Welcome to · Welcome to Hillsborough, New ... 6 elementary schools, 1 intermediate school, ... ★The district completed an Energy Savings Improvement Plan allowing it …

Welcome toHillsborough, New Jersey!

1

Prepared by the Hillsborough Economic & Business Development Commission - January 2017

Welcome To Hillsborough!2

➢ Recognition

➢ About Hillsborough

➢ Our Growing Community

➢ A Prosperous Community

➢ Age Groups & Median Ages

➢ Public School System

➢ Parks and Recreation

➢ Hillsborough Honors its Veterans

➢ Partnership With Our Local Businesses

➢ Summary


Recognition3

Money Magazine’s – Ranked Top Best Places to Live in 2007, 2011, 2013, 2015

➢ Ranked #30 in 2015, this is the fourth time Hillsborough has been named to the list in recent years. For 2015, Hillsborough was the only town in New Jersey named to the list.

➢ The magazine scored qualities that families look at when choosing a hometown including: Health*Economy*Employment*Education*Affordability.

New Jersey Monthly 2013 #10 Top Ten Best Towns in NJ➢ Relatively low tax base➢ Diverse housing stock➢ One third of town is preserved➢ Great school system

Accolades➢ 2016 Value Penguin #2 Safest Town in NJ (pop. greater than 30,000)➢ 2016 CreditDonkey Safest Cities in NJ #22➢ 2016 SafeWise 30 Safest Cities to Raise a Child for 2016➢ 2016 SafeWise Safest Cities in New Jersey #25


About Hillsborough4

➢ The Hillsborough area was first explored by the Dutch in the middle 17th century. ➢ In 1676, West Jersey, including Neshanic and South Branch were sold to William

Penn.➢ Grist mills were one of the earliest industries. Records of mills in the Neshanic area

go back to 1692 and perhaps earlier. As early as 1746, a mill was recorded along the Millstone River.

➢ Hillsborough received its Charter on May 29, 1771, and officially became Hillsborough Township.

➢ Hillsborough is a collection of small villages, each of which has left its own imprint on the Township’s history:

❖Belle Mead❖Blackwells Mills❖Flagtown❖Neshanic ❖South Branch


Our Growing Community5

Population of Region’s Communities:

Location and Population

1990 Census

2000 Census

2010 Census

2014 ACS

SOMERSET 240279 297490 323444 328704Hillsborough 28808 36634 38303 39064Bridgewater 32509 42940 44464 44855Montgomery 9612 17481 22254 22529Franklin 42780 50903 62300 64243Somerville 11632 12423 12098 12175Millstone 450 410 418 461Raritan Boro. 5798 6338 6881 7318Manville 10567 10343 10344 10426Branchburg 10888 14566 14459 14547 HUNTERDON 107776 121989 128349 126746Readington 13400 15803 16126 16093Raritan Twp. 15616 19809 22185 22106East Amwell 4332 4455 4013 3980

Location & Population

1990-2000 2000-2010 2010-2014Persons % Persons % Persons %

SOMERSET 57211 23.81 25954 8.72 5260 1.63Hillsborough 7826 27.2 1669 4.56 761 1.99Bridgewater 10431 32.09 1524 3.55 391 0.88Montgomery 7869 81.87 4773 27.3 275 1.24Franklin 8123 18.99 11397 22.4 1943 3.12Somerville 791 6.8 -325 -2.62 77 0.64Millstone -40 -8.89 8 1.95 43 10.3Raritan Boro. 540 9.31 543 8.57 437 6.35Manville -224 -2.12 1 0.01 82 0.79Branchburg 3678 33.78 -107 -0.73 88 0.61 HUNTERDON 14213 13.19 6360 5.21 -1603 -1.25Readington 2403 17.93 323 2.04 -33 -0.2Raritan Twp. 4193 26.85 2376 12 -79 -0.36East Amwell 123 2.84 -442 -9.92 -33 -0.82

➢ Hillsborough’s 39,000+ people represent 3rd largest Township in Somerset / Hunterdon

➢ Hillsborough has 2nd highest % growth since 2010, of Towns > 10,000 people (1.99%)

➢ Continued growth projected

Source: 1990 Population from NJ Dept of Labor, 2000 & 2010 Census from U.S. Census Bureau, 2014 American Community Survey

Population Growth Rate:


A Prosperous Community

Household and Per-Capita Incomes in Region’s Communities: 1999 to 2014

Location

1999 2010 2014

Median Household Per-Capita

Median Household Per-Capita

+/-% vs 1999

Median Household

+/-% vs 2010 Per-Capita

+/-% vs 2010

SOMERSET $76,933 $37,970 $97,440 $47,067 23.96% $100,903 3.6% $48,646 3.4%

Hillsborough $83,290 $33,091 $105,429 $43,029 30.03% $115,200 9.3% $47,539 10.5%Bridgewater $88,308 $39,555 $108,680 $46,994 18.81% $114,963 5.8% $49,230 4.8%

Montgomery $118,850 $48,699 $146,100 $62,642 28.63% $154,375 5.7% $61,671 -1.6%

Franklin $67,923 $31,209 $89,992 $40,036 28.28% $92,311 2.6% $41,073 2.6%

Somerville $51,237 $23,310 $69,836 $30,272 29.87% $72,527 3.9% $33,169 9.6%

Manville $51,258 $23,293 $55,601 $26,636 14.35% $62,787 12.9% $29,397 10.4%

Millstone $76,353 $30,694 $97,500 $37,678 22.75% $81,250 -16.7% $37,101 -1.5%

Raritan Borough $51,122 $26,420 $70,116 $34,617 31.03% $73,565 4.9% $35,632 2.9%

Branchburg $96,864 $41,241 $119,092 $51,387 24.60% $120,968 1.6% $50,185 -2.3%

➢ From 1999 to 2010: Hillsborough income per capita grew more than other large Townships (30%).

➢ From 2010-2014: Hillsborough’s growth continued at the highest rate in Somerset County (10.5%).

➢ Moved up to 3rd highest Median Household Income – 1st for Towns with over 25,000 people!

6

Source: 2000 & 2010 Census from United States Census Bureau, 2014 American Community Survey


Age Groups & Median Ages7

Median Age By Town

Year2000

Census2010

Census2014 ACS

LocationYears of

AgeYears of

AgeYears of

Age

SOMERSET 37.2 40.2 40.7

Hillsborough 35.7 39.9 40.5

Bridgewater 38.2 42.2 42.4

Montgomery 36.8 40.8 41.3

Franklin 36.1 38.3 39.9

Somerville 35.6 35.5 36.5

Raritan Boro. 37.6 40.1 37.8

Manville 39.5 39.6 40.9

Millstone 45.6 42.8 40.4

Branchburg 37.5 42.3 42.5

HUNTERDON 38.8 43.5 44.5

Age Groups in Hillsborough Township

2000 2010 Ten-Year Change

Total Population

36634 38303 1669 4.56%

Median Age 35.7 years 39.9 years +4.2 years +11.76%

0-19 11938 32.59% 10928 28.53% -1010 -8.46%

20-34 6399 17.47% 5572 14.55% -827 -12.92%

35-44 7802 21.30% 5915 15.44% -1887 -24.19%

45-54 5898 16.10% 7496 19.57% 1598 27.09%

55+ 5137 14.02% 8392 21.91% 3255 63.36%

60+ 3526 9.62% 5517 14.40% 1991 56.47%

65+ 2508 6.85% 3556 9.28% 1048 41.79%

➢ Hillsborough residents 45 & older have risen the most.

➢ Median age of 40.5 is below Bridgewater, Montgomery and Hunterdon County.

Source: 2000 & 2010 Census from United States Census Bureau, 2014 American Community Survey


Public School System8

The Hillsborough Public School System is a key attribute that attracts families to Hillsborough Township

★ Approximately 7,200 students: 6 elementary schools, 1 intermediate school, 1 middle school and 1 high school.

★ 94.5% of the Class of 2016 attended college and the remaining 5.5% attending other schools, in military, or employed.

★ Technology in Classroom: 2016-2017 will be the third year of the full implementation of the district's 1:1 program initiative where every student in grades 5 through 12 receive a Chromebook provided by the district.

★ There’s a new district initiative for 2016-2017 focusing on the Next Generation Science Standards which includes new materials, curriculum, and training for staff.

★ The district will broaden its concurrent enrollment program to include up to 12 classes: Hillsborough High School students are able to receive high school and college transcripted credits from Raritan Valley Community College for taking a single class during the school day.

★ The district completed an Energy Savings Improvement Plan allowing it to complete over $16 million in construction projects without raising taxes. The energy savings received from the projects will pay for principle and interest payments on the energy savings bonds.

