Peapack-Gladstone (also written as Peapack and Gladstone) is a borough in the Somerset Hills region of northern Somerset County in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 2,558, a decrease of 24 (−0.9%) from the 2010 census count of 2,582, which in turn reflected an increase of 149 (+6.1%) from the 2,433 counted in the 2000 census.Table 7. Population for the Counties and Municipalities in New Jersey: 1990, 2000 and 2010, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, February 2011. Accessed May 1, 2023.

Peapack-Gladstone was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 28, 1912, from portions of Bedminster, subject to the results of a referendum held on April 23, 1912.Snyder, John P. The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 224. Accessed May 30, 2024. It is part of the New York metropolitan area, as well as the larger New York–Newark–Bridgeport, NY-New Jersey-CT-PA Combined Statistical Area and it is located within the Raritan Valley region.Raritan Basin Hydrology, New Jersey Water Supply Authority. Accessed June 29, 2023.

Peapack is home to historic Natirar as well as the Essex Hunt Club and Fox Hounds.A Special Place to Live, Peapack & Gladstone Borough. Accessed July 11, 2023. "The Borough has long been home to horse farms and those interested in equestrian pursuits, and boasts the Essex Hunt Club and Fox Hounds, and the U.S. Equestrian Stables nearby at Hamilton Farms - also home to a premier golf course.... It has superb restaurants and beautiful parks, including Natirar, a magnificent 500+ acre estate purchased for open space by Somerset County, and previously owned by the King of Morocco."About Us, Essex Fox Hounds. Accessed July 11, 2023.Essex Hunt Club, Essex Fox Hounds. Accessed July 11, 2023. In operation until the mid-1930s, the Moses Craig Lime Kilns are located at the center of Peapack.

Gladstone is home to the Hamilton Farm Golf Club, the Stronghold Soccer Club and the United States Equestrian Team.Historical Hamilton Farm, United States Equestrian Team. Accessed July 7, 2023. "The USET Foundation Headquarters remain at the historic USET training facility in Gladstone, NJ."About Us, Stronghold Soccer Club. Accessed September 29, 2013.About , Sybase Match Play Championship. Accessed February 13, 2013. Gill St. Bernard's School, established in 1900, is a private, nonsectarian, coeducational, college preparatory day school, serving students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade, located on a campus that straddles the borders of Gladstone and neighboring Chester Township in Morris County.School History, Gill St. Bernard's School. Accessed July 9, 2023. "Today there are three divisions—a Lower, a Middle and an Upper School—located on 208 acres, which span the Somerset-Morris County line between the Borough of Peapack-Gladstone and Chester Township."

In the Forbes magazine 2017 ranking of the Most Expensive ZIP Codes in the United States, Gladstone was ranked as the 457th most expensive in the country, with its median home sale price of $938,042.Strauss, Eric. "Is your ZIP code among the nation’s most expensive? If you live in one N.J. town, it is", NJ Biz, October 9, 2014. Accessed July 7, 2023. "457. Gladstone, 07934, $938,042" In 2018, New Jersey Business Magazine listed Gladstone at 46th in its listing of "The Most Expensive ZIP Codes in New Jersey", with a median sale price 2017 of $627,500.Theiss, Eliza. "The Most Expensive Zip Codes in New Jersey – Alpine, Short Hills and Stone Harbor Maintain Lead, While Deal Surges", Property Shark, February 15, 2018. Accessed July 11, 2023. "46 07934 Gladstone Somerset County $627,500"

History Formation In 1912, the communities of Peapack and Gladstone found themselves in conflict with the rest of Bedminster. Residents of the two communities wanted electric lights, telephones and fire hydrants and resented being forced to pay for rural roads elsewhere in the township. Residents petitioned the state legislature for the creation of the borough and the Legislature voted to do so on April 23, 1912.Cheslow, Jerry. "If You're Thinking of Living In/Peapack and Gladstone; Fox-Hunting and High-Priced Homes", The New York Times, August 7, 1994. Accessed August 29, 2013. "One local history speculates that the name Peapack came from the Leni Lenape Indian word 'peapackton' -- 'the marriage of the waters.' The Raritan River and the Peapack Brook meet at the eastern border of the borough. Gladstone is named for the British Prime Minister William Gladstone ... [B]y 1912, the Villages of Peapack and Gladstone found themselves in conflict with the rest of Bedminster Township. The villages wanted electric lights, telephones and fire hydrants and resented being forced to pay for rural roads in the township. The villages petitioned the State Legislature for the creation of the borough and the Legislature voted to do so on April 23, 1912."

