Highlands, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Highlands
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| Town of Highlands | |
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Location in Orange County and the state of New York.
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 Highlands
Location in New York
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Orange |
| Government
(as of 2013)
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| • Type | Town Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 33.46 sq mi (86.65 km2) |
| • Land | 30.40 sq mi (78.73 km2) |
| • Water | 3.06 sq mi (7.93 km2) 9.15% |
| Elevation | 1,017 ft (310 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 12,939 |
| • Density | 425.67/sq mi (164.35/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| FIPS code | 36-34550 |
| GNIS feature ID | 979067 |
Highlands is a town located in Orange County, New York. It sits right on the eastern edge of the county. In 2020, about 12,939 people lived there. A very important place in Highlands is West Point. This is where the famous United States Military Academy is located, right next to the Hudson River.
Contents
Highlands: A Look at Its Past
Highlands was first settled around 1725. A person named John Moore was one of the first to claim land here. During the American Revolution, American soldiers built two forts. These were Fort Montgomery and Fort Clinton. Their goal was to stop enemy ships from moving up the river. Highlands officially became a town in 1872. It was created from a part of the town of Cornwall. This makes it one of the newer towns in Orange County.
Where is Highlands?
Highlands is located at coordinates 41°21′36″N 74°00′30″W. It is about 1,017 feet (310 meters) above sea level. In 2020, the town covered a total area of about 33.46 square miles (86.65 square kilometers). Most of this area, 30.40 square miles (78.73 square kilometers), is land. The rest, 3.06 square miles (7.93 square kilometers), is water.
The southern border of Highlands touches Rockland County. The eastern border is the Hudson River, which separates it from Putnam County. Important roads that run north and south through Highlands include US-9W and NY-218. Another road, NY-293, crosses these roads west of the military academy.
Who Lives in Highlands?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 3,404 | — | |
| 1890 | 4,099 | 20.4% | |
| 1900 | 4,519 | 10.2% | |
| 1910 | 6,133 | 35.7% | |
| 1920 | 6,136 | 0.0% | |
| 1930 | 7,057 | 15.0% | |
| 1940 | 9,307 | 31.9% | |
| 1950 | 10,467 | 12.5% | |
| 1960 | 11,990 | 14.6% | |
| 1970 | 14,661 | 22.3% | |
| 1980 | 14,004 | −4.5% | |
| 1990 | 13,667 | −2.4% | |
| 2000 | 12,484 | −8.7% | |
| 2010 | 12,492 | 0.1% | |
| 2020 | 12,939 | 3.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
The population of Highlands has changed over the years. In 2000, there were 12,484 people living in the town. These people lived in 3,230 households. About 43.8% of these households had children under 18 living there. Many families were married couples living together.
The age of people in Highlands is quite interesting. About 22.8% of the population was under 18 years old. A large group, 32.1%, was between 18 and 24 years old. This is because of the United States Military Academy at West Point. Many young adults attend the Academy. The median age in Highlands was 23 years old. This means half the people were younger than 23 and half were older.
Exploring Communities and Landmarks in Highlands
Highlands is home to several interesting communities and natural spots:
- Bear Mountain State Park – A part of this large state park is located on the southern border of the town. It's a great place for outdoor activities.
- Crow's Nest – This is a high point of land near the northern border of Highlands.
- Fort Montgomery – A small community located right on the bank of the Hudson River. It's named after the historic fort.
- Gees Point – This is a piece of land that sticks out into the Hudson River, close to West Point village.
- Highland Falls – This is a village located in the eastern part of the town, also along the Hudson River.
- Palisades Interstate Park – Another part of this park is found near the southern town line.
- West Point – This is a community on the Hudson River. It is just north of the famous West Point military academy.
Learning in Highlands: Schools and Education
Most students in Highlands attend schools in the Highland Falls-Fort Montgomery Central School District. However, a small part of the southwest area is in the Haverstraw-Stony Point Central School District (North Rockland).
- High Schools:
- Students in the Highland Falls-Fort Montgomery area go to James I. O'Neill High School.
- Students in the North Rockland part attend North Rockland High School.
The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) runs elementary and middle schools. These schools are for children of military families living on the West Point base. However, high school students from military families on base go to O'Neill High School. This agreement with O'Neill High School was renewed in March 2022.
There used to be a private Catholic school in Highland Falls called Sacred Heart of Jesus School. It taught students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. This school opened in 1930 but closed in 2011.
See also
In Spanish: Highlands (Nueva York) para niños
