West Windsor, New Jersey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
West Windsor, New Jersey
|
||
|---|---|---|
|
Township
|
||
War of the Worlds monument, Grover's Mill
|
||
|
||
Location of West Windsor in Mercer County highlighted in red (right). Inset map: Location of Mercer County in New Jersey highlighted in orange (left).
|
||
Census Bureau map of West Windsor Township, New Jersey
|
||
 West Windsor, New Jersey
Location in Mercer County, New Jersey
West Windsor, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
West Windsor, New Jersey
Location in the United States
|
||
| Country |  United States |
|
| State |  New Jersey |
|
| County |  Mercer |
|
| Incorporated | February 21, 1798 | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Faulkner Act Mayor-Council | |
| • Body | Township Council | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 26.25 sq mi (68.00 km2) | |
| • Land | 25.55 sq mi (66.17 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.71 sq mi (1.83 km2) 2.69% | |
| Area rank | 101st of 565 in state 3rd of 12 in county |
|
| Elevation | 92 ft (28 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
|
||
| • Total | 29,518 | |
| • Estimate
(2023)
|
30,509 | |
| • Rank | 82nd of 565 in state 7th of 12 in county |
|
| • Density | 1,155.3/sq mi (446.1/km2) | |
| • Density rank | 367th of 565 in state 10th of 12 in county |
|
| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT)) | |
| ZIP Codes |
08550 – Princeton Junction and 08540 – Princeton, New Jersey
|
|
| Area code(s) | 609 | |
| FIPS code | 3402180240 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0882124 | |
| Website | ||
West Windsor is a township located in Mercer County, New Jersey. It's considered a suburb of New York City. In 2020, about 29,518 people lived here.
West Windsor and its neighbor, East Windsor, were officially created on February 21, 1798. They were formed from an older area called Windsor Township.
A part of Princeton University is located in West Windsor. The township is also closely connected to the town of Princeton. Many places in West Windsor even use "Princeton" in their names, like Princeton Junction. The Princeton post office (08540) is also located within West Windsor.
West Windsor is known for being one of the wealthiest areas in New Jersey. In 2017, its average household income was very high, making it one of the top places in the state for income.
Contents
History of West Windsor
Before Europeans settled here around the 1700s, the Lenape Native Americans lived in the West Windsor area. The Assanhicans, a Lenape group, lived in the wider Trenton area. You can still find artifacts from their time in West Windsor.
In 1634, an English captain named Thomas Yong explored the Delaware River. He reached the Trenton area, but it's not known who the first European was to step foot in West Windsor.
The area was part of Piscataway Township when it was first set up in 1666. This changed when Middlesex County was formed in 1683.
.jpg)
The original Windsor Township, which West Windsor came from, was officially created in 1751. It included what is now West Windsor, East Windsor, Hightstown, and Robbinsville. In 1756, The College of New Jersey moved to Princeton. When West Windsor was created in 1797, its borders reached Nassau Street. Later, in the 1800s, its borders changed again to what they are today.
For a long time, West Windsor was mostly a farming community. Farmers grew crops like wheat, tomatoes, rye, and potatoes. This continued until the late 1900s, when the township started to grow very quickly.
West Windsor never had one main "downtown" area. Instead, it had several small villages or hamlets. Some of these names are still used today:
- Aqueduct Mills
- Canal/Princeton Basin
- Clarksville
- Dutch Neck
- Edinburg
- Grovers Mill
- Penns Neck
- Port Windsor/Mercer
- Princeton Junction
Grover's Mill in West Windsor became famous in 1938. This was the spot Orson Welles chose for the Martian invasion in his famous radio show, The War of the Worlds.
In the late 20th century, West Windsor changed a lot. Many new homes were built, and the population grew quickly. By 1999, it had become a place with many expensive houses in planned communities.
In April 2002, a special memorial was built. It honors the seven residents of West Windsor who passed away in the September 11 terrorist attacks.
