Why Fair Lawn, NJ?
Fair Lawn is Bergen County's most diverse and best-value transit suburb — a borough of 34,900 where 31% of residents are foreign-born, 50 plus languages are spoken, and the diversity score is 87 out of 100. Two NJ Transit stations (Radburn and Broadway on the Bergen County Line) plus 10 plus bus routes provide multiple commuting options. The nationally significant Radburn planned community, designed in 1929 by Clarence Stein as the Town for the Motor Age, separates pedestrian and vehicular traffic with interior parks — a National Historic Landmark that influenced urban planning worldwide. Henry B. Milnes Elementary is a National Blue Ribbon School. Fair Lawn High School (the Cutters) is the third largest school system in Bergen County. At $700K median with property taxes $2,000 to $6,000 less than Ridgewood or Glen Rock, Fair Lawn offers genuine transit-connected Bergen County living at a price point that more celebrated towns cannot match.
Fair Lawn Real Estate Market in 2026
Fair Lawn homes sell in 30 to 50 days at a $700K to $720K median, appreciating steadily. Entry level homes from $425K, mid-range $575K to $725K, and premium properties in Radburn and Warren Point from $725K to $950K. Two train stations and 10 plus bus routes spread the transit premium across the borough. The 10% Russian-American and 2.5% Israeli-American populations (largest in Bergen County) drive demand in specific neighborhoods. Median household income of $141,540 with 62% holding bachelor's degrees.
Best Neighborhoods in Fair Lawn
6 distinct neighborhoods, each with its own character and price range
Radburn
$650,000 to $900,000America's First Planned Community (1929). Tudor revival homes with distinctive 1920s-30s architecture. Interior parks accessible from backyards. Pedestrian paths completely separated from streets. Active HOA managing shared amenities including Radburn swimming pool. 11.3% Russian ancestry — highest concentration of any neighborhood in America. Strong community identity and events.
Warren Point
$675,000 to $950,000Saddle River waterfront location with some of the borough's largest properties. Established colonials on generous lots. Warren Point Elementary School. Near Saddle River County Park for biking and walking. The premium section of Fair Lawn.
Memorial Park Area
$600,000 to $800,000Near the 38 acre Memorial Park with Olympic-size swimming pool, spray park, multiple playgrounds, sports fields, tennis and basketball courts, and summer concert venue. Established colonials and split-levels on tree-lined streets. Walking distance to Broadway station.
Central Fair Lawn
$575,000 to $725,000Tree-lined streets with established residential character. Near both train stations and commercial corridors. Good schools and moderate pricing. The practical center of the borough.
Lyncrest
$575,000 to $725,000Notably diverse population reflecting Fair Lawn's international character. Mix of colonials, ranches, and split-levels. Near commercial corridors for convenience.
North Fair Lawn
$475,000 to $650,000The most affordable pricing segment in Fair Lawn. Near the Paterson border. Good value for the Fair Lawn school district and train access.
Commuting from Fair Lawn to NYC
Source: NJ Transit schedules, June 2026. Peak hour commute times.
Walkability and Livability in Fair Lawn
How easy is it to live car-free or car-light in Fair Lawn?
Fair Lawn Schools and Ratings
Fair Lawn Public Schools is the third largest system in Bergen County, serving approximately 5,500 students with a GreatSchools 8/10 rating and 12:1 student-teacher ratio. Six elementary schools (Lincoln, Radburn, Warren Point, Westmoreland, Milnes — a National Blue Ribbon School, and Memorial), two middle schools (Thomas Jefferson and Memorial), and Fair Lawn High School (the Cutters). Reading and math proficiency rates of 69 to 80%. All teachers 100% licensed. Bergen County Academies is accessible to Fair Lawn students.
Source: NCES CCD 2023 to 2024, NJDOE NJSLA 2024 to 2025
Lyncrest Elementary School
Radburn Elementary School
Thomas Jefferson Middle School
Warren Point Elementary School
Westmoreland Elementary School
Henry B. Milnes Elementary School
Memorial Middle School
Fair Lawn High School
Fair Lawn vs Neighboring Towns: Cost Comparison
| City | Median Price | Tax Rate | Annual Tax | NYC Commute |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair Lawn | $710,000 | 2.4% | $16,800 | 35 min |
| Glen Rock | $875,000 | 2.45% | $16,789 | 40 min |
| Ridgewood | $1,100,000 | 2.67% | $20,123 | 42 min |
| Hackensack | $450,000 | 2.78% | $10,234 | 30 min |
Where to Eat in Fair Lawn
Broadway and River Road
Oceanos Oyster Bar and Sea Grill (upscale seafood and steaks at 2-27 Saddle River Road), AdA Mediterranean Brasserie (modern Mediterranean at 14-25 Plaza Road North), Gotham City Diner (all-day breakfast with full bar at 39-10 Broadway), and authentic international cuisine reflecting 50 plus languages: Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Middle Eastern, Latin American, and Italian. Specialty bakeries and food markets representing various cultures. Over 600 local businesses in the Fair Lawn Marketplace.
