Why Cedar Grove, NJ?
Cedar Grove is 4.36 square miles on the Watchung ridge where Arthur Wynne — the inventor of the crossword puzzle — lived. Aaron Rodgers is from here. Allen B. DuMont founded the DuMont Television Network here after improving the cathode-ray tube in 1931, creating the first commercial electronic televisions. Tommy James (Crimson and Clover, Mony Mony) grew up here. Michael Uslan, the executive producer who originated the modern Batman film franchise, is from Cedar Grove. Frank Dailey's Meadowbrook Ballroom on Route 23 hosted Frank Sinatra, Glenn Miller, Jimmy Dorsey, Tommy Dorsey, and Buddy Rich — one of the great big band venues of the swing era. Mills Reservation (157 acres on the First Watchung Mountain) provides panoramic Manhattan skyline views on clear days. The township's Italian-American heritage runs deep — 29.7% Italian ancestry in the 2000 Census, 18th highest in New Jersey. North End Elementary earned National Blue Ribbon recognition in 2021. At $560K with a poverty rate near 0.5%, Cedar Grove offers mountain-adjacent living, wooded lots, and an extraordinary concentration of cultural history at moderate Essex County prices.
Cedar Grove Real Estate Market in 2026
Cedar Grove homes sell in 22 days at a $560K median, appreciating at 5.8%. Colonials, split-levels, and ranches on generous lots across 4.36 square miles of Watchung ridge terrain. Prices range from $400K to $900K. The low property tax rate (2.34%) and near-zero poverty rate reflect a stable, affluent community. DeCamp Bus Lines Route 195 provides direct service to Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan.
Best Neighborhoods in Cedar Grove
4 distinct neighborhoods, each with its own character and price range
Mills Reservation / North End
$575,000 to $850,000Adjacent to the 157-acre Mills Reservation with Manhattan skyline views from the Watchung ridge. Wooded lots with colonials and custom homes. North End Elementary School (258 students, National Blue Ribbon 2021) serves the area. Near the Hilltop Reservation (former Essex Mountain Sanatorium grounds, opened as park 2003). The premium section of the township.
Park Ridge Estates / Central
$500,000 to $700,000Central residential section with established colonials and split-levels. Cedar Grove Memorial Middle School (500 students) serves the area. Near Community Park with its bocce court, playgrounds, and Lenape Trail access. The most balanced section between price and amenities.
South End / Pompton Avenue
$425,000 to $600,000Near the Pompton Avenue commercial corridor and Route 23. South End Elementary School (327 students) serves the area. Italian-American family restaurants, bakeries, and businesses. More accessible pricing than the ridge sections. The former Meadowbrook Ballroom site (now a Macedonian Orthodox church) is nearby.
Overbrook / Little Falls Border
$450,000 to $625,000Northern section near the Little Falls border. Named after the Overbrook area where Essex County built its mental institution in 1896. Quieter residential streets with larger lots. Near the West Essex Trail for biking and walking.
Commuting from Cedar Grove to NYC
Source: NJ Transit schedules, June 2026. Peak hour commute times.
Walkability and Livability in Cedar Grove
How easy is it to live car-free or car-light in Cedar Grove?
Cedar Grove Schools and Ratings
Cedar Grove Schools District serves 1,613 students with a 10.9 to 1 student-teacher ratio — one of the lowest in Essex County. North End Elementary (258 students, Pre-K through 4 — recognized by the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program in September 2021). South End Elementary (327 students, Pre-K through 4). Cedar Grove Memorial Middle School (500 students, grades 5 through 8). Cedar Grove High School (the Panthers, 496 students, grades 9 through 12). St. Catherine of Siena School (Catholic, founded 1958) provides private school options.
Source: NCES CCD 2023 to 2024, NJDOE NJSLA 2024 to 2025
North End Elementary School
Memorial Middle School
South End Elementary School
Essex Junior Academy
Cedar Grove High School
Cedar Grove vs Neighboring Towns: Cost Comparison
| City | Median Price | Tax Rate | Annual Tax | NYC Commute |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Grove | $560,000 | 2.34% | $12,567 | 48 min |
| Verona | $575,000 | 2.56% | $13,890 | 42 min |
| Caldwell | $590,000 | 2.45% | $13,456 | 45 min |
| North Caldwell | $850,000 | 2.01% | $16,789 | 48 min |
Where to Eat in Cedar Grove
Italian Heritage and Pompton Avenue
Family-run Italian restaurants and bakeries along Pompton Avenue reflect the 29.7% Italian ancestry — 18th highest in New Jersey. The township's dining character is generational and authentic. Route 23 and nearby Verona's 30-plus restaurants on Bloomfield Avenue add options. The historic Meadowbrook Ballroom site on Route 23 hosted the greatest big band performers of the swing era before closing as a dinner theater in 1973.
