Bergen County

Bergen County, NJ: A Local Realtor®’s Guide

Bergen County is the most populous county in New Jersey (955,732 people at the 2020 census, an estimated 977,026 by 2025), and it is carved into 70 separate municipalities, more than any other county in the state (Census data via Wikipedia). That last number is the one that matters when you are buying here. Two houses that look identical, three minutes apart, can sit in different school districts, different tax rates and different markets. Choosing the town is the real decision. The house comes second.

I work across Norwood, Old Tappan, River Vale, Northvale and the towns around them. Below is my read on the county, followed by a guide to each of my core towns. If you are moving out of the city, start with planning your move from NYC.

Where I work

The county has 70 towns, and no agent knows all of them. I live in Norwood, and almost everything I do sits within about a twenty-minute drive of my own front door, from Norwood and Old Tappan to River Vale, Northvale and the boroughs along the Palisades.

Ten of those towns have a full guide on this site, and every one of them is linked below: Norwood, Harrington Park, Closter, Demarest, Cresskill, Northvale, Old Tappan, River Vale, Dumont and Alpine. Those are the towns I write about because they are the towns I am in constantly. I’m Lana Henriques, Realtor®, ranked in the top 1.5% of agents nationwide by RealTrends Verified (2026), with 5 stars on Google from the clients I’ve represented here.

I also list and sell in Tenafly, Englewood Cliffs and Englewood along the Palisades; in Westwood, Hillsdale, Park Ridge and Emerson through the Pascack Valley; and in Bergenfield and New Milford just south of the reservoir, along with the surrounding towns. Very few buyers shop one town. They shop a school district, a price band and a train line, then choose between two or three boroughs. That comparison is where I am most useful.

What I am not is a countywide generalist. I know which River Vale homes back up to the golf course, and I know these streets because I’ve been inside the homes, not because I looked them up. If you are buying somewhere I do not know well, I will tell you that and point you to someone who does.

Bergen County at a glance

• Population: 955,732 at the 2020 census, roughly 977,026 estimated for 2025, the most populous county in New Jersey. The overview box further down this page draws on a separate U.S. Census Bureau estimate, so its population figure will differ slightly.
• Municipalities: 70 (56 boroughs, nine townships, three cities and two villages), the most of any New Jersey county
• Size: 246.45 square miles, 232.79 of it land
• County seat: Hackensack, the most populous municipality at 46,030 residents in 2020; Mahwah covers the most ground at 26.19 square miles
• Median household income: $109,497, against $89,703 for New Jersey and $69,021 nationally (2017–2021 American Community Survey)
• Median sale price: $762,500 in September 2026 (Otteau Group, Inc. HousingTRAC)
• Parks: a county system of 21 parks covering more than 9,800 acres
• Niche rankings: #2 of 21 New Jersey counties for young professionals, #2 healthiest, #3 for families and #4 overall (Niche)

What is Bergen County known for?

Three things, in the order buyers raise them: how close it is to Manhattan, the schools, and the fact that you can find almost any version of suburban life here without leaving the county. The George Washington Bridge lands in Fort Lee, which is why the eastern half of Bergen reads like an extension of the city while the northern half feels like a different world. It is also one of the largest commercial hubs in the state, so plenty of people who live here never commute into New York at all.

Getting to New York City

There is no single commute from here, and this is where the 70-town thing bites.

• Rail: NJ Transit runs the Pascack Valley Line, the Main Line and the Bergen County Line, all into Hoboken with a transfer at Secaucus for Penn Station. The Pascack Valley Line is the one that matters on the western side of my area, with stations in Oradell, Emerson, Westwood and Hillsdale.
• Bus: Norwood, Old Tappan, Northvale, Closter and the boroughs around them have no train station of their own. Commuting from there means an NJ Transit or Rockland Coaches bus to the Port Authority Bus Terminal, or a drive to the George Washington Bridge Bus Station.
• Car: Route 4, Route 17, the Palisades Interstate Parkway and the Garden State Parkway. Norwood is approximately 20 miles from Midtown Manhattan, and the drive swings hard with the bridge.

If your commute is not negotiable, tell me the address you are commuting to before we look at towns. It reshapes the shortlist more than any other single factor.

Schools: the district matters more than the county

There is no such thing as a countywide school district. There are dozens, and in the Northern Valley several boroughs run their own elementary and middle schools and then share a regional high school. Harrington Park, Norwood, Northvale and Old Tappan all feed Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan. Closter, Demarest and Haworth feed Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest.

