Highlands, New Jersey

See also New York–New Jersey Highlands for the northwestern part of the state.

Highlands is a borough in Monmouth County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States census, its population was 5,005,^[17][18][19] a decline of 92 (−1.8%) from the 2000 Census, which had seen an increase of 248 (+5.1%) from the 1990 Census.^[20] The eastern part of the town is on a high bluff that overlooks Sandy Hook and the Atlantic Ocean, from which the borough derives its name.^[21][22] Atop this bluff are the Navesink Twin Lights.

Highlands, New Jersey
Borough
Twin Lights
Map of Highlands in Monmouth County. Inset: Location of Monmouth County in New Jersey.
Census Bureau map of Highlands, New Jersey
Coordinates: 40°24′15″N 73°59′17″W / 40.404229°N 73.988186°W / 40.404229; -73.988186Coordinates: 40°24′15″N 73°59′17″W / 40.404229°N 73.988186°W / 40.404229; -73.988186^[1]^[2]
Country	United States
State	New Jersey
County	Monmouth
Incorporated	March 22, 1900
Government ^[6]
• Type	Faulkner Act (small municipality)
• Body	Borough Council
• Mayor	Carolyn Broullon (term ends December 31, 2022)^[3]^[4]
• Administrator	Michael Muscillo^[5]
• Municipal clerk	Nancy Tran (acting)^[5]
Area ^[7]
• Total	1.39 sq mi (3.59 km^2)
• Land	0.74 sq mi (1.92 km^2)
• Water	0.65 sq mi (1.67 km^2)  46.47%
• Rank	462nd of 565 in state 39th of 53 in county^[1]
Elevation ^[8]	13 ft (4 m)
Population  (2020)^[9]
• Total	4,621
• Rank	377th of 566 in state 32nd of 53 in county^[10]
• Density	6,244.59/sq mi (2,410.43/km^2)
• Rank	72nd of 566 in state 7th of 53 in county^[10]
Time zone	UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT))
ZIP Code	07732^[11]^[12]
Area code(s)	732 exchanges: 291, 708, 872^[13]
FIPS code	3402531500^[1]^[14]^[15]
GNIS feature ID	0885253^[1]^[16]
Website	www.highlandsborough.org

Highlands was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 22, 1900, from parts of Middletown Township. Additional parts of Middletown Township were annexed in 1914.^[23]

Highlands is part of the Bayshore Regional Strategic Plan, an effort by nine municipalities in northern Monmouth County to reinvigorate the area's economy by emphasizing the traditional downtowns, residential neighborhoods, maritime history, and the natural environment of the Raritan Bayshore coastline.^[24]

On October 29, 2012, Hurricane Sandy struck the eastern seaboard of the United States, making landfall just north of Atlantic City. The borough was heavily damaged when a storm surge of nearly 10 feet (3.0 m) swept in from the bay beginning October 28. Most homes and businesses, including the Bahrs Landing and Lusty Lobster fishery were either damaged or totally destroyed.^[25] The borough lost several police cars and its fire station was destroyed.^{[citation needed]}

History

 

Highlands, New Jersey, with part of Sandy Hook at right

Giovanni da Verrazzano explored the area known today as Highlands in 1525. During the next two centuries, the Highlands area would welcome English and Dutch settlers. Even by the 20th Century, many immigrants saw the hills of the Highlands of Navesink which were almost 300 feet (91 m) above sea level.

The oldest route to the eastern coast of the United States is the Minisink Trail which started on the upper Delaware River, came through northern New Jersey and ended at the Navesink River. Navesink means "good fishing spot" in the native tongue at the time. The trail was used by Native Americans, such as the Algonquin and Lenni Lenapi tribes. They came from all over New Jersey to spend the summer fishing and finding clams. The Newasunks, Raritans, and Sachem Papomorga (or Lenni Lenapis) were the most prevalent tribes and stayed the longest. These were the tribes which mostly traded with early settlers.

One year after Verrazzano explored the area, Portuguese explorer Estevan Gomez visited the Highlands of Navesink and created the first maps of the area. These were the maps in which Sandy Hook was first drawn and called "Cabo de Arenas" or "Cape of Sands."

In 1609, Henry Hudson sailed into the Sandy Hook Bay and wrote: "This is very good land to fall in with and a pleasant land to see. Our men went on land, so they went up into the woods and saw great stores of very goodly oaks and some currants". One of Hudson's crew became the first man killed by Native Americans who were frightened by his scouting party.

