Get a bird's-eye view of N.J. development over 80 years

See how development transformed the landscape of the Garden State between 1930 and 2013.

The landscape of New Jersey has been drastically altered by development.

Residential communities were carved out of marshland. Shopping malls sprouted up where farms once stood. Stadiums were built in the Meadowlands. 

Sprawl withdrawal: Young NJ residents push toward cities and away from suburbia

While the transformation of open space in the Garden State is visible on the street, a bird's eye view offers a different perspective, one that truly reveals the breadth of change New Jersey has undergone. Aerial maps from the state Department of Environmental Protection's NJ-GeoWeb allow us to see what communities throughout the state looked like from above 80 years ago compared to today.

Drag the sliders back and forth over the maps from 1930 and 2013 to see how residential and commercial real estate development has changed New Jersey. 

 NEW BRUNSWICK

 EAST RUTHERFORD

 FAIR LAWN/PARAMUS

 CHERRY HILL

 TOMS RIVER

 ATLANTIC CITY

MORRISTOWN

MARLBORO

CAPE MAY

JERSEY CITY

While the aerial photos show a stark change in landscape in many parts of the state, there are also regions where not much has changed since 1930.

Shamong Township, a community of nearly 6,500 people spread out 44.4 square miles that all fall within the boundaries of the Pinelands National Reserve, is one such example.

SHAMONG TOWNSHIP