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.[23] The borough's name derives from its location in a "dale among the hills".[24]
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%).[1][2]
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.[25][26]
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.[20]Same-sex couples headed 23 households in 2010, an increase from the 19 counted in 2000.[38]
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.[20]
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.[39]
As of the 2000 United States census[17] there were 10,087 people, 3,502 households, and 2,850 families residing in the borough. The population density was 3,383.2 inhabitants per square mile (1,306.3/km2). There were 3,547 housing units at an average density of 1,189.7 per square mile (459.3/km2). 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.[36][37]
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.[36][37]
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.[36][37]
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.[36][37]
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.[40]
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.[41]
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.
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.[42] 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.[7] 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.[43][44]
As of 2023[update], 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).[3][45][46][47][48][49]
After Douglas Frank resigned due to health issues, the council selected John Ruocco in September 2017 to replace him as mayor for the seat expiring in December 2019. The council chose Zoltan Horvath from three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill Ruocco's vacant council seat expiring December 2017, while Frank Pizzella was selected to serve as council president through the end of the year.[50]
Frank Pizzella was appointed in January 2013 to fill the vacant seat of Michael Giancarlo expiring in December 2013.[51] Giancarlo's resignation in December 2012 was one of five that year, with Anthony DeRosa appointed in January 2012 to fill the seat of Donna Schiavone, Leslie Becker appointed to fill the vacancy of Jonathan DeJoseph when he was named as borough administrator, Frank Pizzella replacing Rod Capawana, and John MacEwen replacing the seat that Leslie Becker had briefly occupied.[52]
Bergen County is governed by a directly elected County Executive, with legislative functions performed by a Board of County Commissioners composed of seven members who are elected at-large to three-year terms in partisan elections on a staggered basis, with either two or three seats coming up for election each November; a Chairman and Vice Chairman are selected from among its seven members at a reorganization meeting held every January. As of 2024[update], the county executive is James J. Tedesco III (D, Paramus), whose four-year term of office ends December 31, 2026.[63]
As of March 2011, there were a total of 7,092 registered voters in Hillsdale, of which 1,694 (23.9% vs. 31.7% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 2,067 (29.1% vs. 21.1%) were registered as Republicans and 3,323 (46.9% vs. 47.1%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 8 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.[85] Among the borough's 2010 Census population, 69.4% (vs. 57.1% in Bergen County) were registered to vote, including 94.5% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 73.7% countywide).[85][86]
In the 2016 presidential election, Republican Donald Trump received 2,836 votes (48.1% vs. 41.1% countywide), ahead of Democrat Hillary Clinton with 2,803 votes (47.6% vs. 54.2%) and other candidates with 252 votes (4.3% vs. 4.6%), among the 5,935 ballots cast by the borough's 7,768 registered voters, for a turnout of 76.4% (vs. 72.5% in Bergen County).[87] In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 2,837 votes (51.2% vs. 43.5% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 2,610 votes (47.1% vs. 54.8%) and other candidates with 48 votes (0.9% vs. 0.9%), among the 5,537 ballots cast by the borough's 7,348 registered voters, for a turnout of 75.4% (vs. 70.4% in Bergen County).[88][89] In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 2,953 votes (50.4% vs. 44.5% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 2,814 votes (48.1% vs. 53.9%) and other candidates with 40 votes (0.7% vs. 0.8%), among the 5,854 ballots cast by the borough's 7,175 registered voters, for a turnout of 81.6% (vs. 76.8% in Bergen County).[90][91] In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 2,982 votes (52.7% vs. 47.2% countywide), ahead of Democrat John Kerry with 2,611 votes (46.2% vs. 51.7%) and other candidates with 48 votes (0.8% vs. 0.7%), among the 5,655 ballots cast by the borough's 6,879 registered voters, for a turnout of 82.2% (vs. 76.9% in the whole county).[92]
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 65.1% of the vote (2,262 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 34.0% (1,183 votes), and other candidates with 0.9% (31 votes), among the 3,536 ballots cast by the borough's 7,185 registered voters (60 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 49.2%.[93][94] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 2,034 votes (52.7% vs. 45.8% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 1,561 votes (40.4% vs. 48.0%), Independent Chris Daggett with 225 votes (5.8% vs. 4.7%) and other candidates with 20 votes (0.5% vs. 0.5%), among the 3,860 ballots cast by the borough's 7,137 registered voters, yielding a 54.1% turnout (vs. 50.0% in the county).[95]
The Hillsdale Police Department has provided police services to the Borough of Hillsdale since 1921.[96] As of 2023, there are a total of 22 members of the department: one chief, one captain, two detectives, 18 officers, in addition to three full-time and seven part-time dispatchers.[96] The HPD is a full-time department funded by taxes. The force is responsible for all aspects of policing in the borough, including responding to fire and medical emergency calls. Each patrol car is equipped with a first aid kit, oxygen tank, and an Automated external defibrillator.
