Residential delivery area · New Jersey
ZIP Code 08542: Princeton, NJ
ZIP code 08542 is in Princeton, New Jersey, entirely in Mercer County (Census 2020 ZIP-county file). About 2,500 people live there (Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024), the least populous of Princeton's 3 residential ZIP codes. Median household income is $105,524 (Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024).
- ACS2020-24
- Census2020
- FHFA2022
- ZBP2023
- IRS2022
- Town
- Princeton · 3 residential ZIPs
- County
- Mercer County
- Census places
- Princeton
- Metro area
- Trenton-Princeton, NJ
- House district
- NJ-12 119th Congress
- State
- New Jersey
- Time zone
- Eastern
- Land area
- 0.4 sq mi · 6,562 people per sq mi
Where is ZIP code 08542?
08542 centers on 40.355°, -74.661° and covers 0.4 square miles of land. It borders 2 ZIP codes: 08544, 08540.
The map draws ZIP code areas only. For the streets inside 08542, open its center on OpenStreetMap.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 ZCTA cartographic boundaries and the 2023 Gazetteer (2020 ZCTAs); ZIP-to-county shares, Census places and House districts (119th Congress) from the Census 2020 relationship files (shares of land); metro area from the OMB delineation (July 2023); town name and time zone from simplemaps US ZIP Codes (CC BY 4.0).
How does 08542 compare with the rest of Princeton?
| Measure | 08542 | In Princeton | In Mercer County | In NJ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| People (ACS 2020-2024) | 2,533 | 3rd of 3 | 24th of 26 | 498th of 598 |
| Median household income | $106k | 2nd of 2 | 15th of 22 | 283rd of 476 |
| Median home value | $754k | 2nd of 2 | 4th of 22 | 80th of 515 |
Its median household income is higher than in 84% of U.S. residential ZIP codes, and it is denser than 96% of all U.S. residential ZIP codes. ZIP codes at the ACS caps ($250,000 or more for household income, $2,000,000 or more for home value) share the top rank.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (B01003, B19013, B25077); ranks by PlainZIP over residential ZIP codes (ZCTAs).
How many people live in 08542?
The 2020 Census counted 3,325 people in 08542; the ACS, which samples households over 2020-2024, estimates 2,533. Its boundary changed between the 2010 and 2020 censuses, so the two counts are not compared.
- People, ACS 2020-2024
- 2,533±606 (90% margin)
- 2020 Census count
- 3,325
- Households
- 1,264
- Median age
- 37.2
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (B01003, B01002, B11001); 2020 Census (DHC P1); 2010 Census (SF1 P1).
Who lives in 08542?
Of the 2,533 people the ACS estimates in 08542, 13.4% are under 18 and 8.1% are 65 or older. The largest group by race and Hispanic origin is White (not Hispanic) (53.8%), then Hispanic or Latino (15.3%).
- Under 1813.4%
- 18 to 6478.5%
- 65 and older8.1%
- White, not Hispanic53.8%
- Hispanic or Latino15.3%
- Black, not Hispanic14.2%
- Asian, not Hispanic11.9%
- Other or two or more4.7%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (B01001 age by sex, B03002 Hispanic or Latino origin by race); shares of the estimated population, small ZIP codes carry wide margins.
What do households in 08542 earn?
Median household income is $105,524 (ACS 2020-2024), the 15th highest of the 22 ranked ZIP codes in Mercer County.
- Median household income
- $105,524±$25,710
- Income per person
- $72,582
- Below the poverty line
- 4.2%
- Unemployed (of the labor force)
- 5.0%
- Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree
- 70.7%
- Adjusted gross income per tax return, 2022
- $150,7801,760 returns; wages 59% of AGI (IRS)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024 and 2015-2019 5-year estimates (B19013, B19301, B17001, B23025, B15003; 2015-2019 dollars converted with the BLS CPI-U, 1.22699); IRS Statistics of Income, ZIP code data, tax year 2022 (adjusted gross income per return, filed under the address on the return).
What are homes worth in 08542?
- Median home value (owners' estimate)
- $754,100
- Median gross rent
- $2,497
- Homes owned by their occupants
- 32.3%
- Housing units
- 1,357
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (B25077, B25064, B25003, B25001); FHFA House Price Index, annual five-digit ZIP, updated 2026-03-31.
What businesses are in 08542?
371 business establishments had a location in this ZIP code in 2023, 27 fewer than in 2018; the most are in retail trade (ZIP Code Business Patterns).
- Retail trade63
- Professional, scientific, and technical services63
- Accommodation and food services54
- Other services (except public administration)47
- Finance and insurance43
- Real estate and rental and leasing23
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ZIP Code Business Patterns 2023 and 2018 (establishments with paid employees, by the business's ZIP code).
Which ZIP codes are next to 08542?
| ZIP | Town | People | Household income | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08544 | Princeton | 4,392 | – | 0.6 mi |
| 08540 | Princeton | 50,388 | $177k | 0.7 mi |
| 08528 | Kingston | 321 | – | 3.1 mi (near) |
| 08553 | Rocky Hill | 819 | $148k | 3.4 mi (near) |
| 08536 | Plainsboro | 20,817 | $138k | 4.2 mi (near) |
| 08558 | Skillman | 7,648 | $236k | 4.7 mi (near) |
| 08550 | Princeton Junction | 21,067 | $224k | 5.5 mi (near) |
| 08648 | Lawrence Township | 31,323 | $126k | 5.7 mi (near) |
Source: PlainZIP from the Census 2020 ZCTA boundaries (shared edges) and internal points; figures ACS 2020-2024.