Atlantic Highlands is a borough in Monmouth County in the U.S. state of New Jersey, in the Bayshore Region. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 4,414, an increase of 29 (+0.7%) from the 2010 census count of 4,385, which in turn reflected a decline of 320 (−6.8%) from the 4,705 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.

Atlantic Highlands contains Mount Mitchill, the highest point on the eastern seaboard south of Maine, rising above sea level.Mount Mitchill Scenic Overlook, Monmouth County, New Jersey Park System. Accessed July 17, 2011. "At 266 feet, this overlook in Atlantic Highlands sits on the highest natural elevation on the Atlantic seaboard (excluding islands) from Maine to the Yucatan providing beautiful views of Sandy Hook, Sandy Hook Bay, Raritan Bay and the New York skyline." The borough's name comes from its location overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed August 27, 2015.

Atlantic Highlands was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 28, 1887, from portions of Middletown Township, based on the results of a referendum held that day. The borough was reincorporated on September 1, 1891.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606–1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 178. Accessed May 1, 2026.

Atlantic Highlands was part of the Bayshore Regional Strategic Plan, an effort by nine municipalities in northern Monmouth County to reinvigorate the area's economy by emphasizing the traditional downtowns, dense residential neighborhoods, maritime history, and the natural beauty of the Raritan Bayshore coastline. The plan has since been integrated into the county's 2016 Master Plan.2016 Monmouth County Master Plan, Monmouth County, New Jersey, adopted October 17, 2016. Accessed September 17, 2023.

History

The town overlooks where the Atlantic Ocean and Raritan Bay meet at Sandy Hook, and its hills mark the highest point on the eastern seaboard of the U.S.Rounds, Kate. "The Shore Next Door" Palisade magazine; Summer 2010; Pages 38–39 south of Maine.

For hundreds of years, the original inhabitants were the Lenape, who lived in and along the cliffs and creeks of Atlantic Highlands. The Lenape traded with the Europeans and sold a group of English settlers an area that covered the entire peninsula that was named Portland Poynt. The area was laid out with 10 lots in 1667, making them the first European residents of present-day Atlantic Highlands.Nash, Margo. "ON THE MAP; In a Detective Tale Involving a Town's Birth, the Clue Was Framed", The New York Times, September 17, 2000. Accessed July 17, 2011. "On Dec. 14, 1667, the first Europeans to settle in what is today Atlantic Highlands decided to lay out 10 lots in an area they called Portland Poynt on the Navesink peninsula.... Paul Boyd, a Ph.D. candidate in cultural geography at Rutgers University who is the historian of the Atlantic Highlands Historical Society and chairman of the Atlantic Highlands Environmental Commission, worked on the problem for five years."

Colonists convened the first Assembly of New Jersey in 1667 in what is now Atlantic Highlands.Atlantic Highlands, Highlands and Sandy Hook: A brief history, Asbury Park Press, May 17, 2001, accessed April 15, 2007. During Revolutionary War years, loyalists to the British crown and patriots of the new America clashed in repeated raids and counterattacks across these lands. Retreating English troops passed through after their defeat in 1778 by George Washington at the Battle of Monmouth.

During the late 1800s, the many farms were subdivided by resort developers, church groups and builders who created the Victorian core of the borough, attracting thousands of visitors and year-round residents.

In 1879, a surveyor was engaged to lay roads and lots for a permanent community. The Atlantic Highlands Association was formed by prominent members of the Methodist Church. This organization developed the community of Atlantic Highlands.History, Borough of Atlantic Highlands. Accessed January 23, 2025. "In 1879, a surveyor was engaged to lay our roads and lots for a permanent community. The Atlantic Highlands Association was formed by prominent members of the Methodist Church. This organization developed the community of Atlantic Highlands.... And, anyone who bought the Sunday Daily News in the forties and fifties recalls a full page of cartoons in the comic section created for many years by resident artist, Reamer Keller."

Individuals and groups came from New York City and the surrounding vicinity to camp along the water in tent colonies. An outdoor amphitheater was created with a large seating capacity and outstanding acoustics. An indoor auditorium was built, which was utilized for entertaining visitors at the camp meetings. In 1887, Atlantic Highlands was incorporated as a borough, containing of land bordering on the Raritan Bay.