Officers of the Hillsdale Police Department are members of Hillsdale PBA Local 207 of the New Jersey State Policemen's Benevolent Association.
The Hillsdale Fire Department (HFD) is an all-volunteer fire department, started in 1902.[97] The department consists of one chief, one deputy chief, two Captains, and four lieutenants. The department's headquarters is located at 383 Hillsdale Avenue, and houses two pumpers, Engine 27-1 and Engine 27-2; one tower ladder, 27 Truck, and one rescue unit, 27 Rescue. There is also a Fire chief's vehicle and a vehicle for the Assistant Chief. HFD is part of Bergen County Fire Battalion 7, is responsible for fire suppression and rescue services on the stretch of the Garden State Parkway that passes through the Borough (mile markers 167.7-168.4) and dispatching is done by Bergen County Dispatch 'FireComm'
The Hillsdale Volunteer Ambulance Service was established on January 5, 1954. The service is run by six officers: president, vice president, captain, lieutenant, secretary, and treasurer.[98] The HVAS is an all-volunteer independent public emergency medical service. As such, they do not bill for services, and their equipment is not directly paid for by the borough. Funding is provided by donations and support from the borough. The service provides basic life support, and is staffed primarily by certified emergency medical technicians. They have one Type III ambulance, Ambulance 36.
The HVAS is a member of the New Jersey State First Aid Council, the Pascack Valley Volunteer Ambulance Association, and the Pascack Valley Mutual Aid Group, which includes organizations covering eight neighboring municipalities.[99]
The Hillsdale Public Schools serves students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.[100] As of the 2018–19 school year, the district, comprised of three schools, had an enrollment of 1,147 students and 117.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 9.8:1.[101] Schools in the district (with 2018–19 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[102]) are
Ann Blanche Smith School[103] with 317 students in Kindergarten through 4th grade,
Meadowbrook Elementary School[104] with 291 students in grades Pre-K–4 and
George G. White Middle School[105] with 531 students in grades 5–8.[106][107]
Students from the borough, and all of Bergen County, are eligible to attend the secondary education programs offered by the Bergen County Technical Schools, which include the Bergen County Academies in Hackensack, and the Bergen Tech campus in Teterboro or Paramus. The district offers programs on a shared-time or full-time basis, with admission based on a selective application process and tuition covered by the student's home school district.[112][113]
St. John's Academy is a Catholic school serving children in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade and operating under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark.[114] The school began as St. John the Baptist Parish School in 1955, and its current name was adopted in 1997 to reflect its collective sponsorship by St. John the Baptist, Hillsdale; St. Andrew's Church, Westwood; Our Lady Mother of the Church, Woodcliff Lake; St. Gabriel the Archangel, Saddle River; and Our Lady of Good Counsel, Washington Township.[115]
As of May 2010[update], the borough had a total of 47.92 miles (77.12 km) of roadways, of which 38.13 miles (61.36 km) were maintained by the municipality, 9.13 miles (14.69 km) by Bergen County and 0.66 miles (1.06 km) by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.[116]
County Route 503 (Kinderkamack Road) passes through Hillsdale. While the Garden State Parkway passes through Hillsdale, there is no interchange on the parkway within the borough. It is accessible via nearby interchange 168. The main east–west road in Hillsdale is Hillsdale Avenue, running nearly the length of the borough. Other main roads in Hillsdale include Pascack Road, Broadway and Wierimus Road.
^ abBorough 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. "
^Redmon, Kimberly. "United Water to begin dam upgrades in Woodcliff Lake Reservoir", Pascack Valley Community Life, February 28, 2014. Accessed March 18, 2015. "United Water plans to lower Church Road, which is situated above the dam, for additional spillway capacity, as well as widen the narrow roadway. As a result, Church Road, an east–west thoroughfare through Hillsdale, will be closed to traffic from April 1 through Dec. 31, 2015."
