Hillside, New Jersey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hillside, New Jersey
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Township
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Woodruff House
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Map of Hillside Township in Union County. Inset: Location of Union County highlighted in the State of New Jersey.
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Census Bureau map of Hillside, New Jersey
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 Hillside, New Jersey
Location in Union County, New Jersey
Hillside, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Hillside, New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  New Jersey |
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| County |  Union |
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| Incorporated | April 29, 1913 | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Faulkner Act (mayor–council) | |
| • Body | Township Council | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 2.78 sq mi (7.20 km2) | |
| • Land | 2.77 sq mi (7.17 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.02 sq mi (0.04 km2) 0.54% | |
| Area rank | 357th of 565 in state 15th of 21 in county |
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| Elevation | 56 ft (17 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 22,456 | |
| • Estimate
(2023)
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21,991 | |
| • Rank | 122nd of 565 in state 11th of 21 in county |
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| • Density | 8,115.6/sq mi (3,133.5/km2) | |
| • Density rank | 48th of 565 in state 5th of 21 in county |
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| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT)) | |
| ZIP Code |
07205
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| Area code(s) | 908 and 973 | |
| FIPS code | 3403931980 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0882211 | |
Hillside is a township located in Union County, in the state of New Jersey. In 2020, about 22,456 people lived here. This was a small increase from the 2010 population.
Hillside became an official township on April 3, 1913. It was formed from parts of Union Township. The name "Hillside" comes from the hills that surround the area. The township uses two main phone area codes: 908 and 973.
Contents
History of Hillside
Hillside was created from land that used to be part of nearby cities like Newark, Elizabeth, and Union. Some of the first farms here belonged to families named Woodruff, Conant, and Saybrook. You can still see their names on local streets today.
The "Comets" and Halley's Comet
Hillside became a township not long after Halley's Comet was seen in 1910. Because of this, the sports teams at Hillside High School are called the "Comets." The high school opened in 1940. Many local businesses also use the name "Comet" for the same reason.
Woodruff House and Historical Society
The Hillside Historical Society started in the 1980s. It is located in the Woodruff House on Conant Street, which is one of the oldest buildings in the township. The Woodruff House and Eaton Store Museum is run by the Historical Society. They bought the house in 1978 and have worked to restore it. This house is special because it shows how buildings changed over three centuries. It includes parts from 1735, 1790, the 1890s, and the 1900s. The society has also added a barn, a museum honoring baseball legend Phil Rizzuto, and an archive for historical documents.
Past Industries and Famous Residents
For many years, Hillside was home to big companies like Bristol-Myers Squibb. Lionel Trains were made in a factory in Hillside from 1929 to 1974. This factory employed up to 2,000 people! The town grew a lot in the 1960s. Many people who worked in factories lived in the central part of town.
A neighborhood called Westminster was home to people who worked in offices. Famous baseball player and broadcaster Phil Rizzuto lived there for most of his life. This area also used to have the private Pingry School for boys. Today, that school's old location is part of Kean University.
Parks and Public Buildings
In the early 1950s, Hillside created Conant Park, which is its largest park. The Elizabeth River runs along one side of the park. Near the park was the home of former Governor Thomas Kean. His family also donated land for Newark Normal College, which later became Kean University. Also in the 1950s, the Town Hall, Police Headquarters, and Municipal Library were built at the corner of Liberty and Hillside Avenues.
Many community groups are active in Hillside. These include Rotary International, Kiwanis, Knights of Columbus, and the Elks. There are also business clubs and different ethnic associations.
Geography and Climate
Hillside covers about 2.78 square miles (7.20 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small amount of water.
Neighboring Towns
Hillside is located in the northern part of Union County. It shares borders with:
- Irvington (to the northwest)
- Newark (to the north and northeast)
- Elizabeth (to the east and southeast)
- Union (to the west)
Local Climate
The climate in Hillside has hot, humid summers. Winters are generally mild to cool. This type of weather is known as a humid subtropical climate.
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1920 | 5,267 | — | |
| 1930 | 17,601 | 234.2% | |
| 1940 | 18,556 | 5.4% | |
| 1950 | 21,007 | 13.2% | |
| 1960 | 22,304 | 6.2% | |
| 1970 | 21,636 | −3.0% | |
| 1980 | 21,440 | −0.9% | |
| 1990 | 21,044 | −1.8% | |
| 2000 | 21,747 | 3.3% | |
| 2010 | 21,404 | −1.6% | |
| 2020 | 22,456 | 4.9% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 21,991 | 2.7% | |
| Population sources: 1920 1920–1930 1940–2000 2000 2010 2020 |
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Population Changes Over Time
The population of Hillside has changed over the years. In 1920, there were about 5,267 people. By 1930, it had grown a lot to 17,601. The population stayed around 21,000 to 22,000 for many decades. In 2020, the population was 22,456.
Diversity in Hillside
Hillside is a diverse community. The 2020 United States census showed that about 50% of residents were Black or African American. About 17% were White, and 23% were Hispanic or Latino. People of Asian, Native American, and other backgrounds also live in Hillside.
Economy
Hillside is part of an Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ). This is a special program in New Jersey designed to help create jobs and encourage businesses. Hillside joined the program in 1996. Businesses in a UEZ can offer a reduced sales tax rate to shoppers. This helps local businesses and the community. Hillside's UEZ status is set to continue until May 2027.
