Here's why Bergen County has so many towns

New Jersey has more municipalities per capita than any other state in the Union. Among New Jersey's 21 counties, Bergen County leads the pack with 70, including 56 boroughs.

But why are there so many?

In a word: "Boroughitis" (For more on Boroughitis watch the video above).

In the late 19th century, Bergen County was ground zero in the battle between the established farming community, known as "Punkin Dusters," and a rapidly growing population of urban transplants, known simply as "Commuters."

By 1893, the Borough Act allowed voters to form their own boroughs by simply holding a referendum. As the Punkin Dusters and Commuters fought over what services they did or didn't want in their communities, the new law gave them a way to break away from what they viewed as local tyranny by the opposing side.

In 1894, 26 boroughs were formed in Bergen County, all in the name of home rule. The movement to create ever-smaller municipalities grew to such a frenzy, it was referred to as Boroughitis.

Though laws would change in 1895 to slow Boroughitis, the pressure to create more boroughs pushed the Legislature to approve dozens more. By the 1920s, Bergen County would be home to 70 municipalities, where it stands today.

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