Why Kinnelon, NJ?
Kinnelon is 52% rural despite being 30 miles from Manhattan — anchored by Smoke Rise, one of the oldest gated communities in the United States (established 1946, 900+ homes on 3,500 acres with 1-acre minimums). Fayson Lakes (founded 1925, 500+ families, three private lakes) occupies the southeast. The 1,513-acre Silas Condict County Park includes a Prohibition-era speakeasy building. Tripod Rock at Pyramid Mountain borders the borough. NASA astronaut William Pailes, Missy Elliott, and Broadway actress Laura Benanti call Kinnelon home. Kinnelon HS was ranked #3 in NJ by NJ Monthly (2016). Highest home ownership rate in NJ (2000 Census). At $775K median with violent crime at 0.10 per 1,000 (1 in 10,000 chance), Kinnelon delivers private lake living and nature-first character at attainable Morris County prices.
Kinnelon Real Estate Market in 2026
Kinnelon homes sell in 22 days at a $775K median. Smoke Rise estates $850K-$3M+ on 1-acre minimum lots. Fayson Lakes averages $869K. Mid-tier homes in Stonybrook and Butterworth $700K-$1.2M. Colonials and contemporary homes on half-acre to multi-acre wooded lots. Median household income $156,048 (nearly double NJ statewide). Forbes ranked Kinnelon #462 in America's Most Expensive ZIP Codes. Population 52% rural — rare for the NYC metro area.
Best Neighborhoods in Kinnelon
4 distinct neighborhoods, each with its own character and price range
Smoke Rise
$850,000 to $3,000,000+One of the oldest gated communities in America (est. 1946 by John Talbot Sr.). 900+ homes on 3,500 acres with 1-acre minimums. Centered around private Lake Kinnelon. Private beaches, boating, fishing, tennis, horseback riding trails. Smoke Rise Club with Village Inn (open to public). Smoke Rise Tower on Kitty Ann Mountain (1,140 ft, highest point in borough) with panoramic views.
Fayson Lakes
$700,000 to $1,000,000Founded 1925 by Frank Fay Jr. and III (240 acres). 500+ member families. Three lakes: West Lake (original), East Lake (1931), South Lake (1950s). Annual dues $842. Sand beaches, lifeguarded swimming, food concessions, tennis, playgrounds. Women's Club, Men's Club, Swim Club, Yacht Club.
Stonybrook / Butterworth
$700,000 to $1,200,000Mid-tier residential areas with wooded lots. Not gated. Access to Pyramid Mountain trails and Silas Condict Park.
Meadtown / Route 23 Area
$600,000 to $850,000Near Meadtown Shopping Center on Route 23. More accessible pricing. Commercial convenience.
Commuting from Kinnelon to NYC
Source: NJ Transit schedules, June 2026. Peak hour commute times.
Walkability and Livability in Kinnelon
How easy is it to live car-free or car-light in Kinnelon?
Kinnelon Schools and Ratings
Kinnelon High School (the Colts, 570 students, U.S. News #85 in NJ, ranked #3 in NJ by NJ Monthly 2016, top 500 by Newsweek, ELA proficiency 73.5% vs 49.9% state avg). Pearl R. Miller Middle School (6-8, 427 students, SchoolDigger #46 of 743 NJ middle schools, 5-star). Stonybrook Elementary (3-5, 346), Kiel Elementary (PreK-2, 312). Student-teacher ratio 10.1:1.
Source: NCES CCD 2023 to 2024, NJDOE NJSLA 2024 to 2025
Stonybrook Elementary School
Pearl R. Miller Middle School
Kinnelon High School
Kiel Elementary School
Kinnelon vs Neighboring Towns: Cost Comparison
Where to Eat in Kinnelon
Kinnelon Dining
Smoke Rise Village Inn (American, inside gated community but open to public), KRIOS Prime (USDA Prime steakhouse, elegant atmosphere), Sangiorgio's Italian Bistro (generous portions, reservations a must), House of Thai (Thai/Asian), Cypress Tavern (Italian/Mediterranean, garden-fresh), Comfort Kitchen Cafe.
