Why Demarest, NJ?
Demarest is Bergen County's quintessential school-driven borough — under 5,000 residents across 2 square miles feeding into Northern Valley Demarest High School, a perennial top-10 in New Jersey and Blue Ribbon Award winner (1994 to 1996). Korean Americans make up nearly 20% of the population, drawn by the school reputation, and 31% of residents are Asian. The borough's character is deliberately quiet — 76% married-couple households, a 1.2% poverty rate, and virtually no commercial development. The Duck Pond on Tenakill Brook anchors the village center, and the restored Demarest Railroad Depot (built in the 1800s, listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2004) hosts community events. NASA Space Shuttle payload specialist Gregory Linteris, Yankee pitcher Sparky Lyle, hedge fund billionaire David Einhorn, and Devil Wears Prada screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna all called Demarest home. At $970K median, this is Alpine-adjacent privacy with Northern Valley schools at a fraction of Alpine's price.
Demarest Real Estate Market in 2026
Demarest homes sell in 32 days at a $970K median. The market is almost exclusively single-family detached homes — many with four or more bedrooms on generous lots. Prices range from $700K for older ranches to $2M-plus for custom builds near the Alpine and Cresskill borders. Buying a home is approximately 6% above the national average. The Northern Valley school district and the 76% married-couple household rate confirm the family-first buyer profile.
Best Neighborhoods in Demarest
5 distinct neighborhoods, each with its own character and price range
County Road / Village Center
$850,000 to $1,200,000Heart of Demarest near the Duck Pond, County Road School, and the restored railroad depot. Established colonials and split-levels on tree-lined streets. Walking distance to the Demarest Nature Center and Hardenburgh Avenue shops.
Alpine Border / North
$1,200,000 to $2,000,000Northern section adjacent to Alpine with the largest lots, maximum privacy, and wooded settings. Custom-built homes on premium parcels. The quietest and most exclusive section of the borough.
Cresskill Border / East
$900,000 to $1,300,000Eastern section near the Cresskill border with newer construction and well-maintained properties. Easy access to Cresskill's commercial amenities while maintaining Demarest's residential tranquility.
Closter Border / West
$800,000 to $1,100,000Western section with access to Closter Plaza shopping (Whole Foods, Target) and Closter's restaurant scene. Slightly more affordable entry point into Demarest with strong neighborhood character.
Dumont Border / South
$750,000 to $1,000,000Southern section near the Dumont and Haworth borders. More modest homes on smaller lots. The most accessible price point in the borough.
Commuting from Demarest to NYC
Source: NJ Transit schedules, June 2026. Peak hour commute times.
Walkability and Livability in Demarest
How easy is it to live car-free or car-light in Demarest?
Demarest Schools and Ratings
Demarest Public Schools serves 714 students PreK through 8th grade with a 10.0 to 1 student-teacher ratio — one of the lowest in Bergen County. County Road School (168 students, PreK to 1st grade) starts the pipeline. Luther Lee Emerson School (217 students, 2nd to 4th grade) continues it. Demarest Middle School (320 students, 5th to 8th grade) feeds directly into Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest (974 students, 10.7 to 1 ratio), which won the Blue Ribbon School Award in 1994 to 1996 and is consistently ranked in New Jersey's top 10. Bergen County Academies and Bergen Tech offer additional selective programs.
Source: NCES CCD 2023 to 2024, NJDOE NJSLA 2024 to 2025
County Road School
Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest
Demarest Middle School
Luther Lee Emerson School
Bergen County Institute for Science and Technology
Demarest vs Neighboring Towns: Cost Comparison
Where to Eat in Demarest
Hardenburgh Avenue
Demarest's small commercial hub on Hardenburgh Avenue includes a pizzeria, bank, nail salon, and a handful of local shops. The borough deliberately maintains minimal commercial development to preserve its residential character.
Nearby Dining
Residents dine in adjacent Closter (Buon Gusto, Locale Cafe), Tenafly (diverse restaurant scene), and Cresskill. Korean restaurants in the Northern Valley corridor reflect the community's demographics. Farm-to-table and global cuisine options are within a 5 to 10 minute drive.
Parks and Recreation in Demarest
Demarest Nature Center
19-acre natural area with trails through woodlands, meadows, and wetlands. Wildlife observation and environmental education programs. The borough's signature green space.
Duck Pond
Section of Tenakill Brook at the heart of the borough. A gathering spot and landmark that defines the village center. The Rockland Coaches bus stop is located here.
Wakelee Field
Athletic fields and recreation area named for Edmund W. Wakelee, former New Jersey Senate President and Demarest civic leader.
Demarest Railroad Depot
Restored historic train station listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2004. Originally served passengers until 1966, restored by the borough in 1978, now used for community events and cultural programming.
Nearby Nature
Tenafly Nature Center, Flat Rock Brook Nature Center, and Palisades Interstate Park are all within minutes, creating an exceptional network of natural areas surrounding the borough.
New Development and Growth in Demarest
Demarest Art and Cultural Center
Community arts venue hosting exhibitions, concerts, lectures, and workshops. Anchors the borough's cultural life alongside the restored railroad depot.
Historic Preservation
The 18th-century Vanderbilt-Onderdonk-Traphagen House and the National Register-listed Demarest Railroad Depot are preserved as heritage landmarks.
History of Demarest, NJ
Incorporated April 8, 1903, from portions of Harrington Township and Palisades Township. Named for Ralph S. Demarest, a director of the Northern Railroad of New Jersey.
The Demarest Railroad Depot served passengers until 1966, was restored by the borough in 1978, and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2004.
The volunteer fire department was established in 1894 — predating the borough's incorporation by nine years. The police department was established in 1903.
The population exploded 136.9% in the 1950s (from 1,786 to 4,231) as post-war suburbanization transformed the area from farms to residential lots.
Korean Americans began settling in Demarest in the 1980s and 1990s, drawn by the Northern Valley school district. By 2010, 19.6% of the population was of Korean ancestry.
Gerald Cardinale served as Mayor of Demarest from 1975 to 1979 before a 40-plus year career in the New Jersey State Senate.
Safety in Demarest
Demarest is one of the safest communities in Bergen County with a 1.2% poverty rate and extremely low crime rates. The police department operates from a station on Serpentine Road. The volunteer ambulance corps, established in 1961, is based on Wakelee Drive.
Notable Residents
Annual Events and Festivals
Frequently Asked Questions About Demarest, NJ
What is the median home price in Demarest, NJ?
The median home price is $970,000 as of 2026, with 4.8% year-over-year appreciation. Average $400/sqft, selling in 32 days.
How long is the commute from Demarest to NYC?
35 minutes via NJ Transit from on the Rockland Coaches 20/20T to Port Authority. Transfer required.
What are property taxes in Demarest, NJ?
Tax rate is 2.23%. Average homeowner pays $16,789/year. At the median price of $970,000, expect about $21,631/year.
What are the best neighborhoods in Demarest?
County Road / Village Center ($850,000 to $1,200,000). Alpine Border / North ($1,200,000 to $2,000,000). Cresskill Border / East ($900,000 to $1,300,000). Closter Border / West ($800,000 to $1,100,000). Dumont Border / South ($750,000 to $1,000,000). See the full guide above for all 5 neighborhoods.
Is Demarest safe?
Demarest is one of the safest communities in Bergen County with a 1.2% poverty rate and extremely low crime rates. The police department operates from a station on Serpentine Road. The volunteer ambulance corps, established in 1961, is based on Wakelee Drive.
How walkable is Demarest, NJ?
Walk Score of 18, rated "Car-Dependent." Median income $147,714, median age 44.8. 6% renter-occupied.
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