Short Hills is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP)State of New Jersey Census Designated Places - BVP20 - Data as of January 1, 2020, United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 30, 2023.State of New Jersey Census Designated Places - BVP20 - Data as of January 1, 2020, United States Census Bureau. Accessed December 27, 2022. situated within Millburn, in Essex County, within the U.S. state of New Jersey, and part of the New York metropolitan area.New Jersey: 2010 - Population and Housing Unit Counts - 2010 Census of Population and Housing (CPH-2-32), United States Census Bureau, August 2012. Accessed October 17, 2012.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed April 19, 2015. The community is a commuter town for residents who work in Manhattan.Caldwell, Dave. "Schools, Shops and Transit, in a Pretty Package", The New York Times, March 8, 2012. Accessed March 18, 2024. "Stewart Hartshorn, a 19th-century tycoon who made his fortune making spring roller shades, clearly did not have a giant mall with Bulgari, Fendi and Dior in mind when he began to buy about 1,500 acres in Essex County with the idea of creating a comfortable commuter suburb." As of the 2020 census, the CDP's population was 14,422.
In the Forbes magazine's rankings of the Most Expensive ZIP Codes in the United States, Short Hills was listed among the top 100 nationwide, coming in 66th in 2006 (with a median sale price of $1,200,000) and 67th in 2012 (median of $1,951,846)."Most expensive ZIP codes 2006: New Jersey", Forbes, April 24, 2006. Accessed September 17, 2013.Brennan, Morgan. "Most Expensive ZIP Codes: 2012", Forbes, October 16, 2012. Accessed February 19, 2020. The median household income in Short Hills, according to the United States Census Bureau, exceeded $250,000 in the period from 2018-2022, while per capita income, as of the 2020 United States Census, was $153,124.
Short Hills is home to the upscale Mall at Short Hills, also known as the Short Hills Mall, located near affluent communities in neighboring Morris and Union counties along the Passaic River.
History
18th century The area that became Short Hills was initially part of Springfield Township, and its eponymous hills are thought to have played a role in the movement of the Continental Army under George Washington during the Battle of Springfield (June 23, 1780). While troops may have been present in the area, the Battle of Short Hills (June 26, 1777) took place in Scotch Plains and Metuchen.
Short Hills began as a planned community when Stewart Hartshorn, who became wealthy from developing, perfecting, and manufacturing the self-acting shade roller, purchased of land in the township of Millburn, near the present Hobart Avenue, Parsonage Hill Road, and Chatham Road. Hartshorn intended to create "a harmonious community for people who appreciated nature," and "where natural beauty would not be destroyed by real estate developments, and where people of congenial tastes could dwell together." He later increased his land holdings to for himself and for the whole village, with each plot not owned by Hartshorn being no larger than 1/2 acre.Ranieri, Lynne. "Local History: The Founding Family of Short Hills", Millburn-Short Hills, NJ Patch, September 21, 2009. Accessed May 22, 2022.
Hartshorn chose the name "Short Hills" because it reflected the topography of the region, and also because the local Lenape Native Americans used that same name to describe the region. One local resident suggested that he call his village "Hartshornville," but he refused, quietly content with Short Hills sharing his initials.
19th century
Hartshorn situated his ideal town near enough to a railroad to allow for an easy commute to Hoboken and, from there, to New York City. Hence, his decision in 1879 to build, at his own expense, a railroad station along the original Morris and Essex Railroad line. He also persuaded the United States Post Office to open a branch in his new railroad station in 1880, and in fact, the Post Office has always had a presence in Short Hills from that day, as well as its own ZIP Code, 07078.
Hartshorn deliberately preserved strips of land along the railroad right-of-way from any development west of Old Short Hills Road. These strips separate Hobart Avenue to the north, and Chatham Road to the south, from the railway line. The only structure that has ever stood directly adjacent to the line is the railroad station.
20th century In 1944, the Hartshorn family also donated Crescent Park to the township of Millburn, directly across from the station, with the stipulation that the park always remain open to the public.
After 17 houses were erected, Hartshorn turned his attention to other common elements, including a music hall, which later became the Short Hills Racquets Club.
Stewart Hartshorn died in 1937 at the age of 97. His daughter Cora survived him, wrote her own history of the hamlet, and helped establish the Arboretum that bears her name.Meisner, Marian. A History of Millburn Township., Millburn, NJ: Millburn-Short Hills Historical Society and Millburn Free Public Library, 2002.
In 1968, Temple B'nai Jeshurun relocated from Newark to a site in Short Hills. It is the oldest Reform Jewish congregation in New Jersey and, with 1,100 member families, was one of the largest Jewish congregations in the state at the time of the move. Most of the property was purchased from Congressman Robert Kean, father of future New Jersey governor Thomas Kean. The land had originally been given to Kean's family by King George III.Strunsky, Steve. "On the Map; A Plot of Land, From King George III to a Short Hills Synagogue", The New York Times, September 27, 1998. Accessed July 22, 2016. "And Kean happened to have a tract of land in Livingston and Short Hills, which was given to his family by King George III of England. Kean sold it to the congregation for $10,000 an acre, which was much lower than what it was valued at."Honig, Milton. "Newark Temple Plans to Move To Suburb, Following Members", The New York Times, October 8, 1961. Accessed July 22, 2016.
