High Bridge is a borough in Hunterdon County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 3,546, a decrease of 102 (−2.8%) from the 2010 census count of 3,648, which in turn reflected a decline of 128 (−3.4%) from the 3,776 counted in the 2000 census.Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023.

History

High Bridge was originally incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 29, 1871, from portions of Clinton Township and Lebanon Township. On February 19, 1898, the borough of High Bridge was incorporated from portions of the township, with the remainder returned to Clinton and Lebanon Townships five days later.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 155. Accessed May 28, 2024.

The borough is located on the South Branch of the Raritan River in the north central part of Hunterdon County. Water from the South Branch was a valuable power source for one of the first ironworks in the United States, established in the 1740s by William Allen and Joseph Turner of Philadelphia.Lawlor, Julia. "If You're Thinking of Living In/High Bridge, N.J.; Steel Town Reborn as Family Community", The New York Times, December 23, 2001. Accessed September 1, 2015. "In 1742, two Philadelphia businessmen, William Allen and Joseph Turner, leased a 3,000-acre tract from the King of England in what is now High Bridge. They began operating an iron forge, mining iron from the surrounding hills and cutting down the forests to fuel the forge. The business was eventually purchased by Robert Taylor, who supplied cannonballs for the Revolutionary Army." Allen was the mayor of Philadelphia, a Chief Justice of Pennsylvania, and a prominent landowner in New Jersey. In 1859, the Central Railroad of New Jersey began a five-year construction project of a , bridge across the river from which structure the locality ultimately took its name.Gannett, Henry. The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States, p. 156. United States Government Printing Office, 1905. Accessed April 21, 2015. "Highbridge; borough in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, named for its remarkable railroad bridge."History of High Bridge, High Bridge Borough. Accessed September 1, 2015. "High Bridge was named for a 1,300 foot-long, 112 foot-high bridge built by the Central Railroad Company across the South Branch of the Raritan River. It was too costly to maintain and was subsequently filled in with an earthen embankment, leaving a double-arch culvert through which the River and Arch Street pass through. Construction of the embankment began in 1859 and took five years to complete."

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 2.43 square miles (6.30 km2), including 2.39 square miles (6.19 km2) of land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2) of water (1.65%). It is drained by the South Branch of the Raritan River.

High Bridge borders the Hunterdon County municipalities of Clinton Township and Lebanon Township.Areas touching High Bridge, MapIt. Accessed January 4, 2015.Map of County Municipalities, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Accessed July 30, 2023.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Jericho Hill, Pierce Heights and Silverthorn.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed April 20, 2015.

Climate

Demographics

2020 census As of the 2020 census, High Bridge had a population of 3,546. The median age was 41.5 years. 21.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 13.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 97.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 95.3 males age 18 and over.

97.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 3.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 1,424 households in High Bridge, of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 54.8% were married-couple households, 16.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 21.6% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 25.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 1,517 housing units, of which 6.1% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.1%.

+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census Race Number Percent White 2,998 84.5% Black or African American 66 1.9% American Indian and Alaska Native 6 0.2% Asian 114 3.2% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 0 0.0% Some other race 101 2.8% Two or more races 261 7.4% Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 340 9.6%

2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 3,648 people, 1,418 households, and 1,004 families in the borough. The population density was 1,526.9 per square mile (589.5/km2). There were 1,481 housing units at an average density of 619.9 per square mile (239.3/km2). The racial makeup was 93.17% (3,399) White, 1.32% (48) Black or African American, 0.22% (8) Native American, 3.18% (116) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 0.74% (27) from other races, and 1.37% (50) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.00% (219) of the population.

Of the 1,418 households, 33.6% had children under the age of 18; 58.3% were married couples living together; 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present and 29.2% were non-families. Of all households, 22.9% were made up of individuals and 5.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.06.

24.3% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 32.3% from 45 to 64, and 8.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.9 years. For every 100 females, the population had 101.2 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 101.4 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $90,037 (with a margin of error of +/− $10,054) and the median family income was $108,148 (+/− $6,913). Males had a median income of $77,500 (+/− $10,021) versus $47,936 (+/− $5,291) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $40,866 (+/− $4,587). About none of families and 0.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for High Bridge borough, Hunterdon County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 14, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 3,776 people, 1,428 households, and 1,051 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 1,478 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 96.24% White, 0.79% African American, 0.34% Native American, 1.43% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.45% from other races, and 0.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.12% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for High Bridge borough, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 14, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for High Bridge borough, Hunterdon County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed November 14, 2012.

There were 1,428 households, out of which 39.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.3% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.4% were non-families. 20.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.10.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 27.6% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 36.4% from 25 to 44, 24.2% from 45 to 64, and 6.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.7 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $68,719, and the median income for a family was $75,357. Males had a median income of $56,607 versus $35,450 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $29,276. About 1.9% of families and 3.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.9% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over. Economy High Bridge has a downtown (Main Street) that is home to eateries, services and professionals.

The businesses are collectively marketed by the High Bridge Business Association, which assists its member businesses through co-operative advertising, press releases, goodwill and other benefits.About the HBBA, Love High Bridge. Accessed August 7, 2024.

Parks and recreation

High Bridge serves as the southern terminus of a rail trail that was created out of the former Central Railroad of New Jersey High Bridge Branch. The trail is maintained by Hunterdon County Parks and Recreation and is called the Columbia Trail. The trail runs northeastward from the center of the borough (at the junction of Main Street and Church Street) towards Califon, through a scenic area outside the borough limits, known as the Ken Lockwood Gorge.Columbia Trail, Hunterdon County, New Jersey Division of Parks and Recreation. Accessed March 3, 2023.A Gorgeous Ride: The Columbia Trail, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed March 3, 2023.

Union Forge Park is High Bridge's main public park, located by the South Branch Raritan River and the Taylor Wharton complex. Another park is the Borough Commons, situated at the start of the Columbia Trail. A grant received by the Union Forge Heritage Association in 2008 provided for the creation of the Taylor Steelworkers Historical Greenway, which stretches around the borough, starting at Columbia Trail and connecting the borough's parks and other historic sites.Brickman, Rachael S. "New trail will trace High Bridge's history", and ending as Amesbury Furnace circa 1753 in Clinton Township Hunterdon County Democrat, October 5, 2008. Accessed October 15, 2013. "The Union Forge Heritage Association has received a $24,500 Recreational Trails Program grant from the state in order to create a 5.25-mile trail around the borough. The project, which will be known at the Taylor Steelworkers Historical Greenway, will begin at the Columbia Trail and will pass a number of local landmarks including Lake Solitude, the Solitude House museum and the Union Forge before ending up at Springside Farm."

The High Bridge Hills golf course, located near Route 31, provides another means of recreation in the small town.Home page , High Bridge Hills Golf Club. Accessed November 14, 2012.

Government

Local government