In 2019, the Historical Society of West Windsor created an online museum. It shares the history of the township.
Geography and Landscape
West Windsor Township covers about 26.25 square miles (68.00 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
Some communities within West Windsor that don't have their own local government include:
- Princeton Junction
- Berrien City
- Dutch Neck
- Edinburg
- Grover's Mill
- Millstone
- Penns Neck
- Port Mercer
West Windsor shares borders with several other towns. These include East Windsor, Hamilton, Lawrence Township, Princeton, and Robbinsville in Mercer County. It also borders Plainsboro in Middlesex County.
There are plans to develop a large area of land in West Windsor. This area is near the train line, Route 1, and Quakerbridge Road. The plan is to build warehouses there.
Climate and Environment
West Windsor Township has a climate with hot summers. This type of climate is known as a Humid Continental climate.
| Climate data for West Windsor Twp (40.2928, -74.6259), Elevation 95 ft (29 m), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1981–2022 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 71.7 (22.1) |
77.6 (25.3) |
88.1 (31.2) |
95.2 (35.1) |
95.4 (35.2) |
98.0 (36.7) |
102.6 (39.2) |
101.4 (38.6) |
97.5 (36.4) |
93.8 (34.3) |
80.7 (27.1) |
75.6 (24.2) |
102.6 (39.2) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 40.2 (4.6) |
42.7 (5.9) |
50.5 (10.3) |
62.9 (17.2) |
72.5 (22.5) |
81.7 (27.6) |
86.3 (30.2) |
84.5 (29.2) |
78.1 (25.6) |
66.1 (18.9) |
55.4 (13.0) |
45.3 (7.4) |
63.9 (17.7) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 23.3 (−4.8) |
24.8 (−4.0) |
31.7 (−0.2) |
41.5 (5.3) |
51.1 (10.6) |
60.3 (15.7) |
65.6 (18.7) |
63.8 (17.7) |
56.8 (13.8) |
45.0 (7.2) |
35.4 (1.9) |
28.5 (−1.9) |
44.1 (6.7) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −11.3 (−24.1) |
−4.3 (−20.2) |
3.8 (−15.7) |
17.8 (−7.9) |
31.7 (−0.2) |
40.1 (4.5) |
46.4 (8.0) |
41.2 (5.1) |
34.9 (1.6) |
23.9 (−4.5) |
9.6 (−12.4) |
−0.1 (−17.8) |
−11.3 (−24.1) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 3.53 (90) |
2.72 (69) |
4.26 (108) |
3.69 (94) |
4.05 (103) |
4.53 (115) |
4.94 (125) |
4.43 (113) |
4.17 (106) |
4.02 (102) |
3.31 (84) |
4.33 (110) |
47.96 (1,218) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 8.1 (21) |
8.7 (22) |
4.1 (10) |
0.1 (0.25) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.2 (0.51) |
0.7 (1.8) |
3.7 (9.4) |
25.5 (65) |
| Average dew point °F (°C) | 21.5 (−5.8) |
22.2 (−5.4) |
27.7 (−2.4) |
37.2 (2.9) |
49.1 (9.5) |
59.4 (15.2) |
64.2 (17.9) |
63.5 (17.5) |
57.6 (14.2) |
45.9 (7.7) |
34.9 (1.6) |
27.3 (−2.6) |
42.6 (5.9) |
| Source 1: PRISM | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: NOHRSC (Snow, 2008/2009 - 2022/2023 normals) | |||||||||||||
The natural plant life in West Windsor Township would mainly be Appalachian Oak trees. This means the area is naturally a type of Eastern Hardwood Forest.