That is why families who start out comparing schools end up comparing towns. Niche currently ranks Northvale #2 of 414 New Jersey suburbs for public schools, with Old Tappan at #23 and Norwood at #25 — three towns, one high school, three very different price points.

What homes cost

The countywide median sale price was $762,500 in September 2026, according to Otteau Group, Inc., and on its own that figure is close to useless. Alpine and Rockleigh are estate territory. Dumont and Northvale are the most affordable towns I work in. Closter, Demarest and Old Tappan land in between, with classic colonials and custom new construction. Instead of averaging them, read the individual guides below. Each one carries its own numbers. For why the differences are so sharp, see how micro-markets differ from town to town.

Bergen County neighborhood guides

Each town below has its own full guide: home values, schools, commute, and what a normal week looks like there. Start with the town you’re considering.

• Alpine: estate properties, privacy, and some of the most exclusive addresses in the country.
• Closter: the area’s most walkable downtown, anchored by Closter Plaza.
• Cresskill: a classic borough with a walkable center and well-regarded schools.
• Demarest: tree-lined, quiet, and home to one of the area’s two regional high schools.
• Dumont: the most approachable entry point in the area, with a traditional walkable feel.
• Harrington Park: two square miles, one top-ranked PreK–8 school, and the Oradell Reservoir.
• Northvale: smaller homes, friendlier prices, and quick highway access.
• Norwood: Kennedy Field, strong schools, and an easy commute to Manhattan.
• Old Tappan: larger lots and the regional high school shared with several boroughs.
• River Vale: golf course living, well-regarded schools, and quick access to major roads.

What clients say about working with me

“I have worked with hundreds of real estate agents during my 30 years of practice as a NJ real estate attorney and I found Lana to be diligent, responsive and involved in the transaction from the date of contract signing right up to the date of closing. I highly recommend her to anyone in the market to buy or sell a home.”

— James C., New Jersey real estate attorney

More client reviews are here.

What is my home worth?

An automated estimate is a starting point, not an answer, especially in a county where the town line down the middle of your street can change the number. Get an instant figure on my home valuation page, then let’s go through it together. I will tell you what I think it will actually sell for, what I would fix first, and what your buyer is comparing you against. Call or text (201) 310-6560, or reach out here.

Bergen County FAQs

Is Bergen County a good place to live?

Niche ranks it #4 of 21 New Jersey counties overall, #2 for young professionals and #2 healthiest, and several of its towns sit near the top of the statewide lists. Harrington Park is currently #1 of 414 best suburbs to live in New Jersey. The real answer is that it depends almost entirely on which of the 70 towns you land in.

How many towns are in Bergen County?

Seventy: 56 boroughs, nine townships, three cities and two villages. That is the most of any county in New Jersey, and it is the single biggest reason buying here needs local guidance.

Does Bergen County have commuter rail to New York?

Indirectly. NJ Transit’s Pascack Valley, Main and Bergen County lines all run into Hoboken, with a transfer at Secaucus for Penn Station. Norwood, Old Tappan, Closter and the nearby boroughs have no station of their own, so those commutes are bus or car.

Which Bergen County town is best for families?

The ones people ask me about most are Closter, Old Tappan, Demarest, River Vale and Harrington Park. Niche currently ranks Closter #8 of 414 New Jersey suburbs for raising a family, River Vale #18, Demarest #22 and Old Tappan #28. Read the guides above, then call or text me — “best for families” almost always turns out to mean something specific to you.

What are property taxes like in Bergen County?

High, and they vary widely from town to town. Every municipality sets its own rate, so this is something to check per address rather than per county. I will pull the actual figures for any house you are considering before you fall in love with it.

What is the Northern Valley?

It is the local name for the cluster of small boroughs in the county’s northeast corner that share the two Northern Valley Regional high schools: Closter, Demarest, Harrington Park, Haworth, Northvale, Norwood, Old Tappan and Rockleigh. Alpine, next door, runs its own K–8 school and sends its high schoolers to Tenafly High School. Quiet, small, heavily school-driven, and no train.

Is River Vale a good place to live?

