The population of Princeton, NJ has increased to 30,681 residents. That’s the headline local figure from the US Census Board’s redistricting data, released today.

The new population number represents an increase of 2,109 residents since 2010, when a total of 28,572 residents were living in the old Princeton Borough and Township. That makes for a growth rate of +7.4% in the last ten years. Princeton Borough and Princeton Township consolidated into one municipality in 2013.

The overall population of Mercer County has increased to 387,340 residents, a 5.6% increase from the 366,513 peple who were living here in 2010. The increase was led by the city of Trenton, which posted its first gain in population since 1950. Hamilton remains the biggest community in Mercer County by population, however, with a 2020 population of 92,297. The new populations of Mercer County towns now stand at (2010 figures in parentheses):

• Trenton – 90,871 (84,913)
• Hamilton – 92,297 (88,464)
• Hopewell Twp – 17,491 (17,304)
• Hopewell Boro – 1,918 (1,922)
• Pennington – 2,802 (2,585)
• Princeton – 30,681 (28,572)
• West Windsor – 29,518 (27,165)
• Lawrence Twp – 33,077 (33,472)
• Robbinsville – 15,476 (13,642)
• Ewing – 37,264 (35,790)
• Hightstown – 5,900 (5,494)
• East Windsor – 30,045 (27,190)

Elsewhere in New Jersey, both Newark and Jersey City posted big gains to remain the #1 and #2 municipalities in the state by population. Newark is now at 311,549 residents, and Jersey City has 292,449 residents. As expected, Lakewood Twp has seen explosive growth, up by 45% to 135,158 residents. Lakewood is now the fifth-biggest community in New Jersey by population, just behind Elizabeth, which now has 137,298 residents. Paterson remains at #3, showing solid growth to reach 159,732 residents in 2020.

2020 Census Redistricting files can be downloaded from the US Census Board at this link: https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial/2020/data/01-Redistricting_File–PL_94-171/