Town guide · Somerset County
Living in Hillsborough, NJ
Hillsborough covers about 55 square miles of southern Somerset County, from the Sourland Mountain to Duke Farms. Suburban neighborhoods along Route 206 share the township with preserved farms and woods, and about a third of the land is preserved as open space or farmland.
- County
- Somerset
- Population
- About 43,300 (2020 census)
- Size
- About 55 square miles
- Setting
- Suburban neighborhoods, preserved farmland and the wooded Sourland Mountain
- Main roads
- U.S. Route 206 and the Route 206 Bypass, County Routes 514 and 533
First things first
Hillsborough, Belle Mead and Millstone
Belle Mead straddles the line between Montgomery Township and Hillsborough Township, so a Belle Mead home may be in either town. Hillsborough has its own post office and 08844 ZIP code, which now serves the Hillsborough part of Belle Mead.
Millstone Borough was carved out of Hillsborough in 1894 and is a separate municipality with its own government and taxes, even though it shares the 08844 ZIP code. When we price or search for a home, we always confirm the actual municipality, because that decides the tax rate and the town services.
Neighborhoods
A township of old crossroads
Hillsborough was incorporated in 1798 as one of New Jersey's original townships. The township plans for the original stretch of Route 206 to become a main street now that the bypass is open. Many of the old village and crossroads names are still in use.
- Belle Mead: The southern part of the township along the Montgomery line, with the old Belle Mead railroad station and the former Belle Mead depot site.
- Sourland Mountain: The wooded ridge at the township's western end, where Washington is said to have drilled troops near a spring.
- Duke Farms area: The northeastern part of the township, home to the 2,700 acre Duke Farms estate.
- Other named places: Flagtown, Neshanic, South Branch, Zion, Woods Tavern, Royce Valley, Cloverhill and Higgins Mills are among the place names still on the map.
Homes
What you will find
- Suburban single family homes: Neighborhoods built over several decades on either side of Route 206.
- Farms and preserved farmland: About a third of the township is preserved as open space or farmland.
- Homes on Sourland Mountain: Wooded properties on the ridge, where hard rock and clay soils shape how homes are built and served.
Worth knowing: On Sourland Mountain, hard diabase rock, nonporous clay soils, steep slopes and perched wetlands make wells and septic systems difficult to install, so we look closely at the water supply and septic system on every mountain property. Preserved farms carry permanent deed restrictions that limit development. And because Belle Mead and Millstone addresses can confuse the picture, we confirm the municipality on every home.
Property taxes
What taxes look like in Hillsborough
- 2.083%2025 effective tax rate, as a share of market value
- $12,8322025 average residential tax bill
A home worth $600,000 on today's market would pay roughly $12,498 a year at Hillsborough'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
U.S. Route 206 is the main road through Hillsborough. The Route 206 Bypass, completed in 2021, carries through traffic around the older stretch of the highway. County Route 514 runs about 10 miles across the township, and County Route 533 also passes through. Interstate 287 is just outside the township in neighboring Bridgewater and Franklin. There is no passenger train station in Hillsborough. The Norfolk Southern Lehigh Line carries freight through town, and a proposed NJ Transit line with stations at Belle Mead and Hillsborough was canceled for lack of funding. Somerset County's SCOOT shuttle buses run on weekdays on the R1, R2 and Peak routes, connecting Hillsborough with Manville, Somerville, Bridgewater and Bound Brook.
Places worth knowing
Parks, landmarks and open space
- Duke Farms: The former estate of Doris Duke, about 2,700 acres with 943 open to the public, including lakes, woodlands and restored habitats. It opened to the public in 2012. Hours change with the seasons, so check its website before you go.
- Sourland Mountain Preserve: A Somerset County preserve on the Sourland ridge with the Sourland Mountain Hiking Trail.
- Doyle Park: A township park that is home to the Mike Merdinger Memorial Trail.
Common questions
Questions people ask us about Hillsborough
What are property taxes in Hillsborough, NJ?
Hillsborough Township's 2025 effective tax rate is 2.083 percent of market value, and the average residential tax bill is $12,832, according to the New Jersey Division of Taxation. Actual bills depend on each home's assessment.
Is Millstone part of Hillsborough?
No. Millstone Borough was carved out of Hillsborough Township in 1894 and is its own municipality with its own government and taxes. The two share the 08844 ZIP code.
Is Belle Mead in Hillsborough or Montgomery?
Both. Belle Mead covers the northern part of Montgomery Township and the southern part of Hillsborough Township. We confirm the municipality on every Belle Mead home, because it decides the tax rate.
Can you visit Duke Farms?
Yes. Duke Farms in Hillsborough opened to the public in 2012, with 943 of its roughly 2,700 acres open to visitors. Hours change with the seasons, and some busy days require a free pass reserved in advance, so we suggest checking the Duke Farms website before you go.
Is there a train station in Hillsborough?
No. A proposed NJ Transit line with stations at Belle Mead and Hillsborough was canceled for lack of funding. Somerset County's SCOOT shuttle buses connect the township on weekdays with Manville, Somerville, Bridgewater and Bound Brook.
Nearby towns
Towns that border Hillsborough
Buying or selling in Hillsborough?
From the mountain to Route 206
A wooded lot on Sourland Mountain, a preserved farm and a house off Route 206 all sell on different terms. We look hard at the well, the septic and any deed restrictions first, then walk you through your choices.
Call or text either of us directly.