The borough sits on the Delaware River at the western end of Amwell Valley.

[20] Stockton was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 14, 1898, from portions of Delaware Township.

Senator Robert Field Stockton, who was instrumental in the creation of the Delaware and Raritan Canal.

[23][24] Stockton soon began to develop as an industrious town with mills and quarries sprouting in the area.

The inn was the inspiration for Lorenz Hart for his hit song "There's a Small Hotel" sung in the 1936 Broadway musical On Your Toes.

[28] The Delaware River Mill Society is a private non-profit organization responsible for the restoration, maintenance, and operation of the historic John Prall Jr. House and the Prallsville Mills Complex, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

In 1976 when the State of New Jersey was unable to fund the restoration of its newly acquired Prallsville Mills, local citizens formed the Delaware River Mill Society, to "restore, preserve, operate, maintain and interpret" the historic site.

[29] Prallsville Mills has become a place of cultural and environmental events attracting widespread participation.

[31] The site currently includes artist Ty Hodanish's studio and gallery, known as The Art Colony, which is housed in the Linseed Mill.

[36] The 2010 United States census counted 538 people, 237 households, and 142 families in the borough.

[43] As of the 2000 United States census[15] there were 560 people, 246 households, and 148 families residing in the borough.

[6] The borough form of government used by Stockton 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.

[45][46] As of 2023[update], the mayor of Stockton Borough is Democrat Aaron R. Lipsen, whose term of office ends December 31, 2026.

Members of the borough council are Council President Michael L. Mann (D, 2023), William Brown (D, 2024; appointed to unexpired term), Peter Folz (D, 2025), Rebecca Hendricks (D, 2023), Peter M. Hunt (D, 2025), Kenneth Kozuhowski (R, 2024).

[3][47][48][49][50][51][52] In January 2023, the borough council appointed William Brown to fill the seat expiring in December 2024 that became vacant when Aaron Lipsen took office as mayor.

[53] Democrat Neal Esposito died in office on October 23, 2014, and was reelected posthumously for a new three-year term in the November general election.

[54] Democrat Adam Juncosa and Republican Anthony A. Grecco were appointed to fill the council vacancies.

[58] For the 119th United States Congress, New Jersey's 7th congressional district is represented by Thomas Kean Jr. (R, Westfield).

[60] For the 2024-2025 session, the 15th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Shirley Turner (D, Lawrence Township) and in the General Assembly by Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D, Trenton) and Anthony Verrelli (D, Hopewell Township).

The executive county superintendent appointed an interim board of education for the new regional district, which was responsible for implementing the merger.

The original bridge, constructed at the site formerly known as Reading's Ferry, was opened to traffic in the spring of 1814.