From Lawrence Township's
Business & Economic Growth Committee
Business Manual
For Lawrence Township, New Jersey
INTRODUCTION TO THE MANUAL
Lawrence Township is an extraordinary place to live, work, and operate a business. It is uniquely positioned to offer both quality of life and a robust local economy, and the Township is committed to fostering a vision that preserves this delicate balance. To this end, we aim to continually assess the needs of the community and provide as many resources as we can to our local businesses.
Consequently, the purpose of this manual is to create a snapshot for new or established businesses in the Township to help navigate the application and permit process, as well as to provide essential information on the resources necessary to start and sustain your business. This is not intended to be a legal, comprehensive, or highly technical document. Its purpose is to be an informative, user-friendly starting point for businesses.
We recommend that you consult an attorney and other professionals to help you navigate the process. However, we hope that this manual positions you and your business to succeed in Lawrence.
INTRODUCTION TO THE MANUAL
Lawrence Township is an extraordinary place to live, work, and operate a business. It is uniquely positioned to offer both quality of life and a robust local economy, and the Township is committed to fostering a vision that preserves this delicate balance. To this end, we aim to continually assess the needs of the community and provide as many resources as we can to our local businesses.
Consequently, the purpose of this manual is to create a snapshot for new or established businesses in the Township to help navigate the application and permit process, as well as to provide essential information on the resources necessary to start and sustain your business. This is not intended to be a legal, comprehensive, or highly technical document. Its purpose is to be an informative, user-friendly starting point for businesses.
We recommend that you consult an attorney and other professionals to help you navigate the process. However, we hope that this manual positions you and your business to succeed in Lawrence.
Why Lawrence?
Lawrence Township's strong economy, recreational and entertainment opportunities, diverse population, world-renowned educational institutions, and geographic location position Lawrence to be an ideal cultural and economic hub. The Township is a community of 22 square miles located in the center of Mercer County, New Jersey. Princeton and West Windsor Townships border it on the north. Its southern neighbor is the City of Trenton, the state capital. It is bordered on the east by Hamilton Township and on the west by Ewing and Hopewell Townships.
The Township and its surrounding communities host one of the largest concentrations of diversified research and development activities in the nation. Among the country's largest corporations that pursue such activities are Educational Testing Service and Bristol-Myers Squib, both of which are in Lawrence. Smaller corporate and office complexes are concentrated at the various Interstate 95 interchanges within the community. Three large retail establishments serve township residents, as well as residents of neighboring communities. The Quaker Bridge Mall, a regional enclosed shopping mall anchored by two major department stores; the Mercer Mall; and the Lawrence Shopping Center provide retail opportunities within the Township's borders.
Lawrence Township is uniquely positioned within commuting distance by mass transit to both Philadelphia and New York, approximately 33 and 54 miles in distance, making it an ideal economic hub.
Historic Lawrence
Lawrence Township was founded in 1697 and was originally known as Maidenhead, named by the early settlers after a Thames River village just west of London. At that time, Maidenhead was part of Burlington County, the colony of West Jersey. The eastern boundary of Maidenhead, the Province Line, was the dividing line between the two original colonies of East and West Jersey. These were united into New Jersey in 1702. In 1714, the Township became part of the newly-constituted Hunterdon County.
The Township was legally incorporated through an act of the State legislature in 1798. In 1816, the municipality was renamed Lawrence, after Captain James Lawrence, commander of the frigate Chesapeake and one of the naval heroes of the War of 1812. In 1838, Mercer County was formed from parts of Hunterdon, Middlesex, and Burlington Counties. The Township's boundaries and geographic relationships have remained the same with the exception of the southern border. Lawrence claimed an area of East Trenton from 1844 to 1882. It then became an independent jurisdiction known as Millham Township until it once again became part of Trenton in 1888.
Census Data & Statistics
Population (2020)
33,077
Population Growth (2010-2020)
-395
Population Growth Percent
-1.2%
Population per Square Mile
1,517
Economy
Median Household Income
$110,215
Per Capita Income (2020)
$50,237
Total Retail Sales (2012)
$1.1 billion
Retail Sales per Capita (2012)
$33,086
Total Accommodation and Food Service Sales (2012)
$77.8 million
Total Manufacturer's Shipments (2012)
$165 million
Labor and Education
Labor Force Participation (% pop. age 16+)
66.9%
Unemployment Rate (Oct. 2021)
3.5%
High School Graduation or higher
93.2 %
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
57.7%
Language other than English spoken at Home
32%
Housing
Owner Occupied Housing Unit Rate
68.9%
Median Value of Owner Occupied Housing Units
$340,700
Technology
Households with a Computer
94.3%
Households with Broadband Internet
89.2%
Municipal Resources
Documents & Links
1. Community Aide
2. Engineering
3. Construction
4. Fire Marshall
5. Health Department
6. Municipal Clerk