[tnecniv]

Philadelphia is a large port city and is still one of the biggest cities in the US. NJ sits between two major metropolitan areas that are a two hour drive from one another.

As a result, Philly and NJ had a lot more factory industry back then. Towns like Camden and Paterson, that lost to decay and crime now, used to be prosperous factory cities. A lot of NJ’s industry still benefits from its proximity to New York. A lot people that used to live in NYC but now want a yard for their family move to NJ. Large companies tied to NY also do things like put their R&D parks in NJ because it’s close to NYC but has the space they need.