[20] The eastern part of the town is on a high bluff that overlooks Sandy Hook Bay, the entrance to New York Harbor, and the Atlantic Ocean, from which the borough derives its name.

Highlands was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 22, 1900, from parts of Middletown Township.

[23] Highlands was part of the Bayshore Regional Strategic Plan, an effort by nine municipalities in northern Monmouth County to reinvigorate the area's economy by emphasizing the traditional downtowns, residential neighborhoods, maritime history, and the natural environment of the Raritan Bayshore coastline.

On October 29, 2012, Hurricane Sandy struck the eastern seaboard of the United States, making landfall just north of Atlantic City, before causing significant damage to businesses and homes in the borough.

These were the maps in which Sandy Hook was first drawn and called "Cabo de Arenas" or "Cape of Sands."

William Reape, one of the Dutch, made a bargain with the local natives to trade land in exchange for rum, blankets and gunpowder.

Three years later, in 1677, Richard Hartshorne purchased a 2,320-acre (940 ha) tract of land from the Native Americans which provided him with control of nearly all of Sandy Hook and Highlands which was then called "Portland Poynt."

The hills of the Highlands of Navesink and Sandy Hook also played an important role during the American Revolutionary War.

The Loyalists stayed in control of Sandy Hook even after the war was ended by the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown on October 19, 1781.

He pursued gangs of Tory (Loyalist) refugees who plundered the area searching for American rebels.

The fire from the house had attracted the attention of Huddy's neighbors and the local militia raced after the Tories, catching them before they could reach their boats at Black Point in Rumson.

However, two years later the Loyalists captured Huddy and brought him to Gravelly Point in Highlands where he was allowed to write his will.

Then Huddy was hanged for the death of Captain Philip White who had been captured by Rebels earlier in Long Branch and shot while being transported to Freehold.

Walt Whitman, one of America's most famous poets, celebrated his excursions to Highlands in his journals and a group of his poems entitled, "Fancies at Navesink.

The beacon—whale oil burned in pots—was not only to welcome sailors, but to warn citizens that the French were coming up the harbor and it was time to take down the musket from over the fireplace.

[27] In 1899, Guglielmo Marconi, the inventor of wireless telegraphy demonstrated his invention at the Twin Lights so the New York Herald could be the first to have news of the 1899 America's Cup races to be run off the New Jersey Coast.

During 1900, Highlands was incorporated and passed an ordinance prohibiting horses, cows and pigs from running loose on the streets.

However, "rum-running" was a common practice for New Jersey's beachfront and Highlands became the main port for the infamous trade.

Today, countless boats can be seen in the rivers, bays and ocean to catch fluke, bluefish, striped bass or whiting.

Gertrude Ederle spent all of her summers in Highlands and learned to swim at the beach on Miller Street.

In 2012, during Hurricane Sandy, the borough was heavily damaged when a storm surge of nearly 10 feet (3.0 m) swept in from the bay beginning October 28.

Most homes and businesses, including the Bahrs Landing and Lusty Lobster fishery were either damaged or totally destroyed.

[30] With 80% of homes and most businesses severely damaged by the storm, considerations were made for a $25 million project to raise the borough by about 10 feet (3.0 m) as a long-term solution to flooding.

[1][2] Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the borough include Parkertown and Waterwitch (also spelled as "Water Witch").

[32] The borough borders the Monmouth County municipalities of Atlantic Highlands, Middletown Township and Sea Bright.

[50][51] As of 2025[update], the mayor of the Borough of Highlands is Carolyn Broullon, whose term of office ends December 31, 2025.

[58][59][60] For the 119th United States Congress, New Jersey's 6th congressional district is represented by Frank Pallone (D, Long Branch).

[81][82] In the 2008 presidential election, Obama received 51.3% of the vote (1,266), ahead of Republican John McCain with 44.9% (1,108) and other candidates with 1.7% (42), with 2,467 ballots cast by the borough's 3,451 registered voters, for a turnout of 71.5%.

[84] In the 2013 gubernatorial election, Republican Chris Christie received 67.9% of the vote (960), ahead of Democrat Barbara Buono with 29.7% (419), and other candidates with 2.4% (34), with 1,442 ballots cast by the borough's 3,166 registered voters (29 were spoiled), for a turnout of 45.5%.

[85][86] In the 2009 gubernatorial election, Christie received 55.1% of the vote (887), ahead of Democrat Jon Corzine with 34.3% (553), Independent Chris Daggett with 7.1% (115) and other candidates with 2.4% (39), with 1,611 ballots cast by the borough's 3,216 registered voters, a 50.1% turnout.