Tucked along the New York state line, Bergen County offers endless amenities and a wide range of perks in and around the area. Spanning nearly 9,000 acres, the county encompasses an abundance of green spaces, upscale communities, shopping centers, museums, and top-rated schools, with convenient accessibility to America’s largest major metropolitan, New York City.
With all that Bergen County has to offer, who wouldn’t want to call this place home?
Overview of Bergen County, NJ
Positioned in the northeastern corner of New Jersey, Bergen County borders the Hudson River and New York City and connects to Manhattan via the George Washington Bridge.
The county is a short drive to the 120 miles of the Jersey’s shore and its stretches of beaches and to the Pocono Mountains for outdoor recreation opportunities during the warmer and colder months.
Fun fact: Bergen was actually one of the four original counties of New Jersey. It was designated as a “judicial district” in 1675. But in 1683, the Provincial Assembly passed a law establishing the counties of Monmouth, Essex, Middlesex, and Bergen. Hackensack was selected as the county seat in 1710.
Today, around 978,000 people reside in Bergen County, making it one of the most populous counties in New Jersey.
Notable Towns in Bergen County, NJ
Bergen County has a few noteworthy towns that should be on everybody’s radar.
Ridgewood, NJ
Located about 20 miles northwest of Manhattan, the village of Ridgewood is home to around 26,000 people. Ridgewood was just a wilderness of trees and streams before Johannes Van Emburg and David Provoast bought 250 acres of land in 1698. Enough families settled in the area by 1725 and founded a congregation of the Reformed Church. The Jersey Dutch people mostly settled in Ridgewood, living an agricultural lifestyle, raising livestock and growing crops to trade in locations as distant as New York.
Today, the community of Ridgewood offers residents and visitors a variety of attractions to enjoy, whether that’s sipping on a craft cocktail at Steel Wheel Tavern or traveling back in time with its historical sites, including the Schoolhouse Museum. For a breath of fresh air, there are plenty of green spaces to explore, such as Graydon Park and Van Neste Square Memorial Park, and for families to enjoy. Or relax and dip your toes in the refreshing Graydon Pool, equipped with a sand beachfront, spray fountains, a picnic area, charcoal grills, a pavilion, a playground, and volleyball and basketball courts.
Ridgewood is part of the Ridgewood Public Schools district, a quality education system made up of 10 schools. The district has one preschool, six elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school, serving approximately 5,600 students.
The village also hosts many community events, including an international night, a spring marketplace, a fashion show, a race, a daffodil festival, movies in the park, and so much more. Those who just moved to the area can join the Ridgewood Newcomers, a nonprofit club focused on helping new residents feel at home by hosting about 40 events annually, such as playground dates and holiday parties, to build community.
Glen Rock, NJ
With its small population, proximity to New York City, and excellent schools, it’s no secret as to why Glen Rock is considered one of the best places to live in New Jersey.
In the 1600s, the first Europeans, many of them Dutch farmers from New Netherland, moved into what is now known as Bergen County, attracted by the area’s rich soil. By the 1890s, about 600 people were living on 100 farms in the area that became Glen Rock in 1894. Aside from the farms, the town was made up of a few shops, including seed stores, three blacksmiths, and a couple of mills. Approximately 12,000 people live in this family-friendly borough today.
Although the community has a calm suburban atmosphere, Glen Rock offers plenty of activities for residents and visitors to enjoy. The Museum at the Station, located in the Main Line Train Station that was built in 1905, teaches patrons the history of Glen Rock and features artifacts from the town’s farming history. Meanwhile, the Thielke Arboretum, a wetland forest featuring nature trails, a brook, a spring fed pond, gardens, and an antique gazebo, provides a peaceful spot for those with an active lifestyle to unwind from the bustling suburbia. During the hot summer months, the Glen Rock Pool, complete with an Olympic-sized pool, a kiddie pool, and a snack bar, is the perfect spot for families to spend quality time together. Several community events are held each year, including a street and craft fair, a family fun fair, and a Fourth of July parade.
Glen Rock Public Schools, which Glen Rock is part of, is a highly-rated school district in New Jersey. The district consists of six schools: four elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. It educates around 2,600 students.
