Misplaced Pages

Hightstown, New Jersey
Borough
Samuel Sloan House on South Main Street
Seal
Location of Hightstown in Mercer County highlighted in red (right). Inset map: Location of Mercer County in New Jersey highlighted in orange (left). Interactive map of Hightstown, New Jersey
Census Bureau map of Hightstown, New Jersey
HightstownLocation in Mercer CountyShow map of Mercer County, New JerseyHightstownLocation in New JerseyShow map of New JerseyHightstownLocation in the United StatesShow map of the United States
Coordinates: 40°16′06″N 74°31′33″W / 40.268457°N 74.525804°W / 40.268457; -74.525804
Country	United States
State	New Jersey
County	Mercer
Incorporated	March 5, 1853
Named for	Hight family
Government
• Type	Borough
• Body	Borough Council
• Mayor	Susan Bluth (D, term ends December 31, 2026)
• Administrator	Dimitri Musing
• Municipal clerk	Peggy Riggio
Area
• Total	1.27 sq mi (3.28 km)
• Land	1.23 sq mi (3.19 km)
• Water	0.03 sq mi (0.09 km)  2.60%
• Rank	478th of 565 in state 10th of 12 in county
Elevation	92 ft (28 m)
Population
• Total	5,900
• Estimate	5,853
• Rank	352nd of 565 in state 10th of 12 in county
• Density	4,785.1/sq mi (1,847.5/km)
• Rank	119th of 565 in state 2nd of 12 in county
Time zone	UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−04:00 (Eastern (EDT))
ZIP Code	08520
Area code	609
FIPS code	3402131620
GNIS feature ID	0885254
Website	www.hightstownborough.com

Hightstown is a borough in Mercer County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Nestled within the Raritan Valley region, Hightstown is an historic, commercial, and cultural hub of Central New Jersey, along with being a diverse outer-ring commuter suburb of New York City in the New York Metropolitan Area. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 5,900, its highest decennial count ever and an increase of 406 (+7.4%) from the 5,494 recorded at the 2010 census, which in turn reflected an increase of 278 (+5.3%) from the 5,216 counted in the 2000 census.

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. The traditional explanation is that the borough was named for John and Mary Hight, who established a tavern in the area in the 1750s.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 1.27 square miles (3.28 km), including 1.23 square miles (3.19 km) of land and 0.03 square miles (0.09 km) of water (2.60%).

The borough is an independent municipality surrounded entirely by East Windsor, making it part one of 21 pairs of "doughnut towns" in the state, where one municipality entirely surrounds another.

Hightstown is at the central-most point of New Jersey and is roughly equidistant from Philadelphia and New York City.

Demographics

2010 census

The 2010 United States census counted 5,494 people, 1,976 households, and 1,352 families in the borough. The population density was 4,536.0 per square mile (1,751.4/km). There were 2,108 housing units at an average density of 1,740.4 per square mile (672.0/km). The racial makeup was 69.44% (3,815) White, 8.05% (442) Black or African American, 0.56% (31) Native American, 4.08% (224) Asian, 0.15% (8) Pacific Islander, 13.56% (745) from other races, and 4.17% (229) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 30.29% (1,664) of the population.

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.

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.

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.

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census 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/km). There were 2,081 housing units at an average density of 1,696.4 per square mile (655.0/km). 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Economy

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. 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." Numerous businesses are also dotted along U.S. Route 130 in neighboring East Windsor.

Government

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. 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 includes 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. 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.

As of 2023, 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).

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.

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. In the November 2019 general election, Democrat Joseph Cicalese was elected to serve the balance of the term of office through December 2020.

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.

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.

Federal, state, and county representation

Hightstown is located in the 3rd Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 14th state legislative district.

Prior to the 2011 reapportionment following the 2010 census, Hightstown had been in the 12th state legislative district. Prior to the 2010 Census, Hightstown had been part of the 4th Congressional District, a change made by the New Jersey Redistricting Commission that took effect in January 2013, based on the results of the November 2012 general elections.

