Why Millburn, NJ?
Millburn Township is the most expensive real estate market in Essex County — a 9.89 square mile community of 22,756 where the southern section is called Millburn and the northern section is Short Hills. The name derives from the Scottish word burn (stream) that powered Samuel Campbell's paper mill, established in 1790 to produce banknotes. Millburn High School has been ranked number 1 in New Jersey by NJ Monthly and number 1 open-admission public high school nationally by Newsweek. Two NJ Transit stations (Millburn and Short Hills) provide Midtown Direct express service to Penn Station in 35 minutes. The Mall at Short Hills is the premier luxury retail destination in New Jersey with 1.4 million square feet anchored by Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, and Macy's. Baltusrol Golf Club has hosted seven US Opens. Paper Mill Playhouse, the State Theater of New Jersey since 1938, anchors a walkable downtown with over 40 restaurants. The township's Asian population grew from 8.4% in 2000 to 32.8% in 2020, transforming the cultural landscape. Median household income is $202,862 — the highest in New Jersey among municipalities with 10,000 or more residents. Philip Roth set Goodbye, Columbus in Short Hills, and the novel's key scene takes place at Millburn High School's track. At $1.8M median with Short Hills averaging $2.6M, homes sell in 22 days. Demand from Manhattan transplants is relentless.
Millburn Real Estate Market in 2026
Millburn Township homes sell in 22 days at a $1.8M combined median. Short Hills commands a $2.6M average (up 15% year over year) with a 105% sale-to-list ratio. Millburn proper averages $1.36M with 106% sale-to-list. Inventory sits at 2.3 months — a deep seller's market. The housing stock spans from $800K condos and townhomes in Glenwood to $6M+ estates in Old Short Hills. Stewart Hartshorn's 1874 planned community created the architectural DNA — Shingle, Queen Anne, Stick, and Revival styles from 1870 to 1928 — while newer custom builds push above $4M. The school district, Midtown Direct, Baltusrol, and The Mall at Short Hills create a demand floor that sustains values through any market cycle. Property taxes average $28,456 annually but the effective rate of 2.01% is the lowest in Essex County.
Best Neighborhoods in Millburn
8 distinct neighborhoods, each with its own character and price range
Old Short Hills Estates
$2,500,000 to $6,000,000+The historic heart of Stewart Hartshorn's 1874 planned community. Shingle, Queen Anne, Stick, and Revival architecture from 1870 to 1928. Tree-lined streets with gas lamps and deep setbacks. Near Old Short Hills Park. The most prestigious addresses in Essex County — generational wealth and architectural significance in every direction.
Hartshorn / Brantwood
$2,000,000 to $4,000,000Named after township founder Stewart Hartshorn. Median $2.41M with 99.1% detached single-family homes and 0.0% vacancy — the tightest inventory in the township. Adjacent to the 16-acre Cora Hartshorn Arboretum and Bird Sanctuary (donated by Hartshorn's daughter in 1958). Hartshorn Elementary School anchors the neighborhood. Custom homes on wooded lots with complete privacy.
Deerfield-Crossroads
$1,800,000 to $4,000,000Premium residential enclave with $2.4M median, 100% detached single-family homes, and just 0.8% vacancy. Larger lots with a private, estate-like feel. Deerfield Elementary serves the neighborhood. Proximity to The Mall at Short Hills without the traffic. One of the most stable micro-markets in northern New Jersey.
White Oak Ridge / Mountaintop
$1,500,000 to $3,500,000Elevated western section of Short Hills with larger lots, Manhattan skyline views from higher elevations, and a secluded suburban retreat feel. White Oak Ridge Road contains the historic Parsil family graveyard (Nicholas Parsil, killed in a clash with British forces during the Revolution). Quiet streets, mature tree canopy, and proximity to South Mountain Reservation.
Glenwood
$1,000,000 to $2,000,000The most accessible entry point into Short Hills at $1.37M median. Walking distance to Short Hills Station (Midtown Direct) and The Mall at Short Hills. Colonials and custom homes on manageable lots. Glenwood Elementary serves the area. Strong commuter orientation — buyers who want the Millburn school district and a 35-minute express to Penn Station start their search here.
Millburn Center / Downtown
$800,000 to $1,400,000The walkable commercial heart of the township with over 40 restaurants along Millburn Avenue, Main Street, and Essex Street. Paper Mill Playhouse (1,200-seat State Theater of NJ) sits on the banks of the West Branch Rahway River. Millburn Station provides direct NJ Transit service. Coffee Mill Roasters, Liv Breads, MoonShine Modern Supper Club, and La Strada anchor the dining scene. Downtown condos and townhomes offer the most accessible prices in the township.
