US ZIP Code
08542

Princeton, NJ

Mercer County  ·  New Jersey

● Active
👥 2,415 Population ↓ 59% since 2019
💰 $104,694 Median HH Income
▲ 37% above avg ↑ 29% since 2019
🎂 41.7 Median Age ↑ 52% since 2019
🏠 $754,800 Median Home Value
▲ 171% above avg ↑ 56% since 2019
🎓 67.7% College Grads
▲ 75% above avg
📊 3.0% Unemployment
▼ 38% below avg ↑ 12% since 2019
ZIP Code Details
ZIP Code08542
CityPrinceton
StateNew Jersey (NJ)
CountyMercer County
Area Code609/640
Elevation184 ft
Latitude40.354517
Longitude-74.66056
TimezoneNew York (DST)
FIPS34021
ZIP TypeStandard
StatusActive
People & Population (ACS 2023)
♂ Male 54.6% (1,319) Female 45.4% (1,096) ♀

Race & Ethnicity

White: 55.5%Hispanic: 17.3%Black: 11.1%Asian: 12.4%Other: 3.7%Race
White55.5%
Hispanic17.3%
Black11.1%
Asian12.4%
Other3.7%

Age Breakdown

Under 5
3%
5–17
8%
18–24
3%
25–44
41%
45–64
33%
65+
5%

Key Indicators

Median Age41.7 yrs ↑ 52% since 2019
Avg Household Size1.98
Below Poverty3.9% ▼ 61% below avg
College Grads67.7% ▲ 75% above avg
Unemployment3.0% ▼ 38% below avg
No HS Diploma4 (0.2%)
HS Graduate207 (12.3%)
Some College168 (10%)
Associates163 (9.7%)
Bachelors34 (2%)
Graduate Degree1,102 (65.7%)

Education

No HS: 0.2%HS Grad: 12.3%Some College: 10%Associates: 9.7%Bachelors: 2%Graduate: 65.7%Edu
No HS0.2%
HS Grad12.3%
Some College10.0%
Associates9.7%
Bachelors2.0%
Graduate65.7%
Housing & Income

Housing Tenure

Owner: 36%Renter: 64%Tenure
Owner36.0%
Renter64.0%

Home Value Distribution

Under $50k
1%
$150k–200k
6%
$200k–300k
5%
$300k–500k
8%
Over $500k
79%

Financials

Median HH Income$104,694 ▲ 37% above avg ↑ 29% since 2019
Median Home Value$754,800 ▲ 171% above avg ↑ 56% since 2019
Home/Income Ratio7.2x (nat avg ~3.5x)
Median Rent$2,398/mo ↑ 46% since 2019
Total Units1,294
Vacant Units74
Avg HH Size1.98

Income Distribution

Under $25k
2%
$25k–50k
14%
$50k–75k
9%
$75k–100k
16%
$100k–150k
22%
$150k–200k
12%
Over $200k
25%
Employment & Commute

How People Get to Work

Drove Alone
41%
Public Transit
6%
Walked
32%
Work From Home
21%

Commute Time

Under 15 min
40%
15–30 min
26%
30–45 min
16%
Over 45 min
18%
Housing Stock

Year Built

1940s–1950s
3%
1960s–1970s
6%
1980s–1990s
7%
2000+
83%

Summary

Total Units1,294
Vacant74
Owner Occupied36.0%
Renter Occupied64.0%
Avg HH Size1.98
Frequently Asked Questions
ZIP code 08542 is in Princeton, NJ, in Mercer County.
ZIP code 08542 is located in New Jersey (NJ).
ZIP code 08542 is in Mercer County, NJ.
ZIP 08542 observes the New York timezone. Daylight Saving Time is observed.
The estimated population of ZIP code 08542 is 2,415 people (ACS 2023).
The median household income in ZIP code 08542 is $104,694 (ACS 2023).
The median home value in ZIP 08542 is $754,800 (ACS 2023).
About ZIP Code 08542

ZIP code 08542 is located in Princeton, New Jersey, within Mercer County. With a population of 2,415, this is a sparsely populated ZIP code with a middle-aged community — the median age is 41.7 years. Economically, 08542 is a upper-middle-income ZIP code: the median household income of $104,694 is above the national average.

Real estate in ZIP code 08542 represents a premium housing market. The median home value of $754,800 is more than double the national average. Renters can expect to pay around $2,398 per month in median rent. This is predominantly a renter community, with 64.0% of occupied units rented — typical of urban and transitional neighborhoods. Median home values have increased by 56% since 2019.

The population of 08542 is majority White (55.53%). Residents are highly educated — 67.7% hold a bachelor's degree or higher, which is significantly above the national average. Poverty affects a relatively small share of residents at 3.9%. Household income has grown by 29% since 2019.

The unemployment rate in 08542 stands at 3.0%, which is below the national average. About 18% of workers are remote. As in most parts of the country, driving alone is the dominant commute mode at 33%.

Overall, ZIP code 08542 in Princeton, NJ is characterized as upper-middle-income, highly educated, and a middle-aged community. With 2,415 residents, a median household income of $104,694, and a median home value of $754,800, it offers a clear picture of life in this part of New Jersey.