Jamesburg is a borough in Middlesex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 5,783, a decrease of 132 (−2.2%) from the 2010 census count of 5,915, which in turn reflected a decline of 110 (−1.8%) from the 6,025 counted in the 2000 census.Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023.

History Jamesburg was formed as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 19, 1887, when it was created from portions of Monroe Township, based on the results of a referendum held on March 15, 1887. Jamesburg's incorporation was confirmed on April 15, 1915.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 170. Accessed May 29, 2024.

The borough was named for James Buckelew, who established a mill that became the nucleus of what is now Jamesburg.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 2, 2015.Jamesburg's History, Borough of Jamesburg. Accessed September 2, 2015. "Jamesburg is a 0.9 square mile town, incorporated in 1887. It was named after James Buckelew, a very influential man in Jamesburg's history." After Monroe Township officials refused to admit an African-American student into one of its schools, Buckelew funded the construction of a school located at the corner of Church Street and Gatzmer Avenue that would be open to all children. The school was named in his honor and became the derivation of the borough's name.A Profile of Jamesburg's History, The Jamesburg Historical Association. Accessed December 5, 2019. "A school is responsible for the town assuming the name 'Jamesburg.' In 1847, James Buckelew built a brick school on the corner of Church Street and Gatzmer Avenue, today the location of the Presbyterian Church of Jamesburg’s parking lot. He built the schoolhouse because the Monroe school system refused admittance to an African-American boy. He declared his school open to all children. At the dedication ceremony, the people proclaimed it as the 'James B.' or 'Jamesburg' school, after this the town came to be known as 'Jamesburg.'"

On July 17, 2005, of rain fell in Jamesburg, flooding areas on West Railroad Avenue, East Church Street, Pergola Avenue, Willow Street, Forsgate Drive, and Gatzmer Avenue. 75 to 100 families were evacuated from their homes and housed at the John F. Kennedy Elementary School.Rebuilding Downtown Jamesburg: Life After the Flood, Jamesburg.net. Accessed January 28, 2012.Council Minutes , Borough of Jamesburg, September 28, 2005. Accessed January 28, 2012.

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 0.89 square miles (2.31 km2), including 0.88 square miles (2.29 km2) of land and 0.01 square miles (0.02 km2) of water (0.90%).

The borough is the older and more urban core area located in the center of and completely surrounded by Monroe Township,Areas touching Jamesburg, MapIt. Accessed June 1, 2015.Municipalities, Middlesex County, New Jersey. Accessed July 1, 2022.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019. making it part of 21 pairs of "doughnut towns" in the state, where one municipality entirely surrounds another.DeMarco, Megan. "Voters to decide whether to merge two Princetons into one", The Star-Ledger, November 3, 2011. Accessed January 8, 2017. "There are 22 sets of 'doughnut towns' in New Jersey, those where one town wraps around the other town". Note that following voter approval of the Princeton, New Jersey, merger, 21 pairs of "doughnut towns" remain.

Demographics

2020 census As of the 2020 census, Jamesburg had a population of 5,783. The median age was 37.8 years. 22.2% of residents were under the age of 18 and 11.8% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 104.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 100.4 males age 18 and over.

100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 2,115 households in Jamesburg, of which 36.5% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 46.4% were married-couple households, 19.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 25.7% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 24.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 2,228 housing units, of which 5.1% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.3%.

+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census Race Number Percent White 3,269 56.5% Black or African American 431 7.5% American Indian and Alaska Native 60 1.0% Asian 275 4.8% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 1 0.0% Some other race 1,089 18.8% Two or more races 658 11.4% Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 1,843 31.9%

2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 5,915 people, 2,172 households, and 1,492 families in the borough. The population density was 6,741.8 per square mile (2,603.0/km2). There were 2,267 housing units at an average density of 2,583.9 per square mile (997.6/km2). The racial makeup was 73.90% (4,371) White, 8.84% (523) Black or African American, 0.85% (50) Native American, 4.53% (268) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 9.42% (557) from other races, and 2.47% (146) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 22.38% (1,324) of the population.

Of the 2,172 households, 36.0% had children under the age of 18; 51.0% were married couples living together; 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present and 31.3% were non-families. Of all households, 25.8% were made up of individuals and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.26.

25.3% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 31.7% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 8.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35.9 years. For every 100 females, the population had 102.2 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 100.7 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $52,169 (with a margin of error of +/− $10,781) and the median family income was $69,531 (+/− $13,862). Males had a median income of $49,615 (+/− $9,412) versus $50,164 (+/− $5,717) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $28,668 (+/− $3,584). About 4.9% of families and 8.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.7% of those under age 18 and 8.8% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Jamesburg borough, Middlesex County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed April 2, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 6,025 people, 2,176 households, and 1,551 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 2,240 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 82.82% White, 8.83% African American, 0.20% Native American, 2.22% Asian, 3.80% from other races, and 2.12% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 10.06% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Jamesburg borough, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed April 2, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Jamesburg borough, Middlesex County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 23, 2012.

There were 2,176 households, out of which 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.7% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.7% were non-families. 22.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.18.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 24.6% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 35.6% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.7 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $59,461, and the median income for a family was $67,887. Males had a median income of $45,019 versus $33,333 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $23,325. About 3.0% of families and 3.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.1% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over. Parks and recreation

Thompson Park, covering , is located on the southwestern edge of Jamesburg and is also partially located in neighboring Monroe Township. The Manalapan Lake is located on the eastern edge of the park. The park has four tennis courts, four basketball courts, two handball courts, three baseball fields, a softball field, many soccer fields, multiple picnic groves equipped with grills, three hiking/biking trails, fishing, an animal haven, and a gazebo. The park has three entrances. Two are located on Perrineville Road, and one is located on Forsgate Drive.Thompson Park, Middlesex County, New Jersey. Accessed May 27, 2024. "The 675 acre Thompson Park is the largest developed park in our Park System and is located in Monroe Township and Jamesburg." Monroe Township Soccer Club hosts a tournament every year on the soccer fields in the park.

Government

Local government Jamesburg is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey.Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey , Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023. The governing body is comprised of the mayor and the borough council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. A mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council includes six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle.2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 165. The borough form of government used by Jamesburg is a "weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.Cerra, Michael F. "Forms of Government: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know, But Were Afraid to Ask", New Jersey State League of Municipalities, March 2007. Accessed January 1, 2025."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey" , p. 6. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.