Many years after Hudson's trip to the area, the Highlands of Navesink saw a number of Dutch who traded with the Navesink Indians and prepared nautical charts. William Reape, one of the Dutch, made a bargain with the local natives to trade land in exchange for rum, blankets and gunpowder.

Eventually, the Dutch settlers named the land "Rensselaer's Hoeck," but British settlers took over and renamed the settlement "Portland" in 1664. The group purchasing the land included James Hubbard, John Bawne, John Tilton Jr., Richard Stout, William Goulding and Samuel Spear.

Three years later, in 1677, Richard Hartshorne purchased a 2,320-acre (940 ha) tract of land from the Native Americans which provided him with control of nearly all of Sandy Hook and Highlands which was then called "Portland Poynt." Hartshorne and his family became the first permanent settlers of the area.

Some early settlers soon realized the importance Highlands and Sandy Hook would have in the defense of the country. People in Highlands and Sandy Hook could warn New York of any enemies approaching by sea and also to help guide ships into New York harbor. In 1762, New York merchants purchased a four-acre site from the Hartshorne family for a light house. Two years later, the Sandy Hook Light House was lighted for the first time.

The hills of the Highlands of Navesink and Sandy Hook also played an important role during the American Revolutionary War. It was a vital strategic site for the British and Colonial Armies. When the British fleet arrived close to Sandy Hook in 1776, sympathizers with the British built fortifications and with the help of the British were able to hold Sandy Hook for the remainder of the Revolutionary War. The Loyalists stayed in control of Sandy Hook even after the war was ended by the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown on October 19, 1781.

Captain Joshua Huddy was the eldest of seven brothers and a member of the Monmouth Continental Militia. He pursued gangs of Tory (Loyalist) refugees who plundered the area searching for American rebels. The refugees made Huddy a target and tried to kill him several times. Unfortunately, one of the Loyalists' raids from Sandy Hook ended with setting Huddy's house on fire. Huddy agreed to surrender if they would help him to put out the fire. They agreed and took Huddy as a prisoner. The fire from the house had attracted the attention of Huddy's neighbors and the local militia raced after the Tories, catching them before they could reach their boats at Black Point in Rumson. In the fight that ensued, Huddy escaped.

However, two years later the Loyalists captured Huddy and brought him to Gravelly Point in Highlands where he was allowed to write his will. Then Huddy was hanged for the death of Captain Philip White who had been captured by Rebels earlier in Long Branch and shot while being transported to Freehold. Huddy was not involved in the shooting, as he was in a British prison at the time, but was hanged anyway. His body was carried by patriots to Freehold and buried. Today, a monument in Huddy Park honors Captain Joshua Huddy.

In 1796, the first hotel in the Highlands of Navesink was built and many other hotels were built until the War of 1812. Two years later, the tourism began to grow and new hotels were built on Sandy Hook and on the hills of Highlands. In addition, a number of new homes were being built and visitors were coming to Highlands by the boatload.

Author James Fenimore Cooper, author of Last of the Mohicans, also wrote Water Witch, a novel which was inspired by his visits to Highlands. Walt Whitman, one of America's most famous poets, celebrated his excursions to Highlands in his journals and a group of his poems entitled, "Fancies at Navesink."^[26]

By 1880, numerous hotels, beach pavilions and private clubs were flourishing in Highlands. It was the beginning of a glorious era for the small town on the Shrewsbury River. Trains and steamships brought vacationers to celebrate post-Civil War prosperity.

New York theatrical producers and famous actors built summer homes in Highlands. The area became so popular that Harper's Magazine sent a journalist down nearly every summer in the 1870s and 1880s to write about the community and its people.^[26]

The Seashore Railroad had been built on the Sandy Hook peninsula during 1865 and a ferry service was established to take passengers across the river from Highlands to his hotel on Sandy Hook. Then a bridge was constructed in 1872 and the ferry service ceased operations. The new drawbridge was about 1,500 feet (460 m) and 18 feet (5.5 m) wide. It was constructed at a cost of $35,000 and opened in 1872, but was closed for three years when a schooner ran into it in 1875.^[26] By 1883, a railroad came to Atlantic Highlands and in 1892 the old draw bridge at Highlands was torn down and a new railroad bridge was built by the New Jersey Central Railroad Company for their coastal line. This new bridge for rail, vehicular, and foot traffic was opened in 1892.^[26]

On Lighthouse Hill were the Twin Lights which is one of the most historic sites in the nation. Built in 1862, it was the first twin light house, the first electric powered light, the first glimpse of America for incoming ships, the first in the nation to use the Fresnel lens, the first to use wireless telegraphy, and the site of the first experiments with radar.^[27]

