Pennington and the Hopewell Valley at a glance
Pennington is a small borough of about 2,800 people, according to the 2020 Census, at the center of Hopewell Township, a largely rural township of about 17,500 that also includes Titusville along the Delaware River. Together with Hopewell Borough, they make up the Hopewell Valley: historic Main Streets, preserved farms, and the Hopewell Valley schools, about 17 minutes from Princeton. In ZIP 08534, Zillow’s typical single-family home value was about $701,000 in September 2026.
Schools
The whole valley is served by the Hopewell Valley Regional School District, which enrolled about 3,500 students in October 2025.
| Level | Schools |
|---|---|
| Elementary | Four elementary schools across the valley |
| Middle | One middle school |
| High school | Hopewell Valley Central High School, Pennington |
Central High School runs a four-year Performing Arts Academy, and U.S. News ranked the school 81st in New Jersey in its 2025-26 Best High Schools.
Daily life
- Main Street, Pennington: the Crossroads Historic District along Main Street and Delaware Avenue mixes Colonial, Federal, Greek Revival, and Victorian buildings, with shops and restaurants in the center of town.
- Farmland: Hopewell Township has by far the most farmland-assessed property in Mercer County, and 36 preserved farms covering about 2,456 acres through 2020.
- Places to explore: Howell Living History Farm, run by Mercer County; St. Michaels Farm Preserve, about 415 acres with six miles of trails; and Washington Crossing State Park in Titusville, where the Johnson Ferry House served Washington after the December 1776 crossing.
Homes and prices
The valley offers historic homes in Pennington and Hopewell boroughs, subdivisions around them, and farms and larger properties across Hopewell Township. In ZIP 08534, Zillow’s typical single-family home value was about $701,000 in September 2026, up about 2 percent over the year, and in Hopewell Borough’s ZIP 08525 about $662,000. Across all home types in 08534, the least expensive third of homes was valued at about $503,000 and the most expensive third at about $959,000.
Getting around
- To New York: drive to Trenton or Hamilton (each about 20 minutes) or Princeton Junction (about 23 minutes) for NJ Transit’s Northeast Corridor Line. Express trains reach New York Penn Station in about 55 minutes from Princeton Junction.
- To Philadelphia: SEPTA’s West Trenton station is about 14 minutes away, and Center City is about 55 minutes by car.
- By car, Princeton is about 17 minutes and Midtown Manhattan about 1 hour 35 minutes away without traffic.
Things to know before you buy
- Property taxes: in 2025, the average residential tax bill was $16,171 in Pennington Borough, $14,873 in Hopewell Township, and $14,284 in Hopewell Borough.
- Resale certificate: in Hopewell Township and Hopewell Borough, sellers file a smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm self-inspection with the Hopewell Valley Bureau of Fire Safety, with fees of $45 to $161 depending on how close to closing they file. Pennington moved this inspection away from the bureau for 2026 closings, so Pennington sellers should confirm the process with the borough.
- No train station in the valley itself.
- Farmland and septic: rural properties may have wells, septic systems, or preservation restrictions, so plan the right inspections.
Working with Karen in the Hopewell Valley
Karen Langsfeld is licensed in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. She helps buyers compare the Hopewell Valley’s space and schools with Princeton’s walkability or Yardley and Washington Crossing across the river, and helps valley sellers prepare for the resale inspection and price against the sales that truly compare.
Reach Karen directly at (215) 495-2914 or through the contact page.