Why Closter, NJ?
Closter is the self-proclaimed Hub of the Northern Valley — 8,700 residents across 3.3 square miles at the New York border where Bergen County's best schools meet village-scale living. Korean Americans make up 21% of the population, giving Closter one of the highest Korean concentrations of any borough in the nation. Hillside Elementary won the National Blue Ribbon School award in 2021, and students feed into Northern Valley Demarest High School, a perennial top-10 in New Jersey (Blue Ribbon 1994 to 1996). Closter Plaza anchors the retail core with Whole Foods, Target, and HomeGoods across 208,000 square feet — the plaza doubled as a filming location for The Wolf of Wall Street in 2012. The Closter Nature Center preserves 136 acres of trails, ponds, and wetlands. Jazz legend Bill Evans, Muppets puppeteer Richard Hunt, and Metropolitan Opera soprano Helen Jepson all called Closter home. At $780K median with a 3% poverty rate, this is Bergen County's sweet spot between Alpine luxury and everyday suburbia.
Closter Real Estate Market in 2026
Closter homes sell in 30 days at a $780K median, appreciating at 5.2% annually. The market features colonials, Foursquares, split-levels, and newer construction on quarter to half acre lots. Prices range from $550K for older ranches to $1.5M-plus for custom builds near the Alpine border. The borough's 70.9% married-couple household rate reflects the family-oriented buyer base. Northern Valley schools remain the primary value driver.
Best Neighborhoods in Closter
6 distinct neighborhoods, each with its own character and price range
Alpine Border / North Closter
$900,000 to $1,500,000Northern section adjacent to Alpine with larger wooded lots, maximum privacy, and the quietest streets in the borough. Custom-built colonials and contemporary homes. Access to Closter Nature Center trails.
Harrington Avenue / Memorial Park
$700,000 to $950,000Near Veterans Memorial Field with its playground, athletic fields, bandshell, and 9/11 memorial. Family-focused pocket with easy access to Ruckman Park. Classic colonials on established streets.
Closter Plaza / Commercial Core
$650,000 to $850,000Walking distance to Whole Foods, Target, HomeGoods, and restaurants at Closter Plaza. Most convenient location in the borough. Italian and Korean dining nearby. The Belskie Museum of Art and Science is in this area.
High Street / Tenakill
$700,000 to $900,000Near Tenakill Middle School and High Street Park with playground and fitness area. Residential streets with strong school proximity. Popular with families with school-age children.
Homans Avenue / Hillside
$675,000 to $875,000Near Blue Ribbon-winning Hillside Elementary School. Well-kept properties on tree-lined streets. Family pocket with strong community feel.
Knickerbocker Road / Eckerson Place
$650,000 to $825,000Near Mollicone Park (named for Vietnam War veteran Donald Mollicone). Baseball fields and neighborhood character. Slightly more affordable entry point.
Commuting from Closter to NYC
Source: NJ Transit schedules, June 2026. Peak hour commute times.
Walkability and Livability in Closter
How easy is it to live car-free or car-light in Closter?
Closter Schools and Ratings
Closter Public Schools serves 1,190 students PreK through 8th grade with a 12.8 to 1 student-teacher ratio. Hillside Elementary School (621 students, PreK to 4th grade) won the National Blue Ribbon School Award of Excellence in 2021. Tenakill Middle School (556 students, grades 5 to 8) is highly rated. Students attend Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest (974 students, 10.7 to 1 ratio), which won the Blue Ribbon Award in 1994 to 1996 and is consistently ranked in New Jersey's top 10. Bergen County Academies in Hackensack and Bergen County Technical Schools offer selective admission programs.
Source: NCES CCD 2023 to 2024, NJDOE NJSLA 2024 to 2025
Hillside Elementary School
Tenakill Middle School
Closter vs Neighboring Towns: Cost Comparison
Where to Eat in Closter
Italian
Buon Gusto Restaurant is Closter's beloved Italian BYOB available for private events. Locale Cafe and Bar offers upscale Italian dishes with patio seating — the borough's most polished dining experience.
Korean and Asian
Closter's 21% Korean population supports authentic Korean restaurants near Closter Plaza and along the commercial corridors. Mount Kisco Chinese Restaurant offers traditional Chinese cuisine.
