Mercer County, New Jersey
Template:Short description Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox U.S. county
Mercer County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Its county seat is Trenton, also the state capital,<ref name=CountyMap>New Jersey County Map, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed December 22, 2022.</ref> prompting its nickname The Capital County.<ref name=MercerCapitalCounty/> Mercer County alone constitutes the Trenton–Princeton metropolitan statistical area<ref>Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Combined Statistical Areas, and Guidance on Uses of the Delineations of These Areas</ref> and is considered part of the New York combined statistical area by the U.S. Census Bureau,<ref name=omb20180904>(Note: Mercer County, NJ is NOT part of the Philadelphia CSA according to this original source.) "Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Combined Statistical Areas, and Guidance on Uses of the Delineations of These Areas", OMB Bulletin no. 18-04, The White House, Office of Management and Budget, September 4, 2018</ref><ref>NEW JERSEY - Core Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs) and Counties Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau, February 2013. Accessed August 8, 2017.</ref><ref>Combined Statistical Areas of the United States and Puerto Rico Template:Webarchive, United States Census Bureau, July 2015. Accessed August 8, 2017.</ref> but also directly borders the Philadelphia metropolitan area and is included within the Federal Communications Commission's Philadelphia Designated Media Market Area.<ref name="FCC DMA Current">- Philadelphia Market Area Coverage Maps Template:Webarchive, Federal Communications Commission. Accessed December 28, 2014.</ref> The county is part of the Central Jersey region of the state.<ref>Governor Murphy Settles Central Jersey Debate, Governor of New Jersey Phil Murphy, press release dated August 4, 2023. "Governor Phil Murphy today signed S3206 to promote Central Jersey tourism.... The 'Central Jersey' region will be comprised of, at minimum, the counties of Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, and Somerset."</ref><ref>Willis, David P. "'This is how wars start': Does Central Jersey include both Ocean and Union counties?", Asbury Park Press, February 20, 2023. Accessed March 31, 2024. "North Jersey is defined as Sussex, Warren, Morris, Passaic, Bergen, Essex and Hudson counties; South Jersey would be Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Atlantic, Salem, Cumberland and Cape May counties. But for Central, things get a little tricky. It would include Hunterdon, Somerset, Union, Middlesex, Mercer, Monmouth, and Ocean counties."</ref><ref>"Regions: North, Central, South, Shore - Best of NJ", Best of NJ, Accessed May 30, 2024. "Central Jersey consists of Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Somerset, and Union County."</ref>
As of the 2020 United States census, the county retained its position as the state's 12th-most-populous county,<ref name=Largest2020>Table 1. New Jersey Counties and Most Populous Cities and Townships: 2020 and 2010 Censuses, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed December 1, 2022.</ref> with a population of 387,340,<ref name=Census2020/><ref name=LWD2020/> its highest decennial count ever and an increase of 20,827 (+5.7%) from the 366,513 recorded at the 2010 census,<ref name=Census2010/> which in turn had reflected an increase of 15,752 (+4.5%) from the 350,761 enumerated at the 2000 census<ref name=Census2000>DP-1 - Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000; Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Mercer County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 21, 2013.</ref><ref name=Census2010LWD>NJ Labor Market Views Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, March 15, 2011. Accessed October 6, 2013.</ref><ref name=CPH232/> The most populous municipality in Mercer County at the 2020 census was Hamilton Township, with 92,297 residents,<ref name=LWD2020/> while Hopewell Township was the largest in area.<ref name=CensusArea/>
The county was formed by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 22, 1838, from portions of Burlington County (Nottingham Township, now Hamilton Township), Hunterdon County (Ewing Township, Lawrence Township, Trenton, and portions of Hopewell Township), and Middlesex County (West Windsor Township and portions of East Windsor Township).<ref name=Story>Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968 Template:Webarchive, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 161. Accessed October 1, 2013.</ref> The former Keith Line bisects the county and is the boundary between municipalities that previously had been separated into West Jersey and East Jersey.
Trenton–Mercer Airport in Ewing Township is a commercial and corporate aviation airport serving Mercer County and its surrounding vicinity. Princeton is home to Princeton University, one of the world’s most acclaimed research universities, and to Drumthwacket, the official residence of the governor of New Jersey. Mercer County contains 12 municipalities, the fewest of any county in New Jersey, and equal to Hudson County.