Arts and Culture
Hillside has been home to musical groups. One example is Blanks 77, a street punk band.
Government
How Hillside is Governed
Hillside is run by a Mayor and a seven-member Township Council. This system is called the Mayor-Council form of government. The mayor and council members are elected for four-year terms. Elections happen every two years in November. Four council members represent specific areas called "wards," and three are elected from the township as a whole.
Current Leaders
As of 2025, the Mayor of Hillside is Dahlia O. Vertreese. Her term ends on December 31, 2025. The Township Council members include Council President Craig Epps, Lisa Bonanno, David Feuerstein, Andrea Hyatt, Daryl Joyner, Robert Rios, and Salonia Saxton.
Representation in Government
Hillside is part of the 10th Congressional District for the U.S. House of Representatives. For state government, it is in New Jersey's 28th legislative district.
Education
Public Schools
The Hillside Public Schools serve students from pre-kindergarten all the way through twelfth grade. In the 2018–19 school year, the district had six schools and about 3,123 students. This means there were about 12 students for every teacher.
The schools in the district are:
- Abram P. Morris Early Childhood Center (Pre-K–1)
- Calvin Coolidge Elementary School (Grade 2)
- Hurden Looker School (Grades 3–4)
- George Washington School (Grade 5)
- Walter O. Krumbiegel Middle School (Grades 6–8)
- Hillside High School (Grades 9–12)
Hillside High School was first built in 1941. It replaced the Coe Avenue School, which then became a grammar school. More additions were built in the 1950s and 1960s to handle the growing number of students.
Higher Education
A part of Kean University is located in the Westminster section of Hillside. This area used to be the site of the Pingry School.
Transportation
Roads and Highways
Several major roads and highways pass through Hillside. These include the Garden State Parkway, Interstate 78, U.S. Route 22, New Jersey Route 439, and County Route 509. The Union toll plaza for the Garden State Parkway is located in Hillside.
Public Transportation
NJ Transit offers bus service from Hillside to Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Buses also go to other places in New Jersey. While a train line runs through Hillside, there are no train stations within the township itself. The closest train stations are Union station in Union Township and North Elizabeth station in Elizabeth.
Newark Liberty International Airport is very close to Hillside, about 2 miles (3.2 km) away.
Notable People
Many interesting people have lived in or are connected to Hillside:
- William Bendix (1908–1964), an actor known for films like Lifeboat.
- Neil Best, a sports media journalist for Newsday.
- Clint Bolick (born 1957), a justice on the Arizona Supreme Court.
- Marquis Cunningham (born 1989), a finalist on So You Think You Can Dance.
- Michael V. Gazzo (1923–1995), a playwright and actor who was nominated for an Academy Award.
- David Jones (born 1968), a former NFL tight end.
- Marc Leepson (born 1945), a journalist and historian.
- Kyle Lofton (born 1999), a college basketball player.
- Rollie Massimino (1934–2017), a college basketball coach who led Villanova to a championship.
- Jerron McMillian (born 1989), a former NFL safety.
- Mr. Len (Leonard "Lenny" Smythe), a hip-hop artist.
- Adrienne A. Mandel (born 1936), a politician who served in the Maryland House of Delegates.
- Jamar McGloster (born 1995), a professional gridiron football player.
- Xavier Munford (born 1992), a basketball player.
- Kendall Ogle (born 1976), a former NFL player.
- Robert Parham (born 1966), a former World Kickboxing Champion and actor.
- Alan Paul (born 1949), a member of the music group The Manhattan Transfer.
- Rachid (born 1979), a singer-songwriter.
- Tab Ramos (born 1966), a famous footballer who played for the United States in the World Cup.
- Nicholas Reale (1922–1984), a watercolorist and teacher.
- Phil Rizzuto (1917–2007), a Hall of Fame baseball player and broadcaster.
- Ralph H. Spanjer (1920–1999), a U.S. Marine Corps major general.
- Marquis Spruill (born 1991), a football linebacker.
- Dan Studney (born 1941), a former track and field athlete who won a gold medal at the Pan American Games.
- Tame One (born 1970 as Rahem Brown), a hip-hop artist.
- Jeff Tittel, an environmentalist.
- UNIIQU3 (stage name of Cherise Alexandria Gary), a music producer and artist.
- Harry Wilf (1921–1992), co-founder of a real estate company.
- Joseph Wilf (1925–2016), co-founder of a real estate company.
- Zygi Wilf (born 1950), a real estate developer and owner of the NFL's Minnesota Vikings.
- Hela Young (1950–2002), Miss New Jersey 1971 and a TV host.
- Dick Zimmer (born 1944), a former member of the United States House of Representatives.
Evergreen Cemetery
Hillside is home to Evergreen Cemetery. This cemetery is known as the burial site for many Roma families. It is also the resting place of several famous writers, including:
- Stephen Crane, who wrote The Red Badge of Courage
- Mary Mapes Dodge, who wrote Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates
- Edward Stratemeyer, who created popular book series like the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew
Hillside in Pop Culture
- Hip hop artist Lauryn Hill mentions Hillside in her album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. In her song "Every Ghetto, Every City," she sings about growing up in New Jersey.
- The 1978 film King of the Gypsies was partly filmed in Hillside.
- The Rat Slayer of Hillside, NJ is a documentary about a Hillside resident.
See also
In Spanish: Hillside (Nueva Jersey) para niños
