Allentown is a borough located in western Monmouth County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, bordering adjacent Mercer County. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 1,734, a decrease of 94 (−5.1%) from the 2010 census count of 1,828, which in turn reflected a decline of 54 (−2.9%) from the 1,882 counted in the 2000 census.Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023. The borough is nestled within central New Jersey, and is roughly equidistant between New York City and Philadelphia.
History Allentown was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on January 29, 1889, from portions of Upper Freehold Township, based on the results of a referendum held that day.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 177. Accessed May 1, 2026. The borough was named for settler Robert Burnet's son-in-law, Nathan AllenHutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed August 26, 2015. or for William Allen, who served as Chief Justice of the Province of Pennsylvania.Gannett, Henry. The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States, p. 21. United States Government Printing Office, 1905. Accessed August 26, 2015.
Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 0.62 square miles (1.61 km2), including 0.60 square miles (1.54 km2) of land and 0.03 square miles (0.06 km2) of water (4.03%).
Allentown borders the municipalities of Upper Freehold Township in Monmouth County and Robbinsville Township in Mercer County.Areas touching Allentown, MapIt. Accessed March 17, 2020.Regional Location Map, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed March 17, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.
Economy
Allentown's shopping district has antique and specialty shops, as well as restaurants. Many historic homes and historic buildings are located in the borough. The Horse Park of New Jersey is a park located near the borough but does have an Allentown mailing address. Heritage Park is located within the borough near the shopping district.
The borough received the 'Village Center' designation in 2002, which will allow the borough to receive additional state aid aimed at preserving historic and natural resource sites that are at risk.Stives, Ruth Calia. "State planners designate Allentown a Village Center: Borough will get priority treatment, extra state help" , Allentown Examiner, May 23, 2002. Accessed July 7, 2008.Designated Centers of the State Plan, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed August 23, 2013.
For larger scaled shopping, Freehold Raceway Mall in nearby Freehold, Quaker Bridge Mall in nearby Lawrence, and Princeton Market Fair in nearby West Windsor, are a short distance away.
Demographics
2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 1,828 people, 704 households, and 499 families in the borough. The population density was 3,023.9 per square mile (1,167.5/km2). There were 735 housing units at an average density of 1,215.8 per square mile (469.4/km2). The racial makeup was 90.97% (1,663) White, 4.43% (81) Black or African American, 0.11% (2) Native American, 1.53% (28) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 0.88% (16) from other races, and 2.08% (38) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.56% (65) of the population.
Of the 704 households, 33.7% had children under the age of 18; 54.8% were married couples living together; 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present and 29.1% were non-families. Of all households, 22.7% were made up of individuals and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.11.
24.8% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 22.2% from 25 to 44, 34.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.4 years. For every 100 females, the population had 90.8 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 89.7 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $93,250 (with a margin of error of +/− $15,183) and the median family income was $101,875 (+/− $5,413). Males had a median income of $75,125 (+/− $13,989) versus $55,119 (+/− $7,348) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $36,970 (+/− $2,599). About 1.8% of families and 1.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.8% of those under age 18 and 2.5% of those age 65 or over., United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 27, 2012.
2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 1,882 people, 708 households, and 526 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 718 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 90.65% White, 6.43% African American, 0.58% Native American, 0.64% Asian, 0.58% from other races, and 1.12% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.91% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Allentown borough, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 27, 2012., United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 27, 2012.
There were 708 households, out of which 36.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.1% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.6% were non-families. 21.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.5% 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 3.13.
In the borough the population was spread out, with 26.7% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 32.5% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 9.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.9 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $71,193, and the median income for a family was $79,843. Males had a median income of $55,441 versus $38,667 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $29,455. About 1.0% of families and 2.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.6% of those under age 18 and 2.1% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Local government Allentown is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey.Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey , Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023. The governing body is comprised of the mayor and the borough council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. The mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council includes six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle.2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 135. The borough form of government used by Allentown is a "weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.Cerra, Michael F. "Forms of Government: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know, But Were Afraid to Ask", New Jersey State League of Municipalities, March 2007. Accessed January 1, 2025."Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey" , p. 6. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.
, the mayor of Allentown is Independent Thomas C. Fritts, whose term of office ends December 31, 2027. Members of the Borough Council are Council President John A. Elder III (I, 2026), Nikki A. Darling (D, 2027), Erica DeKranes (I, 2026), Michael Drennan (I, 2027), Martha A. Johnson (I, 2025) and Daniel Payson (I, 2025).Elected Officials, Borough of Allentown. Accessed January 23, 2025.2024 Municipal Data Sheet, Borough of Allentown. Accessed January 23, 2025.November 5, 2024 General Election Official Results, Monmouth County, New Jersey, updated December 16, 2024. Accessed January 1, 2025.November 8, 2023 General Election Official Results, Monmouth County, New Jersey, updated January 18, 2024. Accessed January 22, 2024.General Election November 8, 2022 Official Results, Monmouth County, New Jersey Clerk, updated December 27, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.
With only one candidate on the ballot for the two available seats in the November 2021 general election, Nikki Darling won a seat on the borough council after receiving 159 write-in votes.Rosman, Mark. "Write-in candidate Darling wins seat on Allentown Borough Council", CentralJersey.com, November 18, 2021. Accessed May 9, 2022. "Nikki Darling, a lifelong resident of Allentown who launched a write-in campaign in a bid to win a seat on the Borough Council, has won a three-year term on the governing body. According to election results posted online by the Monmouth County Clerk’s Office on Nov. 16, Darling received 159 write-in votes to win a seat on the six-member council.... There were two three-year terms available in the 2021 municipal election. Drennan was the only resident who filed a nominating petition to run for office, which opened the possibility for a write-in candidate to win a seat on the council."
Federal, state, and county representation Allentown is located in the 3rd Congressional district2022 Redistricting Plan, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 8, 2022. and is part of New Jersey's 12th state legislative district.Municipalities Sorted by 2011-2020 Legislative District, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed February 1, 2020.2019 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed October 30, 2019.Districts by Number for 2011-2020, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 6, 2013.
Politics
As of March 2011, there were a total of 1,255 registered voters in Allentown, of which 327 (26.1%) were registered as Democrats, 340 (27.1%) were registered as Republicans and 586 (46.7%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 2 voters registered as either Libertarians or Greens.Voter Registration Summary - Monmouth, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed December 2, 2012.