.jpg){kind=link}
Etymology
[edit]The county was named for Continental Army General Hugh Mercer, who died as a result of wounds received at the Battle of Princeton on January 3, 1777.<ref>Kane, Joseph Nathan; and Aiken, Charles Curry. The American Counties: Origins of County Names, Dates of Creation, and Population Data, 1950-2000, p. 201. Scarecrow Press, 2005. Template:ISBN. Accessed January 21, 2013.</ref> Continental Army Brigadier General Hugh Mercer served in the Continental Army during the Battle of Trenton and the Battle of Princeton in 1777. A Scotsman that fled to British North America after the failed Jacobite Rebellion, he worked closely with George Washington in the American Revolution. On January 3, 1777, Washington's army was en route to Princeton, New Jersey. While leading a vanguard of 350 soldiers, Mercer's brigade encountered two British regiments and a mounted unit. A fight broke out at an orchard grove and Mercer's horse was shot from under him. Getting to his feet, he was quickly surrounded by British troops who mistook him for George Washington and ordered him to surrender. Outnumbered, he drew his saber and began an unequal contest. He was finally beaten to the ground, bayoneted repeatedly (seven times), and left for dead. Legend has it that a beaten Mercer, with a bayonet still impaled in him, did not want to leave his men and the battle and was given a place to rest on a white oak tree's trunk, and those who remained with him stood their ground. The Mercer Oak, against which the dying general rested as his men continued to fight, appears on the county seal and stood for 250 years until it collapsed in 2000.<ref>Princeton Battlefield's Mercer Oak Template:Webarchive, Princeton Battlefield's Clarke House Volunteers. Accessed October 6, 2013. "This white oak later became the symbol for Mercer County (named for the general), Princeton Township, the NJ Green Acres program, and other agencies. The approximately 250-year-old tree collapsed of its own weight March 3, 2000."</ref>
History
[edit]Founded February 22, 1838, from portions of surrounding counties, Mercer County has a historical impact that reaches back to the pivotal battles of the American Revolutionary War. On the night of December 25–26, 1776, General George Washington led American forces across the Delaware River to attack the Hessian forces in the Battle of Trenton on the morning of December 26, also known as the First Battle of Trenton. After the battle, Washington crossed back to Pennsylvania. He crossed a third time in a surprise attack on the forces of General Charles Cornwallis at the Battle of the Assunpink Creek, on January 2, 1777, also known as the Second Battle of Trenton, and at the Battle of Princeton on January 3. The successful attacks built morale among the pro-independence colonists.<ref>Epicenter of Revolution Template:Webarchive, Mercer County. Accessed October 6, 2013.</ref> Ewing Church Cemetery in Ewing is one of the oldest cemeteries in the area, having served the Ewing community for 300 years. It is home to the burial places of hundreds of veterans from The Revolutionary War to the Vietnam War.<ref>Ewing Church Cemetery & Mausoleum</ref>
Since 1790, Trenton has served as the state's capital, earning the county the name "the Capital County." After the Legislature relocated to Trenton from Perth Amboy in 1790, it purchased land for £250 and 5 shillings and constructed a new state house, designed by Philadelphia-based architect Jonathan Doane, beginning in 1792. The Doane building was covered in stucco, measured Template:Convert, and housed the Senate and Assembly chambers in opposite wings. To meet the demands of the growing state, the structure was expanded several times during the 19th century. New Jersey, along with Nevada, is the only state to have its capital be located at the border with another state, as Trenton is across the Delaware River from Pennsylvania. The official residence of the governor of New Jersey, known as Drumthwacket, is located in Princeton, and is listed on both the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and the New Jersey Register of Historic Places.