For the 118th United States Congress, New Jersey's 3rd congressional district is currently vacant following the resignation of Andy Kim (D, Moorestown). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Democrats Cory Booker (Newark, term ends 2027) and Andy Kim (Moorestown, term ends 2031).

For the 2024-2025 session, the 14th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Linda R. Greenstein (D, Plainsboro Township) and in the General Assembly by Wayne DeAngelo (D, Hamilton Township) and Tennille McCoy (D, Hamilton Township).

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. As of 2025, the County Executive is Daniel R. Benson (D, Hamilton Township) whose term of office ends December 31, 2027. Mercer County's Commissioners are:

Lucylle R. S. Walter (D, Ewing Township, 2026), Chair John A. Cimino (D, Hamilton Township, 2026), Samuel T. Frisby Sr. (D, Trenton, 2027), Cathleen M. Lewis (D, Lawrence Township, 2025), Vice Chair Kristin L. McLaughlin (D, Hopewell Township, 2027), Nina D. Melker (D, Hamilton Township, 2025) and Terrance Stokes (D, Ewing Township, 2027).

Mercer County's constitutional officers are: Clerk Paula Sollami-Covello (D, Lawrence Township, 2025), Sheriff John A. Kemler (D, Hamilton Township, 2026) and Surrogate Diane Gerofsky (D, Lawrence Township, 2026).

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.

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%. 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%. 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.

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.

Education

Students in public school for pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade attend the East Windsor Regional School District, which serves students from East Windsor and Hightstown. As of the 2022–23 school year, the district, comprised of six schools, had an enrollment of 5,138 students and 450.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 11.4:1. Public school students in seventh through twelfth grades from Roosevelt Borough (in Monmouth County) are sent to the district's schools as part of a sending/receiving relationship with the Roosevelt Public School District. The seats on the nine-member board of education are allocated based on the population of the constituent municipalities, with two seats assigned to Hightstown.

Schools in the district (with 2022–23 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics) are Walter C. Black Elementary School with 480 students in grades K-2, Ethel McKnight Elementary School with 589 students in grades K-2, Perry L. Drew Elementary School with 579 students in grades 3-5, Grace N. Rogers Elementary School with 611 students in grades PreK / 3-5, Melvin H. Kreps Middle School with 1,176 students in grades 6-8 and Hightstown High School with 1,644 students in grades 9-12.

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.

Hightstown is also home to the Peddie School, a coeducational, independent high school founded in 1864.

Historic district

Stockton Street Historic District
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district
New Jersey Register of Historic Places
Show map of Mercer County, New JerseyShow map of New JerseyShow map of the United States
Location	126-326 Stockton Street, 219-237 Rogers Avenue, Hightstown, New Jersey
Architectural style	Queen Anne, Gothic, Italianate, Federal, Colonial
NRHP reference No.	05001331
NJRHP No.	4447
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	November 25, 2005
Designated NJRHP	May 13, 2005

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. With the historical significance of Hightstown, in July 2015 it became a Preserve America community, aimed at enriching the community's historic preservation efforts.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Roads and highways

As of May 2010, 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.

Hightstown is located at the cross-roads of several major roads. The main highway through the borough is Route 33, which is also concurrent with County Route 539 (CR 539) and County Route 571 (CR 571). A small portion of U.S. Route 130 passes through the northwest corner and is accessible by Route 33, CR 571 and CR 539. Highways located just outside the borough include the New Jersey Turnpike (Interstate 95) and the "Hightstown Bypass" (Route 133), which both intersect with Route 33 at Exit 8 of the turnpike.

Public transportation

The Greater Mercer Transportation Management Association offers service on the Route 130 Connection between the Trenton Transit Center and South Brunswick. The Princeton Junction Shuttle connects East Windsor and Hightstown with the Princeton Junction Rail Station.

There is also direct service to New York, as well as other New Jersey communities on the Suburban Coach route 300 to and from the Port Authority Bus Terminal, Grand Central Terminal and other destinations in Midtown Manhattan and the 600 route to and from Downtown Manhattan / Wall Street.

