West Windsor is an affluent Mercer County township located in northern New Jersey. This township has much to offer, and we will cover it all below! West Windsor is best known for hosting various large companies in their award-winning office complex (Carnegie Center), its notable median household income ($175,107), and its nearness to one of the most prestigious educational institutions in the country. Part of Princeton University is located in West Windsor!
Thanks to its proximity to Princeton Junction Station at West Windsor, this township is any commuters dream and, although expensive, is a great place to live! A few of its best attributes are Its location (which is in the vicinity of New York City,) its lovely neighborhoods, and its fantastic economy (which we cover below); West Windsor is among the top ten wealthiest towns in the US.
West Windsor is in the Raritan Valley region and part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Before Europeans settled here in the early 1800s, the Lenape Native Americans hunted and foraged the land, but today, West Windsor’s American Indian population is only 0.9%. It was incorporated on February 21, 1798, and has since become a wonderful place to call home.
West Windsor is adjacent to East Windsor and is located in Mercer County, NJ. It's part of the New York Metropolitan Area and is a wealthy New York City suburb. It’s 56 miles from West Windsor to New York City; the train ride from Princeton Junction to Penn Station is typically one hour and twenty minutes. Lawrence Township, Princeton, South Brunswick Township, and Cranbury border this Northern New Jersey gem.
Along with Branchburg, Bridgewater, Somerville, Raritan, Hillsborough, Franklin, Green Brook, North Plainfield, Bound Brook, and South Bound Brook, West Windsor is part of the Raritan Valley Region.
One of West Windsor’s most notable attributes is Princeton Junction, one of the busiest train stations in New Jersey. Princeton Junction has various stops throughout NJ and NY, making West Windsor an excellent town for commuters, students, or people who frequent its neighboring cities. You can access the Princeton Junction train schedule online. Mercer County Bus Service provides public transportation to West Windsor. Their Map and bus routes and schedules are accessible online; their hours of operation are Monday-Saturday, 7:30 AM to 8:50 PM.
West Windsor has a population of 29,612 and has seen a 0.3% population increase since 2010. This large population brings a wide range of racial and ethnic groups!
Racial and ethnic composition in West Windsor:
West Windsor has a notable Asian population, foreign-born population, and education attainment percentage. 98.7% of the population have high school diplomas, and 82.6% have bachelor's degrees or higher—this is nearly double the rate in Mercer County. West Windsor is one of the most educated places in New Jersey! 42.1% of its population wasn’t born in the US, and 85% of those citizens originate from Asian countries.
Of the 10,582 West Windsor households, 77% are married couples, 9% are non-family, 11% are female-owned, and 3% are male-owned. Considering 59% of the township's population is under the age of 40, West Windsor is a popular destination for young families and adults.
Additional West Windsor demographics:
West Windsor is the 7th largest Mercer County city with the highest median household income.
Notable people:
Alongside its various attractive attributes, this township boasts safe streets with very little crime! The West Windsor, NJ, crime rate is not provided by the FBI, so we will use Princeton, NJ, as a reference. Princeton is only 5.8 miles from the township, meaning you can expect similar crime rate statistics for West Windsor.
According to the FBI, here are the Princeton, NJ crime rate statistics:
Princeton's crime rate is 51.4% lower than the state and 72% lower than the country.
Princeton's violent crime rate is 82.1% lower than the state and 91.0% lower than the country.
Princeton’s property crime rate is 46.2% lower than the state and 68.2% lower than the country.
Overall, West Windsor and its surrounding areas are safe; however, take comfort in knowing that if anything does happen, the 49 dedicated sworn officers of the West Windsor Police Department are just a phone call away
West Windsor has a cost of living index of 156.4, which is 56.4% above the US average. The most significant expenses when living in West Windsor are groceries (115.3 cost index), transportation (128.8 cost index), and housing (252.7 cost index.) Buying a house here is 152.7% more expensive than the average US state!
