Highlands, New Jersey

```mediawiki Highlands, New Jersey, is a historic borough located in Monmouth County, situated on the northern tip of the Bayshore region along Sandy Hook Bay. Known for its natural beauty, rich maritime history, and strategic location near New York City, Highlands has long served as a crossroads for cultural and economic exchange. The area's unique blend of coastal landscapes, historic sites, and proximity to urban centers has made it a significant part of New Jersey's heritage. From its role in the American Revolution and its identity as a 19th-century fishing and resort community to its resilience following Hurricane Sandy in 2012, Highlands continues to reflect the evolving story of the region.

History

Highlands' history dates back to the early 17th century, when the area was inhabited by the Lenape people, who used the Navesink River and surrounding waterways as vital resources for sustenance and trade. European settlers arrived in the 17th century, with the first permanent European settlements established in the 1660s and 1670s by Dutch colonists who recognized the strategic value of the high bluffs overlooking Sandy Hook Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. The area became a key location during the American Revolution, as the Twin Lights of Navesink atop the Highlands of Navesink provided a commanding vantage point for monitoring naval and troop movements between New York and the New Jersey coast. Both British and American forces recognized the strategic importance of the elevated terrain, which offered some of the highest points along the entire Atlantic seaboard.

In the 19th century, Highlands grew into a thriving center for commercial fishing, oystering, and steamboat trade. The Shrewsbury River and Sandy Hook Bay supported a robust fishing industry, and the borough became a popular summer resort destination for visitors arriving by steamboat from New York City. The Twin Lights of Navesink, rebuilt in their current brownstone form in 1862, served as one of the most powerful lighthouses in the United States and were the first in the country to use Fresnel lenses, guiding countless vessels into New York Harbor. The 20th century saw the area transition from a seasonal resort and fishing economy toward a more permanent residential community, with ongoing efforts to preserve its historic character. Today, Highlands is recognized for its commitment to maintaining its historical legacy while adapting to modern needs, as reflected in the work of local preservation organizations and the Borough government.

One of the most transformative events in the borough's recent history was Hurricane Sandy, which made landfall on October 29, 2012, and caused catastrophic damage to Highlands. The storm surge inundated much of the low-lying borough, destroying or severely damaging hundreds of homes and businesses. Recovery efforts spanned several years and reshaped the community's approach to flood mitigation, infrastructure, and long-term resilience planning. The experience of Sandy remains a defining chapter in Highlands' modern history and continues to inform municipal policy and community development decisions.

Geography

Highlands is situated in the northeastern corner of Monmouth County, bordered by Sandy Hook Bay to the east and the Shrewsbury River to the west and south, with Atlantic Highlands to the southwest. Its topography is among the most dramatic on the New Jersey coast, characterized by steep bluffs rising sharply from the shoreline to elevations of approximately 200 feet above sea level — the highest natural elevation along the entire Atlantic coast between Maine and Florida. This distinctive terrain gives the borough its name and provides panoramic views of Sandy Hook Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, and the skyline of New York City on clear days.

The Shrewsbury River, which forms a significant portion of the borough's western and southern boundary, has historically been a vital waterway for transportation, commerce, and fishing. Today, it remains a focal point for recreational boating and environmental conservation efforts, with several protected tidal wetland areas along its banks. The borough's northern shore along Sandy Hook Bay connects directly to the Gateway National Recreation Area at Sandy Hook, a federally protected barrier beach managed by the National Park Service that draws hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. Highlands' position between the bay, the river, and the open ocean has shaped every aspect of its development, from early settlement patterns to modern recreational and economic opportunities.

Culture

Highlands' cultural identity is a blend of maritime tradition and contemporary community life, shaped by its location along the Jersey Shore and its close ties to New York City. The community has long maintained a strong connection to the sea, and fishing culture — including the legacy of commercial clamming, oystering, and fin fishing — remains an important part of local identity. Annual events celebrate the area's heritage and foster a sense of community, drawing visitors from across the region.

The influence of nearby New York City is evident in Highlands' arts and dining scene, which includes waterfront restaurants, galleries, and venues that cater to both local and metropolitan audiences. At the same time, the area's coastal character has preserved traditions rooted in its maritime past. This duality — between the rhythms of a small shore community and the gravitational pull of the New York metropolitan area — defines Highlands' cultural landscape, making it a distinctive part of New Jersey's broader heritage.

Notable Residents

Highlands has been home to several individuals who have made notable contributions to their fields. The borough's maritime and coastal character attracted artists, writers, and scientists who found inspiration in its landscapes and waterways. Local figures in the fishing industry, municipal government, and community organizations have shaped the borough's development over generations, and their contributions are documented in part through local historical collections and municipal records.

Economy

The economy of Highlands has evolved significantly over the centuries, reflecting the changing needs and opportunities of a coastal community. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the area was a center for commercial fishing, oystering, and the resort trade, with steamboat excursions from New York City bringing seasonal visitors who patronized local hotels, restaurants, and recreational establishments along the waterfront. The fishing industry, centered on Sandy Hook Bay and the Shrewsbury River, remained a cornerstone of the local economy well into the 20th century.

Today, the local economy is more diversified, with a strong emphasis on tourism, hospitality, recreational boating, and small businesses. The proximity to New York City — accessible via a fast ferry connection — has made Highlands an attractive destination for day-trippers and weekend visitors, supporting a waterfront dining and entertainment district. Local businesses, ranging from seafood restaurants to bait and tackle shops and boutique retail, play a vital role in the community's economic vitality. The borough's ongoing recovery and redevelopment following Hurricane Sandy has also brought new investment and infrastructure improvements to the commercial corridor along Bay Avenue.