Light House Hill (also known as Beacon Hill) was employed as a site for a beacon as early as 1746, when England was in conflict with France in the War of Austrian Succession, and the colonies of both were up for grabs. The beacon—whale oil burned in pots—was not only to welcome sailors, but to warn citizens that the French were coming up the harbor and it was time to take down the musket from over the fireplace. During the Revolutionary War, the beacon served the same purpose, only Britain was the enemy.^[28]

In 1899, Guglielmo Marconi, the inventor of wireless telegraphy demonstrated his invention at the Twin Lights so the New York Herald could be the first to have news of the 1899 America's Cup races to be run off the New Jersey Coast.^[29]

By the 1920s, Highlands was a popular tourist destination. By 1932, however, century-long steamboat operations on the Shrewsbury and Navesink Rivers came quickly to an end.

Before World War II, the northern tower was the first place where experiments with radar were held. So successful were the tests that, soon after the war, radar was the major tool of navigation and the government decided to decommission the Twin Lights and abandon the building as an operative light house.

During 1900, Highlands was incorporated and passed an ordinance prohibiting horses, cows and pigs from running loose on the streets. It also ordered that three-inch hemlock and chestnut planking be used as curbs along the officially designated streets.

By 1920 the "manufacture, sale or transportation of intoxicating liquors" was prohibited. However, "rum-running" was a common practice for New Jersey's beachfront and Highlands became the main port for the infamous trade. Highlands also had great boat-building facilities which could produce boats faster than the authorities could catch. The Jersey Skiff, designed and built in Highlands, became the primary craft to be used in the smuggling operations.

Highlands became known for sport fishing in the 1920s. Today, countless boats can be seen in the rivers, bays and ocean to catch fluke, bluefish, striped bass or whiting.

Clamming was an important activity here for the Native Americans and the first settlers learned from them. A writer in 1890 reported that clams were to Parkertown what the whale once was to Nantucket.

Gertrude Ederle spent all of her summers in Highlands and learned to swim at the beach on Miller Street. She would swim from Sandy Hook to the Highlands Bridge in two hours and forty minutes to train for her famous English Channel swim in 1926. She became the first woman to swim the English Channel, and also the first to be given a ticker-tape parade on Broadway. Ederle attended the 1975 dedication of a park in Highlands named in her honor.^[30]

During 1975, all military installations on Sandy Hook (except for the U.S. Coast Guard) were decommissioned and the land was given to the National Park Service to become the Gateway National Recreation Area.

Geography

 

Downtown Highlands as seen from the Route 36 bridge

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 1.39 square miles (3.59 km²), including 0.74 square miles (1.92 km²) of land and 0.65 square miles (1.67 km²) of water (46.47%).^[1][2]

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the borough include Parkertown and Waterwitch (also spelled as "Water Witch").^[31]

The borough borders the Monmouth County municipalities of Atlantic Highlands, Middletown Township and Sea Bright.^[32][33][34]

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Highlands has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.^[35]

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1900	1,228		—
1910	1,386		12.9%
1920	1,731		24.9%
1930	1,877		8.4%
1940	2,076		10.6%
1950	2,959		42.5%
1960	3,536		19.5%
1970	3,916		10.7%
1980	5,187		32.5%
1990	4,849		−6.5%
2000	5,097		5.1%
2010	5,005		−1.8%
2020	4,621		−7.7%
Population sources: 1900–1920^[36] 1900–1910^[37] 1910–1930^[38] 1930–1990^[39] 2000^[40]^[41] 2010^[17]^[18]^[19]^[9]

Census 2010

The 2010 United States census counted 5,005 people, 2,623 households, and 1,159 families in the borough. The population density was 6,522.8 per square mile (2,518.5/km²). There were 3,146 housing units at an average density of 4,100.1 per square mile (1,583.1/km²). The racial makeup was 92.97% (4,653) White, 1.62% (81) Black or African American, 0.28% (14) Native American, 1.30% (65) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 1.94% (97) from other races, and 1.90% (95) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.47% (324) of the population.^[17]

Of the 2,623 households, 15.5% had children under the age of 18; 31.3% were married couples living together; 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present and 55.8% were non-families. Of all households, 45.3% were made up of individuals and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.91 and the average family size was 2.70.^[17]

14.2% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 37.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45.1 years. For every 100 females, the population had 101.6 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 100.6 males.^[17]