The West Windsor, NJ, real estate is considered competitive; 18 homes were sold in August after being on the market for a median of 34 days. The West Windsor median home price is $823,000, and the median price per square foot is $499. Although the homes for sale in West Windsor, NJ, are above the median home price in the US ($416,100), you certainly get what you pay for! From the low crime rate to the beautiful neighborhoods and tight-knit community, you can’t go wrong by moving to West Windsor.
Renting is always an option, too. According to RentCafe, the average West Windsor rent is $3,440 for a 1,915-square-foot rental. The rental market is sparse, as 67% of West Windsor, NJ's homes are owner-occupied.
Here are additional cost statistics so you can better understand what living in West Windsor will cost.
According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four should earn $98,245 a year to live comfortably in Mercer County, New Jersey.
Typical West Windsor living expenses:
Although the figures above are for Princeton, NJ, you can expect similar statistics for West Windsor.
Are you considering moving to West Windsor? You have the right idea! West Windsor was recently named one of the best places to live for families!
Although Princeton Junction is an unincorporated community, it’s still considered a West Windsor neighborhood. Princeton Junction is famous for its slow suburban lifestyle, beautiful homes, and proximity to Philadelphia, New York City, and the Jersey Shore. The home prices and sizes vary, but most are single-family homes. Most homes receive upwards of seven offers and sell within 11 days. The median home price is $867,000, and the median price per square foot is $390.
There are various gated communities within the West Windsor neighborhood of Princeton Junction, but the most notable is the Estates at Princeton Junction. This affluent gated community is known for its luxury homes and tight-knit community.
Notable attractions and things to do within the community are Rogers Preserve/Millstone River Preserve and the Princeton Tennis Program; however, bigger-city amenities are just a short drive (or train ride) away.
Grovers Mill is considered one of the most historic neighborhoods in West Windsor. The unincorporated community within the West Windsor, NJ, township has a rich history and countless beautifully built homes.
One of Grovers Mill’s best attributes is its tight-knit community; there are often block parties, community clean-ups, and weekend yard and estate sales to partake in. People here love the numerous nearby West Windsor parks like Ronald R. Rogers Arboretum and delicious West Windsor restaurants like Grover's Mill Coffee Co.
Join the tight-knit group of Grovers Mill; we promise you won’t regret moving to West Windsor and one of its lovely neighborhoods.
Unlike other West Windsor Neighborhoods, Penns Neck has a variety of new-construction homes available. While a historic home has loads of character, it can take a lot of work (and money) to keep up with. Newer homes don’t require as much TLC! Penns Neck is an unincorporated community that has recently undergone serious redevelopment, making it an attractive place to call home.
If you’re interested in a centrally located, family-friendly neighborhood in West Windsor, Penns Neck should certainly be considered.
The weather in West Windsor is enjoyable most of the year, with the exception of a few very cold winter months. The township has a Koppen classification of Hot-summer Humid continental climate (Dfa), which is best described as warm summers and freezing winters. Temperatures here vary drastically, ranging from 11 degrees Fahrenheit to 81 degrees.
You can expect the most sun from late June to late October; otherwise, it’s mostly cloudy here. West Windsor sees an average of 47 inches of rain annually and 24 inches of snow. The best time to visit West Windsor is late June through early September. The summer months provide plenty of sun and desirable temps, which is ideal for warm weather activities like hiking, biking, or exploring nearby cities.
You can shop at Square at West Windsor and get your essentials at McCaffrey's Food Market - West Windsor. Aside from its great shopping options, West Windsor Township, NJ, has plenty of fun things to do.
The West Windsor Community Park is a recreational complex adored by tourists and locals alike. This 123-acre park is home to sports fields, skating rinks, dog parks, walking trails, an aquatic center, and more!
West Windsor Township, NJ 08550, (609) 799-2400
One of West Windsor's main allures is its rich history; you can go back in time during your visit to the Historical Society of West Windsor!
