Closter
NJ
Average Sales Price
-
Median Sales Price
-
Population
8,475
Total Listings
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Living in Closter
Hub of the Northern Valley.
Top-Ranked Schools. Charming Downtown Village.
Everything you need to know before making Closter, NJ home.
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→Closter has earned its nickname — the "Hub of the Northern Valley" — through a combination of geographic centrality, an exceptionally walkable downtown village, and one of Bergen County's most admired school pipelines. The borough sits on 3.30 square miles of tree-lined streets and generous lots in the heart of northern Bergen County, bordered by Alpine, Demarest, Norwood, and Haworth. Foursquares and Colonial Revivals from the early 1900s share the streets with new construction exceeding $2 million — a testament to how consistently families have chosen Closter for the long term.
The school story drives much of that demand: Hillside Elementary (A) and Tenakill Middle (A) feed into Northern Valley Regional at Demarest (#19 in NJ, A+, Blue Ribbon Award), with 98% of graduates receiving college offers. The Palisades Interstate Parkway and Route 9W connect directly to the GWB, and NJ Transit bus service reaches Manhattan. Closter Plaza — anchored by Whole Foods and Target — and a charming boutique downtown on Ver Valen Street give daily life a village quality that larger Bergen County towns can rarely match.
🏫
NV Demarest #19 in NJ · A+
98% college offers · Blue Ribbon Award · 10.7:1
🏡
Luxury Market
Median ~$1.3M–$1.5M · generous lots · new construction
🛍️
Walkable Village Downtown
Closter Plaza · Whole Foods · boutiques · Ver Valen St
🛣️
PIP to GWB
Palisades Pkwy direct · ~20 miles to Midtown NYC
🏆
#5 NJ Town for Families
Top schools · low crime · community character
💰
Tax Rate 2.072%
Moderate for a $1.4M-median market · avg ~$15,540
Commute & Connectivity
Getting There From Here
Closter is a car-first commuter borough — the Palisades Interstate Parkway and Route 9W deliver direct GWB access, with NJ Transit bus service to Manhattan for those who prefer to leave the car behind.
George Washington Bridge
Via Palisades Interstate Pkwy S · ~12 miles
~20
minutes by car (off-peak)
NYC Manhattan
Via PIP S / GWB · ~20 miles total
~30–40
minutes by car (off-peak)
NYC Port Authority (Bus)
NJ Transit Bus 177 · Schraalenburgh Rd & High St
~45–55
minutes by bus
Hackensack (County Seat)
Via Closter Dock Rd / Rt-9W S · ~8 miles
~15
minutes by car
Paramus / Garden State Plaza
Via Rt-9W S / Rt-4 W · ~10 miles
~20
minutes by car
Public Schools
Education That Raises Property Values
Closter's K–8 district feeds into Northern Valley Regional at Demarest — ranked #19 in New Jersey with an A+ Niche rating, 10.7:1 student-teacher ratio, and 98% of graduates receiving college offers.
| School | Grades | Type | Student:Teacher | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hillside Elementary School Closter Public Schools · nurturing · strong academics |
K – 5 | Public | 15 : 1 | A |
| Tenakill Middle School Closter Public Schools · rigorous prep for Northern Valley |
6 – 8 | Public | 15 : 1 | A |
| Northern Valley Regional HS at Demarest #19 NJ · Blue Ribbon · 98% college offers · Bergen Tech IIDT |
9 – 12 | Public | 10.7 : 1 | A+ |
NV Demarest ranked #19 in NJ by US News. Blue Ribbon Award of Excellence (US Dept of Education). Part of Bergen Tech Institute for Interactive Design Technology (IIDT) — UX/UI design program. Also eligible: Bergen County Academies.
Neighborhood Life
What Makes Closter Closter
Explore the boutique downtown, charming parks, and Northern Valley community life that define Bergen County's "Hub."
Closter Plaza Dining
The borough's mixed-use commercial hub on Vervalen Avenue hosts restaurants, cafés, and casual dining options alongside retail — a walkable weeknight destination for families. Students from Tenakill and NV Demarest frequent the area on weekends.
Walkable · Family · Hub
Local Italian Restaurants
Family-owned Italian restaurants are a staple of the Closter dining scene — the kind of neighborhood BYOBs and classic trattorias that Bergen County's Northern Valley does better than almost anywhere.
