Location of Far Hills in Somerset County highlighted in yellow (right). Inset map: Location of Somerset County in New Jersey highlighted in black (left).
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.[23] Far Hills is a dry town where alcohol is not permitted to be sold by law.[24][25]
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).[26][27] 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.[28]
Far Hills encompasses nearly 5 square miles (13 km2) in Somerset County, encircled by the Somerset Hills communities of Bedminster, Bernardsville, Bernards Township, and Peapack-Gladstone.[32] It 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 Township.
The borough maintains its character through 10-acre (40,000 m2) 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.[33] 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.[34]
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%).[1][2]
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.[19]
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.[19]
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.[43]
2000 census
As of the 2000 United States census[15] there were 859 people, 368 households, and 253 families. The population density was 176.8 inhabitants per square mile (68.3/km2). There were 386 housing units at an average density of 79.4 per square mile (30.7/km2). 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.[41][42]
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.[41][42]
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.[41][42]
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.[41][42]
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.[45]
Parks and recreation
The Leonard J. Buck Garden, 33 acres (130,000 m2), 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.[46]
Far Hills is governed under the borough form of New Jersey municipal government, which is used in 218 municipalities (of the 564) statewide, making it the most common form of government in New Jersey.[49] The governing body is comprised of the mayor and the borough council, with all positions elected at-large on a partisan basis as part of the November general election. A mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The borough council includes six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year in a three-year cycle.[6] The borough form of government used by Far Hills is a "weak mayor / strong council" government in which council members act as the legislative body with the mayor presiding at meetings and voting only in the event of a tie. The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of the council. The mayor makes committee and liaison assignments for council members, and most appointments are made by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council.[50][51]
As of 2024[update], the mayor of Far Hills is Republican Kevin Welsh, whose term of office ends on December 31, 2026. Members of the Far Hills Borough Council are Council President David P. Karner (R, 2025), Joseph E. Carty (R, 2026), Mary Chimenti (R, 2024), Peter J. Cocoziello Jr. (R, 2024; appointed to serve an unexpired term), Richard L. Rinzler (R, 2025) and Charles P. Schwester (R, 2026) and Kevin Welsh (R, 2024).[3][52][53][54][55][56]
Peter Cocoziello was appointed in January 2023 to fill the seat expiring in December 2024 that had been held by Kevin Walsh until he stepped down to take office as mayor.[57] Cocoziello served on an interim basis until the November 2023 general election, when voters chose him to serve the balance of the term of office.[54]
In November 2019, the borough council selected Ted McLean to fill the weeks remaining in the seat expiring in December 2019 that had been held by David R. Surks until he resigned from office earlier that month. Surks was re-elected in the November 2019 general election[58] In January 2020, McLean was appointed to fill Surks' term expiring in December 2022 and will serve on an interim basis until the November 2020 general election.[59]
Emergency services
Emergency services in the borough are offered by the Far Hills-Bedminster Fire Department, Far Hills Police Department, and Far Hills-Bedminster First Aid Squad. Far Hills-Bedminster Fire Department roots back to the establishment of Union Hook & Ladder Company #1 in December 1900; The current name was adopted in 1998 to avoid confusion with other departments with similar names.[60]
Federal, state and county representation
Far Hills is located in the 7th Congressional District[61] and is part of New Jersey's 21st state legislative district.[62][63][64]
Somerset County is governed by a five-member Board of County Commissioners, whose members are elected at-large to three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with one or two seats coming up for election each year. At an annual reorganization meeting held on the first Friday of January, the board selects a Director and deputy director from among its members.[69] As of 2025[update], Somerset County's County Commissioners are:
Constitutional officers, elected on a countywide basis are:
Clerk Steve Peter (D, Somerville, 2027),[79][80]
Sheriff Darrin Russo (D, Franklin Township, 2025)[81][82] and
Surrogate Bernice "Tina" Jalloh (D, Franklin Township, 2025)[83][84][77]
Politics
As of March 2011, there were a total of 748 registered voters in Far Hills, of which 97 (13.0% vs. 26.0% countywide) were registered as Democrats, 382 (51.1% vs. 25.7%) were registered as Republicans and 268 (35.8% vs. 48.2%) were registered as Unaffiliated. There was one voter registered to another party.[85] Among the borough's 2010 Census population, 81.4% (vs. 60.4% in Somerset County) were registered to vote, including 107.2% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 80.4% countywide).[85][86]