Railroads

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.

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.

Healthcare

Hightstown is served by CentraState Healthcare System, a 287-bed regional hospital affiliated with Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, located in nearby Freehold Township. CentraState Healthcare system also provides healthcare through its various family practices in communities across central New Jersey. One of those six family practices has an office located in neighboring East Windsor on U.S. Route 130.

The next closest hospitals to the borough include the Hamilton Division of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Hamilton Township and Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center in Plainsboro Township.

Ecology

According to the A. W. Kuchler U.S. potential natural vegetation types, Hightstown would have an Appalachian Oak (104) vegetation type with an Eastern Hardwood Forest (25) vegetation form.

Climate

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). 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.

Notable people

People who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Hightstown include:

• Kay B. Barrett (1902–1995), Hollywood talent scout who acquired the movie rights to the book Gone with the Wind
• Estelle Brodman (1914–2007), medical librarian and academic, lived in Hightstown after her retirement
• Howard Haycraft (1905–1991), writer, editor and publisher
• Hilly Kristal (1931–2007), founder and owner of the New York City music club CBGB
• Larry Kelley (1915–2000), football player who won the Heisman Trophy in 1936
• Desiree Lubovska (1893–1974), founded the American National Ballet School at Hightstown in 1921
• Doug Mastriano (born 1964), politician who is a retired Colonel of the United States Army and the state senator for Pennsylvania's 33rd District
• Worrall Frederick Mountain (1909–1992), Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court from 1971 to 1979
• Elizabeth Greenleaf Pattee (1893–1991), architect, landscape architect and architecture professor
• Randal Pinkett (born 1971), business consultant who in 2005 was the winner of season four of the reality television show, The Apprentice
• Jonathan Sprout (born 1952), songwriter, performer and recording artist
• Martin Waldron (1925–1981), winner of the 1964 Pulitzer Prize for reporting on unchecked spending on the Florida Turnpike
• Charles L. Walters (c. 1862–1894), politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly
• Paul Watkins (born 1964), novelist
• John Archibald Wheeler (1911–2008), physicist
• Nick Williams (born 1990), wide receiver who has played in the NFL for the Washington Redskins
• John Woodruff (1915–2007), Gold Medalist at 800 metres at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin

References

1. ^ 2019 Census Gazetteer Files: New Jersey Places, United States Census Bureau. Accessed July 1, 2020.
2. ^ US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 4, 2014.
3. ^ Mayor and Council, Hightstown Borough. Accessed February 24, 2023.
4. 2023 New Jersey Mayors Directory, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, updated February 8, 2023. Accessed February 10, 2023.
5. ^ Administration, Borough of Hightstown. Accessed February 24, 2023.
6. ^ 2012 New Jersey Legislative District Data Book, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, March 2013, p. 63.
7. "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
8. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Borough of Hightstown, Geographic Names Information System. Accessed March 5, 2013.
9. ^ QuickFacts Hightstown borough, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed January 19, 2023.
10. ^ Total Population: Census 2010 - Census 2020 New Jersey Municipalities, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed December 1, 2022.
11. ^ Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Minor Civil Divisions in New Jersey: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023, United States Census Bureau, released May 2024. Accessed May 16, 2024.
12. ^ Population Density by County and Municipality: New Jersey, 2020 and 2021, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed March 1, 2023.
13. Look Up a ZIP Code for Hightstown, NJ, United States Postal Service. Accessed March 14, 2012.
14. Zip Codes, State of New Jersey. Accessed August 28, 2013.
15. Area Code Lookup - NPA NX for Hightstown, NJ, Area-Codes.com. Accessed August 28, 2013.
16. ^ U.S. Census website, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 4, 2014.
17. Geographic Codes Lookup for New Jersey, Missouri Census Data Center. Accessed April 1, 2022.
18. US Board on Geographic Names, United States Geological Survey. Accessed September 4, 2014.
19. New York-Newark, NY-NJ-CT-PA Combined Statistical Area, United States Census Bureau. Accessed October 18, 2023.
20. Cheslow, Jerry. "If You're Thinking of Living In/Hightstown; A Borough With Respect for Its Roots", The New York Times, February 6, 1994. Accessed October 18, 2023.
21. ^ DP-1 - Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 for Hightstown borough, Mercer County, New Jersey Archived February 12, 2020, at archive.today, United States Census Bureau. Accessed March 14, 2012.
22. ^ Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2010 for Hightstown borough Archived August 30, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Accessed March 14, 2012.
23. 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.
24. Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 162. Accessed May 28, 2024.
25. Hutchinson, Richard S. "Hightstown, New Jersey And Some Hight Family Connections", Hightstown-East Windsor, New Jersey Historical Society News, November–December 2003. Accessed November 27, 2019.
26. Gannett, Henry. The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States, p. 156. United States Government Printing Office, 1905. Accessed January 1, 2015.
27. Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 1, 2015.
28. 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."
29. Areas touching Hightstown, MapIt. Accessed February 24, 2020.
30. DeMarco, Megan. "Voters to decide whether to merge two Princetons into one", The Star-Ledger, November 3, 2011. Accessed January 8, 2017. "There are 22 sets of 'doughnut towns' in New Jersey, those where one town wraps around the other town". Note that following voter approval of the Princeton, New Jersey, merger, 21 pairs of "doughnut towns" remain.
31. Municipalities within Mercer County, NJ, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. Accessed November 15, 2019.
32. New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.
33. 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."
34. Compendium of censuses 1726-1905: together with the tabulated returns of 1905, New Jersey Department of State, 1906. Accessed July 12, 2013.
35. Staff. A compendium of the ninth census, 1870, p. 260. United States Census Bureau, 1872. Accessed November 19, 2012.
36. Porter, Robert Percival. Preliminary Results as Contained in the Eleventh Census Bulletins: Volume III - 51 to 75, p. 98. United States Census Bureau, 1890. Accessed September 23, 2012.
37. Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910: Population by Counties and Minor Civil Divisions, 1910, 1900, 1890, United States Census Bureau, p. 337. Accessed September 23, 2012.
38. Fifteenth Census of the United States : 1930 - Population Volume I, United States Census Bureau, p. 716. Accessed March 14, 2012.
39. Table 6: New Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1940 - 2000, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network, August 2001. Accessed May 1, 2023.
40. ^ Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Hightstown borough, New Jersey Archived August 16, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 23, 2012.
41. ^ DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Hightstown borough, Mercer County, New Jersey Archived February 12, 2020, at archive.today, United States Census Bureau. Accessed September 23, 2012.
42. DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Hightstown borough, Mercer County, New Jersey Archived February 12, 2020, at archive.today, United States Census Bureau. Accessed March 14, 2012.
43. Ecuadorian Communities Archived November 10, 2006, at the Wayback Machine, EPodunk. Accessed June 28, 2006.
44. "Hightstown Borough's Top Attractions and Venues", Visit Princeton-Mercer. Accessed July 6, 2023.
45. , Downtown Hightstown, Inc.. Accessed July 6, 2023.
46. , Downtown Hightstown, Inc.: About. Accessed July 6, 2023.
47. Inventory of Municipal Forms of Government in New Jersey, Rutgers University Center for Government Studies, July 1, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2023.
48. Cerra, Michael F. "Forms of Government: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know, But Were Afraid to Ask" Archived September 24, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, New Jersey State League of Municipalities. Accessed November 30, 2014.
49. "Forms of Municipal Government in New Jersey", p. 6. Rutgers University Center for Government Studies. Accessed June 1, 2023.
50. 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."