Parks and Recreation in Cedar Grove
Mills Reservation
157.15-acre Essex County preserve on the First Watchung Mountain with walking trails, wooded hillsides, and a panoramic overlook of the Manhattan skyline. Donated to Essex County by philanthropist Davella Mills. One of the best viewpoints in western Essex County.
Hilltop Reservation
Former site of the Essex Mountain Sanatorium (opened 1896 for mental health, converted to tuberculosis treatment). Located at the highest point in Essex County. Opened as a public reservation in spring 2003 with hiking trails and nature areas. Shared with Verona.
Community Park
Township recreation hub with baseball field, multipurpose field, barbecue area, two playgrounds, bocce court, and Lenape Trail access.
Taylor Memorial Park
Tennis courts, basketball court, and playground. Named for Elmer Bowden Taylor, a World War I pilot in the Lafayette Flying Corps.
Cedar Grove Community Pool
Opened 1963 with 50-meter and 25-meter lanes, three diving boards, water slide, baby pool, snack bar, and basketball courts. Open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
New Development and Growth in Cedar Grove
Meadowbrook Site
The former Frank Dailey's Meadowbrook Ballroom — one of the great swing era venues that hosted Frank Sinatra, Glenn Miller, and the Dorsey brothers — later became a dinner theater (1959 to 1973). The building is now used by Saints Kiril and Methodij Macedonian Orthodox Church.
Route 23 Corridor
Route 23 bisects the township and provides commercial and retail connectivity to neighboring communities.
History of Cedar Grove, NJ
Originally incorporated as the Township of Verona on February 7, 1892, then formally renamed Cedar Grove on April 9, 1908 after the Verona borough separated. Named for the cedar trees along the Peckman River. Part of the 1702 Horseneck Tract purchased from the Lenape for goods valued at $325.
Frank Dailey's Meadowbrook Ballroom on Route 23 was one of the premier big band and swing era venues in the Northeast, hosting Frank Sinatra, Glenn Miller, Jimmy Dorsey, Tommy Dorsey, Buddy Rich, and Jo Stafford. The venue later became the first dinner theater in the region when Gary and Helga McHugh opened it in fall 1959.
Allen B. DuMont improved the cathode-ray tube in 1931, created the first commercial electronic televisions, and founded the DuMont Television Network — all from Cedar Grove. DuMont was the forgotten fourth broadcast network that pioneered early television before ABC, NBC, and CBS dominated.
Arthur Wynne, the inventor of the crossword puzzle, lived in Cedar Grove. His creation, first published in the New York World in 1913, became one of the most popular word games in human history.
The Italian-American heritage runs deep — the 2000 Census recorded 29.7% Italian ancestry, the 18th highest concentration in New Jersey, alongside 21.7% Irish and 12.1% German. Family-run restaurants and bakeries preserve the cultural identity.
Essex County built the Overbrook mental institution in 1896 in the northern section. The Essex Mountain Sanatorium later converted to tuberculosis treatment and operated until the 1970s. The grounds became the Hilltop Reservation public park in 2003.
Safety in Cedar Grove
Cedar Grove is one of the safest communities in Essex County with a poverty rate near 0.5% — among the lowest in the state. The township's suburban character, stable demographics, and low density (3,064 per square mile) contribute to exceptionally low crime rates.
Notable Residents
Annual Events and Festivals
Frequently Asked Questions About Cedar Grove, NJ
What is the median home price in Cedar Grove, NJ?
The median home price is $560,000 as of 2026, with 5.8% year-over-year appreciation. Average $320/sqft, selling in 22 days.
How long is the commute from Cedar Grove to NYC?
48 minutes via NJ Transit from on the NJ Transit bus 11 to Newark / DeCamp 195 to Port Authority. Transfer required.
What are property taxes in Cedar Grove, NJ?
Tax rate is 2.34%. Average homeowner pays $12,567/year. At the median price of $560,000, expect about $13,104/year.
What are the best neighborhoods in Cedar Grove?
Mills Reservation / North End ($575,000 to $850,000). Park Ridge Estates / Central ($500,000 to $700,000). South End / Pompton Avenue ($425,000 to $600,000). Overbrook / Little Falls Border ($450,000 to $625,000). See the full guide above for all 4 neighborhoods.
Is Cedar Grove safe?
Cedar Grove is one of the safest communities in Essex County with a poverty rate near 0.5% — among the lowest in the state. The township's suburban character, stable demographics, and low density (3,064 per square mile) contribute to exceptionally low crime rates.
How walkable is Cedar Grove, NJ?
Walk Score of 25, rated "Car-Dependent." Median income $108,000, median age 44.8. 12% renter-occupied.
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