Closter Plaza Dining
The Whole Foods prepared foods section, plaza cafes, and a growing restaurant scene serve the daily needs of the community. Nearby Demarest and Tenafly add additional dining diversity within minutes.
Parks and Recreation in Closter
Closter Nature Center
136-acre nature preserve with hiking trails, ponds, meadows, and wetlands. Educational programs and guided nature walks year-round. One of the largest nature preserves in Bergen County.
Ruckman Park
Major borough park on Piermont and Ruckman roads with athletic fields, walking and jogging paths, playground, and green space.
Veterans Memorial Field
Harrington Avenue facility with athletic fields, playground, bandshell for community events, and a 9/11 memorial. The borough's primary sports and gathering venue.
Mollicone Park
Knickerbocker Road and Eckerson Place park with baseball field. Named in honor of Donald Mollicone, a Vietnam War veteran.
Schauble Park
Bergenline Avenue park with playground, bike path, and athletic fields.
Amendola Park
Willow Road neighborhood park with playground.
High Street Park
At the intersection of High and Piermont, featuring playground and fitness area.
Closter Golf Center
120-stall two-story driving range with miniature golf. Popular recreation destination.
New Development and Growth in Closter
Closter Plaza Expansion
The 16-acre, 208,000-square-foot outdoor mall continues to expand with new retail tenants. Anchor stores include Whole Foods, Target, and HomeGoods. The plaza was used as a filming location for The Wolf of Wall Street in August 2012.
Northern Valley Arts District
Growing cultural presence anchored by the Belskie Museum of Art and Science and the World of Wings nature and science museum featuring a live butterfly atrium.
History of Closter, NJ
Incorporated January 1, 1904, from Harrington Township. The name derives from the Dutch klooster meaning monastery or cloister — evolving from Klowster to Clooster to Closter by 1795.
Dutch settlers arrived in the early 18th century. In 1669 English Governor Philip Carteret granted land to Balthasar De Hart, establishing one of the earliest land grants in the area.
Closter was a stop on the Underground Railroad. The historic DeMott House served as a safe house for escaped slaves.
The arrival of the Northern Branch railroad in 1859 transformed Closter from farming community to commuter suburb. The West Shore Railroad provided ferry connections to Manhattan at Weehawken.
Marcel Jovine (1921 to 2003), sculptor of the Visible Man and Visible Woman anatomical models, designed the official Closter Borough Seal.
The Closter Nature Center preserves 136 acres of forest, ponds, and wetlands as a permanent green space within the borough.
Safety in Closter
Closter has a crime score of 2 out of 100, making it significantly safer than the national average. The police department includes a Chief, Captain, 3 Lieutenants, 5 Sergeants, 11 Patrol Officers, and 2 Detectives. The Closter Volunteer Ambulance and Rescue Corps, established in 1936, also serves Alpine and a section of the Palisades Interstate Parkway.
Notable Residents
Annual Events and Festivals
Frequently Asked Questions About Closter, NJ
What is the median home price in Closter, NJ?
The median home price is $780,000 as of 2026, with 5.2% year-over-year appreciation. Average $355/sqft, selling in 30 days.
How long is the commute from Closter to NYC?
40 minutes via NJ Transit from on the NJ Transit Bus 167/177 to Port Authority. Transfer required.
What are property taxes in Closter, NJ?
Tax rate is 2.31%. Average homeowner pays $18,567/year. At the median price of $780,000, expect about $18,018/year.
What are the best neighborhoods in Closter?
Alpine Border / North Closter ($900,000 to $1,500,000). Harrington Avenue / Memorial Park ($700,000 to $950,000). Closter Plaza / Commercial Core ($650,000 to $850,000). High Street / Tenakill ($700,000 to $900,000). Homans Avenue / Hillside ($675,000 to $875,000). See the full guide above for all 6 neighborhoods.
Is Closter safe?
Closter has a crime score of 2 out of 100, making it significantly safer than the national average. The police department includes a Chief, Captain, 3 Lieutenants, 5 Sergeants, 11 Patrol Officers, and 2 Detectives. The Closter Volunteer Ambulance and Rescue Corps, established in 1936, also serves Alpine and a section of the Palisades Interstate Parkway.
How walkable is Closter, NJ?
Walk Score of 73, rated "Very Walkable." Median income $117,147, median age 43.8. 12% renter-occupied.
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