50 Southfield Rd, West Windsor Township, NJ 08550, (609) 903-9013
Mercer County Park is one of the most popular parks in West Windsor. This park provides plenty of lovely scenery thanks to its perfect positioning on a large preserve overlooking a beautiful lake! There are dog parks, hiking trails, and baseball fields.
1638 Old Trenton Rd, West Windsor Township, NJ 08550, (609) 443-8560
The West Windsor Parks and Recreation Department maintains all parks in West Windsor. In addition to supporting the beloved recreation areas, the city frequently hosts community events for all to enjoy. You can view the special events calendar online!
Here are just a few top restaurants in West Windsor, NJ.
PJ’s Pancake House is one of the most popular West Windsor restaurants! They’re most famous for their pancakes and breakfast omelets.
64 Princeton Hightstown Rd, West Windsor Township, NJ 08550, (609) 799-0688
Carlucci's Italian Grill is located in Princeton Junction and is known to have some of the best Italian in West Windsor. According to online reviews, their scallops and garlic bread are not to be missed.
335 Princeton Hightstown Rd #14, Princeton Junction, NJ 08550, (609) 936-0900
Hot Wok Cafe is ideal for a more casual lunch or dinner date. Enjoy an order of soup dumplings or chicken lo mein; you won’t be disappointed!
217 Clarksville Rd, West Windsor Township, NJ 08550, (609) 716-8983
Before moving to West Windsor, let’s look at the economy and what it offers. One thing you won’t have to worry about when living here is finding a quality job. West Windsor is located near various large cities, providing plenty of economic stimulation and job opportunities. The unemployment rate here is 3.7%, which is well below the US average of 6%. Although West Windsor has a higher cost of living index, the sales tax is 6.6%, which is below the US average of 7.3%; taxes can make a significant difference in living costs.
Here’s a look at what people living in West Windsor are earning: 43.5% of residents earn between $100,00 and $200,00 a year, and only 3.2% earn between $15,000 and $20,000. The leading industries here are finance and insurance, manufacturing, and retail trade, and a few popular companies are Wellco Electric Motors, Sarnoff Corporation, American Metro Center, and Princeton University Press.
West Windsor’s county is home to some of the largest, most lucrative companies in New Jersey. Mercer County’s workforce comprises 190,648 laborers and approximately 4,000 independently owned businesses. The largest employers of Mercer County are Princeton University, Bristol-Myers Squibb Co, and Bank of America.
West Windsor and its surrounding countries can accommodate your career needs regardless of your industry. However, we have some tips to help lessen your stress during your job hunt! It’s important to network and stay on top of job trends; putting yourself out there is the first step to success. You should also always consider all your options while searching for West Windsor Township jobs; keep West Windsor City jobs in mind; government jobs often offer a competitive salary and great benefits!
New Jersey has some of the best schools in the country, and West Windsor schools follow the same standard! This township has renowned high schools like West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North and highly-rated elementary schools like Duck Neck Elementary School. West Windsor is part of the West Windsor School District (or West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional Schools District), and many of its schools are the best in the district.
The school district itself offers various notable programs and departments. For example, the community education, language arts, and technology programs are unique to the school district and aren’t offered in all cities.
West Windsor doesn’t just foster its youngest generations' education; the township is also an ideal place for adults who are interested in advancing their knowledge. Notable universities in and near West Windsor are Princeton University and New College West.
While there are many quaint coffee shops to work and study at here, the West Windsor Library is a good option, too. It's a quiet place to catch up on reading, bring your children to play, or cram in a study sesh!
Explore more things to do here with this map of West Windsor!
If living in West Windsor has sparked your interest, Catlow Movers is happy to help you get there. We have skilled West Windsor movers to handle all the heavy lifting and tedious planning; give us a call at 201-653-1808 to receive a free estimate!
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