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Flemington, New Jersey
Borough
Union Hotel in downtown Flemington
Union Hotel in downtown Flemington
Official seal of Flemington, New Jersey
Seal
Location of Flemington in Hunterdon County highlighted in red (left). Inset map: Location of Hunterdon County in New Jersey highlighted in orange (right).
Location of Flemington in Hunterdon County highlighted in red (left). Inset map: Location of Hunterdon County in New Jersey highlighted in orange (right).
Census Bureau map of Flemington, New Jersey
Census Bureau map of Flemington, New Jersey
Flemington, New Jersey is located in Hunterdon County, New Jersey
Flemington, New Jersey
Flemington, New Jersey
Location in Hunterdon County, New Jersey
Flemington, New Jersey is located in New Jersey
Flemington, New Jersey
Flemington, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Flemington, New Jersey is located in the United States
Flemington, New Jersey
Flemington, New Jersey
Location in the United States
Country  United States
State  New Jersey
County Hunterdon
Incorporated April 26, 1910
Named for Samuel Fleming
Government
 • Type Borough
 • Body Borough Council
Area
 • Total 1.08 sq mi (2.79 km2)
 • Land 1.08 sq mi (2.79 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)  0.00%
Area rank 494th of 565 in state
22nd of 26 in county
Elevation
180 ft (50 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 4,876
 • Estimate 
(2023)
4,902 Increase
 • Rank 381st of 565 in state
8th of 26 in county
 • Density 4,515/sq mi (1,748/km2)
 • Density rank 130th of 565 in state
1st of 26 in county
Time zone UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT))
ZIP Code
08822
Area code(s) 908
FIPS code 3401923700
GNIS feature ID 885220

Flemington is a small town called a borough in New Jersey, USA. It is the main town, or county seat, of Hunterdon County. Much of Flemington is in a low area called the Amwell Valley. The South Branch of the Raritan River flows right through the middle of town.

In 2020, about 4,876 people lived in Flemington. This was the highest number of people ever counted in the town! Flemington is a separate town, but it is completely surrounded by Raritan Township. It officially became its own borough on April 26, 1910.

History of Flemington

Early Times and Settlement

Before Europeans arrived, the land where Flemington is now was home to the Lenni Lenape Native Americans. In 1712, a large piece of land, including Flemington, was bought by William Penn and Daniel Coxe.

Flemington started as a farming community. Early settlers from Germany and England grew crops and raised animals. Over time, poultry and dairy farms became very important. An early family, Johann David and Anna Maria Ephland, settled here in 1717. Their farm became the center of what is now Flemington.

Flemington During the American Revolution

During the American Revolutionary War, on December 14, 1776, British soldiers raided a store in Flemington. They wanted to take guns. Local soldiers, led by Captain John Schenck, ambushed the British on their way back. This fight is known as the Ambush of Geary.

In 1785, Flemington was chosen to be the county seat for Hunterdon County. This meant it would be the main town for government. A fire destroyed the old courthouse in 1826. A new courthouse was built on Main Street, which you can still see today.

Growth in the 1800s

Flemington officially became a "town" on March 14, 1870. Later, it became a "village" in 1894. Finally, on April 7, 1910, it became an independent borough. This happened after people voted for it. The town was named after Samuel Fleming.

In 1856, the Hunterdon County Agricultural Society bought land for the County (Flemington) Fair. This fair helped farmers and businesses show off their products and animals. The fairgrounds also had the Flemington Fair Speedway, which later became Flemington Raceway.

Flemington in the 1900s

In 1935, a very famous trial took place in Flemington. The Union Hotel, across from the courthouse, was full of reporters covering the event.

In the 1980s, Flemington became home to Liberty Village. This was one of the first outlet malls in the United States. By 2023, Liberty Village was empty and planned for new buildings.

The Flemington Speedway hosted big car races, including NASCAR races, from 1995 to 1998. In 2003, the County Fair moved to a new location and changed its name to the Hunterdon County 4-H and Agricultural Fair.

Flemington Today

In the 2010s, there was a lot of discussion about rebuilding the old Union Hotel. By 2021, a plan was approved. It included a new hotel, apartments, and shops.

Historic Places in Flemington

Many buildings in Flemington are very old and important. About 65% of the borough is part of the Flemington Historic District. This means these areas are protected because of their history.

  • Union Hotel – This historic hotel in downtown Flemington dates back to the early 1800s. The building you see today was built in 1877.
  • Hunterdon County Courthouse – This is the historic court building where the famous trial mentioned earlier took place. Today, it is used for county offices.
  • Fleming Castle / Samuel Fleming House – This was the very first house built in Flemington. It is now a historical museum.

Geography and Climate

Flemington covers about 1.08 square miles (2.79 square kilometers) of land. It is completely surrounded by Raritan Township. This makes it one of New Jersey's "doughnut towns," where one town completely wraps around another.

Weather in Flemington

Flemington has a climate with warm summers and cold winters.

