Hillsdale is a borough in the northern portion of Bergen County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, within the New York City metropolitan area.

[22] The populated area today known as Hillsdale took form in the mid-to-late 19th century as land speculators, led by David P. Patterson, developed subdivisions to profit from the coming of the Hackensack and New York Railroad (later New Jersey and New York Railroad).

Hillsdale was reincorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 2, 1923, subject to approval which came in a referendum held on April 24, 1923.

The mayor can veto ordinances subject to an override by a two-thirds majority vote of the council.

[43][44] As of 2023[update], the mayor of Hillsdale is Democrat Michael Sheinfield, whose term of office ends December 31, 2027.

Members of the Hillsdale Borough Council are Council President John Escobar (R, 2024), Anthony DeRosa (R, 2023), Justin P. Fox (R, 2025), Zoltan Horvath (R, 2023), Abby Lundy (R, 2024), Clemente Osso (R, 2026), John Ruocco (R, 2026), and Janetta Trochimiuk (R, 2025).

[3][45][46][47][48][49] After Douglas Frank resigned due to health issues, the council selected John Ruocco in September 2017 to replace him as mayor for the seat expiring in December 2019.

[50] Frank Pizzella was appointed in January 2013 to fill the vacant seat of Michael Giancarlo expiring in December 2013.

[51] Giancarlo's resignation in December 2012 was one of five that year, with Anthony DeRosa appointed in January 2012 to fill the seat of Donna Schiavone, Leslie Becker appointed to fill the vacancy of Jonathan DeJoseph when he was named as borough administrator, Frank Pizzella replacing Rod Capawana, and John MacEwen replacing the seat that Leslie Becker had briefly occupied.

[54][55][56] For the 119th United States Congress, New Jersey's 5th congressional district is represented by Josh Gottheimer (D, Wyckoff).

As of 2025[update], the county executive is James J. Tedesco III (D, Paramus), whose four-year term of office ends December 31, 2026.

[61] Bergen County's Commissioners are: Thomas J. Sullivan Jr. (D, Montvale, 2025),[62] Chair Germaine M. Ortiz (D, Emerson, 2025),[63] Joan Voss (D, Fort Lee, 2026),[64] Vice Chair Mary J. Amoroso (D, Mahwah, 2025),[65] Rafael Marte (D, Bergenfield, 2026),[66] Steven A. Tanelli (D, North Arlington, 2027)[67] and Tracy Silna Zur (D, Franklin Lakes, 2027).

[68][69][70][71][72][73][74][75] Bergen County's constitutional officials are: Clerk John S. Hogan (D, Northvale, 2026),[76][77] Sheriff Anthony Cureton (D, Englewood, 2027)[78][79] and Surrogate Michael R. Dressler (D, Cresskill, 2026).

[83] Among the borough's 2010 Census population, 69.4% (vs. 57.1% in Bergen County) were registered to vote, including 94.5% of those ages 18 and over (vs. 73.7% countywide).

[100] As of 2023, there are a total of 22 members of the department: one chief, one captain, two detectives, 18 officers, in addition to three full-time and seven part-time dispatchers.

The force is responsible for all aspects of policing in the borough, including responding to fire and medical emergency calls.

Each patrol car is equipped with a first aid kit, oxygen tank, and an Automated external defibrillator.

HFD is part of Bergen County Fire Battalion 7, is responsible for fire suppression and rescue services on the stretch of the Garden State Parkway that passes through the Borough (mile markers 167.7-168.4) and dispatching is done by Bergen County Dispatch 'FireComm' The Hillsdale Volunteer Ambulance Service was established on January 5, 1954.

The service provides basic life support, and is staffed primarily by certified emergency medical technicians.

The primary jurisdiction of the HVAS is the Borough of Hillsdale, but the service also regularly responds to requests for mutual-aid from the neighboring First Aid Squads of Old Tappan, Emerson, Washington Township, Westwood, River Vale, and Tri-Boro (Park Ridge, Woodcliff Lake, and Montvale).

[118] The school began as St. John the Baptist Parish School in 1955, and its current name was adopted in 1997 to reflect its collective sponsorship by St. John the Baptist, Hillsdale; St. Andrew's Church, Westwood; Our Lady Mother of the Church, Woodcliff Lake; St. Gabriel the Archangel, Saddle River; and Our Lady of Good Counsel, Washington Township.

Hillsdale is served by NJ Transit at the Hillsdale train station, located at Broadway and Hillsdale Avenue,[121] on the Pascack Valley Line, a single-track line with passing sidings providing service to and from Hoboken Terminal with connections via the Secaucus Junction transfer station to New York Penn Station and to other NJ Transit rail lines.