Hillsdale, New Jersey

Hillsdale is a borough in the northern portion of Bergen County of New Jersey, within the New York City metropolitan area. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 10,143, a decrease of 76 (−0.7%) from the 2010 census count of 10,219, which in turn reflected an increase of 132 (+1.3%) from the 10,087 counted in the 2000 census.

The populated area today known as Hillsdale took form in the mid-to-late 19th century as land speculators, led by David P. Patterson, developed subdivisions to profit from the coming of the Hackensack and New York Railroad (later New Jersey and New York Railroad). The area was incorporated as Hillsdale Township on March 25, 1898, from portions of Washington Township, which had, in turn, been set off from Harrington Township in 1840. Portions of the township were taken on April 30, 1906, to create the township of River Vale. Hillsdale was reincorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 2, 1923, subject to approval which came in a referendum held on April 24, 1923.Snyder, John P
''The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968''
Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 80. Accessed May 28, 2024. The borough's name derives from its location in a " dale among the hills".

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 2.94 square miles (7.61 km²), including 2.90 square miles (7.52 km²) of land and 0.04 square miles (0.09 km²) of water (1.19%).

A small portion of Woodcliff Lake Reservoir lies inside the borough, at the southeast end of the reservoir, with Church Road following along the southern end of the spillway.

The borough borders Ho-Ho-Kus, Park Ridge, River Vale, Saddle River, Washington Township, Westwood and Woodcliff Lake.

Demographics

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 10,219 people, 3,493 households, and 2,843 families in the borough. The population density was . There were 3,567 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 89.42% (9,138) White, 1.01% (103) Black or African American, 0.12% (12) Native American, 6.26% (640) Asian, 0.05% (5) Pacific Islander, 2.06% (211) from other races, and 1.08% (110) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.77% (794) of the population.

Of the 3,493 households, 40.1% had children under the age of 18; 69.6% were married couples living together; 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present and 18.6% were non-families. Of all households, 16.1% were made up of individuals and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.92 and the average family size was 3.27. Same-sex couples headed 23 households in 2010, an increase from the 19 counted in 2000.

26.6% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 21.6% from 25 to 44, 31.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.8 years. For every 100 females, the population had 95.7 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 92.5 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $116,021 (with a margin of error of +/− $6,848) and the median family income was $132,340 (+/− $8,841). Males had a median income of $91,250 (+/− $6,943) versus $53,190 (+/− $11,522) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $45,549 (+/− $2,679). About 1.4% of families and 3.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.0% of those under age 18 and 2.9% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census there were 10,087 people, 3,502 households, and 2,850 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 3,547 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 92.41% White, 0.85% African American, 0.07% Native American, 5.08% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.86% from other races, and 0.69% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.25% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Hillsdale borough, New Jersey
, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 12, 2013.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Hillsdale borough, Bergen County, New Jersey
, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 12, 2013.

There were 3,502 households, out of which 38.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.8% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.6% were non-families. 15.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.87 and the average family size was 3.20.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 26.0% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 14.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.8 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $82,904, and the median income for a family was $90,861. Males had a median income of $65,052 versus $43,558 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $34,651. About 2.5% of families and 3.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.9% of those under age 18 and 3.0% of those age 65 or over.

Parks and recreation

* Stonybrook Swim Club is a pool complex located on Cedar Lane that includes an Olympic-size swimming pool, kiddie pool, intermediate pool, water slide, picnic area, basketball court, and playground.
* Beechwood Park, located on Hillsdale Avenue, has an amphitheater, playground, picnic area, and a softball field. In 2014, a group of 70 residents, assisted by a $1,000 grant, worked to rebuild and expand walking trails that run through the park.
* Hillsdale Memorial Park, located across from Beechwood Park has baseball fields and basketball courts.
* Hillsdale has several recreational sports including basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse, and football.

Government

Local government

Hillsdale is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey. The governing body is comprised of a mayor and a borough council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. A mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council includes six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle.''2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book'', Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 165. The borough form of government used by Hillsdale 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. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.

, the mayor of Hillsdale is Democrat Michael Sheinfield, whose term of office ends December 31, 2027. Members of the Hillsdale Borough Council are Council President John Escobar ( R, 2024), Anthony DeRosa (R, 2023), Justin P. Fox (R, 2025), Zoltan Horvath (R, 2023), Abby Lundy (R, 2024), Clemente Osso (R, 2026), John Ruocco (R, 2026), and Janetta Trochimiuk (R, 2025).Borough Council and Mayor
Borough of Hillsdale, Accessed May 17, 2024. "Hillsdale is governed under the Borough form of New Jersey municipal government. The government consists of a Mayor and a Borough Council comprising six council members, with all positions elected at large. A Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office and only votes to break a tie. The Borough Council consists of six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year. "''2024 County and Municipal Directory''
Bergen County, New Jersey