In 1975, the Millburn-Short Hills Historical Society was formed in conjunction with the American Bicentennial celebrations. The opening of the Kearny Connection in 1996, establishing direct rail service to Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan, enhanced real-estate values immensely.
21st century
In 2001, the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center opened in Short Hills.
In 2011, the historic Greenwood Gardens opened to the public. Covering , it is one of sixteen garden preservation projects in the United States that is overseen by the Garden Conservancy.Grimes, William. "A Riotous Ramble, Reborn in Suburbia|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/26/nyregion/greenwood-gardens-in-short-hills-nj.html", The New York Times, August 8, 2016. Accessed July 16, 2024. "Few remain, but one, Greenwood Gardens, has been lifted from decades of decay and decrepitude to live a second life as a public park and cultural center.... In one fell swoop, the tightly packed suburban mosaic of northern New Jersey gets a natural windfall. Greenwood Gardens sprawls over 28 acres that run right up against the extensive South Mountain Reservation, preserving the sense of total isolation from the human herd.... Greenwood is one of 16 garden preservation projects in the United States overseen by the conservancy."
In 2002, local residents planted a memorial tree on the grounds of the railroad station, to honor those of their neighbors who died in the attacks on September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. A public 9/11 memorial at Crescent Park near the Short Hills train station was dedicated in 2021 to mark the 20th anniversary of the attack; Designed by a local artist and made up of 420 steel rings to commemorate the first responders and eight Millburn residents who were killed, the memorial includes two pieces of steel retrieved from the World Trade Center.Camp, Jessica. "Millburn Township Unveils 9/11 Memorial at Crescent Park on Saturday, November 13, 2021", TAPinto Millburn / Short Hills, November 11, 2021. Accessed July 16, 2024. "The Township of Millburn is pleased to announce the unveiling of its 20th Anniversary September 11th memorial public art piece on Saturday, November 13, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at Crescent Park, located across from the Short Hills Train Station. The piece was commissioned by the Township of Millburn and designed by local Essex County artist Sarah Langsam. The 20th Anniversary September 11th Memorial features two pieces of steel recovered from Ground Zero. Surrounding these artifacts are 420 rings commemorating the 412 first responders and eight Millburn townspeople who lost their lives in the attacks."
The median family income was over $200,000 in the 2010 census,Fact Sheet for Zip Code Tabulation Area 07078 , United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 25, 2007. and as of the 2020 census, exceeded $250,000. Dun & Bradstreet has its headquarters in Short Hills.About Us. Dun & Bradstreet. Accessed October 1, 2012. "HQ info: 103 John F Kennedy Parkway Short Hills, NJ 07078"
Short Hills remains a part of the Township of Millburn, and has been a part of it since its inception. Short Hills has its own railroad station and post office branch that are part of a downtown business area that is smaller than downtown Millburn.Cheslow, Jerry. "If You're Thinking of Living In/Millburn Township, N.J.; A Town Where Both Halves Live Well", The New York Times, July 16, 2000. Accessed July 16, 2024. Located along Chatham Road near the Short Hills station, it includes a pharmacy, small eateries, and specialty shops. The train station waiting room operates as a bar and grill during the evening hours and a newsstand and ticket agent are present from early morning hours until noon.
Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Short Hills had a total area of 5.211 square miles (13.497 km2), including 5.196 square miles (13.459 km2) of land and 0.015 square miles (0.039 km2) of water (0.29%).US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 4, 2014.
Climate The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally cool to cold winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Short Hills has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfa" on climate maps.Climate Summary for Short Hills, New Jersey
Demographics
According to Forbes magazine, the median income in Short Hills is $229,222 (2016).
Short Hills first appeared as a census designated place in the 2010 U.S. census formed from part of the deleted whole-township Millford CDP.
Racial and ethnic composition +Short Hills CDP, New Jersey – Racial and ethnic compositionRace / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)Pop 2010Pop 2020% 2010% 2020White alone (NH)10,4498,13879.37%56.43%Black or African American alone (NH)1211960.92%1.36%Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)000.00%0.00%Asian alone (NH)2,0334,96015.44%34.39%Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)210.02%0.01%Other race alone (NH)13920.10%0.64%Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)2315781.75%4.01%Hispanic or Latino (any race)3164572.40%3.17%Total13,16514,422 100.00%100.00%
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, Short Hills had a population of 14,422. The median age was 41.0 years. 31.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 11.8% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 97.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 93.9 males age 18 and over.
100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.