Population and Community
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1810 | 1,714 | — | |
| 1820 | 1,918 | 11.9% | |
| 1830 | 2,129 | 11.0% | |
| 1840 | 1,536 | −27.9% | |
| 1850 | 1,596 | 3.9% | |
| 1860 | 1,497 | −6.2% | |
| 1870 | 1,428 | −4.6% | |
| 1880 | 1,396 | −2.2% | |
| 1890 | 1,329 | −4.8% | |
| 1900 | 1,279 | −3.8% | |
| 1910 | 1,342 | 4.9% | |
| 1920 | 1,389 | 3.5% | |
| 1930 | 1,711 | 23.2% | |
| 1940 | 2,160 | 26.2% | |
| 1950 | 2,519 | 16.6% | |
| 1960 | 4,016 | 59.4% | |
| 1970 | 6,431 | 60.1% | |
| 1980 | 8,542 | 32.8% | |
| 1990 | 16,021 | 87.6% | |
| 2000 | 21,907 | 36.7% | |
| 2010 | 27,165 | 24.0% | |
| 2020 | 29,518 | 8.7% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 30,509 | 12.3% | |
| Population sources: 1800–1920 1840 1850–1870 1850 1870 1880–1890 1890–1910 1910–1930 1940–2000 2000 2010 2020 |
|||
In 2009, West Windsor was named one of the best neighborhoods to raise children. This was because of its excellent school district and safe community.
By 2018, West Windsor had the second most educated population in New Jersey. Over 81% of its residents had a bachelor's degree or higher.
2010 Census Snapshot
In 2010, West Windsor had 27,165 people living in 9,449 households. About 45.5% of households had children under 18. Most households (73%) were married couples living together.
The population was diverse:
- 54.94% White
- 3.67% Black or African American
- 37.71% Asian
- 4.47% Hispanic or Latino (of any race)
The average age in West Windsor was 39.6 years. About 28.4% of the population was under 18.
Economy and Business
West Windsor's economy is a mix of big companies, stores, and local services. NRG Energy, a company that works with electricity, has its main office in West Windsor.
The township is close to New York City and Philadelphia. This makes it a good place for businesses like finance, technology, and healthcare. There are many small and medium-sized businesses here.
Shopping centers like MarketFair in West Windsor are also important. They bring in customers from nearby areas.
Farming is still a small but important part of West Windsor's economy. Local farms sell fresh produce at farmers' markets. The township also supports green and eco-friendly policies. This makes it attractive for businesses and people who care about sustainability.
Arts and Culture Scene
The West Windsor Arts Center is a place where art and community come together. They offer performances, classes, workshops, and art shows. It's located in the old Princeton Junction Firehouse.
The Mercer County Italian-American Festival is held every year in West Windsor. It started in 2000 and celebrates Italian-American culture.
MCTV 26: Community Television
Mercer County Television (MCTV) channel 26 is an educational TV station in West Windsor. It's run by Mercer County Community College (MCCC). This student-run station broadcasts to homes across Mercer County, New Jersey.
Parks and Outdoor Fun
Richard J. Coffee Mercer County Park is a large park mostly located in West Windsor. It has:
- Athletic fields
- A dog park
- Picnic areas
- A renovated boathouse and marina on Mercer Lake
- Bike trails
- An ice skating rink, home to the Mercer Bulldogs special hockey team.
The West Windsor Community Park is a 123-acre public park. It's the main park for active fun. You can find:
- A playground
- Jogging and biking paths
- Basketball courts
- Dog parks
- A skate park
- Tennis and pickleball courts
- Three baseball fields and an indoor baseball facility
The park also has the West Windsor Waterworks Family Aquatics Center.
Duck Pond Park is a new park being built. It will be a "second community park" for the township. It already has lighted soccer fields, tennis, volleyball, and basketball courts. Future plans include a playground, picnic areas, and a fishing pond.
Education in West Windsor
Colleges and Universities
West Windsor is home to the West Windsor Campus of Mercer County Community College. A satellite campus of Princeton University is also located in West Windsor.
Public Schools
West Windsor and Plainsboro share a school district called the West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District. It serves students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.