Village names Peapack is believed to have been derived from "Peapackton,” a Lenape Native American term meaning "marriage of the waters", a reference to the confluence of the Peapack Brook and Raritan River in the area. Gladstone was named in honor of William Ewart Gladstone, who served as British Prime Minister several times between 1868 and 1894.Hutchinson, Viola L. The Origin of New Jersey Place Names, New Jersey Public Library Commission, May 1945. Accessed September 16, 2015.

Natirar Natirar is an estate spanning in Peapack-Gladstone, Far Hills and Bedminster that was sold by Hassan II of Morocco, to Somerset County and is now administered by the Somerset County Park Commission, including the in Peapack-Gladstone.Natirar, Somerset County, New Jersey Park Commission. Accessed May 8, 2012. "Natirar is a 404-acre property located in the scenic hills of Somerset County within the municipalities of Peapack/Gladstone, Far Hills and Bedminster."

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 5.80 square miles (15.03 km2), including 5.73 square miles (14.85 km2) of land and 0.07 square miles (0.18 km2) of water (1.21%).

Unincorporated communities, localities and place names located partially or completely within the township include Gladstone, Peapack and Ravine Lake.Locality Search, State of New Jersey. Accessed May 21, 2015.

Peapack-Gladstone borders other Somerset Hills communities in Somerset and Morris counties including: Bedminster to the southwest, Bernardsville to the east, Far Hills to the southeast, Chester Township to the northwest, and Mendham Township to the northeast.Areas touching Peapack-Gladstone, MapIt. Accessed March 2, 2020.Municipalities, Somerset County, New Jersey. Accessed March 2, 2020.New Jersey Municipal Boundaries, New Jersey Department of Transportation. Accessed November 15, 2019."Review: New Jersey Country Homes The Somerset Hills." T3 Consortium, LLC, last modified September 2006, backed up by the Internet Archive as of July 24, 2008. Accessed December 11, 2015.Comprehensive Master Plan, Borough of Bernardsville, adopted September 28, 2000. Accessed July 11, 2023. "Bernardsville is geographically part of the Somerset Hills group of communities, as defined by their hills and steep slopes. These municipalities include Far Hills (named for these hills), Peapack-Gladstone (part), Bedminster (part), Bernards Township (part) in Somerset County and the Mendhams (part) in Morris County."

Demographics

2010 census The 2010 United States census counted 2,582 people, 887 households, and 676 families in the borough. The population density was 444.5 per square mile (171.6/km2). There were 949 housing units at an average density of 163.4 per square mile (63.1/km2). The racial makeup was 90.09% (2,326) White, 4.07% (105) Black or African American, 0.12% (3) Native American, 1.94% (50) Asian, 0.04% (1) Pacific Islander, 1.74% (45) from other races, and 2.01% (52) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.88% (281) of the population.

Of the 887 households, 37.7% had children under the age of 18; 64.5% were married couples living together; 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present and 23.8% were non-families. Of all households, 19.6% were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.13.

26.5% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 21.1% from 25 to 44, 33.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.0 years. For every 100 females, the population had 97.4 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older there were 95.2 males.

The Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income was $123,875 (with a margin of error of +/− $16,668) and the median family income was $145,333 (+/− $23,674). Males had a median income of $86,379 (+/− $16,014) versus $60,833 (+/− $16,980) for females. The per capita income for the borough was $61,841 (+/− $12,910). About none of families and 2.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 2.2% of those age 65 or over.DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for Peapack and Gladstone borough, Somerset County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 13, 2013.

2000 census As of the 2000 United States census there were 2,433 people, 840 households, and 646 families residing in the borough. The population density was . There were 871 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the borough was 94.45% white, 3.12% African American, 0.08% Native American, 1.23% Asian, 0.70% from other races, and 0.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.78% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Peapack and Gladstone borough, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 13, 2013.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Peapack and Gladstone borough, Somerset County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed February 13, 2013.

There were 840 households, out of which 37.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.5% were married couples living together, 5.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.0% were non-families. 18.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 26.0% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 26.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.0 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $99,499, and the median income for a family was $118,770. Males had a median income of $62,446 versus $46,500 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $56,542. About 1.9% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.1% of those under age 18 and 4.1% of those age 65 or over.

Economy