Hillsdale is a borough in the northern portion of Bergen County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, within the New York City metropolitan area. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 10,143, a decrease of 76 (−0.7%) from the 2010 census count of 10,219, which in turn reflected an increase of 132 (+1.3%) from the 10,087 counted in the 2000 census.Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023.

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.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 80. Accessed May 28, 2024. The borough's name derives from its location in a "dale among the hills".Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 1, 2015.

Geography 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%).

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.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."

The borough borders Ho-Ho-Kus, Park Ridge, River Vale, Saddle River, Washington Township, Westwood and Woodcliff Lake.Areas touching Hillsdale, MapIt. Accessed February 24, 2020.Bergen County Map of Municipalities, Bergen County, New Jersey. Accessed February 24, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

As of 2026, the borough is a member of Local Leaders for Responsible Planning in order to address the borough's Mount Laurel doctrine-based housing obligations.

Demographics

Racial and ethnic composition +Hillsdale borough, Bergen County, New Jersey – Racial and ethnic compositionRace / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)Pop 2000Pop 2010Pop 2020% 2000% 2010% 2020White alone (NH)8,9838,5907,86189.06%84.06%77.50%Black or African American alone (NH)86931150.85%0.91%1.13%Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)5830.05%0.08%0.03%Asian alone (NH)5116387425.07%6.24%7.32%Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)4210.04%0.02%0.01%Other race alone (NH)922470.09%0.22%0.46%Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)60722360.59%0.70%2.33%Hispanic or Latino (any race)4297941,1384.25%7.77%11.22%Total10,08710,21910,143 100.00%100.00%100.00%

2020 census As of the 2020 census, Hillsdale had a population of 10,143. The median age was 44.0 years. 22.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 90.8 males.

100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 3,502 households in Hillsdale, of which 37.0% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 68.1% were married-couple households, 9.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 19.4% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 16.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 3,635 housing units, of which 3.7% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 0.7%.

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 10,219 people, 3,493 households, and 2,843 families in the borough. The population density was . There were 3,567 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 89.42% (9,138) White, 1.01% (103) Black or African American, 0.12% (12) Native American, 6.26% (640) Asian, 0.05% (5) Pacific Islander, 2.06% (211) from other races, and 1.08% (110) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.77% (794) of the population.

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. Same-sex couples headed 23 households in 2010, an increase from the 19 counted in 2000.Lipman, Harvy; and Sheingold, Dave. "North Jersey sees 30% growth in same-sex couples", The Record, August 14, 2011, backed up by the Internet Archive as of February 3, 2013. Accessed December 1, 2014.

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.

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.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Hillsdale borough, Bergen County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 15, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 10,087 people, 3,502 households, and 2,850 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 3,547 housing units at an average density of . 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.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Hillsdale borough, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 12, 2013.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Hillsdale borough, Bergen County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 12, 2013.

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.

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.

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. Parks and recreation

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.Stonybrook Swim Club General Information, Borough of Hillsdale. Accessed March 25, 2020. 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.Wyrich, Andrew. "Hillsdale residents rebuild path through Beechwood Park", The Record, July 9, 2014. Accessed April 15, 2015. 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.

Government

Local government