Pennington, New Jersey
Encyclopedia
Pennington is a Borough
in Mercer County
, New Jersey
, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 2,585.
Pennington was established as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature
on January 31, 1890, from portions of Hopewell Township
, based on the results of a referendum held on January 21, 1890.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the borough has a total area of 1 square miles (2.6 km²), all of it land.
Pennington is an independent municipality surrounded by Hopewell Township
.
of 2000, there were 2,696 people, 1,013 households, and 761 families residing in the borough. The population density
was 2,801.0 people per square mile (1,084.3/km2). There were 1,040 housing units at an average density of 1,080.5 per square mile (418.3/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 94.96% White, 2.63% African American, 1.00% Asian, 0.41% from other races
, and 1.00% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.19% of the population.
There were 1,013 households out of which 40.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.2% were married couples
living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.8% were non-families. 22.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the borough the population was spread out with 28.7% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.0 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $90,366, and the median income for a family was $107,089. Males had a median income of $84,912 versus $43,068 for females. The per capita income
for the borough was $45,843. About 0.7% of families and 2.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.4% of those under age 18 and 4.1% of those age 65 or over.
form of New Jersey municipal government. The government consists of a Mayor and a Borough Council comprising six council members, with all positions elected at large. A Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office, but only participates in voting to break a tie. The Borough Council consists of six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year.
Like the other traditional forms of local government in New Jersey, a Borough may appoint an administrator and delegate all or a portion the executive responsibilities to the administrator. The Council may also adopt an administrative code which describes how the Council performs its duties.
The incumbent mayor, Anthony Persichilli, a Democrat, was first elected on November 7, 2006 to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Mayor James Loper. Returned to office at that same election were Democratic council members Joseph Lawver and Eileen Heinzel. James Loper, the previous elected Mayor
, had resigned from office effective February 1, 2006. The Pennington Republican Committee nominated three candidates to take his place and the Council selected James Benton from the three candidates to fill the vacancy. That same procedure was repeated on December 4, 2006, when the Borough Council to select Diane Zompa would fill the unexpired term left by Persichilli.
Persichilli's current term ends December 31, 2011. , members of the Borough Council are Council President Edwin "Weed" Tucker (D, 2011), Alyce McClurg Doldy (D, 2013), Glen Griffiths (D, 2011), Eileen Heinzel (D, 2012), Joseph Lawver (D, 2012) and Thomas Ogren (D, 2013).
Pennington is in the
, a comprehensive regional public school district serving students from Hopewell Borough
, Hopewell Township
and Pennington Borough.
Schools in the district (with 2009-09 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics
) include four K-5 elementary schools (K-5) —
Bear Tavern Elementary School (550 students),
Hopewell Elementary School (441),
Stony Brook Elementary School (475) and
Toll Gate Grammar School (313) —
Timberlane Middle School for grades 6-8 (973) and
Hopewell Valley Central High School for grades 9-12 (1,242).
The Pennington School
(1838) is located within Pennington and has a current enrollment of 475 students.
at Exit 4. Additionally, Exit 3B along I-95 will take you to Scotch Road N, which provides access to all of Hopewell Township, Mercer County, New Jersey
.The town is also home to a newly designated NJ Transit bus stop at the corner of South Main Street and West Delaware Avenue.
Borough (New Jersey)
A borough in the context of New Jersey local government refers to one of five types and one of eleven forms of municipal government....
in Mercer County
Mercer County, New Jersey
As of the census of 2000, there were 350,761 people, 125,807 households, and 86,303 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,552 people per square mile . There were 133,280 housing units at an average density of 590 per square mile...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 2,585.
Pennington was established as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature
New Jersey Legislature
The New Jersey Legislature is the legislative branch of the government of the U.S. state of New Jersey. In its current form, as defined by the New Jersey Constitution of 1947, the Legislature consists of two houses: the General Assembly and the Senate...
on January 31, 1890, from portions of Hopewell Township
Hopewell Township, Mercer County, New Jersey
As of the 2010 United States Census, the township's population was 17,304. The racial makeup of the township was 86.7% White, 2.1% African American, 0.1% Native American, 8.9% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.5% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races...
, based on the results of a referendum held on January 21, 1890.
Geography
Pennington is located at 40.325057°N 74.792105°W (40.325057, -74.792105).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the borough has a total area of 1 square miles (2.6 km²), all of it land.
