Bergen County, NJ

Living in Dumont, NJ: The Complete Neighborhood Guide

Bergen's Punk Rock Borough. 84% Below National Crime Average. $655K Median.

Last updated: September 2026

$655,000
Median Home Price
33 min
To Penn Station
18,234
Population
1891
Founded
15.4%
YoY Appreciation

Why Dumont, NJ?

Dumont is a 2-square-mile residential borough of 18,200 residents that quietly produced some of punk and metal's biggest names — Misfits singer Michale Graves, Thursday frontman Geoff Rickly, White Zombie guitarist Tim Jeffs, and Bayside drummer John Beatz Holohan all grew up here. The borough also claims The First Wives Club author Olivia Goldsmith, NY Giants play-by-play voice Bob Papa, and NBA player Dominick Barlow. Originally incorporated as Schraalenburgh in 1891 and renamed for its first mayor Dumont Clarke in 1898, the borough offers Bergen County schools, crime rates 84% below the national average, and a $655K median home price that has surged 15.4% year over year. Washington Avenue anchors the commercial core with Grant Street Cafe, Uncle Frank's Pizza, and neighborhood shops. Nearly 47% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Five schools, four fire houses, and an 80-member volunteer fire department serve this tight-knit community.

Dumont Real Estate Market in 2026

Dumont homes sell in 22 days at a $655K median ($414 per square foot), up 15.4% year over year — one of the hottest appreciation rates in Bergen County. Prices range from the high $400s for smaller homes needing updates to the mid-$700s for larger and newer properties. Average rent is $2,355 per month for apartments, $3,800 for single-family homes. The housing stock is predominantly capes and colonials from the 1950s and 1960s on the borough's sidewalk-lined streets and cul-de-sacs. Strong demand from families priced out of Tenafly, Demarest, and Cresskill.

$655,000
Median Price
$414/sqft
Price Per Sq Ft
22 days
Avg Days on Market
+15.4%
Year Over Year

Best Neighborhoods in Dumont

5 distinct neighborhoods, each with its own character and price range

Central / Washington Avenue

$575,000 to $725,000

The borough's commercial and social hub around Washington Avenue and Veterans Memorial Park. Grant Street Cafe, Uncle Frank's Pizza, and local shops within walking distance. Grant School and the Dumont Homestead Library are in this section.

Best for: Walkability, convenience, community life

North Dumont / Bedford Field

$600,000 to $750,000

Quieter residential section near Bedford Field and Selzer Elementary School. Green spaces and family-oriented streets. Near the Bergenfield and Cresskill borders.

Best for: Families with young kids, park access

East / Knickerbocker Road

$575,000 to $700,000

Along the eastern border on Knickerbocker Road (County Route 505). Healthcare offices, Well-Being Sushi, and access to Bergenfield amenities. Easy bus access to Manhattan.

Best for: Commuters, dining variety

South / McKinley-Roosevelt

$525,000 to $650,000

Quiet residential zone around McKinley and Roosevelt Avenues near Honiss Elementary School. The most tranquil section of the borough.

Best for: Quiet seekers, budget-conscious families

West / Prospect Avenue

$550,000 to $700,000

Near Lincoln Elementary School and the Dumont Swim Club. Prospect Avenue corridor with access to Stop and Shop grocery. Near the New Milford and Oradell borders with nearby train stations for rail commuting.

Best for: Families, swim club access, rail commuters

Commuting from Dumont to NYC

33
Minutes to Penn Station
NJ Transit Bus 166/167 to Port Authority
Transfer required
Peak frequency: 3 to 4 trains per hour
Also nearby
Newark Liberty Airport: 10 min drive
NJ Turnpike, I-78, Routes 1 and 9
7 NJ Transit bus routes

Source: NJ Transit schedules, June 2026. Peak hour commute times.

Walkability and Livability in Dumont

How easy is it to live car-free or car-light in Dumont?

48
Walk Score
Car-Dependent
33 min
NYC Commute
2.98%
Property Tax Rate
$11,789/year avg
21.7%
Hispanic/Latino
27.8% foreign-born

Dumont Schools and Ratings

Dumont Public Schools serves 2,540 students across 5 schools with a 12.2 to 1 student-teacher ratio. Grant School (K to 5, 390 students, opened 1911) and Lincoln School (K to 5, 156 students, opened 1911) are the historic elementary schools. Selzer School (PreK to 8, 500 students, opened 1960) and Honiss School (K to 8, 632 students, opened 1955) serve larger populations. Dumont High School (9 to 12, 788 students, the Huskies, opened 1932) has solid academics and athletics. Nearly 47% of Dumont adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Bergen County Academies in Hackensack and Bergen County Technical Schools offer selective programs.

Source: NCES CCD 2023 to 2024, NJDOE NJSLA 2024 to 2025

Lincoln Elementary School

DUMONT, NJ · Elementary · Grades K-5
C
9.6:1 ratio 172 students Score: 73/100

Selzer Elementary\Middle School

DUMONT, NJ · Elementary · Grades PK-8
C
11.9:1 ratio 511 students Score: 73/100

Dumont High School

DUMONT, NJ · High · Grades 9-12
C
11.8:1 ratio 768 students Score: 71/100

Honiss Elementary\Middle School

DUMONT, NJ · Elementary · Grades K-8
D
11.4:1 ratio 618 students Score: 69/100

Grant Elementary School

DUMONT, NJ · Elementary · Grades K-5
D
14.6:1 ratio 452 students Score: 68/100
View all Dumont schools with full ratings →

Dumont vs Neighboring Towns: Cost Comparison

City Median Price Tax Rate Annual Tax NYC Commute
Dumont $655,000 2.98% $11,789 33 min
Bergenfield $580,000 2.89% $12,345 35 min
New Milford $560,000 2.91% $11,567 35 min
Cresskill $850,000 2.35% $17,500 32 min

Where to Eat in Dumont

Washington Avenue Corridor

Grant Street Cafe (25 Grant Avenue, 201-385-1705) serves Italian and American specialties and is the borough's most popular sit-down restaurant. Uncle Frank's Pizza (140 Veterans Plaza, 201-385-2854) is known for fresh-dough pies and Italian meals.