Major construction occurred from the 1880s through 1900. It included hotels, cottages, rooming houses, and private homes. A pier was built extending well into the bay to accommodate steamboats from New York City. The next twenty years saw rapid development within the community. A water and sewer system was constructed, cottages were erected, and the road system was completed. During this period of development a fire department was organized.

A number of churches saw their beginning in the 1880s: the Central Baptist, First Presbyterian, Saint Agnes Roman Catholic, First Methodist, and Saint Paul Baptist Church.

Atlantic Highlands became a haven for bootleggers during the Prohibition era.

Steamer service was the most important transport during the formation of the borough, and continued through the 1940s. In the 1890s, rail service came to Atlantic Highlands. This opened up Highlands and points south to vacationers. The 1920s saw 26 passenger trains daily passing through the borough. The Central Railroad of New Jersey built a major pier at the end of First Avenue. Several trains at a time could continue to the end of the pier to offload steamboat passengers. From the 1910s through the 1940s, the steamers Sandy Hook and the Monmouth navigated the waters bringing businessmen and vacationers to Atlantic Highlands.

The Manhattan skyline can be seen from the borough's ridges and its shoreline. Pleasure, fishing and commuter boats sail from its harbor. The municipal harbor was built from 1938 through 1940 with municipal, state, and federal funds. It is the largest on the East Coast, home to 715 craft, including high-speed ferry service to New York City, which was introduced in 1986.Sauchelli, Dana; Fermino, Jennifer; and Sanderson, Bill. "Seastreak captains worried over crash ferry's new propulsion system", New York Post, January 10, 2013. Accessed August 23, 2013. "Seastreak began ferry service between Atlantic Highlands, NJ, and Manhattan in 1986." In 1966, the Central Railroad of New Jersey pier was destroyed by fire. Its rail route is now used by the Henry Hudson Trail.Henry Hudson Trail, Monmouth County, New Jersey Park System. Accessed August 23, 2013.

The bungalows on the East Side of the borough, which were summer bungalows in the 1920s, are now occupied year-round. Portland Pointe as a five-story residence for senior citizens.

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 4.56 square miles (11.82 km2), including 1.26 square miles (3.27 km2) of land and 3.30 square miles (8.54 km2) of water (72.35%).

The township borders the Monmouth County communities of Highlands and Middletown Township.Areas touching Atlantic Highlands, MapIt. Accessed March 7, 2020.Regional Location Map, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Accessed March 7, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the borough include Brevent Park, Hillside, Hilton, Hilton Park, Navesink and Stone Church.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 22, 2015.

Atlantic Highlands has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa) and average monthly temperatures range from in January to in July.Time Series Values for Individual Locations, Oregon State University. Accessed May 9, 2023. The hardiness zone is 7a or 7b depending upon elevation.

Demographics

2020 census As of the 2020 census, Atlantic Highlands had a population of 4,414. The median age was 48.8 years. 17.6% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 92.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 91.7 males age 18 and over.

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

There were 1,949 households in Atlantic Highlands, of which 22.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 48.1% were married-couple households, 18.3% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 28.1% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 32.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 2,092 housing units, of which 6.8% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.8%.

+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census Race Number Percent White 3,829 86.7% Black or African American 54 1.2% American Indian and Alaska Native 5 0.1% Asian 85 1.9% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 1 0.0% Some other race 107 2.4% Two or more races 333 7.5% Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 363 8.2%

2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 4,385 people, 1,870 households, and 1,186 families in the borough. The population density was 3,401.2 per square mile (1,313.2/km2). There were 2,002 housing units at an average density of 1,552.9 per square mile (599.6/km2). The racial makeup was 93.18% (4,086) White, 1.44% (63) Black or African American, 0.25% (11) Native American, 2.17% (95) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 1.25% (55) from other races, and 1.71% (75) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.13% (225) of the population.

Of the 1,870 households, 25.5% had children under the age of 18; 51.9% were married couples living together; 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present and 36.6% were non-families. Of all households, 30.4% were made up of individuals and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.96.

19.6% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 34.4% from 45 to 64, and 15.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45.0 years. For every 100 females, the population had 95.2 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 94.2 males.

Income and poverty The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $82,127 (with a margin of error of +/− $10,511) and the median family income was $100,117 (+/− $16,562). Males had a median income of $73,021 (+/− $18,808) versus $51,207 (+/− $6,155) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $41,785 (+/− $4,864). About 2.5% of families and 5.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.9% of those under age 18 and 2.0% of those age 65 or over., United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 27, 2012.

2000 census