North Jersey is an informal and indefinite name for the northern or northeastern part of New Jersey, which is sandwiched between two important cities: New York, (which North Jersey locals refer to as "The City") and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (which South Jersey locals refer to as "The City"). Benjamin Franklin described New Jersey as "a barrel tapped at both ends," and things haven't changed much since. North Jersey is theoretically the area within the New York City sphere of influence. Some define North Jersey as all points in New Jersey north of Interstate 195. Others, primarily those who live in the northern tier of counties count only that area north of the mouth of the Raritan River.

The traditional definition of North Jersey is the geo-cultural boundary known as the "Gateway": the towns enclosed by the Hudson River Bay and Interstate 287(which runs south from the north border with Upstate New York and then curves east to the coast). This boundary has more urbanized areas, a mix of wealthy New York City commuters and working class, ethnically and politically diverse, and primarily Jewish, Catholic, or Secular. It is what most in the United States think of when they hear "New Jersey" or see it portrayed on television. The rest of the State has a more suburban or rural "WASP" influence, although diversity is still a hallmark for the entire State.