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $75,291 (with a margin of error of +/− $12,503) and the median family income was $80,430 (+/− $7,353). Males had a median income of $63,686 (+/− $6,479) versus $46,641 (+/− $9,013) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $42,737 (+/− $4,647). About 11.5% of families and 12.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.3% of those under age 18 and 1.9% of those age 65 or over.^[42]

Census 2000

As of the 2000 United States census^[14] there were 5,097 people, 2,450 households, and 1,193 families residing in the borough. The population density was 6,689.2 people per square mile (2,589.4/km²). There were 2,820 housing units at an average density of 3,700.9 per square mile (1,432.6/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 95.10% White, 1.59% African American, 0.33% Native American, 1.00% Asian, 0.59% from other races, and 1.39% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.06% of the population.^[40][41]

There were 2,450 households, out of which 19.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.4% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 51.3% were non-families. 41.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.90.^[40][41]

In the borough the population was spread out, with 18.8% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 36.8% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.0 males.^[40][41]

The median income for a household in the borough was $45,692, and the median income for a family was $50,985. Males had a median income of $50,296 versus $31,265 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $29,369. About 11.5% of families and 12.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.0% of those under age 18 and 11.7% of those age 65 or over.^[40][41]

Government

Local government

Highlands is governed by a Faulkner Act, formally known as the Optional Municipal Charter Law, under the Small Municipality (Plan C) form of New Jersey municipal government, enacted by direct petition as of January 1, 1978.^[43] The borough is one of 18 municipalities (of the 564) statewide that use this form of government, which is only available to municipalities with a population below 12,000 at the time of adoption.^[44] The governing body is comprised of the Mayor and the four-member Borough Council, who are elected on an at-large basis in non-partisan voting to three-year terms on a staggered basis as part of the November general election, in a three-year cycle in which two council seats come up for election in each of two consecutive years followed by the mayoral seat up for vote in the third year.^[6] This form of government was adopted in 1956.^[45] In a 2014 referendum, voters changed the format and timing of elections from partisan in November to nonpartisan in May.^[46] In the November 2014 general election, voters approved a referendum shifting the borough's nonpartisan elections from May to November, with the first November nonpartisan municipal election taking place in 2015.^[47][48]

As of 2022^[update], the mayor of the Borough of Highlands is Carolyn Broullon, whose term of office ends December 31, 2022. Members of the Highlands Borough Council are Council President JoAnne Provenzano Olszewski (2023), Leo Cervantes (2024), Karen Chelak (2024) and Donald Melnyk (2023).^{[3][49][50][51][52]}

Federal, state and county representation

Highlands is in the 6th Congressional District^[53] and is part of New Jersey's 13th state legislative district.^[18][54][55] Prior to the 2011 reapportionment following the 2010 Census, Highlands was in the 11th state legislative district.^[56]

For the 118th United States Congress, New Jersey's Sixth Congressional District is represented by Frank Pallone (D, Long Branch).^[57][58] New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Democrats Cory Booker (Newark, term ends 2027)^[59] and Bob Menendez (Harrison, term ends 2025).^[60][61]

For the 2022–2023 session, the 13th Legislative District of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the New Jersey Senate by Declan O'Scanlon (R, Little Silver) and in the General Assembly by Vicky Flynn (R, Holmdel Township) and Gerard Scharfenberger (R, Middletown Township).^[62]

Monmouth County is governed by a Board of County Commissioners comprised of five members who are elected at-large to serve three year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either one or two seats up for election each year as part of the November general election. At an annual reorganization meeting held in the beginning of January, the board selects one of its members to serve as Director and another as Deputy Director.^[63] As of 2022^[update], Monmouth County's Commissioners are Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone (R, Neptune City, term as commissioner and as director ends December 31, 2022),^[64] Commissioner Deputy Director Susan M. Kiley (R, Hazlet Township, term as commissioner ends December 31, 2024; term as deputy commissioner director ends 2022),^[65]Lillian G. Burry (R, Colts Neck Township, 2023),^[66] Nick DiRocco (R, Wall Township, 2022),^[67] and Ross F. Licitra (R, Marlboro Township, 2023).^[68][69][70] Constitutional officers elected on a countywide basis are County clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon (R, 2025; Ocean Township),^[71][72]Sheriff Shaun Golden (R, 2022; Howell Township)^[73][74] and Surrogate Rosemarie D. Peters (R, 2026; Middletown Township).^{[75][76][needs update]}

