Stockton has access to the Delaware River and nature
Along the bank of the Delaware River, Stockton is a little borough carved from the center of Delaware Township’s southern edge. Many seek Stockton for its proximity to the Delaware River and nature trails like the Towpath or as an alternative to living in Lambertville. “It’s the same regional school district, and you might find a better buy 3 miles up the river,” says Beth Steffanelli, an associate broker and office supervisor of Callaway Henderson Sotheby’s International Realty. She grew up in Delaware Township, lived in Stockton for 15 years and has sold homes in the area for 40 years. “It’s less crowded; the population is just about 500 people in less than a square mile. … It’s got a little bit different vibe than the Lambertville vibe. There’s not as much shopping; there are some great restaurants.” Stockton’s size cultivates a community where it’s easy to know neighbors, and Steffanelli says volunteers gather every year to beautify Stockton Park and add plants.
Because it’s so close to Delaware Township, some homes there have Stockton addresses, but Steffanelli says the two communities are very different. “Delaware Township is more rural, Stockton Borough is a very small little area that’s quite compact,” she says. While she stresses that both communities are still very much country living, Stockton’s homes are closer together and have public sewage and water, while Delaware Township is on septic tanks and wells.
The popular Towpath and accessing the Delaware River at Bull’s Island
Steffanelli says the Towpath, a pathway maintained for walkers, joggers and bicyclists that was once a rail line for passenger trains, is a big draw. “We call it the Towpath because it’s next to the canal and the Delaware River,” she says, adding that the name comes from mule barges on a canal on the Pennsylvania side. She says people often park at the Prallsville Mills and go on foot or by bike from there. “You can go all the way to the Scudder Falls Bridge, which is Route 95, if you want. … You can go up to Bull’s Island State Park, which would be about 3 miles up on the Towpath, or you can go to Frenchtown, have lunch, come back.” Bikers love the flexibility to make 7-mile or 15-mile loops, and hiking paths are abundant just outside Stockton. The 80-acre Bull’s Island Recreation Area has a walking bridge across the river, and Steffanelli says the park is the best way to access the water. The Delaware River is a central part of life in Stockton, especially during the summer when tubing is particularly popular. Kayaking, canoeing and fishing are also commonplace. Stockton Park offers a playground and a field for sports or picnics.
Older homes that don’t go on the market often
Some of Stockton’s mostly colonial-style homes date to the early 1900s. There are also ranch-style and new traditional homes. “There were only six residential sales in 2024, so you can imagine how small the area is,” Steffanelli says, citing statistics from the Garden State Multiple Listing Service. Despite its small collection of homes, houses vary widely in price. Smaller fixer-uppers start in the $400,000 range, but large, historic homes with updated interiors have gone for nearly $1.3 million. Prices are similar in Lambertville, but Stockton’s lots are typically a little bigger and homes have off-street parking — a rare luxury in Lambertville proper.
Art shows and concerts at the Prallsville Mills
The Prallsville Mills is a collection of historic mills where many local events are held. “They host a lot of weddings, there’s antique shows, quilt shows, art shows, all this stuff that goes on pretty much every weekend there, and that’s a big draw also,” Steffanelli says. There are even concerts and operas at the mills.
Popular dining scene
Stockton has several popular restaurants. Stockton Market is a simple place with pastries and coffee that Steffanelli says is busy on the weekends. Nearby, Stockton Inn is a nearly 200-year-old building that was vacant for seven years. After extensive renovations, it now houses a tavern, an inn and an upscale Italian restaurant headed by Bob Truitt, a James Beard Award semifinalist. Northridge is another new upscale restaurant, run by the same people who own the popular B&B, The Woolverton Inn. “They renovated a barn on the property and they did a beautiful job,” Steffanelli says. “They host a lot of weddings and now they have a BYOB restaurant that’s been very, very popular as soon as it opened.” There are also a few casual restaurants, and Odd Bird Brewing is a popular brewery. Stockton Food Store has a small selection of groceries alongside its deli, but most residents head across the river to New Hope about 4 miles away for groceries and other shopping. It's also about 5 miles to Peddler’s Village, a popular shopping destination where quaint colonial-style buildings house a variety of locally owned boutiques and restaurants surrounded by small gardens.
Students in Stockton attend South Hunterdon schools
Children in Stockton are served by the South Hunterdon Regional School District, which Niche gives a B-minus. Children in Stockton attend Lambertville Public School, which also has a B-minus, from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. The elementary school is 3 miles away in the neighboring community of Lambertville. Children then attend South Hunterdon High School, which has a B, for seventh through 12th grade. The high school has an annual student activity fee of $100 for students wishing to participate in extracurricular sports or clubs.
Nearby roads, commuting to Trenton and other major cities
South Main Street, also called state Route 29, is Stockton’s biggest road. Stockton’s two churches are located just off this road, and residents can follow it down to Trenton about 19 miles away. Steffanelli says many residents work in the city. U.S. Route 202 is the only major highway nearby, with access to it located in Lambertville about 3 miles away. Train stations in Trenton and in Hamilton Township take travelers 45 miles to Philadelphia or 66 miles to New York City; Steffanelli says most people prefer Hamilton’s station because it has more parking. The nearest hospital is Hunterdon Medical Center, just under 12 miles away.
State efforts to mitigate flooding along the Delaware River
Because of its location on the banks of the Delaware River, First Street, a climate risk data organization, says Stockton has an extreme risk of flooding. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, puts the properties between the river and Main Street in Flood Zone AE, which means there's a 1% chance of annual flooding and a 26% chance over a 30-year period. Mortgage companies typically require flood insurance on these properties, but the state has taken steps to fund property management and flood mitigation efforts in towns along the Delaware River. Hurricanes and tropical storms occasionally pass through New Jersey, impacting the risk of flooding and bringing a major risk of high winds.
