When you walk through Highlands today, past the coffee shops, marinas, and restaurants overlooking Sandy Hook Bay, it’s easy to feel that you’re part of something timeless. Beneath the surf, salt air, and summer energy lies a deep history that shaped not only this little town, but the Jersey Bayshore itself.
Early Days and Maritime Beginnings
“Early view of Highlands’ working waterfront and ferry docks.”
Long before the ferries, beach houses, and boardwalk views, the land we now call Highlands was home to the Lenape people, who lived along the bays and rivers, fishing and trading for generations.
European settlers arrived in the 1600s, drawn by the protective hills and easy access to New York Harbor. Highlands quickly became known for its location, perched on some of the highest points along the Atlantic Coast, hence the name “Highlands.”
By the 1800s, it had grown into a vibrant fishing and maritime community. Local docks bustled with oyster boats and ferries crossing to Sandy Hook and New York City. Families built small cottages, and the area’s natural beauty drew city residents looking for a weekend escape from Manhattan.
A Town Built by the Water
“Fishing and boating have been at the heart of Highlands for generations.”
Highlands’ identity has always been tied to the water. Generations of fishermen, boatbuilders, and baymen made their living here. The waterfront, once lined with canneries and boat slips, became a cultural heartbeat where people met, worked, and celebrated.
Even as modern life arrived with electricity, bridges, and tourism, Highlands kept its coastal charm. In the 20th century, the town became a beloved summer destination, especially after the Highlands–Sea Bright Bridge connected it more easily to the shore towns to the south.
Storms, Setbacks, and Strength
“After Hurricane Sandy, Highlands rebuilt stronger and closer than ever.”
Highlands’ story isn’t without hardship. Hurricane Sandy in 2012 remains one of the most defining moments in recent memory. The storm devastated the waterfront and displaced many families, but it also revealed something stronger ,the community’s heart.
When Hurricane Sandy made landfall in October 2012, Highlands took one of the hardest hits along the Jersey coast. A surge of nearly ten feet swept through downtown and the bayside neighborhoods, destroying or severely damaging about 1,250 of the town’s 1,500 homes. Streets turned to rivers, marinas were ripped apart, and power was out for weeks.
While the full financial toll for Highlands alone was never separated out, the storm caused an estimated $29 billion in damage across New Jersey. Locally, engineers later projected that elevating downtown Highlands by eight to ten feet to prevent future flooding would cost between $25 million and $30 million, a staggering number that reflected the town’s unique challenges.
Despite the devastation, Highlands did what it has always done best: it rebuilt. Neighbors helped neighbors, restaurants reopened, homes were raised, and local pride deepened. Out of destruction came determination, and Highlands began to reimagine its future by blending preservation with progress.
Modern Highlands: A Small Town with a Big Spirit
“Local businesses and events keep the community spirit alive year-round.”
Today, Highlands feels like a town on the rise again, still small, still local, but more connected than ever. You’ll find new restaurants, creative shops, and locals who greet you by name at Bahrs Landing, Sea & Sand, The Farmacie, Waterwitch Grocer & Gourmet, or Gems Bagels. Events like the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Clam Fest, Oktoberfest, farmers markets, and waterfront festivals bring the community together all year long.
New redevelopment projects like Scenic Highlands are reshaping the landscape, adding homes, walkable streets, and scenic overlooks while honoring the character that makes this place special. Highlands continues to attract new residents who fall in love with its mix of coastal living, history, and tight-knit charm.
Modern Home Values
“Rising home values reflect the demand for coastal living in Highlands.”
Today, Highlands isn’t just a historic waterfront town — it’s also one of the Bayshore’s most desirable real estate markets. The average home value now sits around $550,000, while recent sales in ZIP 07732 show median prices near $620,000, up more than 20% from the previous year.
With new flood-resistant construction codes, raised foundations, and elevated designs, modern Highlands homes blend safety, sustainability, and coastal charm — a far cry from the pre-Sandy cottages that once lined the shore.
Looking Ahead
From the Lenape shoreline to the modern marina, Highlands has always been a town defined by resilience and renewal. Its history is one of hard work, heart, and hometown pride, and that spirit still drives it today.
As the community grows and new chapters are written, one thing remains the same: there’s no place quite like Highlands, NJ.
Written by Dean Cramer, Hello Highlands NJ
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