Allendale, New Jersey: A Quiet Bergen County Gem For Families

Looking for a quiet North Jersey suburb that still keeps you close to Manhattan? If you want strong schools, green space, and a calm village feel, Allendale delivers all three. In this guide, you’ll learn how Allendale stacks up on schools, parks, commute, and home values so you can decide if it matches your family’s goals. Let’s dive in.

Allendale at a glance

Allendale is a small borough in northeastern Bergen County, about 3 square miles and roughly 25 miles northwest of Midtown Manhattan. The town grew around the railroad and still feels like a classic commuter community with a compact, walkable business district near the station. You can explore the town’s history and heritage through the borough’s official materials, which highlight its late‑19th‑century roots and village scale (borough overview).

Population has held steady in recent years: the U.S. Census counted 6,848 residents in 2020, with a U.S. Census QuickFacts estimate of 6,928 as of July 1, 2024 (U.S. Census QuickFacts). That small‑town size is part of the appeal for many buyers.

Why families choose Allendale

• A calm residential rhythm with larger yards compared with busier village cores nearby.
• Strong K–12 pathways, including a well‑regarded regional high school.
• A true community center of parks, the lake, and a lively local library program.
• Practical commuting options with an in‑town NJ TRANSIT station.

Family‑friendly housing and neighborhoods

Allendale’s housing stock spans eras and styles. You’ll see late‑19th and early‑20th‑century homes near older streets along with mid‑century ranches, split‑levels, and newer construction elsewhere. Buyers also find Colonials, Tudors, and renovated properties throughout town, reflecting a long arc of development documented in the borough’s history resources (borough history).

Many lots feel roomier than those in denser downtown centers nearby. While there is no single borough‑wide average published, multiple listings and zoning patterns point to parcels in the roughly 0.3 to 0.6 acre range in many areas, with larger parcels in higher‑end pockets. This gives you space for play areas, gardens, and outdoor entertaining without leaving a neighborhood setting.

Micro‑areas to know

• Crestwood Lake area: Homes around Crestwood Park enjoy close access to a 71‑acre municipal hub with a lake, beaches, and fields. Memberships, swim programs, and seasonal activities make this area a favorite for organized recreation (Crestwood Lake).
• West Allendale and downtown zone: Near the train and West Allendale Avenue, you’ll find a compact, pedestrian‑friendly business district for coffee, errands, and library visits. It offers a village feel on a smaller scale than larger nearby downtowns.

Parks and community life

If daily outdoor time matters to you, Allendale stands out. The Celery Farm is a 107‑acre freshwater wetland preserve with observation platforms and more than 240 recorded bird species. It’s a quiet place to walk, watch wildlife, and reset in every season (Celery Farm preserve).

Just across town, Crestwood Lake anchors summer life with three beaches, lifeguards, swim teams, and lessons, plus fields and courts for year‑round play. The borough manages membership and seasonal hours, so it’s smart to review current details if lake access is on your wishlist (Crestwood Lake).

The Lee Memorial Library doubles as a community hub, offering events, pass programs, and youth activities that keep the calendar full even when the weather pushes you indoors (Lee Memorial Library).

Schools and academic options

Allendale’s public K–8 district includes two schools: Hillside Elementary (pre‑K to 3) and Brookside (grades 4 to 8). District materials describe a nearly 1,000‑student system with clear grade bands and centralized information for families (Allendale School District).

For high school, students attend Northern Highlands Regional High School in Allendale, which serves Allendale and nearby sending communities. The school highlights strong Advanced Placement participation, college‑prep programming, and a wide range of extracurriculars (Northern Highlands Regional HS). Independent profiles also reflect strong performance; for example, Niche assigns an Overall Grade of A+ on its current page, with details on academics and activities for families to review (Niche profile).

Families seeking specialized options also look at Bergen County technical and magnet programs, which are accessible from Allendale through county admissions processes. The district site is a good starting point for current pathways and performance reports (Allendale School District).

Commuting made manageable

Allendale has its own NJ TRANSIT station on the Main/Bergen County Line. Many riders transfer at Secaucus Junction for NY Penn Station. Station pages outline parking lots, permit rules, and ticketing, so you can plan your routine with accurate, current details (NJ TRANSIT Allendale Station).

