Why Hillside, NJ?
Hillside is a township of 23,000 residents in Union County where five continents meet on a single stretch of Liberty Avenue. Founded in 1913 when it separated from Union Township, this 5.5 square mile community has become one of the most culturally diverse places in New Jersey, with 37% of residents born outside the United States. Brazilian churrascarias sit next to Jamaican jerk spots, Colombian bakeries, Portuguese grills, and West African restaurants. Sitting at the junction of I-78 and Route 22, Hillside offers direct highway access to the Holland Tunnel and Manhattan in under 40 minutes, while the Elizabeth and Union NJ Transit stations are both 2 miles away with direct service to Penn Station. With a median home price of $529,000, a median household income of nearly $100,000, and 157% appreciation over the past decade, Hillside is one of the strongest value plays in the county.
Hillside Real Estate Market in 2026
The Hillside real estate market is maturing after a decade of exceptional growth. The median home price stands at $529,000 with an average price of $291 per square foot. Homes sell quickly at an average of 36 days on market. Ten year cumulative appreciation reached 157%, ranking in the top 10% nationally at 9.9% annualized. The market favors homeownership at 67% owner occupied, with a healthy rental market averaging $1,531 per month. Active inventory ranges from 40 to 69 listings across platforms, indicating moderate supply. The township's $99,528 median household income gives residents strong purchasing power relative to home prices, and the 36.9% foreign born population drives demand for multi generational housing.
Best Neighborhoods in Hillside
10 distinct neighborhoods, each with its own character and price range
Westminster
$510,000 to $560,000Quiet residential enclave near the Elizabeth River with tree lined streets, synagogues, and religious institutions. Proximity to Kean University's east campus creates a college town atmosphere. One of the most popular neighborhoods in the township with strong community identity.
Hillside West
$580,000 to $650,000The most expensive neighborhood in Hillside with a strong Brazilian and South American presence. Portuguese is spoken in 11% of households. Mix of medium to large single family homes and small apartment buildings built from the 1940s to 1960s. Walkable with diverse international dining.
Kean University Area
$520,000 to $590,000Urban neighborhood anchored by Kean University's campus. Diverse population with 43% foreign born, significant Portuguese and Haitian representation. Tight rental market with 1.4% vacancy rate. Shorter commutes to employment centers in Newark and Elizabeth.
Hollywood Heights
$520,000 to $590,000Upper middle income neighborhood along North Broad Street and Hollywood Avenue. Strong South American, Portuguese, and Sub Saharan African communities. Residents earn above average incomes, higher than 82% of US neighborhoods. Transit access via bus lines 59 and 66.
Hillside North
$450,000 to $495,000Densely urban with distinctive Haitian and African heritage. French is spoken in 15% of households, reflecting the 15.6% Haitian population. Mix of smaller homes and apartments. High public transit usage at 19% compared to the national average of under 1%.
Hillside Hills
$380,000 to $480,000Quiet southwest residential area known for tree lined streets and a family friendly atmosphere. Established single family homes on modest lots with colonial, midcentury split level, and traditional American architecture. Strong community vibe with parks and retail nearby.
North Avenue Corridor
$350,000 to $430,000The most affordable neighborhood in Hillside with 72% homeownership and an average resident age of 51. Two story colonials and split level homes with 3 to 4 bedrooms. Linked to Kean University and walkable to shops and services.
Liberty Avenue Corridor
$380,000 to $520,000The most vibrant and diverse area in the township. International businesses, restaurants, and multi family residential line the corridor. Brazilian churrascarias, Portuguese bakeries, West African cafes, and Dominican restaurants. Home to Town Hall, the Library, and Police HQ.
Conant Street/Central
$400,000 to $480,000Historic residential center surrounding Conant Park, the township's largest park on the Elizabeth River. Home to the Hillside Historical Society and Phil Rizzuto memorabilia. Well kept post war homes with tree lined streets and strong community identity.
Route 22/Bloy Street Gateway
$350,000 to $500,000Transit oriented commercial residential mix near the US Route 22 interchange. Gateway area with newer townhouse developments and modest homes. Direct commute access to I-78, the Garden State Parkway, and Newark Airport (6 miles). Diverse restaurants and retail chains.
Commuting from Hillside to NYC
Source: NJ Transit schedules, June 2026. Peak hour commute times.
Walkability and Livability in Hillside
How easy is it to live car-free or car-light in Hillside?