Cultural Food Scene
The 10% Russian-American and 2.5% Israeli-American populations support specialty markets and restaurants. Korean and Japanese options rival neighboring Ridgewood. River Road ethnic restaurants and supermarkets add depth.
Parks and Recreation in Fair Lawn
Memorial Park
38 acres — Fair Lawn's primary recreation destination. Olympic-size swimming pool (residents only), spray park, multiple playgrounds, baseball and softball fields, soccer fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, walking paths, picnic areas, and a community concert venue for the summer concert series.
Radburn Parks
Interior parks within the Radburn planned community. Walking paths, playgrounds, and green spaces accessible only to pedestrians — no car traffic. A 1929 urban planning innovation still used daily.
Garretson Forge and Farm
Historic Dutch homestead on River Road with farm, gardens, and museum. Open Sundays. Re-enactments and educational tours preserve Fair Lawn's 18th century Dutch heritage.
Saddle River County Park
Linear county park along the Saddle River through Fair Lawn. Walking and biking paths connecting to the broader greenway.
Berdan Grove Park
Neighborhood park with playgrounds, picnic spots, and green space.
New Development and Growth in Fair Lawn
Broadway Revitalization
Streetscape improvements and commercial investment along the Broadway shopping corridor with new restaurants and retail.
Transit-Oriented Development
Mixed-use residential near NJ Transit stations to increase housing supply near transit.
History of Fair Lawn, NJ
Incorporated in 1924 from Saddle River Township. Originally called Slotterdam by Dutch settlers. The Garretson Forge and Farm on River Road preserves the borough's Dutch colonial heritage.
Radburn, designed in 1929 by Clarence Stein and Henry Wright, was planned as the Town for the Motor Age — the first American community to fully separate pedestrian and vehicular traffic. It is a National Historic Landmark that influenced urban planning worldwide from Greenbelt Maryland to new towns in Britain and Scandinavia.
Fair Lawn has two NJ Transit stations (Radburn and Broadway on the Bergen County Line) plus over 10 NJ Transit bus routes — one of the best-connected transit boroughs in Bergen County.
Named by WalletHub as one of the best small cities to live in America.
The borough's diversity is extraordinary: 50 plus languages spoken, 31% foreign-born, 10% Russian-American (one of the highest concentrations in the US), and 2.5% Israeli-American (largest in Bergen County).
Safety in Fair Lawn
Fair Lawn crime rates are 52% below the New Jersey state average and 67% below the national average. Violent crime is 86% below the national average. The Fair Lawn Police Department maintains active community policing with neighborhood watch programs.
Notable Residents
Annual Events and Festivals
Frequently Asked Questions About Fair Lawn, NJ
What is the median home price in Fair Lawn, NJ?
The median home price is $710,000 as of 2026, with 6.5% year-over-year appreciation. Average $370/sqft, selling in 35 days.
How long is the commute from Fair Lawn to NYC?
35 minutes via NJ Transit from Fair Lawn Station on the Bergen County Line. Transfer required.
What are property taxes in Fair Lawn, NJ?
Tax rate is 2.4%. Average homeowner pays $16,800/year. At the median price of $710,000, expect about $17,040/year.
What are the best neighborhoods in Fair Lawn?
Radburn ($650,000 to $900,000). Warren Point ($675,000 to $950,000). Memorial Park Area ($600,000 to $800,000). Central Fair Lawn ($575,000 to $725,000). Lyncrest ($575,000 to $725,000). See the full guide above for all 6 neighborhoods.
Is Fair Lawn safe?
Fair Lawn crime rates are 52% below the New Jersey state average and 67% below the national average. Violent crime is 86% below the national average. The Fair Lawn Police Department maintains active community policing with neighborhood watch programs.
How walkable is Fair Lawn, NJ?
Walk Score of 62, rated "Somewhat Walkable." Median income $141,540, median age 40.6. 25% renter-occupied.
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