Berkeley Heights is a township in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township’s population was 13,183, reflecting a decline of 224 (-1.7%) from the 13,407 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn increased by 1,427 (+11.9%) from the 11,980 counted in the 1990 Census.
Berkeley Heights was originally incorporated as New Providence Township by the New Jersey Legislature on November 8, 1809, from portions of Springfield Township, while the area was still part of Essex County. New Providence Township became part of the newly formed Union County at its creation on March 19, 1857. Portions of the township were taken on March 23, 1869, to create Summit, and on March 14, 1899, to form the borough of New Providence. On November 6, 1951, the name of the township was changed to Berkeley Heights, based on the results of a referendum held that day. The township was named for John Berkeley, 1st Baron Berkeley of Stratton, one of the founders of the Province of New Jersey.
The township is located partially on the crest of the Second Watchung Mountain and in the Passaic River Valley, aptly named as the Passaic River forms the township’s northern border. Berkeley Heights is located in northwestern Union County, at the confluence of Union, Morris, and Somerset Counties. Berkeley Heights is bordered by New Providenceand Summit to the east, Scotch Plains to the southeast, Chatham to the north, Watchung to the south, and Warren Township and Long Hill Township to the west.
Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Benders Corners, Glenside Park, Stony Hill and Union Village.
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 13,183 people, 4,470 households, and 3,580 families residing in the township. The population density was 2,122.4 per square mile (819.5/km2). There were 4,596 housing units at an average density of 739.9 per square mile (285.7/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 85.64% (11,290) White, 1.49% (197) Black or African American, 0.02% (3) Native American, 10.43% (1,375) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 0.75% (99) from other races, and 1.66% (219) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.12% (675) of the population.
Berkeley Heights is home to the Murray Hill Bell Labs headquarters of Alcatel-Lucent. The transistor, solar cell, and laserwere invented in this facility when it was part of AT&T.
Source: Wikipedia
