ZIP Code 08540: Population, Income, Housing

State: NJ
Total population: 50,388 Household income: $176,983 Rent: $2,218

Overview

Total population
50,388
Rent
$2,218
Year built
1986
Household income
$176,983
Per capita income
$89,601
Poverty rate
8.2%
Unemployment rate
N/A
Household size
2.6 persons
Rent over 30% of income
37.6%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available. New 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Demographics

State
New Jersey
County
Mercer County
City
Princeton
Total population
50,388
Adults over 25
33,583
Total households
18,609
Household size
2.6 persons

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available. New 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Income & Poverty

Household income
$176,983
Per capita income
$89,601
Poverty rate
8.2%
Unemployment rate
N/A
Rent over 30% of income
37.6%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available. New 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Housing

Rent
$2,218
Year built
1986
Households that rent
36.3%
Households that own
63.7%
Rooms per home (all homes)
6.0

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available. New 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Race

White
50.7%
Black
5.7%
Asian
33.4%
Two or more races
7.4%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available. New 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino
7.4%
Not Hispanic or Latino
92.6%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available. New 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Commute

Commute rate
16,083 (63.1%)
Commute time to work
29 mins
Work from home
9,406 (36.9%)

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available. New 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Education

Less than high school
7.7%
High school graduate or GED
5.5%
Some college or associate degree
4.1%
Bachelor’s degree or higher
82.7%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

ZIP data use Census ZCTAs, which closely match USPS ZIP Codes in most cases (see FAQ for details).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available. New 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

 

Comparison of ZIP Code 08540 with: Mercer County, NJ Trenton metro area, NJ New Jersey United States

ZIP 08540

Total population50,388
Rent$2,218
Year built1986
Household income$176,983
Per capita income$89,601
Poverty rate8.2%
Unemployment rateN/A

Mercer County, NJ

Total population385,864
Rent$1,623
Year built1969
Household income$100,645
Per capita income$53,765
Poverty rate10.3%
Unemployment rate4.1%

Trenton Metro Area, NJ

Total population385,864
Rent$1,623
Year built1969
Household income$100,645
Per capita income$53,765
Poverty rate10.3%
Unemployment rate4.4%

New Jersey State

Total population9,343,809
Rent$1,720
Year built1970
Household income$103,556
Per capita income$54,253
Poverty rate9.7%
Unemployment rate4.5%

United States

Total population334,922,499
Rent$1,413
Year built1980
Household income$80,734
Per capita income$44,673
Poverty rate12.5%
Unemployment rate4%
Metric ZIP08540 CountyMercer, NJMetro AreaTrenton metro area, NJStateNew JerseyCountryUnited States
Total population50,388385,864385,8649,343,809334,922,499
Rent$2,218$1,623$1,623$1,720$1,413
Year built19861969196919701980
Household income$176,983$100,645$100,645$103,556$80,734
Per capita income$89,601$53,765$53,765$54,253$44,673
Poverty rate8.2%10.3%10.3%9.7%12.5%
Unemployment rateN/A4.1%4.4%4.5%4%

View the full multi-level comparison →

 

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Summary for 08540

Rent & Income

In 08540, the typical monthly rent is $2,218 and the typical household income is $176,983. Rent here is higher than New Jersey, and household income is higher than New Jersey. The estimated poverty rate is 8.2%.

Housing & Affordability

This ZIP Code is primarily owner-occupied, with renters accounting for about 36.3% of households. Around 37.6% of renters are cost-burdened, indicating a moderate level of rent pressure.

Education & Employment

Educational attainment is very high, with about 82.7% of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher.

 

ZIP 08540 — Rent vs Household Income

 

 

ZIP 08540 — Poverty

 

 

How ZIP 08540 compares in New Jersey (94 ZIP Codes)

Metric This ZIP Rank Starts from State range
Rent $2,218 86 / 94 from lower rent $1,102 – $3,093
Household income $176,983 4 / 94 from higher income $41,126 – $232,629
Poverty rate 8.2% 42 / 94 from lower poverty 1.8% – 32%

Rankings are calculated among ZIP Codes in New Jersey with total population > 30,000 (year 2024).

 

Detailed Ranking Explanation for ZIP Code 08540

Rent

When it comes to rent, ZIP Code 08540 ranks 86th out of 94 ZIP Codes in New Jersey. Statewide, values range from $1,102 in ZIP 08618 up to $3,093 in ZIP 07302.

