The Town of Highlands is a municipal community in Orange County, New York, United States. Officially organized as the Town of Highlands, it had a population of 12,492 at the 2010 census. Located along the Hudson River in the Hudson Valley region, the town combines steep ridge lines, riverfront sites and developed village centers.

Geography and principal features

Highlands occupies part of the Hudson Highlands, a range of forested ridges and rocky slopes that rise above the river. The United States Military Academy at West Point is sited within the town’s boundaries and dominates much of its land area and identity. The river, bluffs and nearby state parks provide scenic vistas and outdoor recreation opportunities.

History and development

The area now called Highlands has long-standing associations with Native American peoples and later with European colonial settlement. Its position overlooking the Hudson made it strategically important during the American Revolutionary War. The United States Military Academy at West Point, established as a federal academy in 1802, grew from those military origins and has shaped the town’s history ever since.

Government, economy and community

Highlands is governed as a town with local elected officials and includes residential neighborhoods, the incorporated village of Highland Falls, and federally controlled land for the academy. Employment and economic activity are strongly influenced by the military presence, associated contractors and tourism to historic and natural sites. Small businesses, cultural venues and services serve both year-round residents and visitors.

Attractions and recreation

  • Historic and educational sites connected to West Point, including museums and interpretive areas.
  • Hiking, river views and outdoor recreation in the Hudson Highlands and nearby parks.
  • Local shops, restaurants and seasonal events in village centers that cater to residents and tourists.

Notable distinctions for the Town of Highlands include its close association with one of the nation’s oldest military academies and its scenic setting along a strategically important stretch of the Hudson River. These factors give the town a mix of federal, local and recreational significance in the Hudson Valley.