Hightstown was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 5, 1853, within portions of East Windsor Township. The borough became fully independent around 1894. Additional portions of East Windsor Township were annexed in 1913, 1915, and 1927.[24] The traditional explanation is that the borough was named for John and Mary Hight, who established a tavern in the area in the 1750s.[25][26][27][28]
Geography
Freeman's maples in early autumn on a residential street in Hightstown
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 1.27 square miles (3.28 km2), including 1.23 square miles (3.19 km2) of land and 0.03 square miles (0.09 km2) of water (2.60%).[1][2]
The borough is an independent municipality surrounded entirely by East Windsor,[29] making it part one of 21 pairs of "doughnut towns" in the state, where one municipality entirely surrounds another.[30][31][32]
Hightstown is at the central-most point of New Jersey and is roughly equidistant from Philadelphia and New York City.[33]
Demographics
Residences along Peddie LakeNarrow bridge over Peddie LakeSpillway from Peddie Lake
Of the 1,976 households, 32.0% had children under the age of 18; 51.2% were married couples living together; 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present and 31.6% were non-families. Of all households, 24.6% were made up of individuals and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.23.[21]
23.9% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 31.1% from 25 to 44, 26.7% from 45 to 64, and 9.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.9 years. For every 100 females, the population had 99.5 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 100.1 males.[21]
The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $66,250 (with a margin of error of ± $8,281) and the median family income was $72,583 (± $13,355). Males had a median income of $49,861 (± $9,561) versus $42,361 (± $14,837) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $32,976 (± $3,402). About 8.2% of families and 8.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.2% of those under age 18 and 1.1% of those age 65 or over.[42]
2000 census
As of the 2000 United States census[16] there were 5,216 people, 2,001 households, and 1,300 families residing in the borough. The population density was 4,251.9 inhabitants per square mile (1,641.7/km2). There were 2,081 housing units at an average density of 1,696.4 per square mile (655.0/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 76.53% White, 8.51% African American, 0.36% Native American, 2.28% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 9.64% from other races, and 2.59% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 20.05% of the population.[40][41]
There were 2,001 households, out of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.7% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.0% were non-families. 27.9% of all households 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 2.60 and the average family size was 3.15.[40][41]
In the borough the population was spread out, with 22.5% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 36.8% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.2 males.[40][41]
The median income for a household in the borough was $64,299, and the median income for a family was $72,092. Males had a median income of $46,375 versus $35,428 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $28,605. About 4.3% of families and 7.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.1% of those under age 18 and 4.4% of those age 65 or over.[40][41]
As of the 2000 Census, 6.31% of Hightstown's residents identified themselves as being of Ecuadorian ancestry, which was the second highest of any municipality in New Jersey and the sixth highest percentage of Ecuadorian people in any place in the United States with 1,000 or more residents identifying their ancestry.[43]
Economy
Downtown Hightstown
Downtown Hightstown, located at the intersection of Route 33 and County Route 571, is the central business district for the borough. It features restaurants, boutiques, art galleries and historical sites.[44][45]Downtown Hightstown, Inc., established in 2008, is an organization of businesses owners and stakeholders in the community of Hightstown, dedicated to promoting the "unique ability to be a town big enough to provide a diverse offering of business services while being small enough to offer excellent personal service to residents, visitors and customers."[46] Numerous businesses are also dotted along U.S. Route 130 in neighboring East Windsor.