The county experienced rapid urbanization and population growth during the first half of the 20th century due to the growth of industrialization in places such as Trenton. Mercer County was the landing spot for a fictional Martian invasion of the United States. In 1938, in what has become one of the most famous American radio plays of all time, Orson Welles acted out his The War of the Worlds invasion. His imaginary aliens first "landed" at what is now West Windsor. A commemorative monument is erected at Grovers Mill park.<ref>"War of the Worlds Monument" Template:Webarchive, South Suburban College. Accessed October 17, 2008.</ref>
There were 27 Mercer County residents killed during the September 11 terrorist attacks in Lower Manhattan. A Template:Convert long steel beam weighing one ton was given to the county by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in March 2011 and is now displayed at Mercer County Park.<ref>Staff. "Hughes, Officials unveil section of steel beam from Sept. 11 to be used in memorial" Template:Webarchive, Mercer County press release dated March 28, 2011. Accessed September 11, 2011. "Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes was flanked by firefighters and first responders from around the County today as a section of a steel beam recovered from Ground Zero was displayed for the first time. The 10-foot, 2,108-pound piece of I-beam steel was recovered from Ground Zero during the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks.... Dozens of firefighters and first responders from Mercer County worked at Ground Zero for the first 10 days after September 11, Hughes said. Mercer County was also home to 27 victims."</ref>
Geography and climate
[edit]Template:Maplink According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of the 2020 Census, the county had a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert was land (98.1%) and Template:Convert was water (1.9%).<ref name=CensusArea>2020 Census Gazetteer File for Counties in New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed April 1, 2023.</ref>
The county is generally flat and low-lying on the inner coastal plain, which extends up to the Route 1 corridor. Further northwest, terrain rises as it ascends the Piedmont Plateau, with The Sourlands encompassing the far northwestern portion of the county. Baldpate Mountain, in the western part of Hopewell Township, is the highest point in the county, at Template:Convert above sea level.<ref>New Jersey County High Points Template:Webarchive, Peakbagger.com. Accessed October 5, 2013.</ref> The lowest elevation is sea level, spread out along the shores of the tidal portions of the Delaware River, Crosswicks Creek and the smaller waterways within the Trenton-Hamilton Marsh in Hamilton Township and the city of Trenton.
Climate
[edit]Most of Mercer has a hot-summer humid continental climate (Dfa) except for the southern portion of the county near and including Trenton where a humid subtropical climate (Cfa) exists. The hardiness zones are 6b and 7a.
Template:Trenton, New Jersey weatherbox Template:Weather box
Ecology
[edit]According to the A. W. Kuchler U.S. potential natural vegetation types, most of Mercer County would have a dominant vegetation type of Appalachian Oak (104) with a dominant vegetation form of Eastern Hardwood Forest (25) with a dominant section of Northeastern Oak/Pine (110) Southern Mixed Forest (26) in the far east near Hightstown.<ref name="Conservation Biology Institute">U.S. Potential Natural Vegetation, Original Kuchler Types, v2.0 (Spatially Adjusted to Correct Geometric Distortions), Data Basin, Accessed June 24, 2023.</ref>
Demographics
[edit]2020 census
[edit]As of the 2020 United States census, Mercer County has a population of 387,340, making it the 12th most populous county in the state. The racial makeup of the county is quite diverse with 62.3% of the population identifying as white (and 46.7% as non-Hispanic whites), 21.6% of the population being black/African American, and 12.6% of the county's population identifying as Asian. 19.4% of Mercer County is Hispanic/Latino, 0.9% of the population is American Native/Alaskan Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and 2.6% identify as two or more races.<ref name=Census2020/>
5.4% of Mercer County is under the age of 5, while 21.2% are under the age of 18, and 16.0% are over the age of 65. The female population of the county stands at 50.8%, which is in line with the state as a whole.<ref name=Census2020/>
There are 150,657 housing units in Mercer County, with 63.5% of them being owned by the occupiers. There are 131,440 households with an average of 2.67 persons per household.<ref name=Census2020/>
2010 census