51. 2022 Municipal Data Sheet, Borough of Hightstown. Accessed February 24, 2023.
52. Mercer County Elected Officials, Mercer County, New Jersey, as of January 2022. Accessed February 24, 2023.
53. General Election November 8, 2022 Results, Mercer County, New Jersey Clerk, updated November 8, 2022. Accessed January 1, 2023.
54. General Election November 2, 2021 Official Results, Mercer County, New Jersey, updated November 20, 2021. Accessed January 1, 2022.
55. General Election November 3, 2020 Official Results, Mercer County, New Jersey, updated November 20, 2020. Accessed January 1, 2021.
56. 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."
57. 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."
58. General Election November 2019 Official Results (Amended November 25, 2019), Mercer County, New Jersey, updated December 9, 2019. Accessed January 1, 2020.
59. 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."
60. 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."
61. 2022 Redistricting Plan, New Jersey Redistricting Commission, December 8, 2022.
62. Municipalities Sorted by 2011-2020 Legislative District, New Jersey Department of State. Accessed February 1, 2020.
63. 2019 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed October 30, 2019.
64. Districts by Number for 2011-2020, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 6, 2013.
65. ^ 2011 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government Archived June 4, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, p. 59, New Jersey League of Women Voters. Accessed May 22, 2015.
66. Coyne, Kevin. "Garden Variey Q&A: Andy Kim", New Jersey Monthly, May 2021. Accessed April 25, 2023. "Grew up in Marlton and Cherry Hill; Lives in Moorestown"
67. https://www.politico.com/news/2024/12/08/new-jersey-andy-kim-senate-00193194
68. U.S. Sen. Cory Booker cruises past Republican challenger Rik Mehta in New Jersey, PhillyVoice. Accessed April 30, 2021. "He now owns a home and lives in Newark's Central Ward community."
69. https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/andy-kim-new-jersey-senate/
70. Legislative Roster for District 14, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed January 18, 2024.
71. Government, Mercer County. Accessed March 1, 2023. "Mercer County is governed by an elected County Executive and a seven-member Freeholder Board."
72. 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."
73. Lucylle R. S. Walter, Mercer County. Accessed March 1, 2023.
74. John A. Cimino, Mercer County. Accessed March 1, 2023.
75. Samuel T. Frisby Sr., Mercer County. Accessed March 1, 2023.
76. Cathleen M. Lewis, Mercer County. Accessed March 1, 2023.
77. Kristin L. McLaughlin, Mercer County. Accessed March 1, 2023.
78. Nina D. Melker, Mercer County. Accessed March 1, 2023.
79. Terrance Stokes, Mercer County. Accessed March 1, 2023.
80. Meet the Commissioners, Mercer County. Accessed March 1, 2023.
81. 2022 County Data Sheet, Mercer County. Accessed March 1, 2023.
82. Meet the Clerk, Mercer County. Accessed March 1, 2023.
83. Members List: Clerks, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed March 1, 2023.
84. Meet the Sheriff, Mercer County. Accessed March 1, 2023.
85. Members List: Sheriffs, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed March 1, 2023.
86. Meet the Surrogate, Mercer County. Accessed March 1, 2023.
87. Members List: Surrogates, Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey. Accessed March 1, 2023.
88. Elected Officials for Mercer County, Mercer County. Accessed March 1, 2023.
89. Voter Registration Summary - Mercer, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, March 23, 2011. Accessed November 21, 2012.
90. "Presidential General Election Results - November 8, 2016 - Mercer County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. Retrieved December 31, 2017.
91. "Presidential General Election Results - November 8, 2016 - Mercer County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. Retrieved December 31, 2017.
92. ^ "Presidential General Election Results - November 6, 2012 - Mercer County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. March 15, 2013. Retrieved December 23, 2014.
93. ^ 2008 Presidential General Election Results: Mercer County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 23, 2008. Accessed November 21, 2012.
94. ^ 2004 Presidential Election: Mercer County, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 13, 2004. Accessed November 21, 2012.
95. "Number of Registered Voters and Ballots Cast - November 6, 2012 - General Election Results - Mercer County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. March 15, 2013. Retrieved December 23, 2014.
96. "Governor - Mercer County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 1, 2018. Retrieved December 31, 2017.
97. "Governor - Mercer County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 1, 2018. Retrieved December 31, 2017.
98. "Governor - Mercer County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Elections. January 29, 2014. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
99. ^ 2009 Governor: Mercer County Archived August 22, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections, December 31, 2009. Accessed November 21, 2012.
100. 2005 Governor: Mercer County Archived July 7, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, New Jersey Department of State Division of Elections. Accessed December 31, 2017.
101. 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."
102. District information for East Windsor Regional School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed February 1, 2024.
103. 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."
104. East Windsor Board of Education District Policy 0141 - Board Member Number and Term, East Windsor Regional School District. Accessed March 28, 2022. "The Board of Education shall consist of nine members; seven from East Windsor Township and two from the Borough of Hightstown."
105. School Data for the East Windsor Regional School District, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed December 1, 2024.
106. Walter C. Black Elementary School, East Windsor Regional School District. Accessed March 28, 2022.
107. Ethel McKnight Elementary School, East Windsor Regional School District. Accessed March 28, 2022.
108. Perry L. Drew Elementary School, East Windsor Regional School District. Accessed March 28, 2022.
