Brookside, NJ

Brookside is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 9,871,[10][11] reflecting an increase of 546 (+5.4%) from the 9,458 counted in the 2000 Census,[12] which had in turn increased by 1,914 (+15.2%) from the 7,764 counted in the 1990 Census.[13]

The borough was formed on March 17, 1894 as part of an effort to consolidate several small villages and farms into a single municipality. The name " Brookside" is derived from a tract of land on which Brookside Park now stands that belonged to Colonel John Stevens (1786-1862),[14][15] one of the original developers of Newark.[16][17][18] The first settler in Brookside was Levi Sisson who built a cabin on what is now known as Sisson Avenue near what would become Stevens Avenue.[19]

The borough's economy has been based largely on its proximity to Manhattan and its role as a bedroom community for commuters working in Midtown Manhattan. In recent years however, due to rising real estate prices and gentrification within neighboring municipalities such as Englewood Cliffs and Fort Lee (both located within Bergen County), Brookside has seen an influx of affluent residents seeking suburban lifestyles without sacrificing proximity to city amenities. This has led to new development including upscale condominiums and townhouses along with restaurants and retail stores catering to this new demographic.

According to Forbes magazine, Brookside ranked No. 2 on its list of "America's Most Expensive ZIP Codes" with median home values reaching $1 million or more.[20]