Pennington is an independent municipality surrounded by Hopewell Township
Hopewell Township, Mercer County, New Jersey
As of the 2010 United States Census, the township's population was 17,304. The racial makeup of the township was 86.7% White, 2.1% African American, 0.1% Native American, 8.9% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.5% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races...
.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 2,696 people, 1,013 households, and 761 families residing in the borough. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 2,801.0 people per square mile (1,084.3/km2). There were 1,040 housing units at an average density of 1,080.5 per square mile (418.3/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 94.96% White, 2.63% African American, 1.00% Asian, 0.41% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.00% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.19% of the population.
There were 1,013 households out of which 40.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.2% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.8% were non-families. 22.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the borough the population was spread out with 28.7% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.0 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $90,366, and the median income for a family was $107,089. Males had a median income of $84,912 versus $43,068 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the borough was $45,843. About 0.7% of families and 2.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.4% of those under age 18 and 4.1% of those age 65 or over.
Local government
Pennington is governed under the BoroughBorough (New Jersey)
A borough in the context of New Jersey local government refers to one of five types and one of eleven forms of municipal government....
form of New Jersey municipal government. The government consists of a Mayor and a Borough Council comprising six council members, with all positions elected at large. A Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office, but only participates in voting to break a tie. The Borough Council consists of six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year.
Like the other traditional forms of local government in New Jersey, a Borough may appoint an administrator and delegate all or a portion the executive responsibilities to the administrator. The Council may also adopt an administrative code which describes how the Council performs its duties.
The incumbent mayor, Anthony Persichilli, a Democrat, was first elected on November 7, 2006 to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Mayor James Loper. Returned to office at that same election were Democratic council members Joseph Lawver and Eileen Heinzel. James Loper, the previous elected Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
, had resigned from office effective February 1, 2006. The Pennington Republican Committee nominated three candidates to take his place and the Council selected James Benton from the three candidates to fill the vacancy. That same procedure was repeated on December 4, 2006, when the Borough Council to select Diane Zompa would fill the unexpired term left by Persichilli.
Persichilli's current term ends December 31, 2011. , members of the Borough Council are Council President Edwin "Weed" Tucker (D, 2011), Alyce McClurg Doldy (D, 2013), Glen Griffiths (D, 2011), Eileen Heinzel (D, 2012), Joseph Lawver (D, 2012) and Thomas Ogren (D, 2013).
Federal, state and county representation
Pennington is in the 12th Congressional district.Pennington is in the
Education
Public school students in grades K through 12 attend the Hopewell Valley Regional School DistrictHopewell Valley Regional School District
The Hopewell Valley Regional School District is a comprehensive regional public school district serving students in preschool through twelfth grade from three communities in Mercer County, New Jersey...
, a comprehensive regional public school district serving students from Hopewell Borough
Hopewell, New Jersey
Hopewell is a Borough in Mercer County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the borough population was 1,922.Hopewell was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 14, 1891, from portions of Hopewell Township, based on the results of a...
, Hopewell Township
Hopewell Township, Mercer County, New Jersey
As of the 2010 United States Census, the township's population was 17,304. The racial makeup of the township was 86.7% White, 2.1% African American, 0.1% Native American, 8.9% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.5% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races...
and Pennington Borough.
Schools in the district (with 2009-09 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics
National Center for Education Statistics
The National Center for Education Statistics is the part of the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences that collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics on education and public school district finance information in the United States...
) include four K-5 elementary schools (K-5) —
Bear Tavern Elementary School (550 students),
Hopewell Elementary School (441),
Stony Brook Elementary School (475) and
Toll Gate Grammar School (313) —
Timberlane Middle School for grades 6-8 (973) and
Hopewell Valley Central High School for grades 9-12 (1,242).
The Pennington School
The Pennington School
The Pennington School is a selective, independent, coeducational college preparatory school for students in grades 6 through 12, located in Pennington, New Jersey, a small community midway between New York City and Philadelphia in the northeastern United States.As of the 2009-10 school year, the...
(1838) is located within Pennington and has a current enrollment of 475 students.
Transportation
Route 31 passes through Pennington, providing access to Interstate 95Interstate 95 in New Jersey
Interstate 95 is a major Interstate Highway that traverses the full extent of the East Coast of the United States, from Florida to Maine...
at Exit 4. Additionally, Exit 3B along I-95 will take you to Scotch Road N, which provides access to all of Hopewell Township, Mercer County, New Jersey
Hopewell Township, Mercer County, New Jersey
As of the 2010 United States Census, the township's population was 17,304. The racial makeup of the township was 86.7% White, 2.1% African American, 0.1% Native American, 8.9% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.5% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races...