Hillside Schools and Ratings
Hillside Public School District serves 3,046 students across 7 schools with a focus on STEAM education and Advanced Placement coursework. Hillside High School enrolls 927 students with an 85% graduation rate matching the New Jersey state average and 38% AP participation. The district offers Project Lead the Way STEM curriculum, gifted and talented programs, and students can apply to the selective Union County Magnet High School for Science, Mathematics, and Technology. Premier School Scores are calculated from real NJSLA 2024 to 2025 test data published by the New Jersey Department of Education.
Source: NCES CCD 2023 to 2024, NJDOE NJSLA 2024 to 2025
Abram P. Morris Early Childhood Center
Hillside Innovation Academy
Hurden Looker School
Ola Edwards Community School
Deanna G. Taylor Academy
Walter O. Krumbiegel Middle School
Hillside High School
Hillside vs Neighboring Towns: Cost Comparison
Where to Eat in Hillside
Caribbean and Jamaican (Summit Avenue)
K and K Jamaican Restaurant at 1550 Summit Avenue has served authentic Jamaican cuisine since 2018. Known for jerk chicken, oxtail stew, curry goat, and ackee and saltfish. Open late on weekends until 11:30 PM. Part of a larger Caribbean dining scene that reflects Hillside's significant Haitian and Jamaican communities.
Colombian and Latin (Liberty Avenue)
Mi Tierra Restaurant and Bakery at 1286 Liberty Avenue is a family owned Colombian restaurant with an in house bakery. Known for Bandeja Paisa, Arepas, and daily specials with homemade soups. Happy hour Monday through Friday. Part of the vibrant international corridor on Liberty Avenue.
Portuguese and Spanish (Long Avenue and Hollywood)
Long Ave BBQ at 166 Long Avenue has operated as a Portuguese Churrasqueira since 1995, specializing in charcoal grilled meats. New Blue Ribbon Restaurant at 256 Hollywood Avenue has served Spanish and Portuguese fusion for over 32 years with a full bar and casual atmosphere.
African (Route 22 Corridor)
Abuja International Restaurant at 1784 Burnet Avenue in neighboring Union serves North, East, and West African traditions. Known for Ogbono (wild African mango with seafood and palm oil), Goat Meat Pepper Soup, and Douala Grilled Fish with fried plantains. Open late with a full bar. Reflects Hillside's growing Sub Saharan African community.
Parks and Recreation in Hillside
Conant Park
Hillside's largest municipal park bounded by the Elizabeth River and Conant Street. Features soccer fields, softball field, basketball court, a 1.1 mile walking path, playground, picnic areas with grills, and a recently added $500,000 outdoor fitness gym. Established in the early 1950s with recent renovations including new bleachers, team benches, and foul poles. Borders the Kean Estate, childhood home of Governor Thomas Kean.
Lightning Brook Park
43.6 acres shared with Union Township at 1596 Union Avenue. Features a baseball field, fishing access, playground, and picnic area. Part of the Elizabeth River Parkway, one of three emerald necklace green corridors in Union County designed by the Olmsted Brothers in the 1920s and developed from 1925 to 1930.
Rutgers Avenue Park
One of Union County's oldest playgrounds and part of the Elizabeth River Parkway system designed by the Olmsted Brothers. Features a playground, soccer field, and parking. Part of the 6,200 acre Union County park system spanning 36 parks.
Hillside Community Center
Full recreation facility at 274 Hillside Avenue offering a gymnasium, playgrounds, softball fields, and an elderly care center. Youth sports leagues, summer camps, fitness classes, and community events. Open Monday through Friday 8 AM to 9 PM and Saturday 10 AM to 3 PM.
New Development and Growth in Hillside
Liberty Crossing Urban Renewal
223 unit residential development at 1350 Liberty Avenue and 360 Hillside Avenue. Includes 183 market rate units and 40 age restricted units for residents 55 and older plus a public senior center. Redevelopment plan approved September 2024. The largest new residential project in Hillside's history.
PSE&G Substation Expansion (Route 22)
$4.35 million acquisition of industrial property at 138 Route 22 East by Public Service Electric and Gas for electricity distribution infrastructure improvement. Part of the utility's broader modernization of the Route 22 corridor grid.
Margaret Roche Spray Park
New spray park facility replacing the demolished Margaret Roche Pool. The city applied for a $1.7 million Green Acres Grant for Phase II construction. Demolition is currently underway, with completion timeline dependent on grant funding.
Sandford and Central Avenue Park Upgrades
$1 million in comprehensive park improvements including new playground equipment, workout stations, and court resurfacing across Phase II. Part of a broader investment enabled by the township's restored A1 bond rating.
