MADISON, NJ – A recent poll by Fairleigh Dickinson University found that 16 percent of New Jersey residents entertain the possibility of the Jersey Devil, a legendary creature of the Pine Barrens, being real. The same survey revealed higher levels of belief in other paranormal phenomena, such as ghosts and astrology, but little credence given to fictional creatures like the Flukeman of Newark.
The FDU Poll indicates that belief in the Jersey Devil, a part of local folklore for hundreds of years, is not limited to any specific demographic or region within the state. Younger residents were more open to the creature’s existence than older ones. However, residents living near the Pine Barrens, the creature’s supposed habitat, were less likely to believe in its existence compared to those in urban areas.
In the realm of other paranormal beliefs, the survey discovered that 44 percent of New Jersey residents find it likely that ghosts exist, and 20 percent think the same of astrology. These beliefs also showed generational divides, with younger residents more inclined to find hauntings plausible. Gender and educational levels also influenced the likelihood of belief in paranormal phenomena.
To verify the sincerity of survey participants, the poll included a question about the Flukeman of Newark, a character from the 1994 episode of “The X-Files.” Only 2 percent of respondents indicated belief in this purely fictional creature, suggesting that the other results are not solely the product of respondent jesting.
Dan Cassino, a professor of Government and Politics at FDU and the director of the poll, commented that while regional myths like the Jersey Devil may start locally, they often become part of the wider state or even national culture. Despite modern skepticism, these beliefs endure into the 21st century.
There are 9.26 million people in New Jersey. That means 1.5 million believe in the tale.