New Jersey has more local governments per square mile than almost any other state, and the terminology can be confusing—even for lifelong residents. Township, borough, city, and census-designated place aren’t just labels; they affect taxes, schools, services, zoning, and who you actually call when something goes wrong. Understanding the difference matters more than most people realize.
Townships
A township is one of New Jersey’s most common forms of municipal government. Despite the name, townships aren’t rural by default—many are densely populated and highly developed. Townships typically provide a full range of services, including police, public works, and administration, and they often contain multiple neighborhoods or named areas within their borders.
Importantly, a township’s boundaries determine property taxes, municipal services, and local governance—even if residents identify more strongly with a neighborhood name than the township
itself.
Boroughs
Boroughs are usually smaller and more compact than townships, though not always. Historically, boroughs were formed to give residents tighter local control and more direct access to municipal leadership. In practice, boroughs often have their own police departments, councils, and tax
structures.
Because boroughs tend to be geographically smaller, changes in budgets or assessments can have a more noticeable impact on residents.
Cities
Cities in New Jersey are defined by their form of government, not by population size or density. Some cities are large and urban, others are modest in scale. City governments often manage more complex infrastructure and services, but from a homeowner’s perspective, the key takeaway is simple: city boundaries still dictate taxes, zoning rules, and municipal responsibility—just
like any other form of government.
Census-Designated Places (CDPs)
This is where many people get tripped up. A census-designated place, or CDP, is not
a municipality. CDPs are geographic areas defined by the for statistical purposes only. They often reflect well-known community names that residents use every day, even though those places have no independent government.
A CDP may feel like a town—with its own name, identity, and ZIP code—but municipal services, taxes, and governance are handled by the township or borough it sits within. CDPs exist so population data, income levels, and housing statistics can be tracked more accurately, not to establish political authority.
Why This Distinction Matters
- Taxes: Property taxes are set by the municipality, not the CDP name on your mailing address.
- Schools: School district boundaries don’t always align with municipal or CDP borders.
- Permits & Zoning: Renovations and additions depend on the governing municipality.
- Public Services: Police, trash collection, snow removal, and code enforcement are municipal responsibilities.
- Buying or Selling a Home: Two houses with the same ZIP code can fall under very different rules and tax rates.
The Common Misconception
Many New Jersey residents say they live in a place that technically doesn’t exist as a municipality.
That doesn’t make them wrong—it reflects how communities evolve socially faster than government structures do. But when it comes time to vote, pay taxes, pull permits, or sell a home, the legal municipality is what counts.
The Bottom Line
New Jersey’s patchwork of townships, boroughs, cities, and census-designated places is part of what gives the state its character—and its complexity. Knowing which one applies to you isn’t trivia.
It’s practical knowledge that can save time, money, and confusion, especially when making big decisions about where and how you live.
Photo Credit: Catherine Kerr
