Rutgers-Eagleton: Most New Jerseyans Give Negative Ratings to State and National Economies

April 16, 2026 | insidernj.com

Three-quarters of residents rate the state’s economy negatively, with 29% rating it as “poor” and 46% as “only fair.” Twenty percent say the state economy is “good” and 1% say it is “excellent.” Overall negativity has ticked up by 6 points since October, when last polled. 

Residents continue to feel slightly more negatively about the national economy. Nearly 8 in 10 rate the national economy negatively, with 46% calling it “poor” and 33% “only fair.” Seventeen percent say the national economy is “good” and 2% “excellent.” Negativity has increased by 9 points since October, with most of the increase occurring among those who label the national economy as "poor.”

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NJ SEED: The NJ Department of Labor offers encouraging words about the economy and the Trump Administration continues to assert that “property is just around the corner.” However, the average citizen does not share that warm and fuzzy feeling that the economy is good, and it is their feelings that count at election time.