Government
Hightstown Civil War Memorial
Local government
Hightstown is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey.[47] The governing body is comprised of the mayor and the borough council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. The mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council is comprised of six members, who are elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle.[6] The borough form of government used by Hightstown is a "weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.[48][49][50]
As of 2023[update], the mayor of the Borough of Hightstown is Democrat Susan Bluth, whose term of office ends on December 31, 2026. Borough Council members are Council President Joshua Jackson (D, 2025), Joseph Cicalese (D, 2023), Cristina Fowler (D, 2023), Todd Frantz (D, 2025), Jeet Gulati (D, 2024; appointed to serve an unexpired term) and Fred Montferrat (D, 2024).[3][51][52][53][54][55]
The borough council appointed Jeet Gulati in February 2023 to fill the council seat expiring in December 2024 that had been held by Susan Bluth until she resigned the previous month to take office as mayor; Gulati will serve on an interim basis until the November 2023 general election, when voters will choose a candidate to fill the balance of the term of office.[56]
In January 2019, the borough council selected Patricia Egan from a list of three candidates nominated by the Republican municipal committee to fill the seat expiring in December 2020 that became vacant the previous month following the resignation of Connor Montferrat. At that same meeting, the council chose Joshua Jackson from a list of three Democrats to fill the seat scheduled to expire in December 2019 that had been held by Denise "Denny" Hansen until she resigned from office in December 2018.[57] In the November 2019 general election, Democrat Joseph Cicalese was elected to serve the balance of the term of office through December 2020.[58]
In January 2015, the council selected former council president Susan Bluth to fill the vacant council seat expiring in December 2015 of Larry Quattrone, who left office when he was sworn in as mayor.[59]
Seth Kurs was appointed in April 2014 from among three prospective candidates to fill the vacant seat expiring in 2015 of Gail Doran, who had resigned earlier in the month, citing personal reasons. The term of the appointment ran through November 14, 2014, after which Seth Kurs was elected in the general election to complete the remaining unexpired term through December 31, 2015.[60]
Federal, state, and county representation
Hightstown is located in the 3rd Congressional District[61] and is part of New Jersey's 14th state legislative district.[62][63][64]
Mercer County is governed by a County Executive who oversees the day-to-day operations of the county and by a seven-member Board of County Commissioners that acts in a legislative capacity, setting policy. All officials are chosen at-large in partisan elections, with the executive serving a four-year term of office while the commissioners serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with either two or three seats up for election each year as part of the November general election.[71] As of 2024[update], the County Executive is Daniel R. Benson (D, Hamilton Township) whose term of office ends December 31, 2027.[72] Mercer County's Commissioners are:
Mercer County's constitutional officers are:
Clerk Paula Sollami-Covello (D, Lawrence Township, 2025),[82][83]
Sheriff John A. Kemler (D, Hamilton Township, 2026)[84][85] and
Surrogate Diane Gerofsky (D, Lawrence Township, 2026).[86][87][88]
Politics
As of March 2011, there were a total of 2,891 registered voters in Hightstown, of which 1,105 (38.2%) were registered as Democrats, 542 (18.7%) were registered as Republicans and 1,241 (42.9%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There were 3 voters registered as Libertarians or Greens.[89]
In the 2012 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 64.6% of the vote (1,369 cast), ahead of Republican Mitt Romney with 33.4% (707 votes), and other candidates with 2.0% (42 votes), among the 2,308 ballots cast by the borough's 3,062 registered voters (190 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 75.4%.[92][95] In the 2008 presidential election, Democrat Barack Obama received 66.8% of the vote (1,504 cast), ahead of Republican John McCain with 30.4% (685 votes) and other candidates with 1.6% (36 votes), among the 2,253 ballots cast by the borough's 2,962 registered voters, for a turnout of 76.1%.[93] In the 2004 presidential election, Democrat John Kerry received 59.3% of the vote (1,254 ballots cast), outpolling Republican George W. Bush with 36.4% (771 votes) and other candidates with 0.9% (25 votes), among the 2,116 ballots cast by the borough's 2,776 registered voters, for a turnout percentage of 76.2.[94]
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 57.9% of the vote (765 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 38.8% (512 votes), and other candidates with 3.3% (44 votes), among the 1,341 ballots cast by the borough's 2,961 registered voters (20 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 45.3%. In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 46.2% of the vote (700 ballots cast), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 44.8% (679 votes), Independent Chris Daggett with 7.1% (107 votes) and other candidates with 1.1% (16 votes), among the 1,514 ballots cast by the borough's 2,908 registered voters, yielding a 52.1% turnout.[99]
Schools in the district (with 2022–23 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[105]) are
Walter C. Black Elementary School[106] with 480 students in grades K-2,
Ethel McKnight Elementary School[107] with 589 students in grades K-2,
Perry L. Drew Elementary School[108] with 579 students in grades 3-5,
Grace N. Rogers Elementary School[109] with 611 students in grades PreK / 3-5,
Melvin H. Kreps Middle School[110] with 1,176 students in grades 6-8 and
Hightstown High School[111] with 1,644 students in grades 9-12.[112][113][114]
Eighth grade students from all of Mercer County are eligible to apply to attend the high school programs offered by the Mercer County Technical Schools, a county-wide vocational school district that offers full-time career and technical education at its Health Sciences Academy, STEM Academy and Academy of Culinary Arts, with no tuition charged to students for attendance.[115][116]