The district has 10 schools:
- Four elementary schools (Pre-K/K–3)
- Two upper elementary schools (grades 4 and 5)
- Two middle schools (grades 6–8)
- Two high schools (grades 9–12)
Some of the schools in the district include:
- Dutch Neck Elementary School (West Windsor)
- Maurice Hawk Elementary School (West Windsor)
- Village School (West Windsor)
- Thomas R. Grover Middle School (West Windsor)
- West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South (West Windsor)
- Town Center Elementary School (Plainsboro)
- J.V.B. Wicoff Elementary School (Plainsboro)
- Millstone River School (Plainsboro)
- Community Middle School (Plainsboro)
- West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North (Plainsboro)
Several schools in the district have received the prestigious National Blue Ribbon Schools Program award. This award recognizes schools for their excellent academic performance.
Students in Mercer County can also apply to the Mercer County Technical Schools. These schools offer special career and technical programs, like Health Sciences and Culinary Arts.
Private Schools
The Wilberforce School is a private school in West Windsor. It teaches students from kindergarten through 12th grade and offers a Classical Christian education.
Transportation and Roads
Roads and Highways
_from_the_overpass_for_Mercer_County_Route_533_(Quaker_Bridge_Road-Province_Line_Road)_in_West_Windsor_Township,_Mercer_County,_New_Jersey.jpg)
West Windsor has over 150 miles of roads. Most of these are maintained by the township itself.
US 1 is the biggest and busiest highway in West Windsor. It runs through the northwestern part of the township. Other important roads include CR 533, CR 526, CR 571, and CR 535.
You can also easily reach major highways like Interstate 295, Interstate 195, and the New Jersey Turnpike (which is Interstate 95) from neighboring towns.
Public Transportation Options
The Princeton Junction station is located in West Windsor. It's a stop for Amtrak and NJ Transit trains on the Northeast Corridor line. This station is one of the busiest train stations in the Northeast.
A unique train line called the "Dinky" runs between Princeton Junction station and the Princeton station. It's a short, one-car train that shuttles back and forth. At 2.7 miles, it's the shortest regularly scheduled passenger train route in the United States!
NJ Transit also provides bus service to Trenton and other nearby areas.
Healthcare Services
Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center is a large hospital located in nearby Plainsboro Township. It serves the greater Princeton area. This hospital is part of the Penn Medicine Health System.
Penn Medicine also has doctor's offices in West Windsor, on Princeton-Hightstown Road.
Other hospitals close to West Windsor include CentraState Medical Center in Freehold Township and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Hamilton Township.
Notable People from West Windsor
- Jack Aker (born 1940), former Major League Baseball pitcher
- Kevin G. Chapman (born 1978), Atlanta Braves relief pitcher
- Aneesh Chopra (born 1972), first Chief Technology Officer of the United States
- Stanley Dancer (1927–2005), harness racing driver and trainer
- Eileen Filler-Corn (born 1964), first woman to be Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates
- Douglas Forrester (born 1953), former mayor of West Windsor Township
- Ethan Hawke (born 1970), actor
- Kris Kolluri (born c. 1969), former Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation
- Matt Lalli (born 1986), professional lacrosse player
- Paul Lansky (born 1944), composer
- Ben H. Love (1930–2010), former Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America
- Brad Mays (born 1955), screenwriter and director
- Christopher McQuarrie (born 1968), screenwriter and director
- Glenn Michibata (born 1962), retired professional tennis player
- James Murphy (born 1970), singer and musician (from LCD Soundsystem)
- John Forbes Nash Jr. (1928–2015), Nobel Prize-winning mathematician
- Fernando Perez (born 1983), former baseball outfielder
- Steve Rogers (born 1949), former baseball pitcher
- Bryan Singer (born 1965), film and television director
- David Zhuang (born 1963), Olympic table tennis player
See also
In Spanish: Municipio de West Windsor para niños