[edit]The 2010 United States census counted 366,513 people, 133,155 households, and 89,480 families in the county. The population density was 1,632.2 per square mile (630.2/km2). There were 143,169 housing units at an average density of 637.6 per square mile (246.2/km2). The racial makeup was 61.39% (225,011) White, 20.28% (74,318) Black or African American, 0.33% (1,194) Native American, 8.94% (32,752) Asian, 0.08% (295) Pacific Islander, 6.24% (22,856) from other races, and 2.75% (10,087) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 15.09% (55,318) of the population.<ref name=Census2010/>
Of the 133,155 households, 31.4% had children under the age of 18; 48.2% were married couples living together; 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present and 32.8% were non-families. Of all households, 26.9% were made up of individuals and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.16.<ref name=Census2010/>
22.6% of the population were under the age of 18, 10.9% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 26.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.8 years. For every 100 females, the population had 95.5 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 93 males.<ref name=Census2010/>
Economy
[edit]Based on data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the county had a gross domestic product of $36.0 billion in 2021, ranked seventh in the state and a 6.7% increase from the prior year.<ref>Gross Domestic Product by County, 2021, Bureau of Economic Analysis, released December 8, 2022. Accessed July 17, 2023.</ref>
In 2015, the county had a per capita personal income of $63,720, the sixth-highest in New Jersey, and ranked 121st of 3,113 counties in the United States.<ref>250 Highest Per Capita Personal Incomes available for 3113 counties in the United States: 2015, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed October 24, 2017.</ref><ref>Local Area Personal Income: 2015 Template:Webarchive, Bureau of Economic Analysis. Accessed October 24, 2017.</ref> Mercer County stands among the highest-income counties in the United States, with the Bureau of Economic Analysis having ranked the county as having the 78th-highest per capita income of all 3,113 counties in the United States (and the sixth-highest in New Jersey) as of 2009.<ref>250 Highest Per Capita Personal Incomes of the 3113 Counties in the United States, 2009 Template:Webarchive, Bureau of Economic Analysis. Accessed April 9, 2012.</ref> Trenton's role as New Jersey's state capital contributes significantly to Mercer County's economic standing. 9.5% of the population is considered at or below the poverty line.
The median household income in Mercer County is $83,306. 89.6% of the population has a high school diploma, and 43.5% of the county's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, one of the highest rates in the state, as of the 2020 census.<ref name=Census2020/>
Government
[edit]County government
[edit]
Mercer County has a county executive form of government, in which the Mercer County Executive performs executive functions, administering the operation of the county, and a Board of County Commissioners acts in a legislative capacity.<ref>Rinde, Meir. "Explainer: What's a Freeholder? NJ's Unusual County Government System" Template:Webarchive, NJ Spotlight, October 27, 2015. Accessed October 26, 2017. "Five counties – Atlantic, Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Mercer – opted for popularly elected county executives in addition to freeholder boards."</ref><ref>Crespolini, Russ. "'Freeholder' Title Abolished In New Jersey", Long Valley, NJ Patch. August 21, 2020. Accessed December 25, 2022.</ref><ref>Brunetti, Michelle. "Murphy signs bill into law to change 'freeholder' title to 'commissioner'", Press of Atlantic City, August 21, 2020. Accessed December 25, 2022.</ref> The county executive is directly elected to a four-year term of office. The seven-member Board of County Commissioners, previously known as the Board of Chosen Freeholders, is elected at-large to serve three-year staggered terms of office on a staggered basis, with either two or three seats up for election each year. The Board is led by a Commissioner Chair and vice-chair, selected from among its members at an annual reorganization meeting held in January. The Commissioner Board establishes policy and provides a check on the powers of the County Executive. The Board approves all county contracts and gives advice and consent to the County Executive's appointments of department heads, and appointments to boards and commissions. The Commissioner Board votes to approve the budget prepared by the Executive after review and modifications are made.<ref>What is a Freeholder? Template:Webarchive, Mercer County, New Jersey. Accessed October 21, 2017.</ref> In 2016, freeholders were paid $29,763 and the freeholder director was paid an annual salary of $31,763.<ref>Gallo Jr., Bill. "Which N.J. county freeholders are paid the most?" Template:Webarchive, NJ.com, March 11, 2016. Accessed October 25, 2017. "Freeholder chairman: $31,763; Other freeholders: $29,763"</ref> That year, the county executive was paid $164,090 per year.<ref>Shea, Kevin. "See the proposed salaries for Mercer County directors" Template:Webarchive, NJ.com, February 11, 2016. Accessed October 28, 2017. "County Executive, $164,090"</ref>