Municipal employees reached a significant labor milestone in early 2026, when workers at the Borough of Highlands ratified a new union contract, reflecting ongoing efforts to maintain stable and fair employment conditions within local government operations.

Attractions

Highlands is home to a variety of attractions that draw both residents and visitors. Among the most significant is the Twin Lights State Historic Site, which preserves the twin-towered Navesink lighthouse completed in 1862 atop the Highlands of Navesink. The site offers a museum dedicated to the history of the lighthouse, the life-saving service, and the region's maritime heritage, as well as sweeping views of Sandy Hook Bay and, on clear days, the Manhattan skyline. The Twin Lights are recognized as a National Historic Landmark and remain one of the most visited heritage sites on the Jersey Shore.

Immediately to the north of the borough lies the Gateway National Recreation Area at Sandy Hook, a unit of the National Park Service that encompasses a seven-mile barrier peninsula featuring ocean beaches, historic Fort Hancock, a Coast Guard station, and ecologically sensitive dune and maritime forest habitats. Sandy Hook draws hundreds of thousands of visitors annually and serves as one of the primary natural recreation destinations for the New York metropolitan area. The waterfront along Bay Avenue in Highlands itself features marinas, fishing piers, and seafood restaurants that take advantage of the borough's direct access to Sandy Hook Bay. Recreational fishing — both from shore and by charter boat — is a central attraction for visitors throughout the warmer months.

Transportation

Highlands is accessible by several transportation modes that connect it to the broader New York metropolitan area. State Route 36 is the primary road corridor serving the borough, running along the bayshore and connecting Highlands to the Garden State Parkway to the west and to Sandy Hook to the north. The Garden State Parkway provides direct highway access to destinations throughout Monmouth County, the Shore region, and points north toward Newark and New York.

One of the most notable transportation links serving Highlands is the Seastreak ferry service, which operates high-speed passenger ferries between the Highlands waterfront and Pier 11 / Wall Street and East 35th Street in Manhattan. The ferry makes Highlands one of the closer Jersey Shore communities to Midtown Manhattan by travel time, a fact that has shaped the borough's appeal to commuters and day visitors alike. New Jersey Transit also provides bus service connecting Highlands to regional transit hubs, and the closest major rail connections are available at the Red Bank and Long Branch stations on the North Jersey Coast Line. The closest major airports are Newark Liberty International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport, both accessible via car or connecting transit.

Neighborhoods

Highlands is a compact borough whose character shifts noticeably between its elevated bluff areas and its low-lying waterfront zones. The waterfront district along Bay Avenue and its immediate surroundings forms the commercial and social heart of the community, featuring restaurants, marinas, and small retail establishments that face directly onto Sandy Hook Bay. This area was among the hardest hit by Hurricane Sandy and has undergone substantial reconstruction and elevation work in the years since the storm.

The residential neighborhoods climbing up the Highlands bluffs offer a markedly different character, with older homes and cottages set along winding streets that rise steeply from the water's edge. These elevated areas largely escaped the worst of Sandy's flood damage and retain much of their historic residential character. The highest portions of the borough, near the Twin Lights and Hartshorne Woods County Park — which abuts the borough to the west — provide access to trails and open space managed by the Monmouth County Park System, offering wooded hiking terrain that contrasts sharply with the open waterfront below.

Education

Highlands is served by the Highlands Borough School District, which provides public elementary education to local students. For secondary education, students from Highlands typically attend Henry Hudson Regional School, which serves several Bayshore communities in northern Monmouth County. Henry Hudson Regional High School is known for its academic programs and its position as a community institution for the cluster of small municipalities along the Bayshore. The district has worked to maintain educational quality while navigating the challenges of a small, post-Sandy community whose population and tax base were significantly affected by storm-related displacement and recovery costs.

For higher education, nearby institutions including Brookdale Community College in Lincroft and Monmouth University in West Long Branch provide opportunities for students in the region seeking undergraduate and graduate programs. These educational resources contribute to Highlands' identity as a community that, despite its small size, maintains meaningful connections to broader regional academic and professional networks.

Demographics

As of the most recent United States Census data, Highlands Borough has a population of approximately 4,849 residents, reflecting its character as a small, tight-knit coastal community. The borough's population has fluctuated in the years since Hurricane Sandy, as some long-time residents relocated permanently following the storm's destruction while others chose to rebuild and return. The community is characterized by a mix of long-time multigenerational families with deep roots in the fishing and maritime trades, newer arrivals drawn by the waterfront lifestyle and ferry access to New York City, and seasonal residents who maintain second homes in the area.

The racial and ethnic composition of Highlands reflects broader demographic patterns in northern Monmouth County, with a population that is predominantly White, alongside growing Hispanic and Latino communities. Household income levels vary considerably across the borough, reflecting the economic diversity of a community that includes both working waterfront families and higher-income commuter households. The median age and household composition data collected through the American Community Survey provide additional detail on the borough's demographic profile and its evolution over time.

Government

Highlands operates under the borough form of municipal government, with a mayor and a six-member borough council elected by residents. The mayor-council structure is the standard form of government for boroughs throughout New Jersey, with the mayor serving as the chief executive and the council exercising legislative authority over municipal affairs. The Borough of Highlands maintains a range of public services including a police department, public works department, and municipal court. The Highlands Police Department plays an active role in community engagement and public safety communications, maintaining regular contact with residents through social media and community outreach.

Municipal governance in Highlands has been closely tied to the ongoing work of post-Sandy recovery and resilience planning, with the mayor's office and council working alongside county, state, and federal partners on flood mitigation, infrastructure elevation, and hazard mitigation grant programs. The borough's official website and mayor's office provide regular updates on municipal initiatives, capital projects, and community programs. ```