In the 2012 presidential election, Republican Mitt Romney received 70.6% of the vote (348 cast), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 27.8% (137 votes), and other candidates with 1.0% (5 votes), among the 493 ballots cast by the borough's 793 registered voters (3 ballots were spoiled), for a turnout of 62.2%.[87][88] In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain received 355 votes (63.1% vs. 46.1% countywide), ahead of Democrat Barack Obama with 196 votes (34.8% vs. 52.1%) and other candidates with 5 votes (0.9% vs. 1.1%), among the 563 ballots cast by the borough's 726 registered voters, for a turnout of 77.5% (vs. 78.7% in Somerset County).[89] In the 2004 presidential election, Republican George W. Bush received 342 votes (67.7% vs. 51.5% countywide), ahead of Democrat John Kerry with 160 votes (31.7% vs. 47.2%) and other candidates with 2 votes (0.4% vs. 0.9%), among the 505 ballots cast by the borough's 636 registered voters, for a turnout of 79.4% (vs. 81.7% in the whole county).[90]
In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 84.9% of the vote (275 cast), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 13.0% (42 votes), and other candidates with 2.2% (7 votes), among the 324 ballots cast by the borough's 799 registered voters, for a turnout of 40.6%.[91][92] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 282 votes (69.6% vs. 55.8% countywide), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 65 votes (16.0% vs. 34.1%), Independent Chris Daggett with 52 votes (12.8% vs. 8.7%) and other candidates with 5 votes (1.2% vs. 0.7%), among the 405 ballots cast by the borough's 743 registered voters, yielding a 54.5% turnout (vs. 52.5% in the county).[93]
Students in public school attend the schools of the Somerset Hills Regional School District, a regional school district covering pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade serving students from Bernardsville, Far Hills, and Peapack-Gladstone, along with students from Bedminster Township who attend the district's high school as part of a sending/receiving relationship.[99][100] As of the 2022–23 school year, the district, comprised of three schools, had an enrollment of 1,761 students and 151.3 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 11.6:1.[101] Schools in the district (with 2022–23 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics[102]) are
Marion T. Bedwell Elementary School[103] with 453 students in grades PreK–4,
Bernardsville Middle School[104] with 458 students in grades 5–8 and
Bernards High School[105] with 812 students in grades 9–12.[106][107][108] The district's board of education is comprised of nine elected members (plus one appointed member representing Bedminster) who set policy and oversee the fiscal and educational operation of the district through its administration.[109] The nine elected seats on the board are allocated to the constituent municipalities based on population, with one seat allocated to Far Hills.[110]
As of May 2010[update], the borough had a total of 15.28 miles (24.59 km) of roadways, of which 9.70 miles (15.61 km) were maintained by the municipality, 2.59 miles (4.17 km) by Somerset County and 2.99 miles (4.81 km) by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.[112]
Charles W. Engelhard Jr. (1917–1971), businessman who controlled an international mining and metals conglomerate and was a major owner of thoroughbred race horses[119]
^ abBorough Council, Borough of Far Hills. Accessed May 22, 2024. "The Borough of Far Hills Council consists of the Mayor and 6 Council members. The Mayor is elected for a four year term and Council members are elected for a three year term."
^About Us, Historical Society of the Somerset Hills. Accessed June 23, 2023. "Founded in 1928 originally as the Historical Society of Basking Ridge, the mission and name of the society was later changed to The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization including all five communities of the Somerset Hills region: Bedminster Township, Bernards Township, Bernardsville, Far Hills, and Peapack-Gladstone, which are all located in Somerset County, New Jersey."
^ZIP Code 07931, United States ZIP Codes. Accessed July 18, 2023.
^Thomson, W. Barry. "New Municipal Proposals of 100 Years Ago", Inside the Brick Academy, June 2021. Accessed July 7, 2023. "Over the years a number of efforts have been made to alter municipal boundaries and create new municipalities in the Somerset Hills region, with the goal of making local governments more responsive to the changing needs of residents.... After bills authorizing these new boroughs passed the New Jersey Legislature, local referenda were held in June 1921 allowing residents in each of the affected areas to vote on the proposals. The vote to create the Borough of Far Hills passed, while votes to form the separate boroughs of Bernardsville and Basking Ridge were defeated."
^Perry, W. Jacob. "Ex-mayoral candidate appointed to Far Hills Borough Council", New Jersey Hills, January 30, 2023. Accessed May 22, 2024. "The businessman, Peter Cocoziello of Lake Road, was appointed by the council on Monday, Jan. 23, to fill the seat that had been held by Kevin Welsh before Welsh was sworn in as mayor on Jan. 3."
^Perry, Jacob W. "New council member takes oath in Far Hills after Surks resigns", The Bernardsville News, November 27, 2019. Accessed February 20, 2020. "Edward R. McLean of Mallet Lane filled a vacancy left by the resignation of Republican Councilman David Surks, who quit shortly before the Nov. 5 election but remained on the ballot and was re-elected."
^Borough Council Reorganization Minutes for January 6, 2020, Borough of Far Hills. Accessed February 20, 2020. "Resolution 20-001: Appointment - Borough Council - Ted McLean.... Senator Thomas Kean Jr. administered the Oath of Office to Ted McLean as a member of the Borough Council for a term expiring at the next general election to be held November 2020."