Template:As of, the Mercer County Executive is Daniel R. Benson (D, Hamilton Township) whose term of office ends December 31, 2027.<ref>Meet the County Executive, Mercer County. Accessed January 20, 2024. "Message from County Executive Dan Benson"</ref> Mercer County's Commissioners are (with terms for chair and vice chair ending every December 31):
| Commissioner | Party, Residence, Term |
|---|---|
| Chair John A. Cimino | D, Hamilton Township, 2026<ref>John A. Cimino, Mercer County. Accessed March 1, 2023.</ref> |
| Vice Chair Kristin L. McLaughlin | D, Hopewell Township, 2027<ref>Kristin L. McLaughlin, Mercer County. Accessed March 1, 2023.</ref> |
| Samuel T. Frisby Sr. | D, Trenton, 2027<ref>Samuel T. Frisby Sr., Mercer County. Accessed March 1, 2023.</ref> |
| Cathleen M. Lewis | D, Lawrence Township, 2025<ref>Cathleen M. Lewis, Mercer County. Accessed March 1, 2023.</ref> |
| Nina D. Melker | D, Hamilton Township, 2025<ref>Nina D. Melker, Mercer County. Accessed March 1, 2023.</ref> |
| Terrance Stokes | D, Ewing Township, 2027<ref>Terrance Stokes, Mercer County. Accessed March 1, 2023.</ref><ref>Meet the Commissioners, Mercer County. Accessed March 1, 2023.</ref><ref>2022 County Data Sheet, Mercer County. Accessed March 1, 2023.</ref> |
| Lucylle R. S. Walter | D, Ewing Township, 2026<ref>Lucylle R. S. Walter, Mercer County. Accessed March 1, 2023.</ref> |
Pursuant to Article VII Section II of the New Jersey State Constitution, each county in New Jersey is required to have three elected administrative officials known as "constitutional officers." These officers are the County Clerk and County Surrogate (both elected for five-year terms of office) and the County Sheriff (elected for a three-year term).<ref>New Jersey State Constitution (1947), Article VII, Section II, Paragraph 2 Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed December 25, 2022.</ref> Mercer County's constitutional officers are:
| Title | Representative |
|---|---|
| County Clerk | Paula Sollami-Covello (D, Lawrence Township, 2025),<ref>Meet the Clerk, Mercer County. Accessed March 1, 2023.</ref><ref>Members List: Clerks, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed March 1, 2023.</ref> |
| Sheriff | John A. Kemler (D, Hamilton Township, 2026)<ref>Meet the Sheriff, Mercer County. Accessed March 1, 2023.</ref><ref>Members List: Sheriffs, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed March 1, 2023.</ref> |
| Surrogate | Diane Gerofsky (D, Lawrence Township, 2026).<ref>Meet the Surrogate, Mercer County. Accessed March 1, 2023.</ref><ref>Members List: Surrogates, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed March 1, 2023.</ref><ref name=TemplateOfficials>Elected Officials for Mercer County, Mercer County. Accessed March 1, 2023.</ref> |
No Republican has won countywide office since 2000. Law enforcement on the county level is provided by the Mercer County Sheriff's Office and the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office. The Mercer County Prosecutor is Angelo J. Onofri of Hamilton Township, who took office in December 2016 after being nominated by Governor of New Jersey Chris Christie and being confirmed by the New Jersey Senate.<ref>The Prosecutor - Angelo J. Onofri, Prosecutor Template:Webarchive, Mercer County's Prosecutor Office. Accessed October 25, 2017. "Angelo J. Onofri was sworn in as Mercer County prosecutor on December 28, 2016, after being appointed by Governor Chris Christie and unanimously confirmed by the New Jersey Senate. He had been serving as acting prosecutor since March 1, 2015."</ref><ref>"Governor Chris Christie Files Nominations" Template:Webarchive, Governor of New Jersey Chris Christie, press release dated October 14, 2016. "MERCER COUNTY PROSECUTOR - Nominate for appointment Angelo Onofri (Hamilton, Mercer)"</ref> Mercer County constitutes Vicinage 7 of the Superior Court of New Jersey.<ref name="NJ Courts">Mercer Vicinage Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Courts. Accessed October 21, 2017.</ref> The vicinage is seated at the Mercer County Criminal Courthouse, located at 400 South Warren Street in Trenton.<ref name = "NJ Courts" /> The vicinage has additional facilities for the Civil, Special Civil, General Equity, and Family Parts at the Mercer County Civil Courthouse, located at 175 South Broad Street, also in Trenton.<ref name = "NJ Courts" /> The Assignment Judge for Mercer County is Mary C. Jacobson.<ref name = "NJ Courts" />
Federal representatives
[edit]Portions of the 3rd and 12th Congressional Districts cover the county.<ref>Components Report, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2021. Accessed November 5, 2022.</ref> Template:NJ Congress 03 Template:NJ Congress 12
State representatives
[edit]The 12 municipalities of Mercer County are covered by three legislative districts.
