How many municipalities are there in New Jersey?

New Jersey has a total of 565 municipalities, which is a unique aspect of the state's governance structure. These municipalities include cities, towns, boroughs, townships, and villages, each governed by its own municipal government. This relatively high number of municipalities compared to other states is due to New Jersey's historical development and the consolidation of various local government entities, as well as its population density and urbanization patterns. Each municipality operates independently, enabling localized governance that can be tailored to the specific needs of its community, thereby ensuring effective management of public services and resources at the community level.