Why Edgewater, NJ?
Edgewater is Bergen County's Gold Coast crown jewel — 3.5 miles along the Hudson River where the barcode was invented, Dove soap was created, and Cardi B, Ice-T, Q-Tip, and Barbara Corcoran have all lived. The borough has transformed from an industrial powerhouse (Ford, Alcoa, Lever Brothers) into one of New Jersey's most desirable luxury addresses. NY Waterway ferry service provides a scenic 20-minute commute to Manhattan. City Place anchors the retail and residential core. Mitsuwa Marketplace is the Northeast's premier Japanese grocery destination. Haven restaurant earned the New York Times's Very Good rating for its waterfront dining. Sojo Spa Club draws visitors from across the tri-state area. Roughly 200 free-flying monk parakeets — escaped from a JFK Airport crate in the 1960s — nest along River Road, making Edgewater one of the only towns in the Northeast with wild tropical parrots. The first European settlement in Bergen County was here — David Pietersz de Vries established the Vriessendael plantation in 1640. At $699K median with some of the lowest property taxes in Bergen County, waterfront living costs a fraction of comparable Manhattan units across the river.
Edgewater Real Estate Market in 2026
Edgewater homes sell in 35 days at a $699K median. One-bedroom condos start in the low to mid $300K range while luxury waterfront units at The Glass House and The Peninsula reach $1.5M-plus. Single-family homes on the Palisades bluff command $600K to $950K. The borough is 65% renter with median rent around $2,500. Population has nearly tripled since 2000 (from 7,677 to 14,336) as former industrial sites convert to luxury residential. The NY Waterway ferry, Manhattan skyline views, and Gold Coast address are the triple value drivers.
Best Neighborhoods in Edgewater
5 distinct neighborhoods, each with its own character and price range
City Place / The Peninsula
$500,000 to $1,500,000City Place is the premier mixed-use development with The Peninsula luxury condos, direct Hudson River promenade access, shops, cafes, restaurants, and ferry shuttle connections. The social and commercial heart of new Edgewater. Haven restaurant and Sushi Cruise (dining on a docked boat) are nearby.
Waterfront / River Road
$450,000 to $850,000Luxury condo buildings with Hudson River frontage including The Glass House. Doormen, gyms, pools. Manhattan skyline views. Walking distance to ferry, Mitsuwa Marketplace, and River Road's international dining corridor. The free-flying monk parakeets nest near Memorial Park on River Road.
Palisades Bluff
$600,000 to $950,000Single-family homes and townhomes on the bluff above the waterfront. Elevated Manhattan skyline views from the cliff top. More residential and suburban character than the riverfront condos. Near the historic Edgewater Public Library (Carnegie-funded, 1916).
Promenade / Sojo Area
$500,000 to $750,000Near The Promenade shopping center (Whole Foods, retail, restaurants) and the Sojo Spa Club wellness destination. Binghamton Shopping Plaza (Trader Joe's) adds grocery options. Walking distance to waterfront amenities.
South Edgewater / Edgewater Commons
$400,000 to $650,000Near Edgewater Commons (Acme Markets) and the southern commercial corridor. More affordable entry point into the borough. Ongoing environmental remediation of former industrial sites is creating new development opportunities.
Commuting from Edgewater to NYC
Source: NJ Transit schedules, June 2026. Peak hour commute times.
Walkability and Livability in Edgewater
How easy is it to live car-free or car-light in Edgewater?
Edgewater Schools and Ratings
Edgewater Public Schools serves 685 students across two schools with a 10.0 to 1 student-teacher ratio. George Washington School (320 students, PreK to 2nd grade) and Eleanor Van Gelder School (356 students, grades 3 to 6, on the state historic register) handle elementary education. Students attend Leonia Middle School (grades 7 to 8) and Leonia High School (grades 9 to 12, 814 students) through a sending-receiving agreement. Bergen County Academies and Bergen Tech offer selective programs.
Source: NCES CCD 2023 to 2024, NJDOE NJSLA 2024 to 2025
George Washington School
Eleanor Van Gelder
Edgewater vs Neighboring Towns: Cost Comparison
| City | Median Price | Tax Rate | Annual Tax | NYC Commute |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edgewater | $699,000 | 1.89% | $12,345 | 20 min |
| Fort Lee | $520,000 | 2.12% | $13,456 | 15 min |
| Cliffside Park | $585,000 | 2.45% | $9,500 | 22 min |
| Weehawken | $650,000 | 2.1% | $13,000 | 15 min |
Where to Eat in Edgewater
Waterfront Dining
Haven (New Modern American on the Hudson River, voted Best Romantic Dining 2022 and Best Seafood Restaurant by NJ.com, NY Times Very Good rating). Sushi Cruise (sushi and Japanese cuisine served on a docked boat with Manhattan skyline views). Cafe Archetypus (mystical cave-themed interiors, the most Instagrammable restaurant in Edgewater). The Caves (hidden cave-like ambiance with organic sculpture and candlelight for romantic dining).