Yes, and it’s one of the towns where I sell the most. Niche ranks River Vale #18 of 414 New Jersey suburbs for raising a family and #4 of 68 Bergen County towns for buying a house. It’s a Pascack Valley township with two elementary schools, Roberge and Woodside, and Holdrum Middle School, and its high schoolers attend Pascack Valley High School in Hillsdale. There are also three golf courses in town. River Vale has no train station of its own; commuters use the Pascack Valley Line stations in nearby Hillsdale and Westwood.

Is Norwood a good place to live?

Yes. Norwood is a small borough with one PreK–8 school for the whole town, and its students go on to Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan. Niche ranks Norwood #25 of 414 New Jersey suburbs for public schools, and it’s approximately 20 miles from Midtown Manhattan. It’s also where I live.

Is Closter a good place to live?

Yes. Niche ranks Closter #8 of 414 New Jersey suburbs for raising a family and #9 of 414 best suburbs to live in New Jersey. It has the most walkable downtown in the area, anchored by Closter Plaza, and it’s approximately 19 miles from Midtown Manhattan. Closter students attend Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest.

Is Demarest a good place to live?

Yes, especially for families. Niche ranks Demarest #22 of 414 New Jersey suburbs for raising a family and #29 for public schools. It’s a quiet, tree-lined borough built around the Duck Pond, and it’s home to Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest, which serves Demarest, Closter and Haworth.

What is Alpine, NJ known for?

Estate properties, privacy and Palisades views. Alpine is home to some of the most exclusive addresses in the country, with large lots and custom homes along the Hudson. Alpine runs its own K–8 school, and its high schoolers attend Tenafly High School.

Is Cresskill a good place to live?

Yes. Cresskill borders the Northern Valley and runs its own schools from PreK through 12th grade: two elementary schools, Bryan and Merritt, and Cresskill High School for grades 6 through 12. Niche ranks it #19 of 68 Bergen County towns for public schools, and its walkable center is a big part of the draw.

Is Tenafly a good place to live?

Yes, and it’s best known for its schools. Niche ranks Tenafly #1 of 414 New Jersey suburbs for public schools and #20 for raising a family. Tenafly High School also serves Alpine’s high schoolers.

Are Norwood, Old Tappan, Northvale and Harrington Park alike since they share a high school?

They share Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan, but each town runs its own schools through eighth grade, and each has its own feel and price point. Northvale is the most attainable of the four, Old Tappan has larger lots, Harrington Park is two square miles built around one PreK–8 school, and Norwood offers established homes alongside new construction. Driving each one on a weekday afternoon tells you more than any listing.

Where can I find top schools at a lower price?

Start with Northvale. Niche ranks it #2 of 414 New Jersey suburbs for public schools, and it’s one of the most attainable towns I work in. Its students attend the same regional high school as Norwood, Old Tappan and Harrington Park.

Do homes sell over asking right now?

More than half do. In September 2026, 54% of Bergen County homes closed above asking, at a median of 102.5% of list price, after a median of 20 days on the market (Otteau Group, Inc. HousingTRAC). That’s why pricing and preparation before a home launches make the difference between a strong sale and a long one.

Who is the top Realtor in Norwood, Old Tappan and River Vale, NJ?

Lana Henriques, Realtor®, is ranked in the top 1.5% of agents nationwide by RealTrends Verified (2026) and has more than 14 years of experience working with sellers and buyers in Norwood, Old Tappan, River Vale, Northvale, Closter, Demarest, Harrington Park, Cresskill and Alpine. Her background in renovation, new construction and home staging shapes how she prepares and positions every listing, and her clients rate her 5 stars on Google. Clients work with her directly, start to finish. Call or text (201) 310-6560.

Which towns does Lana Henriques cover?

My core towns, the ones with a full guide on this site, are Norwood (where I live), Harrington Park, Closter, Demarest, Cresskill, Northvale, Old Tappan, River Vale, Dumont and Alpine.

I also list and sell in Tenafly, Englewood Cliffs and Englewood along the Palisades; in Westwood, Hillsdale, Park Ridge and Emerson through the Pascack Valley; and in Bergenfield and New Milford just south of the reservoir, along with the surrounding towns. If your search spans two or three of these towns, that is completely normal — most of my buyers are choosing between boroughs, not shopping just one.

Not sure which town fits?

That’s the most common question I get, and it usually comes down to three things: your commute, your budget, and whether you want a downtown you can walk to. Tell me those and I can narrow ten towns down to two.

Lana Henriques, Realtor®
Call or text (201) 310-6560

Schedule a consultation  ·  Get your home value  ·  Browse homes for sale