Italian · BYOB · Local
Whole Foods (Closter Plaza)
In-borough Whole Foods at Closter Plaza — an everyday premium grocery anchor that eliminates the trip to Paramus for quality food shopping. Alongside Target and boutique stores, it makes Closter Plaza a genuine all-in-one local hub.
Premium Grocery · In-Borough
Ver Valen Street Boutiques & Cafés
Closter's charming downtown village corridor — boutique shops, tutoring centers, gyms, nail salons, and local eateries line the walkable streets. The kind of Main Street character that residents describe as the borough's most distinctive quality.
Boutique · Walkable · Village
Community Festival & Holiday Parade
Closter's annual Community Festival and Holiday Parade are the borough's signature gathering events — the kind of small-town celebration that newcomers mention when they describe what made them fall in love with the place.
Annual Events · Community
Demarest & Tenafly Dining (~10 min)
Adjacent Demarest and nearby Tenafly's charming downtowns extend Closter's dining radius significantly — both within 10 minutes and offering upscale and casual options across a range of cuisines.
~10 min · Northern Valley
Closter Borough Recreation
An active recreation department hosting youth sports, programs, and seasonal events year-round. Baseball, soccer, and multi-sport fields are central to Closter's family community life — parents and kids are regulars at games and events on weekends throughout the year.
Youth Sports · Programs
Palisades Interstate Park (via PIP)
The Palisades Interstate Parkway runs directly through Closter, giving residents immediate access to the vast network of preserved Palisades parkland — hiking, cycling, and scenic overlooks above the Hudson River, all within minutes of home.
Hiking · Scenic · Minutes Away
Oradell Reservoir (nearby)
The Oradell Reservoir lies to Closter's east — a large natural water feature that contributes to the borough's green, semi-rural character and is part of what gives Northern Valley towns their distinctive sense of space and openness.
Reservoir · Natural Setting
Hackensack Meridian Pascack Valley Medical Center
A major regional hospital system serving the Closter area — accessible for emergency and planned healthcare needs without a long drive. Part of the broader Hackensack Meridian Health network covering the entire region.
Healthcare · Regional
Closter Public Library
Part of the Bergen County Cooperative Library System — cardholders access 77 Bergen County libraries, hundreds of thousands of books, e-books, audiobooks, and free museum pass admission. A genuine community asset beyond just a local branch.
Civic · BCCLS Network
300 Years of Dutch Heritage
Closter's streets are named for original Dutch settler families — Bogert, Demarest, Durie, Vervalen — and the borough preserves a collection of unique Jersey Dutch homes. The area's history as a railroad commuter town since 1859 is visible in the Foursquares and Colonial Revivals that still stand on quiet residential streets.
Historic · Dutch Heritage
#5 NJ Town for Families
Closter ranks 5th overall among New Jersey towns for family living — recognized for its highly rated schools, low crime rates, safe neighborhoods, and community amenities that make it one of the most consistent long-term choices for families in northern Bergen County.
National Recognition
Growing Diversity
Closter has seen meaningful growth in Asian-American and Hispanic communities in recent years, adding cultural richness to a borough that was historically predominantly white. The borough's welcoming character and school quality are primary draws for families from diverse backgrounds.
Diverse · Growing
Closter Plaza (Whole Foods + Target)
The borough's primary retail destination — anchored by Whole Foods and Target, plus boutiques, tutoring centers, gyms, and dining. Closter Plaza provides premium everyday retail without requiring a drive to Paramus. "Something for everyone," as residents describe it.
In-Borough · Premium
Paramus Retail (~20 min)
Garden State Plaza and Bergen Town Center — two of NJ's largest retail destinations — are accessible via Route 9W and Route 4 in approximately 20 minutes. For major shopping, Closter residents have quick access without living in a highway-adjacent environment.
~20 min · Major Retail
Englewood Health (~15 min)
One of NJ's top-ranked hospital systems — approximately 15 minutes south. Englewood Health and Hackensack Meridian's Pascack Valley Medical Center both serve Closter residents, providing top-quality regional healthcare without a long drive.
