New Jersey’s logistics landscape has long been one of the most influential in the nation, but new research shows just how deeply the state’s warehouse and distribution network fuels its economic stability. A recent statewide analysis reveals that New Jersey’s warehouse facilities are far more than storage hubs—they are a sprawling economic engine supporting roughly 1.35 million jobs and driving more than $113 billion in personal income.
The study, prepared by Rutgers University’s Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation, provides one of the clearest pictures to date of the sector’s sheer scale. More than 760,000 people work on-site at warehouse and distribution centers across the state, while an additional half-million jobs ripple outward across related industries. When you trace the economic chain—transportation, retail, professional services, manufacturing support, hospitality—the impact grows exponentially.
By the end of 2024, New Jersey had nearly 956 million square feet of warehouse and distribution space actively in use. That immense footprint translates to nearly $296 billion in statewide business activity annually, a figure that underscores just how ingrained logistics is in New Jersey’s broader economic identity. In total, these operations generated an estimated $11.3 billion in state and local tax revenues and close to $22.6 billion in federal taxes, helping fund essential services that residents rely on every day.
Industry advocates note that the magnitude of these numbers is often overlooked during public discussions around warehouse development. The logistics ecosystem—stretching from the Port of New York and New Jersey through inland distribution corridors—has become a lifeline for global, national, and regional commerce. Supporters argue that the state’s existing warehouses, not just proposed facilities, deserve recognition for sustaining jobs at a scale unmatched by other industries.
The research team drew from extensive fieldwork, engineering data, published studies, and input from an advisory committee of logistics experts. Their goal was to estimate not only the direct employment inside these buildings but the secondary and induced jobs that stem from ongoing warehouse operations. They focused specifically on facilities larger than 20,000 square feet, excluding production centers and data centers, and analyzed consistent data from counties where detailed information was available.
New Jersey’s logistics framework has become a model for high-demand states: strategically located, heavily interconnected, and consistently evolving. Even as conversations continue around land use, infrastructure expansion, and responsible growth, the economic contribution of the warehouse sector remains unmistakable.
For readers interested in understanding how industries across the state shape local economies—and how businesses drive growth at the community level—Explore New Jersey features ongoing coverage through its business section.