^United Water New Jersey, Inc. v. Borough of Hillsdale, Justia. Accessed March 18, 2015. "The relevant facts are essentially undisputed. UWNJ provides water to customers in sixty municipalities in Bergen and Hudson Counties. To do so, UWNJ utilizes, among other facilities, the Woodcliff Lake Reservoir, which is located in Hillsdale and the Borough of Woodcliff Lake ('Woodcliff Lake'). One of the reservoir's structures is a dam across the Pascack Brook, which UWNJ's predecessor, Hackensack Water Company, constructed in 1904. The dam is traversed by Church Road, a private road owned by UWNJ that is subject to use easements held by Hillsdale and Woodcliff Lake."
^Historical Population Trends in Bergen County (1900-2010), Bergen County Department of Planning & Economic Development, 2011. Accessed September 26, 2019. Data for census years prior to the borough's establishment are for Hillsdale Township.
^Carrera, Catherine. "Hillsdale swears in new council member", The Record, September 12, 2017. Accessed September 14, 2017. "Planning Board member Zoltan Horvath was sworn in Tuesday as the borough's new council member, replacing now-Mayor John Ruocco.... Ruocco vacated his council seat after he was chosen by the council last week to take over for Mayor Douglas Frank.... At Tuesday's meeting, the council also voted for Councilman Frank Pizzella to serve as president until the end of the year."
^Redmond, Kimberley. "Frank Pizzella", Pascack Valley Community Life, January 25, 2013. Accessed October 15, 2013. "Former Councilman Frank Pizzella has been selected to fill a vacancy on the Hillsdale Borough Council.... D'Amico, DeRosa and Pizzella were the three nominees presented by the Hillsdale Republican Committee for the council to consider appointing to serve out the remainder of former Councilman Michael Giancarlo's term which will expire in December."
^Redmond, Kimberly. "Hillsdale Council President announces Dec. 31 resignation", Pascack Valley Community Life, December 10, 2012. Accessed December 9, 2013. "Hillsdale Councilman Michael Giancarlo tendered his resignation from office yesterday.... This will be the fifth council resignation in Hillsdale in the last year, however the vacancy will not be filled until next year. In January, Anthony DeRosa was selected to fill a seat left open by former Councilwoman Donna Schiavone, who resigned for personal reasons in late December. In March, Leslie Becker was appointed to former Councilman Jonathan DeJoseph's seat after he stepped down to take the job of Hillsdale's borough administrator/CFO. In May, Rod Capawana, who was elected to office last November, stepped down after he angered members of the Hillsdale Fire Department with a remark during his monthly fire commissioner report regarding the consumption of alcohol at the firehouse. In June, Frank Pizzella was selected to fill Capawana's seat and just two weeks later Becker resigned from her seat, citing personal reasons. Her replacement, John MacEwen was sworn into office in August."
^Biography, Congressman Josh Gottheimer. Accessed January 3, 2019. "Josh now lives in Wyckoff, New Jersey with Marla, his wife who was a federal prosecutor, and their two young children, Ellie and Ben."
^Cattafi, Kristie. "Democrats pick Bergenfield councilman to fill vacancy on Bergen County commissioners board", The Record, March 13, 2023. Accessed March 16, 2023. "A Democratic councilman from Bergenfield will be sworn in as a Bergen County commissioner Wednesday night, filling a vacancy on the governing body for almost 1 million residents. Rafael Marte will serve until Dec. 31, taking on the unexpired term left by former Commissioner Ramon Hache, a Democrat who resigned last week to lead the Ridgewood YMCA as its chief executive officer."
^About Us, Washington Township Ambulance Corps. Accessed December 4, 2014. "WTVAC is a member of the Pascack Valley Mutual Aid Group, which includes the Township of Washington, Westwood, Hillsdale, Emerson, Tri-Boro (Park Ridge, Woodcliff Lake, Montvale), River Vale, and Old Tappan."
^Hillside Board of Education District Bylaw 0110 - Identification, Hillside Public Schools. Accessed May 30, 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 eight in the Hillsdale School District. Composition: The Hillsdale School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Hillsdale."