Wyoming
$1,000,000 to $2,000,000Established residential section between Millburn Center and Short Hills. Colonial and Tudor homes on tree-lined streets. Wyoming Elementary School anchors the neighborhood. Quiet family streets with easy access to both downtown Millburn shopping and Short Hills amenities. A hidden gem that delivers Short Hills school quality without the Short Hills price tag.
South Mountain
$900,000 to $1,500,000Close-knit neighborhood lined with sidewalks offering easy access to Taylor Park, the 2,112-acre South Mountain Reservation, downtown Millburn, and the train station. South Mountain Elementary serves the area. The most family-oriented section with a suburban neighborhood feel — kids walk to school, ride bikes to the park, and families gather at the community pool. The Reservation provides 36 parks, hiking trails, and Turtle Back Zoo.
Commuting from Millburn to NYC
Source: NJ Transit schedules, June 2026. Peak hour commute times.
Walkability and Livability in Millburn
How easy is it to live car-free or car-light in Millburn?
Millburn Schools and Ratings
Millburn Township Public Schools serves 4,697 students with a 11.2 to 1 student-teacher ratio across a distinctive structure: five elementary schools (Deerfield, Glenwood, Hartshorn, South Mountain, Wyoming — each serving its own neighborhood, Pre-K/K through 4th grade), Washington School (the entire township's 5th graders in one building — unique in NJ), Millburn Middle School (grades 6 through 8, 1,197 students), and Millburn High School (the Millers, grades 9 through 12, 1,319 students). MHS was ranked number 1 in New Jersey by NJ Monthly in 2010, number 1 open-admission public high school nationally by Newsweek in 2015, and consistently lands in the state's top 5. AP participation rates are among the highest in New Jersey. Paper Mill Playhouse partners with the district for arts education. Private options include Far Brook School (nonsectarian Pre-K through 8), Pingry School Lower Campus (K through 6), and St. Rose of Lima Academy (Catholic Pre-K through 8 — recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School by the US Department of Education in 2013).
Source: NCES CCD 2023 to 2024, NJDOE NJSLA 2024 to 2025
South Mountain School
Washington School
Wyoming School
Millburn Middle School
Millburn High School
Millburn vs Neighboring Towns: Cost Comparison
| City | Median Price | Tax Rate | Annual Tax | NYC Commute |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Millburn/Short Hills | $1,800,000 | 2.01% | $28,456 | 35 min |
| Summit | $1,150,000 | 1.89% | $18,765 | 44 min |
| Chatham | $1,050,000 | 2.12% | $19,234 | 40 min |
| Livingston | $750,000 | 2.23% | $16,789 | 45 min |
Where to Eat in Millburn
Downtown Millburn (Millburn Ave, Main St, Essex St)
Over 40 restaurants in the walkable downtown. MoonShine Modern Supper Club (elevated American — fried chicken, meatloaf, mac and cheese with locally sourced ingredients), Millburn Standard (craft burgers, nachos, extensive beer list), La Strada Ristorante (classic Italian — spaghetti carbonara, veal saltimbocca), Fiamma Wood Fired Pizza, La Pergola (outdoor garden dining, walking distance from Paper Mill), Cara Mia (Italian), Trattoria Gian Marco, Cucina at 382, Café Monet (French), Evoo and Lemon (Mediterranean), Sum Ramen, Saigon Café (Vietnamese), Sakura (Japanese), Jade Lake Gourmet (Chinese), Pita on Essex (Mediterranean), Mariachi (Mexican). Oscar's Deli for old-school counter service, Liv Breads (artisan bakery), Coffee Mill Roasters (local roastery), Casa Das Natas (Portuguese pastries). The restaurant density and quality rivals any downtown in Essex County.
The Mall at Short Hills and Short Hills
The Mall at Short Hills (1.4 million square feet) adds The Capital Grille, Legal Sea Foods, and luxury dining. The Hilton at Short Hills provides upscale hotel dining. Chatham Road in Short Hills has boutique cafes and local businesses.
Parks and Recreation in Millburn
South Mountain Reservation
2,112-acre Essex County nature reserve spanning Millburn, Maplewood, and West Orange. Hiking trails, waterfalls, Turtle Back Zoo, Treetop Adventure Course, Codey Arena (ice skating), Safari Mini Golf, and Washington Rock — an overlook where George Washington monitored British troop movements during the Revolution. One of the largest urban nature preserves in the Northeast.
Cora Hartshorn Arboretum and Bird Sanctuary
16-acre preserve with 3 miles of walking trails through woodland habitat. Donated in 1958 by Stewart Hartshorn's daughter Cora. Nature education programs and seasonal bird walks. A hidden gem in the heart of Short Hills.