Politics

As of March 23, 2011, there were 3,118 registered voters in Highlands, of whom 880 (28.2%) were registered Democrats, 728 (23.3%) registered Republicans and 1,509 (48.4%) unaffiliated. One voter was registered to another party.^[77]

In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 54.6% of the vote (1,044), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 43.8% (837), and other candidates with 1.6% (31), with 1,930 ballots cast by the borough's 3,294 registered voters (18 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 58.6%.^[78][79] In the 2008 presidential election, Obama received 51.3% of the vote (1,266), ahead of Republican John McCain with 44.9% (1,108) and other candidates with 1.7% (42), with 2,467 ballots cast by the borough's 3,451 registered voters, for a turnout of 71.5%.^[80] In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 50.6% of the vote (1,230), outpolling Democrat John Kerry with 47.9% (1,164) and other candidates with 0.7% (25 votes), with 2,429 ballots cast by the borough's 3,431 registered voters, for a turnout of 70.8%.^[81]

In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 67.9% of the vote (960), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 29.7% (419), and other candidates with 2.4% (34), with 1,442 ballots cast by the borough's 3,166 registered voters (29 were spoiled), for a turnout of 45.5%.^[82][83] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Christie received 55.1% of the vote (887), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 34.3% (553), Independent Chris Daggett with 7.1% (115) and other candidates with 2.4% (39), with 1,611 ballots cast by the borough's 3,216 registered voters, a 50.1% turnout.^[84]

Education

The Highlands School District serves public school students in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade at Highlands Elementary School.^[85] In the 2016–2017 school year, Highlands was tied for the 40th-smallest enrollment of any school district in the state, with 190 students.^[86] As of the 2018–2019 school year, the district, comprised of one school, had an enrollment of 192 students and 22.8 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 8.4:1.^[87]

For seventh through twelfth grades, public school students attend Henry Hudson Regional High School, a comprehensive six-year high school and regional public school district that serves students from both Atlantic Highlands and Highlands.^[88][89] As of the 2018–2019 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 331 students and 39.1 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 8.5:1.^[90] As of the 2018–2019 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 331 students and 39.1 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 8.5:1.^[90] Seats on the high school district's nine-member board of education are allocated based on the population of the constituent municipalities, with five seats assigned to Highlands.^[91][92]

Transportation

Roads and highways

 

Route 36 northbound entering Highlands

As of May 2010^[update], the borough had a total of 15.19 miles (24.45 km) of roadways, of which 12.50 miles (20.12 km) were maintained by the municipality, 1.52 miles (2.45 km) by Monmouth County and 1.17 miles (1.88 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.^[93]

New Jersey State Route 36 is the main highway through Highlands. At the east end of the borough, Route 36 connects to Sea Bright by way of the Highlands-Sea Bright Bridge.^[94]

Public transportation

NJ Transit provides local bus transportation on the 834 route between the borough and Red Bank.^[95][96] Academy Bus offers bus service to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan and to Wall Street.^[97]

SeaStreak offers ferry service to Manhattan at Conner's Ferry Landing. There are three morning trips, which stop at Pier 11/Wall Street and then the East 34th Street Ferry Landing. Six ferry trips return each weekday evening.^[97][98]

Popular culture

The Kevin Smith film Jersey Girl is set in Highlands, but was filmed in Paulsboro, New Jersey.^[99]

In addition, Highlands' ZIP code (07732) is featured in the opening titles of Mallrats, and is Dante's ZIP code in Clerks: The Animated Series, although it is misattributed in the show to nearby Leonardo.

Notable people

See also: Category:People from Highlands, New Jersey

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Highlands include:

• Gertrude Ederle (1905–2003), swimmer who was the first woman to swim across the English Channel, she learned to swim in Highlands during summers spent living in the borough^[100]
• Walt Flanagan (born 1967), comic book store manager, reality television personality, podcaster and comic book artist^[101]
• Bryan Johnson (born 1967), co-host of the Tell 'Em Steve-Dave! and star of Comic Book Men^[102]
• Jason Mewes (born 1974), actor who is best known for his role as Jay, the vocal half of the duo Jay and Silent Bob^[103]
• Frankie Montecalvo (born 1990), racing driver who was the 2015 Pirelli World Challenge GTA Driver's Champion and competes in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship^[104]

