By: centraljersey.com
The 2010 Census figures for New Jersey have been released and Montgomery Township and West Windsor both experienced more than 20 percent growth in the 10-year period, while the population in Princeton Borough saw more than a 13 percent decline.
Montgomery Township experienced the most growth from 2000 to 2010 with an increase of 27.3 percent. The population rose from 17,481 to 22,254.
"Montgomery had a lot of developable land due to its agricultural heritage, and there were a lot of projects approved in the 1980s and 1990s that came to fruition during the last decade," said Mayor Mark Caliguire. "Like a lot of families, part of the reason we moved to Montgomery was because of its rural character. I am determined to preserve that character."
"We have had a tremendously aggressive and successful open space program," said Mayor Caliguire. "As a result, over 30 percent of our town is preserved as public or private open space. That program continues, and the preservation of the 256-acre NPDC [North Princeton Development Center] site as a county park will take even more land out of play for development."
In terms of the growth’s impact on the work of the municipality, Mayor Caliguire said, "No question there are more demands for services at all levels during tight budget times. We have had to innovate and adapt."
The population of West Windsor has grown 24 percent in the past 10 years, rising from 21,907 to 27,165.
Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh said the location of the community is an important factor as it is situated between New York City and Philadelphia, giving access to cultural centers.
Another reason he said is the access to transportation. The Princeton Junction train station is one of the top 10 stations in the nation, said Mayor Hsueh, and cited the proximity of U.S. Route 1, Interstate 95 and the New Jersey Turnpike.
In addition, he said the school system is one of the best in the state and that people respect the students coming out of West Windsor-Plainsboro systems.
The quality of life in West Windsor is another factor. In 2009, America Online ranked West Windsor at the No.1 neighborhood in which to raise kids, and the township earned a silver-level evergreen recognition from Sustainable Jersey, said Mayor Hsueh.
Almost 50 percent of the open space has been preserved, he said.
We learn from mistakes and we listen to the feedback from the community and make the necessary improvements, said Mayor Hsueh. "All of that makes West Windsor a desirable place to live."
While West Windsor’s Montgomery Township’s populations have soared, Princeton Borough experienced a 13 percent decline from 2000, where the population was 14,203, to 2010, where dropped to 12,307.
Mayor Mildred Trotman said she has had the opportunity to do little more than read the report. She said she has no explanation for the decline in population, unless it has something to do with the economy and the cost of living in Princeton.
This will have some impact on redistricting, said Mayor Trotman. It’s one of the reasons the county wants to relocate two of the polling districts, something they have wanted to do over the past four to five years, she said.
Mayor Trotman has reached out to some members of the election board to see to see if they would postpone redistricting polling districts one and two until next year. The reason for this is that there is generally higher voter turnout when the mayor in the in the borough is up for election. She hopes that consolidation and shared services will be on the ballot as well.
There will be a program called "Redistricting in New Jersey: The Challenges Ahead" held at 7 p.m. at the Chauncey Conference Center at Educational Testing Service. The program is sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Lawrence Township, Hopewell Valley, Princeton Area and Hightstown-East Windsor. For information, contact: [email protected].
Allison Musante contributed to this report.