Casual
A Taste of Reality (deli, opens 6 AM), Esposito's Pizzaria, La Piazza Pizzeria, Boca Bowls (healthy). Meadtown Shopping Center on Route 23 for additional retail and dining.
Parks and Recreation in Kinnelon
Silas Condict County Park
1,513 acres with 10 miles of trails. Established 1963. Seven-acre lake lined with weeping cherry trees. Picnic areas, athletic fields, hiking, fishing, horseback riding, paddle boating, cross-country skiing, sledding. The Casino — a historic stone building rumored to have been a Prohibition-era speakeasy.
Pyramid Mountain (Kinnelon Border)
Tripod Rock: 180-ton glacial erratic balanced on three boulders, deposited 18,000 years ago. Taylortown Reservoir loop via Tripod Rock (3.5 miles). Border of Kinnelon and Montville.
Splitrock Reservoir
625-acre reservoir within 1,500 acres of wilderness (part of Farny State Park). Borders Rockaway Township and Kinnelon. Part of the 35,000-acre Pequannock Watershed (Newark-owned since 1900). Hiking by permit.
Stony Brook Park
Playgrounds and lake access for families.
New Development and Growth in Kinnelon
History of Kinnelon, NJ
Formed February 20, 1922 from portions of Pequannock Township with only 400 full-time residents. Named after Morris Kinney, whose father Francis S. Kinney (19th-century tobacco industrialist) purchased 5,000 acres in the 1880s and built the Smoke Rise estate (1883) and St. Hubert's Chapel (1886).
Smoke Rise Club established November 1946 by John Talbot Sr. (who inherited the Kinney estate in 1945). One of the oldest gated communities in America. 900+ homes on 3,500 acres with 1-acre minimums.
Fayson Lakes founded 1925 when Frank Fay Jr. and III purchased 240 acres to create a summer community. Association formally created 1930. Three lakes built over three decades.
Revolutionary War connection: Long Pond Iron Works — Robert Erskine (George Washington's surveyor general) organized the first NJ militia there. The area had iron forges and furnaces from the late 17th century.
The Old Meadtown School (built 1839) is now the Kinnelon Museum. Former Mayor Glenn Sisco served 42 years. Kinnelon had the highest home ownership rate in all of NJ (2000 Census).
Safety in Kinnelon
Kinnelon violent crime rate is 0.10 per 1,000 — a 1 in 10,000 chance of being a victim (national avg 4.0 per 1,000). Zero murders, rapes, or robberies in 2024. Total crime 3.66 per 1,000. Lower crime than 83% of NJ communities.
Notable Residents
Annual Events and Festivals
Frequently Asked Questions About Kinnelon, NJ
What is the median home price in Kinnelon, NJ?
The median home price is $775,000 as of 2026, with 5.2% year-over-year appreciation. Average $330/sqft, selling in 22 days.
How long is the commute from Kinnelon to NYC?
60 minutes via NJ Transit from on the Bus Route 194 to Port Authority or drive to Montville/Boonton. Transfer required.
What are property taxes in Kinnelon, NJ?
Tax rate is 2.12%. Average homeowner pays $14,567/year. At the median price of $775,000, expect about $16,430/year.
What are the best neighborhoods in Kinnelon?
Smoke Rise ($850,000 to $3,000,000+). Fayson Lakes ($700,000 to $1,000,000). Stonybrook / Butterworth ($700,000 to $1,200,000). Meadtown / Route 23 Area ($600,000 to $850,000). See the full guide above for all 4 neighborhoods.
Is Kinnelon safe?
Kinnelon violent crime rate is 0.10 per 1,000 — a 1 in 10,000 chance of being a victim (national avg 4.0 per 1,000). Zero murders, rapes, or robberies in 2024. Total crime 3.66 per 1,000. Lower crime than 83% of NJ communities.
How walkable is Kinnelon, NJ?
Walk Score of 8, rated "Car-Dependent." Median income $156,048, median age 44.8. 4% renter-occupied.
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