| District | Senator<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> | Assembly<ref name=":0" /> | Municipalities |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14th | Linda R. Greenstein (D) | Wayne DeAngelo (D)
Tennille McCoy (D) |
East Windsor Township, Hamilton Township, Hightstown Borough and Robbinsville Township
The remainder of the district includes portions of Middlesex County. |
| 15th | Shirley Turner (D) | Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D)
Anthony Verrelli (D) |
Ewing Township, Hopewell Borough, Hopewell Township, Lawrence Township,Pennington Borough, Trenton and West Windsor Township
The remainder of the district includes portions of Hunterdon County. |
| 16th | Andrew Zwicker (D) | Mitchelle Drulis (D)
Roy Freiman (D) |
Princeton
The remainder of the district covers portions of Hunterdon County, Middlesex County, and Somerset County. |
Politics
[edit]Mercer County is a reliably Democratic county; it has gone for Republicans only three times (in 1956, 1972, 1984) since 1936. In each presidential election of the 21st century, the Democratic candidate earned at least 60% of the vote. Since the 2008 election, every municipality has voted for the Democratic candidate, and in the 2024 election, it was the 2nd most Democratic county in the state. This comes after Joe Biden won the county by 40.0% in 2020, the widest margin for anyone since 1964. As of October 1, 2021, there were a total of 265,703 registered voters in Mercer County, of whom 121,653 (45.8%) were registered as Democrats, 41,701 (15.7%) were registered as Republicans and 98,343 (37.0%) were registered as unaffiliated. There were 4,006 voters (1.5%) registered to other parties.<ref>Statewide Voter Registration Summary as of October 1, 2021, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed July 28, 2022.</ref>
Template:PresHead Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow Template:PresRow |}
| Year | Republican | Democratic |
|---|---|---|
| style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|2021 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|34.1% 34,617 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|65.1% 66,151 |
| style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|2017 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|33.1%' 30,645 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|64.9% 59,992 |
| style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|2013 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|51.9% 48,530 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|46.3% 43,282 |
| style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|2009 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|39.3% 39,769 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|54.5% 55,199 |
| style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|2005 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|39.2% 38,871 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|57.1% 56,592 |
| style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|2001 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|33.6% 31,705 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|60.9% 57,513 |
| style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|1997 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|40.8% 44,056 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|50.9% 54,977 |
| style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|1993 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|52.0% 57,599 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|45.9% 50,840 |
| style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|1989 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|30.1% 29,987 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|68.5% 67,962 |
| style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|1985 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|63.2% 53,562 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|35.6% 30,212 |
| style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|1981 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|43.8% 43,156 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|54.8% 53,897 |
| style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|1977 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|32.9% 32,994 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|65.3% 65,371 |
| style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|1973 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Republican|22.3% 20,859 | style="text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Democratic|76.3% 71,527 |
Transportation
[edit]
Roads and highways
[edit]Mercer County has county routes, state routes, U.S. Routes and Interstates that all pass through. Template:As of, the county had a total of Template:Convert of roadways, of which Template:Convert were maintained by the local municipality, Template:Convert by Mercer County, Template:Convert by the New Jersey Department of Transportation, Template:Convert by the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission and Template:Convert by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.<ref>Mercer County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction, New Jersey Department of Transportation, March 2019. Accessed December 26, 2020.</ref>
Mercer County is served by the following major roadways:<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- U.S. Route 1 (Which bisects the county)
- U.S. Route 1 Business
- Route 27 (Only in Princeton)
- Route 29
- Route 31
- Route 33
- Route 64 (A small state-maintained bridge located in West Windsor)
- Interstate 95 (New Jersey Turnpike)
- Route 129
- U.S. Route 130
- Route 133 (Only in East Windsor)
- Interstate 195
- U.S. Route 206
- Interstate 295
I-295 functions as a partial ring-road around the Trenton area, while I-195 serves as an east–west expressway from Trenton to the Jersey Shore. The New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) passes through the southeastern section of the county, and serves as a major corridor to Delaware, Washington, D.C. to the south, and New York City and New England towards the north. Two turnpike interchanges are located within Mercer County: Exit 7A in Robbinsville Township and Exit 8 in East Windsor Township.
