Rutgers-Eagleton poll finds majority of N.J. residents have largely negative feelings about state, national economies

For many New Jersey residents, President Donald J. Trump’s whirlwind return to the White House has deflated their opinion about the national economy. 

New Jerseyans give mostly negative ratings to both the state and national economy, though they are more positive about New Jersey than the nation overall, according to findings from the latest Rutgers-Eagleton Poll in partnership with New Jersey Organization for a Better State (NEW JOBS) political action committee (PAC). 

41% of New Jerseyans surveyed in a poll earlier this month described the U.S. economy as “poor,” while 39% say “only fair,” an increase of 11 percentage points since November 2024. 18% rated the economy as “good,” down 9 points; less than 1% say the national economy is doing “excellent.” 

Residents are slightly more positive about New Jersey’s economy, though still negative overall, with 26% rating it as “poor,” 37% “only fair,” 31% “good,” and 1% “excellent.” Views on the state economy have changed little since polling in the fall. 

“It’s not surprising that we see ratings of the state economy unimproved and ratings on the national economy even more negative, given the current political and economic climate,” said Ashley Koning, an assistant research professor and director of the Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling (ECPIP) at Rutgers University–New Brunswick. “While views are colored by partisanship – with Republicans more positive about Trump’s economy and Democrats more positive about Murphy’s – partisans of all stripes sense the economy is not in great shape. The economy is sure to be at the forefront of this year’s governor’s race and next year’s midterms.” 

When it comes to opinions on the biggest driver of taxes that state residents pay, regarding property taxes, 48% say one’s local public school district has the most influence on how much someone pays, by far the biggest response. The next-highest response percentage was 9% for county-level government services.  

As for what determines the amount of income tax one pays in New Jersey, residents are divided between healthcare and social services such as Medicaid, public health initiatives, and other social programs (24%) and public education (21%). 

Tony Bawidamann, chairman of the NEW JOBS PAC, said, “A majority of citizens in New Jersey are worried about the state’s economy and the taxes they pay. That is very alarming because it also makes businesses concerned about investment and stability in the marketplace. There is a lot of work to be done as the State’s business leaders need to work closely with elected leaders to create public policy that makes it easier for businesses to grow and flourish here.” 

The New Jersey Organization for a Better State (NEW JOBS) is a political action committee that promotes a pro-business climate in New Jersey by endorsing and supporting legislative candidates who actively support economic growth, the creation of private-sector jobs, and the lowering of business costs.  

Results are from a statewide poll of 1,058 adults contacted through the probability-based Rutgers-Eagleton/SSRS Garden State Panel from April 1 to April 10. The full sample has a margin of error of +/- 4.1 percentage points.