109. Grace N. Rogers Elementary School, East Windsor Regional School District. Accessed March 28, 2022.
110. Melvin H. Kreps Middle School, East Windsor Regional School District. Accessed March 28, 2022.
111. Hightstown High School, East Windsor Regional School District. Accessed March 28, 2022.
112. 2021-2022 Mercer County Charter and Public Schools Directory, Mercer County, New Jersey. Accessed February 1, 2024.
113. School Performance Reports for the East Windsor Regional Regional School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 21, 2024.
114. New Jersey School Directory for the East Windsor Regional School District, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed February 1, 2024.
115. 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."
116. High School Programs Archived August 10, 2020, at the Wayback Machine, Mercer County Technical Schools. Accessed November 18, 2019.
117. History, Peddie School. Accessed March 14, 2012.
118. "National Register Information System – (#82003284)". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013.
119. "New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places — Mercer County" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection — Historic Preservation Office. January 22, 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 16, 2013.
120. Kalmis, Kenneth (June 1, 2004). "Stockton Street Historic District". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
121. "Which N.J. town did Michelle Obama name a 'Preserve America' community?". NJ.com. July 2015. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
122. Mercer County Mileage by Municipality and Jurisdiction, New Jersey Department of Transportation, May 2010. Accessed July 18, 2014.
123. Route 33 Straight Line Diagram, New Jersey Department of Transportation, updated March 2017. Accessed March 7, 2023.
124. Mercer County Highway Map, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed March 7, 2023.
125. Mercer County Bus Service, Greater Mercer Transportation Management Association. Accessed November 27, 2019.
126. Princeton Junction Shuttle, East Windsor, New Jersey. Accessed November 27, 2019.
127. Available schedules from Hightstown, NJ to New York, NY., Coach USA. Accessed September 4, 2014.
128. The Camden And Amboy Railroad, American-Rails.com. Accessed February 6, 2018.
129. History of the Camden & Amboy, Jersey Central Railway Historical Society. Accessed February 6, 2018.
130. CentraState Medical Center: Who We Are. Accessed June 18, 2023.
131. East Windsor: Family Practice of CentraState. Accessed June 18, 2023.
132. U.S. Potential Natural Vegetation, Original Kuchler Types, v2.0 (Spatially Adjusted to Correct Geometric Distortions), Data Basin. Accessed November 26, 2019.
133. USDA Interactive Plant Hardiness Map, United States Department of Agriculture. Accessed November 26, 2019.
134. "NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
135. "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.
136. 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."
137. Estelle Brodman (1914-) (finding aid), Columbia University. Accessed November 27, 2019.
138. 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."
139. Grimes, William. "Howard Haycraft Is Dead at 86; A Publisher and Mystery Scholar", The New York Times, November 13, 1991. Accessed July 31, 2022. "Howard Haycraft, a publishing executive, editor and author of a classic history of the mystery novel, died yesterday in Hightstown, N.J. He was 86 years old and lived in Hightstown."
140. Sisario, Ben. "Hilly Kristal, 75, Catalyst for Punk at CBGB, Dies", The New York Times, August 30, 2007. Accessed August 17, 2013. "Hillel Kristal grew up on a farm in Hightstown, N.J., and studied classical violin as a child."
141. 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."
142. Mitchell, Hannah. "Social Leaders Back Plan for an American Ballet School" New-York Tribune, February 20, 1921: 68. via Newspapers.com. Accessed November 27, 2019.
143. "Local Happenings" Archived March 22, 2021, at the Wayback Machine, 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."
144. Daniels, Lee A. "Justice Worrall F. Mountain, 83; Served on New Jersey High Court", The New York Times, August 26, 1992. Accessed June 15, 2016. "Worrall F. Mountain, a retired justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court, died on Monday at the Princeton Medical Center in Princeton, N.J. He was 83 years old and lived in Hightstown, N.J."
145. 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."
146. Staff. "Randal Is Hired!" Archived January 12, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, 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."
147. Ollestead, Berit. "It’s all about R-E-S-P-E-C-T at Alfred Vail School in Morris Plains", Morristown Green, October 15, 2013. Accessed July 23, 2019. "Growing up in Hightstown, Sprout set out to sing for grown-ups."
148. Staff. "Martin O. Waldron Is Dead At 56; Reporting Led To A Pulitzer Prize", The New York Times, May 28, 1981. Accessed May 12, 2011. "Martin O. Waldron, chief of the Trenton bureau of The New York Times, whose investigative reporting for The St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times led to a Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for the newspaper, died of heart disease yesterday at his home in Hightstown, N.J."
149. 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."
150. Walczak, Danielle. "Novelist draws on Maine backcountry for inspiration in new book", Bangor Daily News, August 7, 2014. Accessed September 4, 2014. "For Paul Watkins, Maine is that place. It's the area he can't get out of his mind, even in the shadow of New York City in Hightstown, N.J."
151. 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."
152. O'Gorman, George. "Four Mercer County players make NFL rosters" Archived December 7, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, The Trentonian, August 31, 2013. Accessed December 3, 2013. "Hightstown's Williams, who played at UConn, had seven preseason catches for 51 yards for the 'Skins."
153. Litsky, Frank. "A Victory That's Still Memorable 70 Years Later", The New York Times, August 1, 2006. Accessed November 10, 2012. "He spoke from Fountain Hills, Ariz., near Phoenix, where he and Rose have lived in a two-bedroom apartment in a senior housing complex for five years since moving from Hightstown, N.J."