Bristol-Myers Mixed Use (Long Avenue)
36 apartments (24 one bedroom, 12 two bedroom) with a 13,890 square foot urgent care medical center on the ground floor at the former Bristol-Myers Squibb parking lot. 69 parking spaces including 38 underground. Brings medical services and housing to an underserved area.
History of Hillside, NJ
Incorporated as a township on April 3, 1913, when residents voted to separate from Union Township. The name comes from the surrounding hills that characterize the landscape.
Population exploded from 5,400 in 1920 to 17,601 by 1930 as the township served as a solution to the post war housing crisis in the Newark and Elizabeth metro area.
Lionel Trains opened a factory in Hillside in 1929 that employed up to 2,000 workers at its peak, producing the iconic model trains that became an American cultural staple. The factory operated until 1974.
Hillside High School opened in 1940 and adopted the Comets mascot to commemorate Halley's Comet, which had appeared in 1910, three years before the township's incorporation.
Bristol-Myers Squibb was a major employer through the mid 20th century, helping Hillside reach its economic peak in the 1960s as a manufacturing center alongside Lionel Trains.
Today 37% of Hillside residents were born outside the United States, representing communities from Brazil, Haiti, Colombia, Portugal, Jamaica, and multiple African nations, making it one of the most internationally diverse townships in New Jersey.
The township recently restored its A1 bond rating, enabling access to state and federal grants that have funded over $3 million in park improvements, infrastructure upgrades, and police expansion.
Safety in Hillside
Hillside's violent crime rate of 1.94 per 1,000 residents is below the New Jersey state average of 2.18. Crime dropped 5% overall in 2024 compared to 2023. The township averages approximately one homicide per year. The Hillside Police Department has 70 sworn officers with specialized units including School Resource Officers, Crisis Negotiations, and tactical response. Southern Hillside is the safest area with a 1 in 56 chance of being a crime victim compared to 1 in 26 in the northwest. The department received a $1.25 million grant to hire 8 additional officers, expanding community policing presence.
Notable Residents
Annual Events and Festivals
Recently Sold Homes in Hillside, NJ
Public record data from NJ Division of Taxation SR1A filings.
| Address | Sale Price | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 215 WILDER ST | $705,000 | 260622 |
| 64 HILLSIDE AVE | $426,000 | 260616 |
| 926 ROANOKE AVE | $582,000 | 260612 |
| 1229 Robert St | $570,000 | 260604 |
| 29 LONG AVE | $500,000 | 260527 |
| 244 RYAN ST | $725,000 | 260521 |
| 1300 STATE ST | $650,000 | 260521 |
| 1292 SALEM AVE | $560,000 | 260519 |
| 124 WOODRUFF PLACE | $490,000 | 260512 |
| 35 EASTERN PARKWAY | $650,000 | 260508 |
| 1467 CENTER ST | $400,000 | 260507 |
| 1204 SALEM AVE | $745,000 | 260501 |
Source: NJ Division of Taxation, SR1A 2024-2026.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hillside, NJ
What is the median home price in Hillside, NJ?
The median home price is $529,000 as of 2026, with 9.1% year-over-year appreciation. Average $291/sqft, selling in 36 days.
How long is the commute from Hillside to NYC?
35 minutes via NJ Transit from Elizabeth Station (2 miles) on the Northeast Corridor. Direct service, no transfers.
What are property taxes in Hillside, NJ?
Tax rate is 1.78%. Average homeowner pays $9,431/year. At the median price of $529,000, expect about $9,416/year.
What are the best neighborhoods in Hillside?
Westminster ($510,000 to $560,000). Hillside West ($580,000 to $650,000). Kean University Area ($520,000 to $590,000). Hollywood Heights ($520,000 to $590,000). Hillside North ($450,000 to $495,000). See the full guide above for all 10 neighborhoods.
Is Hillside safe?
Hillside's violent crime rate of 1.94 per 1,000 residents is below the New Jersey state average of 2.18. Crime dropped 5% overall in 2024 compared to 2023. The township averages approximately one homicide per year. The Hillside Police Department has 70 sworn officers with specialized units including School Resource Officers, Crisis Negotiations, and tactical response. Southern Hillside is the safest area with a 1 in 56 chance of being a crime victim compared to 1 in 26 in the northwest. The department received a $1.25 million grant to hire 8 additional officers, expanding community policing presence.
How walkable is Hillside, NJ?
Walk Score of 70, rated "Very Walkable." Median income $99,528, median age 35.7. 33% renter-occupied.
Homes for Sale in Hillside, NJ
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