Healthcare · ~15 min
By the Numbers
Closter at a Glance
Municipality Type
Borough
Bergen County · 3.30 sq mi
Population
~8,594
2020 Census · affluent · family
Median Home Price
~$1.4M–$1.5M
New construction $2M+ · lots generous
Tax Rate (General)
2.072%
Avg bill ~$15,540
HS NJ Rank
#19
NV Demarest · A+ · Blue Ribbon
GWB via PIP
~20 min
Palisades Interstate Pkwy direct
Zip Code
07624
Single zip borough
Median HH Income
~$187,500
Highly affluent · professional
Explore the Area
Similar Towns Near Closter
Buyers considering Closter often explore these neighboring Northern Valley communities — each with its own character and school profile.
Demarest
Bordering · NV Demarest HS · historic
→
Alpine
Bordering · NJ's most exclusive · lowest tax
→
Norwood
Bordering · quiet · Northern Valley
→
Haworth
Bordering · small · NV Regional
→
Harrington Park
Bordering · charming · NV Regional
→
Old Tappan
Northern Valley · top schools
→
Tenafly
Nearby · top HS · walkable village
→
Cresskill
Nearby · Northern Valley · family
→
Emerson
Bordering · NJ Transit · more affordable
→Demographics
Data provided by Attom Data
Population
Employment
Population
8.5K
8.5K in 2020
Density
2.4K
per square mile
Households
2.8K
Total households
Gender
48% / 52%
Men Vs Women
Occupancy
84% / 16%
Owned Vs Rented
Age Median: Years
Education Level
Educational Environment
Elementary Schools (4)Middle Schools (1)
Name
Category
Grades
Library
Ratio
9/10
Tenakill Middle School
275 High St, Closter, NJ 07624
Public
5 - 8
No
14:1 STUDENTS/TEACHERS
8/10
Hillside Elementary School
340 Homans Ave, Closter, NJ 07624
Public
PK - 4
No
12:1 STUDENTS/TEACHERS
0/10
Palisades Country Day School
212/248 Herbert Avenue, Closter, NJ 07624
Private
PK - KG
Yes
5:1 STUDENTS/TEACHERS
0/10
International Academy of Arts & Sciences
300 High St, Closter, NJ 07624
Private
PK - KG
No
2:1 STUDENTS/TEACHERS
Amenities & Attractions
Similar Neighborhood
Common Questions
Closter, NJ — Frequently Asked Questions
Real answers about buying, selling, taxes, schools, and daily life in Closter — the "Hub of the Northern Valley" and one of Bergen County's most sought-after family communities.
Closter is a somewhat competitive, steadily appreciating market at the upper end of Bergen County's price spectrum. Redfin reported a median sale of $1.5M in July 2025 (up 4.6% YoY), while the current median list price is approximately $1.3M (April 2026). Days on market have improved significantly — from 96 days a year ago to 24–65 days depending on the source and season. Only 8–9 homes sell per month, so inventory is consistently tight and correctly priced properties face limited competition. The borough attracts a deliberate buyer: families specifically seeking the Northern Valley school pipeline, generous lots, and the village character of downtown Closter. Talk to us about current Closter market conditions →
Closter's median sale price is approximately $1.4M–$1.5M, with Redfin reporting $1.5M (July 2025, up 4.6%) and BergenRealEstate.com citing a stable market median around $1.4M. Current list prices are around $1.3M (April 2026). The range is wide: modest Colonial Revivals and Foursquares from the 1920s–40s run roughly $650K–$750K; mid-century ranches and bi-levels fall around $900K–$1M; and new construction regularly exceeds $2M, often with cobblestone driveways and three-car garages. Lot sizes are consistently generous — typically over a quarter acre — giving Closter homes the kind of outdoor space that's increasingly rare in Bergen County at this location.
Closter's housing stock reflects its century-long history as a commuter community. Large lots are the defining feature — quarter-acre-plus properties are standard throughout the borough. Architectural styles span early 20th-century Foursquares and Colonial Revivals (many original structures still standing on quiet streets), mid-century ranches and bi-levels, and newer traditional-style construction with expansive garages and formal entries. New construction has been particularly active, with $2M+ homes featuring high-end finishes and multiple-car garages. The borough's residential character is almost entirely single-family — there are no high-rises and very limited multifamily, giving Closter a consistent, spacious suburban feel that families specifically seek out.
