Berkeley Heights, New Jersey

Berkeley Heights, New Jersey
Name	Berkeley Heights, New Jersey
Settlement type	Township
Pushpin label	Berkeley Heights
Coordinates	40, 40, 56, N...
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	United States
Subdivision type1	State
Subdivision name1	New Jersey
Subdivision type2	County
Subdivision name2	Union
Established title	Incorporated
Established date	November 8, 1959
Government type	Council-Manager
Leader title	Mayor
Leader name	John J. Florio
Leader title1	Township manager
Leader name1	Linda A. Cavanaugh
Leader title2	Municipal clerk
Leader name2	Linda A. Cavanaugh
Area total km2	15.50
Area land km2	15.40
Area water km2	0.10
Area total sq mi	5.98
Area land sq mi	5.95
Area water sq mi	0.04
Elevation ft	200
Population as of	2020 Census
Population total	13725
Population density km2	891.2
Population density sq mi	2306.7
Timezone	EST
Utc offset	-5
Timezone DST	EDT
Utc offset DST	-4
Postal code type	ZIP Code
Postal code	07922
Area code	908
Blank name	FIPS code
Blank info	34-05350
Blank1 name	GNIS feature ID
Blank1 info	0885159
Website	www.berkeleyheightstwpnj.com

Berkeley Heights, New Jersey is a township in Union County, within the U.S. state of New Jersey. Incorporated in 1959 from portions of New Providence, it is a residential community known for its proximity to major corporate and research centers. The township is governed under the Council-Manager form of government and is part of the New York metropolitan area.

History

The area was originally part of the Elizabethtown Tract and saw early settlement in the 18th century, with land owned by the Continental Congress president John Witherspoon. It was known as New Providence Township until 1959, when residents voted for independence, forming the present municipality. Historically agricultural, its development accelerated with the arrival of the Lackawanna Railroad and the expansion of the Bell System, notably with AT&T establishing its corporate headquarters and famed Bell Labs research facility nearby. The township's growth was further shaped by its inclusion in the Watchung Mountains region and its role as a commuter suburb following the construction of Interstate 78.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 5.98 square miles, with the Passaic River forming part of its northwestern border. It is situated within the Watchung Mountains, specifically the First Watchung Mountain, and includes parts of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. Neighboring municipalities include Summit, New Providence, Watchung, Warren Township, and Long Hill Township. The topography features rolling hills and several parks, such as Snyder Avenue Park and the Columbia Trail.

Demographics

The 2020 United States census recorded a population of 13,725, with a density of approximately 2,306.7 people per square mile. The racial makeup was predominantly White, with significant Asian and Hispanic or Latino communities. The median household income is substantially higher than state and national averages, reflecting its status as an affluent suburb. Major ancestral groups include Italian, Irish, German, and Polish. The township is part of the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Government

Berkeley Heights operates under the Council-Manager system, with a six-member Township Council and a directly elected Mayor. The current mayor is John J. Florio, and the municipal manager is Linda A. Cavanaugh. The township is located in New Jersey's 7th and 11th congressional districts, represented in the 118th United States Congress by Thomas Kean Jr. and Mikie Sherrill. At the state level, it is part of the 21st legislative district, represented in the New Jersey Senate by Jon Bramnick and in the New Jersey General Assembly by Michele Matsikoudis and Nancy Munoz.

Education

Public school students attend the Berkeley Heights Public Schools district, which includes Governor Livingston High School, a nationally recognized Blue Ribbon School. The district also comprises Columbia Middle School and several elementary schools, including Thomas P. Hughes School and Mountain Park School. The township is served by the Berkeley Heights Public Library, a member of the Somerset County Library System. Several private institutions are nearby, such as the Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child and the Newark Academy.

Notable people

Notable current and former residents include Drew Barrymore, actress and founder of Flower Films; John Basilone, Marine recipient of the Medal of Honor; Judy Blume, author of works like Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret; Michael Chang, champion of the French Open; Brian De Palma, director of films like Scarface; and Michele Tafoya, sportscaster for NBC Sports and ESPN. Other residents have included executives from AT&T, Bell Labs, and the National Football League.

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