As of the 2000 United States census there were 21,747 people, 7,161 households, and 5,578 families residing in the township. The population density was . There were 7,388 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the township was 40.03% White, 46.54% African American, 0.23% Native American, 3.45% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 5.26% from other races, and 4.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.50% of the population.Census 2000 Profiles of Demographic / Social / Economic / Housing Characteristics for Hillside township, New Jersey, United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 14, 2013.DP-1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data for Hillside township, Union County, New Jersey , United States Census Bureau. Accessed May 14, 2013. As of the 2000 Census, an adjusted 11.2% of residents listed themselves as being of Portuguese ancestry, the third-highest in New Jersey among communities in which more than 1,000 residents recorded an ancestry group.Portuguese Ancestry , EPodunk. Accessed May 14, 2013.