The Stockton Street Historic District covers both sides of Stockton Street (County Route 571), from Railroad Avenue to Summit Street, and a portion of Rogers Avenue. It is notable for its Victorian homes, First Methodist Church, and the Hightstown Civil War monument. It is also significant for its association with the introduction of rail service to New Jersey, as the first railroad in the United States to connect two major cities, New York and Philadelphia.[120] With the historical significance of Hightstown, in July 2015 it became a Preserve America community, aimed at enriching the community's historic preservation efforts.[121]
Infrastructure
Transportation
Roads and highways
As of May 2010[update], the borough had a total of 16.74 miles (26.94 km) of roadways, of which 12.70 miles (20.44 km) were maintained by the municipality, 2.74 miles (4.41 km) by Mercer County and 1.30 miles (2.09 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.[122]
Hightstown was formerly served by the Camden & Amboy Railroad (C&A), the first chartered railway company in the state and the third-oldest in the United States. Service to Hightstown began in December 1831 using the British-built John Bull locomotive. C&A was acquired by the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) in 1871 after consolidating it with the United New Jersey Railroad and Canal Company. Ownership was later transferred to Penn Central (PC) in 1968, following by Conrail in 1976 after PC went bankrupt.[128][129]
In early 1982, Conrail ended freight service to Hightstown on what was known as the Hightstown Industrial Track and filed for abandonment that fall. Trackage was removed in March 1983.[citation needed]
According to the Köppen climate classification system, Hightstown has a hot-summer, wet all year, humid continental climate (Dfa). Dfa climates are characterized by at least one month having an average mean temperature at or below 32.0 °F (0.0 °C), at least four months with an average mean temperature at or above 50.0 °F (10.0 °C), at least one month with an average mean temperature at or above 71.6 °F (22.0 °C), and no significant precipitation difference between seasons. During the summer months, episodes of extreme heat and humidity can occur with heat index values at or above 100.0 °F (37.8 °C). On average, the wettest month of the year is July which corresponds with the annual peak in thunderstorm activity. During the winter months, episodes of extreme cold and wind can occur with wind chill values below 0.0 °F (−17.8 °C). The plant hardiness zone is 7a with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of 0.0 °F (−17.8 °C).[133] The average seasonal (November–April) snowfall total is 24 to 30 inches (61 to 76 cm), and the average snowiest month is February which corresponds with the annual peak in nor'easter activity.
Climate data for Hightstown, Mercer County, NJ (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present)
^Mulvaney, Nicole. "Virginia woman and her mother to travel to N.J. to confirm lineage to Hightstown's founders", NJ.com, October 7, 2014. Accessed September 1, 2015. "John Hight was the first tavern keeper in town between the 1750s and 1770s. It was during those years, in the 1760s, that the name 'Hightstown' was established, Craig said.... 'John and Mary Hight were the namesake founders of the village of Hightstown, which later grew into the borough of Hightstown,' he said."
^Serzan, Kerry. "Borough of Hightstown boasts small-town charm, rich history and quaint lakeside business district", NJ.com, August 28, 2015, updated September 30, 2016. Accessed January 9, 2017. "Geographically and culturally, the Borough of Hightstown is 'at the center of it all'.... The small-yet-significant Mercer County borough lies at the central-most point of New Jersey and is roughly equidistant from New York City and Philadelphia."
^Government, Borough of Hightstown. Accessed June 1, 2022. "The Borough of Hightstown was incorporated on March 5, 1853, and operates under the Borough form of government, the largest single form of municipal government in use in New Jersey. Under this form, the Mayor, elected directly by the voters, is the head of Borough government and recommends to council such measures as he deems necessary for the welfare of the Borough. The governing body consists of six elected Councilmembers, each serving a three-year term, and one elected Mayor who serves a four-year term."
^Borough Council Meeting Minutes for February 6, 2023, Borough of Hightstown. Accessed February 24, 2023. "WHEREAS, there exists a vacancy in the office of Councilmember due to the resignation of Susan Bluth effective January 3, 2023; and... NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Hightstown that Jeet Gulati is hereby appointed to serve in the position of Councilmember to fill the vacancy until the General Election on November 7, 2023, when a successor will be elected by the voters to fulfill the vacant unexpired term of Councilmember Susan Bluth ending December 31, 2024."
^Meeting Minutes for January 22, 2019, Hightstown Borough. Accessed November 27, 2019. "Patricia Egan is hereby appointed to serve in the position of Councilmember to fill the vacancy until the General Election on November 5, 2019 when a successor will be elected by the voters to fulfill the vacant unexpired term of Councilmember Connor Montferrat ending December 31, 2020.... Whereas, there exists a vacancy in the office of Councilmember due to the resignation of Denise (Denny) Hansen effective December 31, 2018... Joshua Jackson is hereby appointed to serve in the position of Councilmember to fill the vacancy of the unexpired term ending December 31, 2019."
^Mulvaney, Nicole. "Former Hightstown council president who lost election is appointed councilwoman", The Times, January 7, 2015. Accessed February 20, 2015. "Former Hightstown council president Susan Bluth was appointed to the governing body Monday to fill the unexpired term of Mayor Larry Quattrone, who was sworn in Jan. 1. Quattrone, a Democrat, beat out former Councilman Rob Thibault, who filed to run as an independent, and Republican newcomer Douglas Mair in the November election. Quattrone's term was set to expire Dec. 31, 2015."
