Mercer County

Mercer County is an administrative region in central New Jersey stretching from the Delaware River valley across farmland, woodlands, and urban centers between Philadelphia and New York. The territory includes twelve separate municipalities, among them Trenton and Princeton, each with distinct neighborhoods and commercial districts spread across rolling terrain.

The county came into being in 1838 through a legislative act that combined portions of three neighboring administrative units into a new territory designed to bring government closer to a growing population. Trenton was named the county seat because the city already served as the state capital and had existing government buildings in place.

Princeton University, located within Mercer County, maintains extensive research facilities and academic departments that contribute to scientific and educational advancement.

Visitors can reach the area through several highway exits along Interstate 95, and train stations on the Northeast Corridor Line connect towns within the county to larger cities in the Northeast. Public facilities and visitor centers are mostly concentrated in Trenton and Princeton, where hotels and restaurants are also more readily available.

Baldpate Mountain reaches 480 feet (146 meters) in height and stands as the highest point across the entire county, offering views over the Delaware valley. The peak sits within a nature preserve with hiking trails that wind through hardwood forests and open rocky outcrops.

Location: New Jersey

Inception: 1838

Capital city: Trenton

Elevation above the sea: 16 m

Shares border with: Somerset County, Middlesex County, Monmouth County, Burlington County, Bucks County, Hunterdon County

Website: http://mercercounty.org

GPS coordinates: 40.28072,-74.70337

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:43