References

1. 2019 Census Gazetteer Files: New Jersey Places, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 1, 2020.
2. US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 4, 2014.
3. Government, Borough of Highlands. Accessed June 3, 2022.
4. 2022 New Jersey Mayors Directory, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Accessed March 1, 2022.
5. Administration, Borough of Highlands. Accessed June 3, 2022.
6. 2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 58.
7. "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
8. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Borough of Highlands, Geographic Names Information System. Accessed March 5, 2013.
9. "Census Population API". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
10. GCT-PH1 Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - State -- County Subdivision from the 2010 Census Summary File 1 for New Jersey Archived 2020-02-12 at archive.today, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 4, 2012.
11. Look Up a ZIP Code for Highlands, NJ, United States Postal Service. Accessed July 29, 2012.
12. Zip Codes, State of New Jersey. Accessed September 17, 2013.
13. Area Code Lookup - NPA NXX for Highlands, NJ, Area-Codes.com. Accessed September 17, 2013.
14. U.S. Census website , United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 4, 2014.
15. Geographic Codes Lookup for New Jersey, Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed April 1, 2022.
16. US Board on Geographic Names, United States Geological Survey. Accessed September 4, 2014.
17. DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 for Highlands borough, Monmouth County, New Jersey Archived 2020-02-12 at archive.today, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 29, 2012.
18. Municipalities Sorted by 2011-2020 Legislative District, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed February 1, 2020.
19. Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2010 for Highlands borough^{[permanent dead link]}, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed July 29, 2012.
20. Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed July 29, 2012.
21. Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 1, 2015.
22. Gannett, Henry. The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States, p. 156. United States Government Printing Office, 1905. Accessed September 1, 2015.
23. Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 180. Accessed July 29, 2012.
24. Bayshore Regional Strategic Plan, Monmouth County, New Jersey, adopted September 18, 2006. Accessed June 7, 2017.
25. Staff. "Mayor's Column: Voorhees adopts Highlands", The Voorhees Sun, February 21, 2013. Accessed September 1, 2015. "Highlands Borough was destroyed when a storm surge of 10 feet swept in from the bay beginning as early as Oct. 28. Homes and businesses were severely damaged or destroyed, including the famous Bahrs Landing and Lusty Lobster Fishery."
26. Pallone, Frank. 100th Anniversary of the Borough of Highlands, Congressional Record, Volume 146, Number 34 (March 23, 2000). Accessed October 15, 2013.
27. Staff. "ON THE MAP; At Twin Lights, Keeping Memories of Whale Oil Burning", The New York Times, May 12, 1996. Accessed October 15, 2013.
28. Letter from President John Hamilton to the Council of New York-relating to the destruction of the Beacon on the Highlands of Neversink, New Jersey Lighthouse Society. Accessed October 15, 2013. "Light-House Hill, also known as Beacon Hill was used as a site for a beacon as early as 1746. At that time, England was at War with France in the War of Austrian Succession. The colonies of both England and France was in danger of being taken over by the other. A beacon system was established near the site of the present Twin Lights, that was to be used in the event the French decided to invade New York."
29. Stattel, Erin O. "Twin Lights beacon was nation's first radio station " Archived 2013-10-16 at archive.today, Atlanticville, June 18, 2009. Accessed October 15, 2013. "The year was 1899, and an Italian American named Guglielmo Marconi placed a receiving station, complete with an antenna, at the Twin Lights, sending results of the America's Cup yacht races off the tip of Sandy Hook to editors at the New York Herald and demonstrating the wireless telegraph."
30. Ederle Park, Borough of Highlands. Accessed October 30, 2019. "The park was first dedicated to Gertrude Ederle on August 14, 1975. Trudy attended that ceremony."
31. Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.
32. Areas touching Highlands, MapIt. Accessed February 24, 2020.
33. Regional Location Map, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed February 24, 2020.
34. New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.
35. Climate Summary for Highlands, New Jersey
36. Compendium of censuses 1726-1905: together with the tabulated returns of 1905, New Jersey Department of State, 1906. Accessed October 15, 2013.
37. Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910: Population by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions, 1910, 1900, 1890, United States Census Bureau, p. 337. Accessed July 29, 2012.
38. Fifteenth Census of the United States : 1930 - Population Volume I, United States Census Bureau, p. 717. Accessed July 29, 2012.
39. Table 6. New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed June 28, 2015.
40. Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Highlands borough, New Jersey 2004-01-20 at the Wayback Machine, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 29, 2012.
41. DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Highlands borough, Monmouth County, New Jersey Archived 2020-02-12 at archive.today, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 29, 2012.
42. DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Highlands borough, Monmouth County, New Jersey Archived 2020-02-12 at archive.today, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 29, 2012.
43. "The Faulkner Act: New Jersey's Optional Municipal Charter Law" 2013-10-12 at the Wayback Machine, New Jersey State League of Municipalities, July 2007. Accessed September 17, 2013.
44. Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey, Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed November 18, 2019.
45. Bryson, James W. The History of Highlands 2008-11-21 at the Wayback Machine, Borough of Highlands. Accessed May 21, 2008. "The present form of government, councilmanic form under the Faulkner Act, Small Municipality Plan B, came into effect in 1956."
46. Burton, John. "Borough voters going to the polls on Tuesday elected two members to the borough council in the borough's first non-partisan election. Voters approved a referendum in November that changed the election to a non-partisan vote.", The Two River Times, May 14, 2014. Accessed June 11, 2015. 'Borough voters going to the polls on Tuesday elected two members to the borough council in the borough's first non-partisan election. Voters approved a referendum in November that changed the election to a non-partisan vote."
47. November 4, 2014 General Election Official Results, Monmouth County, New Jersey, updated November 24, 2014. Accessed July 14, 2016.
48. An Ordinance Placing The Question Of Whether The Borough Of Highlands Regular Municipal Elections Currently Held On The Second Tuesday In May Shall Be Held On The Day Of The General Election, The Tuesday After The First Monday In November, Borough of Highlands, June 18, 2014. Accessed November 12, 2015.
49. 2022 Municipal Data Sheet, Borough of Highlands. Accessed June 3, 2022.
50. November 2, 2021 General Election Official Results, Monmouth County, New Jersey, December 13, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.
51. November 3, 2020 General Election Official Results, Monmouth County, New Jersey, updated November 3, 2020. Accessed January 1, 2021.
52. General Election November 5, 2019 Official Results, Monmouth County, New Jersey Clerk, updated December 16, 2019. Accessed January 1, 2020.
53. Plan Components Report, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 23, 2011. Accessed February 1, 2020.
54. 2019 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed October 30, 2019.
55. Districts by Number for 2011-2020, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 6, 2013.
56. 2011 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government 2013-06-04 at the Wayback Machine, p. 59, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed May 22, 2015.
57. Directory of Representatives: New Jersey, United States House of Representatives. Accessed January 3, 2019.
58. Biography, Congressman Frank Pallone Jr. Accessed January 3, 2019. "Frank Pallone, Jr., was born in Long Branch, New Jersey, where he grew up and still resides."
59. U.S. Sen. Cory Booker cruises past Republican challenger Rik Mehta in New Jersey, PhillyVoice. Accessed April 30, 2021. "He now owns a home and lives in Newark's Central Ward community."
60. Biography of Bob Menendez, United States Senate, January 26, 2015. "Menendez, who started his political career in Union City, moved in September from Paramus to one of Harrison's new apartment buildings near the town's PATH station.."
61. Home, sweet home: Bob Menendez back in Hudson County. nj.com. Accessed April 30, 2021. "Booker, Cory A. - (D - NJ) Class II; Menendez, Robert - (D - NJ) Class I"
62. Legislative Roster for District 13, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 11, 2022.
63. Monmouth County Government, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed July 19, 2022. "Monmouth County is governed by five Commissioners elected at-large for three year terms. Each January, the Freeholders select one of their members to serve as the Director of the Board for the year to preside over the meetings and activities of the Board."
64. County Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed July 19, 2022.
65. County Commissioner Deputy Director Susan M. Kiley, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed July 19, 2022.
66. County Commissioner Lillian G. Burry, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed July 19, 2022.
67. County Commissioner Nick DiRocco, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed July 19, 2022.
68. Commissioner Ross F. Licitra, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed July 19, 2022.
69. Board of County Commissioners, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed July 19, 2022.
70. 2022 County Data Sheet, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed July 19, 2022.
71. The Monmouth County Clerk, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed July 19, 2022.
72. Members List:Clerks, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed July 19, 2022.
73. About Sheriff Shaun Golden, Monmouth County Sheriff's Office. Accessed July 19, 2022.
74. Members List: Sheriffs, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed July 19, 2022.
75. About the Surrogate, Monmouth County New Jersey. Accessed July 19, 2022.
76. Members List: Surrogates, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed July 19, 2022.
77. Voter Registration Summary - Monmouth, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed December 4, 2012.
78. "Presidential General Election Results - November 6, 2012 - Monmouth County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. March 15, 2013. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
