New Jersey is the richest state in the nation (per capita income) and 2 of the 4 wealthiest counties in the United States are in New Jersey (the other 2 top 4 were in Northern Virginia).
New Jersey is hardly a hellhole. I agree with you that there are some crummy areas but it also is a very beautiful state.
Unfortunately far too many people get their impressions of New Jersey from television shows, which to say the least, are very misleading.
Politically, it is a hellhole.