Lambertville is a city within Hunterdon County in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It is situated on the banks of the Delaware River in southwestern Hunterdon County, directly across the river from New Hope, Pennsylvania.
In the 18th century, the area was named after various operators of ferries across the river to Pennsylvania, ultimately becoming known as Coryell's Ferry, after its owner, Emanuel Coryell. Coryell's Ferry was the western terminus of the New Jersey portion of York Road, which became U.S. Route 202, connecting New York City and Philadelphia. The community was named Lambertville in 1810, when the post office was established, in honor of John Lambert, a resident who had served as United States senator and acting governor of New Jersey, and who was responsible for the opening of the post office.History, Lambertville Historical Society. Accessed November 20, 2019. "Their descendant, John Lambert, served in the United States Senate during Thomas Jefferson’s administration. He persuaded the Postal Service to open an office at Coryell’s Ferry. His nephew, Captain John Lambert, was appointed postmaster and his inn was designated as the post office. Having procured a post office for Coryell’s Ferry, the Lamberts renamed the village Lambert’s Ville in 1810."Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 2, 2015.Gannett, Henry. The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States, p. 180. United States Government Printing Office, 1905. Accessed September 2, 2015. In June 2022, The New York Times described Lambertville as a gay-friendly travel destination with a quieter vibe than New York's Fire Island.Piepenburg, Erik. "Searching for a Gay Getaway (Not Fire Island)", The New York Times, June 16, 2022. Accessed December 18, 2023. "My destination was New Hope, Pa., and Lambertville, N.J., waterside towns separated by a bridge and a state line, but joined by reputations as L.G.B.T.Q.-friendly spots."
As of the 2020 United States census, the city's population was 4,139, an increase of 233 (+6.0%) from the 3,906 recorded at the 2010 census, which in turn reflected an increase of 38 (1.0%) from the 3,868 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.
History Originally settled by the Lenape (Delaware) Native Americans, a area around Lambertville was acquired for 700 Pounds by the Council of West Jersey and divided into smaller plots. The earliest European settler in present-day Lambertville was John Holcombe, who purchased a lot and built a stone home in 1744.
Emanuel Coryell bought a property in the area in 1732, which was used for commercial purposes. He received a charter to operate a ferry connecting what is now Lambertville and New Hope, and opened a tavern and inn to host travelers stopping halfway along the route between New York City and Philadelphia. The settlements on either side of the Delaware River were each called Coryell's Ferry. During the American Revolutionary War, George Washington and his colonial forces twice camped at the home John Holcombe built in 1744.
The Delaware River and the Delaware and Raritan Canal were instrumental in the early prosperity of Lambertville. In June 1834, the opening of the canal was celebrated with a barge ride from Trenton to Lambertville. The canal's completion was not without hardship. 4,000 Irish immigrants were hired to dig the canal with pick and shovel. During the construction, an epidemic of cholera broke out in 1832 and dozens of men were buried along the banks of the canal and the Delaware."Honoring the Irish Who Built the D&R Canal DEP Commissioner Campbell and Senator Codey Dedicate an Irish Immigrant Memorial", New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, press release dated March 17, 2003. Accessed November 20, 2019. "Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell today joined Democratic Senate President Richard J. Codey to dedicate a memorial honoring the hardships and triumphs of the people who built the Delaware & Raritan Canal, many of whom were Irish immigrants.... Many of the canal workers died during the cholera epidemic of 1832, and were buried in unmarked graves along the canal."
Lambertville was originally incorporated as a town by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 1, 1849, from portions of West Amwell Township. It was reincorporated as a city on March 26, 1872.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606–1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 156. Accessed May 29, 2024.
In the 19th century, due to its proximity to the canal and the Belvidere Delaware Railroad, Lambertville became a factory town. The range of products extended from underwear to rubber bands. After the introduction of motorized vehicles made the canal obsolete, the factories began shutting down. Some lasted into the 1970s. The railroad continued to serve as a vital freight carrier until the mid-1970s. Later, the Black River and Western Railroad acquired the line into town and operated short-distance local freight trains and scenic tourist passenger excursion trains into the late 1990s.History of the Black River & Western Railroad, Black River and Western Railroad. Accessed November 29, 2015.
