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.
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.
The borough was named for James Buckelew, who established a mill that became the nucleus of what is now Jamesburg. 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.
On July 17, 2005, approximately of rain fell in Jamesburg, flooding areas on West Railroad Avenue, East Church Street, Pergola Avenue, Willow Street, Forsgate Drive, and Gatzmer Avenue. Roughly 75 to 100 families were evacuated from their homes and housed at the John F. Kennedy Elementary School.
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, making it part of 21 pairs of "doughnut towns" in the state, where one municipality entirely surrounds another.
Demographics
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 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.
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 of any race were 10.06% of the population.
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.