Demarest, NJ
Demarest, settled in the heart of Bergen County, is a desirable place to live for many reasons, including its abundance of amenities, proximity to major cities, and outstanding school system. The borough of Demarest was established in 1903 after it split from the Township of Harrington. John H.Z. Demarest served as the town’s first mayor. Today, approximately 5,000 people reside in the town.
Residents and visitors have access to a wide range of recreational opportunities, including beautiful parks like Duck Pond and Wakelee Field. A prime spot for soaking in nature and taking a relaxing stroll along the trails and the wetlands is the Demarest Nature Center. In addition to serene green spaces, Demarest keeps its town’s history alive through its displayed preserved, historic landmarks, including the Demarest Railroad Station.
The town hosts several annual events for the community, including a summer concert series, a holiday tree lighting, and a Community Day celebration. The Demarest Art and Cultural Center also holds various activities and events, such as lectures, workshops, concerts, and art exhibitions.
Demarest belongs to the Demarest Public Schools district. The district has three schools – Demarest Middle School, Luther Lee Emerson School, and County Road School – and serves about 700 students. Luther Lee Emerson School is an elementary school while County Road School educates students in pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and first grade. The school district ranks well overall with 70% of its students testing at least proficient in math and reading. High school students who live in Demarest attend Northern Valley Regional High School, which has gained recognition for its college preparatory and academic programs.
Recreational Opportunities in Bergen County, NJ
There are boundless recreational opportunities in Bergen County – so many that it’s difficult to keep track of them! It doesn’t matter if you’d rather spend your day birding, hiking, boating, camping, or horseback riding. The county has it all.
Hop on a bike or walk the path at Saddle River Bikeway, which spans about six miles and travels from Ridgewood to Rochelle Park. Or stop by the Ramapo Mountain State Forest, a sanctuary for wildlife and a network of trails with views of the New York City skyline.
Itching to get on the water? Check out Palisades Interstate Park. The park has two boat basins, Alpine Boat Basin and Englewood Boat Basin with a combined capacity of about 250 slips. Both basins have showers and fuel docks. If you have a desire to go camping, then Campgaw Mountain Reservation might be the perfect spot for you. The reservation provides unique recreational activities, including skiing, snow tubing, disc golf, and archery.
However, Bergen County isn’t just for outdoors enthusiasts. The area also has plenty of shopping options to choose from, including major malls such as American Dream in East Rutherford, the Outlets at Bergen Town Center and the Fashion Center in Paramus, and The Shops at Riverside in Hackensack. A few communities in the county brag of thriving downtown commercial strips, including Wood Ridge’s Wesmont Station, Ramsey’s Main Street, and Englewood’s Palisade Avenue and Dean Street.
For those seeking cultural or historical enlightenment, Bergen County has a handful of museums to check out, such as The Hermitage, The Aviation Hall of Fame of New Jersey, and the African Art Museum.
Transportation and Accessibility in Bergen County, NJ
Serving as a direct channel to New York City, Bergen County has developed an advanced road and mass transit network.
The county has several major highways, including the Garden State Parkway, the New Jersey Turnpike, the I-287, and the NJ-4, giving commuters access to popular nearby cities. The Garden State Parkway runs through the western part of the county while the New Jersey Turnpike enters the county on both sides of the Hackensack River. The I-287 has been added to the highway system within the county, and the NJ-4 leads to the George Washington Bridge.
Outside of the highways, commuters also can utilize the many mass transit options offered to them, including three passenger rail lines, 30 train stations, 51 NJ Transit bus routes, and Edgewater Ferry Landing, which accesses the GW Bridge, Teterboro Airport, and Midtown Manhattan.
Which Community in Bergen County, NJ Is Right for You?
It doesn’t matter what you’re searching for when it comes to settling down in a new place. Bergen County has something for everyone, from a family looking for high-quality early education programs to a retiree seeking peace and quiet in nature to a young professional desiring the commotion of a vibrant downtown district.
Curious to learn more about Bergen County, NJ? Contact a local expert strategist to discover more about the community or to find your next home in this picturesque county.
