Hillside is a township in Union County, New Jersey, situated as an inner-ring suburb immediately west of Newark, in the heart of the New York metropolitan area. At the 2020 census, the township recorded a population of 22,456. Its location, roughly a dozen miles from Manhattan and adjacent to Newark, Elizabeth, and Union Township, places Hillside at the center of one of the region's most connected transportation networks. The township is a densely settled, diverse residential community. Its housing stock spans single-family homes, two-family houses, townhomes, and apartment buildings, reflecting its growth through the early and mid-twentieth century as a suburban destination for families and workers tied to Newark and New York. Public education is provided by Hillside Public Schools, whose campuses serve the township and anchor community life. Hillside developed primarily in the twentieth century as a residential community serving Newark's growing workforce and, later, the broader New York metropolitan economy. The township's diversity is a defining characteristic, with a population drawn from many backgrounds and a housing stock that ranges from single-family homes to two-family houses and apartment buildings. This mix, together with its dense, connected street grid, gives Hillside a more urban character than many New Jersey suburbs while it retains a strong neighborhood feel. Hillside's greatest asset is access. The Garden State Parkway and Interstate 78 run nearby, linking the township to the region's highway system, and Newark Liberty International Airport lies just to the east. NJ Transit bus and rail service connect Hillside to Newark Penn Station and, from there, to New York City, making the township a practical base for commuters. Kean University, a public university in adjacent Union Township, adds educational and cultural resources. For residents, Hillside offers an affordable, well-connected, and diverse community within easy reach of the employment, culture, and amenities of northern New Jersey and New York City.