★ 2015-2016 Hillsborough High School was ranked by U.S. News & World Report as #54 in the State of New Jersey and #1,774 nationally.

★ NJ Monthly (Sept 2016) Ranking of Best Public High Schools: #47 of 337!★ Niche (2016) Ranking of Best High Schools in NJ: #21 of 100!


Parks and Recreation9

➢ 15 Active Parks and Field Complexes: Supporting baseball, soccer, softball, lacrosse, football, playgrounds, and general recreation.

➢ Open Space: Approximately one third of Hillsborough is preserved as Open Space.➢ Sourland Mountain Preserve: A 17 mile (27 km) long ridge in central New Jersey,

extending from the Delaware River at Lambertville, to the western end of Hillsborough.➢ Mountain View Park: Future 369 acre park providing various sports facilities and

recreational activities for all residents year-round.➢ Duke Farms: Bike or hike new trails through a variety of habitats, attend a nature

program, take an organic gardening class, or bring the kids for a Family Wonder Walk.➢ Various Annual Events: Run Around the Park, Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony,

Independence Day Celebration & Fireworks, Family Campout, Senior Olympics, and other events.

➢ Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Department: Dedicated to providing year round recreation/leisure opportunities for people with developmental disabilities.

➢ Youth Recreation: Football, Baseball, Softball, Soccer, Basketball, Lacrosse and Competitive Cheer teams!


Hillsborough Honors its Veterans 10

➢ A dedicated, appointed Veterans Committee that advises the

Township Committee on Veterans related matters.

➢ A Military Veterans Garden of Honor at the Peter J. Biondi

Municipal Complex honoring Veterans of all Wars.

➢ An annual Memorial Day breakfast honoring all Township veterans.

➢ An annual Memorial Day Parade and Public Ceremonies honoring

veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

➢ An annual Military Order of the Purple Heart Ceremony in August at

the Garden of Honor, for all veterans awarded the Purple Heart who

were wounded or killed while serving in the Armed Forces.

➢ November Veterans Day Garden of Honor ceremonies to honor

all active duty and military veterans who are serving or have

served in the United States Armed Forces.

➢ Strong business sponsorship of all Veterans events.


Partnership With Our Local Businesses11

➢ The Economic & Business Development Commission (EBDC) ❖ Help with business-friendly information and guidance to both existing and new

business interests. ❖ “Business Networking Socials” – forum for key municipal leaders to discuss

current business environment; provide business networking opportunities. ➢ Dedicated Business Advocate to support business partnerships➢ Programs Supporting Small Business

❖ Cooperative Business Discount Cards ➢ Centrally located near 5 major hospital centers➢ Construction Department has evening and weekend hours ➢ “Shop Hillsborough” Program provides property tax credits to residents who

purchase from participating local businesses.➢ Hillsborough Affinity VISA Rewards Credit Card Grant program for the

benefit of local charitable causes.➢ Promotional “Hillsborough – The Good Life” episodes on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91GDD9NEtuA


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91GDD9NEtuA

Partnership With Our Local Businesses12

➢ Community Business Events❖ Networking Events hosted by local businesses.❖ Annual Hillsborough Rotary Fair to showcase local businesses and raise

donations for local families and non-profit organizations in need of assistance.

➢ Award Winning Economic Action Plan❖ Designated as model plan for municipalities by the Somerset County

Business Partnership.

➢ Township Committee Tradition of Recognizing Businesses ❖ Over past 3 years, the Township Committee has regularly recognized

long-term businesses for their commitment and contributions to Hillsborough.

➢ Business Sponsorship of Numerous Community Fundraising Events

➢ Hillsborough Regulatory Oversight Working Group was the model used for the state’s Red Tape Review Commission


(Cont’d)

Summary

➢ Consistently scored among the highest in various rankings.

➢ One of the largest communities in Central New Jersey with the highest population

growth rate.

➢ Since 2000, the highest growth rate of Household income among larger towns in the

region.

➢ A strong School System that stays ahead of the curve to prepare students for future

success.

➢ A wide and ever-expanding variety of recreational options.

➢ Township and Businesses that honors its veterans.

➢ A business community that is strongly supported by its Township and residents, and

which gives back in many ways.

13


Documents

Welcome to · Welcome to Hillsborough, New ... 6 elementary schools, 1 intermediate school, ... ★The district completed an Energy Savings Improvement Plan allowing it …