Household income

Income-wise, this area is placed 4th out of 94 ZIP Codes. Across New Jersey, figures vary from $41,126 in ZIP 08401 up to $232,629 in ZIP 07090.

Poverty rate

When it comes to poverty, ZIP Code 08540 places 42nd out of 94 ZIP Codes. Throughout New Jersey, numbers span from 1.8% in ZIP 07090 up to 32% in ZIP 08401.

 

💰 Rent in ZIP Code 08540 (with Utilities)

Estimated Monthly Rent: $2,218 ℹ️ What’s Included:
✅ Base rent, electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuels
❌ Not included: internet, cable TV, renter's insurance, parking

💡 What does this rent estimate mean?

Explanation: This estimate shows what renters typically pay each month for housing — including the apartment or home and essential utilities like heat, water, and electricity.

Included in this number: Rent plus electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuel.

Not included: Internet, cable, parking, renter’s insurance, or furniture rental.

Note: This cost does not depend on the number of people living in the home.

👨‍👧‍👦 Household Income in ZIP Code 08540

Annual Household Income: $176,983

💡 What does Household Income mean?

Definition: This represents the middle value of all household incomes in the ZIP code — half of households earn less, and half earn more.

Includes: wages, salaries, self-employment income, Social Security, pensions, investments, unemployment, public assistance, and rental income.

Does NOT include: capital gains, non-cash benefits (like food stamps), or tax refunds.

Household = any group of people (or a single person) living in the same housing unit.

Example: A couple earning $40,000 and $30,000 together have a household income of $70,000. If that's in the middle of all local incomes, it's the value shown here.

📉 Poverty Rate in ZIP Code 08540

Estimated Rate: 8.2%

💡 What does the Poverty Rate represent?

Definition: The percentage of people in this area living below the federal poverty threshold.

How it works: The threshold is a dollar amount set by the U.S. Census Bureau that varies by family size and age. If a household's income is below that level, everyone in it is included in this rate.

Example: In a town of 10,000 people, if 1,500 have incomes below the poverty line, the poverty rate is 15%.

Note: This statistic only includes people living in households; it does not count those in student housing, military barracks, or nursing homes.

🏘️ Renter vs. Owner Households in ZIP Code 08540

In ZIP Code 08540, households that rent: 6,757 (36.3%)

📊 What does the renter household percentage reveal about this ZIP Code?
Household Type Count Share
Renter-Occupied 6,757 36.3%
Owner-Occupied 11,852 63.7%

Definition: This is the percentage of households that rent their home rather than own it. It includes only occupied housing units.

Why it matters: Areas with a high share of renter households often have younger populations, higher mobility, and different housing needs compared to mostly owner-occupied areas.

Example: If 65% of homes in an area are renter-occupied, it means 65 out of every 100 households rent their home.

📉 Renters Spending Over 30% of Income on Rent in ZIP Code 08540

In ZIP Code 08540, cost-burdened renters (households spending over 30% of income on housing): 2,541 (37.6%)

🏚️ What Does It Mean When Renters Spend Over 30% of Their Income on Housing?
Household Group Households Share
Cost-burdened renters (over 30%) 2,541 37.6%
Other renter households 4,216 62.4%
Total renter households 6,757 100%

Shares are calculated as a percentage of renter households.

This shows how many renters in the ZIP code are considered cost-burdened — meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing (rent and basic utilities).

It’s a sign that housing might be unaffordable in the area or that lower-income residents may be struggling with rent.

Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

📊 Education Levels in ZIP Code 08540

Less than High School: 2,598 people (7.7%)

Includes adults who did not complete high school.

High School Graduate or GED: 1,831 people (5.5%)

Includes adults whose highest education is a high school diploma or GED.

Some College or Associate Degree: 1,372 people (4.1%)

Includes adults who attended college without completing a bachelor’s degree (some college or associate degree).

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 27,782 people (82.7%)

Includes adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher (bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree).

👥 Total Adults (25+): 33,583

ℹ️ Have questions about how these statistics are calculated? See our data methodology & FAQs

 

Source: ACS 5-Year Estimates (U.S. Census Bureau) — unemployment rate from BLS. Some values are derived metrics.