Milford is a borough located in western Hunterdon County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 1,232, a decrease of one person (−0.1%) from the 2010 census count of 1,233, which in turn reflected an increase of 38 (+3.2%) from the 1,195 counted in the 2000 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 May 1, 2023.
Milford was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 15, 1911, from portions of Holland Township, based on the results of a referendum held on May 8, 1911. The borough's incorporation was confirmed on March 13, 1925.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 157. Accessed May 30, 2024.
The borough is located on the Delaware River in the western portion of Hunterdon County, known as the Hunterdon Plateau. The borough dates to the mid-18th century when a grist mill was established beside a river in what was then Bethlehem Township. After the mill was destroyed by fire in 1769, the settlement became known as Burnt Mills in Alexandria Township. The area was renamed "Lowreytown" after Thomas Lowrey purchased land in the area in 1796. The community became commonly known as "Millford" or "Millsford" by the beginning of the 19th century, but by 1844 the name had lost a letter or two. By 1863 it was consistently spelled as "Milford".1862-1863 U.S. IRS Tax Assessment List, 1862-1863, Division 6, Collection District 3, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, accessed Dec 2017; paid subscription site. The community was incorporated in 1911 but the official incorporation was not registered until 1925.Lurie, Maxine; Mappen, Marc; and Siegel, Michael. "Milford", p. 522 in Encyclopedia of New Jersey. Rutgers University Press, 2004. . Accessed November 20, 2019. "Milford was established as a borough in 1911 and officially incorporated in 1925."Our Town Now and Then , Milford on the Delaware. Accessed September 7, 2015. "In 1796 Colonel Thomas Lowrey purchased the 333 acre Burnt Mills tract and renamed it Lowreytown. Two years later he sold the southern half of the tract, which became Frenchtown. The town was again renamed 'Millsford' upon the death of Colonel Lowrey, but by 1844 the name lost the 'S' and second 'L'."
The Milford Historic District, encompassing the community, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2025. With accompanying 24 photos.
Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 1.27 square miles (3.29 km2), including 1.18 square miles (3.06 km2) of land and 0.09 square miles (0.23 km2) of water (6.93%).
Milford borders the municipalities of Alexandria Township and Holland Township in Hunterdon County; and Bridgeton Township in Bucks County, across the Delaware River in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.Areas touching Milford, MapIt. Accessed November 20, 2019.Map of County Municipalities, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Accessed July 30, 2023.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.
Demographics
2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 1,233 people, 520 households, and 331 families in the borough. The population density was . There were 552 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 97.32% (1,200) White, 0.24% (3) Black or African American, 0.16% (2) Native American, 0.97% (12) Asian, 0.08% (1) Pacific Islander, 0.24% (3) from other races, and 0.97% (12) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.19% (27) of the population.
Of the 520 households, 26.7% had children under the age of 18; 51.7% were married couples living together; 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present and 36.3% were non-families. Of all households, 28.8% were made up of individuals and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.93.
20.6% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 32.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44.1 years. For every 100 females, the population had 95.7 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 97.0 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $75,948 (with a margin of error of +/− $6,902) and the median family income was $79,653 (+/− $5,673). Males had a median income of $52,679 (+/− $12,062) versus $42,778 (+/− $8,377) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $32,823 (+/− $2,774). About 0.9% of families and 2.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 6.6% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Milford borough, Hunterdon County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 15, 2012.
2000 census At the 2000 United States census there were 1,195 people, 469 households and 323 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 484 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 97.57% White, 0.17% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.33% Pacific Islander, 0.08% from other races, and 1.26% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.01% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Milford borough, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 15, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Milford borough, Hunterdon County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 15, 2012.
There were 469 households, of which 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.1% were married couples living together, 5.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.1% were non-families. 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.11.
25.4% of the population were under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 33.3% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.3 males.
The median household income was $54,519 and the median family income was $62,167. Males had a median income of $46,500 and females $31,765. The per capita income was $25,039. About 1.8% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.7% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those age 65 or over.
Government Local government Milford is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, one of 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form, the most commonly used form of government in the state.Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey, Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023. The governing body is comprised of the mayor and the borough council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. A mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council includes six members, who are elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle.2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 103. The borough form of government used by Milford is a "weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.Cerra, Michael F. "Forms of Government: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know, But Were Afraid to Ask" , New Jersey State League of Municipalities. Accessed November 30, 2014."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 6. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.
, the mayor of Milford Borough is Republican Henry Schepens, whose term of office ends December 31, 2023. Members of the Borough Council are Noralie LaFevre (R, 2025), James Gallos (R, 2024; appointed to serve an unexpired term), Ronald R. Rehl (R, 2025), Robert E. White (D, 2023) and Elisa Yager (R, 2024), with one seat vacant.Elected Borough Officials, Milford Borough. Accessed May 5, 2023.2023 Municipal Data Sheet, Milford Borough. Accessed May 5, 2023.Borough of Milford, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Accessed May 5, 2023.2022 County and Municipal Directory, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Accessed May 1, 2023.Hunterdon County District Canvass November 8, 2022, General Election, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, updated November 21, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.November 2, 2021 District Report Hunterdon County Official Results, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, updated November 12, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.November 3, 2020 District Report Hunterdon County Official Results, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, updated November 20, 2020. Accessed January 1, 2021.Hunterdon County District Canvass November 5, 2019, General Election, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, updated November 14, 2019. Accessed January 1, 2020.
In February 2023, Russell Heller was shot and killed at a PSE&G facility by a former employee, leaving his seat expiring in December 2023 vacant."PSE&G supervisor killed by former employee was New Jersey councilman", WABC-TV, February 9, 2023. Accessed February 9, 2023. "The PSE&G supervisor gunned down by an employee at work was a Milford Councilman in Hunterdon County, officials announced.... Police called to the scene found 51-year-old Senior Distribution Supervisor Russell Heller dead from a gunshot wound in the parking lot outside the facility."
In November 2018, Henry Schepens was elected to serve the balance of the term as mayor expiring in December 2019 that had been held by Ronald R. Rehl.District Canvass November 6, 2018 Official Results, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, updated November 14, 2018. Accessed January 1, 2019.
In January 2016, the Common Council selected Carole Heller to fill the seat expiring in December 2017 that became vacant after Ronald Rehl stepped down to be sworn in as mayor.Milford Borough Common Council Regular Meeting Minutes January 19, 2016 , Borough of Milford. Accessed July 10, 2016. Accessed July 10, 2016. "Fill Council Vacancy – Letter from Donald Pursell: Noralie LaFevre made a motion to appoint Carole Heller to fill Councilman Rehl's Council vacancy seat. Seconded by Henry Schepens. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: N. LaFevre, H. Schepens, G. Sniffin, R. White, E. Yager Nays: None; Abstain: None; Absent: None; Motion approved."
Federal, state and county representation