New Jersey is one of the areas in the United States with the largest Korean population, particularly in the northern region adjacent to New York City, where a strong Korean community has formed. The Korean community in New Jersey is actively growing through various economic, cultural, and religious activities, with major Korean residential areas and related industries concentrated here.

Korean Population in New Jersey

• Korean population: approximately 100,000 (as of 2020), making New Jersey the third state with the largest Korean population in the U.S., following California and New York.
• About 80% of the Korean population resides in the northern region, with Bergen County identified as the center of the Korean community.

Major Korean Residential Areas

1. Palisades Park

   • Known as "Little Korea," it is a representative Korean town.
   • About 50% of the population is Korean.
   • It offers a Korean lifestyle environment with a concentration of Korean markets, restaurants, beauty salons, and medical facilities.

2. Fort Lee

   • A popular area for Koreans, conveniently located near Manhattan for commuting.
   • Rich in Korean restaurants, cafes, and professional services (lawyers, accountants, etc.).

3. Tenafly

   • Known for its excellent educational environment, it is popular among Korean parents.
   • It is recognized as an upscale residential area, forming a family-oriented community.

4. Edgewater

   • Located along the Hudson River, it is preferred by relatively high-income Koreans for its beautiful scenery.

5. Ridgefield and River Edge

   • Areas with a steadily increasing Korean population, known for their safe and family-friendly living environments.

Korean Economic Activities

• Business:
  The Korean community in New Jersey is active in various industries, contributing to the local economy.

  • Korean supermarkets: Large chain stores like H-Mart.
  • Food service: A wide distribution of Korean restaurants, cafes, bakeries, and K-barbecue.
  • Professional services: Korean-owned law offices, hospitals, accounting firms, etc.
  • Beauty industry: Hair salons, nail shops, and other service sectors are also significant economic activities.

• Industry:

  • New Jersey has developed as a hub for logistics and distribution industries, located between New York and Philadelphia, with Korean businesses actively participating in this field.

Religion and Culture

• Korean churches:
  New Jersey has various sizes and scales of Korean churches, which play a central role in the Korean community.

  • Notable churches:
    • New Jersey First Church
    • New Jersey United Methodist Church
    • Bethany Church, etc.
  • Churches provide a space not only for worship but also for immigrants to feel a sense of belonging and to interact with one another.

• Cultural activities:

  • Organizations like the Korean American Association of New Jersey host Korean festivals and cultural events.
  • The annual Korean Festival is a large event that involves Koreans from all over New Jersey and other communities.

5. Education and Korean Parents

• North New Jersey is known for its excellent school districts, making it popular among Korean parents.
  • Areas like Tenafly and Fort Lee are particularly favored by highly education-oriented Koreans.
  • SAT prep academies, college consulting, and learning centers are well developed.

6. Characteristics of Koreans in New Jersey

• Coexistence of first and second-generation immigrants: The early immigrant generation focused on traditional businesses like restaurants and supermarkets, while the second generation is entering professional fields such as IT, law, and healthcare.
• Multicultural integration: The Korean community in New Jersey is closely linked with other Asian and Latino communities, exhibiting multicultural characteristics.

New Jersey provides a convenient and stable environment for Koreans, with a strong Korean community established in the region. Particularly centered around Bergen County, various Korean businesses and cultural activities thrive, and both first and second-generation immigrants are growing together, playing a significant role as a hub of the Korean community in the United States.