Greenwood Gardens
28-acre public garden and one of only 16 garden preservation projects in the United States overseen by the Garden Conservancy. Arts and Crafts-era garden architecture with terraces, grottoes, and native plantings. Open seasonally.
Taylor Park
Township's primary recreation hub with playground, sports fields, community pool, and the venue for the annual Winter Walk light display (November through January).
Gero Park
Full recreation complex with swimming pool, tennis courts, and a par-3 golf course — one of the few municipal par-3 courses in Essex County.
Old Short Hills Park
Neighborhood park in the historic section of Short Hills with open green space and walking paths. Adjacent to Old Short Hills Estates.
New Development and Growth in Millburn
Downtown Millburn Preservation
The township actively manages downtown character with architectural standards and independent retail. Over 40 restaurants and boutique shops line the walkable commercial district — chain stores are secondary to locally owned businesses.
Transit-Oriented Growth
Gentle residential density near both train stations to accommodate the township's Mount Laurel housing obligations while preserving the single-family neighborhood character that defines Short Hills.
Mall at Short Hills Evolution
Ongoing luxury tenant curation maintaining the mall's position as NJ's premier retail destination. The 1.4 million square foot property anchored by Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, and Macy's continues to attract high-end brands.
History of Millburn, NJ
Created as a township on March 20, 1857 from portions of Springfield Township. The name Millburn derives from the Scottish word burn (stream) combined with the mills that lined the Rahway River — Samuel Campbell established the first paper mill in 1790 to produce banknotes.
Stewart Hartshorn founded the Short Hills community in 1874 as a planned residential enclave. He laid out curving streets, preserved natural topography, and established architectural standards that still define the neighborhood. Homes from 1870 to 1928 showcase Shingle, Queen Anne, Stick, and Revival styles.
The Battle of Springfield in 1780 saw British forces assault through Hobart Gap in what historians describe as the last major British push into New Jersey. George Washington's army camped at nearby Morristown. The Parsil family graveyard on White Oak Ridge Road contains Nicholas Parsil, killed in a clash with British soldiers.
Paper Mill Playhouse was established in 1938 on the site of Diamond Mill, a former paper plant on the banks of the West Branch Rahway River. Designated the State Theater of New Jersey, the 1,200-seat venue has launched Broadway productions and nurtured generations of theatrical talent.
Baltusrol Golf Club, founded in 1895, has hosted seven US Opens (most recently 2016) and is one of the most storied courses in American golf. The club sits on the Millburn-Springfield border.
Philip Roth's 1959 novella Goodbye, Columbus is set in Short Hills. The key scene takes place at Millburn High School's track. The story depicts a newly affluent Jewish family — reflecting the township's role as a destination for upwardly mobile families from Newark in the postwar era.
The Mall at Short Hills opened in 1980 and became NJ's premier luxury retail destination with 1.4 million square feet of gross leasable area. Anchored by Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, and Macy's — the highest concentration of luxury anchors in the state.
Safety in Millburn
Millburn Township's crime rate is 78% below the national average. The township police department maintains community-oriented policing with school resource officers. Short Hills ranks among the safest communities in all of New Jersey.
Notable Residents
Annual Events and Festivals
Frequently Asked Questions About Millburn, NJ
What is the median home price in Millburn, NJ?
The median home price is $1,800,000 as of 2026, with 5.8% year-over-year appreciation. Average $500/sqft, selling in 22 days.
How long is the commute from Millburn to NYC?
35 minutes via NJ Transit from Short Hills Station on the Midtown Direct. Direct service, no transfers.
What are property taxes in Millburn, NJ?
Tax rate is 2.01%. Average homeowner pays $28,456/year. At the median price of $1,800,000, expect about $36,180/year.
What are the best neighborhoods in Millburn?
Old Short Hills Estates ($2,500,000 to $6,000,000+). Hartshorn / Brantwood ($2,000,000 to $4,000,000). Deerfield-Crossroads ($1,800,000 to $4,000,000). White Oak Ridge / Mountaintop ($1,500,000 to $3,500,000). Glenwood ($1,000,000 to $2,000,000). See the full guide above for all 8 neighborhoods.
Is Millburn safe?
Millburn Township's crime rate is 78% below the national average. The township police department maintains community-oriented policing with school resource officers. Short Hills ranks among the safest communities in all of New Jersey.
How walkable is Millburn, NJ?
Walk Score of 55, rated "Somewhat Walkable." Median income $250,000, median age 42.8. 12% renter-occupied.
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