Highland Park, New Jersey
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| Highland Park, New Jersey | |
|---|---|
| Name | Highland Park |
| Settlement type | Borough |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | United States |
| Subdivision type1 | State |
| Subdivision name1 | New Jersey |
| Subdivision type2 | County |
| Subdivision name2 | Middlesex |
| Established title | Incorporated |
| Established date | March 15, 1905 |
| Government type | Borough |
| Leader title | Mayor |
| Leader name | Elsie Foster (D) |
| Leader title1 | Administrator |
| Leader name1 | Donna Vieiro |
| Area total km2 | 4.70 |
| Area land km2 | 4.50 |
| Area water km2 | 0.20 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population total | 15380 |
| Population density km2 | 3417.8 |
| Timezone | EST |
| Utc offset | -5 |
| Timezone DST | EDT |
| Utc offset DST | -4 |
| Postal code type | ZIP Code |
| Postal code | 08904 |
| Area code | 732/848 |
| Website | www.hpboro.com |
Highland Park, New Jersey is a borough in Middlesex County, situated on the northern bank of the Raritan River directly across from the city of New Brunswick. The community is known for its dense, walkable neighborhoods, historic architecture, and its proximity to major academic and research institutions. Governed within the framework of the New Jersey borough system, it is a diverse residential hub with strong civic engagement.
History
The area was originally part of the Raritan Lenape territory before European settlement as part of Piscataway Township. Its modern development began with the 1860 construction of the Albany Street Bridge, connecting it to New Brunswick and spurring growth as a streetcar suburb. The community separated from Piscataway and was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 15, 1905. Throughout the 20th century, it became home to many employees of Johnson & Johnson, Rutgers University, and the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, shaping its character as a bedroom community for professionals and academics.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 4.70 square kilometers, with 4.50 square kilometers of land and 0.20 square kilometers of water. It is bordered by the Raritan River to the south, Edison to the north and east, and Piscataway to the west. The topography is relatively flat, rising gently from the riverbank, and the borough is bisected by Route 27 (George Street). It lies within the Raritan Valley region and is part of the New York metropolitan area.
Demographics
The 2020 United States Census recorded a population of 15,380, with a density of approximately 3,418 people per square kilometer. The racial and ethnic composition is diverse, with significant populations of White, Asian, and Hispanic or Latino residents. The borough has a high percentage of residents holding advanced degrees, correlating with its proximity to Rutgers University and numerous corporate research facilities. Median household income levels are above the state average, and the community is known for its politically liberal voting patterns.
Government
Highland Park operates under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, with a mayor and a six-member Borough Council elected at-large. The current mayor is Elsie Foster, a member of the Democratic Party. Municipal services include a dedicated Police Department, Fire Department, and Department of Public Works. The borough is located in New Jersey's 6th congressional district, represented in the U.S. House of Representatives by Frank Pallone.
Education
Public education for students in pre-Kindergarten through twelfth grade is provided by the Highland Park Public Schools district, which includes Bartle Elementary School, Irving Primary School, and Highland Park High School. The borough is also served by the Middlesex County Vocational and Technical Schools system. Its location affords residents direct access to the resources of Rutgers University, and it is near other institutions like the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. The Highland Park Public Library serves as a community center and resource.
Notable people
Many notable individuals have lived in or been associated with the borough. These include Nobel Prize-winning physicist Arno Allan Penzias, co-discoverer of the cosmic microwave background; actress and singer Gloria Gaynor; and former Major League Baseball player and manager Joe Altobelli. Authors such as Philip Roth and Paula Fox have also resided here, alongside influential figures like consumer advocate Ernestine Gilbreth Carey and U.S. Army General William W. Momyer.
Category:Boroughs in New Jersey Category:Middlesex County, New Jersey Category:Populated places established in 1905