How do I use the New Jersey Data Book?

Use our free data tools to learn more about New Jersey and its counties, legislative districts, congressional districts, and municipalities.

To get started, Register or Log in. You must be a registered user to have access to the data and features of this website. Go to the registration page to set up an account or the login page if you already have one.

Note: Your name, email address and other information will not be shared with any other organizations. See our privacy policy.

We recommend visiting our About the Data page before using the Data Book tools to familiarize yourself with the available data indicators and variables.

How to Create a Data Table

Decide if you’d like to create a table of municipal or school data. On the red left-side menu, click on your choice underneath “Create Data Tables”.

For Municipal Data Tables:

  1. Select the geography to include in your table. Available options are counties, legislative districts (LDs), and congressional districts (CDs). By checking off a county, LD, or CD all of the municipalities that make it up are selected for inclusion in the map. To select individual municipalities, click on “Select By Municipality” at the top right of the geography selection.
  2. Select Indicator(s) and Variable(s). A list of all Indicators appears on the left side of the Indicators menu box. A list of all variables appears on the right side of the Indicators menu box by scrolling down. Clicking on an Indicator will select all variables within it in the right-side list. You may also choose variables individually. Any combination of variables can be included in your table.
  3. Select Years, one or more.
  4. Click on the “Create Table” button at the bottom of the page.

For School Data Tables:

  1. Select the geography to include in your table. School Districts are organized by county. To select individual school districts, click on “Select By District” at the top right of the geography selection.
  2. Select Indicator(s) and Variable(s). A list of all Indicators appears on the left side of the Indicators menu box. A list of all variables appears on the right side of the Indicators menu box by scrolling down. Clicking on an Indicator will select all variables within it in the right-side list. You may also choose variables individually. Any combination of variables can be included in your table.
  3. Select Years, one or more.
  4. Click on the “Create Table” button at the bottom of the page.

How to Build a Chart or Graph

  1. Click on “Build Charts” on the red left-side menu.
  2. Select the geography to include in your table. Available options are counties, legislative districts (LDs), and congressional districts (CDs). By checking off a county, LD, or CD all of the municipalities that make it up are selected for inclusion in the map. To select individual municipalities, click on “Select By Municipality” at the top right of the geography selection.
  3. Select Indicator(s) and Variable(s). A list of all Indicators appears on the left side of the Indicators menu box. A list of all variables appears on the right side of the Indicators menu box by scrolling down. Clicking on an Indicator will select all variables within it in the right-side list. You may also choose variables individually.
  4. Select Years, one or more.
  5. Select the Chart type. Hovering over a chart or graph will show requirements for building a specific type. You may need to adjust your selections of Indicators, Variables, or Years to build a specific type.

How to Create a Map

Decide if you’d like to create a map of municipal or school data. On the red left-side menu, click on your choice underneath “Explore Maps”.

A default map will appear, and update as you make your selections and customizations.

For Municipal Maps:

  1. Customize the Data Controls
    1. Select a Data Indicator from the Indicator Category drop-down menu.
    2. Select a Variable from the drop-down menu.
    3. Select a Year from the drop-down menu.
    4. Advanced map features: For further information regarding Color Scheme, Color Scale Algorithm, and Zero Pivot, please click here for an explanatory guide.
    5. Check Clean View to view the map without boundary lines. Uncheck it to view boundary lines.
  2. Customize Municipality Selection
    1. Select the geography to include in your map. Available options are counties, legislative districts (LDs), and congressional districts (CDs). By checking off a county, LD, or CD all of the municipalities that make it up are selected for inclusion in the map. To select individual municipalities, click on “Select By Municipality” at the top right of the geography selection.
  3. To view a table of the data underlying your custom map, click on the (I circle) icon next to “Accessible view of map data.”

For School Maps:

  1. Customize the Data Controls
    1. Select a District Type.
    2. Select a Data Indicator from the Indicator Category drop-down menu.
    3. Select a Variable from the drop-down menu.
    4. Select a Year from the drop-down menu.
    5. Advanced map features: For further information regarding Color Scheme, Color Scale Algorithm, and Zero Pivot, please click here for an explanatory guide.
    6. Check Clean View to view the map without boundary lines. Uncheck it to view boundary lines.
  2. Customize Municipality Selection
    1. Select the geography to include in your map. Available options are counties, legislative districts (LDs), and congressional districts (CDs). By checking off a county, LD, or CD all of the municipalities that make it up are selected for inclusion in the map. To select individual municipalities, click on “Select By Municipality” at the top right of the geography selection.
  3. To view a table of the data underlying your custom map, click on the (I circle) icon next to “Accessible view of map data.”