Murray Hill, New Jersey

Murray Hill, New Jersey
Name	Murray Hill
Settlement type	Unincorporated community
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	United States
Subdivision type1	State
Subdivision name1	New Jersey
Subdivision type2	County
Subdivision name2	Union County
Subdivision type3	Township
Subdivision name3	Berkeley Heights

Murray Hill, New Jersey is an unincorporated community and census-designated place located within Berkeley Heights Township in Union County. It is a primarily residential suburb known for its historic estates, wooded landscapes, and proximity to major corporate and research centers. The area is part of the New York metropolitan area and has been shaped by its history as a summer retreat and later as a commuter town for professionals.

History

The land was originally part of the Elizabethtown Tract purchased from the Lenape by settlers from the New York colony and the New Haven Colony. It developed as a farming area before being transformed in the late 19th century into a summer colony for wealthy families from New York City and Newark, facilitated by the arrival of the Central Railroad of New Jersey's Gladstone Branch. The community was named for the Murray Hill neighborhood in Manhattan, itself named for the Murray family who owned a large estate there. Several significant estates were built, including "Mountain Top," the summer home of John R. Hardin of the Colgate family, and properties associated with the Phelps Dodge mining fortune. The Stokes Estate, later known as the Murray Hill Hotel, became a notable local landmark. In the mid-20th century, the area transitioned to a year-round suburb, with the former estates subdivided for residential development.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Murray Hill CDP has a total area of 1.5 square miles, all of it land. The community lies within the Watchung Mountain range, characterized by rolling hills and elevations over 400 feet. It is bordered by New Providence to the north, Summit to the east, and the Passaic River to the west. The terrain is part of the Piedmont region of New Jersey, featuring glacial geology and numerous streams that feed into the Passaic River watershed. Local geography includes notable features like Glenwood Park and proximity to the Watchung Reservation.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 2,104. The racial makeup was predominantly White, with growing Asian and Hispanic or Latino populations. The median household income is significantly higher than the state average, reflecting its affluent character. Housing consists largely of single-family homes on wooded lots, with a high rate of homeownership. The community is part of New Jersey's 11th congressional district and has historically voted for candidates from the Republican Party in national elections, though recent trends show increasing support for the Democratic Party.

Education

Public school students attend the Berkeley Heights Public Schools district, which includes Governor Livingston High School, a consistently high-ranked school in New Jersey. The district also serves students from other sections of Berkeley Heights. Several private schools are located nearby, including the Newark Academy in Livingston and the Kent Place School in Summit. The community is also in close proximity to higher education institutions such as Kean University in Union and Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison.

Transportation

Major roadways include Interstate 78, which runs along the southern border, and U.S. Route 22. The primary local road is Route 124 (Springfield Avenue). Public transportation is provided by New Jersey Transit bus service to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan and rail service via the Gladstone Branch at the Berkeley Heights station and the Summit station on the Morristown Line. The area is approximately 25 miles west of New York City, making it a commuter hub for the New York metropolitan area.

Notable people

Notable current and former residents include Nobel Prize-winning physicist Philip W. Anderson, who conducted pioneering work at Bell Labs; former United States Secretary of the Treasury and Goldman Sachs senior partner Henry H. Fowler; and Major League Baseball player and manager Jackie Moore. Other residents have included industrialists from the Colgate-Palmolive and Phelps Dodge corporations, reflecting the area's historical connection to prominent American business families.

Category:Unincorporated communities in Union County, New Jersey Category:Census-designated places in New Jersey Category:Berkeley Heights, New Jersey