The Borough of Princeton was a borough of New Jersey that existed from 1813 until the end of 2012. On January 1, 2013, it merged with Princeton Township to form Princeton, New Jersey; both the Borough of Princeton and Princeton Township were dissolved in the merger.
The borough was located in Mercer County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, and was completely surrounded by the former Princeton Township, from which it was formed in 1894. As of the 2010 United States census, the borough had a population of 12,307, reflecting a decline of 1,896 (-13.3%) from the 14,203 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 2,187 (+18.2%) from the 12,016 counted in the 1990 Census.Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010 , New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed November 20, 2012.
The Borough of Princeton was incorporated by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 11, 1813, within portions of West Windsor Township (in what was then part of Middlesex County) and Montgomery Township (in Somerset County), and was reincorporated on November 27, 1822. The borough became part of the newly created Mercer County in 1838, and became a fully independent municipality circa 1894. Portions of territory were acquired from Princeton Township on January 4, 1928, and August 21, 1951.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 163. Accessed October 25, 2012. On November 8, 2011, voters in Princeton Borough voted to consolidate with Princeton Township.
Morven, the former residence of the Governor of New Jersey, is at 55 Stockton Street in the former borough, while the current residence is Drumthwacket in the former township.
Geography Princeton borough was located at (40.350461,-74.659371). According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 1.843 square miles (4.774 km2), all of which was land.US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 4, 2014.
Demographics
Census 2010 The 2010 United States census counted 12,307 people, 3,161 households, and 1,644 families in the borough. The population density was 6,679.2 per square mile (2,578.9/km2). There were 3,488 housing units at an average density of 1,893.0 per square mile (730.9/km2). The racial makeup was 72.07% (8,870) White, 6.44% (793) Black or African American, 0.18% (22) Native American, 13.51% (1,663) Asian, 0.16% (20) Pacific Islander, 4.13% (508) from other races, and 3.50% (431) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.30% (1,268) of the population.
Of the 3,161 households, 24.2% had children under the age of 18; 42.4% were married couples living together; 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present and 48.0% were non-families. Of all households, 39.6% were made up of individuals and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.96.
11.7% of the population were under the age of 18, 43.7% from 18 to 24, 19.6% from 25 to 44, 14.7% from 45 to 64, and 10.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 22.9 years. For every 100 females, the population had 104.5 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 103.6 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $104,234 (with a margin of error of +/- $20,004) and the median family income was $148,295 (+/- $34,644). Males had a median income of $96,225 (+/- $29,348) versus $82,572 (+/- $28,930) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $45,566 (+/- $5,208). About 2.5% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.0% of those under age 18 and 8.5% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Princeton borough, Mercer County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 20, 2012.
Census 2000 As of the 2000 United States census there were 14,203 people, 3,326 households, and 1,692 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 3,495 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 80.26% White, 6.39% African American, 0.28% Native American, 7.46% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 2.50% from other races, and 2.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.10% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Princeton borough, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 20, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Princeton borough, Mercer County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 20, 2012. Most of the Hispanic population consists of Mexican and Guatemalan immigrants.
There were 3,326 households, out of which 22.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.5% were married couples living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 49.1% were non-families. 40.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the borough the population was spread out, with 10.1% under the age of 18, 40.9% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 12.3% from 45 to 64, and 9.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 25 years. For every 100 females, there were 108.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.8 males. The borough's unusually low median age and high concentration of 18- to 24-year-olds is influenced by Princeton University.
The median income for a household in the borough was $67,346, and the median income for a family was $102,957. Males had a median income of $60,341 versus $52,900 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $27,292. About 2.9% of families and 9.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.4% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.
Climate According to the Köppen climate classification system, the Borough of Princeton has a Hot-summer Humid continental climate (Dfa).
Ecology According to the A. W. Kuchler U.S. potential natural vegetation types, the Borough of Princeton would have a dominant vegetation type of Appalachian Oak (104) with a dominant vegetation form of Eastern Hardwood Forest (25).U.S. Potential Natural Vegetation, Original Kuchler Types, v2.0 (Spatially Adjusted to Correct Geometric Distortions), Data Basin, Accessed November 26, 2019.
Government
Local government
The Borough of Princeton was governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government. The government consisted of a mayor and a borough council comprising six council members, with all positions elected at large. A mayor was elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council consisted of six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year.2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 73.
The mayor served as the borough's chief executive officer and nominated appointees to various boards and commissions subject to approval of the borough council. The mayor presided at the borough council meetings and voted in the case of a tie or a few other specific cases.
The borough council had administrative powers and was the policy-making body of the borough. The council had six members; two were elected each year and they served three-year terms. The council approved appointments made by the mayor. Council Members served on various boards and committees and acted as liaison's to certain Departments, Committees or Boards. The mayor of the Borough of Princeton, New Jersey, was Yina Moore (D, term ended on December 31, 2012). Members of the borough council were Jo Butler (D, 2012), Jenny Crumiller (D, 2012), Heather Howard (D, 2012), Roger Martindell (D, 2012), Barbara Trelstad (D, 2012) and Kevin Wilkes (D, 2012).Elected Officials , p. 13. Mercer County, New Jersey, Revised January 26, 2012. Accessed November 20, 2012. As of date accessed, a term-end year of 2015 is listed for Yina Moore.Elected Officials , Borough of Princeton. Accessed November 20, 2012. As of date accessed, term-end years of 2013 are listed for mayor and all council members.
Merger of borough and township Additional details are at Merger of borough and township on the Princeton, New Jersey, article On November 8, 2011, the residents of both the Borough of Princeton and the Township of Princeton voted to merge the two municipalities into one. In Princeton Borough 1,385 voted for, 902 voted against while in Princeton Township 3,542 voted for and 604 voted against. Proponents of the merger asserted that when the merger is completed the new municipality of Princeton will save $3.2 million as a result of some scaled-down services, including layoffs of 15 government workers, including 9 police officers (however, the measure itself does not mandate such layoffs). Opponents of the measure challenged the findings of the report, citing cost savings as unsubstantiated, and noted that voter representation would be reduced in a smaller government structure. The consolidation took effect on January 1, 2013. December 31, 2012 was the last day the Borough of Princeton existed as a municipality.
Federal, state and county representation The Borough of Princeton was in the 12th Congressional district2011 New Jersey Citizen’s Guide to Government , p. 63, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed November 20, 2012. and was part of New Jersey's 16th state legislative district.Municipalities Grouped by 2011-2020 Legislative Districts , New Jersey Department of State, p. 8. Accessed November 20, 2012.Districts by Number for 2011-2020 , New Jersey Legislature. Accessed November 20, 2012. Prior to the 2011 reapportionment following the 2010 Census, Princeton Boro had been in the 15th state legislative district.
Politics As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 6,561 registered voters in the Borough of Princeton, of which 3,493 (53.2%) were registered as Democrats, 620 (9.4%) were registered as Republicans and 2,440 (37.2%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 8 voters registered to other parties.Voter Registration Summary - Mercer, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed November 21, 2012.
In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 80.4% of the vote here (3,880 cast), ahead of Republican John McCain with 17.0% (819 votes) and other candidates with 1.1% (51 votes), among the 4,828 ballots cast by the borough's 7,679 registered voters, for a turnout of 62.9%.2008 Presidential General Election Results: Mercer County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed November 21, 2012. In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 73.0% of the vote here (3,475 ballots cast), outpolling Republican George W. Bush with 21.9% (1,043 votes) and other candidates with 1.0% (67 votes), among the 4,763 ballots cast by the borough's 6,938 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 68.7.2004 Presidential Election: Mercer County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed November 21, 2012.