Neighborhood Dining

Tri Valley Restaurant (366 Knickerbocker Road, 201-384-5044) serves Greek, American, and Italian fare. Well-Being Sushi offers Japanese cuisine on the east side. Multiple pizzerias, delis, and casual restaurants line Washington Avenue and surrounding streets.

Parks and Recreation in Dumont

Veterans Memorial Park

The borough's flagship park with 5 ballparks, tennis court, basketball court, and pavilion. Community gathering space for Dumont Day and seasonal events.

Twin Boro Field

Shared facility with football, soccer, and softball fields. Home to youth league games.

Bedford Field

North Dumont recreation area with green space and athletic facilities.

Gina's Field

Two girls' softball fields with playground. A dedicated facility for youth athletics.

Fred Triplett Park

Neighborhood playground dedicated to a World War II soldier from the borough.

Dawn M. Totten Memorial Field

Softball fields and playground. Named in memorial.

Dumont Swim Club

Community pool and swim team facility on the west side. Summer recreation hub for families.

New Development and Growth in Dumont

Washington Avenue Revitalization

Ongoing facade and streetscape improvements along the commercial corridor. New restaurants and small businesses adding vitality to the downtown.

Presidents Square Mall

Retail center serving the borough's daily shopping needs.

History of Dumont, NJ

Incorporated July 20, 1891, as the Borough of Schraalenburgh from portions of Harrington Township and Palisades Township. One of Bergen County's boroughitis-era formations.

Renamed Dumont on June 13, 1898, honoring Dumont Clarke, the borough's first mayor.

The West Shore Railroad served Dumont station until 1959, connecting the borough to commuter rail. CSX freight trains still use the line.

The volunteer fire department fields approximately 80 firefighters across 4 fire houses, responding to 400 to 500 calls annually.

The Dumont Volunteer Ambulance Corps, established in 1937, has approximately 40 active members responding to 1,400 calls annually from their station at 108 Brook Street.

Safety in Dumont

Dumont crime rates are 84% below the national average and 77% below the New Jersey state average, making it one of the safest boroughs in Bergen County. The police department includes 36 officers and 8 dispatchers under Chief Luke Totten.

Notable Residents

Michale Graves (born 1975) — singer of the Misfits who joined the legendary punk band in 1995 and recorded American Psycho and Famous Monsters Geoff Rickly (born 1979) — frontman of post-hardcore band Thursday, one of the defining acts of the early 2000s emo and post-hardcore scene Tim Jeffs (born 1965) — guitarist for White Zombie, the industrial metal band fronted by Rob Zombie John Beatz Holohan (born 1974) — drummer for pop-punk band Bayside Olivia Goldsmith (1949 to 2004) — bestselling author of The First Wives Club, adapted into the 1996 film starring Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler, and Diane Keaton Bob Papa (born 1964) — play-by-play voice of the New York Giants on radio Dominick Barlow (born 2003) — NBA player for the Philadelphia 76ers Larry Rosen (1940 to 2015) — Grammy-winning jazz producer and co-founder of GRP Records Thomas Nozkowski (1944 to 2019) — contemporary abstract painter exhibited at the Whitney and MoMA Rich Edson (born 1981) — Fox News Channel national correspondent Joe Azelby (born 1962) — NFL football player for the Buffalo Bills Sean Lissemore (born 1987) — NFL defensive end for the San Diego Chargers and Dallas Cowboys Eddie Miller (1895 to 1965) — race car driver who finished 4th at the 1921 Indianapolis 500 Samantha Monahan (born 1988) — professional soccer player Bob Price (born 1955) — former head coach of the CFL Montreal Alouettes Kevin McMullan (born 1968) — head baseball coach at Mississippi State University

Annual Events and Festivals

Dumont Day Festival (early September — the borough's biggest annual celebration) Oktoberfest (early October) Winter Festival (December) Memorial Day Parade (May) National Night Out Summer recreation programs and youth sports leagues

Frequently Asked Questions About Dumont, NJ

What is the median home price in Dumont, NJ?

The median home price is $655,000 as of 2026, with 15.4% year-over-year appreciation. Average $414/sqft, selling in 22 days.

How long is the commute from Dumont to NYC?

33 minutes via NJ Transit from on the NJ Transit Bus 166/167 to Port Authority. Transfer required.

What are property taxes in Dumont, NJ?

Tax rate is 2.98%. Average homeowner pays $11,789/year. At the median price of $655,000, expect about $19,519/year.

What are the best neighborhoods in Dumont?

Central / Washington Avenue ($575,000 to $725,000). North Dumont / Bedford Field ($600,000 to $750,000). East / Knickerbocker Road ($575,000 to $700,000). South / McKinley-Roosevelt ($525,000 to $650,000). West / Prospect Avenue ($550,000 to $700,000). See the full guide above for all 5 neighborhoods.

Is Dumont safe?

Dumont crime rates are 84% below the national average and 77% below the New Jersey state average, making it one of the safest boroughs in Bergen County. The police department includes 36 officers and 8 dispatchers under Chief Luke Totten.

How walkable is Dumont, NJ?

Walk Score of 48, rated "Car-Dependent." Median income $125,585, median age 42.6. 22% renter-occupied.

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Explore Nearby Communities

Bergenfield $580,000 35 min New Milford $560,000 35 min Cresskill $850,000 32 min