Before 2018, Interstate 95 abruptly ended at the interchange with US 1 in Lawrence Township, and became I-295 south. Signs directed motorists to the continuation of I-95 by using I-295 to I-195 east to the New Jersey Turnpike. This was all due in part to the cancellation of the Somerset Freeway that was supposed to go from Hopewell Township in Mercer County up to Franklin Township in Somerset County.<ref>Frassinelli, Mike. "N.J., Pennsylvania officials plan to close longtime gap on Route 95" Template:Webarchive, The Star-Ledger, September 7, 2010. Accessed October 24, 2017. "Plans to run I-95 north of Trenton to Route 287 near Perth Amboy as part of the 'Somerset Freeway' were scuttled in 1980 after residents in the Princeton area feared a potential loss in property values and their small-town feel."</ref>
The section of I-95 west of the US 1 interchange in Lawrence was re-numbered as part of I-295 in March 2018, six months before a direct interchange with Interstate 95 in Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Turnpike opened.<ref>Template:Cite letter</ref> This planned interchange indirectly prompted another project: the New Jersey Turnpike Authority extended the 'dual-dual' configuration (inner car lanes and outer truck / bus / car lanes) to Interchange 6 in Mansfield Township, Burlington County from its former end at Interchange 8A in Monroe Township, Middlesex County. This widening was completed in early November 2014.<ref>Gov. Christie, NJDOT Commissioner FoxPraise $2.3 Billion NJ Turnpike Infrastructure Investment Project Template:Webarchive, New Jersey Turnpike Authority. Accessed November 3, 2014. "The Widening Program created a three-lane Outer Roadway in each direction over the 25 miles between Interchange 6 in Mansfield Township, Burlington County, and Interchange 8A in Monroe Township, Middlesex County."</ref>
The county roads that traverse through are County Route 518 (only in the Hopewells), County Route 524, County Route 526, County Route 533, County Route 535, County Route 539, County Route 546, County Route 569, County Route 571, and County Route 583.
Public transportation
[edit]Mercer hosts several NJ Transit stations, including Trenton, Hamilton and Princeton Junction on the Northeast Corridor Line, as well as Princeton on the Princeton Branch.<ref>Northeast Corridor Line Template:Webarchive, NJ Transit. Accessed August 2, 2014.</ref> SEPTA provides rail service to Center City Philadelphia from Trenton and West Trenton. Long-distance transportation is provided by Amtrak train service along the Northeast Corridor through the Trenton Transit Center.
