Why Caldwell, NJ?
Caldwell is 1.18 square miles of genuine Main Street America — the only place in New Jersey where a US President was born. Grover Cleveland, the 22nd and 24th President and the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms, was born at 207 Bloomfield Avenue on March 18, 1837. His birthplace is a National Historic Landmark open to the public. The borough is named after Reverend James Caldwell, the Fighting Parson who supported the Continental Army at the Battle of Springfield in 1780. In 1824, the Marquis de Lafayette visited Caldwell and gave a bronze dolphin-handle cannon to the town green (the original was stolen in 1968 — an iron replica stands today). George Washington and his staff stopped for lunch at Saunders Sanders' stone house near Brookside Avenue. The Caldwell Public Library, opened in 1908, is one of only 20 remaining Carnegie libraries in New Jersey. Caldwell University (2,200 students, founded 1939 by the Sisters of Saint Dominic) and Mount Saint Dominic Academy add campus energy. NJ Monthly ranked Caldwell the 3rd best place to live in New Jersey in 2010. At $590K with a walkable downtown of traditional pubs, restaurants, boutiques, and world-famous gelato, Caldwell delivers village character at a fraction of what neighboring Essex Fells and North Caldwell charge.
Caldwell Real Estate Market in 2026
Caldwell homes sell in 20 days at a $590K median, appreciating at 6.4%. Colonials, Victorians, and multi-family properties on compact lots in a walkable 1.18-square-mile borough. Prices range from $425K condos to $800K renovated single-family homes. The university adds rental demand and campus-adjacent energy. Caldwell shares a recreation department and school system with West Caldwell.
Best Neighborhoods in Caldwell
3 distinct neighborhoods, each with its own character and price range
Downtown / Bloomfield Avenue
$475,000 to $675,000The walkable commercial heart of the borough. Grover Cleveland Birthplace (National Historic Landmark) at 207 Bloomfield Avenue. Cloverleaf Tavern (since 1927), Calandra's Bakery, Forte Pizzeria, and world-famous gelato. Caldwell Public Library (1908 Carnegie library). Lincoln Elementary School serves the area. Walking distance to Caldwell University campus. Independent shops, fashion boutiques, coffee houses, and the town green with Lafayette's cannon.
North Caldwell Border
$550,000 to $750,000Northern section adjacent to affluent North Caldwell (The Sopranos house). Larger homes on quieter streets. Benefits from proximity to North Caldwell's estate character without the $850K median. Near Mount Saint Dominic Academy.
Roseland / Essex Fells Border
$525,000 to $700,000Southern and western sections with larger lots near the corporate offices of Roseland and the wooded estates of Essex Fells. More residential and less walkable than the downtown core. Quieter family streets.
Commuting from Caldwell to NYC
Source: NJ Transit schedules, June 2026. Peak hour commute times.
Walkability and Livability in Caldwell
How easy is it to live car-free or car-light in Caldwell?
Caldwell Schools and Ratings
Caldwell-West Caldwell Public Schools serves 2,669 students with an 11.8 to 1 student-teacher ratio across 7 schools. In Caldwell: Lincoln Elementary School (260 students, K through 5) and Grover Cleveland Middle School (626 students, grades 6 through 8). James Caldwell High School (829 students, grades 9 through 12) is in West Caldwell. Caldwell University (Catholic liberal arts, 2,200 students, founded 1939 by the Sisters of Saint Dominic). Mount Saint Dominic Academy (Catholic girls school, grades 9 through 12). Trinity Academy (Catholic Pre-K through 8) was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School in 2015.
Source: NCES CCD 2023 to 2024, NJDOE NJSLA 2024 to 2025
Grover Cleveland Middle School
Lincoln Elementary School
Caldwell vs Neighboring Towns: Cost Comparison
| City | Median Price | Tax Rate | Annual Tax | NYC Commute |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caldwell | $590,000 | 2.45% | $13,456 | 45 min |
| West Caldwell | $650,000 | 2.23% | $14,234 | 48 min |
| North Caldwell | $850,000 | 2.01% | $16,789 | 48 min |
| Verona | $575,000 | 2.56% | $13,890 | 42 min |
Where to Eat in Caldwell
Bloomfield Avenue Downtown
Cloverleaf Tavern (classic American pub since 1927 — one of the oldest continuously operating taverns in Essex County), Calandra's Bakery (234 Bloomfield Ave, artisan Italian breads and pastries), Forte Pizzeria (182 Bloomfield Ave), world-famous gelato shops, Italian restaurants, and a growing café scene. The downtown is a regional destination — NJ Monthly recognized Caldwell's Main Street character as 3rd best place to live in 2010. Traditional pubs, coffee shops, and boutiques line the walkable corridor.