^Clerkin, Bridget. "Hightstown fills vacant borough council seat with local lawyer", The Times, April 29, 2014. Accessed September 4, 2014. "Local attorney Seth Kurs will fill the vacancy created by an unexpected resignation from the Hightstown Borough Council. Kurs was sworn in by the council Monday night to occupy the seat left open by Gail Doran, who submitted her letter of resignation on April 7."
^Biography of Bob Menendez, United States Senate, January 26, 2015. "Menendez, who started his political career in Union City, moved in September from Paramus to one of Harrison's new apartment buildings near the town's PATH station.."
^Government, Mercer County. Accessed March 1, 2023. "Mercer County is governed by an elected County Executive and a seven-member Freeholder Board."
^Meet the County Executive, Mercer County. Accessed March 1, 2023. "Brian M. Hughes continues to build upon a family legacy of public service as the fourth person to serve as Mercer County Executive. The voters have reaffirmed their support for Brian's leadership by re-electing him three times since they first placed him in office in November 2003."
^East Windsor Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, East Windsor Regional School District. Accessed March 28, 2022. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades kindergarten through twelve in the East Windsor Regional School District. Composition: The East Windsor Regional School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of East Windsor Township and the Borough of Hightstown."
^East Windsor Regional School District 2015 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed July 11, 2016. "The East Windsor Regional School District, located in central New Jersey at New Jersey Turnpike Exit 8, is a stable K-12 public school district serving the communities of the East Windsor Township and the Borough of Hightstown as well as Roosevelt Borough students' grades 7 through 12."
^Heyboer, Kelly. "How to get your kid a seat in one of N.J.'s hardest-to-get-into high schools", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, May 2017. Accessed November 18, 2019. "Mercer County has a stand-alone specialized high school for top students: a Health Sciences Academy at the district's Assunpink Center campus. The district also offers a STEM Academy at Mercer County Community College. How to apply: Students can apply online in the fall of their 8th grade year."
^"Station: Hightstown 2 W, NJ". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
^Van Gelder, Lawrence. "Kay B. Barrett, Talent Scout And Entertainment Agent, 93", The New York Times, January 19, 1995. Accessed December 3, 2012. "Kay Brown Barrett, who bought Gone With the Wind for the movie producer David O. Selznick after discovering the novel as his New York representative, died yesterday at the Meadow Lakes retirement community in Hightstown, N.J., where she had lived for the last 14 years. She was 93."
^Messerele, Judith. "Estelle Brodman, AHIP, FMLA, 1914–2007", Journal of the Medical Library Association, 2010 January; 98(1): 6–8. Accessed November 27, 2019. "On March 1, 2007, the Medical Library Association (MLA) lost a towering figure of the profession. Estelle Brodman, AHIP, FMLA, died at Meadow Lake Estates in Hightstown, NJ, of natural causes."
^Goldstein, Harold. "Larry Kelley, 85, a Yale End Who Won the Heisman, Dies", The New York Times, June 29, 2000. Accessed September 4, 2014. "Larry Kelley, the Yale University end who won the Heisman Trophy in 1936, then found himself back in the public eye six months ago when he sold the statuette at auction for $328,100, died Tuesday at his home in Hightstown, N.J., of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound."
^"Local Happenings", The Hightstown Gazette, June 23, 1983. Accessed March 21, 2021. "Douglas V. Mastriano of 15 Leshin Lane, Hightstown, won an award for academic excellence in German at Mercer County Community College's Honors Convocation."
^Staff. "Elizabeth G. Pattee, 97 Was an architect and professor", The Boston Globe, March 1, 1991. Accessed October 17, 2015. "Elizabeth Greenleaf Pattee, an architect who taught at the Rhode Island School of Design from 1945 to 1962, died Wednesday at the Meadow Lakes retirement community in Hightstown, N.J. She was 97 and a former resident of Providence and Warwick, R.I."
^Staff. "Randal Is Hired!", Rutgers University Alumni Association. Accessed September 4, 2014. "Growing up in Hightstown, Pinkett says he learned at an early age that 'to whom much is given, much is expected. I therefore place great emphasis on using my God-given talents to give back to the community,' he says."
^Staff. "Obituary Notes", The New York Times, June 21, 1894. Accessed May 29, 2017. "Assemblyman Charles L. Walters of the Second Assembly District of Monmouth County died yesterday afternoon at his home, in Seabright, N.J., aged thirty-four years. He was born at Hightstown, that state."
^MacPherson, Kitta. "Leading physicist John Wheeler dies at age 96"Archived January 30, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, News at Princeton, April 14, 2008. Accessed March 14, 2012. "Wheeler, the Joseph Henry Professor of Physics Emeritus at Princeton University, was 96. He succumbed to pneumonia on Sunday, April 13, at his home in Hightstown, N.J."
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