🇺🇸 United States ZIP Code

STANDARD

08542

Princeton

ZIP Code 08542 is a standard zip code serving Princeton, Princeton, New Jersey (NJ), in Mercer County, United States. It has an estimated population of 5,189 with a median household income of $71,393. The area falls within the America/New_York timezone.

Median Household Income vs. National Average

Location

Country: 🇺🇸 United States
State / Province: New Jersey (NJ)
County: Mercer
City: Princeton
Timezone: America/New_York

Coordinates

Latitude: 40.353500
Longitude: -74.659400

Geographic Details

Land Area: 0.51 mi²
Population Density: 10160.0 people per mi² (95th percentile)
Bounding Box: 40.361946°N, 40.344057°S, -74.649899°E, -74.669905°W

With 5,189 residents spread across 0.51 square miles, this area has a population density of 10160.0 people per square mile.

Demographics

5,189

Population

55th percentile

$71,393

Median Income

85th percentile

$449,100

Median Home Value

95th percentile

0.51 mi²

Land Area

The median household income in 08542 is $71,393, and the median home value is $449,100. This places the area in the top 25% nationally for household income.

Housing

1,644

Total Units

1,481

Occupied Units

90.1%

Occupancy Rate

Nearby ZIP Codes

Other zip codes in Princeton, NJ.

08540

Princeton

08541

Princeton

08543

Princeton

08544

Princeton

Similar ZIP Codes in New Jersey

ZIP codes with similar median household income in New Jersey.

08002

Cherry Hill

$68,465

08311

Cedarville

$65,968

07462

Vernon

$77,909

08837

Edison

$74,589

08071

Pitman

$71,307

07720

Bradley Beach

$67,065

08203

Brigantine

$64,516

08846

Middlesex

$80,833

Frequently Asked Questions

What information is available for each ZIP code?

Each ZIP code page shows city, state, county, geographic coordinates, timezone, population, median household income, median home value, housing units, land area, population density, commute time, educational attainment, area codes, and ZIP code type (Standard, PO Box, or Unique).

What are the different types of ZIP codes?

There are three types of ZIP codes: Standard (residential and commercial delivery areas), PO Box (assigned to post office box sections), and Unique (assigned to a single high-volume address like a government agency or large company). Standard ZIP codes are the most common.

How often is ZIP code data updated?

ZIP code assignments are updated quarterly by the USPS. Demographic data comes from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), which releases new 5-year estimates annually. ZipFYI updates its data to reflect the latest available information.

What is population density and why does it matter?

Population density measures the number of people per square mile in a ZIP code area. It helps identify urban vs. rural areas, affects real estate values, impacts service availability, and is used in market analysis. Dense urban ZIP codes may have 50,000+ people per square mile.

How are ZIP code boundaries determined?

ZIP code boundaries are determined by the USPS based on mail delivery routes, not political or geographic boundaries. They follow carrier routes and may cross city, county, or even state lines. Boundaries can change when the USPS reorganizes delivery operations.

What does median household income tell me about a ZIP code?

Median household income is the middle value when all household incomes in a ZIP code are sorted. Half of households earn more and half earn less. It is a better indicator of typical earnings than average income, which can be skewed by very high or very low outliers.