External links

• Hightstown Borough website
• Downtown Hightstown
• Hightstown East Windsor Historical Society

v t e Municipalities and communities of Mercer County, New Jersey, United States
County seat: Trenton
City	Trenton
Boroughs	Hightstown Hopewell Pennington Princeton
Townships	East Windsor Ewing Hamilton Hopewell Lawrence Robbinsville West Windsor
CDPs	Groveville Hamilton Square Lawrenceville Mercerville Princeton Junction Robbinsville Center The College of New Jersey Titusville Twin Rivers Washington Crossing White Horse Windsor Yardville
Other communities	Bear Tavern Berkeley Square Berrien City Braeburn Heights Cadwalader Heights Cedar Grove Chambersburg Clarksville Coalport/North Clinton Duck Island Dutch Neck East Trenton Edinburg Eldridge Park Ewing Ewing/Carroll Ewingville Grovers Mill Harbourton Hopewell Valley Lamberton Mill Hill Mount Rose New Canton North Trenton Nottingham Penns Neck Pleasant Valley Port Mercer Princessville Princeton North Quaker Bridge Rosedale Slackwood South Trenton Stoutsburg The Island Top Road West Trenton Wilbur Wilburtha
New Jersey portal United States portal

• Hightstown, New Jersey
• 1853 establishments in New Jersey
• Borough form of New Jersey government
• Boroughs in New Jersey
• Boroughs in Mercer County, New Jersey
• Populated places established in 1853