Starting in the early 1980s, with pioneers including the Jonsdottir art gallery, Hamilton Grill and the Lambertville Station eatery (a hotel soon followed), the city began to attract artists and other creative types. These days, much of the town's 18th- and 19th-century flavor remains, including many restored houses. The town has become a tourist destination, with many shops, galleries, restaurants, and B&Bs. The canal path offers cyclists, joggers and walkers a level place to exercise and enjoy views of the canal and Delaware River in all seasons.Lawlor, Julia. "If You're Thinking of Living In/Lambertville, N.J.; Not-So-Urban Renewal for a River Town", The New York Times, May 14, 2000. Accessed December 25, 2017. "She found all three in Lambertville, an old New Jersey river town of 4,300 tucked into the southwest corner of Hunterdon County that has undergone a striking rebirth in the last 20 years.... A former mill town that covers just over a square mile, Lambertville is full of Victorian and Federal-style brick row houses and brownstones, many with ornate woodwork, high ceilings and other period details still intact. In the last 15 years it has also become a weekend tourist stop for New Yorkers and Philadelphians who are drawn by block after block of antique shops, art galleries, restaurants and B & B's." Lambertville is also largely noted for its socially progressive culture, similar to the neighboring city of New Hope, Pennsylvania.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city had an area of 1.23 square miles (3.17 km2), including 1.08 square miles (2.81 km2) of land and 0.14 square miles (0.36 km2) of water (11.46%). The city borders Delaware Township and West Amwell Township in Hunterdon County and New Hope and Solebury Township across the Delaware River in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.Areas touching Lambertville, MapIt. Accessed February 25, 2020.Map of County Municipalities, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Accessed July 30, 2023.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.
The Delaware and Raritan Canal flows through the western half of Lambertville, parallel to the Delaware River. Sections of the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park are in the city, including trails and bridges.
Climate Lambertville's climate is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally cold winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Lambertville has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfa" on climate maps.Climate Summary for Lambertville, New Jersey, Weatherbase.
Demographics
2020 census As of the 2020 census, Lambertville had a population of 4,139. The median age was 51.3 years. 13.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 24.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 92.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 90.3 males age 18 and over.
99.5% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.5% lived in rural areas.
There were 2,093 households in Lambertville, of which 17.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 38.6% were married-couple households, 21.2% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 32.0% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 40.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 2,265 housing units, of which 7.6% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 4.0%.
+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census Race Number Percent White 3,403 82.2% Black or African American 77 1.9% American Indian and Alaska Native 18 0.4% Asian 64 1.5% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 1 0.0% Some other race 309 7.5% Two or more races 267 6.5% Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 525 12.7%
2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 3,906 people, 1,958 households, and 897 families in the city. The population density was . There were 2,075 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 91.30% (3,566) White, 1.95% (76) Black or African American, 0.20% (8) Native American, 1.31% (51) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 4.12% (161) from other races, and 1.13% (44) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.75% (381) of the population.
Of the 1,958 households, 15.3% had children under the age of 18; 36.0% were married couples living together; 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present and 54.2% were non-families. Of all households, 41.4% were made up of individuals and 14.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.98 and the average family size was 2.72.
13.7% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 36.1% from 45 to 64, and 17.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47.3 years. For every 100 females, the population had 95.8 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 93.6 males.
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $71,532 (with a margin of error of +/− $7,040) and the median family income was $100,952 (+/− $14,554). Males had a median income of $57,596 (+/− $17,671) versus $53,869 (+/− $30,408) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $47,684 (+/− $6,399). About 2.3% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.8% of those under age 18 and 5.1% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Lambertville city, Hunterdon County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 15, 2012.
2000 census