Town guide · Middlesex County
Living in Highland Park, NJ
Highland Park sits on the high ground above the Raritan River, directly across from New Brunswick. The borough covers less than two square miles, with Raritan Avenue running through the middle and Donaldson Park along the river.
- County
- Middlesex
- Population
- About 15,000 (2020 census)
- Size
- About 1.8 square miles
- Setting
- Compact, walkable borough on the Raritan River
- Main roads
- Route 27 (Raritan Avenue), River Road, Woodbridge Avenue, with U.S. Route 1 and Route 18 just outside town
Neighborhoods
North side, south side and the river
Highland Park separated from Raritan Township, now Edison, and became a borough in 1905. It was named for its location above the Raritan River. Raritan Avenue, which is Route 27, runs about a mile and a half through town and divides it into a north side and a south side.
- Raritan Avenue: Route 27, the borough's main street and downtown, running about a mile and a half through town.
- Livingston Manor: A historic district near River Road and North Second Avenue, listed on the state and national historic registers in 2004.
- Other named areas: Local place names include Riverview Terrace, Raritan Park Terrace, East New Brunswick Heights and Orchard Heights.
Homes
What you will find
- Single family homes: On residential streets north and south of Raritan Avenue, many within walking distance of the downtown.
- Historic homes: Livingston Manor holds a concentration of older homes, and the Livingston Homestead, built around 1843, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Two family homes and apartments: Multi unit buildings and smaller rental homes are part of the housing mix, which makes the borough's rent control ordinance worth understanding.
Worth knowing: Highland Park has a rent control ordinance, passed in December 2022, that covers rental dwellings in the borough, including one to four unit homes, and is administered by a Rent Control Board. If you are buying a two family home or any property with a tenant, we review the ordinance and the current rents early. Homes closer to the Raritan River should also be checked against the flood maps.
Property taxes
What taxes look like in Highland Park
- 2.802%2025 effective tax rate, as a share of market value
- $13,1122025 average residential tax bill
A home worth $450,000 on today's market would pay roughly $12,609 a year at Highland Park's 2025 effective rate. Your actual bill depends on your assessment, so we pull the real tax record for any home you are considering.
Source: New Jersey Division of Taxation, 2025 general and effective tax rates. Rates are set each year.
Getting around
Roads and commuting
Raritan Avenue, Route 27, is the main road through town and crosses the Raritan River on the Albany Street Bridge into New Brunswick. River Road runs along the river on the west side of the borough, and Woodbridge Avenue, County Route 514, runs through the southeast. U.S. Route 1 and Route 18 are just beyond the borough line. There is no train station in Highland Park. The closest stations are New Brunswick and Edison on NJ Transit's Northeast Corridor Line, and NJ Transit local buses serve the borough. Daily shopping is along Raritan Avenue and the nearby Route 1 and Route 18 corridors.
Places worth knowing
Parks, landmarks and open space
- Donaldson Park: An 81 acre Middlesex County park on the Raritan River with a boat launch, a dog park, sports fields, courts, picnic groves and paved trails.
- Johnson Park: A Middlesex County park along the north bank of the Raritan River, in Piscataway and Highland Park, with walking trails, athletic fields and picnic areas.
- Livingston Manor Historic District: A historic residential district near River Road, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.
Common questions
Questions people ask us about Highland Park
What are property taxes in Highland Park, NJ?
Highland Park Borough's 2025 effective tax rate is 2.802 percent of market value, and the average residential tax bill is $13,112, according to the New Jersey Division of Taxation. Actual bills depend on each home's assessment.
Is Highland Park part of New Brunswick?
No. Highland Park is its own borough, incorporated in 1905, with its own government and property taxes. It sits directly across the Raritan River from New Brunswick, connected by the Albany Street Bridge on Route 27.
Does Highland Park have rent control?
Yes. The borough passed a rent control ordinance in December 2022 that covers rental dwellings, including one to four unit homes. Annual allowable increases are tied to the Consumer Price Index and capped, and a Rent Control Board administers the ordinance.
Is there a train station in Highland Park?
No. The closest stations are New Brunswick, just across the river, and Edison, both on NJ Transit's Northeast Corridor Line. NJ Transit local buses serve the borough.
Where is Donaldson Park?
Donaldson Park is an 81 acre Middlesex County park on South Second Avenue in Highland Park, along the Raritan River. It opened in 1946 and has a boat launch, a dog park, sports fields and paved trails.
Nearby towns
Towns that border Highland Park
Buying or selling in Highland Park?
Rental rules and river streets
In Highland Park, a two family house, a tenant in place or a street near the river each changes the math. We look at all three before we talk about price, and we explain every way to sell.
Call or text either of us directly.