Parks and Recreation in Caldwell
Grover Cleveland Birthplace
National Historic Landmark at 207 Bloomfield Avenue. The church manse where the 22nd and 24th President was born on March 18, 1837, built in 1832. Now a museum open to the public with historic exhibits. Herbert Hoover and his wife visited during the 1928 presidential campaign.
Caldwell Town Green
Historic green where militia drilled before the battles at Connecticut Farms, Springfield, and Monmouth during the Revolution. Features an iron replica of the bronze dolphin-handle cannon given by the Marquis de Lafayette in 1824 (the original was stolen in 1968).
Caldwell Memorial Park
Borough park with sports fields, playground, and community recreation.
New Development and Growth in Caldwell
Bloomfield Avenue Preservation
The 1.18-square-mile borough focuses on preserving its walkable Main Street identity while adding new restaurants and retail to the Bloomfield Avenue corridor. The Carnegie Library (one of 20 remaining in NJ) was listed in 2022 by Preservation New Jersey as one of ten most endangered historic properties — preservation efforts are ongoing.
Caldwell University Campus
The 2,200-student Catholic university (founded 1939) adds campus energy, student housing demand, and cultural programming to the borough.
History of Caldwell, NJ
Grover Cleveland, the 22nd and 24th President of the United States and the only president born in New Jersey, was born at the church manse on Bloomfield Avenue on March 18, 1837. His father, Reverend Richard Falley Cleveland, was pastor of the First Presbyterian Church. Cleveland lived in Caldwell for his first four years.
Named after Reverend James Caldwell, the Fighting Parson who supported the Continental Army during the Revolution. At the Battle of Springfield in 1780, Caldwell reportedly tore pages from hymnals and handed them to soldiers as wadding for their muskets, shouting Give em Watts, Boys — a reference to hymn writer Isaac Watts.
In 1702, settlers acquired the 14,000-acre Horseneck Tract from the Lenape tribe for goods valued at approximately $325. George Washington and his staff stopped for lunch at Saunders Sanders' stone house. In 1824, the Marquis de Lafayette visited and gave a bronze dolphin-handle cannon to the town green.
The Caldwell Public Library opened in 1908 as one of Andrew Carnegie's philanthropic library projects. It is one of only 20 remaining Carnegie libraries in New Jersey and was listed in 2022 as one of the state's ten most endangered historic properties.
In 1816, Elias B. Caldwell and his family helped found the nation of Liberia and established the town of Caldwell, Liberia — connecting this small Essex County borough to the founding of an African nation.
A severe fire in October 1897 destroyed a large portion of buildings along Bloomfield Avenue. The Hasler Building, the first brick building in the borough, replaced the destroyed wooden structures and set the architectural standard for the downtown that exists today.
Safety in Caldwell
Caldwell is a safe community with very low crime rates. The compact, walkable borough and active downtown create natural community surveillance. Poverty rate is just 2.1%.
Notable Residents
Annual Events and Festivals
Frequently Asked Questions About Caldwell, NJ
What is the median home price in Caldwell, NJ?
The median home price is $590,000 as of 2026, with 6.4% year-over-year appreciation. Average $340/sqft, selling in 20 days.
How long is the commute from Caldwell to NYC?
45 minutes via NJ Transit from on the NJ Transit bus 29 and 71 to Newark. Transfer required.
What are property taxes in Caldwell, NJ?
Tax rate is 2.45%. Average homeowner pays $13,456/year. At the median price of $590,000, expect about $14,455/year.
What are the best neighborhoods in Caldwell?
Downtown / Bloomfield Avenue ($475,000 to $675,000). North Caldwell Border ($550,000 to $750,000). Roseland / Essex Fells Border ($525,000 to $700,000). See the full guide above for all 3 neighborhoods.
Is Caldwell safe?
Caldwell is a safe community with very low crime rates. The compact, walkable borough and active downtown create natural community surveillance. Poverty rate is just 2.1%.
How walkable is Caldwell, NJ?
Walk Score of 62, rated "Somewhat Walkable." Median income $95,000, median age 37.9. 32% renter-occupied.
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