.The town is also home to a newly designated NJ Transit bus stop at the corner of South Main Street and West Delaware Avenue.
Community
- Pennington Day - typically in the middle of May, an annual event where local organizations and businesses set up booths in a street-fair style on Main Street. Complete with local music and a parade early in the day, and lasts until 4 pm.
Points of interest
- Stony Brook Millstone Watershed Association
- Hopewell Valley Central High School
- The historic Toll Gate Grammar school and the original Central High School. Both Date to the 1920s
- The Pennington SchoolThe Pennington SchoolThe Pennington School is a selective, independent, coeducational college preparatory school for students in grades 6 through 12, located in Pennington, New Jersey, a small community midway between New York City and Philadelphia in the northeastern United States.As of the 2009-10 school year, the...
- Pennington Railroad StationPennington Railroad StationPennington Railroad Station is located in Pennington, New Jersey. The station was built in 1882 by the Reading Railroad, and added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 31, 1974...
Notable residents
Notable current and former residents of Pennington include:- Val AckermanVal AckermanValerie B. "Val" Ackerman was born on November 7, 1959 in Lakewood Township, New Jersey but grew up in Pennington, New Jersey, United States. She is an attorney, sports executive, and former basketball player...
(born 1959), first president of the Women's National Basketball AssociationWomen's National Basketball AssociationThe Women's National Basketball Association is a women's professional basketball league in the United States. It currently is composed of twelve teams. The league was founded on April 24, 1996 as the women's counterpart to the National Basketball Association...
(WNBA), serving from 1996-2005. The Central High School's old gymnasium is named after her father, G. Randall Ackerman. - Svetlana AlliluyevaSvetlana AlliluyevaSvetlana Iosifovna Alliluyeva , later known as Lana Peters, was the youngest child and only daughter of Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin and Nadezhda Alliluyeva, Stalin's second wife...
(born 1926), daughter of Joseph StalinJoseph StalinJoseph Vissarionovich Stalin was the Premier of the Soviet Union from 6 May 1941 to 5 March 1953. He was among the Bolshevik revolutionaries who brought about the October Revolution and had held the position of first General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union's Central Committee...
who created an international furor when she defected to the United States in 1967. - Kwame Anthony AppiahKwame Anthony AppiahKwame Anthony Appiah is a Ghanaian-British-American philosopher, cultural theorist, and novelist whose interests include political and moral theory, the philosophy of language and mind, and African intellectual history. Kwame Anthony Appiah grew up in Ghana and earned a Ph.D. at Cambridge...
, philosopher. - Peter BenchleyPeter BenchleyPeter Bradford Benchley was an American author, best known for his novel Jaws and its subsequent film adaptation, the latter co-written by Benchley and directed by Steven Spielberg...
(1940–2006), author of the novel and film JawsJaws (film)Jaws is a 1975 American horror-thriller film directed by Steven Spielberg and based on Peter Benchley's novel of the same name. In the story, the police chief of Amity Island, a fictional summer resort town, tries to protect beachgoers from a giant man-eating great white shark by closing the beach,...
. - Grant BillmeierGrant BillmeierGrant Billmeier is listed at 6'10," 252 lbs and plays center for AD Vagos in Portugal and is a former player of the Seton Hall University Pirates in the Big East. A resident of Pennington, New Jersey, Billmeier attended The Pennington School there for his freshman year, and then transferred to St...
(born 1984), former center for the Seton Hall UniversitySeton Hall UniversitySeton Hall University is a private Roman Catholic university in South Orange, New Jersey, United States. Founded in 1856 by Archbishop James Roosevelt Bayley, Seton Hall is the oldest diocesan university in the United States. Seton Hall is also the oldest and largest Catholic university in the...
Pirates men's basketball team. - Bob BradleyBob BradleyRobert "Bob" Bradley is an American soccer coach and the current manager of the Egypt national football team, taking over in September 2011. He previously managed the United States men's national soccer team...
(born 1958), current head coach of the United States men's national soccer teamUnited States men's national soccer teamThe United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
. - Michael BradleyMichael Bradley (soccer)Michael Bradley is an American soccer player who currently plays as a central midfielder for Chievo Verona in Serie A and the United States national team, which was formerly coached by his father Bob Bradley.-Early life:...
