Harrington Park is the kind of town people move to and never leave. This borough of about 4,700 residents has one of the highest recreational acreages per capita in New Jersey, a school system that feeds into the #1-ranked district in the state, and a homeownership rate above 92%. It’s also where U.S. Senator Cory Booker grew up, which tells you something about the kind of community it produces.
As a Bergen County real estate specialist, I’ve helped families find homes across every municipality in the county. Here are the top five reasons Harrington Park keeps earning a spot on my clients’ shortlists.
1. Blue Ribbon Schools Feeding Into the #1 District in New Jersey
Harrington Park School serves students from pre-K through eighth grade, earning an A from Niche and a ranking of #50 among the best public elementary schools in New Jersey. Math proficiency sits at 67% (versus a 36% state average) and reading at 75% (versus 49% statewide). The school holds a 10/10 testing ranking from Public School Review, placing it in the top 10% of all New Jersey school districts.
For high school, students attend Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan, rated A+ by Niche with a 9/10 from GreatSchools, average SAT scores of 1330, and a 98% graduation rate. The Northern Valley Regional district is ranked #1 in New Jersey. From elementary through graduation, Harrington Park families have access to one of the strongest public school pipelines in the state.
2. One of the Safest Boroughs in Bergen County
Crime in Harrington Park is essentially a non-factor. CrimeGrade.org gives the borough an A rating, placing it in the 90th percentile for safety nationally. The crime rate sits at about 7.5 incidents per 1,000 residents per year, well below both the New Jersey and national averages. On average, a crime occurs once every 10 days, and the workforce is 96% white-collar.
Niche resident reviews sum it up: “There is really no crime to speak of.” For families relocating from the city or looking to move up from a less safe suburb, Harrington Park offers the kind of peace of mind that becomes part of your daily life.
3. More Green Space Per Capita Than Almost Anywhere in the State
This is one of Harrington Park’s most underrated advantages. The borough has one of the highest recreational acreages per capita in New Jersey, which is remarkable for a town of just two square miles. Pondside Park offers a serene pond, walking trails, and wildlife right in the heart of town. Pascack Brook County Park connects to the broader trail system, and the Harrington Park/Old Tappan Woods preserve provides additional hiking and nature access.
For families, this means your kids grow up with real green space, not just a postage-stamp playground, but ponds, woods, and trails within walking distance of home.
4. A Quick Commute to Midtown Manhattan
Harrington Park sits about 13 miles from the George Washington Bridge, roughly a 17-minute drive under normal conditions. NJ Transit Bus Route 167T runs express from Harrington Park to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan, with an estimated ride time of 35 to 41 minutes.
The bus also stops at the GW Bridge Bus Terminal, where you can connect to the A train for downtown Manhattan. For a town with this level of safety, schools, and green space, having a sub-40-minute express bus to Midtown is a combination that’s hard to beat anywhere in Bergen County.
5. Revolutionary War Roots and a Community That Stays
Harrington Park’s history runs deep. Originally part of Harrington Township, established in 1775 and named for the Harring family of early Dutch settlers, the borough sits on land from the original 1723 Tappan Patent land grant. The Old Burying Ground on Tappan Road holds graves of four Revolutionary War veterans from the Blauvelt family, with the earliest known burial dating to 1722.
Today, that sense of rootedness is still palpable. The homeownership rate is 92%, among the highest in Bergen County. The median household income is about $180,000. Nearly 68% of residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. The borough is roughly 70% White, 20% Asian (with a growing Korean-American community), and 7% Hispanic, a mix that continues to diversify while maintaining the small-town character that has defined Harrington Park for generations. Strong community organizations such as Scouting, the Lions Club, and the Historical Society keep the social fabric tight.
Where to Eat in Harrington Park
Harrington Park is tiny, but La Roche Avenue punches above its size with three genuine Italian restaurants, a gourmet market for the nights in between, and Closter’s destination dining minutes away.
Cork & Crust
Cork & Crust on La Roche Avenue is Harrington Park’s Italian-Mediterranean anchor, a warm room serving pizza, pasta, and Mediterranean plates for brunch, lunch, and dinner, with a patio in season. Consistently one of the town’s most popular tables.
Why locals love it: Italian and Mediterranean done right, in town, with a patio. The reliable Saturday-night booking.
Augie’s Trattoria
A few doors down, Augie’s Trattoria is a family-owned BYO Italian trattoria built on made-fresh pasta and classic plates in a cozy setting. The kind of neighborhood Italian that turns first-timers into regulars.
Why locals love it: homemade pasta, BYO, family-run. It feels like being fed at a friend’s table.
Donatella’s Ristorante
Donatella’s is the town’s longer-standing Italian room, a well-liked spot for traditional cooking and a comfortable dinner close to home. Between the three, La Roche Avenue gives a town this small a real dining strip.
Why locals love it: classic Italian, warm and familiar. The old reliable.
La Casa Formoso
La Casa Formoso is the local Italian market, the place for prepared foods, sandwiches, fresh mozzarella, and everything you need to eat well at home. The everyday counterpart to the sit-down rooms.
Why locals love it: a real Italian market in town. Where the weeknight dinner and the party trays come from.
The Hill
For a true special occasion, The Hill is minutes away in Closter, the area’s marquee restaurant from a Michelin-starred chef. Seasonal American cooking built around fine seafood and quality steaks, refined but relaxed.
Why locals love it: world-class cooking a short drive away. It is the anniversary-dinner room.
What Harrington Park’s Dining Really Is
For a borough its size, Harrington Park eats surprisingly well: a genuine La Roche Avenue Italian strip, a gourmet market for the in-between nights, and a Michelin-pedigreed kitchen minutes away in Closter. Small town, real options.
Ready to Make Harrington Park Home?
The food is just one part of what makes Harrington Park special. As a Bergen County real estate expert, I know every street and school district here. If you’re relocating from NYC, upsizing for a growing family, or looking for your first home in the Northern Valley, I’ll help you navigate the market and find the right fit, and I’m happy to point you toward Bergen County’s other luxury towns if you want to compare. I’d be glad to help you turn your dreams into an address.
Search Harrington Park Homes for Sale | Get a Free Home Valuation | Browse All Bergen County Towns
Tom Lee | NJNest
Phone: 848-565-1425
Email: tom@njnest.com
Website: njnest.com
Tom Lee is a licensed real estate agent with 2Win Realty, specializing in Bergen County residential real estate. With deep local expertise and a client-first approach, Tom helps buyers and sellers across all 70 Bergen County municipalities make confident real estate decisions.