International (River Road)
Mitsuwa Marketplace is the Northeast's premier Japanese food court and grocery — a regional destination for authentic Japanese cuisine, ramen, sushi, and imported products. Pier 115 offers waterfront views. Korean, Vietnamese, and Latin American restaurants line River Road creating one of the most diverse dining corridors in Bergen County.
Shopping Center Dining
Whole Foods at The Promenade, Trader Joe's at Binghamton Shopping Plaza, and a growing cafe scene at City Place. Kuppi Coffee for specialty drinks with river views.
Parks and Recreation in Edgewater
Veterans Field
22-acre waterfront park with indoor and outdoor basketball courts, 3 softball fields, a one-third-mile track, tennis courts, Little League field, playground, and Community Center. The American Legion Post 116 is here. A large American flag is visible from Manhattan. Originally created in 1922 using landfill from Yankee Stadium construction.
Hudson River Waterfront Walkway
State-mandated pedestrian and biking path along the Hudson River from Bayonne to the George Washington Bridge. 11 of 18.5 miles completed. The Edgewater sections offer some of the most scenic Manhattan skyline views on the entire route.
Sojo Spa Club
Regional wellness destination featuring indoor and outdoor pools, saunas, treatments, and dining. Draws visitors from across the tri-state area. Not a municipal park but a major lifestyle amenity.
New Development and Growth in Edgewater
Gold Coast Luxury Development
Ongoing luxury residential construction along the Hudson River. The Glass House and The Peninsula at City Place are flagship buildings. The borough's population has nearly tripled since 2000 as former industrial sites (Ford, Alcoa, Lever Brothers) convert to residential. The derelict Alcoa mill — once the second-largest aluminum mill in the world at 1.1 million square feet — is a major redevelopment opportunity.
City Place Expansion
Mixed-use retail and residential growth with new shops, restaurants, and ferry shuttle connections to Manhattan.
Environmental Remediation
Ongoing PCB cleanup at the former Alcoa site and lead and arsenic soil remediation in south Edgewater. Converting Bergen County's industrial heritage into safe residential development.
History of Edgewater, NJ
David Pietersz de Vries established the Vriessendael plantation in 1640 — the first known European colony in Bergen County. It was destroyed in Kieft's War in 1643. A historical plaque at Veterans Field marks the site.
Incorporated December 7, 1894, as the Borough of Undercliff during Bergen County's boroughitis era. Renamed Edgewater on November 8, 1899.
The borough became an industrial powerhouse — Ford assembly, Alcoa aluminum (the world's second-largest mill at 1.1 million square feet), Lever Brothers research (where Vincent Lamberti invented Dove soap, earning 118 patents), Valvoline, and American Can Company. Peak employment reached 8,044 workers by 1918.
Norman Joseph Woodland (1921 to 2012) co-invented the barcode while living in Edgewater, revolutionizing global retail and logistics.
Approximately 200 free-flying monk parakeets have lived in the borough since at least 1980, likely descended from birds that escaped a JFK Airport shipping crate in the 1960s. They nest near Memorial Park on River Road and Route 5.
The Binghamton Ferry (1904 to 1905) was the only double-ended steam-powered ferry on the Hudson River. Retired in 1967 and converted to a restaurant in 1975 before being dismantled in 2017.
Safety in Edgewater
Edgewater is a safe community with low crime rates. The dense, well-lit waterfront development and active street life along River Road and City Place support natural surveillance. The borough's compact geography and high population density create a walkable, visible environment.
Notable Residents
Annual Events and Festivals
Frequently Asked Questions About Edgewater, NJ
What is the median home price in Edgewater, NJ?
The median home price is $699,000 as of 2026, with 4.5% year-over-year appreciation. Average $450/sqft, selling in 35 days.
How long is the commute from Edgewater to NYC?
20 minutes via NJ Transit from on the NY Waterway Ferry to West Midtown. Transfer required.
What are property taxes in Edgewater, NJ?
Tax rate is 1.89%. Average homeowner pays $12,345/year. At the median price of $699,000, expect about $13,211/year.
What are the best neighborhoods in Edgewater?
City Place / The Peninsula ($500,000 to $1,500,000). Waterfront / River Road ($450,000 to $850,000). Palisades Bluff ($600,000 to $950,000). Promenade / Sojo Area ($500,000 to $750,000). South Edgewater / Edgewater Commons ($400,000 to $650,000). See the full guide above for all 5 neighborhoods.
Is Edgewater safe?
Edgewater is a safe community with low crime rates. The dense, well-lit waterfront development and active street life along River Road and City Place support natural surveillance. The borough's compact geography and high population density create a walkable, visible environment.
How walkable is Edgewater, NJ?
Walk Score of 72, rated "Very Walkable." Median income $83,602, median age 39.6. 65% renter-occupied.
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