(born 1987), son of US Mens' National Soccer Team coach Bob Bradley and professional soccer player who currently plays for Chievo VeronaA.C. ChievoVeronaAssociazione Calcio Chievo Verona is a professional Italian football club named after and based in Chievo, a suburb of 2,800 inhabitants in Verona, Veneto, and owned by Paluani, a cake company and the inspiration for their original name, Paluani Chievo...
in Italy. - James DavyJames DavyJames Davy is the former Commissioner of Human Services in New Jersey, holding the position under former Governors James McGreevey and Jon Corzine...
, former New Jersey Commissioner of Human Services. - Lucille DavyLucille DavyLucille Davy was the Commissioner of Education in New Jersey. She was named acting commissioner on September 9, 2005, by former Governor of New Jersey Richard Codey. She was named commissioner by Gov. Jon Corzine as of July 11, 2006....
, former Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of EducationNew Jersey Department of EducationThe New Jersey Department of Education administers state and federal aid programs affecting more than 1.4 million public and non-public elementary and secondary school children in the state of New Jersey. The department is headquartered in Trenton.The Department is responsible for ensuring that...
. - Gregory S. GlassonGregory S. GlassonGregory Scott Glasson is an American bass player. Most notably known for playing bass with Grammy Award winning artist Seal both live onstage and on studio remixes. Glasson is also widely known as a solid session player, and has been featured on numerous albums, for a variety of artists...
(born 1974), bass player most notably known for his work with Grammy Award winning artist SealSeal (musician)Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel , known simply as Seal, is a British soul and R&B singer-songwriter, of Nigerian and Brazilian background. Seal has won numerous music awards throughout his career, including three Brit Awards—winning Best British Male in 1992, four Grammy Awards, and an...
both live and on studio remixes. - Olga GorelliOlga GorelliOlga Gorelli, was well known for her musical talents as a composer and pianist. Olga Gorelli, maiden name Gratch, immigrated to the United States in 1937 with her family and settled in New Jersey. She married a physician, and had two children. She was a resident of Pennington, New Jersey...
(1920–2006), composer and pianist. - Jim HimesJim HimesJames A. "Jim" Himes is an American businessman and U.S. Representative for , serving since 2009. He is a member of the Democratic Party....
(born 1966), U.S. Representative from Connecticut's 4th congressional districtConnecticut's 4th congressional districtConnecticut's 4th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Connecticut. Located in the southwestern part of the state, the district is largely suburban and consists of Bridgeport, the largest city in the state, and Stamford....
. - Sue NiedererSue NiedererSue Sapir-Niederer is an American political activist.Niederer's son was Second Lieutenant Seth Dvorin, a 24-year-old U.S. Army soldier in the 10th Mountain Division who was killed on February 3, 2004, during the occupation of Iraq. Dvorin, who had just returned to Iraq after spending two weeks with...
, political activist. - William E. SchluterWilliam E. SchluterWilliam Everett "Bill" Schluter is an American Republican Party politician from New Jersey, who served in both houses of the New Jersey Legislature....
(born 1927), politician who served in the New Jersey General AssemblyNew Jersey General AssemblyThe New Jersey General Assembly is the lower house of the New Jersey Legislature.Since the election of 1967 , the Assembly has consisted of 80 members. Two members are elected from each of New Jersey's 40 legislative districts for a term of two years, each representing districts with average...
and State SenateNew Jersey SenateThe New Jersey Senate was established as the upper house of the New Jersey Legislature by the Constitution of 1844, replacing the Legislative Council. From 1844 until 1965 New Jersey's counties elected one Senator, each. Under the 1844 Constitution the term of office was three years. The 1947...
. - Karl WeidelKarl WeidelKarl Weidel III was an American Republican Party politician from New Jersey, who served in the New Jersey General Assembly....
(1923–97), member of the New Jersey General AssemblyNew Jersey General AssemblyThe New Jersey General Assembly is the lower house of the New Jersey Legislature.Since the election of 1967 , the Assembly has consisted of 80 members. Two members are elected from each of New Jersey's 40 legislative districts for a term of two years, each representing districts with average...
.
External links
- Pennington Borough website
- Data for the Hopewell Valley Regional School District, National Center for Education StatisticsNational Center for Education StatisticsThe National Center for Education Statistics is the part of the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences that collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics on education and public school district finance information in the United States...
- Hopewell Valley Regional School District
- Pennington First Aid Squad