this is happening as states like Texas, Florida, Tennessee and many others have moved past closures and mask mandates to reopen and allow people to get back to normal. No spike in hospitalizations, sickness and deaths. They are having a problem in California, of course.

New Jersey residents are not only planning to leave, they're doing it.

Four out of the top 10 "out-migration" metro areas are in the Garden State. Are you surprised? I'm not. And as much as I love New Jersey, I can't blame anyone for escaping to a freer, more prosperous, business and family-friendly environment.

Here's a tweet pulling the local list of the top areas losing people:

Here's an analysis that New Jersey 101.5 Statehouse Bureau Chief Michael Symons did of the 2020 Census, which shows the towns with the biggest population drops.

NJ towns with biggest population drops (by percentage)

20. Wrightstown

Burlington County
2020 population: 720
10-year change: -82 (-10.2%)

19. West Wildwood

Cape May County
2020 population: 540
10-year change: -63 (-10.4%)

18. North Wildwood

Cape May County
2020 population: 3,621
10-year change: -420 (-10.4%)

17. Downe

Cumberland County
2020 population: 1,399
10-year change: -186 (-11.7%)

16. Fairfield

Cumberland County
2020 population: 5,546
10-year change: -749 (-11.9%)

15. Beach Haven

Ocean County
2020 population: 1027
10-year change: -143 (-12.2%)

14. Ventnor City

Atlantic County
2020 population: 9,210
10-year change: -1440 (-13.5%)

13. Woodland

Burlington County
2020 population: 1,544
10-year change: -244 (-13.6%)

12. New Hanover

Burlington County
2020 population: 6,367
10-year change: -1018 (-13.8%)

11. Woodbine

Cape May County
2020 population: 2,128
10-year change: -344 (-13.9%)

10. Shiloh

Cumberland County
2020 population: 444
10-year change: -72 (-14.%)

9. Seaside Heights

Ocean County
2020 population: 2,440
10-year change: -447 (-15.5%)

8. Margate City

Atlantic County
2020 population: 5,317
10-year change: -1037 (-16.3%)"

7. Mannington

Salem County
2020 population: 1475
10-year change: -331 (-18.3%)

6. Brigantine

Atlantic County
2020 population: 7,716
10-year change: -1734 (-18.3%)

5. West Amwell

Hunterdon County
2020 population: 3,005
10-year change: -835 (-21.7%)

4. Maurice River

Cumberland County
2020 population: 6,218
10-year change: -1758 (-22.%)

3. Cape May

Cape May County
2020 population: 2,768
10-year change: -839 (-23.3%)

2. Rockleigh

Bergen County
2020 population: 407
10-year change: -124 (-23.4%)

1. Walpack

Sussex County
2020 population: 7
10-year change: -9 (-56.3%)

Biggest total losses in population

20. Jefferson

Morris County
2020 population: 20,538
10-year change: -776 (-3.6%)

19. Hopatcong

Sussex County
2020 population: 14,362
10-year change: -785 (-5.2%)

18. Lower Township

Cape May County
2020 population: 22,057
10-year change: -809 (-3.5%)

17. Freehold Township

Monmouth County
2020 population: 35,369
10-year change: -815 (-2.3%)

16. West Amwell

Hunterdon County
2020 population: 3,005
10-year change: -835 (-21.7%)

15. Cape May

Cape May County
2020 population: 2,768
10-year change: -839 (-23.3%)

14. Millville

Cumberland County
2020 population: 27,491
10-year change: -909 (-3.2%)

13. Asbury Park

Monmouth County
2020 population: 15,188
10-year change: -928 (-5.8%)

12. West Milford

Passaic County
2020 population: 24,862
10-year change: -988 (-3.8%)"

11. Pemberton

Burlington County
2020 population: 26,903
10-year change: -1,009 (-3.6%)

10. New Hanover

Burlington County
2020 population: 6,367
10-year change: -1,018 (-13.8%)

9. Margate City

Atlantic County
2020 population: 5,317
10-year change: -1,037 (-16.3%)

8. Atlantic City

Atlantic County
2020 population: 38,497
10-year change: -1,061 (-2.7%)

7. Little Falls

Passaic County
2020 population: 13,360
10-year change: -1,072 (-7.4%)

6. Ventnor City

Atlantic County
2020 population: 9,210
10-year change: -1,440 (-13.5%)

5. Brick

Ocean County
2020 population: 73,620
10-year change: -1,452 (-1.9%)

4. Vernon

Sussex County
2020 population: 22,358
10-year change: -1,585 (-6.6%)

3. Brigantine

Atlantic County
2020 population: 7,716
10-year change: -1,734 (-18.3%)

2. Maurice River

Cumberland County
2020 population: 6,218
10-year change: -1,758 (-22.%)

1. Camden

Camden County
2020 population: 71,791
10-year change: -5,553 (-7.2%)

Are you staying in New Jersey for the coming fight? Or have you decided that it's a better future for your family to get out?

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The post above reflects the thoughts and observations of New Jersey 101.5 talk show host Bill Spadea. Any opinions expressed are Bill’s own. Bill Spadea is on the air weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m., talking’ Jersey, taking your calls at 1-800-283-1015.