Why Elmwood Park, NJ?
Elmwood Park is a 21,400-resident borough that produced some unexpected legends — rapper A$AP Rocky was born here, basketball broadcasting icon Dick Vitale grew up here, WWE champion Liv Morgan calls it home, and the House of Loud recording studio on its streets has hosted Paramore, Breaking Benjamin, Pierce the Veil, Papa Roach, and Bring Me the Horizon. Originally incorporated as East Paterson in 1916 and renamed in 1973, the borough sits at the crossroads of Route 4, Interstate 80, US Route 46, and the Garden State Parkway — making it one of the best-connected communities in Bergen County. Over 53% of residents speak a language other than English at home, reflecting its Hispanic (28%), Asian (11%), and Eastern European communities. The Van Houten-Hillman House (circa 1782) sits on the National Register of Historic Places. At $475K median, Elmwood Park is Bergen County's most accessible entry point for buyers who want highway connectivity and diverse culture. Taverna Mykonos, Pierre and Michel French Bakery, and the retro Parkway Diner anchor a surprisingly deep dining scene.
Elmwood Park Real Estate Market in 2026
Elmwood Park homes sell in 22 days at a $475K median, appreciating at 7.4%. The borough has 7,949 housing units with a 3.7% vacancy rate. Housing stock includes capes, colonials, and multi-family properties from the 1940s to 1960s. The Riverwalk luxury residential enclave offers a private riverfront walking path, waterfront patio, outdoor fireplace, and fenced dog park. For seniors, Parkview Cooperative is a 55-plus co-op with one-bedroom units starting in the low $100s with $708 monthly HOA.
Best Neighborhoods in Elmwood Park
5 distinct neighborhoods, each with its own character and price range
Market Street / Downtown
$425,000 to $550,000Near Market Basket shopping center and Borough Hall. Walkable commercial area with Parkway Diner and neighborhood shops. The borough's traditional center. House of Loud recording studio is in this area.
Riverwalk / Passaic River
$350,000 to $550,000Luxury residential enclave along the Passaic River with private riverfront walking path, waterfront patio, outdoor fireplace, and fenced dog park. A secluded atmosphere popular with young professionals and millennials.
Broadway Corridor
$400,000 to $525,000Growing Latin American and Eastern European commercial corridor with ethnic restaurants, bakeries, and specialty shops. Diverse and vibrant. Taverna Mykonos and Pierre and Michel French Bakery are nearby.
Fair Lawn Border / North
$450,000 to $600,000Quieter residential section near the Fair Lawn border with access to the Bergen County Line train stations at Radburn and Broadway (Fair Lawn). Single-family homes on tree-lined streets.
Saddle Brook Border / East
$450,000 to $575,000Residential section near Saddle Brook with single-family homes on moderate lots. Near Artesian Fields County Park. Access to Route 4 and Garden State Parkway.
Commuting from Elmwood Park to NYC
Source: NJ Transit schedules, June 2026. Peak hour commute times.
Walkability and Livability in Elmwood Park
How easy is it to live car-free or car-light in Elmwood Park?
Elmwood Park Schools and Ratings
Elmwood Park Public Schools serves 2,586 students across five schools with a 13.2 to 1 student-teacher ratio. Three elementary schools — Gantner Avenue (K to 5, 327 students), Gilbert Avenue (K to 5, 392 students), and Sixteenth Avenue (PreK to 5, 427 students) — feed into Memorial Middle School (6 to 8, 643 students) and Elmwood Park Memorial High School (9 to 12, 742 students, the Crusaders). Bergen County Academies and Bergen Tech offer selective programs.
Source: NCES CCD 2023 to 2024, NJDOE NJSLA 2024 to 2025
Gantner Avenue School
Memorial Middle School
Sixteenth Avenue School
Gilbert Avenue School
Memorial Senior High School
Elmwood Park vs Neighboring Towns: Cost Comparison
| City | Median Price | Tax Rate | Annual Tax | NYC Commute |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elmwood Park | $475,000 | 2.76% | $10,567 | 35 min |
| Fair Lawn | $600,000 | 2.67% | $12,678 | 35 min |
| Saddle Brook | $520,000 | 2.8% | $11,234 | 32 min |
| Garfield | $450,000 | 2.9% | $10,200 | 38 min |
Where to Eat in Elmwood Park
Upscale and International
Taverna Mykonos serves upscale Mediterranean cuisine including braised lamb shank and spanakopita — the borough's finest sit-down restaurant. Pierre and Michel Authentic French Bakery offers fresh-baked French bread, pastries, croissants, macarons, and Instagram-worthy cakes every morning.
