Why does New Jersey have more toxic waste dumps and California have more lawyers? New Jersey had first choice.
The question of why New Jersey is home to more toxic waste sites while California boasts a disproportionate number of lawyers has long been a quirky subject of debate, often summarized by the tongue-in-cheek explanation: “New Jersey had first choice
The question of why New Jersey is home to more toxic waste sites while California boasts a disproportionate number of lawyers has long been a quirky subject of debate, often summarized by the tongue-in-cheek explanation: “New Jersey had first choice.” While the remark plays on stereotypes, the reality is rooted in the distinct historical, economic, and geographic trajectories of these two states—a dynamic that reveals broader lessons about American industrialization, regulation, and regional specialization.
New Jersey’s reputation as a hotspot for toxic waste dumps stems from its early and intense industrialization. Dubbed the “Gateway to America” in the 19th and 20th centuries, the state’s proximity to major ports like New York City and Philadelphia made it a prime location for manufacturing. Chemical plants, oil refineries, and pharmaceutical companies flocked to its cities, capitalizing on its transportation networks and labor force. However, lax environmental regulations at the time allowed harmful byproducts to accumulate. By the 1980s, New Jersey had earned the grim distinction of hosting over 100 Superfund sites—the most in the nation—as the Environmental Protection Agency scrambled to clean up legacy pollution. Decades later, the state remains a case study in the environmental costs of unchecked industrial growth.
California, by contrast, evolved into a magnet for legal professionals as its economy shifted toward technology, entertainment, and venture capital. The post-World War II boom saw Silicon Valley’s rise, Hollywood’s global dominance, and a culture of innovation that demanded complex intellectual property, corporate, and regulatory law. Startups, entertainment contracts, and high-stakes litigation created an insatiable need for attorneys. Additionally, California’s population—now the largest in the U.S.—generates vast legal demands, from civil disputes to criminal cases. As of 2023, the state is home to nearly 200,000 active lawyers, a figure that reflects its status as an economic powerhouse with a labyrinthine legal landscape.
The jest that “New Jersey had first choice” humorously implies a conscious trade-off between pollution and professions, but the truth is more nuanced. Both states’ paths were shaped by timing and resources. New Jersey’s industrial head start came before environmental consciousness took hold, leaving a toxic legacy. California, later to develop, harnessed 20th-century innovations and a service-oriented economy. Yet the dichotomy also underscores policy failures and successes: New Jersey’s struggle to remediate its past contrasts with California’s challenges in managing growth and inequality within its professional classes.
Experts argue the comparison highlights the importance of proactive regulation. “New Jersey’s story is a cautionary tale about prioritizing profit over planet,” says environmental historian Dr. Lena Carter. “Meanwhile, California’s lawyer glut isn’t just about demand—it’s about a legal system that’s become as sprawling as the industries it serves.” Whether either state would swap their “first choices” is doubtful, but their diverging legacies continue to shape debates about progress and sustainability nationwide.