NJ Transit's River Line connects Trenton to Camden, with three stations in the county, all within Trenton city limits, at Cass Street, Hamilton Avenue and at the Trenton Transit Center.<ref>River Line System Map, NJ Transit. Accessed November 24, 2022.</ref>
Mercer County's only commercial airport, and one of three in the state, is Trenton–Mercer Airport in Ewing Township, which is served by Frontier Airlines, offering nonstop service to and from points nationwide.<ref>Trenton Mercer Airport Template:Webarchive, Mercer County. Accessed October 6, 2013.</ref>
Municipalities
[edit]
The 12 municipalities in Mercer County (with 2010 Census data for population, housing units and area) are:<ref>GCT-PH1: Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County – County Subdivision and Place from the 2010 Census Summary File 1 for Mercer County, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 17, 2016.</ref>
Historical Municipalities
[edit]- Nottingham Township (1688–1856)
- Princeton Township (1838–2013)
- Borough of Princeton (1813–2013)
- Washington Township (renamed Robbinsville Township in 2008)
Sports
[edit]Mercer County has a number of large parks. The largest, Mercer County Park is the home for the US Olympic Rowing Team's training center.<ref>Bruinius, Harry. "Know, know, know your boat; In New Jersey, locals have turned out to support the US national team with pizza, housing, handiwork – and delight." Template:Webarchive, The Christian Science Monitor, July 17, 2008. Accessed October 6, 2013.</ref>
Mercer County is also the home of the Trenton Thunder baseball team, playing in the MLB Draft League, and the Jersey Flight of the National Arena League. The Thunder were formerly the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees playing in the Eastern League before the 2021 Minor League reorganization. The minor league hockey team, the Trenton Titans, established in 1999 and operating as the ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers and the AHL's Adirondack Phantoms, disbanded before the start of the 2013–14 season.<ref>Zedalis, Joe. "Trenton Titans fans still waiting for ticket refunds for canceled season" Template:Webarchive, Times of Trenton, May 7, 2013. Accessed January 11, 2015. "The struggling Trenton Titans ice hockey franchise has yet to return advance ticket money to fans who purchased seats for the now-canceled 2013-2014 season, leaving some people waiting for refunds of up to $2,000. The team announced April 23 that they would not be returning to the ice in October."</ref>
Collegiate athletics
[edit]Mercer County is also home to several college athletic programs, including two NCAA DI schools. Rider University competes as the Rider Broncs in the MAAC. In wrestling, Rider is a member of the Eastern Wrestling League. The Princeton Tigers compete in the Ivy League.
The College of New Jersey Lions compete in the NCAA DIII as a member of the New Jersey Athletic Conference and the Eastern College Athletic Conference.<ref>About, The College of New Jersey. Accessed January 11, 2015.</ref><ref>Membership Template:Webarchive, Eastern College Athletic Conference. Accessed January 11, 2015.</ref>
Mercer County Community College competes as the Mercer Vikings as a member of the Garden State Athletic Conference and the National Junior College Athletic Association.
Education
[edit]School districts in the county include:<ref name=NJDOE>New Jersey School Directory for Mercer County, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed August 1, 2022.</ref><ref>Search for Public School Districts in Mercer County, New Jersey, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed August 1, 2022.</ref><ref>2020 Census School District Reference Map for Mercer County, NJ, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 16, 2022.</ref><ref>2020 Census School District Reference List for Mercer County, NJ, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 16, 2022.</ref>
- K-12
- East Windsor Regional School District
- Ewing Public Schools
- Hamilton Township School District
- Hopewell Valley Regional School District
- Lawrence Township Public Schools
- Mercer County Special Services School District
- Princeton Public Schools
- Robbinsville Public School District
- Trenton Public Schools
- West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District
- 9-12
- Special
There is a state-operated school, Marie H. Katzenbach School for the Deaf.
Higher education
[edit]Mercer County is home to Princeton University, Princeton Theological Seminary, the Institute for Advanced Study, Rider University, Westminster Choir College, The College of New Jersey, and Thomas Edison State University. Mercer County Community College is a county-run community college located in West Windsor.<ref>About Mercer County Template:Webarchive, Mercer County. Accessed January 11, 2015.</ref>
Points of interest
[edit]- Drumthwacket, The official residence of the Governor of New Jersey located in Princeton
- New Jersey State House, The capitol complex of New Jersey and the meeting point of the state legislature, located at the state capital in Trenton
- Mercer County Park, in West Windsor
- Hamilton Veterans Park
- Mercer County Park September 11 Memorial<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville, the largest Hindu temple outside Asia
- Assunpink Creek (part)
- Mercer Lake at Mercer County Park
- Griggstown Native Grassland Preserve (part)
- Princeton Battlefield
- Mercer Oaks Golf Course
- Washington Crossing State Park, in Hopewell Township
- Colonial Memorial Park in Trenton
- Lower Trenton Bridge
- Trenton War Memorial
- Trenton Thunder Ballpark
- Grounds for Sculpture, in Hamilton Township
Wineries
[edit]- Hopewell Valley Vineyards
- Working Dog Winery, in East Windsor Township
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]References
[edit]External links
[edit]Template:Commons category Template:Wikivoyage
Template:Geographic location Template:Delaware Valley Template:Raritan Valley navigation Template:Mercer County, New Jersey Template:New Jersey Template:New York metropolitan area Template:Authority control