RANK #657 / 996 · POP 383,732 · NJ
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.2%
Mercer County, New Jersey, is distinguished by Princeton University, an Ivy League research institution, and Drumthwacket, the official residence of the New Jersey governor. Located centrally in New Jersey, it sits about an hour from both New York City and Philadelphia. The county offers a mix of urban centers like Trenton, suburban neighborhoods, and rural areas with preserved farmland. Over 27% of Mercer County is preserved open space, including 10,000 acres of parklands and 16,000 acres of farms, forests, and meadows, providing opportunities for hiking, golf, and boating. Commute options include Amtrak, NJ Transit rail, and bus services, with Trenton-Mercer Airport also serving the area.
Life in Mercer County often involves a balance of community amenities and access to larger metropolitan areas. The public school systems, such as West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional and Princeton Public Schools, are highly rated. The county's economy is diverse, with significant contributions from higher education, research, and government services. Recent economic developments show growth in scientific fields, particularly biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, with new companies establishing a presence. The healthcare industry also continues to expand, and there is ongoing investment in manufacturing and advanced production methods.
Below national median
Well below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 2.7x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Proposed Data Center (Undisclosed Location)
Unknown
|
$500M | Proposed |
|
Lamberton Road Battery
Unknown
|
$170M | Planned |
|
Amazon Fulfillment Center (EWR4)
Amazon
|
$100M | Operating |
|
McGraw-Hill Companies Solar Farm (East Windsor)
NJR Clean Energy Ventures (for McGraw-Hill)
|
$60M | Operating |
|
Community Solar Portfolio (Multiple Projects)
Various (e.g., NJR Clean Energy Ventures Corporation)
|
$50M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Mercer County has a Boom Town Index score of 34/100, ranking #657 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.9% and a median household income of $92,697, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Mercer County is $327,600 with median rent at $1,454/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.283, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.3% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.9%. Home values changed +0.4% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.75% of Mercer County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.