Typical door‑to‑door times to Midtown Manhattan run about 60 to 75 minutes by train with a transfer. Driving varies widely by time of day; expect roughly 40 to 80 minutes at peak. The borough sits near Route 17 with access to I‑287 and the Garden State Parkway, which helps for regional errands or airport runs. If you need more schedule options on a given day, nearby stations on the same line can offer additional departures.

Home prices, taxes, and long‑term value

Allendale is a premium Bergen County market with pricing that varies by property, location, and finish level. Recent snapshots across data providers show a range roughly from the high‑nine‑hundreds to low‑seven‑figures. For example, Zillow’s typical home value was about $1,045,554 as of data through January 31, 2026; a recent Realtor.com snapshot showed a median sale price around $919,500; and a June 2025 market summary reported a median list price near $1,199,000. Use these as directional markers and verify current numbers during your search.

Property taxes in New Jersey are high compared with national averages, and Allendale is no exception. Aggregated estimates show median effective rates around 2.1 to 2.3 percent in the borough, with many annual bills in the mid‑five‑figures. Because assessments and exemptions differ by property, it is wise to confirm specific tax obligations with official sources and actual tax bills (Allendale property‑tax context).

For long‑term value, many buyers weigh Allendale’s school reputation, larger yards, and limited inventory. These factors help support demand across market cycles. If you are planning a purchase, a seasoned pricing strategy and careful review of recent comparables will help you calibrate value at the street level.

Comparing nearby suburbs

When you compare Allendale with nearby Ridgewood and Wyckoff, a few patterns emerge. Recent market pages for those towns often show medians near or above Allendale’s, with some snapshots placing Wyckoff above $1.1 million and Ridgewood near $999,000, depending on provider and month. Treat these as general signals rather than fixed benchmarks.

On lifestyle, Allendale typically feels quieter and more residential, with more green space and larger lots than Ridgewood’s lively village center. Wyckoff is often described as more rural‑residential in parts, with larger suburban parcels. If you want a calmer pace but still want a train station and a small, walkable downtown, Allendale often lands on the shortlist.

Buying or selling in Allendale: practical steps

Buying

• Define must‑haves early: lot size, proximity to parks, commute pattern, and renovation appetite.
• Track provider data, but rely on hyper‑local comps to price your offers accurately.
• Budget for New Jersey property taxes and routine maintenance on larger parcels.

Selling

• Elevate presentation. Professional staging, crisp photography, and aerials can spotlight yard scale and curb appeal.
• Price with precision. Compare recent sales near Crestwood, the downtown zone, and quieter interior streets to align with buyer behavior.
• Prepare for scrutiny on taxes and utilities by compiling documentation upfront.

Ready to explore Allendale?

If you want a calm, well‑connected Bergen County address with real green space, Allendale deserves a closer look. For a private, senior‑led conversation about timing, pricing, and fit, connect with Catherine Bossolina. Request a Private Consultation.

FAQs

What is Allendale’s population and size?

• Allendale counted 6,848 residents in the 2020 U.S. Census, with a July 1, 2024 estimate of 6,928; the borough covers about 3 square miles (U.S. Census QuickFacts, borough overview).

How close is Allendale to Midtown and what are commute options?

• It sits about 25 miles northwest of Midtown; the NJ TRANSIT Allendale Station on the Main/Bergen County Line offers service with a Secaucus transfer, with typical door‑to‑door times around 60 to 75 minutes (NJ TRANSIT Allendale Station).

What are Allendale’s standout parks and amenities?

• The 107‑acre Celery Farm offers year‑round nature access, while 71‑acre Crestwood Lake provides beaches, swim programs, and fields; the Lee Memorial Library anchors community programming (Celery Farm, Crestwood Lake, Lee Memorial Library).

How are Allendale’s public schools organized?

• The Allendale School District operates Hillside Elementary (pre‑K–3) and Brookside (4–8), and students attend Northern Highlands Regional High School for grades 9–12 (Allendale School District, Northern Highlands).

How do home prices in Allendale compare with nearby towns?

• Market snapshots often place Allendale in the high‑nine‑hundreds to low‑seven‑figures; nearby Ridgewood and Wyckoff frequently show medians at or above that level, depending on the data provider and month.

What should I know about Allendale property taxes?

• New Jersey property taxes are high relative to national norms; aggregated borough estimates show effective rates around 2.1 to 2.3 percent, but you should verify the actual bill for any property you’re considering (property‑tax overview).