Far Hills is a borough in the Somerset Hills of northern Somerset County in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 924, an increase of 5 (+0.5%) from the 2010 census count of 919, which in turn reflected an increase of 60 (+7.0%) from the 859 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. The borough is located within the Raritan Valley region.Raritan Basin Hydrology, New Jersey Water Supply Authority. Accessed July 10, 2023.

Far Hills was incorporated as a borough based on an Act of the New Jersey Legislature passed on April 7, 1921, from portions of Bernards Township, subject to the results of a referendum held on May 12, 1921.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606–1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 223. Accessed August 25, 2012. Far Hills is a dry town where alcohol is not permitted to be sold by law.New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control. New Jersey ABC list of dry towns (May 1, 2013).Giordano, Rita. "More towns catching liquor-license buzz; Moorestown considers ending its dry spell", The Philadelphia Inquirer, June 24, 2007. Accessed February 16, 2014.

In the Forbes magazine listing of the Most Expensive ZIP Codes in the United States, Far Hills was ranked 52 in 2010 (with median sale price of $2,067,451) and 87th in 2012 (with a median of $1,729,135).Levy, Francesca. "America's Most Expensive ZIP Codes", Forbes, September 27, 2010. Accessed May 11, 2023.Brennan, Morgan. "Most Expensive ZIP Codes: 2012", Forbes, October 16, 2012. Accessed May 1, 2023. In 2018, New Jersey Business Magazine listed Far Hills at 12th in its listing of "The Most Expensive ZIP Codes in New Jersey", with a median sale price 2017 of $885,000."The Most Expensive ZIP Codes in New Jersey", New Jersey Business Magazine, February 15, 2018. Accessed May 11, 2023. "12 07931 Far Hills Somerset County $885,000" In the 2020 Bloomberg ranking of Wealthiest Zip Codes in the Country, Far Hills (07931) was ranked 12th, with an average adjusted gross income of over $814,000."It Takes $2.2 Million a Year to Live in America's Richest Zip Code"

The 07931 ZIP Code extends beyond the borders of Far Hills into sections of other nearby Somerset Hills communities in Somerset and Morris counties including the boroughs of Bernardsville and Peapack-Gladstone; along with the townships of Bedminster, Bernards, Chester, and Mendham.ZIP Code 07931, United States ZIP Codes. Accessed July 18, 2023."Review: New Jersey Country Homes The Somerset Hills." T3 Consortium, LLC, last modified September 2006, backed up by the Internet Archive as of July 24, 2008. Accessed December 11, 2015.

History Far Hills encompasses nearly in Somerset County, encircled by the Somerset Hills communities of Bedminster, Bernardsville, Bernards Township, and Peapack-Gladstone.Municipalities Map , Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed November 22, 2012. The borough shares a community pool, athletic programs, civic organizations, and a school system with Bernardsville. It shares a public library, a fire department and a first aid squad with neighboring Bedminster.

The borough maintains its character through minimum zoning laws whereby large private properties and homes surround a small village which was the creation of a wealthy New York businessman in the late 1800s.Goldman, E. Stanley. "Far Hills Taxes Questioned", The New York Times, October 17, 1971. Accessed August 25, 2012. The beginning of rail service to nearby Bernardsville in 1870, opened the area to city people seeking a respite from the heat and hurry of urban life.

Evander H. Schley, a land developer and real estate broker from New York, purchased thousands of acres in Bedminster and Bernards townships in the 1880s. One day in 1887, Schley's brother, Grant, and his wife, Elizabeth, arrived by horse-drawn carriage to see Evander's farms. Elizabeth is said to have remarked on the beautiful vista of the "far hills," thus giving the name to the place before a village was built.History of Far Hills, Borough of Far Hills. Accessed August 1, 2016.

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 4.90 square miles (12.69 km2), including 4.85 square miles (12.55 km2) of land and 0.06 square miles (0.14 km2) of water (1.12%).

The borough borders the Somerset County municipalities of Bedminster to the west, Bernards Township to the east, Bernardsville to the northeast and Peapack-Gladstone to the northwest.Areas touching Far Hills, MapIt. Accessed March 30, 2020.Municipalities, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed March 30, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019.

Climate The climate in the area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally cold winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Far Hills has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfa" on climate maps.Climate Summary for Far Hills, New Jersey

Demographics

2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 919 people, 376 households, and 259 families in the borough. The population density was 191.6 per square mile (74.0/km2). There were 418 housing units at an average density of 87.1 per square mile (33.6/km2). The racial makeup was 95.32% (876) White, 0.65% (6) Black or African American, 0.00% (0) Native American, 1.85% (17) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 0.54% (5) from other races, and 1.63% (15) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.58% (88) of the population.

Of the 376 households, 29.5% had children under the age of 18; 58.2% were married couples living together; 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present and 31.1% were non-families. Of all households, 28.5% were made up of individuals and 8.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.02.

24.0% of the population were under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 19.7% from 25 to 44, 35.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45.5 years. For every 100 females, the population had 93.5 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 96.6 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $125,833 (with a margin of error of +/− $29,841) and the median family income was $202,083 (+/− $85,006). Males had a median income of $177,083 (+/− $60,611) versus $76,250 (+/− $38,263) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $93,495 (+/− $19,515). About 3.6% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.3% of those under age 18 and 4.8% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Far Hills borough, Somerset County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 25, 2012.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 859 people, 368 households, and 253 families. The population density was . There were 386 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup was 96.04% White, 0.81% African American, 0.12% Native American, 2.10% Asian, and 0.93% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.61% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Far Hills borough, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 25, 2012.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Far Hills borough, Somerset County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 25, 2012.

There were 368 households, out of which 22.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.5% were married couples living together, 5.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.3% were non-families. 25.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.76.

The population was spread out, with 18.4% under the age of 18, 3.5% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 32.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.9 males.

The median income for a household was $112,817, and the median income for a family was $149,095. Males had a median income of $90,000 versus $46,607 for females. The per capita income was $81,535. About 0.8% of families and 2.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.8% of those under age 18 and 1.2% of those age 65 or over.

Sports The United States Golf Association has a Far Hills mailing address but is actually located in Bernards Township. The United States Golf Association Museum and Arnold Palmer Center for Golf History is located on the premises.Contact Us , USGA Museum. Accessed August 25, 2012.

From 2000 through 2005 the Breeders' Cup Grand National Steeplechase returned to the Far Hills Races after a hiatus of six years. Known for the highest prize money of a steeplechase in America, the purse for the Breeders' Cup winner has been as large as $250,000 and has attracted up to 100,000 spectators. Several races are scheduled by Far Hills Race Meeting Association in late October of each year. Considered one of the premier social events of the year in the tri-state area, it is attended by as many as 75,000 people annually.About Far Hills Race Meeting Association , Far Hills Races. Accessed August 25, 2012.

Parks and recreation The Leonard J. Buck Garden, , is a public botanical garden operated by the Somerset County Park Commission, and located at 11 Layton Road. It is open daily; a small fee is requested.Leonard J. Buck Garden, Somerset County Park Commission. Accessed August 25, 2012. Moggy Hollow Natural Area is a National Natural Landmark adjacent to the Buck Garden.Moggy Hollow at Leonard J. Buck Garden, Somerset County Park Commission. Accessed August 25, 2012. Natirar is an estate spanning in Far Hills, Peapack-Gladstone and Bedminster that was sold in 2003 by Mohammed VI, King of Morocco, to the Somerset County Park Commission.Natirar, Somerset County Park Commission. Accessed August 25, 2012.

Government

Local government