^About the Department, Far Hills-Bedminster Fire Department. Accessed July 14, 2022.
^Somerset Hills Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, Somerset Hills School District. Accessed December 1, 2024. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Pre-Kindergarten through twelve in The Somerset Hills School District. Composition The Somerset Hills School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Bernardsville, Far Hills, and Peapack-Gladstone."
^Annual Comprehensive Financial Report of the Somerset Hills School District, New Jersey Department of Education, for year ending June 30, 2023. Accessed December 1, 2024. "The School District is a Type II District located in Somerset County, New Jersey. The School District is an instrumentality of the State of New Jersey, established to function as an educational institution. The Somerset Hills School District is governed by a ten-member board, including nine individuals elected to three-year terms from the Boroughs of Bernardsville, Peapack & Gladstone and Far Hills, along with one appointed member from the Bedminster Board of Education. The Board is the primary governing authority of the District. A superintendent is appointed by the Board and is responsible for the administrative control of the District." See "Roster of Officials" on page 16.
^Board of Education: About, Somerset Hills School District. Accessed December 1, 2024. "The SHSD is a regional Board of Education composed of ten unpaid elected members who work closely with the Superintendent. Board members are elected for staggered 3-year terms. There are six representatives from Bernardsville, two from Peapack/Gladstone, one from Far Hills, and one representative from Bedminster. The number of Board members from each area is determined by the percentage of the total school community their town/borough represents."
^Quint, Michael. "The Financier 'Who Knows What Is Going On'", The New York Times, August 6, 1988. Accessed August 25, 2012. "The great grandson of Anthony N. Brady, an Irish emigrant who was a friend and business associate of Thomas A. Edison, Nicholas Brady grew up on a large estate in Far Hills, N.J., that borders on the Dillon family estate."
^James Chesson, Racing-reference.info. Accessed February 1, 2015.
^Caldwell, Dave. "A Hard-to-Match Personality, With Potential to Boot", The New York Times, May 27, 2006. Accessed August 25, 2012. "P. J. Chesson, who will drive in his first Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, has already had a wild week.... He grew up on a horse farm in Far Hills, N.J., and had little experience racing on ovals, let alone pavement, until two years ago."
^"Belmont Loses Nijinsky to Newmarket", The New York Times, October 13, 1970. Accessed December 9, 2007. "Charles W. Engelhard of Far Hills, N.J., millionaire racehorse owner, gave approval today for his colt, Nijinsky, to race in the Champion Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday."
^James, George. "Malcolm Forbes, Publisher, Dies at 70", The New York Times, February 26, 1990. Accessed August 25, 2012. "Malcolm Forbes, chairman and editor in chief of Forbes Magazine and a flamboyant multimillionaire whose enthusiastic pursuits included yachting, motorcycling and ballooning, died Saturday of a heart attack in his sleep at his home in Far Hills, N.J. He was 70 years old."
^Bayot, Jennifer. "Joseph S. Frelinghuysen, Memoirist of Wartime Escape, Dies at 92", The New York Times, January 13, 2005. Accessed February 1, 2015. "Joseph S. Frelinghuysen, whose memoir, "Passages to Freedom," chronicled his escape from a prison camp in Italy during World War II, died on Saturday in Morristown, N.J. He was 92 and lived in Far Hills, N.J."
^Staff. "Lance Honors Colonel Jack H. Jacobs of Far Hills", The Messenger-Gazette, September 20, 2013. Accessed February 1, 2015. "Congressman Leonard Lance (NJ 07) this week recognized Colonel Jack H. Jacobs of Far Hills, during a special period in the House of Representatives devoted to honoring Medal of Honor winners: 'Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the military service record of Colonel Jack H. Jacobs of Far Hills, New Jersey.'"
^Manual of the Legislature of New Jersey, Volume 205, Part 2, p. 246. J.A. Fitzgerald, 1993. Accessed December 13, 2022. "John S. Penn, Rep., Far Hills... Assemblyman Penn was born in New York Nov. 19, 1926. He went to Plainfield public schools and the Wardlaw School."
^Plumeri Park, William & Mary Tribe baseball, January 1, 1999. Accessed August 25, 2012. "Baseball proved to be a lifelong love, and he and his family own two minor league baseball teams. Plumeri and his wife, Nancy, reside in Far Hills, N.J."
^"Students Get Oak Knoll Honors", Bernardsville News, April 25, 1985. Accessed January 26, 2022, via Newspapers.com. "Aileen Quinn of Far Hills has been named to the first honor roll at Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child in Summit for having achieved not less than an 'A' in all subjects."
^Ackermann, Peggy. "Andrew Schlafly", The Record, May 25, 2010. Accessed August 25, 2012. "Appearing before the high court for the recall group, Far Hills attorney Andrew Schlafly, son of conservative activist Phyllis Schlafly, cited a letter George Washington wrote to his nephew, Bushrod Washington, on Nov. 10, 1787."
