Mercerville-Hamilton Square, New Jersey
Encyclopedia
Mercerville-Hamilton Square is a census-designated place
and unincorporated area located within Hamilton Township
, in Mercer County
, New Jersey
, USA. As of the United States 2000 Census, the CDP population was 26,419.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the CDP has a total area of 20.0 km2 (7.7 mi2), all land.
of 2000, there were 26,419 people, 9,403 households, and 7,362 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 1,323.0/km2 (3,428.6/mi2). There were 9,539 housing units at an average density of 477.7/km2 (1,238.0/mi2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 94.14% White, 1.45% African American, 0.13% Native American, 2.52% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.78% from other races
, and 0.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.54% of the population.
There were 9,403 households out of which 33.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.5% were married couples
living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.7% were non-families. 18.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 23.3% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 25.9% from 45 to 64, and 17.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 91.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.0 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $67,896, and the median income for a family was $75,559 (these figures had risen to $86,169 and $98,908 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $52,163 versus $35,182 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $27,080. About 1.7% of families and 2.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.0% of those under age 18 and 3.4% of those age 65 or over.
under the command of George Washington
through the area during the American Revolutionary War
, especially related to the night march from the Second Battle of Trenton
to the Battle of Princeton
.
Originally called "Sandtown," Mercerville is named after General Hugh Mercer
who died on January 12, 1777 due to wounds incurred at the Battle of Princeton
. Hamilton Square was named after Alexander Hamilton
in a wave of anti-British sentiment at the time of the War of 1812
. It previously had been called Nottingham
after the British town.
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
and unincorporated area located within Hamilton Township
Hamilton Township, Mercer County, New Jersey
Hamilton Township is a Township in Mercer County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the township had a total population of 88,464...
, in Mercer County
Mercer County, New Jersey
As of the census of 2000, there were 350,761 people, 125,807 households, and 86,303 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,552 people per square mile . There were 133,280 housing units at an average density of 590 per square mile...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, USA. As of the United States 2000 Census, the CDP population was 26,419.
Geography
Mercerville-Hamilton Square is located at 40.231242°N 74.675324°W (40.231242, -74.675324).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the CDP has a total area of 20.0 km2 (7.7 mi2), all land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 26,419 people, 9,403 households, and 7,362 families residing in the CDP. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,323.0/km2 (3,428.6/mi2). There were 9,539 housing units at an average density of 477.7/km2 (1,238.0/mi2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 94.14% White, 1.45% African American, 0.13% Native American, 2.52% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.78% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.54% of the population.
There were 9,403 households out of which 33.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.5% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.7% were non-families. 18.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 23.3% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 25.9% from 45 to 64, and 17.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 91.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.0 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $67,896, and the median income for a family was $75,559 (these figures had risen to $86,169 and $98,908 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $52,163 versus $35,182 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the CDP was $27,080. About 1.7% of families and 2.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.0% of those under age 18 and 3.4% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Most high school students in Mercerville attend Nottingham High School while Hamilton Square high school students attend Steinert High School.History
There are a number of historical markers in Mercerville, many detailing the path of the Continental ArmyContinental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
under the command of George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
through the area during the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
, especially related to the night march from the Second Battle of Trenton
Second Battle of Trenton
The Battle of the Assunpink Creek, also known as the Second Battle of Trenton, was a battle between American and British troops that took place in and around Trenton, New Jersey, on January 2, 1777, during the American Revolutionary War, and resulted in an American victory.Following a surprise...
to the Battle of Princeton
Battle of Princeton
The Battle of Princeton was a battle in which General George Washington's revolutionary forces defeated British forces near Princeton, New Jersey....
.
Originally called "Sandtown," Mercerville is named after General Hugh Mercer
Hugh Mercer
Hugh Mercer was a soldier and physician. He initially served with British forces during the Seven Years War but later became a brigadier general in the Continental Army and a close friend to George Washington...
who died on January 12, 1777 due to wounds incurred at the Battle of Princeton
Battle of Princeton
The Battle of Princeton was a battle in which General George Washington's revolutionary forces defeated British forces near Princeton, New Jersey....
. Hamilton Square was named after Alexander Hamilton
Alexander Hamilton
Alexander Hamilton was a Founding Father, soldier, economist, political philosopher, one of America's first constitutional lawyers and the first United States Secretary of the Treasury...
in a wave of anti-British sentiment at the time of the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
. It previously had been called Nottingham
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
after the British town.
Historic structures
- Isaac Watson House was built in 1708 on a bluff overlooking Watson’s Creekon with the property at 800 acres (3.2 km²). Located at 151 Westcott Avenue, it is the oldest house in Mercer County. The house currently serves as the New Jersey State Society DARDaughters of the American RevolutionThe Daughters of the American Revolution is a lineage-based membership organization for women who are descended from a person involved in United States' independence....
Headquarters. The house is on the National Register. - John Abbott II House was built in 1730 by John Abbott. It is located at 2200 Kuser Rd. on the North side of Crosswicks Creek in near Veterans Park. The house is noted as being a secret repository for funds hidden from British as they advanced on Trenton in 1776. The funds were stored by John Abbott II for state treasurer Samuel TuckerSamuel TuckerSamuel Tucker was an officer in the Continental Navy and the United States Navy.-Military Career:Born in Marblehead, Massachusetts, Tucker began his naval career in the spring of 1760 as a cabin boy in the warship, King George. He subsequently rose to command of a merchant ship in July 1774...
inside a tub containing broken crockery. In 1969 the house was to be razed to the ground but was saved by the Hamilton Township Historical Society. The house is on the National Register. - Isaac Pearson House was built in 1733. Isaac Pearson was elected several times to the state assembly, served on the General Committee of Correspondence appointed by the Provincial Assembly July 21, 1774 and first Committee of Safety October 1775. Pearson was killed by robbers or was suspected as having collaborated with the British and killed by Continentals. This house is listed on the New Jersey Register of Historic Places.