Closter is primarily a car-commuter borough — the Palisades Interstate Parkway (PIP) runs directly through town and provides direct access to the George Washington Bridge, approximately 12 miles and 20 minutes away off-peak. Manhattan is roughly 20 miles and 30–40 minutes by car. Route 9W also connects south toward the GWB corridor. For those preferring transit, NJ Transit Bus 177 stops at Schraalenburgh Road and High Street, connecting to Manhattan in approximately 45–55 minutes. The nearest airports are Newark Liberty (~40 min) and LaGuardia (~45 min). Closter residents going to Manhattan by car can also reverse-commute to major Bergen County employment hubs — Hackensack, Paramus, and Teaneck are all under 20 minutes.
Closter's schools are the primary reason most families move here. The K–8 Closter Public School District operates Hillside Elementary (A) and Tenakill Middle School (A) — both recognized for academic excellence and a strong preparatory culture. High school students attend Northern Valley Regional at Demarest, ranked #19 in New Jersey by US News with an A+ Niche rating. The school holds a US Department of Education Blue Ribbon Award, maintains a 10.7:1 student-teacher ratio, and sends 98% of graduates to college. NV Demarest is also part of the Bergen Tech Institute for Interactive Design Technology (IIDT), where students can take UX/UI design classes. Students are additionally eligible for Bergen County Academies programs in Hackensack. "Schools are a major attraction," as one longtime local agent put it — and the data completely agrees.
Closter's 2025 general tax rate is 2.072%, with a median effective rate of approximately 2.03%. The median annual residential tax bill is approximately $15,540 — above the Bergen County average of $13,329, but expected given the borough's median home value around $1.4M–$1.5M and the quality of the school pipeline it funds. On a $1.4M home, expect roughly $25,000–$30,000 per year depending on assessed value. Compared to neighboring Demarest (avg $24,741) and Tenafly ($23,837), Closter's tax rate is actually lower than many comparable Northern Valley towns with similar home values and school quality. Tax bills are due quarterly: February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1.
At 2.072%, Closter's general tax rate is one of the lower rates in the Northern Valley corridor. For comparison: Demarest is 1.805% but with higher home values producing a $24,741 average bill; Norwood is 2.892%; Haworth is 3.225%; Harrington Park is 3.271%. Old Tappan and Alpine have lower rates. The meaningful comparison is always the total annual bill: Closter's combination of a $1.4M+ median value and 2.072% rate puts the typical bill around $20K–$30K — in line with what buyers in this price range expect in top-tier Northern Valley communities. The rate has historically remained stable, and the borough's quality of services and schools justifies the investment for families who specifically choose Closter for the long term.
Yes. Closter benefits from structural demand driven by one of the most consistent motivations in Bergen County real estate: families specifically seeking the Northern Valley school pipeline. That demand is school-year timing sensitive — spring (March–June) is typically the strongest selling season as families aim to close before the fall semester. Prices are up 4.6% YoY (Redfin), days on market have improved sharply (from 96 to 24–65 days), and inventory remains tight at 8–9 sales per month. New construction comps at $2M+ set strong price anchors for the wider market. Get a free Closter home valuation →
Days on market in Closter have improved significantly — from a median of 96 days a year ago to approximately 24–65 days currently (Movoto April 2026 reports 24 days; Redfin shows 65 days as of July 2025). The range reflects seasonal patterns: spring listings priced correctly can move in under 30 days; fall and winter listings may take longer. Because buyers in Closter are almost exclusively families making deliberate, school-driven decisions, timing the listing to the school search cycle — listing in February–April to capture families making spring decisions — consistently produces the fastest and strongest outcomes. Learn how we sell homes in Closter →
Closter has the rare quality of feeling like a genuine village while being 20 miles from Manhattan. The downtown on Ver Valen Street and Closter Plaza — with its Whole Foods, Target, boutiques, tutoring centers, and restaurants — handles everyday life without a highway run. The streets are tree-lined, lots are generous, and the recreational culture (youth sports, seasonal community events, the annual Community Festival and Holiday Parade) reflects a borough that takes its family-friendly identity seriously. The Palisades Interstate Parkway runs right through town, meaning trails and scenic overlooks are immediately accessible. A longtime resident described the evolution: "I've watched it grow from a sleepy small town into a booming microcosm, attracting diversity and great business opportunities." For families making a long-term commitment to Bergen County — choosing a school district, a neighborhood, and a community — Closter consistently delivers on all three.