Is Hillside Safe, Pros and cons of living in Hillside

Hillside, New Jersey, offers a blend of suburban tranquility and urban accessibility, making it an appealing place to live for various demographics. This township is known for its diverse community and its strategic location within Union County, providing residents with convenient access to major transportation routes and nearby cities like Newark and Elizabeth. The area has a history rooted in industry, with past contributions from companies like Bristol-Myers Squibb and Lionel Trains.

The community actively engages in local governance through its seven-member township council and an elected mayor, fostering a sense of civic participation. Hillside’s commitment to community is further evidenced by its various organizations, including Rotary International and the Knights of Columbus, which contribute to the social fabric of the town. The township also benefits from programs like the Urban Enterprise Zone, designed to support local businesses and economic growth.

Is it Safe to Live in Hillside?

Hillside Township reports a violent crime rate of 120.8 per 100,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the national average of 282.7 (according to Niche). The township has a murder rate of 0, compared to the national average of 6.1, and a rape rate of 17.9, against the national average of 40.7. Robbery rates stand at 58.2 per 100,000, well below the national figure of 135.5 (as reported by Niche).

Property crime statistics for Hillside Township show a burglary rate of 228.2 per 100,000 residents, which is slightly higher than the national average of 217.7 (as reported by Niche). However, overall, residents express a mixed but generally positive sentiment regarding safety. A significant portion of residents feel either very safe or pretty safe, with some acknowledging minor safety concerns (as indicated by student polls on Niche).

Housing Costs and Availability

The median listing price for a home in Hillside, New Jersey, is $540,000, with prices showing a year-over-year increase of 4.85% (according to Realtor.com). The median rental price is $2,600 per month, though year-over-year rent prices have seen a decrease of 5.45% (as reported by Realtor.com). The market is considered hot, with homes selling in a median of 31 days (as per Realtor.com).

The township has a modest supply of homes for sale, with 42 listings, indicating a balanced market for both buyers and sellers. Rental inventory is also moderate, with 22 listings, suggesting that renters might face some competition. The majority of housing units, approximately 75%, were built before 1960 (as per Township of Hillside data).

Job Market and Economic Landscape

The average household income in Hillside, NJ, was reported as $113,284 in 2024, with a median income of $99,528 (as per Point2Homes). This indicates a strong earning potential for residents. The unemployment rate in Hillside Township is 5.5% (according to Niche), which is higher than the national average but reflects a significant portion of the workforce being employed.

A large majority of the working population, 73.2%, is employed in professional or administrative positions, with 26.8% in hands-on or service-based jobs (as per Point2Homes). The township is part of New Jersey’s Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) program, which provides benefits to businesses, such as reduced sales tax and financial assistance (as reported by Township of Hillside).

Demographics and Community Profile

As of the 2020 Census, Hillside, New Jersey, had a population of 22,456 residents, an increase of 4.9% from the 2010 census (as reported by Wikipedia). The demographic makeup is diverse, with 51.5% identifying as Black, 20.8% as Hispanic, and 17.7% as White (according to Hillside High School data). The median age in the township is approximately 38.4 years (as per Township of Hillside).

The population density is quite high, with 7,920 persons per square mile (as per Township of Hillside). The median household income was reported as $59,939 (as per Township of Hillside), though more recent data suggests higher figures. A notable portion of the population, 11.5%, lives below the poverty line (as per Township of Hillside).

Climate and Weather

Hillside, New Jersey, experiences warm, humid summers and very cold, snowy winters, with the weather being partly cloudy year-round. The temperature typically ranges from 26°F to 86°F, rarely dropping below 12°F or exceeding 95°F (as reported by Weather Spark). The hottest month is July, with average highs of 86°F and lows of 69°F.

The coldest month is January, with average lows of 27°F and highs of 40°F. Hillside receives rainfall throughout the year, with April being the wettest month, averaging 3.7 inches of rain. February is the driest month, with an average of 2.2 inches of precipitation (according to Weather Spark).

Education and Schools

Information regarding specific school ratings for Hillside, New Jersey, is not readily available in the provided search results. However, general data on educational attainment indicates that 34% of residents have a high school diploma, 24% have some college or an associate’s degree, and 17% hold a bachelor’s degree (as per Niche, for a different Hillside location). A smaller percentage, 7%, have a master’s degree or higher, while 18% have less than a high school diploma.

For comparative context, Hillside Elementary School in Ashburn, VA, ranks in the top 20% of Virginia schools for overall test scores, with 85% math proficiency and 80% reading proficiency (as per Niche). Another Hillside Elementary School in Berwyn, PA, ranks in the top 1% of Pennsylvania schools for overall test scores, with 85-89% math and reading proficiency (as per Niche).