Casual and American
Blue 42 Restaurant and Bar has a killer happy hour with over 100 flavors of wings and karaoke nights. Parkway Diner features retro-shaped booths and classic New Jersey diner fare. Parkway Lanes bowling alley has been operating since June 1959.
Ethnic Dining
The Broadway corridor offers growing Latin American, Peruvian, Indian, and Eastern European options reflecting the borough's diversity. Over 53% of residents speak a language other than English at home, driving an authentic multi-ethnic food scene.
Parks and Recreation in Elmwood Park
Artesian Fields County Park
Bergen County park at Boulevard and Gilbert Street with athletic fields, walking path, lake beach, small zoo, and playground. The borough's premier outdoor recreation destination.
Memorial Park
Borough park with sports fields, playground, and community events.
Passaic River Greenway
River access along the western border with walking paths and natural areas.
New Development and Growth in Elmwood Park
House of Loud Recording Studio
Professional recording studio that has hosted major artists including Pierce the Veil, Breaking Benjamin, Paramore, Papa Roach, and Bring Me the Horizon. A unique cultural landmark in a residential borough.
Marcal Paper Company Rebuild
The historic Marcal Paper plant was destroyed by a massive fire in January 2019 and resumed production in January 2020. The plant has been a borough landmark for decades.
Riverwalk Development
Luxury residential community along the Passaic River adding modern housing stock to the borough's inventory.
History of Elmwood Park, NJ
Incorporated April 18, 1916, as the Borough of East Paterson from Saddle River Township. The Rosemont section was annexed from Saddle River Township in 1917.
Renamed Elmwood Park on January 1, 1973, after residents voted to distinguish the borough from the city of Paterson. The elm trees lining borough streets inspired the new name.
The Van Houten-Hillman House (circa 1782) has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since January 9, 1983.
Mayor Richard A. Mola served from 1972 to 2016 — nearly 45 consecutive years, one of the longest mayoral tenures in New Jersey history.
The Marcal Paper Company plant was destroyed by a spectacular fire in January 2019 that was visible for miles. The company rebuilt and resumed production in January 2020.
Jack McGrath (born 1919) was a WWII veteran of the 101st Airborne Division and member of Band of Brothers.
Safety in Elmwood Park
Elmwood Park has four fire stations with volunteer firefighters and a professional police department on Market Street. The borough transitioned from volunteer to paid EMS service in 2019 after the volunteer corps disbanded.
Notable Residents
Annual Events and Festivals
Frequently Asked Questions About Elmwood Park, NJ
What is the median home price in Elmwood Park, NJ?
The median home price is $475,000 as of 2026, with 7.4% year-over-year appreciation. Average $300/sqft, selling in 22 days.
How long is the commute from Elmwood Park to NYC?
35 minutes via NJ Transit from on the NJ Transit Bus 160/161 to Port Authority. Transfer required.
What are property taxes in Elmwood Park, NJ?
Tax rate is 2.76%. Average homeowner pays $10,567/year. At the median price of $475,000, expect about $13,110/year.
What are the best neighborhoods in Elmwood Park?
Market Street / Downtown ($425,000 to $550,000). Riverwalk / Passaic River ($350,000 to $550,000). Broadway Corridor ($400,000 to $525,000). Fair Lawn Border / North ($450,000 to $600,000). Saddle Brook Border / East ($450,000 to $575,000). See the full guide above for all 5 neighborhoods.
Is Elmwood Park safe?
Elmwood Park has four fire stations with volunteer firefighters and a professional police department on Market Street. The borough transitioned from volunteer to paid EMS service in 2019 after the volunteer corps disbanded.
How walkable is Elmwood Park, NJ?
Walk Score of 58, rated "Somewhat Walkable." Median income $72,000, median age 40.9. 38% renter-occupied.
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