Climate data for Flemington, New Jersey (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1898–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 74
(23)
78
(26)
88
(31)
95
(35)
99
(37)
102
(39)
106
(41)
108
(42)
105
(41)
97
(36)
84
(29)
75
(24)
108
(42)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 37.8
(3.2)
40.9
(4.9)
49.6
(9.8)
62.5
(16.9)
72.4
(22.4)
80.9
(27.2)
85.9
(29.9)
84.1
(28.9)
77.4
(25.2)
65.0
(18.3)
53.3
(11.8)
42.8
(6.0)
62.7
(17.1)
Daily mean °F (°C) 29.2
(−1.6)
31.3
(−0.4)
39.3
(4.1)
50.6
(10.3)
60.5
(15.8)
69.5
(20.8)
74.6
(23.7)
72.7
(22.6)
65.7
(18.7)
53.6
(12.0)
43.2
(6.2)
34.5
(1.4)
52.1
(11.2)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 20.6
(−6.3)
21.8
(−5.7)
29.0
(−1.7)
38.7
(3.7)
48.6
(9.2)
58.0
(14.4)
63.3
(17.4)
61.4
(16.3)
54.0
(12.2)
42.3
(5.7)
33.2
(0.7)
26.2
(−3.2)
41.4
(5.2)
Record low °F (°C) −18
(−28)
−16
(−27)
−6
(−21)
10
(−12)
25
(−4)
34
(1)
41
(5)
37
(3)
27
(−3)
18
(−8)
2
(−17)
−14
(−26)
−18
(−28)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 3.93
(100)
3.11
(79)
4.52
(115)
4.14
(105)
4.28
(109)
4.77
(121)
4.94
(125)
4.24
(108)
4.39
(112)
4.46
(113)
3.50
(89)
4.66
(118)
50.94
(1,294)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 6.2
(16)
9.4
(24)
5.7
(14)
0.9
(2.3)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.4
(1.0)
4.5
(11)
27.1
(69)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 10.6 9.1 10.8 11.6 12.9 11.5 10.9 10.6 8.6 10.0 9.0 10.9 126.5
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 4.2 3.6 2.9 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 2.3 13.7
Source: NOAA

Population and People

Historical population
Census Pop.
1860 1,174
1870 1,412 20.3%
1880 1,751 24.0%
1890 1,977 12.9%
1900 2,145 8.5%
1910 2,693 25.5%
1920 2,590 −3.8%
1930 2,729 5.4%
1940 2,617 −4.1%
1950 3,058 16.9%
1960 3,232 5.7%
1970 3,917 21.2%
1980 4,132 5.5%
1990 4,047 −2.1%
2000 4,200 3.8%
2010 4,581 9.1%
2020 4,876 6.4%
2023 (est.) 4,902 7.0%
Population sources: 1860–1920
1870 1880–1890
1890–1910 1910–1930
1940–2000 2000
2010 2020

Flemington's Population in 2010

The 2010 United States census counted 4,581 people living in Flemington. There were 1,815 households, which are groups of people living together.

Most people in Flemington were White (78.48%). About 5.81% were Asian, and 3.93% were Black or African American. A large part of the population, 26.15%, identified as Hispanic or Latino.

About 22.3% of the people were under 18 years old. The average age in Flemington was 35.3 years.

Education in Flemington

Students in Flemington go to public schools managed by the Flemington-Raritan Regional School District. This district also serves students from Raritan Township.

The district has six schools:

  • Four elementary schools (Kindergarten to 4th grade): Barley Sheaf School, Copper Hill School, Francis A. Desmares School, and Robert Hunter School.
  • One intermediate school (5th and 6th grades): Reading-Fleming Intermediate School.
  • One middle school (7th and 8th grades): J. P. Case Middle School.

After 8th grade, students attend Hunterdon Central Regional High School. This high school serves students from Flemington and four other nearby towns.

Students from all over Hunterdon County can also apply to the Hunterdon County Vocational School District. This district offers special career and technical programs.

Transportation in Flemington

Flemington has many roads that help people get around.

2018-06-14 10 25 09 View south along U.S. Route 202 just north of the Flemington Circle in Flemington, Hunterdon County, New Jersey
Southbound U.S. Route 202 approaching the Flemington Circle
Flemington circle usgs
Aerial photo of Flemington Circle, as seen in 1995. A strip mall featuring a HomeGoods and a Jos A. Bank, and other stores has since been built on the field in the bottom right corner.

Major Roads and Traffic Circles

Several important roads pass through Flemington. These include U.S. Route 202, Route 31, and Route 12.

The Flemington Circle is a large traffic circle near downtown. Route 202 and Route 31 meet here. Route 12 also ends at this circle. It is one of the few original traffic circles left in New Jersey. The circle can get very busy, especially on weekends.

There are other traffic circles in the area too. One is on Route 12 at Mine Street. Another is at Route 12 and Main Street, which was changed to a roundabout in 2009.

Public Transportation Options

You can travel to and from Flemington using buses.

Famous People from Flemington

See also (related category): People from Flemington, New Jersey

Many interesting people have lived in or are connected to Flemington:

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Flemington (Nueva Jersey) para niños

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