Princeton Township was a township in Mercer County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, that existed from 1838 until the end of 2012. On January 1, 2013, it merged with the Borough of Princeton to form Princeton, New Jersey; both Princeton Township and the Borough of Princeton were dissolved in the merger.
As of the 2010 United States census, the township's population was 16,265, reflecting an increase of 238 (+1.5%) from the 16,027 counted in the 2000 census, which had in turn increased by 2,829 (+21.4%) from the 13,198 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 August 20, 2012.
Princeton was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 9, 1838, from portions of West Windsor Township in Mercer County and Montgomery Township in Somerset County. The Borough of Princeton — created on February 11, 1813 within the area that later became Princeton Township — became a fully independent municipality circa 1894. Portions of territory were ceded to the Borough of Princeton 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. 164. Accessed August 24, 2012. On November 8, 2011, voters in Princeton Township voted to consolidate with Princeton Borough, a change that took effect on January 1, 2013.
The Institute for Advanced Study, a private research institution that has been an academic home to Albert Einstein, Kurt Gödel, and many other famous and prize-winning scientists, is located in the former township. Princeton University is located mostly within the former borough, but parts of the campus extended into what was Princeton Township.
Drumthwacket, the official residence of the governor of New Jersey, is located at 344 Stockton Street in the area of the former township.Halbfinger, David M. "Governors Don’t Call This Home", The New York Times, November 19, 2009. Accessed August 20, 2012. "It is a 20-room Greek Revival mansion, with Italian gardens, a music room and a wood-paneled library. But no one seems to want to live in Drumthwacket, the governor’s residence in Princeton Township, N.J."
The last day Princeton Township existed as an independent municipality was December 31, 2012.
Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the township had a total area of 16.520 square miles (42.786 km2), including 16.090 square miles (41.672 km2) of it is land and 0.430 square miles (1.114 km2) of water (2.60%) is water.US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 4, 2014.
Princeton Borough was an independent municipality completely surrounded by the township.
Princeton North was an unincorporated community located within Princeton Township that had been a census-designated place until the 2010 census.New Jersey: 2010 - Population and Housing Unit Counts - 2010 Census of Population and Housing (CPH-2-32), P. III-4. United States Census Bureau, August 2012. Accessed December 21, 2014. "Deleted CDPs: Ewing (was coextensive with Ewing township); Mercerville-Hamilton Square (split to form all of Mercerville and part of Hamilton Square CDPs); Princeton North; and Yardville-Groveville (split to form parts of Groveville and Yardville CDPs)."
The Princeton Airport is within Princeton's postal district but is situated less than a mile across the Somerset County border, in Montgomery Township.
Demographics
2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 16,265 people, 6,360 households, and 4,325 families in the township. The population density was 1,010.9 per square mile (390.3/km2). There were 6,814 housing units at an average density of 423.5 per square mile (163.5/km2). The racial makeup was 75.52% (12,283) White, 4.98% (810) Black or African American, 0.14% (22) Native American, 14.17% (2,305) Asian, 0.02% (4) Pacific Islander, 2.26% (368) from other races, and 2.91% (473) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.91% (1,124) of the population.
Of the 6,360 households, 31.4% had children under the age of 18; 59.1% were married couples living together; 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present and 32.0% were non-families. Of all households, 23.6% were made up of individuals and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.02.
23.1% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 23.7% from 25 to 44, 29.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.6 years. For every 100 females, the population had 94.0 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 90.8 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006-2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $107,071 (with a margin of error of +/- $12,828) and the median family income was $149,948 (+/- $16,625). Males had a median income of $112,282 (+/- $7,079) versus $66,150 (+/- $11,617) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $71,050 (+/- $6,509). About 6.2% of families and 7.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.1% of those under age 18 and 6.2% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Princeton township, Mercer County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 20, 2012.
2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 16,027 people, 6,044 households, and 4,357 families residing in the township. The population density was . There were 6,224 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the township was 79.91% White, 5.32% African American, 0.12% Native American, 9.98% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 2.11% from other races, and 2.51% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.28% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Princeton township, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 31, 2016.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Princeton township, Mercer County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 20, 2012.
There were 6,044 households, out of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.3% were married couples living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.9% were non-families. 20.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the township the population was spread out, with 24.4% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 27.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.6 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $94,580, and the median income for a family was $123,098. Males had a median income of $77,845 versus $41,563 for females. The per capita income for the township was $56,360. About 4.2% of families and 5.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.7% of those under age 18 and 3.0% of those age 65 or over.
As of the 2000 census, Princeton Township was the 25th-wealthiest community in the state of New Jersey with a per capita money income of $56,360 as of 1999, an increase of 41.7% from the $39,767 recorded in 1989 when it was ranked 21st in the state.Money Income (1989 and 1999) and Poverty (1999) New Jersey, Counties and Municipalities, New Jersey State Data Center, April 2003. Accessed August 20, 2012.
Climate According to the Köppen climate classification system, Princeton Township has a Hot-summer Humid continental climate (Dfa).
Ecology According to the A. W. Kuchler U.S. potential natural vegetation types, Princetown Township 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 Princeton Township was governed under the Township form of government with a five-member Township Committee. The Township Committee was elected directly by the voters in partisan elections to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with one seat 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. 103. A Mayor and Deputy Member were elected by the Committee from among its members and serve a one-year term. The Mayor served as the Chairperson of the Committee and exercised executive powers vested in the Mayor's Office by law. All legislative powers were assigned to the Committee. 104 of the 565 municipalities in New Jersey operate with a five-member Committee form of local government.
An Administrator was also empowered by ordinance to serve in an executive capacity and direct the Township's day-to-day operations.
Members of the final Princeton Township Committee were Mayor Chad Goerner (D, term ended December 31, 2012), Deputy Mayor Liz Lempert (D, 2013), Lance Liverman (D, 2013), Bernard P. Miller (D, 2014) and Sue Nemeth (D, 2014).Elected Officials , p. 14. Mercer County, New Jersey, Revised January 26, 2012. Accessed November 20, 2012.Princeton Governing Body, Princeton Township. Accessed August 20, 2012.
Merger of Borough and Township 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 consolidation measure 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 create any line item cost reduction or layoffs). Opponents to the consolidation measure asserted that cost savings alleged by a widely circulated report were incorrect and/or unsubstantiated and that individual voter representation would be diluted by the merged municipal structure. The consolidation is to take effect in 2013.
Federal, state and county representation Princeton Township was located in the 12th Congressional district2011 New Jersey Citizen’s Guide to Government , p. 63, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed August 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 August 20, 2012.Districts by Number for 2011-2020 , New Jersey Legislature. Accessed August 20, 2012. Prior to the 2011 reapportionment following the 2010 census, Princeton Township had been in the 15th state legislative district.
Politics As of March 23, 2011, there were a total of 11,488 registered voters in Princeton Township, of which 5,691 (49.5%) were registered as Democrats, 1,520 (13.2%) were registered as Republicans and 4,263 (37.1%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 14 voters registered to other parties.Voter Registration Summary - Mercer, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed November 21, 2012.