^Helpful High School Links, George G. White School. Accessed May 30, 2020. "Helpful High School Link Below (To help 8th-grade students & parents prepare for enrollment at Pascack Valley High School)"
^Cooper, Darren. "Archive: Standout Hillsdale gymnast aiming for the top", The Record, April 4, 2017. Accessed April 21, 2021. "Olivia Dunne’s gymnastics journey began as a quest for a 'pink, sparkly leotard.' It might end with an Olympic medal. The 12-year-old Hillsdale resident left today for the U.S. Secret Classic in Chicago, where she will be one of the youngest competitors on hand Saturday."
^James, George. "Up Front: Worth Noting; In Bergen County, Truth in Geography", The New York Times, December 28, 2003. Accessed October 15, 2013. "The toll plaza's official name, however, continued to be Hillsdale. Local legend has it that that was because of the political influence of Marion West Higgins, a former speaker of the State Assembly who happened to live in Hillsdale."
^Staff. "Football; Howard Activated For Giants Practice", The New York Times, December 5, 1991. Accessed March 27, 2016. "Quarterback Jeff Hostetler still has some pain from the three broken bones in his back. He has been cleared to ride a stationary bicycle, and the Giants sent one to his home in Hillsdale, N.J., but his return this season seems unlikely."
^Wood, Gaby. "The quiet American", The Observer, September 10, 2006. Accessed April 10, 2011. "David Remnick was born in 1958 and grew up in Hillsdale, New Jersey, where his father was a dentist and his mother an art teacher."
^"Key to Success Is Taking‘Creative Leaps’", FDU Magazine, Summer / Fall 2006. Accessed November 2, 2017. "'I majored in psych,' he says with a nostalgic chuckle, after describing his early years as the son of a high-fidelity speaker pioneer in Hillsdale, N.J., 'and I think I was very fortunate, because marketing and advertising are all about psychology.'"
^Rexhepi, Adriatik. "Schutz Is Sure Judo Medal’S Within Reach", New York Post, September 12, 2000. Accessed November 23, 2017. " You hear that Celita Schutz is a member of the U.S. Olympic judo team and your first thought is she must be a tomboy tough girl with a chip on her shoulder.... The 32-year old Schutz, who resides in Hillsdale, N.J., is a bright and articulate woman who will be competing in her second Olympics when she takes the floor in Sydney on Sept. 20. In 1996, as the women’s judo team captain in Atlanta, she lost in the first round. This year, she vows, will be different."
^Palmer, Joanne. "Talking to God? Dr. Ben Sommer explains the Shema and other ancient Near Eastern Texts", The Jewish Standard, January 26, 2017. Accessed January 1, 2021. "Dr. Benjamin Sommer of Teaneck, a professor of Bible and ancient Semitic languages, will talk about that and other Jewish issues as scholar in residence at Temple Emanu-el of Closter.... 'Prayer is defined as speaking about or addressing God, so the Shema is not really a prayer,' Dr. Sommer, who grew up in Hillsdale, said."
^Yam, Kimmy. "The Bachelorette Jenn Tran says seeing her Vietnamese family on TV was emotional", NBC News, July 11, 2024. Accessed September 18, 2024. "Tran, who hails from Hillsdale, New Jersey, said she watched the premiere in a bar in New York City’s East Village with several of her friends, many of whom booked flights from across the country to experience the night with her."
^Kerwick, Mike. "Sportswriter's pen is always in play", The Record, June 10, 2007. Accessed July 17, 2012. "But the Hillsdale resident moonlights as an author. Instead of cobbling together 700 frenzied words before deadline turns his column into a pumpkin, Vaccaro had time to weave 85,000 words into a polished narrative. His second book, "1941: The Greatest Year in Sports," hit bookshelves June 5."
^Yannis, Alex. "St. John's Flips Head Over Heels For Title", The New York Times, December 16, 1996. Accessed May 15, 2016. "Jesse Van Saun, a midfielder from Hillsdale, N.J., opened the scoring with a right-footed volley from six yards away, 26 minutes 54 seconds into the game."
^Levine, Cecilia. "Hillsdale Native, 93, Was WWII's 'Last Fighter Pilot'", Pascack Valley Daily Voice, May 28, 2017. Accessed August 28, 2017. "Capt. Jerry Yellin of Hillsdale and his squadron were the ones to drop the last bomb on Japan in April 1945, five months before the end of World War II."
Municipal Incorporations of the State of New Jersey (according to Counties) prepared by the Division of Local Government, Department of the Treasury (New Jersey); December 1, 1958.