79. "Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast - November 6, 2012 - General Election Results - Monmouth County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. March 15, 2013. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
80. 2008 Presidential General Election Results: Monmouth County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed December 4, 2012.
81. 2004 Presidential Election: Monmouth County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed December 4, 2012.
82. "Governor - Monmouth County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. January 29, 2014. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
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84. 2009 Governor: Monmouth County 2012-10-17 at the Wayback Machine, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed December 4, 2012.
85. Highlands Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, Highlands School District. Accessed April 3, 2020. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades pre-kindergarten through six in the Highlands School District. Composition: The Highlands School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of the Borough of Highlands."
86. Guion, Payton. "These 43 N.J. school districts have fewer than 200 students", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, September 2017. Accessed January 30, 2020. "Based on data from the state Department of Education from the last school year and the Census Bureau, NJ Advance Media made a list of the smallest of the small school districts in the state, excluding charter schools and specialty institutions.... 40. Highlands Borough (tie) Enrollment: 190; Grades: Pre-K-6; County: Monmouth; Town population: 5,005"
87. District information for Highlands Borough School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed April 1, 2020.
88. Henry Hudson Regional School District 2016 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed November 3, 2017. "Henry Hudson Regional School is a comprehensive public school, which serves two communities of students: Atlantic Highlands and Highlands, NJ."
89. About Henry Hudson, Henry Hudson Regional High School. Accessed November 3, 2017. "This school district serves the towns of Atlantic Highlands and Highlands and students in grades seven through twelve."
90. School data for Henry Hudson Regional School, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed April 1, 2020.
91. Comprehensive Annual Financial Report of the Henry Hudson Regional School District, New Jersey Department of Education, for year ending June 30, 2018. Accessed March 1, 2020. "The district encompasses the Boroughs of Atlantic Highlands and Highlands. The Board of Education is comprised of five members from Highlands and four members from Atlantic Highlands. They are elected to three_year terms and meet on the third Wednesday of each month for the Regular Board Meeting."
92. School Board Members, Henry Hudson Regional High School. Accessed April 3, 2020.
93. Monmouth County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2010. Accessed July 18, 2014.
94. Route 36 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, updated May 2018. Accessed October 30, 2019.
95. Route 834 schedule, NJ Transit. Accessed August 5, 2012.
96. , NJ Transit, backed up by the Internet Archive as of July 26, 2010. Accessed July 29, 2012.
97. Caldwell, Dave. "A Clam Town, Coming Out of Its Shell - Living In Highlands, N.J.", The New York Times, August 24, 2008. Accessed October 13, 2014.
98. Fares and Schedules SeaStreak. Accessed October 13, 2014.
99. Strauss, Robert. "Best Movie Performance By a Municipality?", The New York Times, March 14, 2004. Accessed November 3, 2017. "In Jersey Girl, which Mr. Smith said has its autobiographical moments, Paulsboro substitutes for Highlands, where Mr. Smith grew up."
100. Severo, Richard. "Gertrude Ederle, the First Woman to Swim Across the English Channel, Dies at 98", The New York Times, December 1, 2003. "Ederele was born Oct. 23, 1905, in New York City, one of four daughters and two sons of Henry Ederle, a butcher and provisioner, and his wife, Anna. Her father owned a summer cottage in Highlands, N.J., and she learned to swim on the Jersey Shore."
101. Staff. "Q&A – Walt Flanagan (Comic Book Men)", AMC. Accessed November 2, 2016. "I knew of him in high school but I didn't speak to him. It was only after he graduated. We both worked at a recreation center in our town, Highlands."
102. Muir, John Kenneth. An Askew View 2: The Films of Kevin Smith, Hal Leonard Corporation, 2012. ISBN 1557837945. Accessed February 6, 2013. "Bryan Johnson, the director of Vulgar (2000) and the actor who portrays comic book snob Steve-Dave in the View Askew universe was born in Highlands and later attended Highlands Elementary and Henry Hudson Regional High School (the latter named after the sea captain who first explored the area in 1609)."
103. via Associated Press. "Judge orders Mewes to finish drug rehab", USA Today, April 2, 2003. Accessed October 17, 2013. "Mewes, a Highlands native now living in Hollywood, Calif., must complete the program before he's allowed to leave New Jersey, Farren said."
104. Smith, Muriel J. "Champion Race Car Driver Still Calls Highlands Home", The Two River Times, October 8, 2015. Accessed October 22, 2020. "Unmarried and still living in Highlands, Montecalvo readily admits racing is still a risky business, but is quick to point out that safety and motorsports have come a long way in the last 10 years."

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Preceded by Sandy Hook

Beaches of New Jersey

Succeeded by Sea Bright