Highland Park is a compact Middlesex County borough on the northern bank of the Raritan River, directly across from New Brunswick. Route 27 crosses the river and serves as the borough's main commercial corridor, connecting local neighborhoods with Rutgers University, downtown New Brunswick, Edison, and the wider region. Highland Park is primarily residential, with a mix of older homes, apartment buildings, schools, houses of worship, parks, and small businesses. The walkable center along Raritan Avenue includes restaurants, shops, professional offices, and community destinations. Riverfront areas and local parks provide open space within the borough's limited land area. Highland Park developed as a streetcar and commuter suburb and continues to have close cultural, educational, and economic ties to New Brunswick. Its diverse population, traditional neighborhood pattern, and location beside a major university city give it a distinct character within central Middlesex County.